Written Answers of 4 February 1988

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Punishment Attacks
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what figures are available to indicate the known numbers of punishment attacks for each year since 1975, indicating if possible the nature of the attacks, the areas in which they took place and the organisations who admitted or are suspected of responsibility.

  Mr. Stanley
  [holding answer 29 January 1988]: The information is as follows:

  Punishment shootings (see note 1)

  Punishment assaults (see note 2)

  (Paramilitary organisations believed to be responsible)

  Year

  Loyalist

  Republican

  Total

  Loyalist

  Republican

  Total

  1982

  22

  58

  80

  3

  6

  9

  1983

  9

  22

  31

  1

  2

  3

  1984

  6

  20

  26

  1

  43

  44

  1985

  11

  21

  32

  4

  26

  30

  1986

  24

  17

  41

  12

  29

  41

  1987

  67

  57

  124

  27

  33

  60

  Note 1: Punishment shootings are primarily kneecappings.

  Note 2: Punishment assaults are primarily with sticks, metal bars, breeze blocks and electric drills.

  Farm Effluents
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications for grant aid in respect of disposal of farm effluents were received from 4 November 1987 until closure of applications; how many applications were accepted and how many refused; and what are the sums involved in respect of applications accepted and acknowledged.

  Mr. Viggers
  [holding answer 3 February 1988]: In the period 4 November 1987 to 31 December 1987 the Department of Agriculture received 2,934 prior notifications from farmers intending to undertake the provision of farm effluent disposal facilities. All prior notifications continue to be acknowledged. No prior notifications have been refused by the Department.

  It will not be possible to indicate the amount of money involved until claims in respect of completed work have been received by the Department.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will reintroduce grants for the provision of effluent disposal on farms in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Viggers
  [holding answer 3 February 1988]: My noble Friend Lord Lyell announced on 31 December 1987
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  Punishment attacks1

  Year

  Loyalist

  Republican

  Total

  1975

  50

  139

  189

  1976

  36

  62

  98

  1977

  28

  98

  126

  1978

  17

  50

  67

  1979

  25

  51

  76

  1980

  26

  51

  77

  1981

  14

  66

  80

  1982

  25

  64

  89

  1983

  10

  24

  34

  1984

  7

  63

  70

  1985

  15

  47

  62

  1986

  36

  46

  82

  1987

  94

  90

  184

  1 Paramilitary organisations believed to be responsible.

  Details of the areas where these attacks took place are not readily available for earlier years but, since 1983, the following information is available:

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  Greater Belfast

  24

  53

  49

  66

  158

  Other areas

  10

  17

  13

  16

  26

  Details of the nature of these attacks, broken down between punishment shootings and punishment assaults, are available from 1982 and are as follows:

  that a decision about the future of the agriculture improvement scheme (national scheme) would be made as soon as possible after 29 February 1988. This remains the position.

  Grants for effluent disposal facilities continue to be available to farmers who include such works in farm improvement plans submitted under the agriculture improvement scheme which is reimbursable by FEOGA.

  Potato Cyst Nematode
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has any plans to remove potato cyst nematode from the list of notifiable diseases of farm crops.

  Mr. Viggers
  [holding answer 3 February 1988]: A proposal to remove potato cyst nematode from the list of notifiable pests in Northern Ireland is presently the subject of consultation with industry interests.

  Potatoes
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what reasons his Department requires that potatoes shall not be grown more than once in five years on the same land; and if he now has any plans to remove this requirement.
  677
  Mr. Viggers
  [holding answer 3 February 1988]: Limitations on the growing of ware potatoes to once in five years on the same land were introduced with the intention of preventing the build up of potato cyst nematode. A proposal in light of current circumstances to remove the frequency of planting restriction in respect of ware potatoes in Northern Ireland is at present the subject of consultation with industry interests.

  Agricultural and Horticultural Stocks
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he intends to take and what measures are at present in force to maintain the present standards of health in agricultural and horticultural stocks and crops in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Viggers
  [holding answer 3 February 1988]: Arrangements to maintain the standards of plant health in agriculture and horticultural stocks and crops in Northern Ireland have been established under the Plant Health Act (Northern Ireland) 1967. They provide for restrictions and

  19822

  19833

  19843

  19853

  19863

  Rent registration area

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Clwyd

  —

  6 (50)

  3 (40)

  7 (30)

  3 (34)

  Dyfed

  —

  22 (18)

  13 (18)

  0 (20)

  8 (12)

  Gwent

  —

  29 (14)

  29 (7)

  8 (12)

  6 (16)

  Gwynedd

  —

  100 (5)

  — (0)

  6 (17)

  0 (11)

  Mid Glamorgan

  —

  64 (11)

  69 (52)

  17 (29)

  67 (94)

  Powys

  —

  14 (7)

  0 (28)

  14 (7)

  25 (4)

  South Glamorgan

  —

  7 (214)

  4 (235)

  3 (74)

  11 (171)

  West Glamorgan

  —

  15 (52)

  5 (39)

  0 (38)

  0 (57)

  1 Including regulated and housing association cases.

  2 Data not available.

  3 Figures in brackets indicate the total number of cases in sample.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many cases referred to the rent assessment committees in each county in Wales rent in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Grist
  The information is as follows:

  Rent Act 1977: Total number of reference of fair rent cases to rent assessment committees, Wales 1983–87

  Rent Registration Area

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  Clwyd

  44

  59

  32

  51

  28

  Dyfed

  24

  11

  37

  18

  38

  Gwent

  26

  53

  15

  59

  83

  Gwynedd

  21

  15

  23

  15

  36

  Mid Glamorgan

  30

  53

  114

  70

  61

  Powys

  8

  34

  10

  5

  11

  South Glamorgan

  164

  188

  105

  196

  254

  West Glamorgan

  70

  73

  32

  66

  49

  This includes regulated and housing association cases.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many applications there have been for registered fair rents in each of the last five years in each county in Wales.

  Mr. Grist
  The number of applications received for Registered Fair Rents between 1983 and 1987 are as follows:
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  prohibitions on imports of plant material and for measures to eradicate outbreaks of diseases and pests in Northern Ireland and to prevent the spread of certain serious pests and diseases already established there.

  Industry interests are being consulted about proposals to consolidate and update present arrangements in line with current circumstances.

WALES

  Rents
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many cases referred to the rent assessment committee in each county in Wales resulted in a reduced in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Grist
  Information relating to the numbers of reductions in rent as a result of all referrals to the rent assessment committee is not held centrally. However, an analysis of a sample of cases1 shows that the committee's determination was lower in percentage terms than the rent officer's assessment as follows:

  County

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  Clwyd

  2,028

  1,820

  2,078

  2,672

  2,482

  Dyfed

  854

  1,060

  1,083

  1,554

  1,421

  Gwent

  2,945

  2,359

  3,408

  3,600

  3,596

  Gwynedd

  729

  605

  854

  925

  1,073

  Mid Glamorgan

  4,166

  3,298

  4,439

  3,816

  4,625

  Powys

  530

  771

  758

  777

  771

  South Glamorgan

  4,353

  3,534

  4,943

  4,705

  6,253

  West Glamorgan

  2,193

  2,056

  2,637

  2,274

  2,862

  This includes regulated and housing association cases.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the percentage change in the number of applications for fair rents in Wales over the past five years.

  Mr. Grist
  The total number of applications for fair rent for regulated and housing association tenancies in Wales in 1982 was 13,790. The total in 1987 was 23,083. This represents an increase of 67 per cent.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many properties have been assessed for fair rent in Wales in the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Grist
  In 1987 the total number of registrations for fair rents in Wales was 22,677. This includes regulated and housing association cases.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the level of fair rent in the private sector in Wales in each county, in the latest year for which figures are available.
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  Mr. Grist
  The following information shows the mean rent for registrations in 1986:

  Rent Act 1977: Mean registered Rents, Wales 1986

  Unfurnished per £ annum

  Furnished £ per annum

  Rent Registration Area

  Clwyd

  874

  1,212

  Dyfed

  942

  1,351

  Gwent

  897

  1,080

  Gwynedd

  765

  1,210

  Mid Glamorgan

  701

  1,108

  Powys

  1,012

  1,228

  South Glamorgan

  1,038

  1,442

  West Glamorgan

  793

  1,231

  Wales total

  853

  1,231

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many applications have been made for fair rent by local authorities in Wales in each county in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Grist
  Information on the number of applications by local authorities for review of a fair rent is not held centrally. However, the total number of first registrations of fair rents where the application has been made by the local authority is as follows:

  Rent Act 1977: First registrations only, resulting from application from local authorities, Wales 1982–86

  Rent registration area

  11982

  1983

  1984

  21985

  1986

  Clwyd

  —

  2

  50

  108

  82

  Dyfed

  —

  19

  108

  166

  54

  Gwent

  —

  2

  46

  102

  72

  Gwynedd

  —

  0

  8

  13

  8

  Mid Glamorgan

  —

  0

  7

  17

  47

  Powys

  —

  2

  102

  63

  20

  South Glamorgan

  —

  0

  0

  113

  89

  West Glamorgan

  —

  22

  173

  187

  61

  Wales Total

  —

  47

  494

  769

  431

  1 Data not available.

  2 First half of 1986.

  Alyn and Deeside (Industry)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what is the total amount of resources earmarked by his Department for the Welsh Development Agency for rural initiatives in Clwyd for traditional factories, bespoke projects and new development sites in market centres; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) in which areas in Alyn and Deeside he proposes to provide small industrial estates and workshops; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what is his estimate of the demand for starter units in Alyn and Deeside; how many he has so far allocated; how many he will allocate for 1988–89; what land he will make available for starter units in Alyn and Deeside; what partnerships he envisages with the private sector and local authorities concerning starter units; and if he will make a statement;

  (4) what is his estimate of the increase in the square footage, expressed also as a percentage of factory working space on (a) Deeside industrial park and (b) other named industrial locations in Alyn and Deeside for the year 1988–89 compared with the previous year;
  680
  (5) what plans he has for the Alyn and Deeside district for the new property development initiative; and if he will make a statement;

  (6) what plans he has to upgrade Deeside industrial park, Engineer park and other industrial locations in Alyn and Deeside; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The Welsh Development Agency is still developing its detailed plans for all elements of its 1988–89 budget. Its property development programme for the year was published on 28 January and is available in the Library of the House. Other information on the agency's programmes is not yet available on a district basis.

  Demand for starter units in Alyn and Deeside is strong and the agency's latest factory programme and property development initiative arc aimed at meeting it.

  Present estimates suggest that in 1988–89 agency-related factory floor space will increase by nearly 140,000 sq ft or 17 per cent. at Deeside industrial park. It is too early to forecast the outcome of the property development initiative on accommodation at Engineer park.

  The Welsh Development Agency plans to spend up to £1 million on infrastructure at Deeside industrial park in order to pave the way for futher development.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Conveyancing
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Attorney-General when he expects the scheme prepared by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers in accordance with paragraph 4 of Schedule 3 to the Administration of Justice Act 1985 to be made available to hon. Members for comment before it receives the Lord Chancellor's approval.

  The Attorney-General
  The draft scheme was placed in the Library last month.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Attorney-General what representations have been made to the Lord Chancellor relating to postponing the effective date for implementing the scheme provided for in paragraph 4 of schedule 3 to the Administration of Justice Act 1985.

  The Attorney-General
  The Lord Chancellor has received no representations about the timetable for the implementation of the scheme for the next council. The Council for Licensed Conveyancers has intimated that its aim is that the new council should assume office on 1 March 1989.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Attorney-General, further to his answer given on 9 November 1987,Official Report, column 16, why the Council for Licensed Conveyancers' recognised bodies rules and the Council for Licensed Conveyncers' recognised bodies practice rules have not yet been made; and when the Lord Chancellor expects to give them his approval.

  The Attorney-General
  I understand the Lord Chancellor wrote to the hon. Member on 1 February.

  Judiciary
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will give under appropriate headings the total number of
  681
  members of the judiciary in post at the latest convenient date, giving under each heading the numbers born in or before 1920.

  The Attorney-General
  Excluding the Lord Chancellor, the total number of members of the judiciary in post on 1 February 1988 is set out in the table:

  Post

  Total

  Post holders born in or before 1920

  Lord of Appeal in Ordinary

  9

  4

  Heads of Divisions

  4

  2

  Lords Justices

  27

  5

  High Court Judges

  77

  17

  Circuit Judges

  392

  63

  509

  91

  Mr. John Stalker
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Attorney-General what consideration he is giving to the prosecution of Mr. John Stalker, under the Official Secrets Acts, in relation to information contained in his book "Stalker", published by Tiptreee Book Series; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  I shall not be able to complete consideration of this matter until after the book has been published and examined.

  Social Security Commissioners
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Attorney-General during 1988 how many oral hearings have been held by the social security commissioners in(a) London, (b) Edinburgh and (c) Northern Ireland; and how many non-resident commissions conducted hearings in Cardiff.

  The Attorney-General
  The information requested, which relates to the period 1 January to 1 February 1988, is given in the table:

  Location

  Oral hearings of appeals

  London

  28

  Edinburgh

  6

  Northern Ireland

  5

  In the same period, a Commissioner sat in Cardiff for three days to deal with five oral hearings.

  DNA Tests (Legal Aid)
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make arrangements to ensure legal aid is made available throughout the United Kingdom to those eligible to pay for DNA tests; which area legal aid committees already accept legal aid applications for DNA costs; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the use of DNA tests in immigration cases. In England and Wales, such tests may be paid for under the legal advice and assistance scheme if the area office concerned extends the normal limit for expenditure under the scheme. Extensions are normally granted for this purpose where the validity of a claimed relationship is the decisive factor in an immigration decision and DNA tests are needed to resolve any doubts about the relationship.682
  The legal aid head office of the Law Society has issued guidance to area offices in order to promote a consistent approach. The same principles apply in Northern Ireland.

PRIME MINISTER

  Official Information
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister what is her policy towards setting up formal internal inquiries into the improper leaking of official information in cases where the salient facts appear to be known in advance of such an inquiry; what criteria she uses in such cases in deciding what fresh evidence an inquiry might produce and how effective a use of public funds and officials' time such an exercise is likely to prove; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  The hon. Gentleman's question is based on a premise which I do not accept.

  EC Budget
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has now finalised proposals to be put to the forthcoming meeting of the European Council on the budgetary crisis facing the EEC; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  I refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made on 8 December on the outcome of the Copenhagen European Council.

  Retford Hospital
  Mr. Ashton
  To ask the Prime Minister whether she will pay an official visit to Retford hospital.

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

  Governor-General of New Zealand
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions in the past two years Her Majesty's Government has corresponded with the Governor-General of New Zealand; and on what subjects.

  The Prime Minister
  None.

  Economic League
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Prime Minister whether any Government Department has used the services of the Economic League since 1979, when considering applications for jobs; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  I am advised by the Civil Service Commissioners who are responsible for recruitment to the higher levels of the Civil Service that they have not used the services of the Economic League. Recruitment to the more junior levels is the responsibility of Government Departments individually and details are not held centrally of recruitment schemes they operate. I am not aware, however, that any Department has used the League's services when considering applications for jobs. Civil Service recruitment at all levels is governed by the principle of fair and open competition and selection on merit.

  Engagements
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 4 February.
  683
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 4 February.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 4 February.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 4 February.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 4 February.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 4 February.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 4 February.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 4 February.

  The Prime Minister
  This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall be having further meetings later today.

TRANSPORT

  M1 (Congestion)
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has for relieving congestion at the southern end of the M1 from Luton to junction 1.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  A scheme for the improvement of junction 1 was included in the trunk road programme last year. In addition, climbing lanes are to be provided between the A41 overbridge and junction 4 and at junction 9. The M40 extension between London and Birmingham is expected substantially to relieve the M1.

  Cargo Reservation
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which countries enforce cargo reservation policies that are detrimental to British shipping interests; what type, tonnage and percentage of cargoes are affected; and what remedial measures he intends to take.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  A wide variety of cargo reservation measures have been introduced, largely, but not exclusively, by developing countries. However these are applied with varying degrees of severity and it is impossible to quantify their impact. The most comprehensive statement of these measures is produced by the OECD maritime transport committee and its latest report is in the Commons Library.

  The United Kingdom plays a major part in tackling these restrictionist policies in collaboration with our partners in the Community and through our chairmanship of the consultative shipping group.

  Air Traffic
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make plans to move air traffic from the London area to regional airports.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  We support the growth of air services to and from regional airports to meet demand in the regions concerned. It is not our policy that traffic wishing to fly to and from the London area should be redirected to the regions.

  National Bus Company
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish a list of further disposals of National Bus Company subsidiaries since his answer to the hon. Member for Burnley of 18 December 1987,Official Report, columns 777–78.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  The following National Bus Company subsidiaries have been sold since 18 December 1987:

  Management/employee buy out

  Crosville Wales Ltd.

  London Country (North West) Ltd.

  Third Party Purchases

  Midland Red North Ltd.

  Lincolnshire Road Car Company.

  In all, 59 subsidiaries have now been sold, 33 to management or employee teams.

  Heavy Goods Vehicles
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many vehicles registered within the private sector have been tested under the Department of Transport heavy goods vehicle annual test, in(a) Scotland and (b) the United Kingdom in each year since 1979; and how many vehicles have failed the test;

  (2) how many vehicles registered for each public body within Scotland and the United Kingdom have been tested under the Department of Transport heavy goods vehicle annual test, in (a) Scotland and (b) the United Kingdom in each year since 1979; and how many registered public sector vehicles have failed the test.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  This information is not available. The vehicle inspectorate does not keep separate records distinguishing between private and public sectors.

  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many vehicles have failed the Department of Transport heavy goods vehicle annual test, in(a) Scotland and (b) the United Kingdom in each year since 1979;

  (2) how many vehicles have been tested under the Department of Transport heavy goods vehicle annual test, in (a) Scotland and (b) the United Kingdom in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The tables give the number of heavy goods vehicles first and annual tests in Great Britain and Scotland for the years 1980–81 to 1986–87 for motor vehicles and trailers. Figures prior to this date are not available.

  Motor vehicles

  United Kingdom

  Scotland

  1980–81

  Tested

  540,091

  50,913

  Failed

  113,171

  10,326

  1981–82

  Tested

  522,493

  47,822

  Failed

  108,018

  8,973

  1982–83

  Tested

  514,023

  46,557

  Failed

  116,324

  9,721

  685

  United Kingdom

  Scotland

  1983–84

  Tested

  524,244

  47,284

  Failed

  128,715

  12,309

  1984–85

  Tested

  525,954

  47,412

  Failed

  126,991

  12,269

  1985–86

  Tested

  536,619

  48,897

  Failed

  130,223

  12,365

  1986–87

  Tested

  537,133

  47,679

  Failed

  130,040

  11,228

  Trailers

  United Kingdom

  Scotland

  1980–81

  Tested

  205,333

  19,881

  Failed

  28,638

  2,594

  1981–82

  Tested

  202,624

  19,250

  Failed

  28,394

  2,339

  1982–83

  Tested

  203,696

  19,018

  Failed

  28,637

  2,302

  1983–84

  Tested

  199,174

  18,335

  Failed

  28,788

  3,283

  1984–85

  Tested

  206,682

  18,983

  Failed

  34,429

  3,402

  1985–86

  Tested

  214,815

  19,834

  Failed

  37,846

  4,009

  1986–87

  Tested

  213,212

  19,576

  Failed

  37,550

  3,755

  Statistics for Northern Ireland are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Breeches Buoy Equipment
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how often the coastguard service has used breeches buoy equipment in the last five years to save life.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  During the five-year period, 1983–1987 inclusive, throughout the coastguard service, rescue was effected by breeches buoy equipment on two occasions.

  Preston Station (Accident)
  Mr. Hargreaves
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he proposes to take consequent upon the report on the rail accident at Preston station on 18 January 1986; and if he will make a statement.
  686
  Mr. David Mitchell
  The Inspecting Officer of Railways concluded that the accident was caused by an error on the part of the train driver. Any further action is a matter for the British Railways Board.

  Mr. Hargreaves
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received concerning the report of the accident at Preston station on 18 January 1986; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  I have had no representations, but one of my hon. Friend's constituents has corresponded with the Inspecting Officer of Railways.

  Mr. Hargreaves
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recommendations of the report on the accident at Preston station on 18 January 1986 have been implemented; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  The report made no firm recommendations, but did suggest that consideration be given to installing an audible alarm, which would sound in the signal box, if a train passes a signal at danger at the entrance to complex station or junction areas. The British Railways Board has considered this suggestion but has concluded that the work to reduce the number of signals passed at Danger that it is already undertaking will be more beneficial.

  Train Drivers' Cabs
  Mr. Hargreaves
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what advice his Department gives regarding the carriage of passengers in the driver's cab of a moving train; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  The carriage of unescorted passengers in the driving cabs of trains is prohibited under the British Railways Board's own rules. My Department fully endorses this policy.

  Mr. Hargreaves
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has as to how widespread is the carrying of passengers in the driving cab of a moving train; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  Carrying of passengers in driving cabs of trains is known to occur on rare occasions. The British Railways Board takes appropriate action on these.

  Double Decker Buses
  Mr. Sean Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the minimum lateral stability angle required for a double decker bus.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  Twenty-eight degrees.

  Abnormal Loads
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has made any progress in the study of the track costs and vehicle excise duty rates of vehicles used to move abnormal loads.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  A report "Goods Vehicles in Restricted Tax Classes: 1986" covering the work of vehicles involved in the movement of abnormal loads has been published by the Department today. A copy has been placed in the House of Commons Library. The report shows that there are about 400 "special type" motor
  687
  vehicles (generally with specialised trailers) which are used to move abnormal indivisible loads—very heavy, wide, or long. On average these vehicles cover about 16,000 miles (26,000 km) per year and have an average axle weight of over 9 tonnes when loaded. We estimate that this means they impose, on average, at least the same wear and tear on the roads as a standard 38 tonne articulated vehicle. However, the vehicle excise duty for a "special type" is £130 per year, compared with £3,100 for a five-axle 38-tonne vehicle. We are looking at how this new evidence might affect the allocation of road tract costs, with a view to ensuring that all vehicles are treated in the same way.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Standard Passport
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the date for the introduction of the EEC standard passport; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will estimate the total cost of replacing existing British passports with the EEC standard format passport.

  Mr. Renton
  Work is well advanced on plans for the introduction of a computerised system to enable British passports to be issued in the format adopted by the EEC and to be machine-readable internationally.

  It is planned to commence operation of the system in the Glasgow passport office from July this year. Its phased implementation in other passport offices should be complete by the end of 1989. The cost of producing a British passport in the new format will not be greater than that of producing the existing passport. In preparing passport offices to receive and operate a computer-based system for the issue of machine-readable British passports in the format adopted by member states of the EEC, we estimate that the Home Office will incur capital expenditure of about £7 million. The overall aim of computerisation is to achieve greater efficiency in the passport-issuing process.

  Juvenile Crime
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he is willing to finance to combat juvenile crime in the Easington district.

  Mr. John Patten
  The availability of central Government funding for measures to combat juvenile

  Telecommunications

  Letters

  Total

  Warrants in force on 31 December 1985

  Home Secretary

  212

  74

  286

  Secretary of State for Scotland

  22

  2

  24

  Warrants in force on 31 December 1986

  Home Secretary

  206

  76

  282

  Secretary of State for Scotland

  33

  2

  35

  Amusement Arcades
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to complete his assessment of the findings of the review of the present laws governing jackpot gaming machine arcades; and if he will make a statement.
  688
  crime depends on the exact nature of the measures proposed. The report of the Home Office standing conference on crime prevention working group on juvenile crime, a copy of which is in the Library, emphasises the need for juvenile crime prevention initiatives to have a local focus and local support. It also stresses the importance of an inter-agency approach. We believe that a great deal can be achieved at local level through this approach.

  Refugees
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to adopt a code of practice as proposed by Amnesty International for fair treatment of refugees in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Renton
  I shall shortly be meeting Amnesty International to discuss its proposals in detail. I have already confirmed to it that many of the proposals in the code of practice represent existing Home Office practice. The Government cannot, however, accept the principal proposal that there should be an in-country right of appeal for all applicants: as the evidence of other countries demonstrates, such a right would be likely to encourage abuse of our asylum procedures.

  Interception of Communications
  Mr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number if warrants reviewed by category under the Interception of Communications Act 1985 in each year since 1985.

  Mr. Hurd
  The figures for the number of interception warrants issued by the Home Secretary and Secretary of State for Scotland in force on 31 December 1985 and 1986 are recorded in the table. The information was given in an annex to the report of the commissioner, the right hon. Lord Justice Lloyd, on the first year of operation of the Interception of Communications Act 1985 which was presented to Parliament in March 1987 (Cmnd. 108). I understand that the corresponding figures for 31 December 1987 are to be given in a annex to the commissioner's next annual report, which I expect my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to present to the House shortly. I do not propose to publish statistics additional to those in the commissioner's reports.

  Mr. John Patten
  Our aim is to take this work forward as quickly as possible. We expect the results of this analysis to be available within the next few weeks.

  Police (Leicestershire)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the
  689
  chief constable of Leicestershire concerning the level of police requirements in the county; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to his question on 2 February at column 527. I have received no separate representations from the chief constable.

  Radio
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what frequency separation he anticipates will be imposed by the new Radio Authority on(a) FM and (b) AM.

  Mr. Renton
  This will be a matter for the radio authority to determine in assigning the frequencies allocated to it to stations which it licenses.

  Demonstrations
  Mr. Dicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will institute legislation to enable the police to charge organisers of demonstrations the full cost of policing those demonstrations; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will introduce legislation to protect members of the public going about their lawful business from being inconvenienced by demonstrations on the streets of the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) if he will introduce legislation to prohibit demonstrations on the streets of the United Kingdom by foreign nationals; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The question whether organisers of demonstrations should be charged for the cost of policing them and whether demonstrations by foreign nationals should be subject to special controls, were among matters which were considered in the Government's review of public order law published in May 1985 (Cmnd. 9510). We concluded that it was neither feasible nor desirable to do so. We are satisfied that the Public Order Act 1986, which stemmed from the review, strikes the right balance between the rights of the peaceful protester and those of the wider community.

  Mr. Dicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis as to how many police officers, vehicles and motor cycles were needed to police the demonstration held in London on Saturday 30 January by Iraqi nationals, and as to the cost to the public purse.

  ILEA net recurrent institutional expenditure per pupil, £

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  Primary schools

  Teaching cost

  621

  686

  727

  759

  804

  Non-teaching cost

  410

  432

  481

  508

  511

  Total

  1,031

  1,118

  1,208

  1,267

  1,315

  Secondary schools

  Teaching cost

  852

  955

  1,029

  1,140

  1,253

  690
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I understand from the commissioner that 300 officers, 21 vehicles and 15 motor cycles were deployed in policing this demonstration at an additional cost of around £6,960.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Pen Tops
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has received any representations regarding the danger to children of asphyxiation and death from accidentally swallowing a pen top; and whether he has considered steps to seek to ban pen tops from schools.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  I have not received any representations on this matter, but the media coverage of one recent tragic accident will have served to alert both parents and teachers to the risks involved when pen tops or other objects are put in the mouth.

  Medical Students
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list in the Official Report the number of(a) women and (b) men students recruited by all medical schools in the United Kingdom in 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987.

  Mr. Jackson
  The intake of pre-clinical medical students to United Kingdom medical schools was as follows:

  Academic year starting in

  1984

  1985

  1986

  11987

  Men

  2,311

  2,224

  2,258

  2,246

  Women

  1,814

  1,869

  1,861

  1,874

  1 Provisional.

  ILEA (Education Costs)
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much it cost the Inner London education authority in 1986–87 and each of the preceding five years to educate(a) a primary school pupil and (b) a secondary school pupil for one year, broken down into (1) teaching costs, (ii) administration costs and (iii) other costs,; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Detailed figures for actual expenditure by ILEA in 1986–87 are not yet available. The table gives net recurrent institutional expenditure per primary and secondary pupil in ILEA broken down between teaching and non-teaching costs for the years 1981–82 to 1985–86. ILEA's central administration and inspection costs over the same period are shown separately per head of population.
  691

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  Non-teaching cost

  554

  609

  726

  802

  832

  Total

  1,406

  1,564

  1,755

  1,942

  2,085

  ILEA central administration and inspection expenditure per head of population, £

  19·5

  20·6

  23·8

  27·6

  29·3

  School Leavers
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what percentage of school leavers during the academic years 1985–86 and 1986–87 had no graded examination results in(a) England, (b) the Inner London education authority, (c) Birmingham, (d) Croydon, (e) Leeds, (f) Manchester, (g) Liverpool, (h) Kingston, (i) Barnet and (j) Harrow;

  (2) what percentage of all school leavers in the academic years 1985–86 and 1986–87 had at least five exam passes at grades A, B or C in 0-level or grade one in CSE in (a) England, (b) the Inner London education authority, (c) Birmingham, (d) Croydon, (e) Leeds, (f) Manchester, (g) Liverpool, (h) Kingston, (i) Barnet and (j) Harrow.

  Mr. Dunn
  Information for the authorities requested is given in the table.

  Leavers from maintained schools Average of academic years 1983–84, 1984–85 and 1985–86

  Percentage of leavers with

  5 or more higher1 grades at GCE O level or CSE

  No graded result at GCE or CSE

  England

  23·7

  10·0

  ILEA

  15·5

  21·3

  Birmingham

  18·4

  14·6

  Croydon

  24·9

  9·2

  Leeds

  22·3

  10·4

  Manchester

  18·2

  21·0

  Liverpool

  17·3

  20·9

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  35·8

  8·6

  Barnet

  39·9

  5·8

  Harrow

  38·9

  5·5

  Source:

  School Leavers Sample Surrey. Data subject to sampling error.

  Note:

  1 O level grades A-C, CSE grade 1

  Mode 3 Examinations
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give the annual rate of increase over the last three years for the utilisation of mode 3 examinations in(a) England and Wales and (b) the Inner London education authority.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  This information is not held centrally.

  Education Reform
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions have taken place between local education authorities, voluntary bodies and business communities on the training of school governors to help them discharge their duties under the Education Reform Bill.

  Mr. Dunn
  My right hon. Friend is aware of a number of discussions and initiatives, which he welcomes. For its 692
  part the Department is considering with all those interested, partly through the forum of an informal working group, what steps can usefully be taken on a national basis.

  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, under the provisions of the Education Reform Bill, local education authorities will be financially responsible towards teachers who have been made redundant by the governors; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  LEAs will be responsible for making redundancy payments to teachers who have been made redundant following the decision of the governing body of a school with financial delegation. It will be for governors to decide whether to offer compensation in excess of that provided for by statute or by contractual rights acquired on or before 20 November 1987. The LEA will bear the costs of the redundancy payments outside the school's delegated budget unless it has good reason to deduct them from that budget.

  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, under the provisions of the Education Reform Bill, governors who, acting in good faith incur debts, will be able to ask the local education authorities to relieve them of their duties; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dunn
  In preparing their schemes of financial delegation LEAs will have to establish systems for the monitoring and audit of school budgets handled by governing bodies. LEAs should therefore be aware at an early stage of any difficulties governors may be experiencing and will be able to step in to give advice, or where appropriate, to withdraw the delegation until such time as the governors could take it on again.

  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, under the provisions o the Education Reform Bill, local education authorities will be financially liable if an industrial tribunal decides that a teacher has been unfairly dismissed but that the governing body acted in good faith; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The LEA would be liable to pay compensation and costs awarded by the industrial tribunal. Where a school had financial delegation, the LEA would meet those costs outside the school's delegated budget unless it had good reason for deducting the costs from that budget. What would be a good reason would fall to be determined in the circumstances of the case.

  Assisted Places Scheme
  Mr. Hargreaves
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about the level of parental contributions to the fees of pupils in the assisted places scheme 1988–89.
  693
  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  Subject to the usual consultations and to parliamentary approval, the parental contribution scales will be adjusted upwards for the school year 1988–89 as follows:

  Part of relevant income to which specified percentage applies

  One assisted pupil Per cent.

  Each of two assisted pupils Per cent.

  Each of three assisted pupils Per cent.

  That part which exceeds £7,092 but does not exceed £7,711

  9·00

  6·75

  5·25

  That part (if any) which exceeds £7,711 but does not exceed £8,341

  12·00

  9·00

  7·00

  That part (if any) which exceeds £8,341 but does not exceed £9,591

  15·00

  11·25

  8·75

  That part (if any) which exceeds £9,591 but does not exceed £11,513

  21·00

  15·75

  12·25

  That part (if any) which exceeds £11,513 but does not exceed £14,023

  24·00

  18·00

  14·00

  That part (if any) which exceeds £14,023

  33·00

  24·75

  19·25

SCOTLAND

  Pig Industry
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the current level of profitability in the pig industry in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Overproduction in pigmeat within the European Community, coupled with certain difficulties on third country markets, is currently having an adverse effect on the profitability of the Scottish pig industry. The Government have taken, and will continue to seek to take, steps to improve the situation within the context of the EC pigmeat regime and the CAP generally.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in the Official Report any pork processing units in Scotland which have been closed since 1979 indicating, the location of the unit and the date of closure in each case;

  (2) if he will list in the Official Report every existing pork processing unit currently in operation in Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Pork processing units range from large, single species plants to very small enterprises processing pork and other meats. Lists of these units are not maintained by my Department.

  Pigs
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total importation to Scotland in each of the past five years of cereal replacer-substitutes for the use of pig producers.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  My Department does not maintain records on the importation of cereal substitutes for incorporation in pig feed. Cereals remain the main component in Scottish pig feed rations and manioc is not currently being used in substitution.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many recent representations he has received about current difficulties being faced by pig producers in Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The National Farmers Union of Scotland has recently made representations to my noble 694
  Friend the Minister of State about the overproduction of pigmeat within the European Community, which coupled with certain problems on third country markets, is currently presenting difficulties for the Scottish pig industry.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total number of people employed in pig production in Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Information is not available in the form requested. The table sets out the labour force (which need not be employed on pig production) on units returning pigs at the June 1987 agricultural census.

  Pig size groups

  Units

  Total labour

  1–2

  124

  312

  3–9

  99

  246

  10–19

  60

  159

  20–29

  44

  103

  30–59

  48

  107

  50–99

  69

  162

  100–199

  66

  155

  200–249

  55

  70

  250–499

  58

  397

  500 and over

  199

  1,371

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in the Official Report the total number of pig producers in Scotland in each of the past five years.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information requested is set out in the table.

  Total producers1

  Total pigs

  1983

  1,169

  442,238

  1984

  960

  405,483

  1985

  933

  418,465

  1986

  906

  413,736

  1987

  822

  425,745

  1 Based on units returning pigs at the June agricultural census.

  Meat Production (Subsidies)
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total level of subsidy paid to on(a) red meat, (b) pig meat and (c) poultry to producers in Scotland in 1987.
  695
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The European Community operates "light" regimes in the pigmeat and poultrymeat sectors involving protection of the Community market from third country imports, but little direct support. In contrast, under the Community arrangements for supporting beef and sheep production it is estimated that in Scotland in the 1987–88 financial year £151 million will be paid.

  Gaming Machines
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the latest information he has on the level of abuse of gambling or gaming machines by minors in Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The findings of a research project on this issue carried out on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and extending to Scotland are currently being assessed.

  Mr. A. Graeme Adam
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the report on investigations into alleged fraud by Mr. A. Graeme Adam was given by Strathclyde police to the procurator fiscal; whether the report has been referred to the Lord Advocate; and when he expects action to be taken on the report.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  A report on investigations to date was made to the procurator fiscal by the police on 3 February 1988. Investigations will continue under the direction of the procurator fiscal.

  Surgery (Private Sector)
  Dr. Moonie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library a copy of the recent letter sent to Fife health board concerning financial allocations for surgical procedures to be carried out in the private sector.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I have placed a copy of the recent letter to Fife health board, concerning the additional allocations, in the House of Commons Library. Following further consideration by the board of its proposal to treat NHS patients in private hospitals, I have agreed that the board may use the resources set aside for this purpose in its own facilities.

  Media (Meeting)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland for what purpose Mr. Ian Dean, the Crown Agent, was present at the meeting with representatives of broadcasting and the press in Scotland on 4 December 1987 in Edinburgh.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The meeting in question was one of the periodic dinners which my right hon. and learned Friend has, accompanied by a number of ministerial colleagues and senior civil servants, with senior broadcasting executives. The purpose of the meeting was informal discussion on a broad range of Scottish affairs.

  Ophthalmology
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the waiting time for an ophthalmology out-patient appointment for every hospital in each health board.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information available is given in the table. The waiting times relate to routine cases, that is, cases where there is no indication of special urgency.

  Minimum and maximum waiting times for a first consultation as an ophthalmology out-patient (routine cases): by hospital Year ending 31 March 1987

  Health Board and Hospital

  Minimum waiting time(weeks)

  Maximum waiting time (weeks)

  Ayrshire and Arran

  Isle of Arran War Memorial

  —

  —

  Crosshouse

  13

  21

  Heathfield

  6

  12

  Ballochmyle

  13

  13

  Borders

  Borders Peripheral Clinics

  —

  —

  Galashiels Health Centre

  7

  7

  Argyll and Clyde

  Dunoon and District General

  2

  13

  Mid-Argyll

  4

  32

  The Cottage Hospital, Campbeltown

  4

  12

  Victoria Hospital, Rothesay

  16

  20

  West Highland

  2

  2

  Dumbarton Health Centre

  6

  7

  Inverclyde Royal

  —

  12

  Royal Victoria Eye Infirmary

  —

  —

  Paisley District General

  —

  —

  Renfrew Clinic

  —

  —

  Barrhead Clinic

  —

  —

  Fife

  Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy

  2

  16

  Peripheral Clinic, East Fife

  —

  —

  Dunfermline and West Fife

  6

  6

  Peripheral Clinic, West Fife

  —

  —

  Glasgow

  Townhead Health Centre

  —

  —

  Baillieston Health Centre

  —

  —

  Glasgow Royal Infirmary

  20

  20

  Stobhill

  10

  15

  Victoria Infirmary, Glasgow

  12

  13

  Southern General

  2

  8

  Drumchapel

  —

  —

  Gartnavel District General

  3

  7

  Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Drumchapel

  Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Yorkhill

  10

  11

  Western Infirmary

  3

  20

  Glasgow Eye Infirmary

  14

  18

  Highland

  Caithness Central Hospital

  2

  19

  Lawson Memorial

  30

  30

  Raigmore

  4

  6

  Belford

  34

  34

  Mackinnon Memorial

  —

  —

  Portree

  —

  —

  Ross Memorial

  28

  28

  Lanarkshire

  Cumbernauld Health Centre

  —

  —

  Monklands DGH

  77

  77

  697

  Health Board and Hospital

  Minimum waiting time (weeks)

  Maximum waiting time (weeks)

  Law

  5

  5

  Strathclyde

  1

  7

  William Smellie Exteral Clinics

  —

  —

  Hunter Health Centre

  —

  —

  Blantyre Health Centre

  —

  —

  Hairmyres

  —

  5

  Stonehouse

  5

  6

  Larkhall Health Institute

  —

  —

  Hamilton Central Clinic

  —

  —

  Craighead School Clinic

  —

  —

  Grampian

  Aberdeen Royal Infirmary

  7

  11

  Woodend General

  —

  —

  Royal Aberdeen Childrens Hospital

  6

  6

  Kingseat

  —

  —

  Royal Cornhill

  —

  —

  Peterhead Cottage

  10

  10

  Fraserburgh

  12

  16

  Huntly Jubilee

  8

  8

  Chalmers

  34

  34

  Dr. Gray's

  8

  8

  Seafield

  —

  7

  Turner

  —

  —

  Leanchoil

  4

  4

  Lothian

  West Port Clinic

  —

  —

  North Berwick Health Centre

  —

  —

  Leith

  2

  4

  Newton Port Clinic

  —

  —

  Western General

  —

  —

  Prestonpans Health Centre

  —

  —

  Tranent Health Centre

  —

  —

  Edinburgh Royal Infirmary

  10

  12

  Bangour General

  10

  10

  Tayside

  Ninewells

  3

  9

  Dundee Eye Institute

  —

  —

  Perth Royal Infirmary

  5

  5

  Crieff Cottage

  —

  —

  Blairgowrie and Rattray Cottage

  —

  —

  Murray Royal

  —

  —

  Arbroath Infirmary

  16

  16

  Brechin

  25

  25

  Montrose Royal Infirmary

  —

  —

  Stracathro

  2

  2

  Forth Valley

  Falkirk Royal Infirmary

  4

  8

  Bo'ness

  —

  —

  Stirling Royal Infirmary

  6

  12

  Western Isles

  Lewis

  —

  —

  Daliburgh

  —

  —

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary

  20

  52

  Kirkcudbright Cottage

  —

  —

  Garrick

  —

  —

  Newton Stewart Health Centre

  —

  —

  Castle Douglas Health Centre

  —

  —

  Shetland

  New Gilbert Bain

  —

  —

  —: Means that a person would wait less than one week or would be seen at the next clinic.

  Mentally Handicapped People
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what are the numbers of mentally handicapped people in Scotland;

  (2) what are the numbers of profoundly mentally handicapped people in Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  It is not possible to give exact figures or reliable estimates for the numbers of people with mental handicap in Scotland since reported prevalence rates for milder degrees of mental handicap show wide variation.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Regional Aid
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations he has received concerning his Department's recently announced changes in regional aid to industry.

  Mr. Atkins
  Since the publication of the DTI White Paper on 12 January we have received several representations on aspects of regional policy which refer, amongst other things, to the changes we have made.

  Schools (Industry Links)
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has to strengthen schools-industry links.

  Mr. Butcher
  A number of measures to strengthen school-industry links were announced as part of the enterprise initiative in the White Paper "DTI — the department for Enterprise" published on 12 January 1988. Three new targets were set:— every year, 10 per cent. of teachers should have the opportunity to gain some personal experience of the world of business
  —every young person should have two or more weeks of work experience, suited to his or her ability and needs, before leaving school
  —every trainee teacher should gain an appreciation of the needs of employers and the importance of links between schools and employers

  The DTI will also continue to support a wide range of innovative school-employer link activities, courses and projects which promote better understanding between employers and education and the development of practical, adaptable and enterprising attitudes in young people.

  Origin Marks (Harmonisation)
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he intends to have further early discussions with equivalent Ministers in the European Economic Community Council of Trade and Industry Ministers' Committee about harmonising origin marks, brand name designation, and trade marks policy in the Community.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The Council of Ministers (Internal Market) discussed trade marks both in December and most recently on 2 February. Some outstanding technical problems need more consideration. I expect colleagues to be involved in further policy discussions with Community colleagues on this subject.

  Debt
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he has any policy to encourage the availability of free advice on debt.

  Mr. Maude
  A great deal of advice and help on debt problems is already provided free of charge by citizens advice bureaux. I have encouraged the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux, which is funded by central Government, to seek additional funding for this specialised service from the finance industry. Two money advice support projects, one in the south-east and one in the north-west of England, are already under way as a result of private sector funding and I understand that agreement has been reached on a third major scheme which will be announced soon.

  Private Nursing Homes
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the number, name and location of private nursing homes in the northern region which have received regional selective assistance or regional development grant over the last five years, together with the amount of grant payable in each case and the date upon which payment was made.

  Mr. Atkins
  Private nursing homes do not qualify for regional development grant. There were five offers of regional selective assistance in the northern region —Tyne and Wear, Northumberland, Durham, Cleveland and Cumbria in the five years to 31 December 1987. Details of offers made are as follows:

  Name and location

  Amount offered £

  R. Harrison—Whitley Bay

  25,000

  Burnside Lodge Ltd.—Whitley Bay

  40,000

  Mr. and Mrs. P. Smith—Whitley Bay

  10,000

  Redezeus—Sunderland

  25,000

  John Lisle—Whitley Bay

  20,000

  Mergers
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list any information he has as to the major industrialised countries with mandatory prenotification procedures for mergers; and if he will indicate above what size these procedures come into effect.

  Mr. Maude
  Countries with merger prenotification requirements include the United States of America, Canada, Japan and the Federal Republic of Germany, the rules are complicated but in general the requirement to prenotify applies:in the USA, if one party has annual sales or assets of $100 million, the other party has annual sales or assets of $10 million, and as a result of the transaction the acquiring firm would hold at least $15 million or 15 per cent. of the stock of the acquired firm;
  in Canada, if the combined annual sales or assets of the parties exceed Can $400 million and if the value of the assets acquired exceeds $35 million;
  in Japan, to all pure mergers and transfers of a substantial part of a business (through a simplified procedure applies to certain small mergers where the assets of each party are less than 5 billion yen);
  in the FRG, if one party to the transaction has annual sales of at least DM 2,000 million, or if both parties have annual sales of at least DM 1,000 million.

  Trading Standards
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what extra resources he proposes to provide to trading standards departments to inspect equipment for use in trade.

  Mr. Butcher
  The rate support grant settlements for England, Scotland and Wales, approved by Parliament on 9 and 15 December 1987, make adequate provision for trading standards—consumer protection in 1988–89. It is for each local weights and measures authority to provide from the rate support grant for its trading standard department to give effect to the purposes of the Weights and Measures Act.

  Trade Statistics
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list United Kingdom trade with,(a) the European Community, (b) the United States of America, and (c) the rest of the world in 1975 and 1987 at real and constant prices.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Details of United Kingdom trade in current prices are as follows. Information on constant prices by geographical area is not available.

  United Kingdom Trade with the European Community, the United States of America and the Rest of the World in 1975 and 1987

  £ million, OTS basis

  1975

  1987

  Exports

  Imports

  Exports

  Imports

  European Community

  6,844

  9,352

  39,417

  49,557

  United States of America

  1,810

  2,362

  11,014

  9,136

  Rest of the World

  10,953

  12,332

  29,420

  35,322

  Charter Group Initiative
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the cost to his Department of becoming a full member of the Charter Group initiative; and if he will list the other members of the initiative.

  Mr. Butcher
  It is not possible to give the cost of the DTI becoming a full member of the Charter Group initiative since the terms for participation have not yet been agreed. More than 150 organisations have so far indicated their interest in, and intended support for, the initiative.

  Enterprise Initiative
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he intends to take to ensure that private consultants appointed using grants under the enterprise initiative are professionally competent.

  Mr. Atkins
  Before a consultancy practice can undertake assignments under the terms of the enterprise initiative, it must satisfy two basic criteria. First, the practice must have been established for at least two years. Second, it must provide four satisfactory business references for work undertaken on its own account. In addition, every assignment undertaken by a consultancy is closely monitored by the organisations contracted to administer the consultancy schemes. A consultancy practice that fails to deliver quality and value for money will not be used again.

  Single Company Projects
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the projected budget for providing assistance to exceptional cases of single company projects offering significant national benefits.

  Mr. Atkins
  Assistance is available under this facility for a limited number of investment projects and research and development projects that meet the demanding criteria for support. The budget envisaged for 1988–89 is £4 million.

  Government Policies (Impact on Business)
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he intends to take to ensure that in assessing the impact on business of all of the Government's policies, he receives the views of a wide range of companies.

  Mr. Atkins
  Ministers and officials receive the views of companies through numerous contacts with trade organisations and individual firms. I expect these to continue, and to be helped by the steps we are taking to strengthen and extend my Department's regional office network.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he intends to take to ensure that in assessing the impact on business of all of the Government's policies, he receives the views of the workers in small businesses.

  Mr. Atkins
  It is the Government's practice to consult fully on proposals for change.

  Small Businesses (Employees)
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he has any plans to consult the employees of small businesses about the effect of deregulation on their working conditions.

  Mr. Atkins
  It is the Government's practice to consult fully on proposals for change.

  Contracting-out
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list his Department's services which he is currently examining with a view to contracting-out to the private sector.

  Mr. Butcher
  In recent years the Department of Trade and Industry has contracted-out the majority of cleaning, laundry, catering, maintenance and security-guarding, and the position in the few examples which remain in-house is currently under review. Some financial appraisal casework and company accounts analysis has recently been market-tested; the export marketing research scheme is currently undergoing such testing; and the possibility of market testing some messengerial work is under examination.

  Enterprise Counsellors
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether individuals from the private sector to be used by his Department as part of the organisation of teams of enterprise counsellors will be paid according to Civil Service pay scales; and to whom they will be responsible.
  702
  Mr. Atkins
  No. Enterprise counsellors will be contracted to the Department of Trade and Industry at £70 per day plus reasonable expenses. They will be responsible directly to the DTI through its regional office network.

  Manufactures
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the United Kingdom share of world trade in manufactures by value for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I refer the hon. Member to table E2 in the "Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics", a copy of which is in the Library.

  Small Firms (Exemption from Regulations)
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which regulations he proposes to exempt small firms from complying with as indicated in the White Paper "DTI—the department for Enterprise".

  Mr. Atkins
  It is the Government's policy to examine all areas of regulation to ensure that any compliance costs for business, including small businesses, are reduced to the minimum. As stated in "DTI — the department for Enterprise" further proposals for deregulation will be included in a White Paper to be published in the summer.

  Consumer Protection
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has to seek to amend consumer protection legislation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Butcher
  I refer the hon. Member to the replies given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Corporate Affairs to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Pollok (Mr. Dunnachie) on 18 November, at column 552 to my hon. Friend the Member for Hertfordshire, South-West (Mr. Page) on 16 December at column 540 and to the hon. Member for Cardiff, South and Penarth (Mr. Michael) on 13 January at column 315.

  We are also considering proposals for revised regulations on pyramid selling and for amending the Unsolicited Goods and Services Acts. The Government intend to repeal the Trade Descriptions Act 1972 by replacing it with a new order under the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 in order to introduce new requirements on the origin marking of goods.

  Regulations made under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 (which includes a general safety requirement for consumer goods) and its predecessors will be kept under continuous review with the aim of revising, revoking or adding to them where this is necessary, to provide specific protection to consumers. In particular, the House will be aware of my hon. Friend's statement on 11 January about regulations on the flammability of domestic upholstered furniture.

  Microgravity Research
  Mr. Stott
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he intends to increase the funding of microgravity research in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Government have no intention at present to increase the funding of microgravity research in
  703
  the United Kingdom. Any proposals for research in this field will be considered on their merits in competition with other demands on resources.

  Earth Observation
  Mr. Stott
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the Government's interest in Earth observation, whether by means of the polar platform or a number of smaller satellites.

  Mr. Atkins
  Proposals for developing earth observation satellites such as the polar platform in the earth observation field are under consideration.

  Space Policy
  Mr. Stott
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the recommendations contained in the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology's report on a United Kingdom space policy.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Government are considering the report and a reply will be given to the House of Lords Select Committee in due course.

  RADARSAT
  Mr. Stott
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has for bilateral collaboration with(a) the United States of America and (b) Canada in space development of RADARSAT.

  Mr. Atkins
  Proposals for bilateral collaboration on RADARSAT are under consideration.

  Radio and Electronic Equipment
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, what has been the level of exports of radio and electronic equipment suitable for military use to(a) Israeli and (b) Palestinian destinations over each of the last four years.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Information on such exports to countries in the middle east could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  Proofing of Guns
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he has any plans to regulate the arrangements for the proofing of guns; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Butcher
  Gun barrel proofing is already closely regulated by legislation dating back to the Gun Barrel Proof Act 1868, and I do not consider further regulation necessary. On the contrary, I am currently consulting on a modest measure of deregulation, to enable the proof houses to set their own charges independently of Government.

  Information Technology
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will give the balance of trade figures for information technology for each year from 1979.

  Mr. Butcher
  The available information is given in the table.
  704

  Information Technology and Electronics Industries1

  £ million

  Year

  Crude trade balance2

  1979

  -444

  1980

  -355

  1981

  -1,060

  1982

  -1,471

  1983

  -2,137

  1984

  -2,186

  1985

  -1,647

  1986

  -1,839

  Notes:

  1 Activity headings 3301, 3302, 3441, 3442, 3443, 3444, 3453 and 3454 of the SIC 80.

  2 Exports (fob) less imports (cif).

  Airbus
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the nature and extent of Her Majesty's Government's commitment to the Airbus project; and what is the total sum so far committed to the project by way of grants or loans to(a) British Aerospace plc and (b) other companies and bodies.

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 1 February 1988]: Her Majesty's Government are committed to promote the success of Airbus Industrie projects which are the subject of its arrangements with those Governments. Under principles of co-operation established in 1978 with the Governments of France and Germany, Her Majesty's Government fully support British Aerospace's participation in Airbus Industrie and stand behind the discharge by British Aerospace of its financial obligations to Airbus Industrie.

  The Government will provide up to £700 million in launch aid to enable British Aerospace to participate in the A320 and A330–A340 projects.

  In addition, £60 million launch aid has been paid to Rolls-Royce in connection with the development of the V2500 engine, which is intended for use with Airbus aircraft: and a total of approximately £4·25 million has been made available in selective financial assistance to suppliers of equipment to the Airbus programme.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Fiji
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has had any recent representations from groups in Britain about the situation in Fiji; and if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's present attitude to the Fijian Government.

  Mr. Eggar
  We have received virtually no such representations recently. We welcome the move from a military Government to a predominantly civilian Government in Fiji, which we hope will he a step towards a return to parliamentary democracy and constitutional government.

  India ("Panorama" Programme)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has received any representations from the High Commissioner for India concerning
  705
  the recent "Panorama" programme about the Indian Government, shown on BBC1 on 18 January; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Tim Eggar
  No. The BBC has full editorial responsibility for the programmes it broadcasts.

  Royal Prerogative
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if pursuant to his answer of 1 February, he will provide the information on the exercise of the royal prerogative requested in respect of Hong Kong.

  Mr. Eggar
  The constitutional arrangements for Hong Kong are set out in letters patent and royal instructions, which are issued from time to time in exercise of the royal prerogative. The Governor of Hong Kong exercises his powers in accordance with letters patent and royal instruction and any other laws in force in the colony.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, pursuant to his answer of 1 February, he will provide the information on the exercise of the royal prerogative requested in respect of the Falkland Islands.

  Mr. Eggar
  Under the Falkland Islands Constitution Order 1985, the executive authority of the Falkland Islands is, subject to the constitution and any other law, exercised on behalf of Her Majesty by the governor either directly or through officers subordinate to him. The governor is obliged by the terms of the constitution to act in accordance with any instructions which Her Majesty may from time to time give him through a Secretary of State.

THE ARTS

  Library Services
  Mr. Goodlad
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what plans he has for the privatisation of local authority library services; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Luce
  I have no plans for the privatisation of these services. However, I hope to provide new opportunities to help public libraries to find additional resources for improving their services by allowing them to charge for a wider range of additional and specialised services, perhaps in partnership with the private sector, and by encouraging them to contract-out parts of their operations. I shall shortly be issuing a consultative paper on how this might best be done.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Smoke Detectors
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the light of recent announcements about the dangers of foam in domestic furniture, he will consider zero-rating smoke detectors for value added tax purposes.

  Mr. Lilley
  No. The case for zero-rating smoke detectors cannot be considered in isolation from many other equally deserving candidates for special treatment. To grant relief from VAT in all these cases would be unacceptably expensive in revenue terms and would in the long run undermine the broad-based nature of the tax.

  Inflation
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which are his latest prospects for the inflation rate in 1988.

  Mr. Lilley
  The forecast in the Autumn Statement was that inflation would be 41/2 per cent. in the fourth quarter of 1988. My right hon. Friend will present a new forecast at Budget time in the usual way.

  "Adjustment With a Human Face"
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration he has given to the United Nations Children's Fund's recent study entitled "Adjustment With a Human Face", a copy of which has been forwarded to him; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lilley
  The IMF recognises the need to take full account of the effect of structural adjustment on the poor and we shall continue to encourage this both at the policy design stage and when new programmes are implemented. It is important to recognise that in many cases adjustment policies are in fact of direct benefit to the very poorest groups in developing countries — the rural poor. One important example of this is increasing the artificially low prices farmers receive for their crops—which often both directly improves income distribution and encourages more domestic food production. Structural adjustment measures such as this are essential in the poorest countries if they are to achieve better economic growth, and thus better living conditions for all, including the poorest.

EMPLOYMENT

  MSC (London Docklands)
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what have been the main activities and projects of the Manpower Services Commission in London docklands over the last six years; and what have been the practical results.

  Mr. Cope
  In London docklands over the last six years, the Manpower Services Commission has made available its full range of programmes, including YTS, adult training schemes and the community programme. Practical results through specific activities have included an integrated recruitment and training package for fire officers at the new airport; provision of literacy-numeracy, language and job preparation courses to help develop basic skills and community programme projects including environmental improvements, house insulation, and work to benefit leisure activities and the development of tourism.

  Childcare Payment System
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the latest total amount paid out under the job training service childcare payment system.

  Mr. Cope
  Child care payments for single parents who participate in the new job training scheme were introduced, on a pilot basis, in 10 areas on 1 September 1987. Up to the end of January 1988, £4,000 had been paid under these arrangements.

ENERGY

  British Coal
  Mr. Andy Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on British Coal's external financing limit for 1987–88.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  British Coal's external financing limit for 1987–88 has been increased from £842 million to £920 million to reflect higher redundancy costs. This reflects a higher rate of colliery closure and manpower rundown than originally envisaged. These costs will increase the corporation's deficit. A Supplementary Estimate to enable the Government to contribute towards the additional deficit and restructuring costs will be submitted to Parliament shortly.

  The increase in external financing limit is being charged to the reserve and will not add to the public expenditure planning total.

  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he will give the expenditure plans for British Coal for the purchase of mining machinery for each of the next three years;

  (2) if he will give the breakdown of mining machinery purchased from (a) British and (b) foreign companies by British Coal in each of the last three years and in the current year and, where known, planned to be purchased over each of the next three years.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  This is a management matter for British Coal. I am asking the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

ENVIRONMENT

  Nature Reserves
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many farmers presently farm in national nature reserves.

  Mr. Moynihan
  No detailed record is kept of the number of farmers within national nature reserves and this information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, I shall shortly be able to let the hon. Member have the details of tenure requested in his question of 19 January at column 602.

  Water Boards (Bonuses)
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will introduce as a criteria for determining bonus payments to water authority boards a measurement of success in improving the quality of the water supply;

  (2) what are the criteria used to determine bonus payments to water authority chairmen;

  (3) what is his policy on bonus payments to water authority chairmen; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  A performance bonus scheme for water authority chairmen and executive board members was introduced in 1986–87 to provide a financial incentive for the participants to achieve exceptional corporate results in relation to targets agreed with Government. Bonuses from 5 to 15 per cent. were paid for meeting or exceeding the authorities' agreed performance aims. I will be considering what form the scheme should take in 1988–89.

  Low-cost Housing
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to improve the supply of low-cost housing in rural and in rural development areas.

  Mrs. Roe
  The White Paper published last September (Housing: The Government's Proposals, Cm. 214) set out the Government's proposals for housing generally including proposals to expand the housing association programme which provides low-cost homes for rent arid other tenure in rural and urban areas.

  We are currently considering whether any further measures, designed specifically to help rural areas, are needed.

  Water Authority Employees
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what information he has on how many hours per week and days per year water authority chairmen and executives have worked on average, for each of the last 10 years;

  (2) what information he has on how many hours per week and days per year on average the chairmen have worked in each water authority in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Moynihan
  All executive members of regional water authorities hold full-time appointments. The basis on which chairmen have held office over the last 10 years, as a percentage of full time, is as follows:

  Anglian–1979–80: 70 per cent., 1983–88:1 80 per cent.

  Northumbrian–1979–88: 50 per cent.

  North West–1979–88: 80 per cent.

  Severn Trent–1979–88: 80 per cent.

  Southern–1979–84: 70 per cent., 1985–88: 80 per cent.

  South West — 1979–80: 50 per cent., 1981–86: 70 per cent., 1987–88:2 100 per cent.

  Thames-1979–88: 80 per cent.

  Wessex-1979–82: 50 per cent., 1983–84: 70 per cent., 1983–84: 80 per cent.

  Yorkshire–1979–84: 70 per cent., 1985–88: 90 per cent.

  1Between June 1986 and March 1987, 100 per cent.

  2 Since 1987 also acts as chief executive.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many hours per week a water authority(a) employee, (b) chairman and (c) executive must work to be classified as part-time.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Water authority board appointments are considered to be part-time when the duties can be discharged satisfactorily for a normal input of less than an average working week. The terms of appointment by water authorities are a matter for the authorities themselves.

  Exmoor National Park Committee
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to announce the names of those appointed or reappointed to the Exmoor national park committee.

  Mr. Moynihan
  I shall be writing to the individuals concerned shortly. I will thereafter, in accordance with normal practice, be announcing the names of those appointed or reappointed and at that stage I will write to my hon. Friend — and other hon. Members with a constituency interest in national parks—with details of the outcome of the appointments round.

  Harecastle Tunnel
  Mr. Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about the legality of work proposed to be carried out by the British Waterways Board at Harecastle tunnel, near Stoke-on-Trent; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  I have received a letter about the Harecastle tunnel from another hon. Member, to whom I shall be replying shortly. It is for the board to satisfy itself as to the legality of its actions.

  Mineral Workings and Derelict Land
  Sir Trevor Skeet
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects the next surveys of mineral workings and of derelict land in England to be carried out.

  Mr. Trippier
  These two surveys will be undertaken in 1988, with a base date of 1 April. The survey forms were sent out early in January. Local authorities will have up to nine months, from January to September, in which to complete the survey tables for their respective areas. We hope the results of the surveys will be published in summer 1989.

  Estate Agents
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will implement the proposal made in his Department's consultation paper of July 1986 to limit the maximum permitted size of estate agents' boards to 0.2 sq m; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The consultation paper of July 1986 invited comment on a proposal to limit the maximum permitted area of estate agents' boards on residential property to 0·2 sq m. Subsequently, my right hon. Friend concluded that the maximum permitted area should be 0·5 sq m, for a single board advertising the sale or letting of residential property—a reduction of 75 per cent. in the present maximum permitted area (2 sq m). My right hon. Friend laid amending regulations (The Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 1987, SI 1987/2227) on 8 January, subject to the negative resolution procedure. The main provisions relating to estate agents' boards are to take effect on 28 October.

  Water Supplies (Disconnections)
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what notice is given to householders when a water supply is disconnected; what authority water authorities have to obtain prior to such disconnection; and what is the average delay in securing reconnections.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The water industry operates a code of practice designed to ensure that customers in financial difficulties are not cut off if an alternative solution can be found. If disconnection is unavoidable, the general statutory authority (section 38 of the Water Act 1945), empowers water undertakers to cut off supplies if charges have not been paid within seven days of being demanded unless the customer has disputed the bill or the supply is to a tenant whose landlord is in default. Undertakers must notify the local authority within 48 hours of cutting off the supply to an inhabited house. When the householder 710
  requests disconnections, he must give the undertaker 24 hours notice. Section 80 of the third schedule to the Water Act 1945 requires undertakers, before they begin works which will interfere with the supply of water (except in emergencies), to give reasonable notice to consumers.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many households in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years have had water supplies disconnected; and how many of those households included(a) retirement pensioners, (b) the unemployed, (c) young children, (d) invalidity benefit recipients and (c) single parents with young children;

  (2) what have been the main reasons causing water to be disconnected from households over the last five years; and what charge is made to householders to reconnect water supplies.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The numbers of households in England disconnected by water authorities for reasons of nonpayment in each of the last five years is as set out:

  Number

  1983–84

  2,521

  1984–85

  2,052

  1985–86

  4,212

  1986–87

  6,450

  Information for 1982–83 or details of the type of household involved is not available centrally. Water authority charges for reconnection in such cases ranges from £24 to £42 in 1987–88. Disconnection in other parts of the United Kingdom are matters for the Secretaries of State for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

  Crown Suppliers
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent representations he has received about the future of the Crown Suppliers within the public sector; what his response has been; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  I refer the hon. Member to my statement on 3 February.

  Town and Country Planning
  Mr. Kirkhope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the Town and Country Planning General Development Order 1977 and its various amendments are to be consolidated.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We have already published consultation papers on the amendment and consolidation of the minerals classes of the general development order on 30 July 1986 and of class I (Householders' development) on 6 January 1987. My right hon. Friend and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales are issuing today a further consultation paper with drafts of provisions amending and consolidating the remaining classes and articles of the order. The new order and planning applications regulations would also incorporate the provisions of the related special development orders which govern development in national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty, and conservation areas.

  Our main objective is to provide a clearer, simpler text which will be more easily understood. The order and regulations would replace 13 existing orders and

  711
  amendments. We are also publishing a draft guide which consolidates material in eight extant circulars about the order.

  We are also taking the opportunity to make a number of changes to the provisions of the order, including:
  —removal of the power enabling local highway authorities to direct local planning authorities how to decide planning applications which would affect classified roads. Instead, the local highway authority would have the right to be consulted by the planning authority before the decision is made.
  — introduction of control over the development of livestock units within 400 metres of non-agricultural buildings.
  — general permission for certain changes of use, in particular, to allow premises now used for the financial and professional services class of the Use Classes Order 1987 and which have a display window at ground level to be used within the shops class.
  —restriction of the requirement to consult the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (or, in Wales, the Welsh Office) to applications involving 20 hectares or more of agricultural land of grades 1, 2 and 3a.

  Copies of the consultation paper and annexes have been placed in the Library. There is a two-month period for comment, after which we hope it will be possible to proceed within a short time to lay the new order and regulations.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales will be issuing a similar consultation paper.

  Figure 1

  England 1986–87 prices

  Ranges of net household income (£pw)

  Under 50

  50–75

  77–100

  100–150

  150–200

  200–250

  250–300

  300–350

  350–400

  450–500

  500+

  All households

  Relationship of gross and net rates to net household income (£ per week)

  Rate bills

  Gross £ per week

  5·50

  5·94

  6·32

  6·58

  7·18

  7·64

  8·18

  8·90

  9·69

  10·24

  13·10

  7·40

  Net £ per week

  1·73

  2·75

  3·97

  5·80

  6·95

  7·54

  8·09

  8·81

  9·64

  10·20

  13·04

  6·37

  As a percentage of net income in each range

  Gross

  13·1

  9·6

  7·3

  5·3

  4·1

  3·4

  3·0

  2·8

  2·6

  2·3

  2·1

  3·8

  Net

  4·1

  4·4

  4·6

  4·7

  4·0

  3·4

  3·0

  2·7

  2·6

  2·3

  2·1

  3·3

  Relationship of gross and net Community Charge (and residual domestic rates) to net household income, with safety nets1

  Gross £ per week

  4·13

  4·86

  6·46

  6·79

  7·58

  8·09

  8·70

  9·40

  9·74

  10·54

  12·00

  7·44

  Net £ per week

  1·39

  2·25

  3·78

  5·82

  7·12

  7·77

  8·34

  9·08

  9·43

  10·15

  11·48

  6·33

  As a percentage of net income in each range

  Gross

  9·8

  7·8

  7·4

  5·4

  4·3

  3·6

  3·2

  2·9

  2·6

  2·4

  1·9

  3·9

  Net

  3·3

  3·6

  4·3

  4·7

  4·1

  3·5

  3·0

  2·8

  2·5

  2·3

  1·8

  3·3

  1 The transitional safety net arrangements were announced on 17 November 1987.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment to what factors he attributes the variations in increases in gross and net rates for each income band between 1984–85, as in annex F of "Paying for Local Government", and 1986–87, as in his Department's note on the relationship between local taxes and income and the distributional impact of the community charge.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 3 February 1988]: In general, the increases in net and gross domestic rate bills are much as expected in the light of the average increases in rates between 1984–85 and 1987–88. Rate increases have not been uniform over the period, however. Outside London rates have increased by nearly 40 per cent. while in inner London, mainly as a result of the successful application of rate capping, rates have reduced by 7 per cent. This variation might explain in part the small differences in rate increases for bands of household income

  Rates (Summonses)
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what figures he has on the numbers of the issue of summonses for the alleged non-payment of rates to households which have already paid their rates in London boroughs over the most recent period for which figures are available, and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  [pursuant to his answer, 28 January 1988, e. 375]: The figure given for the number of summonses for non-payment of rates issued by Greater London boroughs in 1986–87 was incorrect. The correct figure is 183,962.

  Rating Reform
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will reproduce the figures in figure four of his Department's note on the relationship between local taxes and income and the distributional impact of the community charge on the basis that 1986–87 is year one and including the net safety net effect.

  Mr. Howard
  The figures asked for are set out in the table. For ease of reference, the comparable table for the present system (figure 1 of the published note) is reprinted below.

  over £250 per week. Average incomes in the Greater London area are about 20 per cent. higher than the national average.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr (Mr. Rooker),Official Report, 25 January, columns 37–38, (a) which equivalent income scale was used to derive the tables on the relationship between charges and income (b) how many (i) over-18's and (ii) people in total he estimates to be in each income band, (c) what margin of error applies to the figures, (d) whether the poll-tax figures include the safety net effect and (e) if he will reproduce the tables on the decile basis used in his reply to the hon. Member for Warrington, North (Mr. Hoyle) on 16 December 1987, Official Report, column 522.
  713
  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 3 February 1988]: The basis for adjusting household incomes to equivalent incomes is that described in paragraph F14 of the Green Paper "Paying for Local Government," Cmnd. 9714. The estimated total population and numbers of adults in each equivalent income band is shown in the table. The community charge estimates used for the purpose of my answer of 25 January were those for the full implementation of the community charge published on 29 June, and therefore exclude the effect of the transitional

  Ranges of Equivalent Net Household Income (£ per week)

  Numbers of (million)

  Under

  50

  75

  100

  150

  200

  250

  300

  350

  400

  500

  50

  75

  100

  150

  200

  250

  300

  350

  400

  500

  +

  Adults

  1·4

  6·2

  4·6

  9·2

  6·1

  3·6

  2·0

  1·0

  0·5

  0·5

  0·2

  Total

  1·8

  7·9

  6·3

  13·3

  8·3

  4·5

  2·3

  1·2

  0·6

  0·5

  0·3

DEFENCE

  Exercise Bonnie Dundee
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the purpose of Exercise Bonnie Dundee; on what dates and in what locations it is scheduled to take place; what units are involved; and how many troops will participate.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  Exercise Bonnie Dundee is a home defence exercise to be held in Scotland between 22 October and 2 November 1988. It is designed to test progress in military home defence planning since Exercise Brave Defender which took place in 1985. It is too early to provide further details of the exercise since plans have not yet been settled.

  RAF Stornoway
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether any plans exist to alter his Department's commitment to limit the peacetime use of RAF Stornoway for military exercises to six weeks per year; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) how many weeks of military air exercises it is planned to conduct at RAF Stornoway in 1988.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces on 24 July 1987 at column 595. There are no plans to alter my Department's commitment to limit the peacetime use of RAF Stornoway for military exercises to six weeks per year.

  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what use will be made of RAF Stornoway in Exercise JMC 88–1.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  None is planned.

  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if flying operations from RAF Stornoway by Falcon aircraft of Flight Refuelling Ltd. and Hunter aircraft from the fleet requirements and air direction unit will count towards the permitted maximum six weeks of military exercises each year at RAF Stornoway.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  No.
  714
  safety net proposals. I have repeatedly pointed out that the estimates of the impact of our proposals are based on a sample survey and are subject to sampling errors. The confidence intervals attaching to these estimates will vary with each estimate. The estimates of the relative contributions of those in the top and bottom deciles of household income to local services were not produced from the tax benefit model. The note of 25 January could be produced from the model on a decile basis only at disproportionate cost.

  Exercise ASWEX 1–88
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what use will be made of RAF Stornoway in Exercise ASWEX 1–88.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  Routine use, amounting to a small number of daylight transfers of stores and personnel by military helicopters, will be made of the civil facilities at Stornoway airport during Exercise ASWEX 1–88.

  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what use will be made of Benbecula airport during Exercise ASWEX 1–88.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  During Exercise ASWEX 1–88 Benbecula airport will perform its usual functon as an air traffic control point. In addition, there may be one daylight transfer of personnel, involving military aircraft.

  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what naval activity will be conducted in the Minch and the waters around the Western Isles during Exercise ASWEX 1–88; and what consultations have taken place with fishermen's organisations.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  ASWEX 1–88 is a routine naval exercise involving a small number of units. There will be little activity in the Minches and the waters around the Western Isles during the exercise. It is not our normal practice to consult fishermen's organisations about relatively minor exercises of this nature, and we did not do so on this occasion.

  RAF Aird Uig, Lewis
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the function of the ship-to-shore and shore-to-ship communication systems being installed at RAF Aird Uig, Lewis; and what increase in(a) Royal Air Force, (b) Royal Navy, (c) United States and (d) civilian personnel working at the station will result from their introduction.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  The communications system to be installed at RAF Aird Uig will form part of the improved United Kingdom air defence ground environment system. Up to a maximum of six additional RAF technicians will be required at RAF Stornoway to maintain the facility. No other personnel will be involved.

  Air-sea Rescue
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Navy or Royal Air Force air-sea rescue sorties were carried out in 1987 to assist(a) foreign merchant ships, (b) foreign military vessels including NATO forces, and (c) foreign trawlers, sailcraft and other vessels.

  Mr. Freeman
  The following sorties were flown in 1987 by United Kingdom-based Royal Navy and Royal Air Force search and rescue helicopters to assist:

  Number

  (a) Foreign merchant ships

  38

  (b) Foreign military vessels including NATO forces

  4

  (c) Foreign fishing vessels

  37

  (d) Foreign pleasure craft

  5

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Navy or Royal Air Force air-sea rescue sorties were flown in 1987 to assist(a) Royal Navy ships, (b) British merchant ships and ferries and (c) British trawlers, sailcraft or other vessels.

  Mr. Freeman
  The following sorties were flown in 1987 by United Kingdom based Royal Navy and Royal Air Force search and rescue helicopters to assist:

  Number

  (a) Royal Navy shipping

  11

  (b) British merchant shipping, including ferries

  57

  (c) British fishing vessels

  83

  (d) British pleasure craft

  127

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Navy or Royal Air Force air-sea rescue operations were flown in 1987 to rescue(a) British military aircrew, (b) NATO aircrew, (c) British civilian aircrew and (d) other foreign military or civilian aircrew.

  Mr. Freeman
  Information is not held in the precise form requested. Assistance was provided in 1987 by United Kingdom-based Royal Navy and Royal Air Force search and rescue helicopters as follows:

  Incidents

  (a) British military aircraft

  97

  (b) United States Military aircraft

  6

  (c) British civilian aircraft

  19

  There were an additional 49 call-outs to assist aircraft in distress in which the nationality of the aircraft was not recorded.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Navy or Royal Air Force air-sea rescue sorties were carried out to rescue mountaineers or were in support of other domestic civilian emergency operations.

  Mr. Freeman
  A total of 418 sorties were flown in 1987 by United Kingdom based Royal Navy and Air Force search and rescue helicopters to assist civilian personnel on land.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many rescue sorties were carried out by Royal Navy and Royal Air Force air-sea rescue service outside British territorial waters in 1987.

  Mr. Freeman
  The United Kingdom's responsibility for search and rescue extends well beyond territorial waters, and separate figures are not held for incidents outside 716
  those waters. International co-operation is an important feature of search and rescue and from time to time assistance is given by United Kingdom-based Royal Navy and Royal Air Force search and rescue aircraft in areas which are the responsibility of other nations, but, again, these are not recorded centrally.

  A total of 93 search and rescue sorties were flown in 1987 by Royal Air Force search and rescue helicopters based overseas, of which 51 were to military incidents and 42 to civilian incidents. Records are not kept centrally of rescue sorties carried out by aircraft embarked in Royal Navy ships.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many rescue sorties were carried out by the Royal Navy air-sea rescue service in 1987.

  Mr. Freeman
  In 1987, a total of 349 search and rescue sorties were flown by United Kingdom-based Royal Navy search and rescue helicopters.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many training, rescue or other sorties were carried out by Royal Navy and Royal Air Force air-sea rescue services in 1987.

  Mr. Freeman
  In 1987 the United Kingdom-based Royal Navy and Royal Air Force search and rescue helicopters flew 1,494 search and rescue sorties. Information on training sorties is not held centrally.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many civilian personnel have been rescued by Royal Navy and Royal Air Force air-sea rescue services in 1987.

  Mr. Freeman
  In 1987, a total of 903 civilian personnel were rescued by United Kingdom-based Royal Navy and Royal Air Force search and rescue helicopters.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many military personnel have been rescued by Royal Navy and Royal Air Force air-sea rescue services in 1987.

  Mr. Freeman
  In 1987 a total of 54 military personnel were rescued by United Kingdom-based Royal Navy and Royal Air Force search and rescue helicopters.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many rescue sorties were carried out by the Royal Air Force air-sea rescue service in 1987.

  Mr. Freeman
  In 1987, a total of 1,145 search and rescue sorties were flown by United Kingdom-based Royal Air Force search and rescue helicopters.

  Weather Satellites
  Mr. Stott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has any plans to transfer weather satellites to the private sector.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  No. The Ministry of Defence has no weather satellites of its own. The United Kingdom is one of 19 participating nations in the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT). Each nation is represented by its national meteorological service. In addition, the Meteorological Office is involved with United States Government agencies in research, development and provision of certain types of sounding instruments for installation on United States polar-orbiting satellites, the data from which are beneficial to Meterological Office forecasting. Private industry is
  717
  making some contribution to this instrument development programme in the expectation of industrial benefits from the production of further units. Basic satellite and other global weather observations are collected and exchanged internationally free of charge under the auspices of the World Meteorological Organisation; direct private sector participation would therefore not be appropriate.

  Exercise Purple Warrior
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many weapons were lost during Exercise Purple Warrior and remain unaccounted for; and where they were lost.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  No weapons were reported as having been lost during Exercise Purple Warrior.

  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many ferries used in Exercise Purple Warrior were chartered from(a) Denmark and (b) West Germany.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  Four ferries were chartered from Denmark and two from West Germany.

  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of the arrangement to charter ferries from(a) Denmark and (b) West Germany for use in Exercise Purple Warrior.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Clackmannan (Mr. O'Neill) on 16 November 1987 at column 458.

  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many ferries were chartered for Exercise Purple Warrior.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  Nine.

  Women's Royal Voluntary Service
  Mr. Sean Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Women's Royal Voluntary Service personnel have been assisting the Army for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Freeman
  The number of Women's Royal Voluntary Service personnel who have been employed in work assisting the Army in each year from 1979 to 1987 is as follows:

  Number

  1979

  32

  1980

  35

  1981

  38

  1982

  36

  1983

  34

  1984

  32

  1985

  32

  1986

  26

  1987

  21

  Mr. Sean Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what funding has been provided by his Department for Women's Royal Voluntary Service personnel attached to Army units for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Freeman
  The amount of funding provided by the Ministry of Defence to the Women's Royal Voluntary Service in the years from 1979 to 1987 has been as follows:
  718

  £

  1979

  59,250

  1980

  67,575

  1981

  67,200

  1982

  76,218

  1983

  85,000

  1984

  96,000

  1985

  130,944

  1986

  92,204

  1987

  100,717

  Army Barracks (Food and Accommodation Costs)
  Mr. Sean Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions food and accommodation charges for soldiers living in barracks have risen since 1979.

  Mr. Freeman
  Eight. Food and accommodation charges are included in the Armed Forces Pay Review Body's annual recommendations on pay and allowances for the services. However, in 1979 the Government imposed a standstill on accommodation charges pending further examination of the basis of the charges by the review body.

  Royal Naval Chaplains
  Mr. Sean Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence why Royal Naval chaplains do not wear badges of rank.

  Mr. Freeman
  Naval chaplains are commissioned as such rather than as naval officers, and hence do not wear badges of rank.

  DROPS
  Mr. Sean Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence why the Scammell (Leyland/DAF) DROPS was chosen by his Department.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The vehicle was selected as a result of a competitive exercise from 1982 to 1985 involving detailed engineering and other assessments together with extended troop and associated trials by the Army and the Department's research and development authorities.

  Mr. Sean Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what different tyre sizes were tried on the original DROPS trailer vehicle 18 months ago.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  None.

  Mr. Sean Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Scammell (Leyland/DAF) DROPS achieved a lateral stability of 28 degrees plus in trials.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  No.

  Mr. Sean Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether DROPS is air portable.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  No.

  Mr. Sean Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he intends to review the decision to procure the Scammell (Leyland/DAF) DROPS.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  No. Like all major equipment projects, the DROPS programme as a whole will continue to be subject to regular review in the normal way.
  719
  Mr. Sean Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what design changes have been made to the chassis of the original DROPS trailer equipment; and by how much this has raised the vehicle's centre of gravity.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  None.

  Royal Navy Ships
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by year of construction each ship in the Royal Navy 20 or more years old, giving both name and type of vessel.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  The following Royal Naval ships, listed by the year their construction was completed, are 20 or more years old.

  1778

  First rate ship of the line

  Victory

  1954

  MCMVs

  Cuxton

  Brereton

  Brinton

  Bronington

  Gavinton

  Kirkliston

  Royal yacht

  Britannia

  1955

  MCMVs

  Hubberston

  Iveston

  Kedleston

  Kellington

  1956

  MCMVs

  Upton

  Sheraton

  Ice patrol ship

  Endurance1

  1957

  MCMVs

  Nurton

  Maxton

  Soberton

  Stubbington

  1958

  MCMV

  Walkerton

  1960

  Rothesay class frigate

  Rothesay

  1961

  Rothesay class frigate

  Plymouth

  1962

  Oberon class submarine

  Odin

  Olympus

  Onslaught

  Otter

  1963

  Oberon class submarine

  Oracle

  Otus

  720
  Leander class frigate

  Penelope

  1964

  Leander class frigate

  Euryalus

  Oberon class submarines

  Ocelot

  Opossum

  Opportune

  Osiris

  1965

  Assault ship

  Fearless

  Leander class frigate

  Arethusa

  Survey ships

  Hecate

  Hecla

  1966

  Leander class frigates

  Cleopatra

  Minerva

  Phoebe

  Sirius

  Fleet submarine

  Valiant

  1967

  Assault ship

  Intrepid

  Polaris submarine

  Resolution

  MCM support ship

  Abdiel

  Leander class frigates

  Argonaut

  Danae

  Navigation training ship

  Juno

  Fleet submarine

  Warspite

  Oberon class submarine

  Onyx

  1 Endurance was completed as a merchant vessel in 1956 but was not purchased for Royal Navy service until 1967.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Free Food
  Mr. Litherland
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the latest situation regarding the operation of the European Community free food scheme.

  Mr. Gummer
  My right hon. Friend announced on 12 January that butter and beef would be made available, subject to Commission authorisation, in response to applications from charitable or non-profit-making organisations meeting appropriate conditions. Agriculture Departments have invited applications by a closing date of 29 February. These will be considered together, and scaled down if necessary to fit the finance available.
  721
  Mr. Sean Hughes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consultations he has had with organisations eligible for operating the EC free food scheme.

  Mr. Gummer
  I and my Department have kept in close touch with the main charitable organisations at every stage in the evolution of the scheme.

  When it became clear that organisations other than charities would be eligible to participate in this scheme, although they had been excluded by the European Community from the previous scheme, I made sure that they, too, were informed.

  Mr. Ashton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a further statement on the distribution of surplus Common Market food.

  Mr. Gummer
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given earlier today to the hon. Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Litherland).

  EC Agricultural Commissioner
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met the European Economic Community's Agricultural Commissioner; and what was discussed.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I last met the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Andriessen, at the Agriculture Council on 23–24 January, the outcome of which I reported to the House in reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Wansdyke (Mr. Aspinwall).

  Inshore Fishing
  Mr. McKelvey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received from sea anglers' associations about inshore fishing undertaken by commercial fishing vessels.

  Mr. Gummer
  I have received no recent representations from sea anglers' associations about inshore fishing undertaken by commercial fishing vessels, although sea anglers' associations have raised other issues such as the management of the bass fishery.

  Intervention Stocks
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the subsequent effect on intervention stocks of the agreement of the Council of Agriculture Ministers in December 1986.

  Mr. MacGregor
  Largely as a result of the reforms to the EC dairy regime agreed under the United Kingdom presidency in December 1986, and the associated accelerated disposal programme for existing stocks, EC stocks of butter at the end of November 1987 were 974,000 tonnes, 31 per cent. down on their level in December 1986. Stocks of skimmed milk powder at the end of November 1987 were 592,000 tonnes, 34 per cent. down on those in December 1986. United Kingdom intervention stocks of butter were down 36 per cent. and stocks of skimmed milk powder down 88 per cent. over the same period.

  In the period from 6 April 1987, when the reforms to the beef regime came into effect, to the end of 1987, EC purchases were 396,500 tonnes, 19 per cent. down on the
  722
  same period in 1986. Broadly proportionate reductions occurred in the United Kingdom. EC intervention stocks in 1987, however, built up to higher levels than those obtaining in 1986 because of substantially lower sales from intervention for export.

  Pesticides
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he will take to ensure that there is an increase in the scope of monitoring to test foodstuffs for pesticides residues.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Existing monitoring, consisting of surveys targeted at potential problem areas, and the examination of residues in the average national diet, has been supplemented since last year by regular surveys of the dietary staples — milk, bread and potatoes. Later this year we shall be introducing statutory maximum residue limits for the most important primary food components of the United Kingdom diet in addition to implementing obligatory EC limits in and on cereals and animal products. Financial provision will be sought in the Supply Estimates for 1988–89 to increase resources to allow for extra monitoring arising from this legislation.

  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make available for public scrutiny the evaluations of pesticides still in use, and those no longer marketed but prepared under the former voluntary pesticides safety and precautions scheme.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The arrangements under the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 for making evaluations on pesticides publicly available apply to those evaluations produced for newly approved pesticides and for reviews of existing ones.

  My Department responds to specific queries about pesticides registered under the pesticides safety precautions scheme. However a large number of active ingredients were involved over nearly 30 years, and many are of limited current interest. The priority given to this activity depends both on the availability of data and the nature of the concern expressed.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he hopes to respond to the Select Committee on Agriculture's report on the effect of pesticides on health.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The agreed report of the Agriculture Committee dealt, in very brief terms, with the reason why, because of the general election, it had been unable to complete its inquiry. In these circumstances, the Government believe that it would be inappropriate to offer any formal response to the agreed report.

  Departments are, however, considering the individual conclusions and recommendations contained in the draft report of my hon. Friend the Member for Holland with Boston (Sir R. Body), which, although not agreed by the Agriculture Committee, was published as an appendix to the main report. The independent Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP) has already seen the draft report and certain points raised in it will be considered in the first instance by the relevant panels supporting the ACP.

  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made in controlling the supply and use of pesticides.
  723
  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Dumfries (Sir H. Monro) on 28 January as regards the controls on use, introduced under the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986.

  As far as supply is concerned, the following controls have been implemented with effect from 6 October 1986.

  only approved pesticides may be sold or supplied; suppliers must take all reasonable precautions to protect human health, animals, plants and the environment;
  suppliers must be competent for the duties they are to perform;
  pesticides may only be supplied to the end user in approved containers and under approved labels.

  As from I January 1988, anyone selling or supplying a pesticide approved for use in agriculture, horticulture or forestry must hold a recognised certificate of competence or be supervised by a certificate holder.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures he has taken to ensure that there is increased public awareness of the legal controls on the use of pesticides and of individuals' responsibilities.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Since the introduction of the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986, a series of press releases have been issued drawing attention to particular aspects of the new controls. In addition, my Department has to date distributed some 200,000 copies of the leaflet "Pesticides — Guide to the new controls" which will continue to be made available.

  The Ministry's publicity efforts have not been carried out in isolation. Many sections of the industry are helping to get the message across.

  Water Quality (Intensive Farming)
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what initiatives he proposes to ensure water quality is not harmed in areas of intensive farming.

  Mr. Gummer
  As well as a wide range of other activities through which my Department aims to reduce farm pollution, I have this week launched a campaign to increase awareness among farmers of the problem of nitrate pollution and how they can help to reduce it.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has held recently with farmers' representatives concerning water quality in areas of intensive farming.

  Mr. Gummer
  I am in frequent contact with farmers' representatives to discuss a wide range of issues, including the possible effect of intensive farming on water quality.

  Eastern Bloc Klondykers
  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions his Department has held regarding the location of eastern bloc Klondykers in, or close to, United Kingdom fishing ports in the current year.

  Mr. Gummer
  Other Departments, relevant sections of the fishing industry and other local interests have been consulted where appropriate.

  Nutrition Labelling
  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether there have been any developments in the European Commission's plan for a Community system of voluntary nutrition labelling.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  We still await the Commission's proposals on nutrition labelling of foods, which were due to be issued by the end of 1987. In the meantime we have issued our own guidelines and we are pressing for widespread adoption as a result of the revise circulated on 21 January.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he expects to introduce further proposals for the declaration of nutritional information on food products.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Revised guidelines for a standard approach to voluntary nutrition declarations were issued on 21 January,Official Report, column 836. I am pressing for widespread adoption by food manufacturers and retailers. Proposals for legislation to set out the form in which voluntary declarations must be given will be considered once we have experience of the operation of the system and European Community intentions on nutrition labelling are clearer. We are looking at the need for simple graphical or representational systems to supplement numerical declarations, and at the need for controls to prevent misleading claims for nutrient content undermining the value of nutrition declarations provided in accordance with the guidelines.

  Monetary Compensatory Amounts
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the current method of calculation of monetary compensatory amounts; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. MacGregor
  MCAs generally are calculated in an objective manner in order to avoid trade distortions. However, technical improvements which can usefully be made are discussed with the Commission and other member states from time to time.

  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will seek the phasing out of monetary compensatory amounts in the pigmeat industry.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Glanford and Scunthorpe (Mr. Morley) on 28 January.

  Cereals Surplus
  Mr. Marland
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current level of the cereals surplus in the United Kingdom and the European Community.

  Mr. MacGregor
  For the current cereals marketing year, Community consumption of home-produced-grain is provisionally estimated at 133 million tonnes and production at 153 million tonnes. Intervention stocks at the beginning of the year stood at 14·3 million tonnes.

  For the same period United Kingdom consumption of home-produced grain is estimated at 16·7 million tonnes and production at 21·5 million tonnes. Intervention stocks at the beginning of the marketing year stood at 2·3 million tonnes.
  725
  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the size of the cereals surplus in the United Kingdom and the European Community in five years' time.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Consumption in the Community of home-produced grain is around 130 million tonnes and forecast to remain stable.

  The latest estimates of production trends produced by European Statistical Office are as follows:

  Million tones

  1988

  168

  1989

  171

  1990

  174

  1991

  178

  These figures are based on an extrapolation of current trends. Intervention stocks of grain in the Community at the beginning of the current marketing year stood at 14·3 million tonnes.

  No such forecasts are available separately for the United Kingdom.

  Milk Marketing Board
  Mr. Knox
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he next intends to have discussions about the dairy industry with the chairman of the Milk Marketing Board.

  Mr. MacGregor
  My colleagues and I have regular contacts with the chairman of the Milk Marketing Board to discuss various issues affecting the dairy industry.

  Less-favoured Areas
  Mr. Stevens
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current value of the support provided by the Government for farmers in the less-favoured areas.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The current forecast of additional support in the less-favoured areas for 1987–88 is £143.9 million comprising

  £ million

  Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances:

  Sheep

  64·5

  Cattle

  50·3

  Additional benefits under Agricultural Capital

  Grants, including the Northern Ireland Agricultural Development Programme

  25·3

  Other grants including forage groups, special assistance to the Scottish Island and crofters

  3·8

  Set-aside Scheme
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the adequacy of present or proposed arrangements for the setting aside of arable land to be used for forestry to secure a sufficiently positive response.

  Mr. MacGregor
  In November we announced significant increases in the rates proposed for the annual payments under the farm woodland scheme which will now focus primarily on arable and improved land. The new rates were generally welcomed by interested parties.

  I expect there to be provision for the planting of woodland in the Community set-aside scheme, on which
  726
  discussions are continuing in the Council of Ministers. I and my colleagues will be considering the appropriate United Kingdom arrangements in the light of the Community's final decisions and of responses to the consultation document issued on 8 December.

  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received concerning the European Community cereal set-aside policy.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I have received a large number of representations, most of them in response to the consultation document on extensification issued on 8 December.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether agreement has been reached on the level of premium to compensate for the European Community scheme of setting land aside.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The consultation document issued by the Agricultural Departments on 8 December suggested a rate in the range of £150-£200 per hectare of cereals land set-aside. No decisions will be taken until current discussions on a wider set-aside scheme in the Council of Agriculture Ministers reach a conclusion and I have considered with my colleagues the views expressed to us on this and other features of the scheme.

  Severe Weather Damage
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has received any requests from coastal authorities for grant aid towards the cost of repairing damage caused by gales in early January.

  Mr. Gummer
  Bournemouth borough council has advised me of the need for emergency coast protection work following the January gales. This will be considered for grant aid in the normal way. No other coastal authority has made such an approach.

  Carry-Over Premium Scheme
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received about the incorporation of herring and mackerel in the carry-over premium scheme.

  Mr. Gummer
  I received a number of representations about the incorporation of herring and mackerel in the carry-over premium scheme during 1987. They were mainly from fish producer organisations in Scotland who felt that the change would provide additional flexibility in marketing the species.

  Food Research
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received regarding the Government's review of funding for public sector basic food research.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The review is an internal exercise which does not involve formal consultation outside Government. But we are receiving views from a number of interested parties which are bing taken into account.

  Cereal Policy
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the paper entitled, "Cereal — A Positive Policy", recently published by the Grasshoppers Club, a copy of which has been sent to him.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I have read this paper with interest. For cereals I continue to believe that a tough price policy should be accompanied by a voluntary set-aside scheme designed to encourage producers to reduce levels of production and to cushion the impact of lower prices on those least able to cope.

  Conservation
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures have been undertaken since 1979 to improve the balance between farming and conservation.

  Mr. Gummer
  The Government have introduced a wide range of measures since 1979 in order to improve the balance between farming and conservation. In particular, the agricultural improvements scheme has since 1985 encouraged farmers to invest in environmentally beneficial projects, 10 areas of England have been designated environmentally-sensitive areas following agreement in the Agriculture Council of Ministers to proposals first put forward by the United Kingdom, and the farm and countryside initiative provides work of benefit to the rural environment for the long-term unemployed under the community programme of the Manpower Services Commission.

  Farm Incomes
  Mr. MacDonald
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how farm incomes presently compare with figures for 1986 and 1987, respectively.

  Mr. MacGregor
  United Kingdom income in 1987 is forecast at £1,404 million, about 1½ per cent. lower than the 1986 total of £1,427 million. More detailed data on farm incomes is given in the "Annual Review of Agriculture 1988" (Cm 299).

  Food Intolerance
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement regarding his Department's support for research into the prevalence of food intolerance.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  If I consider "food" to include "food additives" then between 1984 and 1987 my Department funded a multicentre study of food additive intolerance at three major clinical centres. The principal project assessed the prevalence of food additive intolerance in a large population by rigorous (double-blind) challenge.

  The prevalence estimated from the clinical data, using two methods of calculation, was 0·01 to 0·23 per cent. suggesting that the problem of food additive intolerance in the large population group studied was small.

  Other complementary work my Department funded during this same period has indicated that food additive
  728
  intolerance in many children is mainly a transient phenomenon, and it has thrown some light on the mechanisms of intolerance reactions in the human body.

  My Department is continuing to fund further research in this area and during 1987–90 a project designed to examine the prevalence of food intolerance per se for comparison purposes and to extend our knowledge of the mechanisms by which intolerance is mediated, has been commissioned at the same clinical centres.

  Tree Planting
  Mr. Chapman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received concerning his proposals to encourage tree planting on surplus agricultural land.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I announced the revised proposals for the farm woodland scheme in November following a consultation exercise earlier last year. Since then, the revised scheme has been discussed with representatives of the main interested organisations. Most of the changes I made have been welcomed on all sides.

  Rural Economy
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what policies he is promoting to diversify and strengthen the economy in rural areas.

  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to help sustain the rural economy.

  Mr. MacGregor
  We are introducing a variety of measures designed to encourage changes in land use and contribute to the vitality of the rural economy.

  The farm diversification grant scheme was introduced on 1 January. This offers 25 per cent. grants on on-farm investments worth up to £35,000 in a wide range of nonagricultural profit-making activities. These include farm tourism and crafts, farm shops, the value-added processing of food, agricultural products and timber, sports facilities, livery and, in less-favoured areas, pony trekking.

  The Farm Land and Rural Development Bill, which is now before the House, contains the powers under which the farm woodland scheme, providing incentives for the planting of woodlands on farms, will be introduced. It also provides enabling powers for the introduction later this year of complementary grants for feasibility studies and marketing costs for diversification enterprises.

  In addition, 14 environmentally sensitive areas have now been designated in the United Kingdom and four more are being designated. In these areas farmers will receive payment for following farming practices designed to conserve their landscape and wildlife value.

  Finally, my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Environment and for Wales have issued revised guidance on development involving agricultural land which emphasises the need to foster the diversification of the rural economy.

  Rating Reform
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what meetings he has had with the National Farmers Union to discuss the proposed community charge.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I have had no formal meeting with the National Farmers' Union on the proposed community charge.

  EC-Israel Protocol
  Mr. Ashby
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will provide details on the progress of the EEC-Israel protocol; and what concessions have been granted to Israel concerning food and drink products.

  Mr. Gummer
  The protocols to the EC-Israel agreement were signed by the Community and Israel on 13 December 1987. They await the assent of the European Parliament which is required before they can enter into force.

  The protocols provide in particular for duties to be removed progressively from a range of food and drink products, and for tariff quotas to be opened for certain products, most notably cut flowers. Whilst the United Kingdom has shown itself supportive of freer trade in Mediterranean products, we have insisted upon proper access to the European market being provided for Arab producers from the occupied territories. Details are contained in EC document 4280/87 (explanatory memorandum submitted by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 10 April 1987) a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

  Council of Fisheries Ministers
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met members of the European Community's Council of Fisheries Ministers; and what subjects they discussed.

  Mr. Gummer
  The last meeting of the Council of Fisheries Ministers was on 14 to 16 December 1987; my right hon. Friend the Minister reported on discussion at this meeting in a written reply of 16 December to my hon. Friend the Member for Daventry (Mr. Boswell),Official Report column 585.

  Potato Imports (Hungary)
  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received expressing concern at the possible lifting of all embargos and related quantitative restrictions regarding potato products from Hungary.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  One, from the Potato Processors' Association.

  Breeding Ewes
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the present number of breeding ewes in the United Kingdom.
  730
  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Provisional figures from the June 1987 agricultural census show 18·056 million ewes and shearlings in the United Kingdom (Source: "Annual Review of Agriculture 1988" (Cmnd. 299)).

  Pig Producers
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has taken to ensure that British pig producers are not subject to unfair competition from imported meat.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Denmark and Holland are the major exporters of pigmeat to our market. A major study carried out by the food and drink manufacturing economic development council in 1986 concluded that there was no proof that the pig industries in those countries gained any substantial advantage over United Kingdom producers as a result of state subsidies. I am always ready to consider referring to the European Commission for action any firm evidence that national Governments are paying illegal aid to their producers.

  Food Surpluses
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his latest estimate of the amount which the EEC is spending per week on the storage, destruction and dumping of food surpluses; what was the comparable sum actually spent per week, five and 10 years previously, respectively; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. MacGregor
  Weekly community expenditure on technical and financing costs of public intervention and on export refunds and internal disposal subsidies (including loss on sale out of intervention) for commodities now in structural surplus (cereals, sugar, olive oil, wine, beef, milk and milk products) was £28 million in 1977, £80 million in 1982 and £233 million in 1987. In some circumstances withdrawn produce finds no end use and may be assumed to be spoiled or wasted, but the relevant expenditure is not separately identifiable.

  Fishing Industry (Support)
  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he intends to change his policy on financial support for the fishing industry, in the light of the report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, entitled "Financial Support for the Fishing Industry in Great Britain"; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  Fisheries Ministers thoroughly reviewed their objectives and policies with regard to both financial support for the United Kingdom fishing fleet and the restrictive licensing arrangements as recently as the winter of 1986–87 and one of the results of that review was our decision to withdraw the decommissioning grants which attracted particular attention in the report by the Comptroller and Auditor General. I announced our conclusions on 30 April, 1987,Official Report, columns 217–19. We continue to keep our policies for the fishing industry under regular review.

  Milk Quotas
  Mr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received
  731
  about the loss of cheese-making capacity in the United Kingdom as a result of the European Commission milk quotas; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I have received no such representations. The shortage of milk for cheese production last autumn was in large part the result of a greater than usual seasonal reduction in milk production. The answer to this problem is not to increase milk quotas, since the Community is not short of milk, but rather to encourage a more even supply of milk throughout the year.

  Fishing Industry
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the present state of the fishing industry.

  Mr. Gummer
  Thanks to this Government's policies, including t he negotiation in January 1983 of a satisfactory common fisheries policy, the United Kingdom fishing industry is in better heart than for many years. Although figures for 1987 are not yet complete, it is clear that landings were up over the previous year both in volume and in value terms, implying a significant increase in real earnings.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Patrick McLoughlin
  (West Derbyshire): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what progress was made towards reforming the common agricultural policy at the recent meeting of Ministers in Brussels.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave today to the hon. Member for St. Helens, North (Mr. Evans).

  Chernobyl
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with the Country Landowners Association about his Department's handling of the Chernobyl accident in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Chernobyl was one of a number of topics discussed when I met representatives of the Country Landowners Association on 28 September 1987. My officials have, of course, been in frequent contact with the associaton on action taken following the Chernobyl accident.

  Agriculture Industry
  Mr. Geraint Howells
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the present state of the agriculture industry.

  Mr. MacGregor
  Although overall farming income as a whole in England is forecast to have fallen somewhat, largely because of the effects of adverse weather on the arable sector, there have been increases in England in the dairy and less-favoured areas livestock sectors, and there was a good recovery in forecast farming income for 1987 for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

  British Sherry
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his response to recent representations by the British Wine Producers' spokesmen on product description usage for British sherry and related matters.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Article 129 of the Act of Accession of Spain and Portugal to the European Communities authorises the use of the description "British Sherry" until 1995 when the matter will be reviewed by the Council of Ministers. This is a clear provision, welcomed by the British wine industry and one which the Government continue fully to support.

  Grain Surpluses
  Mr. Coombs
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the current stabiliser regulations for grain surpluses.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Wansdyke (Mr. Aspinwall) on 25 January, columns 52–3.

  Extensification (Report)
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research has been carried out by his Department on the effects of the proposals out lined in the consultation document "An Extensification Scheme on Employment".

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 18 December to his hon. Friend the Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Davies).

  Agricultural Tenancies
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received concerning the effects of Government legislation on agricultural tenancies; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  From time to time, I receive comments from individuals and interested organisations about the current arrangements. The existing agricultural holdings legislation, revised in 1984 after lengthy consultation, represents a careful balance of interest between landlord and tenant and any proposals for change must have the support of the industry.

  I am always, of course, ready to consider any ideas the industry puts to me on an agreed basis.

  Sheepmeat
  Dr. Twinn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps his Department has taken to promote exports of British sheepmeat.

  Mr. Gummer
  We set up Food From Britain in 1983 with the aim of encouraging and developing the marketing of British food and drink. British lamb and mutton is one of the many products which FFB actively promotes in overseas markets, in close collaboration with the extensive export services of the Meat and Livestock Commission. The Government have fought to maintain free and fair terms of trade under the EC sheepmeat regime. Since the regime was negotiated in 1980, our exports to the
  733
  Community have risen from 36,829 tonnes to 63,611 tonnes in 1986 with a further increase expected in the final figures for 1987. In 1986 our total exports of sheepmeat, to all destinations were worth some £134 million.

  Farming Methods
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department is conducting into the extent to which less intensive farming methods will reduce food production.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  My Department is conducting and funding a wide range of research and developments on less intensive farming methods which may help farmers maintain a reasonable income whilst reducing their output of crops in surplus.

  Nature Reserves
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had recently with farmers' representatives concerning the problems of farming in national nature reserves.

  Mr. Gummer
  I have received no representations suggesting that problems exist relating specifically to farming in national nature reserves.

  Value Added Tax
  Sir Michael Shaw
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received concerning the imposition of value added tax on confectionery products and chocolate biscuits.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I have seen a copy of the submission which the Biscuit, Cake, Chocolate and Confectionery Alliance sent on 18 December to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. This was among the matters discussed when my noble Friend the Parliamentary Secretary met the president of the alliance on 13 January.

  Research and Development
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to make an announcement about the future of research and development in agriculture, fisheries and food.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The Government are looking at the issues of better targeting of Government expenditure on science and technology R and D and the reappraisal of priorities to achieve the most effective exploitation of results. In MAFF we are currently reviewing the balance of our own programmes against this background and the Government's general view that industry should fund more of the work of benefit to it. I will inform the House of any developments.

  Woodland Scheme
  Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied with the take-up of the woodland scheme announced in the ALURE package.

  Mr. Gummer
  As we made clear at the time, legislation is required before the farm woodland scheme can be introduced.
  734
  The Farm Land and Rural Development Bill, which has been considered in another place and received its Second Reading in this House on 1 February, will provide the enabling powers. Subordinate legislation will be introduced following the passage of the Bill and we hope that the scheme will come into operation this autumn, in time for the main tree planting season.

  Clyde Herring
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is in a position to give the approximate date at which an increase could be considered to the total allowable catch for the current year of Clyde herring.

  Mr. Gummer
  As I explained to the House during the debate on 9 December last, the reduction in the total allowable catch (TAC) for Clyde herring for 1988 is based on firm scientific advice from the advisory committee on fisheries management of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. This committee is due to hold its next meeting to review the state of stocks from 16–26 May. I have, however, no reason to believe that the report of this meeting will provide any basis for increasing the current year's TAC for Clyde herring, which would of course be a decision for the Council of Fisheries Ministers of the European Community.

  Fishing Vessels (Decommissioning)
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any plans to reactivate the scheme for the decommissioning of fishing vessels in the current year.

  Mr. Gummer
  No.

  Weil's Disease
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many rivers in the Chelmsford constituency are contaminated with Weil's disease;

  (2) what action his Department is taking to minimise the dangers to human life caused by Weil's disease; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Currie
  [holding answer 18 January 1988]: I have been asked to reply.

  The organism which causes Weil's disease (leptospirosis) is carried in the kidneys of wild rodents and can, therefore, be passed by those animals into rivers and inland waters.

  As the organism can enter the human body when cuts and abrasions or the membrane of nose, mouth or eye come into contact with contaminated water, members of inland sailing and canoeing clubs are issued with warning leaflets. Early diagnosis and treatment of Weil's disease are important, but it responds readily to antibiotics.

  Arable land
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the European Community's proposals for taking arable land out of production and the implications for United Kingdom farming of such a scheme.
  735
  Mr. MacGregor
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Davies).

  Green Pound
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received concerning the devaluation of the green pound; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Suffolk, South (Mr. Yeo) earlier today.

  Potato Marketing Board
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the operations of the Potato Marketing Boar; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The Potato Marketing Board is a producers' organisation and it is for them to decide whether or not they are satisfied with its operations. The board administers the Government's potato guarantee arrangements and it has performed this task satisfactorily.

  Agricultural Support
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total level of support provided to the British agricultural industry(a) in 1979 and (b) in the latest year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The public expenditure on agriculture grants and subsidies in 1979–80 was £677 million. The "Annual Review of Agriculture" just published gives the figure for 1986–87 as £1,444 million. The Government also 736
  support the industry in a number of other ways, such as research and development, advisory, veterinary and administrative services.

  Agriculture Council Meeting
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the discussions at the Agriculture Council meeting held in January.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The Agriculture Council met on 18–19 and 23–24 January. Proposals for stabiliser mechanisms for agricultural commodities and for a set-aside were the main issues discussed. I emphasised the essential need for effective stabilisation of agricultural expenditure if there is to be agreement at the next European Council.

  Blue-marked Sheep
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what instructions were issued following the Chernobyl accident to environmental health officers and meat inspectors relating to blue-marked sheep presented for slaughter; and if he will place copies of these instructions in the Library.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  [holding answer 2 February 1988]: Throughout the period of the operation of the "mark and release" scheme for sheep, including the periods when blue-marking was used, my officials have been in communication with the appropriate personnel in local authorities to advise on the nature of the restrictions and enforcement action. The advice has had to take account of the differing organisation for enforcement that exists within the various local authorities. Copies of all the communications could be obtained only with disproportionate effort and cost.

SOCIAL SERVICES

  Spending Power
  Sir Brandon Rhys Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will publish tables, similar to those in his Department's tax/benefit model table, showing net weekly spending power for each of a single wage married couple (i) with two children aged four and six years and (ii) with three children aged three, eight and 11 years; earning (1) £60, (2) £70, (3) £80, (4) £90, (5) £100, (6) £110, (7) £120, (8) £130, (9) £140, (10) £150, (11) £160 and (12) £170(a) under the existing tax and benefit systems and (b) under the benefit system which will be implemented in April 1988;

  (2) if he will publish figures, similar to those in his Department's tax/benefit model tables, comparing net

  A. Existing tax and benefit system—assuming average local authority rent and rates and a simple rescaling of April 1987 benefits to April 1988

  Earnings head

  Tax

  NI

  FIS

  CHB

  Rent

  Rent rebate

  Water rates (£1·78) rates

  Rate rebate

  Fares to work

  FSM

  FWM

  Net weekly spending power

  Married couple 60 with two children aged 4 and 6

  60

  0·00

  3·00

  28·70

  14·50

  19·12

  16·88

  9·80

  6·54

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  93·23

  70

  0·00

  4·90

  23·70

  14·50

  19·12

  15·63

  9·80

  6·14

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  94·68

  80

  1·22

  5·60

  18·70

  14·50

  19·12

  14·38

  9·80

  5·74

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  96·11

  90

  3·92

  6·30

  13·70

  14·50

  19·12

  13·13

  9·80

  5·34

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  96·06

  100

  6·62

  7·00

  8·70

  14·50

  19·12

  11·88

  9·80

  4·94

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  96·01

  110

  9·32

  9·90

  3·70

  14·50

  19·12

  10·37

  9·80

  4·38

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  93·34

  120

  12·02

  10·80

  0·00

  14·50

  19·12

  8·29

  9·80

  3·56

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  91·31

  130

  14·72

  11·70

  0·00

  14·50

  19·12

  4·99

  9·80

  2·26

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  93·11

  140

  17·42

  12·60

  0·00

  14·50

  19·12

  1·69

  9·80

  0·96

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  94·91

  150

  20·12

  13·50

  0·00

  14·50

  19·12

  0·00

  9·80

  0·00

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  96·11

  160

  22·82

  14·40

  0·00

  14·50

  19·12

  0·00

  9·80

  0·00

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  102·51

  170

  25·52

  15·30

  0·00

  14·50

  19·12

  0·00

  9·80

  0·00

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  108·91

  Married couple with three children aged 3, 8 and 11

  60

  0·00

  3·00

  32·90

  21·75

  19·12

  17·92

  9·80

  6·89

  5·85

  5·10

  1·83

  108·59

  70

  0·00

  4·90

  30·50

  21·75

  19·12

  16·02

  9·80

  6·29

  5·85

  5·10

  1·83

  111·79

  80

  1·22

  5·60

  25·50

  21·75

  19·12

  14·77

  9·80

  5·89

  5·85

  5·10

  1·83

  113·22

  90

  3·92

  6·30

  20·50

  21·75

  19·12

  13·52

  9·80

  5·49

  5·85

  5·10

  1·83

  113·17

  100

  6·62

  7·00

  15·50

  21·75

  19·12

  12·27

  9·80

  5·09

  5·85

  5·10

  1·83

  113·12

  110

  9·32

  9·90

  10·50

  21·75

  19·12

  10·88

  9·80

  4·60

  5·85

  5·10

  1·83

  110·64

  120

  12·02

  10·80

  5·50

  21·75

  19·12

  9·23

  9·80

  3·95

  5·85

  5·10

  1·83

  109·74

  130

  14·72

  11·70

  0·50

  21·75

  19·12

  7·58

  9·80

  3·30

  5·85

  5·10

  1·83

  108·84

  140

  17·42

  12·60

  0·00

  21·75

  19·12

  4·44

  9·80

  2·06

  5·85

  5·10

  1·83

  108·53

  150

  20·12

  13·50

  0·00

  21·75

  19·12

  1·14

  9·80

  0·76

  5·85

  5·10

  1·83

  110·33

  160

  22·82

  14·40

  0·00

  21·75

  19·12

  0·00

  9·80

  0·00

  5·85

  5·10

  1·83

  112·28

  170

  25·52

  15·30

  0·00

  21·75

  19·12

  0·00

  9·80

  0·00

  5·85

  5·10

  1·83

  116·13

  Existing tax and benefit system—assuming average local authority rent and rates and a simple rescaling of April 1987 benefits to April 1988.

  Lone mother with two children aged 4 and 6

  Supplementary benefit

  Earnings

  Tax

  NI

  Fares work

  Rent

  Rates

  Housing benefit

  CHB

  FSM

  FWM

  Net weekly spending power

  a. Not working—after one year on benefit

  45·93

  —

  —

  —

  —

  19·12

  9·80

  27·14

  19·40

  2·55

  1·83

  67·93

  b. Working part-time—earning £20

  30·891

  20·00

  0·00

  0·00

  2·92

  19·12

  9·80

  27·14

  19·40

  2·55

  1·83

  69·97

  c. Working part-time—earning £40

  14·351

  40·00

  0·00

  2·00

  2·92

  19·12

  9·80

  27·14

  19·40

  2·55

  1·83

  71·43

  1 Assumes benefit in payment for less than one year.

  738
  weekly spending power for a lone mother with two children aged four and six years, under the existing tax and benefit systems and under the benefit system which will be implemented in April 1988 and in each of following circumstances (a) not working, after one year on benefits, (b) earning £20 a week from part-time work, (c) earning £40 a week from part-time working and (d) working full-time and earning (i) £60, (ii) £70, (iii) £80, (iv) £90, (v) £100, (vi) £110 and (vii) £120 per week.

  Mr. Nicholas Scott
  The information requested is set out in the tables. It should be noted that the results are hypothetical in two senses. First, the results are based on average local authority housing charges and do not reflect the wide variety of rents and domestic rates that people actually pay. Secondly, the other assumptions used are those set out in "Impact of the Reformed Structure of Income-Related Benefits," October 1987.
  739

  (d) Working full time

  Earnings Head

  Tax

  NI

  FIS

  CHB

  Rent

  Rent rebate

  (Water rate £1·78) Rates

  Rate rebate

  Fares to work

  FSM

  FWM

  Net Weekly spending power

  60

  0·00

  3·00

  28·70

  19·40

  19·12

  15·66

  9·80

  6·15

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  96·52

  70

  0·00

  4·90

  23·70

  19·40

  19·12

  14·41

  9·80

  5·75

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  97·97

  80

  1·22

  5·60

  18·70

  19·40

  19·12

  13·16

  9·80

  5·35

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  99·40

  90

  3·92

  6·30

  13·70

  19·40

  19·12

  11·91

  9·80

  4·95

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  99·35

  100

  6·62

  7·00

  8·70

  19·40

  19·12

  10·40

  9·80

  4·39

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  98·88

  110

  9·32

  9·90

  3·70

  19·70

  19·12

  8·75

  9·80

  3·74

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  95·98

  120

  12·02

  10·80

  0·00

  19·40

  19·12

  6·67

  9·80

  2·92

  5·85

  2·55

  1·83

  93·95

  B. Benefit system from April 1988: Assumptions as in "Impact of reformed structure of income related benefits", October 1987. Average local authority rent and rates

  Earnings head

  Tax

  NI

  Family credit

  Child benefit

  Rent

  Rent rebate

  Water rates (£1·78) rates

  Rate rebate

  Fares to work

  Net weekly spending power

  Married couple with two children aged 4 and 6

  60·00

  0·00

  3·00

  40·32

  14·50

  19·12

  4·36

  9·80

  1·87

  5·85

  83·28

  70·00

  0·00

  4·90

  34·65

  14·50

  19·12

  2·78

  9·80

  1·39

  5·85

  83·65

  80·00

  1·22

  5·60

  28·99

  14·50

  19·12

  1·20

  9·80

  0·90

  5·85

  84·00

  90·00

  3·92

  6·30

  24·37

  14·50

  19·12

  0·00

  9·80

  0·51

  5·85

  84·39

  100·00

  6·62

  7·00

  19·75

  14·50

  19·12

  0·00

  9·80

  0·00

  5·85

  85·86

  110·00

  9·32

  9·90

  16·67

  14·50

  19·12

  0·00

  9·80

  0·00

  5·85

  87·18

  120·00

  12·02

  10·80

  12·19

  14·50

  19·12

  0·00

  9·80

  0·00

  5·85

  89·10

  130·00

  14·72

  11·70

  7·71

  14·50

  19·12

  0·00

  9·80

  0·00

  5·85

  91·02

  140·00

  17·42

  12·60

  3·23

  14·50

  19·12

  0·00

  9·80

  0·00

  5·85

  92·94

  150·00

  20·12

  13·50

  0·00

  14·50

  19·12

  0·00

  9·80

  0·00

  5·85

  96·11

  160·00

  22·82

  14·40

  0·00

  14·50

  19·12

  0·00

  9·80

  0·00

  5·85

  102·51

  170·00

  25·52

  15·30

  0·00

  14·50

  19·12

  0·00

  9·80

  0·00

  5·85

  108·91

  Married couple with three children aged 3, 8 and 11

  60·00

  0·00

  3·00

  51·72

  21·75

  19·12

  2·70

  9·80

  1·36

  5·85

  99·76

  70·00

  0·00

  4·90

  46·05

  21·75

  19·12

  1·12

  9·80

  0·88

  5·85

  100·13

  80·00

  1·22

  5·60

  40·39

  21·75

  19·12

  0·00

  9·80

  0·00

  5·85

  100·55

  90·00

  3·92

  6·30

  35·77

  21·75

  19·12

  0·00

  9·80

  0·00

  5·85

  102·53

  100·00

  6·62

  7·00

  31·15

  21·75

  19·12

  0·00

  9·80

  0·00

  5·85

  104·51

  110·00

  9·32

  9·90

  28·07

  21·75

  19·12

  0·00

  9·80

  0·00

  5·85

  105·83

  120·00

  12·02

  10·80

  23·59

  21·75

  19·12

  0·00

  9·80

  0·00

  5·85

  107·75

  130·00

  14·72

  11·70

  19·11

  21·75

  19·12

  0·00

  9·80

  0·00

  5·85

  109·67

  140·00

  17·42

  12·60

  14·63

  21·75

  19·12

  0·00

  9·80

  0·00

  5·85

  111·59

  150·00

  20·12

  13·50

  10·15

  21·75

  19·12

  0·00

  9·80

  0·00

  5·85

  113·51

  160·00

  22·82

  14·40

  5·67

  21·75

  19·12

  0·00

  9·80

  0·00

  5·85

  115·43

  170·00

  25·52

  15·30

  1·19

  21·75

  19·12

  0·00

  9·80

  0·00

  5·85

  117·35

  Benefit system from April 1988:

  Assumptions as in "Impact of Reformed Structure of Income Related Benefits", October 1987

  Average local authority rent and rates

  Lone mother with two children aged 4 and 6

  Income support

  Rent

  Rates

  Housing benefit

  CHB

  FSM

  FWM

  Net weekly spending power

  (a) Not working—after one year on benefit

  45·35

  19·12

  9·80

  25·54

  19·40

  2·55

  1·83

  65·75

  Income support

  Earnings

  Tax

  NI

  Fares to work

  Rent

  Rates

  Housing benefit

  CHB

  FSM

  FWM

  Net weekly spending power

  (b.) Working part-time—earning £20

  40·35

  20·00

  0·00

  0·00

  2·92

  19·12

  9·80

  25·54

  19·40

  2·55

  1·83

  77·83

  (c.) Working part-time—earning £40

  20·35

  40·00

  0·00

  0·00

  2·92

  19·12

  9·80

  25·54

  19·40

  2·55

  1·83

  77·83

  740 741

  D. Working full-time

  Earnings head

  Tax

  NI

  Family credit

  Child benefit

  Rent

  Rent rebate

  Water rates (£1·78) rates

  Rate rebate

  Fares to work

  Net weekly spending power

  60·00

  0·00

  3·00

  40·32

  19·40

  19·12

  1·46

  9·80

  0·98

  5·85

  84·39

  70·00

  0·00

  4·90

  34·65

  19·40

  19·12

  0·00

  9·80

  0·00

  5·85

  84·38

  80·00

  1·22

  5·60

  28·99

  19·40

  19·12

  0·00

  9·80

  0·00

  5·85

  86·80

  90·00

  3·92

  6·30

  24·37

  19·40

  19·12

  0·00

  9·80

  0·00

  5·85

  88·78

  100·00

  6·62

  7·00

  19·75

  19·40

  19·12

  0·00

  9·80

  0·00

  5·85

  90·76

  110·00

  9·32

  9·90

  16·67

  19·40

  19·12

  0·00

  9·80

  0·00

  5·85

  92·08

  120·00

  12·02

  10·80

  12·19

  19·40

  19·12

  0·00

  9·80

  0·00

  5·85

  94·00

  X-ray Apparatus
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans and resources exist to phase out old X-ray apparatus in National Health Service hospitals in(a) Waltham Forest and (b) nationally; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Currie
  I regret that this information is not held centrally. It is for health authorities individually to take account of radiological equipment needs when determining their priorities for capital expenditure. The safety of such equipment is governed by the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1985, and the Heath and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 empowers health and safety inspectors to order that defective equipment is taken out of service or dismantled and removed from the installation entirely. Records show that no particular category or age group of X-ray equipment has a high incidence of safety problems.

  There is considerable investment in new X-ray facilities. Information is available centrally only on capital schemes costing over £1 million, but between 1980 and 1987 more than 260 such schemes were completed that included new X-ray rooms; 82 in 1987. In addition there have been many smaller schemes which included X-ray facilities. We estimate, for example, that in 1987 between £30 million and £35 million was spent on X-ray equipment by health authorities.

  Health Authorities (Outer London)
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the total expenditure of each of the district health authorities in outer London; and if he will express this in per capita terms, based upon the number of persons resident in each district.

  Mrs. Currie
  Following is the information requested for 1986–87 (the latest year available):

  District Health Authority

  Total Expenditure £000

  Total Expenditure per capita £

  Barking, Havering and Brentwood

  82,474

  180

  Voluntary Organisation

  Purpose of grant

  1987–88 grant

  Access Committee for England

  Core

  91,000

  Action on Smoking and Health

  Core

  200,000

  ADFAM

  Core

  15,000

  Advance

  Core

  33,500

  Advocacy Alliance

  Core

  15,000

  Age Concern (England)

  Core

  252,000

  742

  District Health Authority

  Total Expenditure £000

  Expenditure per capita £

  Barnet

  78,081

  256

  Bexley

  40,203

  183

  Brent

  58,585

  229

  Bromley

  58,649

  197

  Croydon

  66,741

  209

  Ealing

  49,268

  167

  Enfield

  41,011

  154

  Haringey

  54,599

  278

  Harrow

  42,506

  211

  Hillingdon

  63,586

  274

  Hounslow and Spelthorne

  58,174

  205

  Kingston and Esher

  43,642

  244

  Merton and Sutton

  73,486

  22

  Redbridge

  41,663

  183

  Richmond,Twickenham and Roehampton

  40,438

  176

  Waltham Forest

  59,968

  278

  Sources:

  (a) Annual accounts of district health authorities in outer London and those of the four Thames regional health authorities.

  (b) Mid-year estimates of population, 1986 — (Office of Population Censuses and Surveys).

  Voluntary Organisations (Grants)
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list in the Official Report those organisations in the current financial year in receipt of grants under section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968, including the amount of the grant in each case and the work for which the grant has been made available.

  Mrs. Currie
  Our general scheme of grants to voluntary organisations under section 64 falls into two parts—core grants, to assist national organisations with their administration costs, and project grants, to support projects which are experimental or innovative for a specific period. The scheme also provides a small number of capital grants.

  Listed are those organisations for which a grant award in 1987–88 has been approved. The total picture will not be available until 31 March 1988.
  743

  Voluntary Organisation

  Purpose of grant

  1987–88 grant

  Age Exchange Theatre Company

  Reminiscence Project

  2,000

  Aid for Children with Tracheastomies

  Core

  5,000

  Alcohol Concern

  Core

  500,000

  Alcohol Concern

  Drinkwise

  20,000

  Alzheimer's Disease Society

  Core

  110,000

  Anorexic Family Aid

  Core

  27,000

  Anthony Nolan Bone Appeal (The)

  Core

  11,000

  Association of Breast Feeding Mothers

  Library and Publications

  4,500

  Association of Carers

  Core

  31,667

  Association of Professionals for the Mentally Handicapped

  Core

  5,000

  Association of Residential Communities

  Core

  4,000

  Asthma Society

  Core

  10,000

  BACUP

  Core

  10,000

  Breakthrough Trust

  Core

  35,000

  Breast Care and Mastectomy Association of GB

  Core

  15,000

  British Association for Adoption and Fostering

  Core

  276,000

  British Association for Service to the Elderly

  Core

  12,000

  British Association of Immediate Care

  Core

  12,500

  British Association of the Hard of Hearing (The)

  Core

  30,000

  British Deaf Association (The)

  BSL Project

  20,000

  British Fluoridation Society (The)

  Core

  20,000

  British Institute of Industrial Therapy

  Core

  17,000

  British Institute of Mental Handicap

  Core

  35,000

  British Kidney Patients Association

  Core

  35,000

  British Organ Donor Society

  Core

  5,000

  British Red Cross

  Core

  10,000

  Brook Advisory Centre

  Core

  45,000

  Campaign for Mentally Handicapped People

  Core

  16,800

  Campaign for Mentally Handicapped People (The)

  Work on Community Acceptance

  10,000

  Campaign for Single Homeless

  Core

  33,300

  Cancerlink

  Core

  10,000

  Catholic Child Welfare Council

  Core

  1,875

  Catholic Marriage Advisory Council

  Core

  40,000

  Centre for Policy on Aging

  Day Care

  24,300

  Centre on Environment for the Handicapped

  Core

  40,000

  Chest, Heart and Stroke Association

  Core

  13,000

  Child Accident Prevention Trust

  Core

  71,325

  Child Care

  Adolescents Project

  29,000

  Child Care

  Core

  26,000

  Child Care

  Development Project

  62,000

  Child Care

  Ethnic Minority Seminars

  1,200

  Child Poverty Action Group

  Citizens Rights Office

  17,000

  Childrens Legal Centre

  Core

  38,000

  Childrens Society

  Adolescent Training Scheme

  15,000

  Childrens Society

  The Bridge

  60,000

  Childrens Society

  Western Corner Project, Oxen

  10,000

  Childrens Society

  Central London Project

  20,000

  Chinese Health Information Centre

  Capital

  14,500

  Chinese Health Information Centre

  Core

  15,000

  Coeliac Society

  Core

  14,000

  Community Service Volunteers

  Core

  2,500

  Community Service Volunteers

  Health Service Programme

  37,650

  Compassionate Friends Society (The)

  Core

  4,500

  Contact a Family

  Core

  28,000

  Contact a Family

  Link Line Project

  10,000

  Cope

  Core

  104,500

  Coronary Prevention Group

  Core

  40,000

  Council for Advancement with the Deaf

  Core

  40,000

  Crossroads Care Attendant Schemes Ltd

  Core

  75,000

  Cruse (National Organisation for the Widowed and their Children)

  Core

  114,000

  Cry-Sis

  Core

  1,500

  Cry-Sis

  Information Packs

  2,000

  Debra

  Core

  8,000

  Demand

  Core

  10,500

  Dial United Kingdom

  Core

  40,000

  Disability Alliance

  Core

  20,000

  Disabled Living Foundation

  Core

  297,800

  Disabled Living Foundation

  Dress for MH People Project

  3,800

  Disablement Income Group

  Core

  17,000

  Downs Syndrome Association

  Core

  9,000

  Dr. Barnardo's

  Harrogate Kitchen

  15,000

  Dr. Barnardo's

  Liverpool ISU

  230,000

  East Community Centre

  Tact Sunderland

  17,476

  Ethnic Study Group

  Capital

  11,000

  Ethnic Study Group

  Core

  16,000

  744 745

  Voluntary Organisation

  Purpose of grant

  1987–88 grant

  Exploring Parenthood

  Parents Workshops

  9,000

  Extend

  Core

  20,000

  Family Forum

  Core

  32,400

  Family Holiday Association

  Core

  7,000

  Family Planning Association

  Core

  130,000

  Family Planning Association

  Training of Staff

  7,960

  Family Policy Studies Centre

  Core

  108,000

  Family Rights Group

  Core

  24,000

  Family Service Units

  Core

  160,000

  Family Welfare Association

  Core

  96,450

  First Key

  Leaving Care Project

  86,000

  Forward

  Core

  20,000

  Foundation for Study of Infant Death

  Towards costs of welfare etc.

  10,000

  Friends for the Young Deaf

  Core

  7,500

  Gingerbread

  Core

  78,000

  Good Practices in Mental Health

  Core

  65,000

  Greater Manchester and Lancs Council on Alcohol

  Service provision in Lancs

  4,792

  Headway

  Core

  30,000

  Herpes Association

  Core

  5,000

  Holiday Care Service

  Holiday Helpers

  10,000

  Home Farm Trust

  Core

  10,000

  Home Start Consultancy

  Core

  30,000

  Homes for Homeless People

  Core

  45,800

  Horticultural Therapy

  Core

  50,000

  Hyde Park Community Action

  Core

  5,146

  In Touch

  Core

  2,500

  Incest Crisis Line

  Core

  6,000

  Institute for the Study of Drug Dependence

  Core

  240,000

  International Social Service of Great Britain

  Core

  47,500

  Iris Fund

  Core

  2,500

  John Hunt Award Scheme

  Core

  1,500

  La Leche League (Great Britain)

  Production of leaflets

  6,500

  London Lighthouse

  Capital

  500,000

  London Lighthouse

  Core

  100,000

  L'Arche

  Core

  10,500

  Marie Curie Memorial Foundation

  Core

  10,000

  Marriage Research Centre

  Core

  5,000

  Marriage Research Centre

  Evaluation

  800

  Maternity Alliance

  Towards publications

  37,000

  McIntyre Schools Ltd. (Shipton)

  Tall Trees project

  12,000

  Medical Commission on Accident Prevention

  Core

  6,000

  MENCAP (Royal Society for Mentally Handicapped Children and Adults)

  Core

  220,000

  MENCAP (Royal Society for Mentally Handicapped Children and Adults)

  Study and survey on attitudes

  138

  Mental After-Care Association

  Core

  40,000

  Mental Health Film Council

  Core

  26,000

  Mental Health Foundation (The)

  Core

  27,000

  Miscarriage Association

  Core

  2,000

  Mobility Information Service

  Core

  5,000

  Motability

  Core

  632,687

  Motor Neurone Disease Association

  Core

  10,000

  Muscular Dystrophy Group

  Patients welfare service

  10,000

  NACRO

  Juvenile crime section

  298,135

  NAFSIYAT (International Cultural Therapy Centre)

  Core

  5,000

  National Association for Limbless Disabled

  Core

  15,000

  National Association for Maternal and Child Welfare

  Core

  10,000

  National Association for Mental Health (MIND)

  Core

  415,000

  National Association for Patient Participation

  Core

  7,100

  National Association for the Childless

  Core

  31,000

  National Association for the Welfare of Children in Hospital

  CO

  90,000

  National Association of Leagues of Hospital Friends

  Core

  13,500

  National Association of Voluntary Hostels

  Core

  5,250

  National Association of Young People in Care

  Towards development project

  48,000

  National Autistic Society

  Core

  10,000

  National Backpain Trust

  Core

  20,000

  National Childbirth Trust

  Core

  20,000

  National Childbirth Trust

  Breast feeding publications

  11,000

  National Childminding Association

  Core

  105,000

  National Childminding Association

  Dissemination of training material

  22,500

  National Childrens Bureau

  Core

  111,000

  National Childrens Bureau

  Loan Servicing

  27,066

  National Childrens Bureau

  Participation in Planning

  1,800

  746 747

  Voluntary Organisation

  Purpose of grant

  1987–88 grant

  National Childrens Bureau

  Prevention

  11,350

  National Childrens Bureau

  'Who Cares Magazine

  25,750

  National Childrens Bureau

  Participation in Decisions

  20,000

  National Childrens Bureau

  Solvent Abuse Post-Development

  13,333

  National Childrens Bureau

  Under Fives Project

  80,000

  National Childrens Home (Leeds)

  Advice Service (Sexual Abuse)

  19,542

  National Council for Carers and their Elderly Dependants

  Core

  27,000

  National Council for one Parent Families

  CO

  150,000

  National Council for Voluntary Organisations

  Community Care Dessemination

  92,500

  National Council for Voluntary Organisations

  Community Care Project

  23,783

  National Council for Voluntary Organisations

  Community Health Initiatives

  90,000

  National Council for Voluntary Organisations

  Wiltshire Fund

  8,183

  National Counselling and Welfare Service for Sick Doctors

  Core

  2,625

  National Deaf Children's Society (The)

  Information Service

  25,000

  National Exzema Society

  Core

  10,000

  National Federation of Kidney Patients Association

  Core

  6,300

  National Foster Care Association

  Core

  91,000

  National institute for Social Work

  Community Social Work Project

  60,000

  National Institute for Social Work

  Race Equality Unit

  73,400

  National Out of School Alliance

  Core

  60,000

  National Out of School Alliance

  Development Project

  8,500

  National Playbus Association

  Core

  35,000

  National Playbus Association

  Family and Information Projects

  15,000

  National Schizophrenia Fellowship (The)

  Core

  91,000

  National Stepfamily Association

  Core

  8,000

  National Tape Magazine for the Blind

  Core

  500

  National Toy Library Association/Playmatters

  Core

  45,000

  National Youth Bureau

  Youth Social Work Unit

  74,000

  National Voluntary Organisations Anti-Racism Consortium

  Core

  20,000

  North Lambeth Day Centre Ltd.

  Core

  16,000

  North Regional Asssociation for the Blind

  Core

  52,007

  North West Fellowship

  Core

  20,000

  Northern Schizophrenia Fellowship

  Core

  20,000

  Ockendon Venture

  Vietnamese Refugess Project2

  340,000

  One to One

  Core

  6,300

  Opus (Organisation for Parents under Stress)

  Core

  30,000

  Organisation for Sickle Cell Anaemia Research

  Core

  15,000

  Overseas Doctor's Association in the United Kingdom

  Core

  15,000

  Pain Relief Foundation

  Core

  8,000

  Parent to Parent Information Service and Adoption Service

  Core

  2,33,100

  Parents Against Injustice (Pain)

  Core

  10,000

  Parents for Children

  Core

  48,500

  Parkinsons Disease Society

  Core

  15,000

  Partially Sighted Society

  Core

  10,000

  Patients Association

  Core

  7,500

  Phobic Action

  Core

  5,000

  Phobics Society (The)

  Core

  5,000

  Physically Handicapped and Abled Bodied

  Core

  23,000

  Pre-School Playgroups Association

  Core

  385,000

  Prince of Wales Advisory Group on Disability

  Core

  15,000

  Queen Elizabeth Foundation—Banstead Place Mobility Centre

  Core

  32,500

  Rape Counselling and Research Project

  Core

  25,000

  Rathbone Society

  Core

  16,000

  Raynauds Association

  Core

  3,500

  Research Council for Complementary Medicine

  Core

  5,000

  Research Trust of Metabolic Disease

  Core

  5,000

  Richmond Fellowship (The)

  Core

  97,000

  Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation(RADA)

  Core

  2 3100,000

  Royal National Institute for the Blind

  Embossed literature service

  250,000

  Royal National Institute for the Deaf

  Rubella Consortium

  35,000

  Samaritans (The)

  Core

  125,000

  Save the Children Fund

  Hospital playschemes advice

  10,000

  Save the Childrens Fund

  Vietnamese refugees

  2 3131,000

  Scoliosis Association United Kingdom

  Core

  1,000

  Sense (National Deaf-Blind Rubella Association)

  Core

  30,000

  Sense (National Deaf-Blind Rubella Association)

  Ushers syndrome project

  15,000

  Sequal

  Core

  35,200

  Sequal

  Equipment for terminally ill

  5,800

  Sexual and personal relationships of the Disabled

  Core

  33,500

  Sickle Cell Society

  Core

  15,000

  748 749

  Voluntary Organisation

  Purpose of grant

  1987–88 grant

  Social Work Training Grants

  Core

  2,400

  Society for Mucopolysaccharide Diseases

  Core

  1,250

  Society of Voluntary Associates

  Training IT volunteers

  25,000

  Society of Voluntary Associations

  PT training resources officer

  3,700

  South Regional Association for the Blind

  Commission on Multi Handicapped Blind

  2,500

  South Regional Association for the Blind

  Core

  73,405

  St. John Ambulance

  Core

  10,000

  St. Katherine Housing Trust

  Core

  18,000

  Standing Committee on Sexually Abuse of Children

  Core

  2,500

  Standing Conference on Drug Abuse (SCODA)

  AIDS information project

  28,000

  Standing Conference on Drug Abuse (SCODA)

  Core

  173,000

  Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society

  Core

  22,000

  Terrence Higgins Trust

  AIDS information project

  300,000

  Thalassaemia Society

  Core

  5,000

  Tibble Trust

  Core

  1,000

  Tuberous Sclerosis Association

  Core

  1,000

  Turning Point

  Core

  99,000

  Twins and Multiple Birth Association

  Core

  3,000

  VOLCUF (Voluntary Organisation Liaison Council for Under Fives)

  Core

  27,000

  Voluntary Council for Handicapped Children

  Core

  40,000

  Volunteer Centre

  Training Voluntary Service Co-ordinator

  12,500

  VORTEX (Voluntary Organisations Register of Training Exercise)

  Core

  11,600

  Walsingham Community Homes

  Core

  10,000

  West Yorkshire Youth Association

  Pre-court Diversion Project

  25,000

  Westminster Pastoral Foundation

  Core

  66,000

  Widows Advisory Trust

  Core

  18,000

  Winged Fellowship Trust

  Core

  15,000

  Womens Aid Federation (England)

  Core

  98,000

  Womens Health Concern

  Core

  7,000

  Womens National Cancer Control Campaign

  Core

  74,500

  Womens Therapy Centre (The)

  Core

  5,000

  Working Mothers Association

  Core

  12,000

  £ for £ Dr. Barnardos

  Darlington Project

  32,865

  £ for £ National Childrens Home

  Core

  100,000

  Total

  12,162,610

  1 Position on 22 January 1988.

  2 Interim payments; grant not yet settled.

  3 Interim.

  Mentally Ill People
  Mr. Irving
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will commission research into the provision and funding of private residential care for the mentally ill financed by supplementary benefit.

  Mr. Scott
  The following research projects on supplementary benefit and residential care, including residential care for mentally ill people, are already under way:

  (a.) Kent university's personal social services research unit and York university's centre for health economic—a national survey of private and voluntary residential care and nursing homes.

  (b.) The Office of Population Censuses and Surveys — a survey of small unregistered residential care homes and other establishments such as supported lodgings.

  (c.) The Office of Population Censuses and Surveys — a study of the characteristics of residential care and nursing homes.

  (d.) York university's social policy research unit—a study on the impact of charges in supplementary benefit legislation on private and voluntary residential care and nursing homes.

  In addition, information on costs and charges in homes, including homes for mentally ill people, has been collected from a wide range of sources for our reviews of the supplementary benefit limits. In particular, in 1985 we commissioned Ernst and Whinney, a firm of independent
  750
  management consultants, to examine the operation of the market in voluntary and private provision of residential care and nursing homes.

  Any further research will need to be considered in the light of Sir Roy Griffiths' report on the funding of community care.

  Single Payments
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will provide details for the last four years for which figures are available of the number of single payments made by his Department's Blyth and Cramlington office for(a) household furniture, (b) clothing, (c) bedding, (d) replacement household equipment and (e) as a result of urgent payments made to replace domestic and household goods affected by natural disasters.

  Mr. Scott
  I regret that the information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Cancer Screening
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has any plans to introduce a comprehensive scheme of screening for breast cancer among women aged below 50 years in Northumberland.

  Mrs. Currie
  No. The nationwide breast cancer screening service which we are introducing over the next three years is based on the conclusions in the report of a Government-appointed working group, chaired by Professor Sir Patrick Forrest. The report concluded that the effectiveness of screening by mammography has so far been demonstrated only for women aged 50 and over and recommended that the priority for any screening programme should be to offer an initial screen to as many women as possible aged 50 to 64 years.

  Hospital Developments
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many hospital beds in new hospital developments in England and in each of the National Health Service regions are currently empty because there was insufficient money for the whole development of parts or it to be opened on the planned date; and if he will relate the figures to the population of each region.

  (2) how many new hospital developments in England and in each of the National Health Service regions are

  Surgical acute beds per 100,000 population, West Midlands Region, 1986

  Health authority

  Average daily available beds

  Resident population (100,000s)

  Beds per 100,000 resident population

  Bromsgrove and Redditch

  138·1

  1·64

  84·2

  Herefordshire

  239·8

  1·53

  156·7

  Kidderminster and District

  120·5

  1·01

  119·3

  Worcester and District

  279·3

  2·36

  118·3

  Shropshire

  610·4

  3·92

  155·7

  Mid Staffordshire

  260·7

  3·08

  84·6

  North Staffordshire

  694·1

  4·61

  150·6

  South East Staffordshire

  239·6

  2·52

  95·1

  Rugby

  119 7

  0·85

  140·8

  North Warwickshire

  161·3

  1·73

  93·2

  South Warwickshire

  302·9

  2·23

  135·8

  Central Birmingham

  618·2

  1·81

  341·5

  East Birmingham

  311·3

  2·00

  155·7

  North Birmingham

  167·9

  1·64

  102·4

  South Birmingham

  663·8

  2·48

  267·7

  West Birmingham

  400·0

  2·11

  189·6

  Coventry

  603·3

  3·10

  194·6

  Dudley

  512·7

  3·01

  170·3

  Sandwell

  297·6

  3·01

  98·9

  Solihull

  175·0

  2·02

  86·6

  Walsall

  259·4

  2·62

  99·0

  Wolverhampton

  462·6

  2·52

  183·6

  West Midlands RHA

  7,638·2

  51·80

  147·5

  RAWP Ratings
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the current resource allocation working party ratings for each of the National Health Service regions and for each of the districts in the west midlands region.

  Mr. Newton
  The allocations which I announced on 16 December 1987 for the financial year 1988–89 result in the distances from RAWP target set out in the following table.
  752
  currently either unopened or partially open because there was insufficient money for the full opening on the planned date or for their continued operation.

  Mrs. Currie
  I regret that this information is not collected centrally. The right hon. Member may wish to inquire of regional health authorities for this information.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated wasted cost to the National Health Service, in terms of the interest on the capital expenditure, of leaving completed hospital developments unopened or partially open.

  Mrs. Currie
  The information on completed hospital developments that are unopened or only partially open is not collected centrally. It is not therefore possible to estimate the cost to the National Health Service in terms of the interest on capital expenditure incurred on these schemes. The right hon. Member may wish to inquire of regional health authorities for this information.

  Surgical Beds (West Midlands)
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list for the west midlands region the number of current acute surgical beds per hundred thousand population in each of the region's districts.

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

  Regional Health Authority

  1988–89 percentage distance from RAWP target allocation

  Northern

  -1·6

  Yorkshire

  -1·4

  Trent

  -2·7

  East Anglian

  -4·0

  North West Thames

  +4·5

  North East Thames

  +7·3

  South East Thames

  +1·7

  753

  Regional Health Authority

  1988–89 percentage distance from RAWP target allocation

  South West Thames

  +1·0

  Wessex

  -1·8

  Oxford

  -2·6

  South Western

  -1·4

  West Midlands

  -1·3

  Mersey

  +1·5

  North Western

  -1·4

  The distribution of resources to districts, including the assessment of distances from target, is a matter for regions. The process reflects the same aims as national RAWP, but at this level annual allocations need to be closely related to service plans and to allow for a manageable pace of change.

  Health Districts (Resources)
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if, when considering invitations to visit health districts, he will make it his policy to give priority to those that are the most deprived on the resources allocation working party criteria.

  Mrs. Currie
  No, that would not be a sensible criterion on which to decide. Invitations are made and accepted for a variety of reasons.

  Special Payments
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how much money the Government estimate will be saved by only making one special payment per benefit book rather than making one payment per eligible benefit; and how many people will lose money as a result.

  Mr. Scott
  There will be no resultant benefit savings, because that amount of the social security underspend caused by the error in the retail prices index which is not disbursed in the form of special payments is to be donated to charities. The additional administrative complexities and costs of attempting to make one payment per eligible benefit would have been considerable. About 1·75 million people whose benefits are combined will receive a special payment; of these about 175,000 will be undercompensated.

  Health Screening
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has to require district health authorities to request quotations for health screening from private hospitals before investing in their own capital equipment.

  Mrs. Currie
  Health authorities are encouraged to give careful consideration to all means of securing greater cost-effectiveness in the provision of services to maximise resources available for patient care. In particular, when planning and implementing their breast cancer screening services, regional health authorities have been advised to consider the scope for collaboration with private sector providers and voluntary organisations.

  Retail Prices Index (Error)
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if each appropriate category of social security benefits will be separately accorded the £8 ex gratia payment made by his Department as a result of an error in calculation of the retail prices index.

  Mr. Scott
  In the interests of combining as far as possible fairness with speed of payment, an £8 ex gratia payment (or £5 in the case of mobility allowance) will be made in respect of each instrument of payment which contains payment of qualifying benefit for the week commencing 1 February. This means that we have been able to ensure that 12 million people will receive special payments from this week. The additional administrative complexities and costs of attempting to make one payment per eligible benefit would have been considerable.

  Elderly People (Care)
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has to alter the responsibility for the care of the elderly.

  Mrs. Currie
  We shall be considering any relevant recommendations made by Sir Roy Griffiths in his report on community care, which we expect to receive shortly.

  Health Authorities (Efficiency)
  Mr. Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the CIPFA TARI index in measuring the comparative efficiency of district health authorities; and how he plans to ensure that performance indicators are used more reliably by health authorities.

  Mrs. Currie
  The total acute revenue indicator, quoted in the CIPFA report on health trends, shows approximately how much money is spent per head on providing acute care for a district's resident population wherever the residents are treated. It is an indicator of the extent to which people in different parts of the country have access to acute hospital care and on this basis is included in the performance indicator package. It is not an indicator of efficiency nor is there any one indicator of efficiency.

  This package has been sent direct to every health authority annually for the last three years and the latest indicators will be issued this month. District health authorities are expected to identify areas where improvements in services to patients and in overall efficiency might be possible as a matter of good management. The indicators are developed for use with other information as an aid to this process. Regional health authorities will be expected to examine differences in performance between their districts as suggested by the indicators and other information.

  Social Fund Applicants
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how adjudication officers will ascertain the amount of income or capital that would become available to a claimant on application to the social fund, for the purposes of regulations 42(2) and 51(2) of the Income Support (General) Regulations 1987.
  755
  Mr. Scott
  Payments from the social fund are disregarded when calculating a claimant's weekly entitlement to income support. Therefore, adjudication officers need not consider the provisions of regulations 42(2) and 51(2) of the Income Support (General) Regulations 1987 in relation to such payments. Repayments of social fund payments, however, may be made by deductions from the claimant's weekly income support entitlement.

  Retirement (Earnings Rule)
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the latest estimates of(a) the number of people deferring retirement and earning increments to their retirement pensions, (b) the number of people whose pensions are reduced by the earnings rule and (c) the cost of abolishing (i) the retirement condition and (ii) the earnings rule.

  Mr. Scott
  It is estimated that about 125,000 people over minimum pension age are currently deferring retirement and earning increments to their pensions. There are just over 2,000 people whose pensions are reduced by the earnings rule. This figure does not include adult dependants for whom the dependency addition is reduced on account of their earnings. The latest estimates show that it would cost about £250 million gross to abolish the earnings rule. It is not possible to provide separate costings for the abolition of the retirement condition and the earnings rule.

  Retford Hospital
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether he will receive a deputation from the Retford hospital action committee to discuss keeping open Retford hospital;

  Number of notifications of all forms of acute meningitis and meningococcal meningitis; and death registrations of meningococcal infection (ICD 9 036) by approximate monthly period, England and Wales 1986–87

  Notifications

  Deaths1

  Period

  Acute

  Meningococcal

  Meningococcal infection

  4 January 1986–31 January 1986

  160

  76

  13

  1 February 1986–28 February 1986

  160

  71

  8

  1 March 1986–28 March 1986

  151

  83

  15

  29 March 1986–2 May 1986

  178

  100

  13

  3 May 1986–30 May 1986

  123

  61

  11

  31 May 1986–27 June 1986

  130

  63

  6

  28 June 1986–1 August 1986

  200

  69

  13

  2 August 1986–29 August 1986

  172

  44

  7

  30 August 1986–3 October 1986

  255

  93

  5

  4 October 1986–31 October 1986

  194

  66

  10

  1 November 1986–28 November 1986

  184

  51

  7

  29 November 1986–2 January 1987

  165

  80

  24

  3 January 1987–30 January 1987

  258

  142

  18

  31 January 1987–27 February 1987

  244

  132

  15

  28 February 1987–27 March 1987

  240

  117

  19

  28 March 1987–1 May 1987

  251

  120

  12

  2 May 1987–29 May 1987

  166

  68

  9

  30 May 1987–26 June 1987

  176

  65

  6

  27 June 1987–31 July 1987

  231

  76

  8

  1 August 1987–28 August 1987

  229

  69

  12

  29 August 1987–2 October 1987

  174

  67

  10

  3 October 1987–30 October 1987

  174

  61

  5

  31 October 1987–27 November 1987

  207

  75

  16

  28 November 1987–1 January 1988

  217

  98

  27

  1 Provisional.

  756
  (2) whether he will issue a directive to the Trent regional health authority to keep open Retford hospital;

  (3) whether he will provide additional funds to the Trent regional health authority for the retention of Retford hospital;

  (4) what steps he is taking to save Retford hospital from closure; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Currie
  The management of local services is the responsibility of the district health authority concerned (in this case Bassetlaw). I understand that Bassetlaw DHA has temporarily closed two units within Retford hospital. This is a matter for local decision. Any proposal for permanent closure would need to be the subject of formal consultation and, if opposed by the community health council, would need to be submitted to Ministers for a final decision. My colleagues and I are always prepared to meet local deputations at that stage.

  Trent regional health authority was allocated an additional £5·8 million in December for the financial year 1987–88. For 1988–89, the region's revenue allocation will be £1,050 million, an increase of 6·3 per cent. The hon. Member may wish to contact the regional chairman for details of the RHA's allocation to Bassetlaw.

  Meningitis
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many(a) cases of and (b) deaths attributable to meningitis have been notified in each of the last 24 months.

  Mrs. Currie
  I regret that the data are not available in exactly the form requested: notification data for infectious diseases are compiled on a weekly basis; the table shows totals by weekly group for 1986 and 1987.
  757
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the regional incidence of meningitis in the past five years.

  Notifications of acute meningitis: (a) all, (b) meningococcal, 1983–87 England and Wales, standard regions rates per 100,000 population

  Standard region

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1983–87

  Number

  Rate

  Number

  Rate

  Number

  Rate

  Number

  Rate

  Number

  Rate

  Number

  Rate

  England and Wales

  Acute

  1,226

  2·47

  1,230

  2·46

  1,533

  3·06

  2,172

  4·34

  2,565

  5·12

  8,726

  3·50

  Meningococcal

  428

  ·86

  401

  ·80

  550

  1·10

  870

  1·74

  1,090

  2·18

  3,339

  1·34

  North

  Acute

  53

  1·71

  44

  1·43

  56

  1·82

  127

  4·12

  153

  4·97

  433

  2·80

  Meningococcal

  11

  ·35

  17

  ·55

  20

  ·65

  59

  1·92

  73

  2·37

  180

  1·17

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Acute

  210

  4·28

  208

  4·24

  242

  4·94

  368

  7·51

  376

  7·67

  1,404

  5·73

  Meningococcal

  48

  ·98

  32

  ·65

  52

  1·06

  117

  2·39

  125

  2·55

  374

  1·53

  East Midlands

  Acute

  78

  2·02

  70

  1·80

  88

  2·24

  129

  3·29

  132

  3·37

  497

  2·55

  Meningococcal

  39

  1·01

  25

  ·64

  37

  ·94

  53

  1·35

  64

  1·63

  218

  1·12

  East Anglia

  Acute

  28

  1·45

  38

  1·93

  61

  3·06

  49

  2·46

  58

  2·91

  234

  2·38

  Meningococcal

  11

  ·57

  16

  ·81

  20

  1·00

  15

  ·75

  19

  ·95

  81

  ·83

  South East

  Acute

  322

  1·89

  379

  2·20

  453

  2·62

  576

  3·34

  846

  4·90

  2,576

  3·00

  Meningococcal

  121

  ·71

  135

  ·79

  191

  1·11

  225

  1·30

  332

  1·92

  1,004

  1·17

  South West

  Acute

  101

  2·28

  92

  2·04

  137

  3·02

  169

  3·72

  191

  4·20

  690

  3·07

  Meningococcal

  61

  1·38

  29

  ·64

  44

  ·97

  82

  1·80

  84

  1·85

  300

  1·33

  West Midlands

  Acute

  97

  1·87

  98

  1·89

  125

  2·41

  237

  4·57

  280

  5·40

  837

  3·23

  Meningococcal

  27

  ·52

  37

  ·71

  49

  ·95

  93

  1·79

  105

  2·03

  311

  1·20

  North West

  Acute

  266

  4·15

  223

  3·49

  285

  4·47

  370

  5·80

  390

  6·12

  1,534

  4·80

  Meningococcal

  78

  1·22

  76

  1·19

  97

  1·52

  159

  2·49

  215

  3·37

  625

  1·96

  Wales

  Acute

  71

  2·53

  78

  2·77

  84

  2·98

  147

  5·21

  139

  4·93

  519

  3·69

  Meningoccocal

  32

  1·14

  34

  1·21

  39

  1·38

  67

  2·38

  73

  2·59

  245

  1·74

  Ministerial Speech
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the speech of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Derbyshire, South (Mrs. Currie) on the National Health Service, made on Friday 29 January, represents the policies of Her Majesty's Government; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moore
  Yes. In particular I welcome my hon. Friend's comments on the rise in living standards under this Government and the increased consumer choice this offers families including, if they wish, the purchase of private health care.

  Dartford and Gravesham District Health Authority
  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has received adequate and acceptable assurances from the Dartford and Gravesham district health authority concerning the standard of medical care
  758
  Mrs. Currie
  The number of notifications of all forms of meningitis and meningococcal meningitis for the years requested is shown in the table.

  to be provided in support of the in-patient and casualty services at Gravesend and North Kent hospital under the recently approved rationalisation plan; and if he will give details of that supporting medical care.

  Mrs. Currie
  The Gravesend and North Kent hospital presently accommodates obstetric and gynaecology patients, a special care baby unit, general surgical and orthopaedic patients. A daytime casualty service is also provided.

  The health authority has informed me that the medical cover provided is as follows:

  Obstetrics and Gynaecology
  Constant resident cover

  General Surgery
  Constant resident cover

  Orthopaedics
  Constant resident cover

  Paediatrics
  Constant resident cover
  759
  Anaesthetics
  Constant resident cover

  General Medicine
  There are no general medical beds remaining but if an inpatient requires to be seen by a physician then a consultant attending a general medical out-patients' clinic at the hospital could attend or a doctor would attend from Joyce Green or West Hill Hospital.

  Casualty
  A 9 am to 9 pm casualty service is provided for `walk-in' cases.
  Emergency ambulance cases are taken direct to West Hill hospital. The casualty doctor at Gravesend and North Kent hospital provides initial treatment and has the support of other specialist doctors on site if required.
  Should a patient with a medical condition attend, advice is available, if required, from physicians at West Hill or Joyce Green hospital.
  If admission to a medical bed is considered appropriate arrangements have been made with the ambulance service for rapid transport of patients to Joyce Green hospital, with a nurse escort if necessary.

  District Health Authorities (Staff)
  Mr. Favell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list in respect of each district health authority(a) the total number of full-time equivalent employees and (b) the total number of full-time equivalent management employees above the level of department head or ward sister.

  Mrs. Currie
  I shall let my hon. Friend have such information as can be obtained without incurring disproportionate cost as soon as possible.

  Residential Care Allowances
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the present level of, and what are the criteria for, allocation of Department of Health and Social Security residential care allowances for community care in Scotland.

  Mr. Scott
  I assume the hon. Member is referring to supplementary benefit allowances for people in private and voluntary residential care and nursing homes. People in these homes can claim supplementary benefit to help meet their fees but there are limits to the levels of fees with which help can be given. A list of the current limits is given in the table. The limits apply nationally, other than for a special provision for London.

  The purpose of the supplementary benefits scheme is to provide help for people who are not in full-time work, whose capital is not more than £3,000 and whose income, from all sources, is below a minimum level. The terms and conditions of entitlement are set out in the supplementary benefit Acts and regulations.

  Supplementary Benefit: Residential Care and Nursing Home Limits

  Category

  Residential care homes

  Nursing homes

  £

  £

  Elderly

  130

  175

  Very Dependent of Blind Elderly

  145

  —

  760

  Category

  Residential care homes

  Nursing homes

  £

  £

  Mentally Ill

  130

  180

  Drug/Alcohol

  130

  180

  Mentally Handicapped

  150

  200

  Physically Disabled under Pension Age

  190

  230

  Terminal Illness

  —

  230

  Other

  130

  175

  Note: The limits for all homes in the Greater London area can he extended by up to £17·50.

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Favell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services whether any changes will be made to the cash limits and gross running costs for his Department.

  Mr. Scott
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimates, the cash limit for Class XIV, Vote 1 (Hospital and Community Health Services) will be increased by £109,461,000 (from £10,339,619,000 to £10,449,080,000) following the announcements on 23 October 1987 and 16 December 1987, and including £44 million to reflect a change in health authoritis' carry forward arrangements. The cash limit for Class XIV, Vote 3 (Miscellaneous Health Services and and Personal Social Services, England) will be increased by £13,803,000 (from £403,152,000 to £416,955,000). This increase comprises an increased allocation of £2,500,000 to maintain services following the rising number of AIDS cases as announced on 23 October 1987; an additional £10 million for a grant to the Haemophilia Society of Great Britain as announced on 16 November 1987; and the transfer of £2,223,000 from Class XV, Vote 5, for DHSS staff made available to the Disablement Services Authority with effect from the authority's creation on 1 July 1987. These increases are partly offset by a reduction of £920,000 in respect of the repayment of a grant which had been made to a voluntary organisation in respect of a community home. The provision for running costs on Class XIV, Vote 3, is increased by £3,318,000. This increase will not result in an increase in the overall DHSS running costs limit.

  The cash limit for Class XV, Vote 5, (Administration and Miscellaneous Services) has been increased by £2·777 million from £1,339·919 million to £1,342·696 million. The revision takes account of the additional administrative costs associated with the special payment exercise to compensate for the error in the RPI, namely £5 million, and the transfer of £2·223 million, provision for the Disablement Services Authority, to the Vote for miscellaneous health services and personal social services, Class XIV, Vote 3.

  As a result of the above-mentioned transfer to health and personal social services and the additional requirement, the gross running costs limit of the Department of Health and Social Security is increased by £5 million from £1,700·678 million to £1,705·678.

  The additional £5 million costs are not being met from the "savings" that accrued because of the RPI error. The

  761
  public expenditure costs of these changes have been charged to the reserve and do not add to the public expenditure planning total.

  Diabetic Blindness
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement about his policy towards charges for eyesight tests for the monitoring of diabetic blindness.

  Mr. Newton
  [holding answer 17 December 1987]: The proposal in the White Paper on primary health care is that free NHS sight tests should in future be confined to children, students under 19, those on low incomes, and the registered blind and partially sighted.

  The Government's action last year to make disposable syringes and needles available free to insulin-dependent diabetics on general practitioner prescription, and the decision announced in the White Paper to make blood-glucose testing strips available in the same way as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made, are intended to assist in enhancing the role of GPs in the regular care of diabetics. GPs will be aware of the need to look for symptoms of eye disease in diabetics, and where such disease is suspected the patient would be referred to the hospital eye service for the necessary tests.

  My hon. Friend may like to know that we are currently funding a research project at Exeter, Oxford and Sheffield into methods of screening for diabetic retinopathy; and are making available a further £100,000 for the continuation of this work in 1988–89. We shall carefully consider the results, which are due next year.

  Income Support
  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the number of claimants of(a) income support, (b) housing benefit and (c) family credit who will be liable for a rates contribution which (i) exceeds or (ii) is less than the amount of compensation allowed for in the income support personal allowances.

  Mr. Scott
  [holding answer 21 January 1988]: Using the assumptions set out in the "Impact of the Reformed Structure of Income Related Benefits", October 1987, 1·7 million income support recipients would be liable for rates contributions smaller than the compensation in their benefit entitlement. For 1.8 million recipients their rates liability would exceed it. These figures assume that non-dependant deductions are not made.

  For the balance of those on housing benefit (that is, those not also on income support) and for those on family credit these calculations are of limited importance and precise figures are not available. The operation of the rate taper under housing benefit means that liability for a contribution to rates increases above the minimum 20 per cent. as income rises. Family credit is treated as income for housing benefit purposes and the contribution to rates made by family credit recipients will reflect this.

  Advisory Committee on Irradiated and Novel Foods
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to publish the second report of the Advisory Committee on Irradiated and Novel Foods; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to make an announcement about the future of irradiation of foodstuffs.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to be able to make an announcement concerning Government proposals for the irradiation of food; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to make his response to the consultative report from the Advisory Committee on Irradiated and Novel Foods: and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Currie
  [holding answer 22 January 1988]: In April 1986 the Government published the report of the Advisory Committee on Irradiated and Novel Foods (ACINF) on the safety and wholesomeness of irradiated foods and sought comments on it. Some 6,000 letters have been received from members of the public, interested organisations and hon. Members. In the light of these, further advice was sought from the ACINF which reaffirmed its earlier advice that, under the conditions prescribed, irradiated food is safe and wholesome. Having carefully considered the arguments, Ministers for Health and Agriculture have accepted this advice. Copies of ACINF's further advice to Ministers have been placed in the Library and it is our intention to make copies publicly available.

  The committee drew attention to certain practical issues relating to the monitoring and control of irradiated foods and enforcement. The Government have therefore decided to maintain the present general prohibition on irradiated foods until they are satisfied that effective regulatory controls can be drawn up for the irradiation of specific foods in order to bring about good industrial and marketing practices and ensure informed consumer choice. Such controls should include assurances on the quality of the particular foods to be irradiated, requirements as to the maintenance of documentary records, the licensing of premises and inspection of operations. The availability of detection tests will be one of the factors to be taken into consideration and there would also be statutory provision for the labelling of irradiated foods and food ingredients.

  My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will now arrange for further work to be carried out to examine the scope and format of any controls. Consultations under the Food Acts will not be initiated until Ministers are satisfied that there is adequate provision to ensure the prevention of abuse and the protection of consumer choice. At the same time, working with our European partners we will endeavour to achieve a common approach to the irradiation of food throughout the European Community.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the expected amount to be spent in(a) Scotland, (b) England, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland on (i) loans and (ii) grants from the social fund in each year to 1991; and what is his estimate of (1) the number of payments and (2) the number of claimants in each year.

  Mr. Scott
  [holding answer 1 February 1988]: Social fund budget allocations for 1988/89 are shown in the table. Allocations for future years have not yet been decided.

  The number of payments that will be made from the loans and grants budgets will depend upon the size of individual payments. This will be determined by the amounts applied for, and the decisions of individual social fund officers in
  764
  accordance with the law and directions and in the light of guidance. The number of applicants will depend upon a number of factors, including any take-up campaigns. No firm estimates can therefore be given until the new scheme is in operation.

  Social fund budgets 1988–89 (£)

  Grants

  Loans

  England

  45,248,177

  106,224,026

  Scotland

  11,506,069

  27,143,347

  Wales

  3,462,240

  8,136,641

  Northern Ireland

  7,200,092

  13,700,140

  Social fund contingency funds 1988–89

  £

  Great Britain

  2,000,000

  Northern Ireland

  199,768

  FOOD IRRADIATION: GENERAL PROHIBITION
  FOOD IRRADIATION: GENERAL PROHIBITION
  HOMOEOPATHIC PRODUCTS: DHSS CONSULTATIONS
  HOMOEOPATHIC PRODUCTS: DHSS CONSULTATIONS
  DEER: NIGHT SHOOTING LICENCES
  DEER: NIGHT SHOOTING LICENCES