Written Answers of 19 February 1988

WALES

  Education Expenditure
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what, in constant prices, was the level of spending per pupil in Wales in(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools in 1978–79 and in the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The information is as follows:

  Net recurrent institutional costs1 at 1986–87 prices2

  Pounds per pupil

  Primary

  Secondary

  1978–79

  749

  1,036

  1986–873

  909

  1,320

  1 Net recurrent institutional costs exclude expenditure on school meals and milk, school transport and pupil support.

  2 Figures have been expressed at 1986–87 prices, using the GDP deflator.

  3 provisional.

  Hospital Charges
  Mr. Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what sums were collected by each of the Welsh area health authorities from non-United Kingdom residents for hospital charges in 1985–86 and 1986–87; and what is the estimated net sum after deduction of costs of administration.

  Mr. Grist
  The income collected from charges to overseas visitors by each district health authority in Wales in the past two years was as follows:

  £ Thousand

  District Health Authority

  1985–86

  1986–87

  Clwyd

  5·2

  -2·9

  East Dyfed

  6·6

  2·0

  Gwent

  19·7

  9·3

  Gwynedd

  12·0

  2·4

  Mid Glamorgan

  0·0

  0·0

  Pembrokeshire

  3·8

  0·2

  Powys

  0·4

  0·0

  South Glamorgan

  17·6

  -0–4

  West Glamorgan

  -0·1

  0·1

  Wales

  65·2

  10·6

  Country

  Airline

  Aircraft type

  Period of exemption

  Cyprus

  Cyprus Airways

  1 Boeing 707

  31 December 1988

  Portugal

  TAP

  1 Boeing 707

  31 December 1988

  Sudan

  Sudan Airways

  3 Boeing 707s

  31 March 1988 (2 flights)

  Belgium

  Trans European Airways

  1 Boeing 707

  31 December 1988

  Netherlands

  KLM

  11 McDonnell Douglas DC9s

  31 December 1988

  France

  Minerve

  1 Caravelle

  6 February 1988

  746
  Source: Health Authorities' Annual Accounts.

  Notes:

  1. Figures may not add up due to roundings.

  2. Figures relate to charges authorised by regulations made under Section 121 of the National Health Service Act 1977 (which provides for the recovery of charges in respect of services provided to persons not ordinarily resident in Great Britain.

  The structure of the health authorities' annual accounts does not allow the associated administration costs to be estimated.

  Welsh Grand Committee
  Mr. Ray Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to invite all the members of the Welsh Grand Committee to attend the press conferences organised by himself or his officials and held during the sittings of the Grand Committee on the subject being discussed by the Grand Committee.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  I will continue to have the courtesy to speak to any person who wishes to question me on a speech I have made, as I am sure the hon. Gentleman would if he had ever been asked.

TRANSPORT

  Airports (Noise)
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if, in view of his Department's undertaking to bring about a progressive improvement in noise climate around airports, he will list the exceptions granted to foreign airlines, enabling them to continue to operate non-noise certificated subsonic jet aircraft to and from United Kingdom airports after the date from which such aircraft were banned, as detailed in the 1985 airports White Paper; and if he will give his reasons for doing so.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The exemptions are as listed in the table. Foreign-registered non noise-certificated subsonic jet aeroplanes have been banned from the United Kingdom 1 January under the Air Navigation (Noise Certification) Order 1987. Exemptions under article 16 of the order are made by the Civil Aviation Authority in consultation with my right hon. Friend. All exemptions are limited to day time operations. So far, 44 applications for exemption have been turned down.

  Under the terms of EC directives 80/51 and 83/206 exemptions have been granted by the CAA where a non noise-certificated aeroplane is to be replaced by one meeting the stringent Chapter 3 ICAO noise certification standard. (The period of exemption is dependent on the delivery date of chapter 3 replacement aeroplanes. The exemption for each aeroplane expires on 31 December 1988 or when the replacement aeroplane is delivered, whichever is the sooner).
  747
  Exemptions have been granted in exceptional circumstances beyond the airlines' immediate control. Such circumstances include the late delivery of hush-kits or hush-kit parts, the unavailability of a compliant aeroplane for technical reasons and cases where passengers would

  Country

  Airline

  Aircraft type

  Period

  Reason

  Lebanon

  Middle East Airlines

  2 Boeing 707s

  11 January 1988 (4 flights)

  Hush-kit delays

  Nigeria

  Flash Airlines

  1 McDonnell Douglas DC8

  31 January 1988 (5 nights)

  Hush-kit delays

  Uganda

  Uganda Airlines

  1 Boeing 707

  1 January 1988 (1 flight)

  Flight delay. Hardship to passengers

  Saudi Arabia

  Prince Talol

  1 BAe 1–11 (1 flight)

  3 January 1988

  Picking up hush-kit parts, en route for hush-kit fitment

  Zimbabwe

  Air Zimbabwe

  5 Boeing 707s

  3 to 7 February 1 to 10 June 1 to 20 June

  Hush-kits being fitted pending delivery of Chapter 3 aircraft

  Lebanon

  Middle East

  1 Boeing 707

  26–27 January (1 flight)

  Noise compliant aircraft grounded due to technical problems

  Kenya

  Kenya Airways

  1 Boeing 707

  27–28 January (1 flight)

  Noise compliant aeroplane grounded due to engine damage

  Switzerland

  Jet Aviation Business Jets

  1 BAe 1–11

  29 January 1988–31 March 1988 (9 flights)

  Hush-kit delays

  Saudi Arabia

  Aviation Management Consortium

  1 BAe 1–11

  11 February 1988–30 June 1988

  Hush-kit delays

  Lebanon

  Middle East Airlines

  1 Boeing 707

  23–26 January (2 flights)

  En route hush-kitting

  Zambia

  Zambia Airways

  1 Boeing 707

  29 February-5 March (2 flights)

  Compliant aeroplane being maintained

  Gambia

  Gamair

  1 McDonnell Douglas

  12February-25March(6 flights)

  Hush-kits

  Lebanon

  Middle East Airlines

  1 Boeing 720

  1 February 1988

  Compliant aeroplane unavailable due to technical problems

  Exemptions have been granted for flights to and from the United Kingdom specifically for maintenance purposes. Such exemptions stipulate that the aeroplane is flown empty, in both directions, to reduce its environmental impact to a minimum. A total of 19 maintenance flights have been exempted involving 13 airlines and 15 aircraft—eight B707, five BAel-11 and two DC8.

  Transport Studies
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list all transport studies relating to London and the south-east(a) proposed, (b) under way or (c) completed within the last year by or on behalf of his Department, British Rail and London Regional Transport; and if he will give details of each inquiry of the estimated time scale, the estimated cost and the names of any consultant firms involved;

  (2) if the will list all transport studies relating to London and the south-east (a) proposed, (b) under way or (c) completed within the last year by or on behalf of his Department or the London Docklands Development Corporation; and if he will give details for each inquiry of the estimated time scale, the estimated cost and the names of any consultant firms involved.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  It would not be practicable to list the many studies relating to transport in London and the south-east in which my Department is involved by reason of its day-to-day responsibilities. Studies conducted by LDDC, BR and LRT are matters for the managements of those organisations.
  748
  otherwise suffer serious hardships. In additions two flights by the Saudi royal flight and one flight by the royal Brunei executive were exempted for diplomatic reasons in January and early February.

  A6 Disley High Lane Bypass
  Mr. Tom Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the representations which he had received about the line of route of the proposed A6 Disley high lane bypass before he recommended his preferred choice.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  We consulted local councils and public bodies before announcing the preferred route choice. There was general support for a bypass and most authorities supported the proposed option.

  M62-M1 Link
  Mr. Waller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce the outcome of the study he has commissioned on a possible new link between the M62 in the area of junction 25 and the M 1 in the area of junction 40.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The feasibility study into a possible trunk road link between junction 38 or 39 on the M1 and the M62 in west Yorkshire is now being examined. This scheme will be considered for inclusion in the national trunk road programme at the next major review.

  Passenger Transport Authorities (Financing)
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many replies his Department has received to its consultation paper on financing passenger transport authorities; how many of the replies support his Department's proposals; if he will now reconsider the proposals in the light of the comments received; and if he will make a statement.
  749
  Mr. David Mitchell
  As of 18 February 1988, my Department had received 20 responses to the consultation paper, containing a number of comments on the proposal. I will of course take all these comments into account in coming to a decision on the proposal.

  Tyre Treads (EC Directive)
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he now intends to introduce legislation to bring into effect the European Community directive on the introduction of a minimum tread depth regulation of 1·6 mm over the entire tread surface of tyres.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Cambridgeshire, South-West (Sir A. Grant) on 15 January Official Report, columns 457–8.

  London Buses (Colour)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any proposals to introduce legislation for the control of the colour of London buses.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  No.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Fair Employment Commission
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will describe the likely staffing procedure for the proposed Fair Employment Commission; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Viggers
  Final decisions have not yet been taken on new measures to promote equality of opportunity in employment. My right hon. Friend intends to make an announcement shortly on the Government's proposals.

  Fishing
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have been employed in the fishing industry in the ports of Ardglass and Kilkeel in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Viggers
  The information is as follows:

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Total

  Ardglass

  1978

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1979

  162

  58

  220

  1980

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1981

  205

  61

  266

  1982

  219

  58

  277

  1983

  215

  57

  272

  1984

  224

  49

  273

  1985

  257

  60

  317

  1986

  265

  58

  323

  1987

  259

  54

  313

  Kilkeel

  1978

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1979

  587

  226

  813

  1980

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1981

  656

  168

  824

  1982

  729

  220

  949

  1983

  932

  216

  1,148

  1984

  928

  256

  1,184

  1985

  855

  232

  1,087

  1986

  848

  220

  1,068

  1987

  996

  210

  1,206

  750
  No records are held for 1978 or 1980 as their compilation did not become a regular annual exercise until 1981.

  Electricity (Installations)
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what rate of interest Northern Ireland Electricity charges on extended credit for installation costs.

  Mr. Viggers
  The current rate of interest is 34 per cent. APR: the facility is available only to domestic consumers.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proportion of electricity installation charges are on average attributable to(a) labour, (b) material and (c) other costs.

  Mr. Viggers
  This information is not readily available and could only he provided by Northern Ireland Electricity at a disproportionate cost. The proportions sought vary widely depending on the nature of the installation and an average figure would therefore have little meaning.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give the basis on which charges for electricity installation are made by Northern Ireland Electricity.

  Mr. Viggers
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave to the hon. Gentleman, the Member for Foyle (Mr. Hume) on 16 February 1988 at column 595.

PRIME MINISTER

  Kurt Waldheim
  Mr. Rhodes James
  To ask the Prime Minister whether she will instruct Her Majesty's ambassador to the United States to seek access to any American copies of records relating to the alleged interrogation of British service men in the Balkans by Lieutenant Kurt Waldheim: with a view to making a statement on them to the House.

  The Prime Minister
  We now have a copy of the relevant file from the United States authorities, and are examining it.

  Mr. Rhodes James
  To ask the Prime Minister whether, in the course of the Government's review of the fate of the captured British service men in the Balkans, allegedly interrogated by the then Leiutenant Kurt Waldheim, she or her representatives will meet Professor Gerald Fleming, the British member of the historian's commission established by the Austrian Government.

  The Prime Minister
  Arrangements are in hand for Government research staff to meet Professor Fleming.

  Mr. Rhodes James
  To ask the Prime Minister whether she will institute an inquiry into the reasons for the destruction in 1978 of British Foreign and Commonwealth Office files relating to the alleged interrogation of British service men in the Balkans by the then Lieutenant Kurt Waldheim.

  The Prime Minister
  No. The files were destroyed in accordance with the guidelines for the preservation and destruction of public records.

  Mr. Rhodes James
  To ask the Prime Minister whether she will instigate inquiries into the information available
  751
  to Her Majesty's Government in 1971 concerning the war record of President Kurt Waldheim prior to the decision to support his candidature for Secretary General of the United Nations; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  No. It has been the practice of successive Governments not to reveal how they voted in secret ballots in the United Nations, or why they voted as they did. I am informed that at the time of Dr. Waldheim's election as United Nations Secretary-General no doubts were raised about his wartime record.

  Forestry Commission
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on the present division of ministerial responsibility for the Forestry Commission as between the Scottish Office and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

  The Prime Minister
  The Secretary of State for Scotland and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food exercise their responsibilities for the Forestry Commission's territorial activities in relation to Scotland and England respectively. General policy and other matters affecting Great Britain as a whole are dealt with

  External finance limits for water authorities: 1979–80 to 1988–89

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  Northumbrian

  Cash

  33·9

  41·0

  48·5

  35·8

  20·0

  20·0

  22·0

  18·2

  2·0

  3·0

  Real

  100·0

  104·0

  110·4

  76·0

  40·6

  38·6

  40·1

  32·2

  3·4

  4·8

  North-West

  Cash

  52·6

  72·0

  86·9

  84·0

  79·0

  87·0

  84·5

  58·0

  49·4

  44·0

  Real

  100·0

  117·7

  127·5

  114·9

  103·3

  108·3

  99·3

  66·1

  53·8

  45·9

  Severn-Trent

  Cash

  55·3

  49·4

  67·3

  61·9

  66·3

  40·0

  55·2

  7·9

  -7·5

  -11·5

  Real

  100·0

  76·8

  93·9

  80·6

  82·5

  47·4

  61·7

  8·6

  -7·8

  -27·8

  Yorkshire

  Cash

  34·7

  40·0

  42·5

  53·4

  30·0

  34·0

  31·0

  32·8

  20·0

  15·0

  Real

  100·0

  99·1

  94·5

  110·8

  59·5

  64·2

  55·2

  56·6

  33·0

  23·7

  Anglian

  Cash

  69·5

  70·0

  74·9

  87·4

  85·0

  60·0

  46·0

  45·7

  34·0

  23·5

  Real

  100·0

  86·6

  83·2

  90·5

  84·1

  56·5

  40·9

  39·4

  28·1

  18·6

  Thames

  Cash

  18·1

  22·0

  6·0

  -3·0

  -10 ·5

  -34·0

  -60·0

  -82·0

  -95·0

  -100·0

  Real

  100·0

  104·5

  25·6

  -11 9

  -39·9

  -1230

  -205·0

  -271·5

  -300·9

  -303·1

  Southern

  Cash

  37·4

  45·0

  52·0

  40·7

  33·5

  23·0

  11·0

  2·0

  -5·0

  -13·5

  Real

  100·0

  103·4

  107·3

  78·3

  61·6

  40·3

  18·2

  3·2

  -7·7

  -19·8

  Wessex

  Cash

  13·8

  13·3

  16·0

  21·7

  27·3

  16·0

  21·0

  26·8

  23·0

  19·5

  Real

  100·0

  82·9

  89·5

  113·2

  136·1

  75·9

  94·1

  116·4

  95·6

  77·5

  South-West

  Cash

  9·4

  11·0

  13·0

  13·8

  12·5

  11·0

  4·9

  4·7

  0·7

  2·0

  Real

  100·0

  100·6

  106·8

  105·7

  91·5

  76·6

  32·2

  30·0

  4·3

  5·8

  Wales

  Cash

  29·3

  24·0

  29·0

  25·2

  23·0

  22·6

  21·0

  17·3

  13·3

  9·1

  Real

  100·0

  60·9

  66·0

  53·5

  46·7

  43·7

  38·3

  30·6

  22·5

  14·7

  Notes:

  1. Cash figures are in £ million.

  2. Real figures are in index form: 1979–80= 100·0

  3. The inflation index used is RPI.

  4. EFLs were introduced for most authorities in 1979–80.
  752
  by the two Ministers and the Secretary of State for Wales, acting jointly, with the Secretary of State for Scotland taking the lead.

  "Security and Counter Intelligence"
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Prime Minister when she intends to announce her decision on the approval for publication of the book "Security and Counter Intelligence," by Mr. Anthony Simkins.

  The Prime Minister
  No decision has made been with regard to publication of "Security and Counter Intelligence."

ENVIRONMENT

  Water Authorities
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table in the Official Report showing the external financing limits for each water authority for each year from 1978–79 to the latest available date; and, if he will also give the same information in real terms using 100 as a base for 1978–79.

  Mrs. Roe
  The information requested by the hon. Member is contained in the table.

  Woolwich Polytechnic Lower School
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to reach a decision on any request from the Inner London education authority for assistance towards the cost of rebuilding the boundary wall at the Woolwich polytechnic lower school under the inner urban programme for 1988–89.

  Mr. Trippier
  This project was not included in the inner area programme for 1988–89 submitted by the London borough of Greenwich.

  Rural Areas (Assistance)
  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish figures on assistance through the Development Commission or its equivalents for rural areas on a per capita basis for(a) England, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales.

  Mrs. Roe
  I regret that it is not possible to do this, because accurate information for England, Scotland and Wales is not available on a comparable basis.

  Nuclear Waste Management
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in each of the six tasks and three projects being developed in nuclear waste management under the European Council decision of 12 March 1985, programme number 85 199 Euratom.

  Mrs. Roe
  Work on the six tasks has been proceeding and will continue until the end of the current research programme in 1989. Projects 1 and 2 are also proceeding, but no progress has been made in project 3. As a result the programme for tasks 1–6 is being extended slightly in 1988 and 1989.

  Metropolitan Residuary Bodies
  Mr. Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on metropolitan residuary body appointments.

  Mr. Chope
  The following have been reappointed to the metropolitan residuary bodies for the period 1 April 1988 to 31 March 1990 or until dissolution of the body, whichever is sooner:

  Greater Manchester Residuary Body

  Chairman: J. P. B. Hadfield, JP, DL

  Members: K. J. Alford, OBE

  Councillor A. B. Coyle, JP

  B. Scholes, OBE, DL

  C. H. Singleton, OBE

  R. M. Willan

  Merseyside Residuary Body

  Chairman: N. G. Brodrick

  Members: P. D. Carter, CBE

  J. D. M. Forbes

  W. C. W. Hughes

  L. O. Jones Councillor J. R. Lloyd

  G. B. Marsh

  South Yorkshire Residuary Body

  Chairman: B. E. Cotton, CBE

  Members: Councillor R. Rigby

  M. C. Simpson

  The Hon. Neil Turner

  P. I. Wolf

  Tyne and Wear Residuary Body

  Chairman: A. S. Robertson

  754

  Members: K. Douglas

  Councillor V. Fitzpatrick, JP

  W. H. Foakes

  R. A. S. Sisterson

  R. C. Spoor

  West Midlands Residuary Body

  Chairman: Dr. M. D. Skillicorn

  Members: Councillor J. Adams, OBE

  G. N. Jackson, CBE

  J. P. Meering

  W. S. Page, CBE

  K. Williams

  West Yorkshire Residuary Body

  Chairman: T. McDonald, OBE

  Members: K. J. Bridge

  D. Hanson

  F. A. Mallet, CBE

  Councillor G. E. Mudie

  R. W. Suddards, CBE

  These reappointments reflect my right hon. Friend's satisfaction with the impressive progress made so far by the residuary bodies and his confidence in members' ability to maintain the momentum towards the bodies' eventual wind up.

  The financial benefits resulting from the removal of an unnecessary tier of local government are now being realised. Within three years of abolition of the Greater London council and the metropolitan county councils successor boroughs and districts can expect to receive from the residuary bodies some £240 million in revenue balances that can be directly applied to reduce the rates, and approximately £305 million in capital receipts from property that can be used to enhance capital programmes. Taken together with the estimated annual long-term savings of £100 million resulting from staff savings, this brings direct benefits to the ratepayers of London and the metropolitan areas.

  Rate Support Grant
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement about the status of the Rate Support Grant Supplementary Report (England) (No. 4) 1983–84.

  Mr. Ridley
  I laid the fourth supplementary report for 1983–84 before the House on 5 February (HC 252). It emerged, however, that a number of figures in appendix I to annex IV had been wrongly printed. I therefore withdrew the report on 15 February, and I have today laid before the House a new report.

  I have taken the opportunity to incorporate a revised rateable value for block grant purposes for one rating authority, and as a result the national grant-related poundage (GRP) for spending at GRE has increased by 0.0004p. GRPs at GRE for all classes of authority have been adjusted accordingly and the abatement multipliers of four authorities have been slightly altered as a consequence. Otherwise all the determinations remain as they were in the report which was withdrawn.

  The supplementary report requires the approval of the House of Commons. Subject to that, I plan to make the revisions to grant payments to reflect this report and two others approved by the House on Wednesday 17 February early in April.

  Copies of the report and tables showing revised; grant entitlements are being sent to local authority associations and to each authority.

  Asbestos (Housing Estates)
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will establish special funds for councils undertaking removal of asbestos from housing estates where the health of tenants is threatened; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  No. Local authorities have the opportunity to draw any special needs to the attention of the Department in their annual housing investment programme submissions and meetings. Funds are not made available specifically for asbestos removal programmes, but rate support grant is paid in support of local authorities revenue expenditure generally, including expenditure on asbestos. It is for local authorities themselves to determine their own priorities for expenditure within the resources available.

DEFENCE

  Military Equipment (United States Procurement)
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will meet the United States Secretary of Defence to discuss the scope for an increase in United States procurement of British military equipment, including within the NATO procurement framework; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  No. My right hon. Friend already has frequent discussions with the United States Secretary of Defence on a wide range of issues including procurement.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether it is planned that a nuclear warhead will be developed for the multiple launch rocket system.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I understand that this is an option being considered by the United States Government.

  Bullying
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what response he has received following his announcement of measures to counter bullying in the Army.

  Mr. Freeman
  The measures I announced on 26 January to combat bullying in the Army have been well received in the Army and have been welcomed by Members of this House. The media and public response has also recognised the value of these measures.

  Irish Republic (Rescues)
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what charges are made to the Government of the Irish Republic for rescues effected(a) of Irish citizens and (b) in Irish waters by British military search and rescue units; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  Charges for civil search and rescue incidents are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport. The Ministry of Defence recovers costs from the Department of Transport for the search and rescue services which it provides, but does not make charges to other Governments or individuals.

  Armilla Patrol
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he intends to reply to the letter of the hon. Member for Hamilton dated 29 December 1987, regarding policy on the Armilla patrol, addressed to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and passed on to him on 11 January.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  I have written to the hon. Member.

  Clyde Nuclear Emergency Monitoring Team
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what purpose the Clyde nuclear emergency monitoring team was called out on 26 January; and for what period of time personnel from the team were deployed at the scene of the incident.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  I refer the hon. Member to my replies to the hon. Member for Dumbarton (Mr. McFall) on 18 February at columns 739–40.

  HMS Resolution
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cause of the emergency on board HMS Resolution on 26 January; and what steps have been taken to prevent a repetition of this type of incident.

  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement about the incident affecting the cooling system of the nuclear reactor of the submarine HMS Resolution on 26 January.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  I refer the hon. Members to my reply to the hon. Member for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (Mr. Foulkes) on 18 February at column 738.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) military personnel and (b) civilian employees were exposed to levels of radioactivity greater than the permitted dose as a result of the emergency on board HMS Resolution on 26 January; and how many of these were suspended from duty as a result.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  None.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any release of radioactivity occurred(a) within the vessel, (b) into the atmosphere, and (c) into the sea as a result of the incident on board HMS Resolution on 26 January.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  No.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what notification was given to(a) the local liaison committee, (b) the civil police and (c) the civil fire service concerning the incident on board HMS Resolution on 26 January.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  The electrical malfunction which occurred on board HMS Resolution on 26 January posed no danger to the submarine's reactor, its crew or the public. There was therefore no occasion to notify the local liaison committee or emergency services under the terms of the Clyde area public safety scheme.

  Soldiers and Horses (Molestation)
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many cases have been reported of the
  757
  molestation of soldiers and horses on duty outside palaces and other public buildings; what steps he is taking to prevent this; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  There have been no complaints recorded of cases of molestation of soldiers or horses whilst on duty outside palaces or public buildings. If such an occurrence were to take place, adequate arrangements exist to enable the sentry to summon assistance.

  Nuclear Tests
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he takes to monitor the research activities and findings of individuals looking into the consequence of the nuclear tests conducted on Christmas island in the 1950s; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 28 January to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key) at column 309 concerning the study carried out by the National Radiological Protection Board into the mortality and cancer incidence in UK participants in the British nuclear test programme. The study was carried out by the National Radiological Protection Board under contract from the Ministry of Defence. The conduct and form of the study was, however, entirely a matter for the NRPB, with the advice of its medical and epidemiological consultants.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in how many cases claims for compensation or additional pension rights have been made in connection with the 1950s, nuclear tests; and in how many cases payments have been made.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Full records are not available but any such claims from members of the armed forces would be barred by section 10 of the Crown Proceedings Act 1947. A small number of claims have been received from civilians who participated in the tests, but no payments have been made. Claims for war pensions are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what diseases the National Radiological Protection Board considered in the course of preparation of its report on nuclear test veterans; what criteria it used in deciding which diseases or conditions to exclude; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The responsibility for deciding which diseases would be considered in the course of the National Radiological Protection Board study was entirely a matter for the National Radiological Protection Board, with the advice of its medical and epidemiological consultants.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many questionnaires on the medical effects of nuclear tests were sent in 1956 to ex-service men; how those ex-service men to whom it was sent were selected; how many returned a completed questionnaire; what representations he had received from ex-service men present at nuclear tests who did not receive a questionnaire; what response he has made; and if he will make a statement.
  758
  Mr. Sainsbury
  Questionnaires on the medical effects of nuclear tests were not sent to service men or ex-service men, in 1956 or at any other time.

  Mine Countermeasure Vessels
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom's mine countermeasure vessels capability in the Gulf area.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  We have been reviewing the size of our MCMV force in the Gulf. In the light of our experience to date in operations to clear mine danger areas both in the Gulf of Oman and off Qatar, we have concluded that in the present circumstances the mine clearance task can be met satisfactorily by retaining three MCMVs and associated afloat support in the Gulf area to operate in support of the Armilla patrol. To this end Her Majesty's ships Dulverton, Middleton and Atherstone are in the course of taking over the mine counter-measures task in the Gulf hitherto fulfilled by Her Majesty's ships Hurworth, Bicester, Brocklesby and Brecon. The support vessel HMS Abdiel is also returning to the United Kingdom, and is due to be paid off in about six months' time. HMS Abdiel's support role in the Gulf is now being carried out by HMS Herald.

  Equipment
  Sir Ian Gilmour
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what degree of lateral stability was called for in the DROPS statement of requirement for the medium mobility vehicle; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what lateral stability was achieved by the validation model DROPS medium mobility trucks on their tilt test at the Royal Armaments Research and Development Establishment; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) to what tests DROPS vehicles were submitted subsequent to tilt tests, with the test weights turned upside down; what effect this had on the centre of gravity; what stability was achieved; and if he will make a statement;

  (4) what stability is expected once the DROPS vehicle has been fitted with small tyres; and if he will make a statement;

  (5) whether the DROPS vehicle, once fitted with small tyres, will comply with the statement requirements in respect of the maximum ground pressure; and if he will make a statement;

  (6) what was the stated minimum stability requirement for low mobility, road-use only, vehicles; and if he will make a statement;

  (7) why, after the first round of trialling, it was considered desirable to subject DROPS RTE to a second round of full open competition to determine best value for money; why this course of action was considered undesirable in respect of DROPS itself; whether it was considered desirable to submit simplified RTE equipment to a second round of full open competition; and if he will make a statement;

  (8) what was the difference between RTE/CLOTS equipment and Simple RTE/Simple CLOTS equipment; and if he will make a statement;

  (9) which company was selected in 1983 to provide Simple RTE; which other companies were selected in 1985; and if he will make a statement;
  759
  (10) whether RTE (rail transfer equipment) supplied by EKA Ltd., was selected for trials in 1983; and if he will make a statement;

  (11) whether (a) the 1982 or (b) the 1986 specification required the rail transfer equipment to operate at different step heights; to what extent this requirement was deemed essential in stating the 1986 requirement; whether any of the equipments tendered in 1986 met this essential requirement; and if he will make a statement;

  (12) what have been the changes in operational circumstances that have made rail transfer equipment operation under power cables and at different step heights essential at the time of stating the requirements and dispensable at the time of selecting equipment against those requirements; and if he will make a statement;

  (13) which of the requirements of the 1986 rail transfer equipment specification are not met by the ordered equipment; and if he will make a statement;

  (14) whether the equipment ordered for rail transfer equipment is an existing commercially available design; and if he will make a statement;

  (15) what are the factors that led to the attempt to enhance the mobility of a DROPS vehicle by fitting large wheels; and if he will make a statement;

  (16) whether the original DROPS trials equipment achieved medium mobility; whether cross-country mobility is still required; and if he will make a statement;

  (17) whether the DROPS medium mobility vehicle is required to be used off-road; whether it was ever intended to have suitable mobility for off-road use; and if he will make a statement;

  (18) in precisely what respects the performance requirements called for in respect of the current procurement of 209 DROPS trailers differ from the performance requirements called for in respect of the 295 trailers ordered pursuant to the original DROPS 1982 statement of requirement; where in the 1982 statement of requirement these performance requirements were stated; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 16 February 19881: I will write to my right hon. Friend shortly.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Devon and Cornwall Investment Bureau
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many industrial companies new to Devon and Cornwall have commenced investment projects as a result of the work of the Devon and Cornwall Investment Bureau in the years 1985–86 and 1986–87; and what is the estimated figure for 1987–88.

  Mr. Atkins
  My Department provides grant-aid to the Devon and Cornwall Development Bureau (DCDB) to promote the region as a location for investment by overseas companies. I am advised that in the years specified, the number of start-ups by overseas companies new to Devon and Cornwall with which the DCDB has been actively involved is as follows:

  Number

  1985–86

  1

  1986–87

  4

  1987–88

  16

  1 Estimate

  760
  These projects are expected to create around 1,000 new jobs.

  In addition, the DCDB assists overseas companies with their plans to expand in Devon and Cornwall, and can claim to have been actively involved with 11 such successful projects over the period in question. These projects are expected to create a further 600 new jobs.

  My Department's contribution to the DCDB does not cover work to encourage United Kingdom companies to relocate within Devon and Cornwall, and I have no information on the level of this activity.

  Structural Funds
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the United Kingdom share of the structural funds in the past three years, the forecast for this year and the forecast under the new arrangements; and if he will give the figures in percentages at European currency unit and sterling;

  (2) pursuant to the statement on the meeting of the European Council, Official Report, 15 February, columns 705–17, whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the United Kingdom's share of the structural funds in the past three years, the forecast outturn for 1987–88 and the forecast under the new arrangements; and if he will give the figures both as percentages and in European currency unit and £ sterling.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The figures for the United Kingdom share of the structural funds for the past three years are given in the table. The drop in our percentage shares between 1985 and 1986 followed the accession of Spain and Portugal to the European Community.

  It is not possible to forecast our share of the funds for this or future years. However, as the Prime Minister said in her statement on the outcome of the European Council at Brussels, we hope to increase our payment receipts from the funds to about £1,000 million in 1992.

  United Kingdom share of the commitments of the structural funds

  1985

  1986

  11987

  Mecu

  1,223

  1,014

  1,244

  £ Million

  722

  714

  2896

  per cent.

  22·7

  15·6

  16·7

  1 Estimate.

  2 Equivalent to about £750 million in payments.

  Securities Association
  Mr. Richard Page
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if a decision has been reached on whether to give leave for the recognition under the Financial Services Act of the Securities Association.

  Mr. Maude
  In accordance with the procedures laid down in the Financial Services Act, the Director General of Fair Trading has submitted to my right hon. and noble Friend a report on the rules and guidance submitted by TSA to the SIB. Having considered the Director General's report, my right hon. and noble Friend has concluded that on the basis of the information presently available to him he does not consider TSA's rules and guidance have, or are intended or are likely to have, to any significant extent, the effect of restricting, distorting or preventing competition. He has, therefore, today given his leave to the SIB for the recognition of TSA.

  Patent Office
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether his plans have advanced for the relocation of the Patent Office.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  As I told the House on 10 December 1987 Official Report, column 239, I have been examining the possibility of relocating the Patent Office to Cardiff or Newport. In consultation with my colleagues, the Secretaries of State for Wales and for the Environment I have decided that Newport should be the preferred location, on a site already occupied there by the business statistics office, which is a division of my Department. The trade marks branch of the Patent Office opened an examining group on the Newport site on 3 February, as the first phase of the relocation. The move of the rest of the office, except for a modest public office which will remain in London, will take about three years and I estimate that at least 500 jobs will be created locally.

  Insolvency Service
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he intends that any staff in the insolvency service of his Department who are currently based in London will be relocated elsewhere; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I have decided that 148 London-based insolvency service staff will be relocated in Birmingham in 1989. The decision to relocate these staff follows a thorough review of my Department's scope for moving staff to locations other than London, where the cost of accommodation is very high. The type of work carried out by the staff concerned does not require their location in any particular area. The proposed move will improve the cost-effectiveness of my Department in our use of public funds for staff accommodation.

  I also believe that moving these important Civil Service posts to Birmingham will make a worthwhile contribution to the strong revival of the local economy in the west midlands that is now under way. The insolvency service already has a considerable presence in Birmingham in terms of staff numbers, including one of its major official receiver's offices.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Horniman Museum
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has for the continued operation of the Horniman museum after the abolition of the Inner London education authority.

  Mr. Dunn
  The Government wish to ensure a secure future for the museum, and are considering what arrangements would best achieve that objective.

  University Places
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish the number of places offered by each United Kingdom university for each of the past 10 years(a) in total, (b) by degree course subject and (c) by country of origin of student, Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland and others.
  762
  Mr. Jackson
  The available information for full-time undergraduate new entrants to universities in 1986 is shown in the table. It is taken from "University statistics, 1986–87, volume one (students and staff)", published by the Universities Statistical Record. Information for earlier years is published in previous editions. Figures by subject for 1986 relate to the new subject classification, which is not directly comparable with the classification used prior to 1985. Readily available unpublished information for country of domicile for 1986 entrants is also shown.

  Full-time undergraduate new entrants to universities: United Kingdom 1986

  Number

  Aston

  1,001

  Bath

  946

  Birmingham

  2,615

  Bradford

  1,106

  Bristol

  2,012

  Brunel

  671

  Cambridge

  3,317

  City

  817

  Durham

  1,460

  East Anglia

  1,190

  Essex

  932

  Exeter

  1,430

  Hull

  1,423

  Keele

  817

  Kent

  1,37

  Lancaster

  1,547

  Leeds

  2,724

  Leicester

  1,255

  Liverpool

  2,060

  London Business School

  —

  London

  9,583

  Loughborough

  1,428

  Manchester Business School

  —

  Manchester

  2,883

  Manchester Institute of Science and Technology

  1,108

  Newcastle

  2,130

  Nottingham

  1,983

  Oxford

  3,080

  Reading

  1,531

  Salford

  1,083

  Sheffield

  2,208

  Southampton

  1,832

  Surrey

  911

  Sussex

  1,334

  Warwick

  1,774

  York

  1,051

  Total England

  62,629

  Aberystwyth University College

  915

  Bangor University College

  818

  Cardiff University College

  1,695

  St. David's, Lampeter

  242

  Swansea University College

  1,404

  University of Wales College of Medicine

  76

  University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology

  672

  Total Wales

  5,822

  Total England and Wales

  68,451

  Aberdeen

  1,491

  Dundee

  835

  Edinburgh

  2,505

  Glasgow

  2,694

  Heriot-Watt

  1,060

  St. Andrews

  989

  Stirling

  899

  Strathclyde

  1,838

  Total Scotland

  12,311

  763

  Number

  Total Great Britain

  80,762

  Queen's University Belfast

  1,887

  University of Ulster

  2,760

  Total Northern Ireland

  4,647

  Total United Kingdom

  85,409

  Full-time undergraduates new entrants to universities in Great Britain, 1986—by subject

  Number

  1. Medicine and dentistry

  Medicine

  4,054

  Dentistry

  861

  Total medicine and dentistry

  4,915

  2. Studies allied to medicine

  Anatomy and physiology

  267

  Pharmacology

  187

  Pharmacy

  688

  Ophthalmics

  237

  Nursing

  369

  Other and combined studies allied to medicine

  317

  Total studies allied to medicine

  2,065

  3. Biological sciences

  Biology

  1,688

  Botany

  129

  Zoology

  346

  Genetics

  102

  Microbiology

  323

  Biochemistry

  1,129

  Psychology

  954

  Other and combined biological sciences

  484

  Total biological sciences

  5,155

  4. Veterinary science, agriculture and related studies

  Veterinary science

  337

  Agriculture

  510

  Forestry

  81

  Food science

  191

  Other and combined agricultural sciences

  187

  Total veterinary science, agriculture and related studies

  1,306

  5. Physical sciences

  Chemistry

  2,289

  Physics

  2,320

  Astronomy

  64

  Geology

  792

  Geography

  469

  Other and combined environmental and physical sciences

  579

  Total physical sciences

  6,513

  6. Mathematical sciences

  Mathematics

  2,463

  Statistics

  165

  Computer studies

  1,652

  Other and combined mathematical sciences

  524

  Total mathematical sciences

  4,804

  7. Engineering and technology

  General engineering

  922

  Civil engineering

  1,520

  764

  Number

  Mechanical engineering

  1,988

  Aeronautical engineering

  461

  Electrical engineering

  397

  Electronic engineering

  1,748

  Production engineering

  263

  Chemical engineering

  825

  Minerals technology

  173

  Metallurgy

  106

  Other materials technology

  170

  Maritime technology

  109

  Biotechnology

  62

  Other and combined studies in engineering and technology

  2,068

  Total engineering and technology

  10,812

  8. Architecture and related studies

  Architecture

  552

  Building

  227

  Town and country planning

  151

  Other related studies including combinations

  43

  Total architecture and related studies

  1,023

  9. Social sciences

  Economics

  2,499

  Sociology

  707

  Social policy and administration

  282

  Applied social work

  116

  Anthropology

  147

  Psychology

  583

  Geography

  1,516

  Politics

  910

  Law

  3,869

  Other and combined social services

  1,429

  Total social sciences

  12,068

  10. Business and financial studies

  Business and management studies

  1,450

  Financial management

  234

  Accountancy

  700

  Institutional management

  224

  Land and property management

  216

  Other and combined business and financial studies

  525

  Total business and financial studies

  3,349

  11. Librarianship and information science

  Librarianship

  33

  Other related studies including combinations

  48

  Total librarianship and information science

  81

  12. Languages and related studies

  Linguistics

  151

  English

  2,812

  American studies

  182

  Classical studies

  401

  French

  1,037

  German

  362

  Hispanic studies

  156

  Russian

  144

  Other European languages

  321

  Chinese

  76

  Other Oriental/Asian/African languages

  94

  Other and combined languages and related studies

  2,804

  Total languages and related studies

  8,540

  13. Humanities

  History

  2,813

  History of art

  337

  Archaeology

  263

  Philosophy

  430

  765

  Number

  Theology and religious studies

  696

  Other and combined humanities

  278

  Total humanities

  4,817

  14. Creative arts

  Fine art

  151

  Design studies

  135

  Music

  588

  Drama

  252

  Other and combined creative arts

  151

  Total creative arts

  1,277

  15. Education

  Teacher training

  490

  Academic studies in education

  302

  Other and combined education studies

  282

  Total education

  1,074

  16. Multi-disciplinary studies

  Combinations of groups 2, 3 and 4

  132

  Combinations of groups 2–4 with 5 and 6

  323

  Combinations of groups 5 and 6

  351

  Combinations of groups 2–6 with 7 and 8 and 7 with 8

  608

  Combined or general science

  1,515

  Combinations of groups 9, 10 and 11

  764

  Combined or general social science

  1,479

  Combinations of group 12 with 13–15

  1,297

  Combinations of groups 13, 14 and 15

  45

  Combined or general arts

  662

  Combinations of groups 5 and 6 with 9–11

  838

  Combinations of groups 2–4, 7 and 8 with 9–11

  394

  Combinations of groups 5 and 6 with 12–15

  250

  Full-time students in 1986

  Universities in

  England

  Wales

  Scotland

  Northern Ireland

  United Kingdom

  Total

  233,538

  20,556

  47,230

  14,966

  316,290

  Numbers domiciled in

  England

  188,316

  11,789

  9,073

  675

  209,853

  Wales

  7,019

  5,624

  243

  28

  12,914

  Scotland

  2,938

  129

  30,449

  125

  33,641

  Northern Ireland

  2,356

  199

  1,177

  12,110

  15,842

  Other1

  32,909

  2,815

  6,288

  2,028

  44,040

  Total

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  Percentages domiciled in

  England

  81

  57

  19

  5

  66

  Wales

  3

  27

  1

  0

  4

  Scotland

  1

  1

  64

  1

  11

  Northern Ireland

  1

  1

  2

  81

  5

  Other1

  14

  14

  13

  14

  14

  Percentages may not sum due to rounding

  1 Includes those domiciled in other United Kingdom and overseas.

  Independent Schools
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has for each of the past five years as to what percentage of those school pupils whose principal address is in an inner London borough attended an independent school; and as to what
  766

  Number

  Combinations of groups 2–4, 7 and 8 with 12–15

  127

  Combinations of groups 9–11 with 12

  968

  Combinations of groups 9–11 with 13–15

  1,238

  Other general and combinations

  1,982

  Total multi-disciplinary studies

  12,973

  All subjects

  80,762

  Full-time undergraduate new entrants by domicile, 1986

  Number

  Universities in Great Britain of which domiciled in

  80,762

  Scotland

  8,588

  England

  57,385

  Wales

  3,645

  Northern Ireland

  1,109

  Others

  10,035

  Universities (Wales and Northern Ireland)
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will republish a table, in the manner of his answer of 12 February,Official Report, columns 375–6, showing the numbers and percentages of (a) Welsh and (b) Northern Irish students and relating to (i) Welsh and (ii) Northern Irish universities.

  Mr. Jackson
  The complete cross classification of country of location by country of domicile is shown in the following table:

  is the percentage of the pupil population of (a) outer London, (b) south-east England and (c) England who attend independent schools.

  Mr. Dunn
  Information on pupils' home addresses is not held centrally. The number of pupils in independent schools as a percentage of all pupils in school in each of the last five years in the following areas was:
  767

  Pupils in independent schools as a percentage of all pupils in the Inner London Education Authority, Outer London, Other South East and England in January of each year

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  ILEA

  10·7

  11·2

  116

  12·0

  12·4

  Outer London

  7·3

  7·4

  7·6

  7·7

  8·1

  Other South East

  9·5

  9·7

  9·9

  10·1

  10·4

  England

  6·2

  6·4

  6·5

  6·6

  6·9

  University Funding
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give details of any revised cash limits for his Department's votes in respect of university funding in 1987–88.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the cash limit on class XII, vote 3 is being increased by a total of £7·583 million to facilitate the creation of a new university institution in Cardiff. The effect of this change is as follows:

  Class, Vote and Description of Expenditure

  £'000

  XII 3 Universities, etc

  Current cash limit

  1,706,618

  Revision

  +7,583

  Revised cash limit

  1,714,201

  The Supplementary Estimate will include provision for a repayable grant of £4·402 million (of which £4·279 million will be charged to the Reserve, after taking account of offsetting savings), with repayments benefiting the Reserve in future years. The remainder, £3·304 million, will be funded by a transfer of £1·652 million from Welsh Office provision (class XVII, vote 5) and £1·652 million from the Reserve. The increase will not add to the public expenditure planning total.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Taxi Drivers (Assaults)
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many deaths have resulted for each of the last five years as a consequence of attacks on licensed taxi drivers.

  Mr. John Patten
  In the period 1982–86, in England and Wales, five licensed taxi drivers are known to have been victims of homicide.

  Written Question (Cost)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the cost in time and money of the preparation of the answer to the written question from the hon. Member for Nottingham, East (Mr. Knowles) answered on 29 January,Official Report, column 395.

  Mr. Hurd
  About one hour at a cost of about £30.

  Dog Fighting
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has as to the extent of foreign involvement in the promotion of and betting upon dog fighting; and if he will make a statement.
  768
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  None, although we are, of course, aware of the recent allegations of such involvement. The police work closely with officials of the RSPCA in the investigation of alleged offences relating to dog fighting.

  European Parliamentary Constituencies
  Sir Anthony Meyer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Boundary Commission for Wales intends to conduct any supplementary review of European parliamentary constituencies.

  Mr. Hurd
  The commission has informed me of its intention to consider the making of a supplementary report on three European parliamentary constituencies in Wales. These are Mid and West Wales, South East Wales and South Wales.

  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Boundary Commission intends to conduct any supplementary reviews of European Parliamentary constituencies in England.

  Mr. Hurd
  The commission has informed me that it intends to consider the making of a supplementary report on the following 34 European parliamentary constituencies in England:

  Durham

  Cleveland and Yorkshire North

  York

  Humberside

  Lancashire Central

  Lancashire East

  Yorkshire West

  Cheshire West

  Cheshire East

  Derbyshire

  Cambridge and Bedfordshire North

  Suffolk

  Oxford and Buckinghamshire

  Bedfordshire South

  Hertfordshire

  Essex South West

  Essex North East

  Bristol

  Wiltshire

  Cornwall and Plymouth

  Sheffield

  Nottingham

  Lincolnshire

  Shropshire and Stafford

  Staffordshire East

  Midlands Central

  Leicester

  Devon

  Somerset and Dorset West

  Dorset East and Hampshire West

  Hampshire Central

  Wight and Hampshire East

  Kent West

  Kent East

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Christmas Island (Nuclear Tests)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Attorney-General for what reasons certain records relating to the nuclear tests conducted on Christmas Island during the 1950s have been held back from release under the Public Records Act for 75 years.

  The Solicitor-General
  It has not been possible, from the information given, to identify the records referred to in the hon. Member's question. In so far as any such records have been withheld from release, they have been so withheld under section 3(4) of section 5(1) of the Public Records Act 1958.

  Bona Vacantia Department
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will introduce new regulations for the distribution of intestacy proceeds from the Bona Vacantia Department to pass to charities in untraceable cases.

  Mr. Brooke
  I have been asked to reply.

  No. The Treasury Solicitor is already authorised by the Treasury to make payments from Bona Vacantia to those for whom a person dying intestate might reasonablly have been expected to provide. A charity will therefore benefit from an estate where it has helped the deceased, or where it is clear that the deceased intended it to benefit. There is no intention to extend these principles to benefit charities in any other circumstances.

  Intestacy
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will introduce legislation to provide new ways to enable companies and organisations to allocate or distribute long-standing funds where intestacy has resulted in an inability to trace claimants.

  Mr. Brooke
  I have been asked to reply.

  No. The distribution of the property of persons dying intestate is a matter for their personal representatives. Where there is no one entitled following an intestacy, the matter should be referred to the Treasury Solicitor as Bona Vacantia.

THE ARTS

  Asian Artists
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Minister for the Arts how many Asian artists and companies received financial support from the Arts Council in each of the past five years.

  Mr Luce
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Brent, South (Mr. Boateng) on Monday 15 February, at columns 698–99.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  VAT (United States Forces)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what administrative arrangements are in place for the offsetting of value added tax payments for United Kingdom traders by United States forces not having to pay value added tax under special agreement.

  Mr. Lilley
  There are no offsetting arrangements. Traders do not charge VAT when supplying United States forces authorities under the special agreements.

  Outturn Expenditure
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of outturn expenditure for 1987–88; and what are the figures for each Department.

  Mr. Major
  I refer the hon. Member to table 1·8 of volume I of the 1988 public expenditure White Paper (Cm. 288).

  Value Added Tax
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what invitations to respond to the proposals of the Commissioner of the European Community for harmonisation of value added tax and excise duties was contained in the global communications from the Commission to Her Majesty's Government; and if he will publish in the Official Report its text, together with any response.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 18 February 1988]: The global communication contained no specific invitations to respond; member states were invited only to evaluate the Commission's tax approximation proposals. The Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) has referred the proposals to the Economic Policy Committee (EPC) for economic analysis and will discuss them in the light of EPC's report, which is expected in the spring. The Commission should be in little doubt about the Government's view on United Kingdom zero rating. A copy of the global communication, together with a copy of each of the Commission's proposals, has been placed in the Library.

EMPLOYMENT

  Dock Workers (Dismissals)
  Mr. Gregory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many permanent registered dock workers in the Liverpool local dock board area in each year from 1980 to 1986 have been dismissed by their employer for an offence justifying summary dismissal under the disciplinary provisions of the dock labour scheme; and how many of these men have been reinstated by order of the local dock labour board and appeal tribunals.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The figures requested are as follows:
  771

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  Brought forward from previous year

  —

  6

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Permanent workers dismissed for offence justifying summary dismissal

  12

  5

  5

  6

  2

  2

  2

  Reinstated by order of Liverpool Dock Labour Board and appeal tribunals

  6

  5

  5

  6

  2

  2

  2

  Dismissal upheld by Liverpool Dock Labour Board and appeal tribunals

  6

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Carried forward to following year

  6

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Radiation Exposure
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on his policy towards acceptable levels of radiation exposure, following the most recent report of the National Radiological Protection Board.

  Mr. Nicholls
  I am awaiting the advice of the Health and Safety Commission. The commission has set up a working group on ionising radiations which met for the first time on 9 December 1987. The working group is considering the recent guidance from the National Radiological Protection Board as part of its remit and will advise the commission on an appropriate course of action. I am content to await any subsequent recommendations.

  Workers and the public are currently protected by the Ionising Radiations 1985, which require doses to be kept not only below specified dose limits but beyond that to be kept as low as reasonably practicable.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Green Pound
  Mr. Michael Morris
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average discrepancy between the value of the green pound and the real pound sterling for the years 1985, 1986 and 1987.

  Mr. Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the average percentage difference between the value of the pound sterling and the green rate for the £ sterling for each six month period since January 1979.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The information is not available in the form requested and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  Monetary compensatory amounts reflect the difference between sterling's market rate and green rates. The table shows the MCA percentages for beef and cereals during the first week in each six-month period since 1979 as well as the latest figures available:

  Date (week commencing)

  MCA (percentage)

  Beef

  Cereals

  1 January 1979

  -27·0

  -27·0

  2 July 1979

  -6·0

  -17·6

  7 January 1980

  -3·5

  -9·0

  7 July 1980

  +1·7

  -1·0

  5 January 1981

  +12·1

  +12·1

  6 July 1981

  +12·3

  +12·3

  4 January 1982

  +8·0

  +8·0

  5 July 1982

  +9·6

  +9·6

  3 January 1983

  +1·4

  +1·4

  4 July 1983

  +5·2

  +5·2

  772

  Date (week commencing)

  MCA (percentage)

  Beef

  Cereals

  2 January 1984

  +7·6

  +7·6

  2 July 1984

  +1·0

  +3·9

  6 January 1985

  -1·9

  -1·9

  1 July 1985

  +3·6

  +3·6

  6 January 1986

  -3·5

  -3·5

  7 July 1986

  -7·7

  -8·9

  5 January 1987

  -18·4

  -26·3

  1 July 1987

  -10·6

  -19·9

  4 January 1988

  -8·4

  -17·5

  15 February 1988

  -8·4

  -17·5

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Health and Safety
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will introduce legislation to extend to the House of Commons the requirements of the health and safety Acts.

  Mr. Wakeham
  No. I have no such proposals. The authorities of the House seek to ensure that the provisions of these Acts are met wherever possible. It has been the practice of inspectors of the Health and Safety Executive to visit the House at the request of the House authorities.

SCOTLAND

  Drug Abusers
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many intravenous drug abusers he estimates there are in(a) Glasgow and (b) Edinburgh.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Because of the nature of the activity it is very difficult to make precise estimates of the numbers of intravenous drug misusers. The current estimate is as follows:

  Estimate

  West Scotland (mainly Glasgow)

  5,000–7,500

  South East Scotland (mainly Edinburgh)

  2,000–3,000

  Cervical Smear Tests
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many laboratories in Scotland are equipped to deal with cervical smear tests; and what are their locations.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 27 October 1987.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average period of time which each laboratory in Scotland takes to send the results of cervical smear tests back to patients.
  773
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  This information is not held centrally.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many women were tested for cervical cancer in each year since 1975.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information is as follows:

  Year

  Number of women tested

  1975

  253,461

  1976

  235,582

  1977

  239,572

  1978

  253,270

  1979

  252,896

  1980

  282,510

  1981

  293,870

  1982

  285,105

  1983

  315,044

  1984

  322,484

  1985

  356,747

  1986

  361,626

  Figures for 1987 are not yet available.

  Invasive Carcinoma
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many women are suffering from invasive carcinoma in(a) Scotland, (b) Strathclyde and (c) Glasgow.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  This information is not available in precisely the form requested. In 1985 (the latest year for which complete cancer registration data are available) 14,264 females with malignant neoplasms were registered for the first time in Scotland. The comparable figure for the West of Scotland cancer registry, which includes Strathclyde, Dumfries and Galloway and Central regions, was 6,741.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which socio-economic group is most affected by invasive carcinoma in Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The latest information relating to incidence of cancer by socio-economic grouping is given in the publication, "Atlas of Cancer in Scotland: Incidence and Epidemiological Perspective (ed. I Kemp et al), IARC Scentific Publication No. 72", a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Outturn Expenditure
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his latest estimate of outturn expenditure for his Department; and if he will express it as a proportion of expenditure originally allocated for the year.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The information is:

  Estimated Outturn 1987–88 £ million

  As proportion of planned expenditure 1987–88

  Total expenditure within the Secretary of State for Scotland's responsibility

  8,212

  1·032

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the latest figures for outturn spending for each of the departmental responsibilities listed in table 3·16 of the public expenditure White Paper.
  774
  Mr. Rifkind
  The latest figures for outturn spending on each of the programmes within my responsibility are shown on page 13 of "Public Expenditure to 1990–91: A Commentary on the Scotland Programme", a copy of which has been supplied to the hon. Member and other hon. Members representing Scottish constituencies. Copies were also placed in the Library.

  Leukaemia (Fife)
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will fund a study examining an potential link between leukaemia and radiation in the Fife area.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  No. I see no merit in funding ad hoc studies before the Government have received the advice of the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment on the further investigation of leukaemia in the vicinity of nuclear establishments.

  Housing Corporation
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the capital allocation in cash and real terms to the Housing Corporation in Scotland, including the provisional estimates for 1988–89, for each year since 1974.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is as follows:

  Year

  Gross Allocation £ million

  Gross Allocation in real terms £ million

  1974–75

  14·50

  16·408

  1975–76

  110·60

  30·761

  1976–77

  116·30

  41·791

  1977–78

  127·10

  61·004

  1978–79

  131·40

  63·852

  1979–80

  148·60

  84·558

  1980–81

  165·70

  96·414

  1981–82

  85·00

  113·583

  1982–83

  108·50

  135·197

  1983–84

  109·60

  130·473

  1984–85

  101·30

  115·442

  1985–86

  104·20

  112·062

  1986–87

  113·80

  118·636

  1987–88

  123·20

  2123·200

  1988–89

  131·74

  126·068

  1 Actual expenditure. In these years expenditure was controlled on basis of housing units to be provided rather than budget allocation.

  2 2 Base Year.

  Electoral Register
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will list, for each Scottish constituency for each year since 1983(a) the total number of people on the electoral register, (b) the number of young people on the register due to reach the age of 18 years during the currency of the register and the annual percentage increase or decrease for (a) and (b).

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to table 1·5 in the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys series EL Nos 10–13 for the years 1983–1986, respectively, and to table 2 in the monitor EL 87/1 for 1987, from which the annual percentage increase or decrease for(a) and (b) may be derived. Copies of these publications are in the Library. Similar information for 1988 is not yet available.

  Coniferous Afforestation
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the Government's policy with regard to coniferous afforestation in areas of outstanding national beauty.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Government's policy is that applications for grant aid towards planting conifers in such areas should each be considered on their merits with any views expressed under the Forestry Commission's consultation arrangements being taken into account.

  Forest Damage
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in the Official Report the research studies currently being undertaken by the Forestry Commission into forest damage in the United Kingdom.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The commission's research division undertakes a wide range of studies on damage to forest, landscape and amenity trees throughout Great Britain. On the assumption that the hon. Member is interested in the possible effects of air pollution in particular, the following studies are in hand at present:survey of the crown condition of Scots pine, Norway spruce, Sitka spruce, oak and beech
  grid survey (in accordance with EEC Regulation 3528/86) of crown condition of species located at grid intersection points
  study of extension growth of beech over several decades across Southern England
  study of the occurrence of crown dieback of hedgerow ash in England in relation to adjacent agricultural land use study of reduced growth Sitka spruce in the South Wales Coalfield
  survey jointly commissioned with the Nature Conservancy Council of beech crown condition and Scots pine growth in Southern England
  studies of the growth and physiology of seedling and clonal stock of major tree species in large open-top chamber experiments at two sites in England and one in Scotland
  study of responses of 6 biomonitors (4 trees, 2 herbaceous species) to ambient pollutants at 62 sites in Southern England

  Student Grants
  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland why students are not to be compensated for their loss of housing benefit.

  Mr. Portillo
  I have been asked to reply.

  The new housing benefit scheme and the other social security changes which will come into operation in April 1988 will affect a large number of claimants including students. Transitional protection is being provided only for those on supplementary benefit consistent with the Government's approach to direct help to those most in need. Furthermore, many claimants will see some reduction in their housing benefit as a result of increased entitlement to other benefits.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Mozambique (Security Advisers)
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has as to the number of Cuban, Soviet and East German security advisers stationed in Mozambique.
  776
  Mr. Mellor
  Precise information is not available. However, it is believed that there is still some East German involvement in security matters in Mozambique.

  Irish Air Space
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has as to proposals by the Irish Government to charge the British Government for military aircraft overflying Irish air space; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  I am not aware of any such proposals.

SOCIAL SERVICES

  Mental Nurses (Northumberland)
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many registered mental nurses are employed in Northumberland health authority; what was the number in 1979; and what has been the percentage change.

  Mrs. Currie
  Such information as is available is shown in the table. Staff with the registered mental nurse qualification cannot be separately identified. The staff-in-post figures are for all state registered nurses employed in the mental illness area of work.

  Because of the 1982 NHS reorganisation, figures on a consistent basis are not centrally available for the years prior to 1982.

  Nursing staff in mental illness area of work1 Northumberland district health authority at 30 September

  Whole-time equivalent2

  Percentage change3

  1982

  1986

  1982–86

  490

  520

  +6·2

  Source: DHSS Annual Census of NHS Non-Medical Manpower.

  1 Includes learners.

  2 Figures are independently rounded to nearest whole time equivalent.

  3 Percentage change calculated on unrounded figures.

  AIDS
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has regarding the proportion of hospital beds in New York city occupied by AIDS patients; and if he will make a statement regarding the implications for hospital bed use policy in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Newton
  The Department is aware of reported studies in the American scientific press of the percentage of beds used in the treatment of AIDS in New York city. However because of the considerable difference between the numbers with AIDS or infected with HIV in the United Kingdom and the USA, and because of the wide differences in systems for delivering health care in the two countries, it is difficult to make direct comparisions between the current situation in New York and the future situation in the United Kingdom. The Department will continue to monitor developments in this new disease carefully, and to take any appropriate action which is indicated.

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will indicate the loss of weekly income in 1988–89 for a two-child family as a result of the failure to maintain child benefit in line with the retail price index in the recent uprating and in the 1985 uprating; and if he will show for the same family, assuming they pay £30 rent and £13 rates per week, that both children are at primary school and that there is one folk-time wage earner on £100 gross wages, the effect on their weekly income of(a) the changes in housing benefit, (b) the switch from family income supplement to family credit and (c) the abolition of free schools meals.

  Mr. Scott
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Barnsley, West and Penistone (Mr. McKay) on 17 December 1987 at column 707. The relevant figures for this question are as follows:

  £ per week Gain (+)/Loss (-)

  Child benefit—full uprating November 1984 to September 1987

  0

  Replacing Family Income Supplement (cash and kind) by Family Credit

  +5·95

  Rent rebate changes

  -8·90

  Rate rebate changes

  -4·19

  Private Health Organisations
  Mr. Ralph Howell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people have joined private health organisations over the past 22 years.

  Mrs. Currie
  The table sets out the number of subscribers in the United Kingdom to private medical insurance and the number of people insured for each year from 1966 to 1986.

  National insurance contributions allocations to NHS

  Year

  Class 1

  Class 2

  Class 3

  Class 4

  Employer

  Employee

  1979–80

  0·6

  0·40

  8·0

  8·0

  0·60

  1980–81

  0·6

  0·40

  8·0

  8·0

  0·60

  1981–82

  0·6

  0·65

  11·5

  11·5

  0·85

  1982–83

  0·6

  0·75

  11·5

  11·5

  0·95

  1983–84

  0·6

  0·75

  11·5

  11·5

  0·95

  1984–85

  0·6

  0·75

  11·5

  11·5

  0·95

  1985–86

  0·6

  0·75

  11·5

  11·5

  0·95

  1986–87

  0·6

  0·75

  11·5

  11·5

  0·95

  1987–88

  0·7

  0·85

  15·5

  15·5

  1·15

  1. The figures for Class 1 and 4 represent the percentage of NI reckonable earnings allocated to the NHS.

  2. The figures for Class 2 and 3 represents the percentage of contributions allocated to the NHS.

  Total money raised from national insurance contributions allocated to NHS

  £ million

  1979–80

  881·5

  1980–81

  1,023·0

  1981–82

  1,337·3

  1982–83

  1,629·0

  1983–84

  1,706·0

  1984–85

  1,817·7

  778

  Private Medical Insurance United Kingdom

  Year

  Total subscribers (millions)

  Total number of people insured (millions)

  1966

  0·73

  1·57

  1967

  0·78

  1·67

  1968

  0·83

  1·77

  1969

  0·89

  1·89

  1970

  0·93

  1·98

  1971

  0·98

  2·10

  1972

  1·02

  2·18

  1973

  1·06

  2·27

  1974

  1·09

  2·33

  1975

  1·09

  2·32

  1976

  1·06

  2·25

  1977

  1·06

  2·23

  1978

  1·12

  2·37

  1979

  1·30

  2·75

  1980

  1·64

  3·60

  1981

  1·86

  4·12

  1982

  1·92

  4·23

  1983

  1·95

  4·25

  1984

  2·28

  4·37

  1985

  2·33

  5·04

  1986

  12·45

  5·25

  1 latest available.

  Note:—1966 to 1983 data are available only for the major private medical insurers. Data from 1984 covers private medical insurance from all sources.

  NHS (Finance)
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the national insurance contribution percentage apportioned to the National Health Service, the total money so apportioned each year, and the income per annum from chemists, dentists and opticians from National Health Service charges, from 1979 to the latest year the figures are available.

  Mr. Portillo
  The information requested is as follows:

  £ million

  1985–86

  2,024·0

  1986–87

  2,233·0

  1987–88

  2,726·0

  All figures are net of refunds of national insurance contributions. Figures for 1984–85, 1985–86 and 1986–87 are provisional: the figure for 1987–88 is an estimate provided by the Government Actuary.

  NHS (Costs)
  Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average cost of an operation performed within the National Heath Service; what is the cost of a day's stay in hospital; and what is the average cost of a kidney dialysis treatment.

  Mrs. Currie
  The nearest available figure for the average cost of an operation is the average cost per inpatient case in acute hospitals in England. In 1985–86 (the latest year available) the figure was £718. This includes the cost of treatment and the cost of a stay in hospital. The cost of the hospital stay only cannot be quantified, but the average cost of a day's hospital treatment in 1985–86 was £101.

  The cost of kidney dialysis will depend on a number of factors. On the basis of a study carried out by the Department in 1981, approximate average costs for the first year's treatment (revalued to 1986–87 prices) were as follows: routine hospital dialysis £16,500; home dialysis £13,200; continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis £14,000. The costs for treatment in subsequent years are likely to be less than those in the first year. These revalued figures do not take account of the changes in methods of treatment and case mix since the completion of the study. They therefore provide only a broad indication of present costs.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what steps are taken by his Department to ensure that a recipient of housing benefit resides at the address for which benefit is claimed;

  (2) what steps are taken by his Department to ensure that the declarations regarding the rent payable by applicants for housing benefit are correct;

  (3) what communication takes place with landlords of tenants applying for or in receipt of housing benefit.

  Mr. Portillo
  Although the Department has responsibility for the overall structure of the housing benefit scheme, local authorities have full statutory responsibility for its day-to-day administration. It is for authorities to ensure that as far as possible claims for housing benefit are proper and correct, although detailed guidance on fraud and abuse is issued to authorities by the Department. If there is any doubt about the accuracy of the details of a claim authorities should take action as necessary to satisfy themselves that the claim is correct. Information is not collected centrally on the methods of verification used by individual local authorities. Direct contact with a landlord is established where housing benefit is being paid directly to that landlord for example because the claimant is in arrears with his rent. In these cases the authority should notify the landlord of how much housing benefit will be payable, when payments will commence and how they will be made. When direct payments cease the authority should also advise the landlord of the date of and reason for cessation.

  Retail Prices Index (Error)
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people he estimates are suffering under compensation for the loss of benefit incurred due to the retail prices index error and the fact that their benefits are 780
  embodied in only one order book; if he will reconsider his decision not to compensate fully all those people; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  Of those receiving special payments, it is estimated that about 175,000 are not fully compensated for the error in the retail prices index because they have two or more benefits combined in one order book. About 90 per cent. of those with combined order books are fully compensated or overcompensated. We do not propose to make any extensions to this aspect of the special payments exercise, which has combined as far as was possible fairness with speed of payment.

  Office of Population, Censuses and Surveys
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to restore public access to the library of the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys.

  Mr. Portillo
  The services provided by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys library are being reviewed and an announcement about future public access will be made in due course.

  Doctors (Employment Details)
  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services on what basis he has come to the conclusion that the wish of some individuals not to have details of their employment made publicly available should be respected in the case of doctors carrying out abortions in the private sector.

  Mr. Newton
  It seems to me to be entirely reasonable not to publicise details of an individual's employment in this or any other field without that individual's consent. My hon. Friend is of course free to approach individual approved places direct to inquire about the doctors who operate at those places.

  Medical Equipment (Maintenance)
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for St. Helens, South of 10 November 1987 about the report on the in-house maintenance of medical equipment which was completed almost a year ago, but never published.

  Mrs. Currie
  I replied to the hon. Member on 17 February.

  Rating Reform
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish a table listing the approximate income levels at which people will become eligible for community charge rebates for each local authority in Scotland.

  Mr. Scott
  The community charge rebate scheme will be based as far as is practicable on the arrangements for rebating rates set out in the Housing Benefit (General) Regulations 1987. However it is not yet possible to provide the information required by the hon. Member since certain essential elements of the rebate scheme have yet to be finalised, and since neither the benefit rates on which calculations of rebate entitlement will be based nor the local authority community charge levels that will apply in April 1989 have yet been set.
  781
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Copeland (Dr. Cunningham) on 16 December 1987 at column 584 in which illustrative rebate entitlements based on a number of specified assumptions are set out. The levels of personal community charge that are quoted are exclusive of liability for community water charges. These will not be within the scope of the rebate scheme, but help with water charges will be reflected in the income support rates and in the amounts which will be used to determine rebate entitlements.

  Westminster Children's Hospital (Break-in)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has concerning the break-in at Westminster children's hospital paedriatic research laboratory on the night of 6 and 7 February and removal from the computer of the names and addresses of members of the Campaign for the Defence of Riverside Hospitals.

  Mrs. Currie
  The paediatric research laboratory referred to in the question is not the responsibility of the Westminster children's hospital or of Riverside health authority, but of the Westminster and Charing Cross medical school. The hon. Member may wish to approach the dean of the medical school if he seeks information about the laboratory.

  Deaf Persons (Telephone Exchange)
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is yet in a position to make a statement on the future of the Royal National Institute for the Dears telephone exchange for the deaf.

  NHS Hospitals having radiotherapy equipment

  Health Authority and Hospital

  New patients attending the radiotherapy department

  In patients

  Out-patients

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1984

  1985

  1986

  Northern Regional Health Authority

  East Cumbria, Cumberland Infirmary

  56

  151

  241

  131

  241

  295

  Newcastle, Royal Victoria Infirmary

  8

  10

  8

  512

  359

  367

  Newcastle, Newcastle General Hospital

  843

  653

  628

  2,032

  2,093

  2,206

  South Tees, South Cleveland Hospital

  1,080

  1,026

  1,198

  1,697

  1,849

  1,670

  Yorkshire Regional Health Authority

  Hull, Princess Royal Hospital

  370

  355

  307

  821

  910

  971

  Leeds West, Cookridge Hospital

  2,088

  1,820

  1,754

  2,877

  3,380

  3,043

  Trent Regional Health Authority

  Leicestershire, The Leicester Royal Infirmary

  271

  362

  377

  584

  898

  1,083

  North Lincolnshire, St. Georges Hospital

  646

  690

  663

  689

  775

  758

  Nottingham, Nottingham General Hospital

  1,331

  713

  606

  1,780

  1,149

  1,433

  Sheffield, Weston Park Hospital

  1,184

  1,164

  1,226

  1,579

  1,775

  1,824

  Southern Derbyshire, Derbyshire Royal Infirmary

  245

  233

  223

  708

  693

  524

  East Anglian Regional Health Authority

  Cambridge, Addenbrookes Hospital

  632

  656

  549

  2,324

  2,280

  2,213

  East Suffolk, Ipswich Hospital, Anglesea Road Wing

  205

  167

  169

  854

  829

  966

  Norwich, Norfolk an Norwich Hospital

  367

  317

  463

  1,246

  1,290

  1,339

  Peterborough, Peterborough District Hospital

  56

  64

  79

  226

  253

  229

  North West Thames Regional Health Authority

  Hillingdon, Mount Vernon Hospital

  903

  821

  743

  2,852

  2,971

  2,877

  Paddington and North Kensington, St. Marys Hospital

  133

  94

  102

  196

  189

  230

  Riverside, Charing Cross Hospital

  470

  401

  494

  1,609

  1,592

  1,477

  Riverside, Westminster Hospital

  481

  411

  458

  1,196

  1,170

  1,055

  North East Thames Regional Health Authority

  Barking, Havering and Brentwood, Old Church Hospital

  321

  405

  389

  1,353

  1,491

  1,708

  782
  Mr. Scott
  I am pleased to announce the award of a grant of £28,500 for 1987–88 and £30,500 for 1988–89 to the Royal National Institute for the Deaf to assist with the running costs of its telephone exchange for the deaf (TED).

  This grant is being given in response to the RNID's request for assistance under the Government's concerned technology programme. Assistance has also been made available by the Department of Trade and Industry, the Manpower Services Commission and British Telecom.

  We recognise that a vital need of all deaf and heating impaired people is to be able to communicate with hearing people. TED is a worldwide leader in solving this problem for many deaf people. We have decided to make a contribution to its running costs for this limited period so that long-term arrangements for providing this service can be worked out.

  Radiotherapy Services
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list those hospitals in each health region which provide radiotherapy services, showing how many patients were treated by each of those units; which units have been closed; and which new units have been opened, in each of the last three years.

  Mrs. Currie
  [holding answer 11 January 1988]: The available information is given in the table for those hospitals which in 1983 reported having radiotherapy equipment. No such treatment centres are known to have opened or closed since that date. The numbers of patients are taken from the "NHS Hospital Activity Returns SH3 return part EDP6G".
  783

  Health Authority and Hospital

  New patients attending the radiotherapy department

  In patients

  Out-patients

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1984

  1985

  1986

  Bloomsbury, University College Hospital

  365

  323

  80

  805

  750

  180

  Bloomsbury, Middlesex Hospital

  536

  497

  355

  1,355

  1,437

  985

  City and Hackney, St. Bartholomews Hospital

  490

  546

  414

  947

  1,117

  861

  Hampstead, Royal Free Hospital

  703

  847

  634

  646

  613

  608

  Haringey, North Middlesx Hospital

  309

  255

  182

  1,378

  1,252

  899

  North East Essex, Essex County Hospital

  302

  398

  367

  3,176

  2,820

  3,041

  Southend, Southend General Hospital

  500

  470

  405

  1,610

  1,829

  1,859

  Tower Hamlets, London Hospital Whitechapel

  332

  367

  336

  1,919

  1,953

  1,519

  South East Thames Regional Health Authority

  Brighton, Royal Sussex County Hospital

  109

  92

  74

  1,718

  1,716

  1,988

  Camberwell, King's College Hospital

  190

  177

  213

  837

  618‡

  509

  Canterbury and Thanet, Kent and Canterbury Hospital

  241

  216

  284

  1,380

  1,740

  1,838

  Lewisham and North Southwark, Guy's Hospital

  435

  404

  331

  1,373

  1,262

  1,080

  Medway, St. Williams Hospital

  219

  262

  258

  1,006

  858

  901

  Tunbridge Wells, Penbury Hospital

  45

  89

  104

  804

  750

  830

  West Lambeth, St. Thomas Hospital

  371

  287

  340

  1,079

  1,418

  1,876

  South West Thames Regional Health Authority

  South West Surrey, St. Lukes Hospital

  662

  606

  621

  3,542

  3,736

  3,561

  Wessex Regional Health Authority

  Bath, Royal United Hospitals

  81

  114

  116

  244

  286

  247

  East Dorset, Poole General Hospital

  205

  168

  164

  1,054

  1,136

  1,216

  Portsmouth, St. Mary's General Hospital

  243

  248

  191

  1,185

  1,260

  1,275

  South West Hants and Southampton, Royal South Hampshire Hospital

  516

  478

  512

  2,008

  1,610

  1,685

  Oxford Regional Health Authority

  Northampton, Northampton General Hospital

  523

  631

  376

  268

  202

  396

  Oxfordshire, Churchill Hospital

  424

  404

  430

  1,071

  1,059

  1,144

  West Berkshire, Royal Berkshire Hospital

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  South Western Regional Health Authority

  Bristol and Weston, Radiotherapy Centre, Horsfield Road, Bristol

  935

  898

  988

  2,012

  1,956

  1,867

  Cheltenham, Cheltenham General Hospital

  1,782

  1,708

  1,714

  10,843

  11,201

  10,579

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, Royal Cornwall Hospital (Treliske)

  34

  53

  55

  256

  263

  253

  Exeter, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Wonford

  179

  152

  125

  626

  528

  602

  Plymouth, Plymouth General, Freedom Fields

  303

  285

  276

  521

  548

  575

  West Midlands Regional Health Authority

  Central Birmingham, Queen Elizabeth Hospital

  1,173

  817

  869

  4,492

  5,221

  5,359

  Coventry, Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital

  143

  227

  199

  1,272

  1,274

  1,270

  North Staffordshire, North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary

  239

  360

  324

  1,438

  1,491

  1,925

  Shropshire, Royal Shrewsbury Hospital

  165

  145

  146

  546

  520

  520

  Wolverhampton, The Royal Hospital

  99

  94

  95

  1,150

  1,333

  1,376

  Mersey Regional Health Authority

  Wirral, Clatterbridge Hospital

  2,649

  2,680

  2,409

  1,915

  2,320

  2,779

  North Western Regional Health Authority

  South Manchester, Christie Hospital and Holt Radium Institute

  3,560

  3,381

  3,374

  3,226

  3,352

  3,109

  Special Health Authorities

  Hammersmith and Queen Charlottes, Hammersmith Hospital

  193

  375

  408

  820

  1,339

  1,163

  The Royal Marsden Hospitals, The Royal Marsden Hospital, Fulham Road

  689

  706

  701

  1,154

  1,218

  1,225

  The Royal Marsden Hospitals, The Royal Marsden Hospital, Sutton Surrey

  659

  648

  533

  2,272

  2,275

  2,603

  n/a = information not available

  Departmental Report (Breach of Confidentiality)
  Mr. Eastham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has about the unauthorised use by a commercial manufacturer of information contained in a report of his Department's supplies divisions at the international meeting on thrombosis and haemostasis in Brussels in July 1987; and what action he proposed to deal with this breach of confidentiality.
  784
  Mrs. Currie
  [holding answer 8 February 1988]: Despite extensive inquiries I have been unable to identify the incident to which the hon. Member refers. If he cares to supply more details I will investigate further.

  Student Nurses
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what percentage of the annual cohort of 18-year-olds has been recruited as student nurses in each of the past 10 years; and if he is satisfied that sufficient
  785
  recruits of suitable calibre will be recruited in future years, in the light of the fall in the birth rate and proposals in Project 2000;

  (2) if he will give the total number of student nurses employed in the National Health Service in each year since 1958, together with the annual rate of wastage caused as a result of nurses failing to complete their training; and if he will make a statement on measures taken to reduce this wastage.

  Numbers entering basic nurse training and estimated population aged 18: 1978 to 1987—England

  Year

  Number entering basic nurse training

  Estimated population aged 18 (thousands)

  Total

  Registered

  Enrolled

  Total

  Male

  Female

  Percentage of population entering training

  1978

  30,200

  18,990

  11,210

  712·5

  362·7

  349·8

  4·2

  1979

  35,370

  22,600

  12,770

  741·5

  376·8

  364·7

  4·8

  1980

  32,580

  20,500

  12,080

  759·7

  386·7

  373·0

  4·3

  1981

  30,920

  19,630

  11,290

  773·3

  395·3

  378·0

  4·0

  1982

  31,810

  20,200

  11,610

  796·0

  409·6

  386·4

  4·0

  1983

  29,840

  18,950

  10,890

  802·8

  413·0

  389·8

  3·7

  1984

  24,980

  17,680

  7,300

  778·3

  398·0

  380·3

  3·2

  1985

  25,523

  19,206

  6,317

  768·1

  394·3

  373·8

  3·3

  1986

  23,705

  18,600

  5,105

  743·8

  380·5

  363·3

  3·2

  1987

  22,825

  18,434

  4,391

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  —

  Notes:

  1. Figures relate to year ended 31 March. Figures prior to 1985 have been estimated as 95 per cent. of England and Wales total.

  2. Office of Population Censuses and Surveys mid-year population estimates.

  n/a= Not yet available.

  The basic academic entry qualification for registered nurse training is five O-levels or better; the number of female school leavers available for employment with this level of academic attainment will, it is estimated, decline from 36,500 in 1987 to 29,800 in 1994. This is one of the factors to be taken into account in the Government's response to the Project 2000 proposals for the reform of nurse education. We hope to be in a position to make a statement on Project 2000 by Easter.

  On wastage, there has been a reduction in the number of nurse learners discontinuing training as a proportion of the average number in training from nearly 9 per cent. in the year ended 31 March 1980 to 6.3 per cent. in the year ended 31 March 1987. The effect on wastage is another factor we will need to consider in our response to Project 2000.

  HIV Infection (Pregnant Women)
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the cost, in a full year, of screening all pregnant women for HIV infection.

  Mr. Newton
  [holding answer 9 Februarry 1988]: Using the latest estimated number of conceptions, the cost of providing a test to all pregnant women in England to screen for HIV infection would probably be about £4 million a year. Actual costs will depend on a number of factors including the additional costs for counselling and whether the blood taken was used for other tests.
  786
  Mr. Newton
  [holding answer 8 February 1988]: I regret that information in the form requested is not available centrally. The table shows the numbers entering registered and enrolled nurse training in England for each of the last 10 years, expressed as a percentage of the population aged 18. About 40 per cent. of entrants to nurse training are aged 18, and 90 per cent. are female. All but a tiny minority of these will have entered training with the National Health Service.

  Social Security Reform
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the simple scaling used to uprate supplementary benefit as outlined in paragraph 2(ii) on page one of the document "Impact of the Reformed Structure of Income Related Benefits".

  Mr. Scott
  [holding answer 17 February 1988]: Supplementary benefit rates were updated to April 1988 by the movement in the retail prices index, excluding housing costs, from September 1986 to September 1987. Payments for additional requirements were uprated by the rise in the general retail prices index over the same period.

  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the reason for the change in layout, structure and composition of the tables in the technical annex to the White Paper, entitled "The Reform of Social Security", as compared with the document entitled "Impact of the Reformed Structure of Income Related Benefits"; and what are the differences in the methodology used in each case.

  Mr. Scott
  [holding answer 17 February 1988]: There are no major changes in layout, structure and composition apart from the omission of tables 1 to 9. These tables are no longer relevant because a decision was taken that all ratepayers receiving income support or housing benefit should pay a minimum of 20 per cent. of their domestic rates bill. The tables are simply updated and revised versions of tables 10 to 17 published in the technical annex to the White Paper "Reform of Social Security" (Cmnd. 9691).

  SOUTHEND HOSPITAL: RADIOTHERAPY SERVICE
  SOUTHEND HOSPITAL: RADIOTHERAPY SERVICE
  NHS BED CLOSURE STATISTICS
  NHS BED CLOSURE STATISTICS
  NUJ: CODE OF PRACTICE
  NUJ: CODE OF PRACTICE