Written Answers of 22 February 1988

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Neighbourhood Watch Programme (Gloucestershire)
  Mr. Marland
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on Gloucestershire's neighbourhood watch programme, with particular regard to its involvement with the Manpower Services Commission and the community programme.

  Mr. John Patten
  I understand that there are now 228 neighbourhood watch schemes in the county of Gloucestershire. In an effort to sustain these schemes and to initiate new ones, the Gloucestershire community programme home watch project was launched on 25 January with the appointment of the project co-ordinator. The project is funded as part of the Manpower Services Commission community programme crime prevention initiative. It is managed on behalf of Gloucestershire police by Gloucestershire county council and, when recruiting is completed, will comprise the co-ordinator, an assistant co-ordinator and 11 workers. They will help to arrange the first meetings of new schemes, provide speakers for neighbourhood watch meetings and produce a quarterly news journal. I welcome, and commend, this imaginative scheme. Like similar schemes in other parts of the country, it will provide valuable support to the police in managing the growth of neighbourhood watch.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many civil servants are employed in his Department; what are their average weekly working hours, and how many are(a) on flexitime, (b) on job-sharing schemes, (c) on a four-day working week or nine-day fortnight and (d) able to retire with full pension rights at 60 years.

  Mr. Hurd
  There are some 38,600 staff in the Home Office. Conditioned hours are 41 hours a week in London and 42 elsewhere, inclusive of meal breaks. Prison officers' hours are 39 hours a week net of meal breaks, but they can opt to work a 48-hour week and the majority do so. About 11,000 members of staff are eligible to participate in flexible working hours schemes and some 8,000 do so. At least 32 members of staff are on job-sharing schemes. Information is not readily available about the number of staff who are on a four-day working week or nine-day fortnight. About 18,500 members of staff — in prison service grades — have a minimum retiring age of 55 years. Most of the rest have a minimum retiring age of 60, except for some 3,000 industrial staff, whose retirement age is 65. It is not possible to estimate the number of staff who could achieve 40 years' reckonable service for pension purposes by the age of 60.

  Phonographic Performance Ltd.
  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions his Department has had with Phonographic Performance Ltd. about alleged needle time restrictions on the broadcast of music on independent radio stations; and what assurances have been received from Phonographic Performance Ltd. that needle time restrictions no longer exist.

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions his Department has had with Phonographic Performance Ltd. about alleged needle time restrictions on the broadcast of music on independent radio stations; and what assurances have been received from Phonographic Performance Ltd. that needle time restrictions no longer exist.

  Mr. Renton
  Discussions have taken place with Phonographic Performance Ltd. on a range of issues. Phonographic Performance Ltd. has made it clear that, while the present nine-hour needle time limit is not immutable, it would expect to secure substantial payment from substantial users for any increase.

  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he as as to how many independent radio stations pay £30 or more per record to Phonographic Performance Ltd. for the broadcast of single play records.

  Mr. Renton
  I understand that no station pays Phonographic Performance Ltd. £30 or more per record.

  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what information he has as to the average price per record paid by independent radio stations to Phonographic Performance Ltd. for the broadcasting of single play records;

  (2) what information he has as to the highest price per record paid by independent radio stations to Phonographic Performance Ltd. for the broadcasting, of single play records; and by how much this exceeds the average.

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what information he has as to the average price per record paid by independent radio stations to Phonographic Performance Ltd. for the broadcasting of single play records;

  (2) what information he has as to the highest price per record paid by independent radio stations to Phonographic Performance Ltd. for the broadcasting of single play records; and by how much this exceeds the average.

  Mr. Renton
  I understand that Phonographic Performance Ltd. has estimated that the average fee for the broadcasting of single play records by independent local stations is £1·26 per play. The highest fee paid is over £17. Broadly similar fees are also payable to the Performing Rights Society.

  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has as to the overall percentage of net advertising revenue paid by independent radio stations to Phonographic Peformance Ltd for the broadcast of recorded music.

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has as to the overall
  3
  percentage of net advertising revenue paid by independent radio stations to Phonographic Performance Ltd for the broadcast of recorded music.

  Mr. Renton
  The fees were determined by the Performing Right Tribunal in 1986. Established independent local radio stations are required to pay Phonographic Performance Ltd 4 per cent. of the first £1·25 million of net advertising revenue, and 7 per cent. thereafter, for the right to broadcast nine hours of recorded music each day. Broadly similar fees are also payable to the Performing Right Society.

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has as to how many independent radio stations pay £10 or more per record to Phonographic Performance Ltd for the broadcast of single play records.

  Mr. Renton
  I understand that one such station now pays Phonographic Performance Ltd above this rate.

  Community Radio
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the address of the radio authority that is to issue licences to run community radio stations; and if he will make a statment.

  Mr. Renton
  The radio authority will be established under legislative proposals which my right hon. Friend has yet to bring before Parliament.

  Murders
  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many murders were committed in 1987.

  Mr. John Patten
  In the absence of a court decision it is not always possible to distinguish between offences of murder, manslaughter and infanticide; they are known collectively as homicide. Statistics on offences initially recorded as homicide and on offences decided to be murder are published in table 4.2 of "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales", Cm. 233—for data up to the end of 1986—copies of which are available in the Library. Statistics on offences recorded as homicide for 1987 are not yet available.

  Broadcasting Complaints Commission
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will refer to the Broadcasting Complaints Commission the risk that obscenities may be broadcast as a result of the implantation of microphones in cricket pitches; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Renton
  It is the responsibility of the broadcasting authorities to ensure that nothing is included in programmes which offends against good taste or decency. The commission is limited to considering and adjudicating on complaints of unjust or unfair treatment or unwarranted infringement of privacy arising out of broadcast programmes.

  Independent Radio (Needletime Restrictions)
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has as to what needletime restrictions exist to limit the air play of recorded music on independent radio.
  4
  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has as to what needletime restrictions exist to limit the air play of recorded music on independent radio.

  Mr. Renton
  In general, independent local radio stations are limited to broadcasting nine hours of recorded music within the repertoire of Phonographic Performance Ltd. each day, even though most ILR stations now broadcast for 24 hours a day.

  Convicted Murderers
  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many previously convicted murderers, having been released from prison, have committed a further murder, since the abolition of capital punishment.

  Mr. John Patten
  I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to a question from my hon. Friend for Southend, East (Mr. Taylor) on 5 November 1987, at columns 1054–55.

  Immigration (Entry Clearance)
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were waiting to be interviewed by immigration in Birmingham in connection with applications for entry clearance for members of their family to join them in the United Kingdom at 31 December 1987.

  Mr. Renton
  At 31 December 1987, there were 130 outstanding entry clearance applications awaiting interview of persons living in the Birmingham area. All have either now been completed or have appointments arranged before 31 March 1988.

  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are employed in interviewing people whose relatives have applied for entry clearance to join them in the United Kingdom and whose applications have been referred to his Department by entry clearance officers abroad; and where these interviewers are located.

  Mr. Renton
  The information requested in the first part of the question is not available. The number of immigration service staff employed in such interviews varies daily and they form only part of the responsibility of the officers involved.

  The majority of interviews are conducted by officers based at the following immigration offices: Aberdeen, Avonmouth, Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Dover, Edinburgh, East Midlands airport, Felixstowe, Folkestone, Glasgow, Gravesend, Hartlepool, Hull, Immingham, Liverpool, Luton airport, Manchester airport, Middlesbrough, Newcastle airport, North Shields, Norwich airport, Plymouth, Preston, Prestwick airport, Ramsgate, Sheerness, Southampton, Southend airport and Stansted airport.

  Domestic Assaults
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has to which police forces in England and Wales produce separate figures on the number of reported domestic assaults each year.
  5
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  No regular information on the number of domestic assaults is reported separately to the Department by police forces in England and Wales.

  Independent Radio Air Time
  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has as to the percentage of independent radio air time taken up by the playing of recorded music.

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has as to the percentage of independent radio air time taken up by the playing of recorded music.

  Mr. Renton
  This information is not readily available.

  Lunar House, Croydon
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the length of time for which the public enumerator board has been out of action at the public inquiry office at Lunar house, Croydon; and what steps he is taking to ensure that it is operative.

  Mr. Renton
  The enumerator board in the immigration public inquiry office at Lunar house was out of action for three months. It is now fully operational.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the purpose of the visit by the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Mid-Sussex (Mr. Renton) to Lunar house, Croydon, on Friday 12 February; and how long he spent in meetings with the trades unions.

  Mr. Renton
  I visited Lunar house on Friday 12 February to discuss with officials in the immigration and nationality department proposals to speed up the handling of the backlog of citizenship applications. I announced the specific steps we are taking on Tuesday 16 February at columns 862–63. I did not meet the trades unions on 12 February but, because of their great concern, which was reported to me, I plan to do so on Tuesday 23 February.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate how many of the unopened items of mail presently at Lunar house, Croydon, relate to(a) applications for citizenship and (b) variations of leave.

  Mr. Renton
  Ninety five thousand applications for citizenship are unopened and a further 54,000 applications for citizenship have been opened but not acknowledged; 58,000 other items of mail, many of them relating to variations of leave, are unopened.

  Visas
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the numbers of visas granted to visitors at immigration control for the full six-month period, the numbers of visitors' visas refused and the numbers of visitors' visas granted for a period of less than six months for(a) the week commencing 2 February and (b) the week commencing 9 February.

  Mr. Renton
  The information requested is not available. Figures on passenger admissions by period of 6
  leave granted for the whole of February will become available later this year when all the relevant landing cards have been received and counted.

  Rodeos (South-West England)
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has as to the conduct of horse rodeos in south-west England; what action he is taking to prevent cruelty to horses used in such rodeos; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have no information on such events. However, under the Protection of Animals Act 1934 it is an offence to promote or permit a public performance which includes throwing or casting, with ropes or other appliances, any unbroken horse; or to ride or attempt to ride any horse which has been cruelly stimulated to make it buck. More generally, the Protection of Animals Act 1911 makes it an offence to cause, or being the owner permit to be caused, any unnecessary suffering to any domestic or captive animal.

  Breathalysers
  Sir Ian Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will issue guidelines for chief constables to the effect that they should encourage the voluntary introduction an use of wall-mounted coin-in-the-slot breathalysers and breathalyser ignition locks; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The clear message must be that drinking and driving do not mix. We welcome the way in which chief officers are helping to get this message across but are not convinced that their efforts would be assisted by asking them to encourage the use of self-testing devices.

  Interception of Communications Act
  Mr. McCrindle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the working of the Interception of Communications Act, with particular regard to mobile telephones; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hurd
  I have no reason to believe that there are any difficulties over the working of the Interception of Communications Act in this respect. The interception of calls on mobile telephone systems which have been designated as public telecommunication systems under the Telecommunications Act 1984 is covered by the Interception of Communications Act 1985.

  Cremation Certificates
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will end the requirement for two doctors to sign cremation certificates; and by how much funeral costs would be reduced if this requirement ceased, as recommended in the Broderick report.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We arc considering this possibility. The fee currently recommended by the British Medical Association for the completion of the confirmatory medical certificate for cremation is £19·65.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Solicitors (Costs)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Attorney-General if the Lord Chancellor will take steps to ensure that solicitors, when attending their clients at remand centres, have their costs fully met under the legal aid schemes; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  Solicitors who attend clients at remand centres are entitled to their costs under a criminal legal aid order provided that the determining officer who considers their claim is satisfied that the attendance was reasonable. The solicitor is allowed either his own reasonable costs or the costs reasonably incurred in instructing a solicitor local to the remand centre to attend on his behalf.

  Immigration (Appeals)
  Mr. Archer
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will take steps to expedite the hearing of appeals under section 13(ii) of the Immigration Act 1971.

  The Attorney-General
  Following the transfer of administrative responsibility for the immigration appellate authorities to my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor, the working methods and procedures of the authorities have been under review. Once an appeal has been lodged with the immigration appellate authorities, it is open to any party to that appeal to apply for an early hearing.

  Mrs. Angela Pink
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Attorney-General what information he has as to whether the Director of Public Prosecutions has yet reached a decision on the possible prosecution of Nottingham city councillor Mrs. Angela Pink; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  I shall write to the hon. Gentleman as soon as I am able to inform him of the outcome of the Director's consideration of this case.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Food Surpluses
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with aid Ministers of the European Economic Community as to the future use of food surpluses.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  I discuss food aid with other European Community aid Ministers at regular intervals. But food surpluses and the common agricultural policy are a matter for agriculture Ministers.

  Southern Africa
  Mr. David Martin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made on the development of infrastructure projects in the Southern Africa Development Co-ordination Conference region.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  SADCC has commended to donors a large number of infrastructure projects, in particular in the regional transport field. Good progress is being made 8
  with support from Britain and other countries on rehabilitating rail routes through Mozambique, and work will begin shortly on the northern transport corridor linking Malawi to Dar-es-Salaam, for which I have approved a British contribution of £12·4 million.

  Ethiopia
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will consider assisting the World Food Programme in obtaining the powdered milk, vegetable oil and protein-rich biscuits required in Ethiopia for children under the age of 14 years.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  No request has been made to us by the world food programme. We are aware of the need for food to supplement the basic diet on Ethiopia and have provided £189,000 to meet the cost of 1,000 tonnes of beans which are being distributed by the International Committee of the Red Cross. We shall also be meeting our share of the cost of the substantial qualities of supplementary food being provided by the European Community.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to ensure that famine aid to Ethiopia is reaching the intended recipients.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The assistance we provide is generally channelled through international and voluntary agencies with extensive experience of getting relief quickly and effectively to those in need. It is carefully monitored to ensure it reaches the intended beneficiaries.

  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he plans to make to the Ethiopian Government, in the light of recent consignments of corned beef that have been shipped from that country into the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  I have no plans to make further representations to the Ethiopian Government on the subject of exports of corned beef from that country to the United Kingdom. The availability of corned beef does not seem relevant to the famine problem now affecting large numbers of Ethiopians; and exports of that commodity should bring in much needed foreign exchange.

  Aid Statistics
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the proportion of the United Kingdom's gross national product devoted to overseas development in 1960 and for the latest annual period for which figures are available.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The proportion of the United Kingdom's gross national product devoted to overseas development in 1960 was 0·56 per cent. In 1986 it was 0·32 per cent.

  Tropical Rain Forests
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures the Government are taking to encourage sustainable development in areas of the world where tropical rain forests are at risk.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The Government support the FAO tropical forestry action plan and is a member of the
  9
  International Tropical Timber Organisation, both of which are concerned with the sustainable use and appropriate conservation of tropical rainforests.

  Our expenditure on bilateral aid projects in the forestry sector has increased threefold to £13 million in 1986. We provide further support through technical co-operation, research programmes and the joint funding scheme.

  International Debt
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the chairman of the World Bank regarding the problem of international debt.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 1 February, at column 459.

  Mr. Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress in implementing the debt initiative for the most debt-ridden countries, following the endorsement of that initiative at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting and by their finance Ministers.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  My right hon. Friend the Chancellor's initiative has been well received. Some aid donors have announced the write-off of more aid debt; the United Kingdom has already almost completed this process of converting aid loans into grants and others are following our example. Seven of the poorest, most heavily indebted sub-Saharan countries pursuing sound economic policies have had their official debts rescheduled for longer than normal by the Paris Club. We continue to press our partners to accept lower Paris Club interest rates for countries eligible for the initiative.

  India (Departmental Advisers and Officials)
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many advisers and officials from his Department are currently working in India in connection with phase II of the family welfare project in Orissa; when they went to India; and when he expects them to return.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  Two ODA advisers worked in India in connection with the pre-appraisal of this project from 1 to 12 February. One returned on 15 February and I expect the team leader to return on 23 February.

  Tanzania (Population Census)
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the East African development division of the Overseas Development Administration to complete its assessment of the request for financial assistance with the preparation of the Tanzania 1988 population census; and if he will take steps to ensure that the census is not put in jeopardy as a result of the time taken by the Overseas Development Administration to deal with this request.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The British development division in Eastern Africa will complete the assessment in question by the end of this month. This timetable is compatible with the plans of the Tanzanian authorities to hold the population census later this year.

WALES

  Agricultural Services
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he has any proposals for the future provision of offices providing agricultural services in north Wales.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  No. I consider the existing provision to be suitable for present purposes.

  Community Councils
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he proposes to include community councils in the distribution of resources to local government from Government grant and the national uniform business rate.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  No. Community councils will meet their expenditure requirements by drawing on a collection fund maintained by the district council.

  Sheep Monitoring
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) when monitoring of live sheep on a general basis was introduced in the restricted areas of Wales following the Chernobyl accident;

  (2) how many scintillators were available to, and used by, his Department for the live monitoring of sheep in the restricted areas of Wales in each month from May 1986 to May 1987.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The option of live-monitoring sheep became generally available to producers in the north Wales restricted area from the beginning of October 1986. From October 1986 to February 1987, a total of 10 live monitoring machines were generally in use and from March 1987 to May 1987 there were 15 machines.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Unfunded Students
  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the numbers of unfunded students at universities in(a) Wales arid England and (b) Scotland in each of the past five years; and what is his policy towards such students.

  Mr. Jackson
  Information is not available in the form requested, but I will write to the hon. Member.

  Primary and Secondary School Pupils
  Mr. Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many pupils have been enrolled at each primary and secondary school in the Eddisbury constituency in each of the past 10 years; and what has been the pupil-to-teacher ratio in each year.

  Mr. Dunn
  Information on pupil numbers for areas smaller than local education authorities is not available centrally. The number of pupils on roll in all maintained primary and secondary schools in Cheshire and the pupil-teacher ratios within these schools in each of the last 10 years is given in the table.
  11

  Primary schools1

  Secondary schools1

  January each year

  Pupils2

  Pupil-teacher ratio

  Pupils

  Pupil-teacher ratio

  1978

  100,846

  24·0

  77,542

  17·4

  1979

  97,858

  23·5

  78,945

  16·9

  1980

  94,592

  23·5

  79,671

  16·7

  1981

  90,753

  23·6

  79,567

  16·7

  1982

  86,454

  23·3

  79,306

  17·1

  1983

  81,917

  22·6

  78,796

  16·8

  1984

  79,127

  22·7

  77,481

  16·9

  1985

  77,396

  22·8

  76,201

  17·0

  1986

  77,227

  22·7

  73,816

  17·0

  1987

  80,957

  23·2

  70,861

  16·7

  1 Includes middle schools as deemed.

  2 Full-time equivalent pupils, part-time pupils counted as 0·5.

  Inner London Education Authority
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will place in the Library a copy of Her Majesty's inspectorate's report on the effects of abolition of the Inner London education authority.

  Mr. Dunn
  No.

  Community Schools
  Dr. Michael Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what provision he is making to ensure that the community and adult functions obtain full and comprehensive representation on the governing bodies of community schools; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dunn
  The Education (No. 2) Act 1986 provides for school governing bodies to comprise representatives of parents, teachers, the local authority, the foundation in the case of voluntary schools and, by co-option, the community served by the school. In making their co-options, governing bodies will be able to secure such representation of other interests as is considered appropriate in the light of the school's circumstances.

  Rates (Cleveland)
  Mr. Holt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has as to the amount in money terms by which that part of the rates bill in Cleveland attributable to educational buildings will increase in 1988–89.

  Mr. Dunn
  None. Authorities finance their expenditure from a variety of sources. It is not possible to attribute any element of the rates bill to a particular item of expenditure.

  St. Bartholomew's, Swanley
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals he has received on new buildings for St. Bartholomew's Roman Catholic junior, middle and infants school, Swanley, Kent; and when he expects to make a statement about those schools.

  Mr. Dunn
  The Department has paid grant in respect of the provision of a mobile classroom at the school. We have received no other proposals from the Kent local education authority, though we understand that a second mobile classroom has recently been provided.

  University Funding
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Hyndburn (Mr. Hargreaves) of 11 February,Official Report, column 313–4, what is the percentage change in real terms, measured by the gross domestic product deflator, in the funding of each university by the University Grants Committee between 1980–81 and 1988–89, excluding those amounts representing compensation for changes in home student fees, compensation for redundancy and early retirement, changes to take account of minor capital works from the recurrent grant and changes in the level of local authority rates (a) including and (b) excluding additions made for the information technology and new blood programmes;

  (2) pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Hyndburn (Mr. Hargreaves) of 11 February, Official Report, column 313–4, what is the percentage change in the funding of each university by the University Grants Committee between 1980–81 and 1988–89, excluding those amounts representing compensation for changes in home student fees, for redundancy and early retirement, changes to take account of minor capital works from the recurrent grant, changes in the level of local authority rates, additions made for the information technology and new blood programmes.

  Mr. Jackson
  Information is not available to make the requested deductions. In any event, like would not be being compared with like since my announcement related only to initial allocations for 1988–89.

  Morley College
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has developed any proposals for financing Morley college when the Inner London education authority is abolished.

  Mr. Jackson
  Adult education is one of a number of issues arising from the abolition of the ILEA on which my right hon. Friend has made it clear that he will wish to seek the views of the boroughs. In doing so he will naturally wish to consider the situation of Morley college.

  Orthotists
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what provision his Department is making to ensure an adequate supply of orthotists and prosthetists in the short and long term; and if he will make a statement.
  13
  Mr. Jackson
  Courses are provided by the Paddington college and the practical training is provided by the London School of Prosthetics and by individual companies.

  The Disablement Services Authority is responsible for the provision of prosthetic services and it is holding discussions with the Orthotic and Prosthetic Training and Education Council about the most suitable arrangements for the future supply of trained practitioners in these disciplines in England and Wales.

  Core Subjects
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will estimate the proportion of school time currently spent on core subjects in(a) inner London and (b) England and Wales.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Information about the percentages of pupil time spent on core curriculum subjects in England is given in the table. No figures are available for indivdual local education authorities in England. Education in Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Junior classes

  Secondary year groups 1 to 5

  English

  26·7

  13·8

  Mathematics

  22·3

  13·3

  Science

  6·5

  13·9

  TOTAL

  55·5

  41·0

  Note:

  1. Junior classes do not include infant classes, but do include secondary-age classes in middle schools deemed primary.

  2. The junior figures are as at March 1987, taken from the Primary School Staffing Survey.

  3. The secondary figures are as at January 1984, taken from the 1984 Secondary School Staffing Survey.

  Research Organisations
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the names, locations and broad areas of work covered by the 10 largest public research organisations in the United Kingdom ranking these according to staff numbers, turnover and net cost to the United Kingdom in 1986–87.

  Mr. Jackson
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  New Schools (East Sussex)
  Mr. Gow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many new schools have been opened in east Sussex since 3 May 1979 and how many between 3 May 1971 and 3 May 1979.

  Mr. Dunn
  Since 3 May 1979, nine new schools, including nursery and special schools, have been opened, five of which are replacement schools. From the reorganisation of local government on 1 April 1974 to 3 May 1979, a total of 24 schools were opened, of which nine were replacements. Numbers before 1974 are not available. Replacements include transferred schools and schools opened following school reorganisation.

  Teacher-Pupil Ratios
  Mr. Gow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the teacher-pupil ratio on the latest 14
  available date for infant, primary and secondary schools in England, in east Sussex and in the borough of Eastbourne; and what were the comparable figures for the available date closest to 3 May 1979.

  Mr. Dunn
  The pupil-teacher ratio in maintained infant, primary and secondary schools in England and east Sussex in January 1979 and January 1987 are given in the table. Information for areas within local education authorities is not available centrally.

  Pupil-teacher ratios within schools

  England

  East Sussex

  January 1979

  January 1987

  January 1979

  January 1987

  Infant

  21·7

  21·2

  22·1

  21·6

  Primary1 2

  23·1

  21·9

  23·4

  22·4

  Secondary2

  16·7

  15·6

  17·1

  16·4

  1 Includes infant schools.

  2 Includes middle schools as deemed.

  Examination Results
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if his Department has made further progress since 1984 in analysing local educational authority examination results, taking into account socio-economic factors.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The Department has not published any further analysis of the effects of socio-economic factors on local education authority examination results since statistical bulletin 13/84 — "School Standards and Spending: Statistical Analysis".

  Education Reform
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science, in the event of Inner London education authority abolition, what arrangements he intends to make for the supplies service and the percentage of customers who are local education authorities outside inner London.

  Mr. Dunn
  My right hon. Friend has made it clear that we wish to discuss with the inner London boroughs the future arrangements for services currently provided by ILEA on a Londonwide basis. The Supplies Organisation will be one such service. Information on the customers of the Supplies Organisation is not held centrally.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has for the providing of research and planning resources currently provided by the Inner London education authority should that authority be abolished.

  Mr. Dunn
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 18 February at column 648.

PRIME MINISTER

  Dollar (Value)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister, further to her statement on the meeting of the European Council, 15 February,Official Report, columns 705–17, whether she will publish in the Official Report the value of the dollar agreed for exceptional circumstances; and what call would

  15
  be made on the contingency reserve if the nominal rate for the dollar fell to reduce the real rate, in terms of relative export prices for manufacturers, to the average for 1978–80.

  The Prime Minister
  The dollar reference rate for the operation of this reserve has yet to be determined, but the assumption which the Commission has used in revising its preliminary draft budget for 1988 is $1 = 0·85 ecu.

  On the basis of relative GDP/GNP price movements, this exchange rate appears to imply a real rate of exchange similar to the average for 1978–80. It follows that there would be no call on the monetary reserve in the circumstances postulated.

  EC (Financial Contribution)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister, further to her statement on the meeting of the EEC Council, 15 February,Official Report, columns 705–17, whether she will include in the Official Report her estimates of the amount now made available to the EEC under our reserves, including the United Kingdom rebate, in terms of the original value added tax contributions.

  The Prime Minister
  The new ceiling on the Community's own resources, excluding the United Kingdom's abatement, of 1·2 per cent. of Community gross national product is equivalent to a 1·9 per cent. value added tax ceiling defined as at present to include the United Kingdom abatement. The corresponding abatement-exclusive VAT figure is 1·72 per cent.

  EC (Spain and Portugal)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister why Spain and Portugal have been excluded from some of the agricultural arrangements agreed by the EEC Council of Ministers; whether their output will qualify for other kinds of support; what is their production of the items in question and whether it is expected to increase; and whether the EEC will provide any money to support production or dispose of the surpluses.

  The Prime Minister
  Separate arrangements apply to Spain and Portugal either because of the provisions of the accession treaty or because of special decisions of the European Council. Although Spain and Portugal currently operate many of the common agricultural policy support arrangements, this is on a transitional basis. Data on production are contained in Document COM(87)1 Final, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  Pound Sterling
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister whether she took into account the increase in the value of the pound sterling against the deutschmark in the negotiations in Brussels on 11 to 13 February; what value is placed on the pound sterling in the present level of common agricultural policy prices; to what extent United Kingdom common agricultural policy prices will have to be changed to reflect the value of the pound sterling against the deutschmark; and what would be the effect on United Kingdom common agricultural policy prices if the real value of the pound sterling, measured in terms of relative export prices for manufacturers, fell to the level which obtained in the fourth quarter of 1976.
  16
  The Prime Minister
  All relevant considerations were taken into account during the recent negotiations in Brussels.

  Common agricultural policy prices are set in ecus and converted into sterling using green rates and not market rates of exchange. The United Kingdom green rates are currently:

  Arable products—1 ecu = £0·656148

  Beef—1 ecu = £0·710546

  Pigmeat—1 ecu = £0·694266

  Sheepmeat—1 ecu = £0·652575

  Other sectors—1 ecu = £0·665557

  Common agricultural policy prices in the United Kingdom are not directly affected by the sterling/deutschmark exchange rate. However, under arrangements agreed in 1987, green rates will be altered following any European monetary system realignment if the net effect of the realignment of the central rates of all EMS currencies including the deutschmark is to widen the gap between green and market rates of exchange. Apart from these arrangements, there is no mechanism directly relating to CAP prices in the United Kingdom to any particular market value of sterling.

  Alternative Land Use
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister what is the definition of arable land used in the set-aside scheme referred to in her statement on the meeting of the European Council, 15 February,Official Report, column 706; how the area of arable land is to be assessed in each case; and what checks there will be against fraud.

  The Prime Minister
  Discussions are continuing on the details of the set-aside scheme agreed in principle by the European Council, including the points referred to by the hon. Member.

  Commodity Stabilisers
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister whether she will publish in the Official Report the agreement on stabilisers for the eight commodities referred to in her statement on the meeting of the European Council (Brussels), 15 February, Official Report column 705.

  The Prime Minister
  As I made clear in my statement to the House on 15 February, agreement on stabilisers for eight commodities — those other than cereals and oil seeds—has been delayed by France until the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on 22–23 February. The text to be adopted appears as points 4 to 11 of document SN 461/88 which has been placed in the Library of the House.

  EC (Overspending)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister whether the legal and binding controls which have been agreed for expenditure under the common agricultural policy will operate to terminate the price guarantees once the money has been used up or whether the EEC will be allowed to borrow against the next year's provision or make other arrangements outside the budget of the kind used to finance overspending in the past.

  The Prime Minister
  The detailed European Council conclusions provide for legally binding limits on agricultural expenditure, supported by automatic stabiliser mechanisms in the individual product regimes.
  17
  They further provide that when there is a risk of agricultural expenditure exceeding the budget limits, the Commission shall take remedial action whether by use of its own management powers—including the operation of the new stabilisers—or by making additional proposals to the Council. The Council is committed to acting within two months in order to remedy the situation.

  EC Stocks (Depreciation)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister, further to her statement on the meeting of the EEC Council, 15 February,Official Report, columns 705–17, why the cost depreciation on EEC stocks has not been written off under the guidelines; and under what provision of the treaty of Rome the Commission was entitled not to include real depreciation in the annual budget.

  The Prime Minister
  The cost of depreciating old stocks is to be met outside the financial guidelines in order to restrict the resources available within the guidelines and hence to limit agricultural spending for the future. The cost of depreciating old stocks has built up because there has been no legal requirement on the Commission systematically to depreciate stocks to their market level.

  Agricultural Prices
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister whether the arrangements for agriculture agreed at the Brussels meeting of the EEC Council of Ministers is expected to reduce the difference between common agricultural policy prices and world prices, having regard to the expected increases in yields and labour productivity; and if she will provide a forecast of the effect in each of the principal products.

  The Prime Minister
  Reductions in levels of common agricultural policy support consequent upon the agreement reached at the Brussels European Council will result in the difference between Community prices and world prices being smaller than they otherwise would have been. The precise effect cannot be forecast because it will depend on a larger number of factors which cannot be predicted accurately including actual Community and world levels of production.

  EC Budget
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister what she expects the United Kingdom contribution to the EEC budget to be in each of the next five years on the basis of the decisions made at the EEC Council in Brussels; and if she will publish in the Official Report a table showing the estimated gross contribution under the four heads of (a) the rebate, (b) the amount paid directly for the benefit of farmers, (c) the amount paid indirectly for the benefit to farmers and (d) the amount paid for other purposes.

  The Prime Minister
  The overall effect of the agreement reached at the European Council will be to increase the United Kingdom's net contribution after abatement by an estimated £200 to £300 million a year compared with the existing own resources ceiling, and by an estimated £100 to £200 million a year compared with the effective level of spending in 1987. The outcome on individual budget lines will depend on a range of factors, including detailed decisions still to be taken.

  EC (Vegetable Oil and Oilseed)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) what were(a) the EEC guaranteed thresholds and (b) actual output for vegetable oil and oil seeds over the past 10 years; what is the formula agreed by the EEC Council of Ministers for reducing output; what assessment has been made of its effect on production; and what assessment has been made of As expected effect on imports from (i) the developing countries and (ii) other countries;

  (2) what is the estimated cost of the new arrangements for agriculture agreed at the Brussels meeting of the EEC Council of Ministers for oil seeds in 1988 and for each succeeding year; what extra payments have been or will be made to Spain and Portugal in respect of agricultural production; what other payments will be made outside the agricultural chapter; what assessment has been made of the expected effect of the price regime on agricultural production; and if she will publish in the Official Report agricultural output figures for the EEC over the past 10 years.

  The Prime Minister
  The information requested on output is as follows for the three principal oil seeds. (Details of oil output are not readily available but vegetable oil content of rape seed, sunflower seed and soya beans is about 39 per cent. 40 per cent. and 17·5 per cent. respectively).

  Rapeseed

  Sunflowerseed

  Soya beans

  1978

  1,230

  125

  5

  1979

  1,205

  222

  22

  1980

  1,995

  307

  18

  1981

  1,999

  513

  21

  1982

  2,679

  746

  31

  1983

  2,492

  977

  89

  1984

  3,477

  1,200

  156

  1985

  3,729

  1,776

  343

  1986

  EC-10

  3,651

  2,262

  912

  EC-12

  3,665

  3,135

  918

  19871

  EC-10

  5,901

  2,780

  1,440

  EC-12

  5,911

  3,860

  1,447

  1 Estimated.

  Note: All figures are in '000 tonnes, and relate to EC-10 except where otherwise stated. Data are from EC Management Committee statistics.

  The maximum guarantee quantity systems for rape seed and sunflower seed were introduced in 1986 with EC-10 MGQs of 3·5 million tonnes and 1·7 million tonnes respectively, and with a 5 per cent. limit on price reductions. In 1987, this limit was increased to 10 per cent. and a similar system was introduced for soya beans with an EC-12 MGQ of 1·1 million tonnes.

  The European Council agreed that each 1 per cent. excess production of rape seed, sunflower seed or soya beans over respective MGQs of 4·5 (EC-10), 2·0 (EC-10) or 1·7 (EC-12) million tonnes would lead to a 0·45 per cent. price reduction in 1988–89, and to a 0·5 per cent. price reduction in 1989–90 and 1990–91, with no limit on the price reductions.

  No detailed assesment has been made of the effect on production or on imports of the new system the primary function of which is to stabilise expenditure. At current world prices and exchange rates full year expenditure relating to these three oil seed MGQs would be stabilised at about 2·6 becu compared to estimated 1987 full year expenditure of 3·5 becu.
  19
  For Spain and Portugal it was agreed that an adjustment would be made to the MGQs for rape seed (10,000 tonnes for Spain; 1,000 tonnes for Portugal) and sunflower seed (1·2 million tonnes for Spain; 53,500 tonnes for Portugal) corresponding to those agreed for the EC-10. No extra payments were agreed for Spain or Portugal on oil seeds either within or outside the agricultural part of the budget.

  Agricultural Expenditure
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister whether she will publish in the Official Report (a) details of the ceiling on agricultural spending in each of the next five years, (b) her estimate of the maximum amount of spending which would have been permitted if the arrangement agreed at Fontainebleau had been adhered to; and if she will make a statement on what will happen under the new formula when the ceiling is reached if there are outstanding liabilities.

  The Prime Minister
  The financial guidelines has been set at 27·5 becu — about £19 billion for 1988 and its annual rate of increase must not exceed 74 per cent. of the growth in Community gross national product. No estimates are available for the actual level of the guidelines after 1988. The guideline calculated under the previous arrangements would have been around 23 becu—about £16 billion—for 1988.

  Expenditure in excess of the guideline would be permitted within limits set by the European Council only in the event of a substantial in-year fall in the dollar/ecu exchange rate which had a budget effect of more than 400 mecu — about £280 million. There is no provision for other exceptional circumstances.

  Milk
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister what arrangements were agreed for milk at the meeting of the EEC Council of Ministers in Brussels; what is her estimate of the increase in price to the United Kingdom consumer per gallon of milk as a result of the quota regime; what is the capital value of the United Kingdom quotas on the basis of the transactions known to have been carried out in 1987; and what is the highest recorded value in pounds sterling per cow in terms of a cow with (i) average milk yield and (ii) upper decile yield.

  The Prime Minister
  Final decisions on milk are subject to confirmation by the Foreign Affairs Council on 22–23 February; they are set out in document SN 461/88, a copy of which has been placed in the Library. It is impossible to isolate the effect of quotas on consumer prices, but as supplies for the liquid market remain adequate I would not expect it to be great. The information sought in the remainder of the hon. Gentleman's question is not available.

  Wheat
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister whether, in deciding the level of the co-responsibility levy, the EEC Council of Ministers took into account the fall in the cost of production of wheat; what assessment has been made on whether the levy will stop production from rising further; and if she will publish in the Official Report a table showing (a) the difference between the EEC price
  20
  and the world price of bread wheat and other wheat, (b) EEC production figures for wheat for each year since 1973 and (c) the cost of storing and financing surpluses.

  The Prime Minister
  The European Council took account of a wide range of factors in determining the level of the additional cereals co-responsibility levy. The additional levy, together with the reductions foreseen in intervention prices for cereals, will reduce the level of producers' returns and so restrain the production of cereals.

  The information requested is as follows:

  (a)

  £/tonne

  Bread wheat

  Other wheat

  World price1

  84–87

  62

  EC support2

  116

  110

  1 Quoted prices for premium milling wheat fob Canada and Australia and for lower quality wheat fob Argentina at 11 February 1988.

  2 Buying-in prices for February 1988.

  (b) EEC Common Wheat Production 1973–74–1986

  Million tonnes

  1973–74

  138·0

  1974–75

  141·5

  1975–76

  133·5

  1976–77

  135·3

  1977–78

  135·9

  1978–79

  143·6

  1979–80

  142·6

  1980–81

  148·0

  1981–82

  249·2

  1982–83

  255·7

  1983–84

  255·3

  1984–85

  270·2

  1985–86

  260·2

  1986–87

  365·0

  1 EC 9

  2 EC 10

  3 EC 12

  (c) The provisional cost of storing and financing intervention grain met by the Community budget in 1987 was 346 million ecu.

  Agricultural Surpluses
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister when was the outset to which she referred in her statement on the European Council (Brussels), 15 February,Official Report, column 705, and whether she will publish in the Official Report a list of the foodstuffs for which effective measures have now been agreed to reduce agricultural surpluses below the level which obtained in the year which preceded that time.

  The Prime Minister
  The outset to which I referred was the start of the future financing negotiations in early 1987. The package on which agreement was reached at the European Council in Brussels contains both general measures to reduce surpluses and specific stabiliser measures for cereals, oil seeds and protein crops. The agreement on stabilisers for other products — sugar, wine, fruit and vegetables, tobacco, milk, sheepmeat, olive oil and cotton — is to be confirmed by the Foreign Affairs Council on 22 and 23 February.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister what is the expected cost of depreciating surplus stocks of agricultural products outside the agricultural guideline
  21
  under the terms agreed at the meeting of the EEC Council in Brussels; which departmental Vote will bear this and over what period of time; whether the same procedure will apply to new surpluses; and how these will be funded.

  The Prime Minister
  The expected cost of depreciating existing surplus stocks outside the financial guideline is 6,800 mecu—£4,750 million—spread over the years 1988 to 1992. This amount will be paid to member states from the Community budget in the normal way to reimburse them for the loss in value of stocks which they have purchased. In future new stocks will be systematically depreciated within the guideline to prevent a build-up of commitments.

  EC (Farming Expenditure)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister what estimate she has of how much expenditure wholly or mainly for the benefit of farmers is to be carried in the future on the non-EC budget as a result of the decisions made at the meeting of the EC Council in Brussels; and what is her estimate of the amount so earned in 1987.

  The Prime Minister
  The European Council agreed to accept a new scheme for setting aside agricultural land with a sliding scale of Community contribution depending on the level of provision set by the member state. The cost of this scheme to member states will depend on the levels of premium and the uptake by farmers.

  President Waldheim (Wartime Record)
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Prime Minister if, in the light of her reply to the hon. Member for Cambridge (Mr. Rhodes James) of 16 February,Official Report, columns 521–22, she has anything to add to her answers of 23 October and 7 November 1986 to the right hon. Member for Brent, East (Mr. Freeson) and the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister when it is expected that the inquiry into the six wartime commandos who were executed by the Nazis will be reporting; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  A report will be made to the House when the review of the results of investigations carried out in 1986 by the Ministry of Defence into the fate of captured British service men is complete. I can give no precise dates.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister if she now proposes to find out if there were documents being held in the United Kingdom regarding Dr. Waldheim's wartime activities prior to his being appointed Secretary-General of the United Nations.

  The Prime Minister
  The review into the results of the investigations carried out in 1986 by the Ministry of Defence into the fate of captured British service men will investigate this.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister if the Yugoslav authorities have been asked if they can assist the inquiry being conducted into the position of the six wartime commandos interrogated by Lieutenant Waldheim between their capture and execution.

  The Prime Minister
  No. It is unlikely that the Yugoslav authorities would hold records relating to the activities of 22
  German Army Group E—Waldheim's unit—in relation to the treatment of captured British service men captured in the eastern Aegean in 1944.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister if the Defence Ministry and the Foreign Office are now actively seeking documentation from the United States of America and any other Governments that would help to clarify the full position over what occurred at all stages to the six wartime commandos interrogated by Lieutenant Waldheim between their capture and death.

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Cambridge (Mr. Rhodes James) on 19 February, at column 752.

  Wartime Commandos (Murders)
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister if, in the relevant correspondence between the Defence Ministry and the relatives of the six wartime commandos murdered by the Nazis, the relatives were given all the information that was due to them over what had occurred.

  The Prime Minister
  It was the policy to pass on to next-of-kin all reliable information. Where there was conflicting information it was the normal practice, if possible, to resolve the conflict before writing to avoid the distress that a wrong account could cause. The more painful details were omitted unless there was pressure from the next-of-kin for a detailed account of what happened.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many civil servants are employed in his Department; what are their average weekly working hours, and how many are(a) on flexitime, (b) on job-sharing schemes, (c) on a four-day working week or nine-day fornight and (d) able to retire with full pension rights at 60 years.

  Mr. Eggar
  The provision for staff employed at home and abroad by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, including the Overseas Development Administration, is 9,860.

  There is no set standard working week for diplomatic wing staff serving overseas. Aid wing staff serving overseas normally work 41 hours each week, but this may vary according to local practice. Conditioned hours for all staff in London are 41 hours gross week.

  In the diplomatic wing, flexible working hours were introduced in London during 1987 on a voluntary basis. Currently, staff in 21 Departments are operating the scheme. There are no staff operating job-sharing schemes.

  In the aid wing, 1,021 officers take advantage of flexible working hours and 26 staff operate job-sharing schemes.

  Neither wing has staff on a four-day working week or nine-day fortnight.

  With the exception of a few short-term contract staff, all staff in both wings participate in the principal Civil Service pension scheme and, as such, are entitled to full pension rights at 60 years.

  European Parliament
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how often the Council of Ministers has discussed the location of the seat of the European Parliament during the past 10 years.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The conclusions of the European Council in the Netherlands in March 1981 record that"the Heads of State and of Government decided unanimously to confirm the status quo in regard to the provisional places of work of the European institutions".

  There has been no other discussion.

  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimates the Council of Ministers has made of the cost of its failure to determine a single seat for the work of the European Parliament.

  Mrs. Chalker
  No such estimate has been made.

  Alexei Leim
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will raise with the Soviet Government the case of Alexei Leim, who wishes to join his sister in Israel.

  Mr. Mellor
  My right honourable and learned Friend last made representations to the Soviet authorities on behalf of divided Soviet families during his visit to the Soviet Union from 14 to 17 February. Yevgeny Leim, father of Alexei, was included on a list of refuseniks which was handed to the Soviet Foreign Minister at Brize Norton in December.

  El Salvador
  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on death threats to British subjects in El Salvador.

  Mr. Eggar
  We have received no reports of death threats to British subjects in El Salvador.

  Turkey
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the European Economic Community's endorsement of the trade agreement with Turkey.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Additional protocols to the EC/Turkey association agreement, consequent on Spanish and Portuguese accession, were signed in July 1987. The Commission has recently initialled, on behalf of the Community, a voluntary restraint arrangement covering imports of textiles from Turkey.

  United Nation's Resolutions
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what circumstances resolutions passed by the General Assembly of the United Nations are not binding on member states.

  Mr. Eggar
  Generally the power of the General Assembly is limited to making recommendations. In certain specific cases, however, it is authorised by the United Nations charter to make decisions binding on the 24
  member states—for example, approval of the budget (under article 17) and admission of new members (under article 18).

  Mr. Hor Nam Hong
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why he has refused a visa to Hor Nam Hong, the Kampuchean ambassador to Moscow.

  Mr. Eggar
  We have no diplomatic relations nor official dealings with the PRK. Our normal policy is not to grant visas to PRK officials, although we consider every application on its merits. Hor Nam Hong is the PRK ambassador in Moscow and it would be inappropirate to issue a visa for him.

  Visas
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards consulting foreign Governments about applications for visas to enter the United Kingdom from representatives of states which Her Majesty's Government do not recognise.

  Mr. Eggar
  It is not our practice to consult Foreign Governments in the circumstances described.

  Dr. Kurt Waldheim
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if there has been any change of policy as to refusal of entry to the United Kingdom to Dr. Waldheim on the grounds that it would not be conducive to the public good for admission to be granted.

  Mrs. Chalker
  No.

  Islamabad
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations and complaints he has received about delays in completing explanatory statements at the British embassy at Islamabad.

  Mr. Eggar
  Representations about individual cases, from any source, are kept on the appropriate case file. No analytical record of the nature of such representations is maintained.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many extra staff have been sent in the last 12 months from the United Kingdom to the British embassy in Islamabad to tackle the backlog of explanatory statements; when such staff were sent; when he expects the backlog to be reduced; and what scale of backlog he regards as tolerable.

  Mr. Eggar
  I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 8 December 1987, at columns 115–16. In addition, during December 1987 three temporary additional entry clearance officers were sent to Islamabad in order to help clear the backlog by the start of the busy summer season. Future performance will be closely monitored in an effort to minimise future delays.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many explanatory statements, setting out the reasons for refusing entry
  25
  clearance to the United Kingdom, are awaiting completion at the British embassy in Islamabad and what has been (a) the shortest and (b) the longest backlog in completing such explanatory statements in each quarter in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Eggar
  The latest figures available relate to the end of November 1987. The number of outstanding explanatory statements was then:

  Number

  Settlement

  528

  Non-settlement

  613

  The relevant statistics have been kept since November 1986 only.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the average time taken in writing an explanatory statement at the United Kingdom's embassy at Islamabad; and what is the average time taken between completing and despatching explanatory statements from the post.

  Mr. Eggar
  An average writing time is not available. Each case is different. Once an explanatory statement has been completed, despatch is effected by diplomatic bag within a few days.

ENERGY

  Dungeness Nuclear Stations
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  'To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what assessment his Department has made of the possible danger to the Dungeness A and B nuclear plants of the near collision of British Airways and Balkan Airways aircraft overhead on Saturday 5 February; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Merionnydd Nant Conwy (Dr. Thomas) on 16 February 1988, at column 592.

  Nuclear Transport Ltd
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the percentage ownership by BNFL of Nuclear Transport Limited; what information he has as to what other partners have a stake in NTL and in what proportions; and what information he has as to the percentage ownership of NTL by Transnuklear GMBH of the Federal Republic of Germany.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I understand that the shares in Nuclear Transport Ltd are held equally by British Nuclear Fuels plc, Transnucleaire of France and Transnuklear GMBH of the Federal Republic of Germany.

  Energy Management Panels
  Mr. Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Chipping Barnet on 23 November 1987,Official Report, column 23, how often the energy management panels set up by Government Departments responsible for the civil estate have met; what is the total annual energy bill for which they are responsible; what capital investment budget has been set aside for energy efficiency improvements; and if he will report on progress in energy efficiency in Government buildings.
  26
  Mr. Parkinson
  The energy management panel for the civil estate has met twice since it was established last autumn. The total annual energy bill for the civil estate is about £60 million. The Property Services Agency is directing about £3·5 million in both 1987–88 and 1988–89 to capital improvements in energy efficiency. This is in addition to spending by individual Departments within their own works programmes and further energy efficiency improvements which arise from substantial planned maintenance expenditure by the PSA.

  The panel is monitoring developments across the estate and will advise Departments on how to build on the significant progress already achieved.

  Energy Forecasting
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list those research reports, conference papers and statements made by(a) his Department's officials, and (b) United Kingdom Atomic Energy Agency staff on energy forecasting, including any specific forecasts made for the United Kingdom over the past five years; and if he will place a copy of each in the Library.

  Mr. Parkinson
  A complete list of relevant research reports, conference papers and statements made by my Department's officials would cost a disproportionate amount to prepare. However, the most important papers on forecasting produced by the Department in recent years have been:

  (i) Proof of evidence for the Sizewell 'B' public inquiry DEN/P/1. October 1982.

  (ii) Department of Energy Paper on energy projections methodology DEN/S/7. 1983.

  (iii) Department of Energy Paper on investment in energy use, DEN/S/3. January 1983.

  (iv) Paper given to the SSRC conference on strategic planning in the nationalised industries by Dr. K. J. Wigley. September 1983.

  (v) Energy Efficiency Office paper on combined heat and power. 1986.

  (vi) Energy Technology Support Unit background papers relevant to the 1986 appraisal of United Kingdom energy research, development and demonstration.

  I understand that the UKAEA has not published any relevant reports, papers or statements during the period referred to.

  Nuclear Installations
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what changes are proposed for insurance cover and liability for nuclear installations operated by the Central Electricity Generating Board, South of Scotland Electricity Board and the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, in the light of the forthcoming privatisation of the electricity supply industry; if he will set a working group to examine this issue; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  We will announce our proposals on the future structure of the electricity supply industry in England and Wales in due course. The South of Scotland Electricity Board is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

  Coal Production (Subsidies)
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what information he has as to the average level of Government subsidy per tonne of deep-mined coal each year since 1978 in each European Economic Community country and in the United States of America.
  27
  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The information requested is set out below. It has been obtained from European Commission publications. The United States of America does not provide financial support to its coal industry.

  £ tonne

  Belgium

  France

  Federal Republic of Germany

  3Spain

  3Portugal

  19781

  27·70

  15·80

  11·91

  —

  —

  1979

  31·16

  16·56

  13·69

  —

  —

  1980

  27·75

  15·17

  12·19

  —

  —

  1981

  25·46

  11·95

  10·94

  —

  —

  1982

  16·47

  17·72

  8·65

  —

  —

  1983

  15·47

  19·19

  12·06

  —

  —

  1984

  20·09

  19·87

  12·30

  —

  —

  1985

  21·68

  22·00

  11·72

  —

  —

  1986

  34·90

  23·76

  21·25

  —

  —

  19874

  57·55

  22·16

  29·45

  12·08

  4·92

  United Kingdom2

  1978–79

  1·60

  1979–80

  2·30

  1980–81

  2·30

  1981–82

  3·28

  1982–83

  4·96

  1983–84

  12·71

  1984–85

  87·15

  1985–86

  6·37

  1986–87

  10·02

  1 It is not possible to make absolute comparisons between the figures from different member states as the numerical basis may vary.

  2 United Kingdom figures are on a financial year basis. The others are in calendar years.

  3 Spanish and Portuguese data are not available prior to 1987.

  4 1987 data are latest published estimates.

THE ARTS

  Inner Cities
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Minister for the Arts whether the Arts Council has discussed with him initiatives to encourage the arts in the inner cities; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Luce
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, Central (Mr. Fisher) on 10 February 1988, at column 283.

  Liverpool (Ministerial Visit)
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Minister for the Arts if he will make a statement on his recent visit to Liverpool.

  Mr. Luce
  I have visited Liverpool twice in recent weeks. On 26 November I visited a wide range of arts facilities and on 16 February I participated in two television programmes on the arts. I am impressed by the range of performing arts and museum and gallery facilities in Liverpool.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many civil servants are employed in his Department; what are their average weekly working hours; and how 28
  many are (a) on flexitime, (b) on job-sharing schemes, (c) on a four-day working week or nine-day fortnight and (d) able to retire with full pension rights at 60 years.

  Mr. Brooke
  There were 3,164 staff in post in the Treasury on 1 February 1988, including 852 part-time staff—each counted as half a post. Full-time staff work conditioned hours. Information is not held centrally on the hours of staff working part-time, nor on the schemes under which they do so. Six hundred and thirty-three staff were on flexitime. Most full-time and part-time civil servants are currently members of the principal Civil Service pension scheme — the main exceptions are those who work less than 15 hours a week and casual staff—and are able to retire at 60 years with pension rights related to their final salary and their full length of service, which varies case by case, up to that age.

  Agricultural Support Costs
  Mr. Ralph Howell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what figures he based the claim, contained in the Economic Progress Report No. 194, February 1988, that agricultural support is costing the average European Economic Community family £550 per year; what the overall annual cost would be(a) in Britain and (b) in the European Economic Community as a whole, based on £550 per family of four; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  The Economic Progress Report article made it clear that the estimate of up to £550 a year in higher food prices together with higher levels of taxation was drawn from figures produced by the Australian Department of Primary Industry, published in the Political Economy of International Agricultural Policy Reform, Canberra 1986. The figure is broadly in line with the results of other studies. Figures for total costs borne by consumers and taxpayers in the United Kingdom or any other individual European Community country are not available. Whatever the difficulties of measurement, there are substantial costs to consumers and taxpayers. The Government's long-term strategy is to reduce these costs.

  Employees (Union Activities)
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list, by union and Government Department, for 1976, 1986 and 1987,(a) the number of employees entitled to time off with pay for union activities, (b) the annual number of hours taken off and (c) the annual cost of employee's salaries for the hours when they are engaged in union activities,

  Mr. Brooke
  Details are not available for 1976, and are unavailable in the form requested for 1986 and 1987 except at disproportionate cost. However, I refer my hon. Friend to the replies I gave respectively to my hon. Friend the Member for Surrey, South-West (Mrs. Bottomley) on 23 January 1987, at column 782, and to my hon. Friend the Member for Chislehurst (Mr. Sims) on 22 October 1987, at column 856.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the facilities provided for union officials in each Government Department, in order that they may undertake their union duties; and if he will give the estimated value of such facilities in each Department in respect of each union.
  29
  Mr. Brooke
  The facilities available for union officials are set out in the Civil Service National Whitley Council agreement on facilities for industrial relations duties and trade union activities in the non-industrial Civil Service. This was revised in 1982 and a copy is to be found in the Library of the House. The agreement is used as a model by many Departments in framing departmental agreements with their trade union sides. The precise value of these facilities provided by each Department to individual unions cannot be identified except at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is satisfied that facilities provided for union officials within Government Departments are used for their proper purposes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  The facilities provided for union officials in Government Departments are covered by the national facilities agreement and departmental agreements and arrangements. It is the responsibility of individual Departments to ensure that facilities are used for their proper purposes.

  Brussels Summit
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update table 3.3 of the Public Expenditure White paper to take account of the decisions reached at the Brussels summit; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  [holding answer 19 February 1988]: As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has stated, the overall effect of the agreement reached at the European Council will be to increase the United Kingdom's net contribution after abatement by an estimated £200 to £300 million a year compared with the existing own resources ceiling, and by an estimated £100 to £200 million a year compared with the effective level of spending in 1987. The outcome on individual budget lines will depend on a range of factors, including detailed decisions still to be taken.

  Nurses' Pay
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give for 1987 and 1979 at 1987 prices the average and minimum take-home pay after tax and national insurance payments of nurses who receive only the single person's tax allowance with no mortgage or other tax allowances for the following grades of nurse(a) student nurse, (b) nursing auxiliary, (c) enrolled nurse, (d) staff nurse and (e) sister II.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 15 February 1988]: I regret that information on average earnings is not available for 1979 and not in the form requested for 1987. Levels of take-home pay at constant 1987 prices for nurses at the minima of their pay scales and earning only basic pay are shown in the table.

  Take home pay at constant 1987 prices

  £ per annum

  1979

  1987

  Percentage increase

  Student nurse

  3,396

  3,790

  12·0

  Nursing auxiliary

  3,451

  3,813

  10·5

  30

  1979

  1987

  Percentage increase

  Enrolled nurse

  3,830

  4,996

  30·4

  Staff nurse

  4,161

  5,732

  37·7

  Sister II

  4,976

  6,925

  39·2

  Notes:

  For 1979 gross pay is at 1 June. For 1987 gross pay is current level payable from 1 April 1987.

  Take home pay is gross pay less income tax, assuming only a single person's allowance, and contracted out NICs.

  The 1979 income tax regime used is that in the "caretaker" Budget of May 1979.

  Constant prices calculated using RPI for July of the relevant year.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Clothing
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the total output of clothing, the percentage exported and the proportion of the domestic market taken by imports in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) West Germany and (c) Japan in 1958, 1960, 1965, 1970, 1975 and in each year from 1979 to 1987.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The available information is as follows:

  Clothing (ISIC major group 322) Sales

  United Kingdom

  Federal Republic of Germany

  Japan

  US $ million

  US $ million

  US $ million

  1970

  2,410

  3,017

  2,294

  1975

  3,812

  5,530

  6,117

  1979

  6,309

  7,836

  10,780

  1980

  6,839

  8,003

  10,583

  1981

  5,742

  6,125

  11,459

  1982

  5,089

  5,415

  10,167

  1983

  4,616

  5,193

  10,834

  1984

  4,442

  4,801

  11,065

  1985

  4,873

  4,736

  13,682

  Export ratio

  United Kingdom

  Federal Republic of Germany

  Japan

  per cent.

  per cent.

  per cent.

  1970

  11·6

  13·8

  19·6

  1975

  14·8

  20·2

  5·2

  1979

  24·9

  34·0

  3·2

  1980

  27·0

  37·4

  4·6

  1981

  28·3

  42·4

  4·9

  1982

  28·3

  47·8

  5·2

  1983

  27·8

  50·5

  5·8

  1984

  29·6

  56·1

  6·7

  1985

  30·5

  62·3

  5·1

  Import penetration

  United Kingdom

  Federal Republic of Germany

  Japan

  per cent.

  per cent.

  per cent.

  1970

  12·5

  27·8

  4·4

  1975

  25·6

  44·9

  8·3

  1979

  35·3

  59·8

  15·4

  1980

  37·0

  63·7

  13·8

  1981

  42·0

  67·9

  15·3

  1982

  42·2

  70·9

  17·2

  31

  United Kingdom

  Federal Republic of Germany

  Japan

  per cent.

  per cent.

  per cent.

  1983

  42·2

  72·8

  14·0

  1984

  46·3

  77·1

  17·6

  1985

  44·3

  79·8

  14·3

  Notes:

  1. Information for 1958, 1960, 1965, 1986 and 1987 is not available on a comparable basis.

  Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

  3. Industry Classification: International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC).

  Footwear
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the total output of footwear, the percentage exported, and the proportion of the domestic market taken by imports in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) West Germany and (c) Japan in 1958, 1960, 1965, 1970, 1975, and in each year from 1979 to 1987.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The available information is as follows:

  Footwear (ISIC Major Group 324)

  Sales (US $ million)

  United Kingdom

  Federal Republic of Germany

  Japan

  1970

  486

  824

  358

  1975

  722

  1,120

  896

  1979

  1,209

  1,949

  2,023

  1980

  1,344

  2,076

  2,005

  1981

  1,294

  1,599

  2,077

  1982

  1,189

  1,522

  1,826

  1983

  1,065

  1,417

  1,863

  1984

  1,205

  1,356

  1,908

  1985

  1,076

  1,297

  2,418

  Export Ratio (per cent.)

  United Kingdom

  Federal Republic of Germany

  Japan

  1970

  15·9

  10·4

  13·1

  1975

  14·3

  15·8

  3·0

  1979

  18·9

  21·3

  1·5

  1980

  21·6

  23·2

  2·0

  1981

  17·1

  25·0

  2·1

  1982

  15·7

  27·0

  2·7

  1983

  16·1

  31·0

  2·3

  1984

  14·7

  32·3

  2·4

  1985

  17·6

  40·8

  1·7

  Import Penetration (per cent.)

  United Kingdom

  Federal Republic of Germany

  Japan

  1970

  15·6

  23·8

  2·4

  1975

  25·8

  43·3

  6·3

  1979

  39·9

  53·1

  9·8

  1980

  40·0

  56·0

  10·1

  1981

  40·2

  56·0

  10·4

  1982

  40·8

  57·3

  11·6

  1983

  44·5

  61·1

  11·2

  1984

  42·6

  63·3

  13·4

  1985

  46·7

  68·2

  10·6

  Textiles
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the total output of textiles by value, the percentage exported and the proportion of the domestic market taken by imports in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) West Germany and (c) Japan in 1985, 1960, 1965, 1970, 1975 and in each year from 1979 to 1987.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The available information is as follows:

  Textiles (ISIC Major Group 321) Sales (US $ million)

  United Kingdom

  Federal Republic of Germany

  Japan

  1970

  6,200

  7,458

  10,960

  1975

  8,570

  12,356

  19,232

  1979

  12,894

  18,222

  32,302

  1980

  12,556

  18,857

  32,305

  1981

  10,279

  14,740

  32,592

  1982

  9,062

  13,731

  29,693

  1983

  8,309

  13,303

  31,318

  1984

  8,062

  12,729

  31,693

  1985

  8,270

  12,295

  33,634

  Export Ratio (Per Cent.)

  United Kingdom

  Federal Republic of Germany

  Japan

  1970

  17·5

  21·1

  16·7

  1975

  20·3

  27·3

  15·8

  1979

  24·4

  34·1

  12·7

  1980

  17·7

  343

  16·3

  1981

  25·8

  39·0

  18·5

  1982

  25·9

  41·2

  17·7

  1983

  26·4

  41·7

  17·5

  1984

  28·0

  45·4

  17·4

  1985

  30·2

  50·5

  15·1

  Import Penetration (Per Cent.)

  United Kingdom

  Federal of Germany

  Japan

  1970

  12·6

  21·4

  4·1

  1975

  19·9

  28·1

  6·1

  1979

  28·5

  36·6

  8·7

  1980

  29·7

  37·6

  7·6

  1981

  33·3

  39·4

  7·5

  1982

  34·9

  40·0

  8·5

  1983

  38·0

  41·4

  7·3

  1984

  40·2

  43·8

  9·1

  1985

  42·0

  47·7

  8·2

  Notes:

  1. Information for 1958, 1960, 1965, 1986 and 1987 is not available on a comparable basis.

  2. Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

  3. Industry Classification: International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC).

  Portugal
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what estimates he has made of the effect of the industrial modernisation of Portugal on the United Kingdom balance of trade with Portugal; and if he will publish in the Official Report details of the overall balance with Portugal in each of the past 15 years and the balance of trade in manufactures.
  33
  Mr. Alan Clark
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Dunfermline, West (Mr. Douglas) on 12 February, at column 375. The many factors contributing to the changes in these balances have not been quantified.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many civil servants are employed in his Department; what are their average weekly working hours; and how many are(a) on flexitime, (b) on job-sharing schemes, (c) on a four-day working week or nine-day fortnight and (d) able to retire with full pension rights at 60 years.

  Mr. Butcher
  There were 12,763 permanent civil servants employed in the Department of Trade and Industry on 1 January 1988. The average paid working hours, including lunch breaks and overtime, of the 12,259 full-time staff is 42·0. The extent of unpaid overtime working is not known. The 504 part-time staff work, on average, 21·4 hours per week, excluding lunch breaks.

  Flexible working hours is a facility open to all staff in the Department. It is authorised locally by line management and there is no record kept centrally. The number of those actually working FWH could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Some of the part-time staff share full-time jobs, but details are not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Thirty-one of the part-time staff work between 29 and 33 hours per week, excluding lunch breaks, that is, broadly the equivalent of a four-day working week or a nine-day fortnight.

  Maximum pension entitlement is earned after 40 years of reckonable service. Statistics are not readily available of the number of staff who, assuming service continued to normal retirement age, would reach maximum entitlement.

  Engagements
  Mr. Latham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will list the public engagements or meetings with persons outside the Government or the Civil Service which he has held in his capacity as Minister responsible for the inner cities since 13 January.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I have had many meetings with business men and organisations involved in inner city regeneration including Business in the Community, the CBI and the Industrial Society. These meetings have shown that there is a range of ways in which companies, voluntary organisations and local communities can contribute constructively to making inner cities better places in which to live, work and invest.

  Commercial Barriers (Removal)
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what provisions will be made to draw the attention of the public to the new conditions creating new opportunities within the European Economic Community after 1992, as a result of the proposed removal of commercial barriers in Europe.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  We are preparing a sustained national campaign so that everyone involved in business in this 34
  country knows about opportunities which will come from completing the single European market. Full details will be announced shortly.

SOCIAL SERVICES

  Vaccination
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services by what percentage the uptake of(a) measles, (b) triple vaccine, including whooping cough, and (c) poliomyelitis vaccination falls short of the target level of 90 per cent. in each of the health authorities in England for each of the last six years.

  Mrs. Currie
  I have placed in the Library tables showing the available differences between the two year uptake rates and the 90 per cent. targets in 1984, 1985 and 1986. Due to NHS restructuring in 1982, comparable figures are not available for the years before 1984.

  AIDS
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what evidence he has of a change of behaviour patterns following his Department's AIDS advertising campaign; and if he has any plans to improve the response to his Department's campaign.

  Mr. Newton
  In mounting the AIDS public education campaign the Government, and now the Health Education Authority, have adopted a step-by-step approach, with detailed monitoring and evaluation at each stage. The first stages of the campaign aimed to raise the general level of public awareness about AIDS and HIV and to provide basic factual information about the disease. The second phase of the campaign was aimed specifically at combating the spread of HIV through injecting drug misuse, with a parallel campaign aimed at discouraging young people from experimenting with drugs at all. The latest stage of the campaign was launched on 17 February by the Health Education Authority, which is now responsible for the United Kingdom-wide mass media elements of AIDS public education, working in close collaboration with sister agencies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The new campaign seeks to build on progress already made by reinforcing, among the population as a whole, knowledge of the disease and awareness of safeguarding actions which the individual can take, and by targeting specific groups who may be at particular risk, starting with business travellers.

  Independent market research in the first year of the campaign revealed a very high level of awareness which was a particular objective of this phase. There was some evidence of a wider use of condoms. The research has also indicated that many homosexual men claim to have made changes in their sexual behaviour; this is supported by indirect evidence that they may have done so.

  Evaluation of the second phase of the campaign is being carried out and the results are awaited. The Government and the Health Education Authority will continue to monitor closely the effects of the campaigns already undertaken and now underway and to use the results in developing policy on AIDS work in general and on campaign activity in particular.
  35
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the average cost to the National Health Service of treating an AIDS patient for the duration of the illness.

  Mr. Newton
  There is no detailed information available about the total cost to the NHS of treating a patient with AIDS. From research, hospital costs of in-patient treatment are estimated at £17,600 from diagnosis to death. In addition, the average cost of maintaining a patient on Retrovir (AZT) is £4,600 per year.

  NHS Expenditure
  Mr. Ralph Howell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the expenditure of the National Health Service for 1960,1970, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987; and what percentage of the gross domestic product these expenditures represented.

  Mr. Newton
  Data on net NHS expenditure, excluding NHS charges, for readily available years are shown in the table. The data have been derived from Central Statistical Office national accounts.

  Net expenditure of the National Health Service in total and as a percentage of GDP

  Net expenditure £ million

  Percentage of GDP

  1970

  2,031

  3·9

  1980

  11,939

  5·2

  Staff reporting to each

  Title and responsibilities

  Grade 3

  Grade 4

  Grade 5

  Grade 6

  Grade 7

  Executive grades

  Clerical and other

  Total

  Principal establishments and finance officer

  Establishments and personnel

  6

  2

  26·0

  20·0

  140·5

  868·5

  880·0

  1,943·0

  Central management support

  Departmental finance

  Economic advice

  Operation research

  Statistics and research

  Director of Social Security operations

  Operations in:

  3

  —

  19·0

  67·0

  490·0

  27,899·0

  63,010·0

  91,488·0

  —The Social security regional organisation

  —Newcastle central office

  —North Fylde central office

  Social security computing

  Deputy secretary: Social security policy

  Social security policy

  4

  —

  12·0

  2·0

  45·0

  207·0

  52·0

  322·0

  Deputy secretary: Family practitioner services and medicines policy

  Family practitioner services

  4

  —

  12·0

  12·0

  55·5

  183·0

  154·0

  420·5

  Policy relating to medicines

  Deputy secretary: Health and personal social services policy

  Policy relating to:

  6

  —

  17·0

  2·5

  50·0

  198·0

  128·5

  402·0

  —Health issues

  —Primary care

  —Community services

  —Hospitals

  —Mental, maternity and child health

  —Child care

  Director of operations: NHS management board

  Liaison with health authority on policy accountability and planning

  4

  1

  13·0

  20·0

  77·5

  217·5

  82·0

  415·0

  36

  Net expenditure £ million

  Percentage of GDP

  1982

  14,448

  5·2

  1983

  16,307

  5·4

  1984

  17,163

  5·4

  1985

  18,327

  5·2

  1986

  19,939

  5·3

  Notes:

  (a) Before April 1 1974 local authorities incurred both capital and current expenditure on the National Health Service. The table contains all readily identifiable elements of such expenditure.

  (b) Data beyond 1986 are not available.

  (c) There are slight rounding differences between these figures and those published by the OECD for purposes of international comparisons.

  Departmental Deputy Secretaries
  Mr. Tom Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the responsibilities of each of the deputy secretaries in his Department and the numbers and ranks of staff reporting to each.

  Mr. Portillo
  The responsibilities of grade 2—deputy secretary level — officers in the Department and the number and grades of staff reporting to them are given in the table. In addition, approximately 4,500 staff work in the special hospitals, Disablement Services Authority, youth treatment centres, artificial eye unit and Medical Practices Committee, and a further 1,500 staff, mainly working for the independent statutory authorities, do not report through lines of command to grade 2 officers.
  37

  Staff reporting to each

  Title and responsibilities

  Grade 3

  Grade 4

  Grade 5

  Grade 6

  Grade 7

  Executive grades

  Clerical and other

  Total

  NHS buildings

  Director of personnel: NHS management board

  NHS personnel

  1

  —

  4·0

  1·0

  15·0

  58·5

  31·0

  110·5

  1Director of finance: NHS management board

  Health authority financial management and control

  1

  —

  1·0

  1·0

  4·0

  26·0

  8·0

  41·0

  Management consultancy services for the NHS

  1Director of planning information and technology: NHS management board

  Planning and information technology

  —

  —

  3·0

  1·0

  10·0

  39·5

  15·0

  68·5

  Solicitor

  Legal aspects of health and social security

  2

  1

  11·0

  20·0

  25·0

  30·0

  54·0

  143·0

  Chief inspector of social services

  Inspection of social work and some aspects of social service

  —

  2

  14·0

  —

  80·0

  7·0

  24·5

  127·5

  Deputy chief medical officer

  Health issues related to:

  4

  7

  31·5

  42·0

  8·0

  15·0

  35·5

  143·0

  —Children, disablement, prevention and nutrition

  —Primary care

  —Toxicology and the environment

  —Mental health

  Deputy chief medical officer

  Health issues related to:

  3

  —

  13·5

  3·0

  3·0

  10·5

  21·0

  54·0

  —Hospital policies and service

  —Management, planning and community medicine

  —Medical manpower

  Deputy chief medical officer

  Health issues related to:

  2

  6

  33·0

  5·5

  5·0

  21·0

  35·0

  107·5

  —Medicines

  —International health

  —Scientific services, equipment and buildings and supplies

  —Cancer

  1Senior consultants and advisers: Grade 2 status.

  Wound Dressings
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what estimate he has made of the net cost of introducing, on prescription, those high technology wound dressings which have recently been submitted to the drugs committee of his Department.

  Mr. Newton
  Several new wound dressings are currently being evaluated. No estimates are yet available of the effect on overall NHS expenditure of making these dressings available on GP prescription.

  Health Care
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of Britain's gross domestic product was devoted to both public and private health care in each year from 1958 to 1988.
  38
  Mr. Newton
  Data on net public expenditure, excluding NHS charges, and private expenditure as a percentage of GDP for the period 1965 to 1986 are shown in the table. They have been derived from Central Statistical Office national accounts and relate to the United Kingdom as a whole. Complete data on a consistent basis are not available for earlier years.

  Net public expenditure and private expenditure as a percentage of GDP

  Net public expenditure

  Private expenditure

  1965

  3·6

  0·6

  1966

  3·7

  0·5

  1967

  3·9

  0·5

  1968

  3·9

  0·6

  1969

  3·8

  0·6

  1970

  3·9

  0·6

  1971

  3·9

  0·6

  1972

  4·2

  0·6

  39

  Net public expenditure

  Private expenditure

  1973

  4·1

  0·6

  1974

  4·7

  0·6

  1975

  5·0

  0·5

  1976

  4·9

  0·5

  1977

  4·8

  0·5

  1978

  4·7

  0·5

  1979

  4·7

  0·5

  1980

  5·2

  0·6

  1981

  5·4

  0·6

  1982

  5·2

  0·7

  1983

  5·4

  0·7

  1984

  5·4

  0·8

  1985

  5·2

  0·8

  1986

  5·3

  0·8

  Notes:

  (a) Before April 1 1974 local authorities incurred both capital and current expenditure on the National Health Service. The table contains all readily identifiable elements of such expenditure.

  (b) Data beyond 1986 are not available.

  (c) There are slight rounding differences between these figures and those published by the OECD for purposes of international comparisons.

  National Health Service Consultants
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has as to the different frequencies and the number of times individual consultants see National Health Service patients in respect of the 10 most common hospital treatments; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Currie
  This information is not collected centrally. How often, and how many times, an individual patient is seen by the consultant is a matter for the latter to decide in the light of his clinical assessment of that patient's condition.

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many overseas students resident in the United Kingdom for over 26 weeks are claiming child benefit on behalf of their children also resident in the United Kingdom; how many children are concerned; and what is the cost to public funds.

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

  Abortions
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the number of mentions of mental retardation in the mother on the notification forms for abortions carried out at or after 18 weeks gestation during 1986.

  Mr. Newton
  During 1986 there was one abortion notification which mentioned mental retardation in the mother, where the abortion was performed at 18 weeks or more gestation.

  Donor Organs
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when his Department first considered the significance of required request as a method of increasing 40
  the number of donor organs; what studies have taken place on this matter; when a decision can be expected; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Currie
  We have followed with interest the American experience of required request legislation, which began in 1985. In May 1986 the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health visited New York to examine the operation of the laws. More recently the working party on the supply of donor organs set up by the medical royal colleges considered the introduction of legislation. They recommended an alternative non-legislative approach towards improving the availability of donor organs. I announced our decisions on the recommendations in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Tynemouth (Mr. Trotter) on 18 December 1987, at column 934.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what studies have been made relating to contracting in or contracting-out of any scheme to increase the supply of donor organs for transplant; and if he is now in a position to make a statement.

  Mrs. Currie
  Successive Governments have considered and rejected contracting out schemes under which organs could be removed after death from anyone who had not registered an objection. Current legislation, as set out in the Human Tissue Act 1961, regards organ donation as a positive gift made by the donor during life or by surviving relatives after the donor's death. We have no plans to amend the Act.

  Proposals for national contracting-in schemes are usually associated with computerised registers of potential donors. We are being kept informed of the progress of Lifeline Wales, a computerised register of potential donors with links to intensive care and neuro units in Wales. A national register covering England would be expensive to establish and maintain, and we would only consider making the necessary investment if the Welsh experience showed it to be clearly effective.

  Prosthetists
  Mr Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what assessment he has made of the needs for additional prosthetists; what support and advice his Department is giving about the need for additional prosthetists and the retraining of prosthetists; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  These are matters for the Disablement Services Authority to which the hon. Member should address his questions.

  Drug Testing
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will give details of the drug testing scheme results for European Economic Community-manufactured general drugs in the latest year for which figures are available;

  (2) if he will give details of the drug testing scheme results for the European Economic Community-manufactured and non-European Economic Community-manufactured proprietary drugs for the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Newton
  I regret that no information is available about the country of origin of the drugs tested under the
  41
  scheme for testing drugs dispensed by Community pharmacies. The information available for England in the period 1 April 1986 to 31 March 1987 is as follows:

  Number of samples tested

  Proprietary

  Non-proprietary

  Total:

  1,875

  2,598

  (i) No action taken

  1,843

  2,560

  (ii) Faults and deficiencies in manufacture of proprietary products or faults and deficiencies which cannot be checked by independent analysts

  8

  9

  (iii) Minor error in dispensing

  9

  7

  (iv) Referred to pharmaceutical service committee

  15

  22

  Drug Recalls
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will give details of the drug recalls of European Economic Community-manufactured and non-European Economic Community-manufactured general drugs for the latest year for which figures are available;

  (2) if he will give details of the drug recalls of European Economic Community-manufactured and non-European Economic Community-manufactured proprietary drugs for the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Newton
  I regret information is not available in the form requested. Generally, pharmaceutical companies have their own arrangements for recalling batches of defective medicines which they identify. During 1987 they involved the Department in the recall of specific batches of nine generic and five proprietary products, all manufactured in the European Community. We are not aware of any recalls in 1987 involving non-EC manufactured products.

  Prostoglandin Abortions
  Mr. Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the other agents used in some prostoglandin abortions; and how many prostoglandin abortions were performed in England and Wales in 1986(a) with and (b) without the use of other agents, respectively.

  Mr. Newton
  Doctors are asked to specify the other agents used in prostoglandin abortions on the notification form which must be submitted to the chief medical officer for every abortion performed. An analysis of this information could be provided, only at disproportionate cost, but I understand that the agents normally used are oxytocin and urea. The numbers of prostoglandin abortions in England and Wales in 1986 are as follows:

  Number

  Prostoglandins only

  3,616

  Prostoglandins with other agents

  5,570

  Pay Beds
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in the light of the answer of 12 February 1988,Official Report, columns 409–10, giving the number of pay beds in England at 31 December 1979 as 3,171, he has
  42
  anything to add to the answer of 19 December 1986, Official Report, column 795, which gave a figure of 2,404; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Currie
  I regret that the figure of 3,171 authorised pay beds given in my reply to the hon. Member on 12 February 1988, at columns 409–10, was incorrect. The number of authorised pay beds in England at 31 December 1979 was 2,405. The percentage bed occupancy figure thus increases to 62·7 per cent.

  Eli Lilley
  Mr. Allen McKay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the drugs supplied to the National Health Service by Eli Lilley.

  Mr. Newton
  The following drugs are supplied by either this company or its subsidiary, Dista Products Ltd.:

  Allegron

  Amytal

  Aventyl

  Brietal Sodium

  Capastat

  Cinobac

  Dimelor

  Distaclor

  Distaquaine V-K

  Fenopron

  Haelan (excluding Haelan Tape)

  Ilosone

  Ilotycin

  Humulin 1

  Humulin Lente

  Humulin M1/2/3/4

  Humulin Z

  Humulin Zn

  Keflex

  Keflin

  Kefzol

  Nebcin

  Nu-Seals

  Progesic

  Seconal Sodium

  Sodium Amytal

  Tuinal

  V-Cil-k.

  The following products are also supplied, but prescriptions must be written in the generic name arid pharmacists are free to dispense a generic product which need not necessarily be this company's.

  Distalgesic

  Cologel

  Doloxene.

  Management Consultants
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the cost to his Department of employing management consultants for each year from 1983 to 1987.

  Mr. Moore
  The Department's expenditure on consultants is recorded in budget years from April to March. It is not possible to isolate expenditure on management consultants alone as there is considerable overlap with computer consultancies. The expenditure on management and computer consultancies for 1983–84, 1984–85, 1985–86, 1986–87 and the estimated expenditure for 1987–88 are as follows:

  £ million

  1983–84

  3·623

  1984–85

  7·600

  43

  £ million

  1985–86

  13·646

  1986–87

  16·962

  1987–88

  125·827

  1 Estimated

  Social Security Tribunals
  Mr. Latham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement on the current waiting period for social security appeals to be heard by tribunals in the Nottingham region; what is the current number of appeals awaiting determination; and what steps are being taken to reduce the backlog.

  Mr. Portillo
  The latest available administrative statistics for the midlands region of the office of the president of social security appeal tribunals, which covers the Nottingham area, are for the second quarter of 1987. At June 1987 there were 27,398 appeals awaiting a hearing and the average time from lodgment of an appeal to the hearing in that quarter was 21·2 weeks. The president advises that in the midlands region at 12 January 1988 there were 17,301 appeals awaiting a hearing.

  Responsibility for the administration of social security appeal tribunals rests with the president, his hon. Judge Byrt, QC. In response to a request from officials earlier this month, he has written a note to describe the difficulties which his organisation faces and his proposals for resolving them. Copies of that letter have been placed in the Library.

  Worth House Children's Home
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list, by name and function, all those persons of whom the social services inspectorate made inquiries during his investigations concerning the operation and administration of Worth house children's home, Herne Bay.

  Mrs. Currie
  The inspection of Worth house children's home was a joint one with Kent county council social services department. The inspectors spoke to individuals and groups of staff and shared meals and recreation periods with the young residents; the premises were inspected and records were examined. It is not normal practice to reveal the names of individuals of whom inquiries are made in the course of inspections by the social services inspectorate.

  Registration of Death (Travel Costs)
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the total cost in each of the last five years to assist claimants with the cost of travel to register a death; and if such claims for assistance will be accepted after April of the current year.

  Mr. Portillo
  No specific provision exists in the supplementary benefit scheme to help with the cost of travel to register a death. However, provision did exist in supplementary benefit single payments to help claimants to meet the cost of travelling to arrange a funeral. Such help continues to be available under the social fund funeral payment arrangements which replaced the single payments provision in April 1987.
  44
  Details of the amounts of such payments are not available.

  Death Grant
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people in the United Kingdom died in each of the last five years; and in how many deaths the death grant was paid.

  Mr. Portillo
  The available information is as follows. Deaths recorded in the United Kingdom include a minority of visitors from abroad who did not qualify for a death grant.

  United Kingdom

  Year

  Deaths recorded

  Death grants paid1

  1983

  659,101

  614,000

  1984

  644,918

  213,723

  1985

  670,656

  615,000

  1986

  660,735

  3

  1987

  4

  3

  1 Figures are rounded to nearest 1,000.

  2 Figure shown is for Northern Ireland only; figures for Great Britain not available due to industrial action.

  3 Data not collected.

  4 Not yet available.

  Sources:

  Central Statistical Office Annual Abstract of Statistics 1988.

  Social Security Statistics 1987.

  Northern Ireland Social Security Statistics 1986.

  Birmingham Children's Hospital
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many private heart operations requiring intensive care beds at the Birmingham children's hospital were carried out by consultants from the Birmingham children's hospital during the week beginning 14 February; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Currie
  I understand that one heart operation was performed on a private patient at the Birmingham children's hospital last week. There is a long-standing arrangement at the children's hospital whereby any private patients are admitted to the hospital on the basis of clinical need and do not take priority over National Health Service patients.

  Registration of Deaths
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce legislation to enable funeral directors to register deaths on behalf of the bereaved to remove the requirement on the bereaved to register a death at the registrar's office for the area where the death occurred.

  Mrs. Currie
  At present, information for the registration of a death may only be given to the registrar of the sub-district in which the event occurred.

  A change to enable a death in England and Wales to be notified to any registrar of deaths in those countries was recently recommended for consideration in the efficiency scrutiny into the registration service which reported in 1985. Following my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State's announcement in the other place on 3 December 1987—Official Report, House of

  45
  Lords, column 1230—consultations have been opened on the scrutiny recommendations and on wider issues including the list of persons qualified to register deaths. It is as yet too early to predict the outcome of those consultations.

  Drugs (Adverse Reactions)
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the number of people who suffer significant long-term adverse reactions after taking pharmaceutical drugs; and approximately what percentage this is of those taking drugs each year.

  Mr. Newton
  [holding answer 12 January 1988]: Although it is not possible to provide reliable estimates of the number who suffer significant long term adverse reactions after taking pharmaceutical drugs or of the percentage that the latter represents of all who take such drugs in a year, it is clear that the percentage must be extremely small. The number of suspected adverse reaction reports received by the Committee on Safety of Medicines

  Estimated amount of weekly National Insurance contributions paid to the National Health Service (average male earnings)

  Weekly earnings

  Total NIC

  NHS contributions (0·95 per cent. of earnings)

  Percentage of NIC paid to NHS

  £

  £

  £

  Not contracted out of SERPS

  225·00

  20·25

  2·14

  10·6

  Contracted out of SERPS

  225·00

  16·57

  2·14

  12·9

  NHS Expenditure
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the figures for National Health Service expenditure per annum on(a) hospital running costs, (b) hospital capital costs, (c) general practice medical services, (d) general practice dental services, (e) general practice pharmaceutical services and (f) general practice ophthalmic services for 1979 until the last year the figures are available.

  Mr. Newton
  Information for 1986–87 is shown in the table.

  For the earlier years I refer the hon. Member to the summarised accounts of health authorities and family practitioner committees in England which are published annually as a House of Commons paper. HC20 1986–87 covers the financial year 1985–86—the latest published.

  £'000

  Hospital Services—Revenue Expenditure

  8,255,383

  Hospitals—Capital Expenditure

  706,563

  General Medical Services

  1,134,612

  Pharmaceutical Services

  1,696,073

  General Dental Services

  530,550

  General Ophthalmic Services

  130,725

  Continence Nursing Advisers
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what progress has been made in providing additional continence nursing advisers; what
  46
  in 1986 was 15,527 of which 5,006 were judged serious. Of the latter, the duration of the reaction was known for 2,039 and of these only 144 exceeded three months. There is no reliable estimate of the number of people who take drugs for a medicinal purpose in a year although it must represent a significant proportion of the population if both prescription and non-prescription drugs are included.

  National Insurance
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of the national insurance contributions paid by a man on the national average wage goes to support the National Health Service.

  Mr. Newton
  In 1988–89 a man is expected to earn an average £225 per week: the NHS contribution from class 1 national insurance contributions will be 0·95 per cent. of earnings up to the upper earnings limit of £305 per week, and 0·8 per cent. of earnings from employers. The NHS contribution will fund 15 per cent. of the gross cost of the NHS in Great Britain in 1988–89. The table provides the information sought.

  support his Department is giving to providing training for such advisers; if he will increase training facilities; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what official training facilities are available for nursing continence advisers; what support his Department is giving for validating such training and qualifications; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) if he will consider giving nursing continence advisers special payments for training, skills and responsibilities; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Newton
  The English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting as the independent statutory body charged with the responsibility for the regulation and education of the nursing professions in England provides a curriculum for a course on the promotion of continence and the management of incontinence. It is for health authorities to determine the appropriate levels of training required for particular posts. The Nurses' Pay Review Body is currently considering appropriate rates of pay for a new clinical grading structure which will provide more scope to reward and recognise nurses who have advanced clinical skills.

  Intramuscular Injections
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services whether his Department regards the administration of intramuscular injections by trained nurses as part of a nurse's ordinary duties; and what instructions his Department gives to hospital administrators if nursing officers insist that it is not.
  47
  Mr. Newton
  The administration of intramuscular injections is part of the duties of a trained nurse and this skill is taught as part of basic training. This is not a subject on which the Department would normally give advice. Any disagreement would be a matter for local management to resolve.

  Blood Samples
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services whether his Department regards the taking of blood samples by appropriately trained nurses as part of a nurse's ordinary duties; and what instructions his Department gives to hospital administrators if nursing officers insist that it is not.

  Mr. Newton
  This particular task is not included in basic training but it has been accepted by a number of health authorities as being a suitable task to be delegated to appropriately trained nursing staff. Advice is given on delegation to a nurse of tasks not included in basic training in HC(77)22, "The Extended Role of the Clinical Nurse Legal Implications & Training Requirements". A copy is being placed in the Library.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Sea Birds (Carbis Bay)
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received concerning the destruction of sea birds in Carbis bay, Cornwall, through entanglement in nylon monofilament fishing nets; if he will take steps to ban the use of these nets; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  I have received representations from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds about the recent deaths of sea birds in Carbis bay, Cornwall, through entanglement in fishing nets. Under normal circumstances the use of monofilament nets does not present a significant threat to populations of sea birds. However, in recent weeks, the adverse weather has driven sea birds inshore and prevented local fishermen from setting their nets further out to sea. Additionally, there has been a particular abundance of small fish, notably sprat, in the area. These factors, taken together, have resulted in unusually high fatalities among sea birds. We are keeping the situation under review.

  Food for Needy People
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what arrangements are being made for the distribution of free food for the needy, in the current year.

  Mr. Gummer
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on 9 February, at column 158, to the hon. Member for Barnsley, West and Penistone (Mr. McKay).

  Chile
  Sir Hugh Rossi
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment was made by the Minister of State, the right hon. Member for Suffolk, Coastal (Mr. Gummer), the implications of the degree of economic stability of Chile for the prospects of trade between the United Kingdom and Chile; and if he will make a statement.
  48
  Mr. Gummer
  On my visit to Chile between 11 and 17 January 1988, I was accompanied by a team of business men representing a good cross-section of the United Kingdom's agro-industry. I can inform my hon. Friend that the team, who made a significant number of new business contacts, were highly impressed by the economic stability of that country and the prospects for bilateral trade in agricultural and fisheries products. I share that impression.

  As I made clear to the various Ministers of the Chilean Government whom I met, I am a firm supporter of the initiative they have taken to privatise the agricultural sector. I was able, with my business team, to meet many agricultural entrepreneurs, particularly in the horticultural and fisheries sectors, who have expressed the wish to improve trade with the United Kingdom.

  Nevertheless I also made it clear to representatives of the Chilean Government, as well as to the leading members of the Opposition, that, while admiring their economic progress, we could not overlook Chile's consistently poor human rights performance. I also emphasised that Her Majesty's Government would wish to see an orderly and peaceful return to democracy as soon as possible.

  Water (Nitrate Levels)
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further action his Department is taking to restrict nitrate levels in water; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  My Department has well-established programmes of research, publicity and advice aimed at encouraging the farming industry to adopt practices which limit the scope for nitrate leaching into water resources. In addition, we have recently launched a campaign in association with other interested organisations to raise awareness among farmers of how they can help to reduce the problem, particularly in areas where the levels of nitrate in the public water supply are significant.

  EC (Food Statistics)
  Mr. Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North of 22 July 1987,Official Report, column 236, if he will update the details of (a) the total agricultural support for the European Economic Community, (b) overall European Economic Community expenditure and (c) total European Economic Community agricultural exports, to the latest date for which information is now available.

  Mr. MacGregor
  Final outturn figures for 1987 are not yet available. Budget provision for expenditure on market support and structural measures under the common agricultural policy was 24,101 mecu (£16,854 million); in addition some 4,512 mecu (£3,155 million) of expenditure on agricultural market support in November and December 1987 could not be met from the 1987 budget and will fall on the 1988 budget.

  The total Community budget for 1987 including agriculture (but excluding the carry over) was 36,168 mecu (£25,292 million) compared to 34,219 mecu (£22,169 million) outturn in 1986.

  Details of the value of agricultural exports from the Community in 1987 are not yet available.

  Rapeseed
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been(a) the EEC guarantee threshold and (b) actual output for rapeseed compared with EEC output over the past 10 years; what assessment he has made of why the reduction of 10 per cent. in the guarantee price in 1987 did not result in a fall in output; what assessment has been made of the effect a further reduction in price of 8 per cent. will have on output; at what stage further price reductions will be triggered; what contribution these arrangements have made towards reducing agricultural surpluses; and what effect the EEC subsidies have had on imports from (i) the developing countries and (ii) other countries.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him today by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister. The 1987 price reduction could not have affected rapeseed output this year since the decision was taken after the crop was planted. The additional estimated price reduction of 8 per cent. for 1988 is based on the Commission's assumed production for this year. If, however, 1988 or subsequent production proves higher than expected, additional price reductions will be introduced automaticaly in line with the objective of budgetary stabilisation.

  There is no overall Community oilseed surplus, only a need to reduce and stabilise support expenditure.

  Agricultural Commodities
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the increase in production of agricultural commodities in the EEC for the next five years; what estimates have been made of the effect this will have on the trade of third countries; and what assessment has been made of the implications for United Kingdom exports of manufactures to these countries.

  Mr. Gummer
  A range of projections of Community agricultural production and trade is contained in the Commission communication COM(87)1 final, 4 March 1987 (pp B4 to B85), a copy of which is in the Library of the House. The projections are based generally on past trends. Actual production in future years will depend on the reactions of the Community's 9 million farmers to the many factors influencing their decisions, including the new stabiliser arrangements, set-aside and Community decisions on agricultural support generally. Developments in world food trade will depend also on changes in agricultural support, production and consumption in other countries. Prospects for United Kingdom exports in manufactured goods will depend primarily on the competitive position of our manufacturing sector.

  New Forest (Keepers' Strike)
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received concerning the rent strike by keepers of the New Forest; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I have had no such representations.

  Sheepmeat Stabilisers
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if there is to be a separate scheme for Great Britain under the European Community proposals for sheepmeat stabilisers;

  (2) what is the maximum guaranteed quantity figures for ewes under the European Community proposals for sheepmeat stabilisers in (a) Great Britain and (b) the rest of the Community, including Northern Ireland;

  (3) what are the relevant percentage price reductions over the maximum guaranteed quantity, under the European Community proposals for sheepmeat stabilisers for (a) Great Britain and (b) the rest of the European Community, including Northern Ireland;

  (4) if he will make a statement on the implications of the proposed sheepmeat stabilisers for (a) Great Britain and (b) Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  [holding answer 19 February 1988]: The European Council at its meeting on 11–12 February had before it proposals for sheepmeat stabilisers which would provide for guarantee thresholds to be set at the estimated ewe numbers in 1987 of 18 million ewes for Great Britain; and of 44 million for the rest of the Community (including Northern Ireland). The texts provide that if these thresholds were exceeded subsequently, the basic price would be reduced — separately in Great Britain on the one hand and in the rest of the Community (including Northern Ireland) on the other—by 1 per cent. for each 1 per cent. overrun. The separate arrangement for Great Britain would be linked to the application of the variable premium scheme. The Foreign Affairs Council is expected to endorse the non-arable sector stabilisers at its meeting on 22–23 February.

  Other operational details, including the starting date for applying the proposed stabiliser mechanism and the precise percentages for the first basic price reductions, will be dealt with in implementing regulations which the EC Commission has yet to bring forward.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) whether, under the European Community proposals for sheepmeat stabilisers, there are any arrangement for minimum import prices;

  (2) what arrangements have been made, under the European Community proposals for sheepmeat stabilisers, for country imports into (a) Great Britain and (b) the rest of the European Community, including Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  [holding answer 19 February 1988]: The importation of sheepmeat into the Community from third countries is governed by voluntary restraint agreements between the EC and the main supplying countries. The VRAs make no distinction as between Great Britain and the rest of the Community, including Northern Ireland. Texts on the sheepmeat stabiliser proposals before the European Council at its meeting on 11–12 February include suggestions as to the points which might form part of the Community's eventual negotiating mandate for discussions with third countries about their future imports. One such point is that third countries should respect import price discipline.

  Coniferous Woodlands
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what his policy is with regard to
  51
  coniferous woodlands being planted in areas of outstanding natural beauty under the farm woodland grant scheme.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 19 February 1988]: Every application for the farm woodland scheme which falls within an area of outstanding natural beauty will be carefully considered to ensure that it is compatible with that designation. This is irrespective of whether the proposed planting consists predominately of conifers or broadleaves or comprises a mixture of the two.

ENVIRONMENT

  Council House Sales
  Mr. Heddle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if his Department will collate regular statistics on the handling of applications by each local authority in England, indicating their performance in the execution of their duties under legislation on council house sales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The Department currently requires detailed monthly reports from 11 local authorities whose processing of right-to-buy applications is unsatisfactory. Other authorities submit quarterly returns of applications received and sales completed, and may be brought within the formal monitoring arrangements if complaints received indicate that this is justified.

  Rate Levels
  Mr. Holt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to the amount, in percentage terms, by which the 1988–89 rate levels in(a) Middlesbrough, (b) Langbaurgh, (c) Stockton and (d) Hartlepool will exceed average wage increases over the past 12 months.

  Mr. Chope
  Based on provisional information, the percentages by which domestic rate increases in 1988–89 will exceed wage increases over the past 12 months are shown below. No information is available yet for Langbaurgh.

  Percentage

  Middlesbrough

  -2

  Stockton

  +5

  Hartlepool

  +4

  Mr. Holt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to the amount by which in percentage terms the 1988–89 rates levels in(a) Middlesbrough, (b) Langbaurgh, (c) Stockton and Hartlepool will exceed the retail price index increase over the past 12 months.

  Mr. Chope
  Based on provisional information, the percentages by which domestic rate increases in 1988–89 will exceed the retail prices index increase are shown below. No information is yet available for Langbaurgh.

  Percentage

  Middlesbrough

  3

  Stockton

  10

  Hartlepool

  9

  Cleveland County Council
  Mr. Holt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to the increase in the number of employees engaged by Cleveland county council in each of the past five years.

  Mr. Chope
  The numbers employed by Cleveland county council and the increase in each of the past five years is as follows:

  (Number employed—full and part-tme)

  June

  Total

  Change

  1983

  25,189

  —

  1984

  24,799

  -390

  1985

  24,664

  -135

  1986

  26,162

  +1,498

  11987

  26,539

  +377

  1 Provisional figures.

  Source: Joint Manpower Watch quarterly surveys.

  Domestic Rates
  Mr. Holt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to the likely average household increase in rates in cash terms of ratepayers living in(a) Langbaurgh, (b) Middlesbrough, (c) Stockton and (d) Hartlepool for 1988–89.

  Mr. Chope
  Based on provisional information, the likely average household rate increases in cash terms in 1988–89 are shown below. No information is yet available for Langbaurgh.

  Average domestic bill (£) 1987–88

  Average domestic bill (£) 1988–89

  Increase £

  Middlesbrough

  455

  484

  29

  Stockton

  458

  522

  64

  Hartlepool

  384

  432

  48

  Rating Reform
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many additional staff he estimates on average district councils will need to recruit in order to implement the poll tax.

  Mr. Howard
  It is not possible to estimate an average figure. Different authorities will choose to adopt different computer systems some of which be relatively capital intensive while others will be relatively manpower intensive.

  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest estimate of the average cost to a district council of preparing for the implementation of the poll tax.

  Mr. Howard
  The explanatory and financial memorandum attached to the Local Government Finance Bill contained an estimate of between £70 million and £90 million on the establishment of the register and preparation of new billing and collection systems. Those figures would equate to an average cost of between £174,000 and £223,000 for each collecting authority.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish revised exemplifications of community charge levels for all English and Welsh
  53
  authorities for 1987–88, taking into consideration (a) rates of Government estimates for likely evasion and other non-collection rates in each local authority area, and (b) the use of rate fund balances by authorities.

  Mr. Howard
  The Government have made no estimate of evasion and non-collection rates. The exemplifications we have published do take account of the use of balances.

  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many letters he has received from members of the public since 1985(a) in support of and (b) opposed to the community charge.

  Mr. Howard
  A summary of 1,271 responses received by my Department before 31 October 1986, when the consultation period on the Green Paper ended, was placed in the Library on 15 December 1986. Since June 1987, my Department has received some 3,800 letters, including about 3,400 from individual members of the public. The letters contain a variety of comments on specific aspects of our proposals or requests for further information, and for this reason do not readily lend themselves to an analysis of correspondents' views.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether poll tax registrars will have access to family practitioners committee lists of patients;

  (2) whether poll tax registrars will have access to district health authority lists of patients;

  (3) whether poll tax registrars will have access to the Department of Health and Social Security/National Health Service central register list of patients;

  (4) whether poll tax registrars will have access to the lists of women patients being used to call and recall women for cervical cancer screening.

  Mr. Howard
  Community charges registration officers will have access to none of these lists.

  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will reproduce the figures in figures 6 to 11 of his Department's note on the relationship between local taxes and income and the distributional impact of the community charge, on the basis of the rebate system currently in operation being applied to all figures.

  Household type

  Number receiving rate bills (millions)

  Total value gross rate bills (£million per annum)

  Numbers entitled to rebates (millions)

  Total value rebates (£million per annum)

  Single pensioner

  2·5

  795·7

  1·6

  321·6

  Other single adult

  2·2

  723·5

  0·7

  167·2

  Two adults

  11·1

  4,471·3

  2·2

  421·2

  Three or more adults

  2·5

  1,060·7

  0·5

  67·3

  All

  18·3

  7,051·3

  5·0

  977·5

  The total value of the net bills for the households receiving rebate is not readily available.

  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will reproduce the figures in figures 7, 8, 10 and 11 of his Department's note on the relationship between local taxes and income and the distributional impact of the community charge, splitting the data for two adult households into pensioner couples and others.
  54
  Mr. Ridley
  No. By the time the community charge takes effect the new housing benefit system which Parliament has approved will have been in operation for two years.

  Sir Brandon Rhys Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what estimate he has made as to the proportion of the total number of people eligible for rebate in respect of the proposed community charge in England and Wales who will already be in receipt of means-tested benefits;

  (2) what is his estimate of the increase in the total number of people, including claimants and their dependants, who will become entitled to means-tested benefits following the introduction of the community charge in England and Wales; and what estimate he has made as to the numbers who will then be eligible for a community charge rebate but will not claim it.

  Mr. Scott
  I have been asked to reply.

  I regret that it is not possible to provide estimates in the form requested. The Government's Green Paper "Paying for Local Government," published in 1986, estimated the community charge rebate case load in Great Britain at 7·66 million, 1·17 million above the rate rebate case load. No detailed estimates using more up-to-date assumptions are available. The Green Paper figures were based on potential entitlement and did not take account of failure to claim benefit. Nearer to the time we will be publicising the availability of community charge rebates.

  Dr. John Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will extract from the data used in the construction of figures 9 to 11 of his Department's note on the relationship between local taxes and income and the distributional impact of the community charge in England (1) the number of households receiving rate bills, (2) the total value of their gross bills, (3) the number of households receiving rebates, (4) the total value of such rebates and (5) the total value of the net bills for the households receiving rebates, the figures to be provided(a) for all households in England and (b) separately for (i) one adult (non-retired), (ii) one adult (retired), (iii) a pensioner couple, (iv) other two adult households with or without children, (v) three adults with or without children and (vi) four or more adults, with or without children.

  Mr. Ridley
  The estimates requested are as follows:

  Mr. Ridley
  The following tables split the figures for two-adult households and tax units in figures 7, 8, 10 and 11 of the Department's note of 13 January 1988 on the relationship between local taxes and income, showing the results for "pensioner couples" and "other couples" separately.
  55

  Figure 7: Impact of the Community Charge with safety nets (1990–91 position: England)

  Thousands of gainers and losers: Household types

  Two adults

  Pensioner couples

  Others

  Pounds per week

  Losers

  10+

  —

  —

  5–10

  15

  85

  2–5

  200

  1,465

  1–2

  220

  1,220

  0–1

  725

  2,225

  Total losers

  1,165

  4,995

  Gainers

  0–1

  285

  1,750

  1–2

  120

  855

  2–5

  145

  1,175

  5–10

  60

  450

  10+

  15

  115

  Total gainers

  625

  4,350

  Percentage of net income

  Losers

  10+

  —

  0

  5–10

  5

  10

  2–5

  170

  520

  1–2

  240

  1,150

  0–1

  750

  3,310

  Total losers

  1,165

  4,995

  Gainers

  0–1

  355

  2,935

  1–2

  150

  950

  2–5

  105

  435

  5–10

  10

  25

  10+

  0

  5

  Total gainers

  625

  4,350

  Figure 8: impact of the Community Charge with safety nets (1990–91 position: England)

  Thousands of gainers and losers: tax unit types

  Two adults

  Pounds per week

  Pensioner couples

  Others

  Losers

  10+

  —

  5

  5–10

  40

  155

  2–5

  285

  1,775

  1–2

  270

  1,325

  0–1

  795

  2,330

  Total losers

  1,385

  5,590

  Gainers

  0–1

  295

  1,915

  1–2

  125

  975

  2–5

  155

  1,310

  5–10

  60

  515

  10+

  15

  155

  Total gainers

  650

  4,870

  Percentage of net income

  Losers

  10+

  —

  5

  5–10

  15

  30

  2–5

  245

  720

  1–2

  310

  1,330

  0–1

  810

  3,500

  56

  Two adults

  Pounds per week

  Pensioner couples

  Others

  —

  —

  Total losers

  1,385

  5,590

  Gainers

  0–1

  370

  3,225

  1–2

  155

  1,080

  2–5

  110

  520

  5–10

  10

  40

  10+

  0

  10

  Total gainers

  650

  4,870

  Figure 10: Impact of the Community Charge with no safety nets (England)

  Thousands of gainers and losers: Household types

  Two adults

  Pensioner couples

  Others

  Pounds per week

  Losers

  10+

  15

  115

  5–10

  35

  320

  2–5

  220

  1,335

  1–2

  160

  960

  0–1

  565

  1,700

  Total losers

  995

  4,430

  Gainers

  0–1

  355

  1,500

  0–2

  120

  1,085

  2–5

  210

  1,525

  5–10

  75

  660

  10+

  20

  160

  Total gainers

  780

  4,930

  Percentage of net income

  Losers

  10+

  5

  5

  5–10

  30

  110

  2–5

  200

  765

  1–2

  220

  1,080

  0–1

  545

  2,470

  Total losers

  995

  4,430

  Gainers

  0–1

  415

  2,870

  1–2

  180

  1,355

  2–5

  170

  650

  5–10

  15

  45

  10+

  —

  10

  Total gainers

  780

  4,930

  Figure 11: Impact of the Community Charge with no safety nets (England)

  Thousands of Gainers and Losers: Tax unit types

  Two Adults

  Pensioner couples

  Others

  Pounds per week

  Losers

  10+

  15

  130

  5–10

  60

  395

  2–5

  295

  1,595

  1–2

  205

  1,060

  57

  Two Adults

  Pensioner couples

  Others

  0–1

  635

  1,795

  Total Losers

  1,215

  4,970

  Gainers

  0–1

  370

  1,615

  0–2

  130

  1,205

  2–5

  215

  1,705

  5–10

  80

  760

  10+

  20

  200

  Total Gainers

  820

  5,490

  Percentage of net income

  Losers

  10+

  5

  5

  5–10

  50

  145

  2–5

  275

  940

  1–2

  275

  1,245

  0–1

  610

  2,635

  Total Losers

  1,215

  4,970

  Gainers

  0–1

  435

  3,105

  1–2

  190

  1,535

  2–5

  175

  770

  5–10

  15

  65

  10+

  0

  15

  Total Gainers

  820

  5,490

  North Tyneside Borough Council
  Mr. Ted Garrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if North Tyneside borough council's grant-related expenditure allocation and grant relief entitlement for 1985–86 onwards will be adjusted to reflect the acceptance by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys that the level of estimated emigration for 1982–83 requires adjustment to reflect the estimated population figures in subsequent years.

  Mr. Chope
  The policy of the Secretary of State is to use the population of an area and the numbers of persons of particular ages in the area estimated by the Registrar General and certified by him for rate support grant purposes. However, the Secretary of State will consider representations made to him concerning revisions to population estimates before making his decisions for future supplementary reports for 1985–86 and later years.

  Pikehall Farmhouse, Derbyshire
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how long it took him to come to a decision on the planning application in respect of the outbuilding near Pikehall farm, Pikehall, Hartington Nether Quarter, Derbyshire; and if he will give the reason for this length of time.

  Mrs. Roe
  A listed building consent application for demolition of the stable block of outbuildings at Pikehall farm was determined by the Secretary of State on 12 November 1983 in just under 12 months from the date when it was removed from the jurisdiction of the Peak Park planning board.
  58
  Suitably qualified and experienced inspectors are in short supply, and inquiries often take some time to arrange. A decision was further delayed in this case because the inspector adjourned the inquiry to allow parties to produce further information.

  Estate Action Schemes
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much of the £75 million set aside for Estate Action schemes in 1987–88 has been finally approved to date; what proportion of this total to date has been approved for continuing schemes; and how much has been finally approved for new schemes in 1987–88.

  Mrs. Roe
  Of the £75 million additional resources available to Estate Action in 1987–88, £74,635 million has been formally allocated to local authorities, 53 per cent. has been allocated to continuation schemes and 47 per cent. to new schemes. The remaining £360,000 is on the point of formal allocation to continuation schemes.

  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what sums have been put into Estate Action schemes by private developers since 1985–86; and how many schemes to date have been supplemented by resources from private developers;

  (2) how much council-owned property had been sold to private developers as part of Estate Action schemes since his Department began targeting the housing investment programme via estate action in 1985–86.

  Mrs. Roe
  To date some 4,600 council dwellings have been, or are in the course of being, disposed of to the private sector as part of Estate Action packages to revitalise rundown estates. Forty two schemes have been accompanied by private investment. It is not possible to say precisely how much money each private investor has contributed.

  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what factors his Department has taken into consideration in dividing the total Estate Action allocation of £75 million between regional offices; and how much of the allocation has been allocated to each regional office.

  Mrs. Roe
  Estate Action resources are distributed regionally on the basis of the quality and number of individual schemes submitted by local authorities in each region. The amounts allocated for schemes in each region in 1987–88 so far are as follows:

  Region

  £ million

  Northern

  8·040

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  10·898

  North-west

  21·948

  Merseyside Task Force

  3·934

  West midlands

  10·669

  East midlands

  4·085

  Eastern

  0·362

  South-east

  0·058

  South-west

  0·497

  London

  14·144

  74·635

  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many of Estate Action's continuing schemes have been finally approved to date by each of his Department's regional offices.
  59
  Mrs. Roe
  The number of Estate Action continuation schemes which have received additional resources this year to date is shown below:

  Continuation schemes in 1987–88

  Region

  Number

  Northern

  16

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  13

  North-west

  21

  Merseyside task force area

  6

  West midlands

  5

  East midlands

  4

  Eastern

  1

  South-east

  1

  South-west

  0

  London

  19

  TOTAL

  86

  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the criteria for approvals of Estate Action schemes which his Department used in(a) 1985–86, (b) 1986–87 and (c) 1987–88; and what the criteria for the approval of Estate Action schemes will be in 1988–89.

  Mrs. Roe
  The criteria used in assessing Estate Action proposals submitted by local authorities have been constant since the programme was launched in June 1985 and remain the same for the coming financial year. They are spelt out in detail in the annual reports published in 1986 and 1987, copies of which are in the Library. Each application is considered on its merits with priority given to those proposals which offer residents greater choice and control over their living conditions and environment and which take full advantage of any opportunities for combining public and private sector skills and resources; under estate action's homelessness initiative additional resources are made available to help local authorities bring vacant properties on estates back into use to benefit homeless people.

  ACE Funding
  Mr. Allen Roberts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment in what way he gives assistance to agencies in the United Kingdom for the purposes of securing funds under the European Commission's Action by the Community in the Environment regulations; and if he will make a statement on his policy toward the European Community level of ACE funding.

  Mrs. Roe
  My Department is in regular contact with agencies interested in applying for funds under ACE regulation, offering advice and guidance. We supported adoption of the regulation in the Environment Council and its renewal in 1987, and are satisfied with the level of funding being offered.

  English House Condition Survey
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the percentage of dwellings in the English house condition survey where the temperature in the interview room was below 21 degrees Celsius; and what were the temperatures on the stairways and the percentage of retirement pensioner households involved in the survey.

  Mrs. Roe
  This information is not yet available.

  Nature Conservancy Council
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the amount of expenditure incurred by the Nature Conservancy Council in England, Scotland and Wales, expressed as a figure per hectare of land designated as a site of special scientific interest, in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The NCC does not maintain records of expenditure in the form requested and this information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. I will write to the hon. Member.

  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has yet received a response from the Nature Conservancy Council on the possibility of selling off reserves.

  Mr. Moynihan
  No. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to the hon. Member for Oldham, Central and Royton (Mr. Lamond) on 17 February, 1988, at columns 959–60. The NCC is conducting an internal review of its national nature reserve policy, which is due to be completed later this year.

  Property Services Agency
  Mr. Couchman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list each outstanding planning application submitted by the Property Services Agency, giving details of address, development applied for and size of site in respect of land declared surplus to requirements by other Government Departments, noting the Department for which the Property Services Agency is acting in each case.

  Mr. Chope
  The information is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Tyne and Wear Development Corporation
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will supply details of(a) private sector and (b) Government funding for the Tyne and Wear development corporation for each year since its formation and the number of jobs created.

  Mr. Chope
  Tyne and Wear development corporation has received £1·83 million in Exchequer grant-in-aid all in 1987–88. The corporation was established on 15 May 1987. It is too early to make accurate estimates of the private sector investment stimulated or the number of jobs created.

  London Residuary Body
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much of the distributable revenue balances as set out by the London residuary body in its 1987–88 budget has been distributed.

  Mr. Chope
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to him on 13 January 1988, at column 275.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many staff were employed by the London residuary body for the purpose of carrying out its functions as of 31 March 1986; how many are currently employed; and how many he estimates will be employed in the coming 12 months.
  61
  Mr. Chope
  The London residuary body did not inherit its functions from the former GLC until 1 April 1986. On that date the LRB employed 3,580 staff. It currently employs 2,114 staff. Future staffing levels are a matter for the LRB to determine having regard to its remaining functions and workload. On present forecasts, it estimates that staff numbers will have fallen to 900 by the end of 1988–89. All figures are full-time equivalents.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much was received by the London residuary body from the sale of the motor vehicle registration number ALC 1, previously used by the chairman of the Greater London council.

  Mr. Chope
  The sum is £2,500.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has about the London residuary body's current estimate of capital assets awaiting disposal.

  Mr. Chope
  None.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on what dates in each case 1986–87 revenue balances and capital receipts were paid to London boroughs; what were the amounts; and how each payment varied from the original estimates.

  Mr. Chope
  The amount of revenue balances and capital receipts distributed by the LRB to London boroughs in 1986–87 is published in LRB's annual report and accounts available in the Library. The estimates of amounts to be paid were contained in LRB's published budget, copies of which I am arranging to be placed in the Library. Timing of payments is the responsibility of the LRB.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment by what date 1987–88 revenue balances and capital receipts will be paid in full to the London boroughs.

  Mr. Chope
  The payment of capital receipts by the London residuary body to the London boroughs is governed by the Local Government Reorganisation (Capital Money) (Greater London) Order 1987, SI 1987/118. This provides that the residuary body shall use its best endeavours to secure that payments are made on or before the last day of the financial year in question. Any part of a payment not so made shall be paid no later than 30 June in the next financial year.

  The date for payment of revenue balances is a matter for the LRB.

  Local Government Reform
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his reply of 13 January,Official Report, columns 275–77, what percentage of former Greater London council assets which passed to the London residuary body are now estimated to have been disposed of.

  Mr. Chope
  The London residuary body has disposed of Thamesmead and the industrial portfolia. Substantial progress has been made towards the disposal of the seaside and country homes and properties in Covent Garden.62
  County hall and about 500 residential units are being marketed. Of the remaining 1,620 properties which the LRB inherited and are considered marketable, terms have been agreed in about 50 per cent. of cases. Properties required by successors for functional purposes will be transferred to them.

  MOD Properties (Sales)
  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many Ministry of Defence houses in(a) Scotland and (b) Renfrew, West and Inverclyde have been sold in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Chope
  The figures are as follows:

  Number

  11979–81

  Nil

  1981–82

  7

  1982–83

  13

  1983–84

  12

  1984–85

  12

  1985–86

  13

  1986–87

  15

  1 Inclusive

  Green Belt
  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the area of designated green belt land in the St. Albans constituency(a) in 1979 and (b) at the present time.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  [holding answer 17 February 1988]: Prior to the approval of the Hertfordshire structure plan in September 1979 approximately 3,000 hectares of land in the St. Albans constituency were designated green belt. Following approval of the structure plan, approximately 8,300 hectares of land are now designated as green belt.

  Northern Development Agency
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the amounts spent on industrial, investments and environmental improvements by the northern development agency in the Blyth Valley constituency, in each year since 1983.

  Mr. Atkins
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Northern Development Company (NDC) has been in existence only since July 1986. In the current financial year this Department has made available £908,000 to the NDC for its inward investment promotion activities, and a further £210,000 for a wider range of activities aimed at the regeneration of the region's economy. The NDC does not engage directly in industrial investment or environmental improvement activities. The NDC's total budget for this year is £1,844,000. However, information is not available on the geographical spread of NDC expenditure.

  The NDC's predecessor was the North of England Development Council, which was concerned solely with inward investment and export promotion.

  Building Workers (Accident Statistics)
  Ms. Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has about(a) the number of accidents and (b) the number of fatal accidents involving building workers employed on sites in London's docklands in the past six years.
  63
  Mr. Nicholls
  I have been asked to reply.

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

  Olympic-Standard Swimmers (Training)
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on the training facilities available for Olympic-standard swimmers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Most training for Britain's Olympic swimmers takes place at club level, using local swimming facilities. Preparation also includes training and competition experience in 50-metre pools of which there are currently 8 indoor and 23 outdoor in England and Wales. Britain's Olympic swimming squad trains as a group at one of these pools at the Crystal Palace national sports centre. The Sports Council is currently reviewing its strategy on swimming pool provision in discussion with the Amateur Swimming Association, and will be looking at the provision of training facilities for Olympic-standard swimmers and of pools for international competition.

  Treasure Trove
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the members of the review body on treasure trove laws and those organisations whom he proposes to consult.

  Mr. Moynihan
  There is no review body as such. On 11 February I announced the issue by the Department and the Welsh Office of a consultation paper on arrangements for reporting archaeological finds. Responses to this will be evaluated by officials, who will take into account the conclusions of a recent paper by the Law Commission on the law of treasure trove and a review by an interdepartmental group of officials under Treasury chairmanship of the arrangements for payment of awards to finders of treasure trove. Copies of the consultation paper have been sent to a number of interested individuals and to the representative organisations as set out. We shall be happy to provide further copies to any other groups or individuals who wish to contribute to the review.

  Ancient Monuments Society

  Association of Archaeological Officers

  Association of Chief Police Officers

  Association of County Councils

  Association of District Councils

  Association of Larger Local Councils

  Association of London Authorities

  Association of London Borough Planning Officers

  Association of Metropolitan Authorities

  Avon County Council

  Brick Development Association

  British Aggregate

  British Association of Landscape Industries

  British Ball Clay Producers Federation

  British Coal

  British Fluorspar Producers

  British Gas Corporation

  British Museum

  British Numismatic Society

  British Pre-cast Concrete Federation

  British Property Federation

  British Reclamation Industries Confederation

  British Telecom

  British Waterways Board

  CADW

  C. Scope International (Metal Detector Manufacturers)

  64

  Cement Makers Federation

  Central Council for Physical Recreation

  Central Electricity Generating Board

  Chartered Institute of Building

  Chief Professional Planning Appeals Commission (N. Ireland)

  China Clay Association

  Civic Trust

  Confederation of Construction Specialists

  Conservation Society

  Cornish Chambers of Mines

  Council for British Archaeology

  Council for Environmental Conservation

  Council for National Parks

  Council for the Protection of Rural England

  Country Land Agents and Valuers Association

  Country Landowners Association

  Countryside Commission

  County Planning Officers Society

  County Surveyor's Society

  Department of Transport

  Detector Information Group

  District Planning Officers Society

  Dorset Archaeological Committee

  Faculty of Architects and Surveyors

  Federation of Civil Engineering

  Federation of Master Builders

  Federation of Small Mines of Great Britain

  Forestry Commission

  The Geological Society

  The Georgian Group

  The Guild of Surveyors

  Hays Group Ltd (Metal Detector Manufacturers)

  The Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission

  The Home Office

  House Builders Federation

  Incorporated Association of Architects and Surveyors

  Institute of Building

  Institute of Chartered Foresters

  Institute of Civil Engineers

  Institute of Field Archaeologists

  Institute of Mining Engineers

  Lake District Special Planning Board

  Law Commission

  Law Society

  Local Authorities Association

  London Boroughs Association

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  Metropolitan Planning Officers Society

  Midland Archaeological Society

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  Museums Association

  Museums and Galleries Commission

  Museum of London

  National Amenities Societies

  National Association of Agricultural Contractors

  National Association of Opencast Coal Operators

  National Association of Local Councils

  National Brick Federation

  National Council of Building Material Producers

  National Council for Metal Detecting

  National Farmers Union

  National Federation of Building Trade Employers

  National Federation of Clay Industries

  National Heritage Memorial Fund

  National Housebuilding Council

  National Housing and Town Planning Council

  National Trust

  Nature Conservancy Council

  Northern Ireland Office

  Office of Arts and Libraries

  The Open Spaces Society

  65

  Peak Park Joint Planning Board

  Police Federation

  Prehistoric Society

  The Ramblers Association

  Royal Commission on Historical Monuments for England

  Royal Institute of British Architects

  Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors

  Royal Numismatic Society

  Royal Society for Nature Conservation

  Sand and Gravel Association

  Scottish Development Department

  Silica and Moulding Sands Association

  Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings

  Society of Antiquaries

  Society of Museum Archaeologists

  Standing Conference of Rural Community Councils

  Standing Conference of Archaeological Unit Managers

  Standing Local Authority Officers on Land Reclamation

  Stone Federation

  Surrey Archaeological Society

  Tenant Farmers Association

  Timber Growers of Great Britain Ltd

  The Treasury

  Trust for Wessex Archaeology

  Victorian Society

  Wiltshire Archaeologists and Natural History Society

  Housing Needs Index (Nottinghamshire)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he received any representations from Nottingham city council regarding the effect of a reduction in the council house waiting list on the housing needs index, causing a £3·5 million reduction in anticipated income to housing associations in Nottinghamshire; and if he will make a statement.
  66
  Mr. Waldegrave
  Waiting list figures are not included in the housing needs index and my right hon. Friend has had no representation from Nottingham city council on the subject. I understand, however, that doubt has arisen over the calculation of certain Nottingham indicators and that the matter is under discussion between the Department and the Housing Corporation.

  Nuclear Installations (Decommissioning)
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the current status of research on decommissioning of nuclear installations under European Council decision 84/60 Euratom of 31 January 1984, specified in terms of section A, projects one to seven, section B and section C.

  Mr. Moynihan
  [holding answer 19 February 1988]: I have placed a copy of the latest available progress report published by the European Commission "The Community's research and development programme on decommissioning of nuclear installations", report EUR 11112 EN, in the Library of the House. This covers the period up to the end of 1986. When the 1987 version is available I will place that in the Library also.

  Olympic-standard Swimming Pools
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list, all those Olympic-standard swimming pools in England and Wales which are under local authority control; and which of them are open-air facilities.

  Mr. Moynihan
  There are no Olympic-standard swimming pools in England or Wales which are under local authority control or are open-air facilities.

TRANSPORT

  Rail Services (London)
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will meet the chairman of the Central Transport Consultative Committee to discuss the effects on the economy of the level of rail services to the City of London.

  Mr. Snape
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will meet the chairman of the Central Transport Consultative Committee to discuss the effects on the economy of the level of rail services to the City of London.

  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will meet the chairman of the Central Transport Consultative Committee to discuss the effects on the economy of the level of rail services to the City of London.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if, when he next meets the chairman of the Central Transport Consultative Committee, he will discuss the effects on Britain's economy of the level of rail services to the City of London.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  My right hon. Friend has no immediate plans to do so.

  Transport Subsidies
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has had any discussions with EEC Transport Ministers concerning the harmonisation of public transport subsidies.

  Mr. Channon
  No.

  Mr. Holland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his policy towards harmonising public transport subsidy levels across the EEC by 1992.

  Mr. Channon
  There is already a degree of harmonisation in the form of EEC directives on public service obligations and the granting of state aids for transport by rail, road and inland waterways. I see no need for further harmonisation in these areas.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans to increase the level of subsidy to public transport in major cities; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  No. The objective of this Government has been to achieve a better balance between the interests of those who benefit from public transport subsidy and the ratepayers and taxpayers who must pay for it. As a result of our policies, annual revenue support for local bus and rail services in the English metropolitan areas has been reduced by about £85 million since 1985–86. This represents a considerable saving to both ratepayers and taxpayers, without any diminution in the overall level of service.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has about the subsidy levels to public transport in each capital city of each member state of the EEC, expressed as a percentage of total revenue.
  68
  Mr. David Mitchell
  None, except for London, in which connection I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen) on 18 January at column 528.

  Rillington Bypass
  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made on plans for a route for the Rillington bypass; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Bids will be invited shortly from the consulting engineers for the contract to identify the preferred route for the scheme.

  Driving Test
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received seeking changes in the driving test.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  We regularly receive ideas from all quarters. The changes most often suggested are for the test to include motorway driving and night-time driving, a written test on the highway code and a different test of eyesight.

  Rail Services (Quality)
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met the chairman of the Central Transport Consultative Committee to discuss the quality of rail services.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met the chairman of the Central Transport Consultative Committee to discuss the quality of rail services.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  I refer the hon. Members to my reply earlier today to the hon. Member for Ashford (Mr. Haynes).

  Road Tolls
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received on the use of road tolls.

  Mr. Channon
  A number of motoring and freight transport organisations have expressed opposition to the introduction of road tolls. Some construction and financial organisations have expressed interest in building privately financed roads which might involve charging. I have no plans to impose tolls on existing roads.

  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has received any recent proposals from the private sector for the construction of new toll roads; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Costain has recently put forward in outline ideas for a road tunnel under the Thames and for a second tier on the M25. These plans do not as yet constitute firm proposals. As we said in the 1987 White Paper, the Government are keen to encourage initiatives by the private sector for adding to the level of transport infrastructure wherever this is the most cost-effective way of providing the facilities concerned. We shall be pleased to look at any firm proposals in that light.

  Safety Standards
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he plans to revise the enforcement of transport safety regulations in passenger transport; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Channon
  I attach great importance to all aspects of passenger transport safety and its enforcement. At present I have no plans to make revisions to the system of enforcement.

  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what priority is given to safety standards in the formation of his Department's passenger transport policies.

  Mr. Channon
  Safety is one of my top priorities.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has any plans to improve safety standards in passenger transport operations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  Effective and appropriate safety standards must be a continuing preoccupation of any Secretary of State for Transport. My right hon. Friend regularly reviews and improves them where this is justified.

  London Underground Stations
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has held any recent discussions with the chairman of London Regional Transport on the future staffing of London underground stations; and if he will make a statement.

  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has held any recent discussions with the chairman of London Regional Transport on the future staffing of London underground stations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has held any recent discussions with the chairman of London Regional Transport on the future staffing of London underground stations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lofthouse
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if, when he last met the chairman of London Regional Transport, he held any discussions on the future staffing of London underground stations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  I have not discussed underground staffing matters; they are for management, in accordance with its statutory duty to operate safely and efficiently. Within that framework, I would expect staff levels to reflect the manpower required to do the job.

  Network SouthEast
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met the chairman of British Rail to discuss the volume of service on Network SouthEast.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  My right hon. Friend last met the chairman on 11 February and discussed a wide range of matters of current interest.

  Commuter Services
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he plans to revise his policy towards commuter transport in the light of the report from the City Commuter Services group, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  Our policy is that BR should provide its customers with an attractive and reliable service meeting the quality standards I have set, while reducing its call on the taxpayer. I see no reason to change that.

  Rail Services (London to Holyhead)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next proposes to meet the chairman of British Rail to discuss railway services between London and Holyhead.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  Rail services on particular routes are a matter for BR management. Hence I have no plans to discuss the London-Holyhead service with the chairman in the near future.

  Transport Supplementary Grant
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the capital allocations for transport and transport supplementary grant allocated to each London borough for the years 1986–87, 1987–88 and 1988–89.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The list for the 33 boroughs is in the table. The total capital allocations for London are 1986–87—£104 million, 1987–88—£108·8 million and 1988–89—£122·9 million.

  London borough councils—Transport capital allocations 1986–87, 1987–88, 1988–89 (£ million)

  Borough

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  Barking

  1·2

  2·6

  6·1

  Barnet

  1·7

  1·3

  1·0

  Bexley

  5·0

  1·8

  2·7

  Brent

  1·9

  1·1

  1·2

  Bromley

  1·6

  1·7

  8·8

  Camden

  2·0

  1·4

  0·4

  City

  2·5

  1·3

  0·6

  Croydon

  1·2

  1·2

  0·7

  Ealing

  4·8

  5·1

  6·4

  Enfield

  9·0

  16·3

  22·8

  Greenwich

  3·1

  5·2

  3·4

  Hackney

  2·3

  1·7

  1·7

  Hammersmith

  0·8

  0·4

  0·3

  Haringey

  3·8

  3·4

  8·3

  Harrow

  3·0

  4·1

  9·6

  Havering

  4·8

  3·5

  1·3

  Hillingdon

  8·2

  7·3

  10·5

  Hounslow

  1·8

  2·0

  1·7

  Islington

  0·4

  0·8

  0·4

  Kensington

  1·2

  0·7

  1·1

  Kingston

  9·1

  9·8

  5·6

  Lambeth

  1·0

  1·1

  0·8

  Lewisham

  1·7

  1·8

  2·4

  Merton

  3·9

  7·8

  6·7

  Newham

  4·3

  3·5

  2·6

  Redbridge

  2·4

  2·8

  1·9

  Richmond

  1·2

  0·9

  0·7

  Southwark

  3·9

  3·0

  4·4

  Sutton

  2·0

  2·2

  2·6

  Tower Hamlets

  1·0

  1·0

  0·6

  71

  Borough

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  Waltham Forest

  2·8

  2·7

  1·7

  Wandsworth

  6·2

  6·9

  2·4

  Westerminster

  4·2

  2·4

  1·5

  Total

  104·0

  108·8

  122·9

  Runway Capacity (South-east England)
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on runway capacity in the south-east of England.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The 1985 White Paper "Airports Policy" (Cmnd 9542) set out the pattern of airport development to meet the demand for air travel into the mid-1990s. We naturally keep the adequacy of capacity, including runway capacity, under review—as does the Civil Aviation Authority which has a statutory duty to make formal recommendations to my right hon. Friend on such matters.

  Main Line Service (St. Pancras-Sheffield)
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how Government financial targets and guidelines have affected British Rail's investment in improving the midland main line service between St. Pancras and Sheffield.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  This service is part of BR's Inter-City network on which it is expected to earn a commercial rate of return. The board's confidence in the future of the line is demonstrated by its recent investment in a new pullman service and a £25 million resignalling programme.

  Aircraft (Near Misses)
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many official reports of near misses involving aircraft in British air space there have been in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The latest Civil Aviation Authority statistics for air miss incidents involving all types of military and civil aircraft in United Kingdom air space over the last five years for which complete figures are available are:

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  A. Definite risk of collision

  20

  13

  21

  14

  21

  B. Possible risk of collision

  55

  62

  57

  52

  50

  Total risk-bearing (A+B)

  75

  75

  78

  66

  71

  C. No risk of collision

  96

  92

  93

  77

  104

  Total air misses (A+B+C)

  171

  167

  171

  143

  175

  Garden of Remembrance (Theydon Bois)
  Sir John Biggs-Davison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a grant to the Theydon Bois parish council to defray the expense of tree planting to shield the garden of remembrance at the local burial ground from noise from the M11.
  72
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  We are prepared to consider the possibility of a tree planting scheme under the terms of section 253 of the Highways Act 1980. The Department's regional office will get in touch with the parish council for a discussion.

  Settle-Carlisle Railway
  Mr. Waller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he now expects to make an announcement about the future of the Settle to Carlisle railway.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  As soon as all necessary consultations are complete.

  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the current local authority contribution to(a) the provision of the diesel multiple unit service on the Settle to Carlisle railway, (b) the upkeep and maintenance of the line, (c) the advertising and publicity of the line and (d) express passenger services; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  I understand that during 1987–88 local authorities have contributed about £70,000 in general revenue support for the line (not attributable to individual services) and nothing towards the upkeep and maintenance of the infrastructure of the line, although some parish councils do give some general assistance towards the upkeep and general tidiness of their local stations. I also understand that local authorities contributed about £9,000 towards publicity for the line in 1987. During the next two financial years, revenue support from local authorities is expected to rise to about £130,000 if the line is retained. I have asked each authority to consider carefully the level of support it should give to the line—towards both the costs of operations and the cost of repairing the Ribblehead viaduct — in view of the importance it attaches to retaining it.

  London Regional Transport
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects London Regional Transport to publish its draft strategic plan for future operations; and over what period it will be open for consultation.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  I understand that LRT intends to issue a consultative document shortly; to allow some eight weeks for responses; and to publish a new statement of strategy before the end of June.

  Air Traffic (London Area)
  Mr. McCrindle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if, when he next meets the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority, he will raise with him the possible overcrowding of the skies around London.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  My right hon. Friend frequently meets the chairman of the authority to discuss matters of mutual interest, including air space issues affecting the London area, for which the authority is reponsible. My right hon. Friend will be visiting the London air traffic control centre in the near future to see the current provision of air traffic services and to discuss the plans of the national air traffic services for the future.

  Car Telephones
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received about the road safety implications of the use of telephones in cars.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  We have received a number of representations. Most expressed concern at the safety implications of using in-car telephones in moving vehicles. The revised highway code, issued in March 1987, tells drivers not to use a hand-held telephone while their vehicle is moving, except in an emergency. Anyone who can afford a car telephone can afford, and should use, a hands-free microphone.

  Bus Services (London)
  Ms. Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met the chairman of London Regional Transport to discuss London bus services.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met the chairman of London Regional Transport to discuss bus services in Greater London.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  My right hon. Friend and I last met the chairman of London Regional Transport on 4 February to discuss a number of issues, including bus services.

  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to be in a position to make a statement on his policy towards privatising London bus services.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State said during the recent debate on the London Regional Transport (Levy) Order 1988 that we intend to see Londoners enjoying the benefits of deregulation as soon as practicable, and that accordingly we have asked London Regional Transport to bring forward early proposals for the restructuring of London Buses Ltd. into smaller units which will be able to operate commercially in a competitive environment.

  King's Cross Station
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, on how many occasions the London fire brigade has been called to King's Cross underground station because of a fire or suspected fire since 18 November 1987; on which dates these calls were made; how many appliances attended on each occasion; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  I understand from London Underground Limited that since 18 November 1987, the London fire brigade has been called to King's Cross underground station on five occasions. Three calls were false alarms — on 17 December, 10 January and 4 February. The other two calls were on 8 January and were in connection with tests carried out in connection with the formal investigation into the causes of the fire on 18 November. No record is kept by London Underground of the number of fire appliances attending calls.

  Central Transport Consultative Committee
  Mr. Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met the chairman of the Central Transport Consultative Committee to discuss its recent reports.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  My right hon. Friend met the chairman last December and discussed a range of railway matters.

  Tyre Treads
  Mr. Roger King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to implement the EEC recommendations on minimum tyre tread depth; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The European Commission has proposed a directive on minimum tyre tread depth for cars and light vehicles used throughout the Community. The question of implementation will arise only if this directive is adopted by the Council of Ministers. It has not yet been considered by the Council. In our view the Commission's proposals would impose unnecessary costs on motorists in the United Kingdom amounting to £70 million per year, with no significant benefit to road safety. I have placed a note in the Library summarising the cost and safety issues.

  London Buses Ltd.
  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has any plans to change the policy guidelines issued to London Regional Transport concerning London Buses Ltd.; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  The Government's broad objectives for London Regional Transport remain those set out in a letter of 20 July 1984 to the chairman. In the case of London Buses Ltd., my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has more recently asked LRT to bring forward early proposals for its restructuring into smaller units in preparation for the eventual deregulation of bus services in London.

  Rail Services
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next intends to meet the chairman of the Transport Users Consultative Committee to discuss rail services.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  My right hon. Friend has no immediate plans to meet him.

  Staff Dispersal
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many divisions within his Department have been relocated out of London since 1979; what plans he has for further relocation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  About 80 per cent. of the Department's present staff of 14,000 is located outside London and, where practicable, work is already carried out in regional and local offices. In 1987, seven posts dealing with policy on driver licensing and vehicle taxation moved from London to Swansea and six posts in the
  75
  vehicle inspectorate technical training school moved from Stanmore to Bristol. Some 20 posts from the vehicle inspectorate's workshops and stores at Borehamwood will move to Bristol later this year. The Department keeps the question of what further blocks of work it might be cost effective to relocate under continuous review.

  Air space (Isle of Wight)
  Mr. Higgins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many days in the last 12 months for which figures are readily available the Civil Aviation Authority has been notified that the danger area south of the Isle of Wight is safe for use by civilian aircraft and civil aircraft operators were notified and actually used the airspace.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The area to which my right hon. Friend refers consists of a number of separate danger areas within which activities dangerous to the flight of aircraft take place at different times. Unauthorised entry into danger areas is prohibited. Commercial flights normally fly in the controlled air space of the airways that go round the danger areas in question, but do not cross them. This enables such traffic to connect safely with the continental airways system.

  If my right hon. Friend requires more detailed information he would do best to approach the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority which is responsible for air traffic control.

  Liverpool Airport
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the future of Liverpool airport.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Under section 15 of the Airports Act 1986, my right hon. Friend last September proposed modifications to the Merseyside passenger transport authority's original scheme for the future ownership of Liverpool airport. The main modification proposed was that the PTA should not become a shareholder in the new airport company. Since accepting this, the Merseyside local authorities have been given extra time to work up various schemes for running the airport, but this has not resulted in the PTA putting forward an alternative. My right hon. Friend is now about to proceed with a scheme based on his September proposals.

  Motor Cyclists
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what improvement in safety, as measured by the number of fatalities and serious injuries to motor cyclists, there has been from the restriction of motor cycle learners to 125 cc machines and from the restriction of 16-year-olds to 50 cc machines limited to 30 mph.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The 30 mph maximum speed restriction for 50 cc machines was introduced in 1977. The number of 16-year-olds killed or seriously injured (KSI) on mopeds has dropped from 1,691 in 1976 to 789 in 1986—a reduction of 53 per cent. After taking account of the reduction in the number of registered mopeds in that period, the reduction in 16-year-old KSI casualties is 36 per cent.

  The maximum engine size for learner motor cycles was reduced from 250 cc to 125 cc with effect from 1 February
  76
  1983. A study by the Transport and Road Research Laboratory — RR 106 "The Effect on Motorcycling of the 1981 Transport Act"—suggests that the restriction on engine capacity for learner motor cycles has led to a reduction of one quarter in casualties even allowing for the declining number of motor cyclists. This is equivalent to a reduction of 7,010 in motor cyclist casualties during the first year the restriction was in force, 2,430 of whom would have been killed or seriously injured.

  Aircraft Noise
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what grants are available to people living near to major airports towards the installation of double glazing; when this grant was last increased; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Except at Heathrow and Gatwick, noise insulation grants are a matter for the airport operator. We understand that several airports pay such grants.

  The Government have designated Heathrow and Gatwick for noise insulation grants purposes and have made various noise insulation grant schemes. The most recent schemes for these airports which provided for grants to be paid by the British Airports Authority (as it was then) were introduced in 1980. The amounts payable were increased in 1981, and the schemes effectively ended in March 1985.

  As promised in the 1985 airport policy White Paper (Cmnd. 9542) the schemes have been reviewed. The review suggested that there were small areas outside the scheme boundary at each airport which should be included retrospectively within the scheme. There should be no change to:

  the description of dwellings to which the scheme applied,

  the qualifications for eligibility,

  the specification for the work to be done,

  the residential qualification date.

  Any additional grants would be paid, as before, by BAA plc. The amount of grant payable would be adjusted to current prices.

  We are discussing with BAA plc the suggested small adjustment to the scheme boundaries and we shall make an announcement when these discussions are completed. We have no plans to introduce new schemes at these airports. We are committed to introducing a new scheme at Stansted when the airport reaches 2 million passengers per annum.

  Air Traffic Movements
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what has been the level of air traffic movements at Stansted airport during each of the last five years;

  (2) what has been the level of air traffic movements at Gatwick airport during each of the last five years;

  (3) what has been the level of air traffic movements at London airport, Heathrow, during each of the last five years.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The total number of aircraft movements including general aviation, positioning flights and so on, for each of the last five years at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports is shown in the table:
  77

  Aircraft movements1

  Heathrow 000's

  Gatwick 000's

  Stansted 000's

  1982–83

  274·9

  151·2

  33·4

  1983–84

  286·9

  152·8

  34·9

  1984–85

  298·8

  159·8

  40·4

  1985–86

  312·2

  170·8

  41·2

  1986–87

  318·8

  173·8

  46·8

  1 One movement is a single taking off or landing.

  Source: "BAA Traffic Statistics—1986–87".

  Shrewsbury Bypass
  Mr. Conway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give a start date and completion estimate for the A5 Shrewsbury bypass.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Subject to completion of the outstanding statutory procedures which include the compulsory purchase order, construction of the A5 Telford-Shrewsbury and A49 Shrewsbury bypasses is expected to start in the autumn of 1989 and take about two years.

  Lorries (Spray)
  Sir David Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what further steps he is taking to reduce rear and frontal spray from lorries on motorways.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Regulations were introduced in November 1984 requiring from various dates heavy lorries and trailers to be fitted with spray-reducing devices complying with British Standards BS AU 200. The situation is improving as the number of heavy vehicles fitted increases. Lorry drivers should slow down in heavy rain to reduce spray and for reasons of safety.

  Chandler's Ford Bypass
  Sir David Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to make a start upon upgrading the Chandler's Ford bypass to motorway standards.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Subject to the outcome of outstanding legal proceedings in respect of one of the orders, we hope to let a contract later this year.

  Rail Crash (Colwich)
  Mr. Heddle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Mid-Staffordshire on 22 January,Official Report, column 905, if he can now give a final date for the publication of his inspector's report on the rail crash which occurred at Colwich, Staffordshire, in September 1986.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  It is anticipated that the consultations, to which I referred in my answer to the hon. Member on 22 January, will be completed by the end of the month. The report will then be printed with a view to publication at the end of March.

  Channel Tunnel
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has received about the provision of rail links between the regions and the Channel tunnel; and if he will make a statement.
  78
  Mr. David Mitchell
  I have received a number of representations about this issue. It is British Rail's responsibility to plan the provision of rail links to the tunnel. Section 40 of the Channel Tunnel Act requires it to publish a plan setting out its proposals by the end of 1989.

  Unmanned Level Crossings
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State how many accidents involving motor vehicles have taken place at unmanned level crossings in each year since 1980.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  The number of road/rail collisions at unmanned public road level crossings protected by road traffic light signals for each year from 1980 to 1986 is as follows:

  Number

  1980

  4

  1981

  12

  1982

  13

  1983

  9

  1984

  12

  1985

  24

  1986

  19

  1 1987

  20

  1 Provisional.

  Greece (British Visitors)
  Mr. McCrindle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has had discussions with his Greek counterpart regarding that country's attitude to British visitors on inclusive tours or seat-only arrangements; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Paul Channon
  I have had no such discussions. But I understand that the tour operators' representatives are actively involved in discussions with the Greek authorities.

  Motorway Contraflows
  Mr. McCrindle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will review the regulations on traffic contraflows on motorways, particularly as they apply to heavy vehicles; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Yes. We are reviewing this as part of our current review of motorway safety. We hope to announce our conclusions in the spring.

  Search and Rescue Helicopters (Solent)
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about search and rescue helicopter coverage in the Solent area.

  Mr. Channon
  At present, daytime search and rescue helicopter coverage in the Solent and central English Channel area is provided by Royal Navy helicopters based at Lee-on-Solent. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has been reviewing the deployment of Royal Navy and Royal Air Force search and rescue helicopters around the coast: full details of the new deployments will be announced shortly, but they will involve the withdrawal of the Royal Navy Wessex flight from Lee-on-Solent and its replacement by a Royal Navy Sea King flight at Portland. In addition, the deployment
  79
  of military aircraft at other bases will be adjusted to provide significantly better overall coverage in the English Channel—especially at night and in bad weather. The new military deployments will meet virtually all my normal requirements for civilian SAR coverage, but in view of the exceptional volume of shipping and air activity in the area I have decided to supplement the military service by inviting tenders for the provision of a civil search and rescue helicopter, probably based at Lee-on-Solent. The RAF will temporarily station one of its helicopters at Lee in the intervening period.

  Breeches Buoy
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has reviewed the use of breeches buoy rescue equipment by Her Majesty's coastguard; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mr. Channon
  With the progressive improvement of lifeboat and helicopter search and rescue services, the use of the breeches buoy as a method of rescuing stranded mariners has progressively declined, and, as I recently informed my hon. Friend such equipment has been used for rescue purposes only twice in the past five years. I have now concluded that the provision of this equipment for use by HM Coastguard is no longer justified, and it will shortly be withdrawn.

  I should like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the many past and present regular and auxiliary coastguards who have perfected the use of the breeches buoy apparatus, and to assure them that its removal in no way diminishes the importance of the service which they provide.

  Breathalysers
  Sir Ian Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) whether, in the light of current experience in Australia, the United States of America, Canada, Germany and France, he will introduce legislation to facilitate the installation of coin-in-the-slot breath-testing devices in hotels, clubs, public houses and any licensed premises in which alcohol is consumed; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) whether, in the light of current experience in Australia, the United States of America, Canada, Germany and France, he will introduce legislation to facilitate the installation of breathalyser ignition locks in motor vehicles generally and Government-owned vehicles in particular; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  We view with interest the development of devices to deter drinking and driving and seek to assess experience of their operation. Self-testing devices can encourage drivers to drink up to the legal limit and underestimate the effects of the alcohol consumed. Ignition locks and other technological developments may have a role to play in the longer term. The best course of any driver is not to drink alcohol at all before driving.

EMPLOYMENT

  Small Firms Service
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the average cost, including an estimate of all overhead costs, of answering each inquiry to the small firms service.

  Mr. Cope
  It is not possible to allocate costs solely to inquiries, since management of both the inquiry service and counselling service is closely interlinked. The small firms service in England in 1986–87 cost £4·7 million, excluding accommodation, dealt with 283,537 inquiries and provided 38,210 counselling sessions.

  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many full-time staff equivalents are employed in responding to inquiries to the small firms service.

  Mr. Cope
  Inquiries are handled in the main by inquiry officers of administrative officer grade. There are 58 such officers currently in post in the small firms service in England. Their duties however involve other responsibilities such as the management of the counselling service.

  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the anticipated costs of the small firms service in the financial year 1988–89, to the nearest £100,000; and what was the comparable expenditure on the small firms service in each of the last four financial years.

  Mr. Cope
  The provision for the small firms service in England in 1988–89, is £6·3 million. For 1987–88 the expected outturn expenditure is £5·9 million. In 1986–87 the small firms service cost £4–7 million. These figures exclude accommodation costs. The small firms service was managed by the Department of Trade and Industry until September 1985 and figures for 1985–86 and 1984–85 are not available on a comparable basis.

  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what measures of output he uses to assess the efficiency of the small firms service in responding to inquiries.

  Mr. Cope
  The small firms service uses several indicators to assess the efficiency of the inquiry service. Figures for the total number of inquiries are collected, and compared with prior years and against set targets. In 1986–87 inquiries totalled over 283,000 a 11·1 per cent. rise on the previous year with no significant increase in staff.

  An indicator of the usefulness of the information given is the percentage of inquiries from previous clients, or as a result of recommendations. In 1986–87 inquiries from these sources accounted for some 30 per cent. of the total number.

  These figures relate to England only. The small firms service in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Development Agency while the service in Wales it is administered by the Welsh Development Agency.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many civil servants are employed in his Department; what are their average weekly working
  81
  hours; and how many are (a) on flexitime, (b) on job-sharing schemes, (c) on a four-day working week or nine-day fortnight and (d) able to retire with full pension rights at 60 years.

  Mr. Lee
  There are 63,630 permanent civil servants employed in the Department of Employment group. Except for 5,499 working part-time (of which 176 are working on job-sharing schemes) all are full time and work a net 36 hours per week in the London pay area and a net 37 hours outside London. Almost all staff work on a flexitime basis and in those offices where staff do not work flexitime it is largely due either to personal preference or because the offices are small—for example, one or two staff—or part-time offices where it would be difficult to operate flexitime arrangements. The precise arrangement of hours for each part-time worker varies according to circumstances and it would be prohibitively expensive to find out how many work a four-day week or a nine-day fortnight. Of the total staff, 62,846 are able to retire with full pension rights at age 60 years.

  Retail Prices Index
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will show the increase in the retail prices index between 1979 and 1985 in annual averages, with rates and indirect taxes excluded.

  Mr. Lee
  The estimation of movements in the retail prices index excluding indirect taxes raises a number of conceptual and practical difficulties and the information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Domestic rates and water charges are readily excluded from the index and the results are as follows:

  RPI excluding domestic1 rates and water charges 12-month increases percentages

  January

  Per cent.

  1980

  18·5

  1981

  12·7

  1982

  11·5

  1983

  4·7

  1984

  5·0

  1985

  4·9

  1986

  5·3

  1987

  3·5

  1988

  3·1

  1 The effects of non-domestic rates on retail prices have not been excluded.

  Ports
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will review the operation of employment legislation as it affects British ports; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  As regards registered dockworkers covered by the 1967 dock workers employment scheme, the Government's position remains as stated in a reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth, East (Mr. Atkinson)Official Report, Tuesday 17 November 1987, at column 915. There are no plans to review the operation of other employment legislation as it specifically affects British ports.

  Dock Labour Scheme
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the percentage rate of decline in the number of registered dock labour scheme employees since 1979; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The total of registered dockworkers declined from 25,770 at the end of 1979 to 9,945 at the end of 1987, a reduction of 61 per cent. This has been achieved through voluntary severances with Government financial assistance.

  Coalfield Communities Campaign
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received from the Coalfield Communities Campaign concerning the promotion of employment in coalfield areas.

  Mr. Lee
  None. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received a recent letter from the Coalfield Communities Campaign, but it did not refer to the promotion of employment in coalfield areas.

  Settle-Carlisle Railway Corridor
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he now expects to receive the Jarvis plc/Manpower Services Commission report on the Settle to Carlisle railway corridor; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lee
  I expect to receive the report at the beginning of March, and intend that it will be published very shortly afterwards.

  Factory Inspectors
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many factory inspectors have(a) resigned and (b) retired in 1987; how many new recruits have been employed in the same year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  During 1987, a total of 30 of the Health and Safety Executive's factory inspectors resigned, 12 retired and 32 were recruited. A further 35 candidates were successful at the autumn 1987 recruitment competition for factory and agricultural inspectors.

  Chelsea Girl Ltd.
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment he has made of the impact of the closure of Chelsea Girl Ltd., Ealing, upon job opportunities in Greenford and Northolt; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lee
  I have received no advance notification of such a closure and thus have made no assessment of the impact upon local job opportunities. A range of employment, enterprise and training measures operated by my Department and the Manpower Services Commission is available to help anyone who becomes unemployed due to any closure.

  Unemployment Benefit
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what is the total number of claimants in Scotland who have been refused unemployment benefit
  83
  pursuant to the recommendations of the claimants investigation team (Scotland); and if he will break this figure down according to the reasons for withdrawal of benefit for each year from 1979 to 1987, and for each unemployment benefit office;

  (2) what is the total number of claimants in Scotland who have been refused unemployment benefit pursuant to the recommendations of local claimant investigation teams; and if he will break this figure down according to the reasons for withdrawal of benefit for each year from 1979 to 1987 and for each unemployment benefit office.

  Mr. Lee
  I take it that the hon. Member is referring to the Department of Employment's fraud investigators. While these investigators may in the nature of their work raise questions as to a claimant's entitlement to benefit, they have no authority to disallow a person's claim. That can be done only by independent adjudication authorities. It is, of course, the case that, following an investigation of possible benefit fraud, some claimants decide to modify or withdraw their claims.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what is the total number of unemployment benefit claimants referred to local claimant investigation teams for each of the unemployment benefit offices in Scotland for each year from 1979 to 1987;

  (2) what is the total number of unemployment benefit claimants referred to the claimant investigation teams (Scotland) for each of the unemployment benefit offices in Scotland for each year from 1979 to 1987;

  (3) what is the total of unemployment benefit claimants referred to the claimant investigation team (Scotland) in Scotland; and if he will break this figure down according to the reason's for referral, for each year from 1979 and for each unemployment benefit office;

  (4) what is the total number of unemployment benefit claimants referred to local claimants investigation teams in Scotland; and if he will break this figure down according to the reasons for referral, for each year from 1979 and for each unemployment benefit office;

  (5) what is the total number of unemployment benefit claimants referred to local claimant investigation teams and the claimant investigation team (Scotland) in Scotland; and if he will break this figure down for each unemployment benefit office for each year from 1979.

  Mr. Lee
  I take it that the hon. Member is referring to the Department of Employment's fraud investigators. Information is not available on the number of referrals to such investigators in the form requested. For Scotland as a whole, the total number of cases referred for investigation since 1984–85 is as follows:

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  11987–88

  To centrally based fraud investigators

  n.a.

  405

  448

  365

  To locally based fraud investigators

  6,880

  11,799

  14,561

  10,433

  1 The figures cover the period from 1 April 1987–31 December 1987 only.

  n.a. Not available

  Note:

  It is not possible to break these figures down by reasons for referral. In addition to the cases shown fraud investigators will have examined a number of other claims on their own initiative.
  84
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will place in the Library copies of any guidelines or rules of procedures issued to local claimant investigation teams relating to the interviewing of unemployed benefit claimants;

  (2) if he will place in the Library copies of any guidelines or rules of procedures issued to the claimant investigation team of Scotland relating to the interviewing of unemployed benefit claimants.

  Mr. Lee
  I take it that the hon. Member is referring to guidelines or rules of procedure issued to the Department of Employment's fraud investigators. I will place copies of the code of conduct issued to all such investigators in the Library. It would not be appropriate to make public the more detailed procedural guidance issued to staff.

  Nuclear Installations Inspectorate
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current proportion of staff within the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate engaged upon work related to(a) the long-term safety reviews of Magnox reactors, (b) generic work in relation to advanced gas-cooled reactors, (c) the safety of spent fuel reprocessing, (d) the pressurised water reactor and in particular Sizewell B and the application for Hinkley C, (e) general nuclear safety inspection of installations, (f) radioactive waste management (excluding reprocessing) and (g) the fast breeder reactor.

  Mr. Nicholls
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 13 January 1988,Official Report, at column 262. Currently, no staff are engaged on work directly related to the fast breeder reactor.

  Tourism
  Mr. Jopling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were engaged in tourism in each of the travel-to-work areas covered by South Lakeland and Eden district councils at the latest convenient date.

  Mr. Lee
  The latest estimates, which relate to September 1984, are shown in the table. Those travel-to-work areas shown in brackets only cover small proportions of the local authority district under which they are listed.

  Employees in employment in tourism-related industries September 1984

  Travel-to-work areas

  Number

  South Lakeland local authority district

  Kendal

  1,800

  Windermere

  2,100

  (Settle)

  (400)

  Eden local authority district

  Penrith

  1,400

  (Keswick)

  (900)

  (Hexham)

  (1,200)

  Note: The figures do not include the self-employed.

  Mr. Jopling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what were the numbers of overnight visits to Cumbria by overseas visitors and what was their expenditure, over the last five years for which figures are available.
  85
  Mr. Lee
  Estimates of the number of visits and expenditure by overseas visitors in Cumbria in the years 1982 to 1986 are as follows:

  Number of visits

  Expenditure

  (000s)

  (£ millions)

  1982

  177

  16·0

  1983

  205

  17·2

  1984

  213

  21·9

  1985

  220

  26·9

  1986

  216

  25·1

  Estimates and projections of the population of working age

  (Thousand)

  Men aged 16 to 64 years

  Women aged 16 to 59 years

  Estimates

  Projections

  Estimates

  Projections

  1979

  1983

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1979

  1983

  1986

  1987

  1988

  North

  980

  993

  993

  992

  989

  900

  898

  899

  898

  896

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  1,522

  1,561

  1,573

  1,578

  1,580

  1,389

  1,407

  1,423

  1,428

  1,430

  East Midlands

  1,197

  1,241

  1,276

  1,283

  1,291

  1,083

  1,115

  1,146

  1,157

  1,166

  East Anglia

  578

  608

  632

  640

  647

  519

  545

  572

  578

  586

  South East

  5,317

  5,476

  5,587

  5,637

  5,663

  4,907

  4,995

  5,118

  5,151

  5,176

  Greater London1

  2,235

  2,229

  2,247

  2,214

  2,214

  2,091

  2,069

  2,095

  2,060

  2,062

  South West

  1,305

  1,369

  1,418

  1,427

  1,440

  1,201

  1,243

  1,296

  1,305

  1,317

  West Midlands

  1,641

  1,681

  1,696

  1,701

  1,702

  1,477

  1,495

  1,510

  1,521

  1,526

  North West

  1,991

  2,025

  2,037

  2,040

  2,039

  1,839

  1,836

  1,848

  1,853

  1,853

  Wales

  863

  879

  890

  890

  892

  790

  798

  806

  807

  810

  Scotland

  1,577

  1,627

  1,648

  1,652

  1,654

  1,490

  1,511

  1,523

  1,529

  1,528

  1 Included in South East.

  Sources: Office of Population Censuses and Surveys and General Register Office (Scotland) for estimates. Government Actuary's Department for projections.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Debt
  Mr. Jim Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table showing the total deductions made from(a) invalidity benefit, (b)

  Amount in £s

  Financial year

  Supplementary benefit

  Child benefit

  Unemployment benefit

  Sickness benefit

  Invalidity benefit

  Retirement benefit

  Widow's benefit

  1978–79

  764,280·45

  11,801·49

  122,419·34

  12,715·25

  132,306·44

  39,759·89

  60,279·09

  1979–80

  1,015,276·95

  62,124·02

  105,634·97

  13,261·44

  182,840·67

  50,894·62

  71,729·47

  1980–81

  1,477,225·14

  70,435·71

  211,779·09

  15,740·65

  256,734·06

  83,339·53

  105,914·09

  1981–82

  263,668·48

  62,794·57

  265,196·95

  9,524·73

  436,747·48

  149,433·14

  155,967·05

  1982–83

  474,264·89

  86,299·35

  367,573·98

  16,694·64

  872,123·58

  379,438·35

  322,442·86

  1983–84

  646,155·59

  92,449·35

  256,869·10

  13,246·89

  1,073,954·86

  535,781·87

  407,457·58

  1984–85

  724,889·61

  73,860·16

  121,855·50

  12,935·62

  1,015,112·09

  442,253·64

  352,402·35

  1985–86

  824,101·13

  77,374·67

  134,636·92

  14,159·11

  110,443·51

  541,369·58

  368,682·17

  Travelling People
  Mr. Jim Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the permanent and temporary legal sites for travelling people in Northern Ireland, giving the services provided, the number of families accommodated on each and the sources of funding in each instance.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the current estimates and projections of the population of working age(a) men aged 16 to 64 years and (b) women aged 16 to 59 years, by standard region including Greater London for 1979, 1983, 1986, 1987 and 1988.

  Mr. Lee
  The figures requested are in the following table.

  child benefit, (c) widows' benefit, (d) supplementary benefit, (e) unemployment benefit, (f) sickness benefit and (g) retirement pensions in each year from 1979 to 1986 under the Payments for Debt (Emergency Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971.

  Mr. Needham
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  Mr. Needham
  In respect of permanent and temporary legal sites for travellers, district councils receive grants of 100 per cent. towards the reasonable capital costs from the Department of the Environment.

  There are four permanent legal sites and two temporary legal sites as follows:
  87

  Permanent sites

  Families

  Services

  1. Newry: Albert Basin

  20

  Contract is approaching conpletion to provide full facilities to Design Guide standards.

  2. Coalisland

  16

  Full site Design Guide standards together with an adjacent serviced transit site with communal facilities.

  3. Omagh: Ballinamullan

  4

  Full facilities to Design Guide standards.

  4. Omagh: Tattykeel

  9

  Prefabricated toilets, running water and electricity supply to individual surfaced pitches.

  Temporary sites

  1. Londonderry: Letterkenny Road

  6

  Communal toilet and ablution block, hard-standing, water supply. Plans are in hand for a permanent site for 10 families and this is expected to be completed in 1988.

  2. Londonderry: Labre Park

  Limited communal facilities but site no longer occupied.

  Mr. Jim Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consideration he was given to the work being undertaken by the Northern Ireland Council for Travelling People; and what plans he has on their future level of funding.

  Mr. Needham
  The Northern Ireland Council for Travelling People is a voluntary body which receives financial aid from the Department of Health and Social Services. It is currently negotiating with that Department on future levels of grant.

  The council was represented on the 1984 Department of Environment working party of travelling people. The working party produced recommendations which are the basis of current Department of the Environment policies for travelling people. The council has three representatives on the advisory committee on travellers which advises me on the implementation of traveller policy and takes an active role in promoting that policy.

  Rubbish Dump, Magheramorne
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will rescind his previous decision granting planning permission to Blue Circle and require Blue Circle to readvertise its proposals for Magheramorne quarry so as to make clear its intention to infill the quarry with rubbish.

  Mr. Needham
  Planning permission has not been granted to Blue Circle Industries plc for landfill and reclamation of its former limestone quarry at Magheramorne, Larne.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish his reasons for not agreeing to hold a public inquiry regarding the proposal by Blue Circle to develop a rubbish dump at Magheramorne limestone quarry in East Antrim.

  Mr. Needham
  In view of the representations received from Larne borough council, the Department of the 88
  Environment for Northern Ireland is currently reconsidering whether or not a public inquiry into this proposal should be held.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps will be taken to ensure that poisonous leachate will not travel through cracks in rock into Larne lough or underground fresh water systems if dumping at Magheramorne proceeds.

  Mr. Needham
  The Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland is currently considering an application for consent under the Water Act (Northern Ireland) 1972 in connection with a proposal to develop a waste disposal facility at Magheramorne. The determination of such applications is designed to prevent water pollution and consents invariably contain rigorous conditions.

  Alcohol Consumption
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will introduce legislation to prohibit the consumption of alcohol in gardens of remembrance, public parks and on the streets of Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  There are no plans at present to make it an offence for an adult to consume intoxicating liquor in public areas in Northern Ireland. It is already an offence for those under 18 years of age to consume alcohol anywhere other than within private residential premises and for any person to be drunk in any public place or road.

  Voluntary Organisations (Grants)
  Mr. Jim Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table showing the grants made by Departments under his control to voluntary organisations, in each of the last two years, with the amount in each case and the names and addresses of the recipient organisations.

  Mr. Stanley
  The information is as set out. I will write to the hon. Member with the addresses.

  Financial year ended 31 March 1986

  Department of Finance and Personnel

  £

  Refreshment Clubs

  433,738

  Northern Ireland Civil Service Sports Association

  29,000

  Northern Ireland Civil Service Retirement Fellowship

  4,100

  Army Benevolent Fund

  15,000

  Police Benevolent Fund

  55,000

  Ulster Defence Regiment Benevolent Fund

  20,000

  Public Service Training Council

  199,852

  Incorporated Council of Law Reporting

  3,000

  Civil Service Benevolent Fund

  13,000

  Financial year ended 31 March 1986

  Department of Health and Social Services

  £

  Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action

  182,960

  Community Service Volunteers

  6,146

  St. Vincent de Paul Society

  28,080

  Belfast Voluntary Welfare Society

  4,000

  Carafriend

  3,865

  Retirement Association of Northern Ireland

  6,600

  International Voluntary Service

  15,925

  Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA)

  28,359

  Northern Ireland Council for Orthopaedic Development

  17,472

  89

  Department of Health and Social Services

  £

  National Deaf Children's Society

  2,517

  Ulster Institute for the Deaf

  6,552

  Age Concern

  74,748

  Abbeyfield Society

  2,250

  Royal Society for Mentally Handicapped Children and Adults

  38,276

  Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health

  84,700

  Northern Ireland Marriage Guidance Council

  35,617

  Northern Ireland Council on Alcohol

  57,950

  British Epilepsy Association (Northern Ireland Region)

  7,040

  Northern Ireland Women's Aid Federation

  32,049

  Northern Ireland Widows Association

  6,513

  Gingerbread

  71,676

  Catholic Marriage Advisory Council

  43,723

  The Northlands Centre

  22,500

  Industrial Therapy Organisation

  25,000

  Life Care and Housing Trust

  9,336

  Outreach Anorexia

  1,000

  Northern Ireland Council for Travelling People

  15,058

  Womens Information Groups

  2,080

  Combat Huntingdon's Chorea

  1,000

  CRUSE in Northern Ireland

  10,920

  Open Door Housing Resettlement Project

  16,863

  Presbyterian Church in Ireland (Board of Social Witness)

  10,650

  Northern Ireland Rape Crisis Association

  4,325

  Workers' Education Association

  3,900

  National Council for Carers and their Elderly Dependants

  520

  Church of Ireland Social and Family Welfare Society

  1,165

  Blind Centre for Northern Ireland

  29,700

  Motability

  17,250

  Multiple Sclerosis Action Group

  13,874

  Soldiers, Sailors and Airmens Families Association (SSAFA)

  730

  Physically Handicapped and Able-Bodied (PHAB)

  12,400

  Family Planning Association (Northern Ireland Region)

  3,500

  Council on Alcohol Related Problems

  22,202

  Crossroads Care Attendant Scheme

  13,867

  Multiple Sclerosis Society (NI) Branch

  3,276

  Ambulance Services

  3,198

  Northern Ireland Council for the Handicapped

  74,500

  National Health Service Retirement Fellowship

  580

  PRAXIS

  22,600

  Disabled Drivers' Association

  1,100

  National Schizophrenia Fellowship

  15,924

  National Rubella Campaign

  800

  Home Insulation Schemes

  73,000

  Belfast Law Centre

  61,264

  Arthritis Care

  1,000

  Northern Ireland Voluntary Trust

  20,000

  British Red Cross Society

  400

  Simon Community Northern Ireland

  5,000

  Northern Ireland Pre-School Playgroups Association

  84,493

  Extern

  59,514

  Parents Advice Centre

  3,892

  Northern Ireland Intermediate Treatment Association

  1,555

  Down and Connor Catholic Family Welfare Society

  58,921

  Northern Ireland Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders

  3,616

  Northern Ireland Childminders Association

  5,865

  Dr. Barnardo's

  46,270

  Northern Ireland Foster Care Association

  2,847

  Belfast Voluntary Welfare Society—Home Start Scheme

  5,242

  Community Service Volunteers—Give and Take Scheme

  23,000

  National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children

  41,169

  Newtownabbey Auto Project

  10,750

  Garnerville/Knocknagoney Project

  4,153

  Toy Libraries Association (Playmatters)

  2,000

  Derry Diocesan Child Welfare Society

  6,383

  St. Joseph's Children's Home

  4,222

  90

  Department of Health and Social Services

  £

  BVWS Parent/Child Support Unit

  5,000

  Orana Children's Home

  2,254

  Childhaven Children's Home

  2,250

  Financial Year ended 31 March 1986

  Department of Education

  £

  Arts Council for Northern Ireland

  3,217,500

  Line Hall Library

  45,000

  Northern Ireland Library and Information Services Council

  460

  Forum for Community Work Education

  47,000

  Protestant and Catholic Encounter

  9,700

  Corrymeela

  79,200

  Harmony Community Trust

  29,450

  Irish Council of Churches/Irish Commission for Justice and Peace—Peace Education Programme

  16,080

  Children's Community Relations Holiday Scheme

  101,270

  Churches' Central Committee for Community Work

  25,820

  Citizens Advice Bureaux Headquarters

  111,400

  Voluntary Sports Organisations

  759,600

  Ulster Peoples Colleges

  27,210

  Methodist College Inter-Schools Project

  2,355

  Youth Clubs and Youth Organisations

  1,637,272

  Ulster American Folk Park

  437,000

  Workers Educational Association

  130,267

  Educational Guidance Services for Adults

  36,921

  Retirement Association of Northern Ireland

  3,000

  British Association for the Advancement of Science

  3,345

  Central Bureau for Educational Visits and Exchanges

  56,095

  League for the Exchange of Commonwealth Teachers

  7,497

  Council for Education in World Citizenship

  860

  Ulster College of Music

  6,970

  Ulster Society for Irish Historical Studies

  1,340

  Christian Education Movement

  320

  Community of the Peace

  17,900

  Community Relations in Schools—(East Belfast) Project

  22,745

  Federation of Women's Institutes (Northern Ireland)

  1,000

  Children's Project Northern Ireland

  8,970

  Farset Youth & Community Development Ltd.

  8,500

  East Belfast Community Council Carol Service of Reconciliation

  205

  Irish School of Ecumenics

  1,310

  Children's Holiday Scheme Northern Ireland

  8,895

  Financial year ended 31 March 1986

  Department of Agriculture

  £

  Down Royal Corporation of Horse Breeders

  35,000

  Young Farmers Clubs of Ulster

  41,140

  Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents

  125

  Financial year ending 31 March 1986

  Department of Economic Development

  £

  The Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions

  87,200

  Action for Community Employment (funded 1,040 projects in private and voluntary sector organisations)

  14,270,000

  Community Volunteering Scheme (funded 24 voluntary sector organisations)

  635,000

  Youth Community Projects

  637,636

  Community Workshops

  13,356,506

  Youthhelp

  551,468

  Incorporated Cripples Institutes and Holiday Homes

  38,546

  Thomas Doran Training Centre

  279,514

  Glencraig Village Community

  64,376

  Mourne Grange Village Community

  128,411

  Clanabogan Village Community

  19,000

  Royal National Institute for the Blind

  7,009

  University of Ulster (CAD Engineer) R & D Purposes

  15,851

  91

  Department of Economic Development

  £

  National Trust

  106,297

  The Scottish-Irish Trust of Ulster

  79,992

  The Northern Ireland Co-operative Development Agency

  24,622

  Financial year ended 31 March 1986

  Department of the Environment

  £

  British Trust for Ornithology

  3,000

  North Down Ringing Group

  510

  Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

  15,077

  Ulster Trust for Nature Conservation

  16,108

  National Trust

  343,472

  Conservation Volunteers (NI)

  124,954

  Road Safety Council

  75,000

  ROSPA

  39,412

  St. Oliver Plunkett Environmental Committee

  66,063

  Belfast Voluntary Welfare Society

  37,242

  Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations

  80,000

  National Federation of Housing Associations

  200

  Registered Housing Associations

  39,501,813

  Unregistered Housing Associations

  66,329

  Belfast Housing Aid Society

  27,000

  Tenants Participation Advisory Service

  32,000

  Community Technical Aid

  20,000

  Alliance Avenue Community Group

  15,571

  Ligoniel Environmental Association

  12,073

  Ulster Architectural Heritage Society

  26,721

  Charles Shiels Institution

  22,059

  Church of Ireland, Richhill

  5,300

  First Presbyterian Church, Greyabbey

  1,656

  Carlisle Memorial Church

  7,911

  Enniskillen Methodist Church

  3,300

  St. Mary's Dominican Convent

  1,636

  The Select Vestry Desertmartin Rectory

  62

  The Select Vestry Queen Street Rectory, Ballymoney

  3,500

  First Cookstown Church Committee

  1,250

  Kilwarlin Moravian Church

  220

  Newtownards Masonic Hall

  1,680

  Portaferry Masonic Lodge

  3,050

  Ballymoney Masonic Hall

  4,630

  Drapers Charity—The Old Courthouse, Moneymore

  960

  Belfast Central Mission

  318

  Belfast Development Agency

  258,589

  Ulster Provident Housing Association

  82,876

  Northern Ireland Council on Alcohol

  7,200

  Young Men's Christian Association

  12,500

  Ardoyne Industrial Development Limited

  110,560

  Hare Krishna Movement

  7,800

  Divis Playgroup

  2,964

  National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children

  4,580

  Trustees of the Masonic Hall, Londonderry

  5,546

  Derry Catholic Club

  2,574

  Trustees of the Waterside Community Council

  4,922

  Ebenezer Gospel Hall

  9,600

  Financial year ended 31 March 1987

  Department of Finance and Personnel

  £

  Refreshment Clubs

  430,716

  Northern Ireland Civil Service Sports Association

  30,500

  Northern Ireland Civil Service Retirement Fellowship

  4,100

  Army Benevolent Fund

  15,000

  Police Benevolent Fund

  52,000

  Ulster Defence Regiment Benevolent Fund

  20,000

  Public Service Training Council

  200,474

  Incorporated Council of Law Reporting

  3,000

  Civil Service Benevolent Fund

  20,671

  Royal Ulster Rifles Association Benevolent Fund—Battle of Somme Commemoration

  1,000

  Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action

  15,500

  92

  Financial year ended 31 March 1987

  Department of Health and Social Services

  £

  Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action

  239,465

  Community Service Volunteers

  38,309

  St. Vincent de Paul

  34,640

  Bryson House

  4,000

  Cara-friend

  4,320

  International Voluntary Service

  19,202

  Northern Ireland Marriage Guidance Council

  68,900

  Northern Ireland Family Mediation Service

  1,038

  Northern Ireland Womens Aid Federation

  33,350

  Northern Ireland Council for Travelling People

  19,915

  Gingerbread

  91,570

  Church of Ireland Social and Family Welfare Association

  1,200

  Northern Ireland Widows Association

  10,500

  Womens Information Group

  2,143

  Open Door Housing Association (Resettlement Project)

  21,510

  Life Care and Housing Trust

  10,450

  Catholic Marriage Advisory Council

  50,520

  Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen's Families Association (SSAFA)

  752

  Retirement Association of Northern Ireland

  4,890

  Northern Ireland Council on Alcohol

  66,426

  Social Witness Board of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland

  27,775

  Abbeyfield Society

  2,320

  Belfast Law Centre

  103,000

  Cruse-in-Northern Ireland

  14,250

  Age Concern

  86,990

  Northern Ireland Hospice

  17,000

  National Council for Carers and their Elderly Dependants

  400

  National Health Service Retirement Fellowship

  600

  Northern Ireland Rape Crisis Association

  17,928

  Northern Ireland Council for Orthopaedic Development

  127,996

  British Red Cross

  131

  Council on Alcohol Related Problems

  22,868

  Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA)

  29,210

  Family Planning Association (Northern Ireland Region)

  4,760

  Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health

  165,290

  National Rubella Campaign

  900

  National Deaf Children's Society

  2,593

  Belfast Unemployed Centre

  6,000

  Outreach Anorexia

  2,900

  Emergency Ambulances

  13,300

  Beaconfield

  6,000

  Simon Community (Northern Ireland)

  17,463

  Ulster Institute for the Deaf

  9,249

  National Schizophrenia Fellowship

  19,000

  Northern Ireland Voluntary Trust

  150,000

  Women's Forum

  250

  Praxis

  23,980

  AIDS Helpline

  6,700

  British Epilepsy Association

  6,427

  Women's Education Project

  1,500

  Council for the Single Homeless

  2,125

  Blind Centre for Northern Ireland

  13,845

  Workers Education Association

  1,500

  Royal Society for Mentally Handicapped Children and Adults

  62,168

  Motability

  20,588

  Multiple Sclerosis Action Group

  14,290

  Rural Action Project (Northern Ireland)

  23,176

  Northern Ireland Council on Disability

  174,000

  Industrial Therapy Organisation

  26,000

  Extern

  2,000

  Association of Carers

  572

  Arthritis Care

  1,030

  Disabled Drivers' Association

  1,133

  Multiple Sclerosis Society

  3,374

  Northern Ireland Workshops with the Deaf

  1,000

  93

  Department of Health and Social Services

  £

  Northlands Centre

  87,200

  Crossroads Care Attendant Scheme

  12,540

  SHARE

  2,981

  Council for Advancement of Communication with Deaf People

  35,000

  Home Insulation Schemes

  54,900

  Northern Ireland Pre-School Playgroup Association

  92,700

  North/South Child Welfare Conference

  1,500

  Parents Advice Centre

  4,718

  Northern Ireland Intermediate Treatment Association

  3,670

  Down and Connor Catholic Family Welfare Society

  101,547

  Northern Ireland Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders

  3,795

  Northern Ireland Childminders Association

  3,950

  Glebe House

  2,435

  Northern Ireland Foster Care Association

  4,640

  West Belfast Parent Youth Support Group

  48,000

  Childline—Helpline

  1,350

  National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children

  11,210

  Newtownabbey Auto Project

  25,000

  Garnerville/Knocknagoney Project

  5,000

  Toy Libraries Association (Playmatters)

  2,100

  Derry Diocesan Child Welfare Society

  25,219

  Child Care (NI) Formerly known as NCVCCO

  3,250

  Extern

  22,700

  Lower Falls New Start Project

  20,000

  Suffolk Adventure Group

  20,000

  Lagan Valley Auto Project

  20,000

  St. Joseph's Children's Home

  3,040

  Corrymeela Community

  10,000

  Orana Children's Home

  14,230

  Childhaven Children's Home

  1,605

  Marianville

  4,470

  Financial year ended 31 March 1987

  Department of Education

  £

  Arts Council for Northern Ireland

  3,284,200

  Linen Hall Library

  46,000

  Northern Ireland Library and Information Services Council

  1,015

  Forum for Community Work Education

  53,000

  Protestant and Catholic Encounter

  12,700

  Corrymeela

  78,287

  Harmony Community Trust

  21,634

  Irish Council of Churches—Irish Commission for Justice and Peace—Peace Education Programme

  19,250

  Children's Community Relations Holiday Scheme

  124,169

  Churches Central Committee for Community Work

  23,750

  Northern Ireland Association of Citizens' Advice Bureaux

  136,160

  Voluntary Sports Organisations

  348,156

  Ulster People's College

  22,856

  Methodist College Inter-Schools Project

  2,475

  Youth Clubs and Youth Organisations

  1,819,796

  Ulster American Folk Park

  402,000

  Workers' Educational Association

  123,500

  Educational Guidance Service for Adults

  47,930

  Retirement Association of Northern Ireland

  3,000

  League for Exchange of Commonwealth Teachers

  11,160

  Council for Education in World Citizenship

  890

  Ulster College of Music

  6,813

  Ulster Society for Irish Historical Studies

  2,380

  Christian Education Movement

  700

  Community of the Peace People

  19,000

  Community Relations in Schools—(East Belfast Project)

  13,465

  Federation of Women's Institutes (Northern Ireland)

  1,000

  East Belfast Community Council Carol Service of Reconciliation

  182

  Irish School of Ecumenics

  1,582

  Social Study Conference

  2,000

  All Children Together

  3,375

  Northern Ireland Voluntary Trust

  50,000

  94

  Financial Year ended 31 March 1987

  Department of Agriculture

  £

  Down Royal Corporation of Horse Breeders

  6,712

  Young Farmers Clubs of Ulster

  42,910

  Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents

  125

  Financial Year ended 31 March 1987

  Department of Economic Development

  £

  Northern Ireland Committee/Irish Congress of Trade Unions

  96,700

  Community Workshops

  15,599,832

  Incorporated Cripples Institutes and Holiday Homes

  23,356

  Thomas Doran Training Centre

  251,230

  Mourne Grange Village Community

  206,490

  Glencraig Village Community

  90,337

  Clanabogan Village Community

  34,253

  Scottish Irish Trust of Ulster

  12,637

  National Trust

  178,144

  Northern Ireland Co-operative Development Agency

  50,000

  "Industry Matters" (A follow on from Industry Year)

  20,000

  540 Voluntary Bodies (ACE Scheme)

  28,489,008

  20 Voluntary Bodies (Community Volunteering Scheme)

  654,718

  Youth Community Projects

  746,191

  Young Help

  712,303

  Royal National Institute for the Blind

  8,148

  Financial Year ended 31 March 1987

  Department of the Environment

  £

  Northern Ireland Council on Disability

  26,000

  ROSPA

  43,092

  Road Safety Council

  79,000

  Belfast Voluntary Welfare Service

  73,921

  Conservation Volunteers

  131,996

  Ulster Trust for Nature Conservation

  29,463

  St. Oliver Plunkett Environmental Committee

  6,638

  Glenbryn/Alliance Community

  10,038

  Connswater River Environmental Committee

  10,881

  Farset City Farm

  2,681

  National Trust

  445,273

  Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

  18,947

  British Trust for Ornithology

  5,000

  Copeland Bird Observatory

  1,250

  Antrim Ringing Group

  175

  British Association for Shooting and Conservation

  1,500

  Northern Ireland Bat Group

  718

  Ulster Architectural Heritage Society

  18,026

  Charles Shiels Institute

  5,000

  Quinn Charity, Newry

  6,000

  YMCA

  1,000

  Ardoyne Industrial Development Limited

  105,711

  Belfast Development Agency

  312,752

  Corrymeela Community

  12,643

  Northern Ireland Council on Alcohol

  4,400

  Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations

  83,500

  National Federation of Housing Associations

  200

  Unregistered Housing Associations

  94,536

  Belfast Housing Aid Society

  35,000

  Tenants Participation Advisory Service

  49,000

  Community Technical Aid

  22,283

  Registered Housing Associations

  41,161,889

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what notice was given to Her Majesty's Government of the visit of a Minister from the Government of the Irish Republic to a school and British Army post outside Newry on 8 February; and if he will make a protest to the Government of the Irish Republic about this incident.
  95
  Mr. Tom King
  We were told the previous day that he would be visiting the hon. Member for Newry and Armagh (Mr. Mallon).

  Gas Connections
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the rate of charge to new Housing Executive tenants by the Department of Health and Social Security for gas connections in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Needham
  No such charge is levied by the Department nor is assistance available under the supplementary benefit scheme towards any gas connection charges which might be imposed by anybody.

  Training Centres
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many places there have been in adult training centres for mentally handicapped people in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Viggers
  No places are made available specifically for mentally handicapped people in training centres. However, disabled persons, including the mentally handicapped, who are capable of undertaking training can participate in the range of courses available to everybody in these centres.

  Farm Incomes
  Rev. William McCrea
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he will take to reverse rapidly falling farm incomes and fight unfair European competition, especially in the pig industry.

  Mr. Viggers
  Apart from the weather-affected years of 1985 and 1986, farming income in Northern Ireland has been relatively high during the 1980s. Preliminary information indicates that, after allowing for inflation, the average income per holding in 1987 was at its second highest level since 1978. This has been helped by strengthening of sterling and changes in the green pound secured by the Government over the past year so that monetary compensatory amounts are some 14 to 17 points lower than a year ago. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has made clear his recognition of the difficulties facing the United Kingdom pig industry. He has indicated his support for the European Commission's objective of removal of monetary compensatory amounts by 1992 but that this should be accomplished without further escalation of the cost of the common agricultural policy.

  Students
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what figures are available to indicate the number of students aged 16 years or over in respect of whom child benefit was paid in each of the past five years in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 12 February 1988]: The information is available only as at 31 December in each year:
  96

  Number

  31 December 1982

  40,002

  31 December 1983

  40,390

  31 December 1984

  40,022

  31 December 1985

  39,714

  31 December 1986

  40,250

  Cloghogue Primary School
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the status of the visit to Cloghogue primary school near Newry on Monday 8 February by Mr. Wilson, the Minister for Tourism and Transport in the Republic of Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Tom King
  [holding answer 12 February 1988]: We were informed in advance of the visit of Mr. Wilson and that he would be seeing the hon. Member for Newry and Armagh (Mr. Mallon). On the understanding that it would be a private visit, I made clear that he would of course be welcome.

  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his policy towards the criticism of the Army security presence at Cloghogue primary school which was publicly expressed by Mr. Wilson, a Minister from the Republic of Ireland, on Monday 8 February.

  Mr. Tom King
  [holding answer 12 February 1988]: Mr. Wilson was on a private visit to the hon. Member for Newry and Armagh (Mr. Mallon). The hon. Gentleman had already raised with me his concern about the location of the permanent vehicle check point, which was the one recommended by Newry and Mourne council.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement explaining the method used to determine the allocation of social fund budgets to each social security office in Northern Ireland, giving examples of how the formula was applied to given offices.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 15 February 1988]: An explanation of the basis of the allocations, together with an example for one office falling within the hon. Gentlemen's constituency, has been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement indicating the factors used in determining the contingency reserve in the social fund budget and explaining the conditions of its use.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 15 February 1988]: The contingency reserve was set at approximately 1 per cent. of the gross budget, as for the rest of the United Kingdom. It will be used where a social security office budget needs to be increased to cope with exceptional demand resulting, for example, from a major local emergency.

  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement indicating the social fund budget allocation consequences for future years(a) if a social security office's allocation runs out and (b) if it is not used up.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 15 February 1988]: The arrangements for controlling social fund expenditure are

  97
  designed to ensure that social security offices will not overspend during the year. The aim will be for payments to approach the budget for the year as closely as possible without exceeding it. If an allocation is not fully spent, the surplus will be carried over to the social fund for the following year.

  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement outlining what means will be used to monitor social fund expenditure by social security offices; and what means will be used to influence the pattern of that expenditure if monitoring suggests that there are discrepancies.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 15 February 1988]: Social security offices will monitor their expenditure against a monthly profile for loans and grants which will take into account any particular foreseeable local factors. In the light of actual expenditure, it may be necessary from time to time for offices to adjust their plans by spreading any deficit or excess over the remaining months of the year.

  Housing Associations
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his Department's tendering policy for contracts for work under the various voluntary housing associations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 15 February 1988]: For schemes financed through housing association grant (HAG) the Department normally requires registered housing associations to use a single stage selective tendering procedure as laid down in the code of procedure issued by the National Joint Consultative Committee for Building (NJCC). However, where circumstances justify an alternative approach, other forms of building procurement such as a negotiated contract or design and build package deals may be considered for approval. These latter arrangements are proving useful in enabling associations to secure projects particularly suited to the specialist needs for which they provide.

  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his departmental policy towards planning applications from voluntary housing associations for developments which subsequently are passed on to private developers; how many applications of this type have been approved in the last three years and how many refused; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 15 February 1988]: Planning applications are considered on their merits and the Department of the Environment (NI) has regard only to the nature of the developments proposed and not to the identity of the applicants. Accordingly, information in the form requested is not available.

  Provisional IRA (Arrests)
  Rev. William McCrea
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Provisional Irish Republican Army suspects have been arrested and brought into police holding centres in Armagh and Castlereagh within the past two years and subsequently released without charges.

  Mr. Stanley
  [holding answer 15 February 1988]: The total number of persons detained in Northern Ireland under section 12 of the Prevention of Terrorism
  98
  (Temporary Provisions) Act 1984 during the period 1 January 1986 to 31 December 1987 was 2,768. Of those, 701 were subsequently charged with criminal offences and the remainder were released without charge. The figure for the numbers of those released without charge who are believed to have been members of the Provisional IRA is not readily available.

  Electricity Supplies
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information is available to indicate by district the fitness levels of those houses without electricity supply.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 16 February 1988]: The information is not available in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  However, the 1984 Northern Ireland house condition survey indicates that 6,905 of the 51,330 unfit houses in the Province did not have an electricity supply.

  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what financial assistance is available to households seeking an electricity supply; and if he will indicate the total amounts of such assistance, by district, in the past five years.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 16 February 1988]: Assistance is available from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive through the house renovation grants scheme which it operates under the Housing (NI) Order 1983. The normal rate of grant is 75 per cent. of the approved expenditure, though a rate of 90 per cent. is available if the applicant is in financial hardship.

  I understand from the chairman of the Housing Executive that the executive limits the approved expenditure to £1,020 (10 per cent. of the current maximum eligible expense for renovation grants).

  Details of the assistance directly related to the provision of an electricity supply under the renovation grants scheme over the past five years are not recorded separately and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Dungivien Bypass
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether there is now a start date for the Dungivien bypass; what is the present estimated cost; and what was the original estimated cost.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 16 February 1988]: No start date has been given. The present estimated cost is £2,135.00. The original estimated cost was £1,900,000.

  Fluoridation
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which areas of Northern Ireland have artificially fluoridated water and which areas have naturally fluoridated water supplies; and if he has any plans to increase the number of areas which will receive fluoridated water over the next three years.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 16 February 1988]: Two areas of Northern Ireland have artificially fluoridated water supplies. These are Holywood, County Down and Tandragee, County Armagh. Fluoride occurs naturally in varying amounts in all water supplies in Northern Ireland. Decisions on the introduction of fluoridation schemes will

  99
  be based on proposals from health and social services boards which must first consult district councils and the communities affected by any proposed schemes.

DEFENCE

  Service Personnel (Marksmanship)
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied with the standard of marksmanship in the forces.

  Mr. Freeman
  The already high standard of marksmanship in the forces is being improved significantly through the introduction of the new SA80 rifle. With SA80 a much higher proportion of soldiers than with the older weapon now achieve Army marksman standard. There is, however, no complacency where this fundamental skill is concerned and the forces continue to strive to raise standards still further through realistic training and rigorous annual tests.

  Nuclear Test Veterans Association
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from the Nuclear Test Veterans Association concerning claims for damages.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  My Department has received numerous letters from members of the British Nuclear Test Veterans Association seeking compensation for harm alleged from participation in the nuclear test programme. In addition, my noble Friend the Minister of State for Defence Procurement met a deputation of hon. and right hon. Members and two officers of the British Nuclear Test Veterans Association on Tuesday 16 February.

  Chieftain and Challenger Tanks
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps are being taken to update the targeting equipment of the Army's fleet of Chieftain and Challenger tanks.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  A number of enhancements to their main armament and associated fire control and other systems are currently in hand or under consideration for both Chieftain and Challenger. An advanced thermal imaging and observation sight is already being fitted to all Challengers and is now in production for Chieftain. Other improvements under development include a new high pressure gun and ammunition, new gun elevation gearbox and solid state control equipment, and improved computer sighting, and target acquisition systems.

  Executive Responsibility Budgets
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many extra staff are being taken on to operate executive responsibility budgets in armed services(a) training establishments and (b) headquarters; and at what cost.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The information requested is not recorded centrally. However, it is estimated that the numbers and costs of the extra staff required to process and interpret the management information associated with executive responsibility budgets in the field of service training are as follows:
  100

  Numbers

  Cost1

  Establishments

  100

  1·5

  Headquarters

  22

  0·4

  1 £ million per year at 1987–88 prices.

  The requirement has been met through the redeployment of staff within existing manpower ceilings and cash limits.

  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps are being taken to reduce the growth in paperwork resulting from executive responsibility budgets in the armed services.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Executive responsibility budgets are a key element in the MOD's response to the Government's financial management initiative and have a major role to play in the promotion of greater efficiency in the management of resources. This necessarily calls for more and better management information.

  Home Service Units
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether home service units are notified of regular soldiers completing their engagements and resident in their recruiting areas.

  Mr. Freeman
  Recruitment into the home service force, which forms part of the Territorial Army, is the responsibility of the territiorial auxiliary and volunteer reserve associations. Associations are informed monthly by the Ministry of Defence of men who have recently left the Regular Army and are residing in their recruitment area. In addition, prior to discharge such soldiers are themselves notified of the opportunities for serving in the Territorial Army, including the home service force.

  Departmental Research Establishments
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps are being taken to allow research establishments of his Department to retain income derived from external sources, to defray their costs.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Income generated by research establishments from the use of their facilities by external customers is already credited to their executive responsibility budgets as a receipt. Achieving greater scope for the establishments to deploy their resources on a revenue-earning basis will be one aspect to be looked at in the feasibility study of their development as an agency under the initiative announced by the Prime Minister on 18 February 1988.

  RN Armaments Depots
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to complete his review of the Royal Naval armaments depots at Milford Haven and Trecwn; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The report on the future of RNADs Milford Haven and Trecwn is still being studied by management. When their consideration is complete, a consultative document will be published. No date has been fixed for publication.

  Flying Accidents
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the rate of major accidents per 10,000 flying
  101
  hours in 1987 for (a) British military aircraft as a whole, (b) Royal Air Force fixed-wing aircraft and (c) fast jet aircraft.

  Mr. Freeman
  In 1987, major accident rates per 10,000 flying hours were recorded as follows:

  Number

  All aircraft of the three Services

  0·32

  Royal Air Force fixed wing aircraft

  0·29

  Royal Air Force fast jet aircraft

  0·84

  These figures are in line with the general downward trend in recent years in the rate of major accidents to military aircraft.

  Royal Aircraft Establishment Trials
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the nature and purpose of the Royal Aircraft Establishment trials involving intense electromagnetic radiation in the vicinity of Hafren forest, Llanidloes, Powys, from July to October 1987.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The activities to which I believe the hon. Gentleman is referring were sponsored and conducted by British Aerospace. I understand, however, that they posed no danger to the general public.

  Bullying
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he intends to implement the steps he announced to deal with Army bullying; and which of these will be given priority.

  Mr. Freeman
  A ban on harmful initiation ceremonies has already been issued throughout the Army, and measures to emphasise the man-management responsibilities of officers and NCOs are also being implemented. The other proposals announced — which concentrate largely on the training organisation, and on supervision of soldiers — are currently being developed within the Department for detailed approval by Ministers. This is being taken forward as a matter of urgency, although it will inevitably be some months before the process is complete. I will keep the right hon. Gentleman informed.

  Stingray Torpedo
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the names of those companies which were given subcontract work by Marconi for the underwater systems Stingray torpedo project.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The choice of sub-contractors is a matter for the prime contractor and it is for the prime contractor to provide these details.

  Nuclear Tests (Radiation Victims)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 28 January,Official Report, columns 309–10, what estimate is available to him of the number of deaths during the next 10 years amongst the nuclear test participants examined during the National Radiological Protection Board's inquiry; what steps have been taken and will be taken to monitor the incidence of (a) diseases other than cancer, (b) still births, (c) infertility and (d) genetic handicaps in that group; and if he will make a statement.
  102
  Mr. Sainsbury
  The National Radiological Protection Board report referred to in my answer of 28 January, in column 309, is the only source of information available to me on the expected mortality of participants. Taking account of the ages of the participants, the NRPB has estimated that in the 10 years from 1984
  "about 30 deaths could be expected from leukaemia and multiple myeloma and at least a further 20 cases in the participants and a similar number in the controls, if the men experienced the normal national mortality and cancer registration rates in England and Wales."

  It is also estimated that approximately a 1,000 further deaths in each group will occur
  "from the two diseases most closely related to smoking (lung cancer and chronic obstructive lung disease)".

  In line with the recommendations of the report, it is intended that the information for the 10-year follow-up study will be derived from the same sources as were used for the original study, that is, cancer registrations and mortality statistics, including dates and causes of death, contained in the National Health Service central registers.

  Departmental Houses
  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discounts were available to sitting tenants purchasing his Department's houses in Bishopton, Renfrewshire.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The discount available to sitting tenants purchasing surplus MOD houses at Bishopton is 33 per cent. if the period of occupation is less than four years. If the period of occupation is four years or over, the discount is 34 per cent. plus 1 per cent. for each complete year by which that period exceeds four years, but not together exceeding 60 per cent., that is, after 30 complete years' qualifying time.

  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of his Department's houses there are in(a) Renfrew district and (b) Inverclyde district.

  Mr. Freeman
  The MOD owns 23 houses in Renfrew district and two in Inverclyde district.

  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department's tenants, when allowed to buy their homes, are subject to the same discount policy as council tenants.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  When MOD civilian houses are declared surplus, sitting tenants are normally offered the chance to buy at the same discounts as offered by local authorities to council tenants, that is, up to a maximum of 60 per cent. The maximum discount allowed on surplus married quarters is 30 per cent. in line with the discounted sales scheme operated for service personnel. This is a scheme between employer and employee and not directly comparable with that operated, by local authorities.

  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discounts are available to tenants of his Department's houses when they want to purchase(a) private designation and (b) local authority designation homes.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I shall write to the hon. Gentleman.

  4-tonne Trucks
  Mr. Sean Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to place an order for 4-tonne trucks for the Army.
  103
  Mr. Sainsbury
  A competition is currently in hand to select the services' new 4-tonne vehicle for the 1990s with a view to first production orders being placed in mid 1989. The question of any further orders of the services' existing 4-tonne vehicles is under active consideration.

  Army Establishments (Services)
  Mr. Sean Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent deficiencies in privatised gardening, cleaning and catering work at Army establishments are made good by service personnel; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  There are currently around 200 catering, cleaning and gardening contracts running at Army establishments and a further 16 let but yet to start. Contractors have taken on work previously performed by around 140 military and 4,900 civilian staff. Contracts are monitored continuously and the great majority run satisfactorily. There have been a few instances where Army personnel have been called upon to make up for recruitment difficulties being experienced by contractors but such occurrences have been very infrequent and are generally confined to the early stages of contracts.

  Breathalysers
  Sir Ian Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether, in the light of the experience with their installation and use by the Australian armed forces, he will arrange for the installation of wall-mounted breathalysers in all service premises in which alcohol is sold for consumption by service personnel; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  No consideration is being given to the installation of breathalysers in service premises.

  Health Board of Testing Laboratory

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  Argyll and Clyde

  25,990

  23,829

  27,151

  28,946

  35,195

  33,554

  Ayrshire and Arran

  19,753

  18,497

  21,218

  22,827

  29,219

  30,098

  Borders

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dumfries and Galloway

  11,653

  11,710

  12,235

  12,164

  13,661

  14,331

  Fife

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Forth Valley

  14,002

  12,784

  15,074

  15,925

  19,509

  19,353

  Grampian

  33,014

  32,726

  35,164

  37,783

  43,539

  45,077

  Greater Glasgow

  53,143

  49,752

  54,276

  51,916

  59,990

  56,068

  Highland

  16,656

  17,094

  19,174

  18,671

  21,577

  21,016

  Lanarkshire

  25,766

  25,949

  28,423

  27,274

  34,250

  33,966

  Lothian

  65,070

  64,408

  70,713

  74,668

  63,272

  72,122

  Orkney

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Shetland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Tayside

  28,823

  28,356

  31,616

  32,310

  36,535

  36,041

  Western Isles

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Scotland

  293,870

  285,105

  315,044

  322,484

  356,747

  361,626

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps have been taken to ensure that where a cervical smear test is found to be positive the woman concerned is informed immediately.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Following my announcement on 10 December 1987 that a comprehensive cervical cancer screening service was to be made available to all women

  Royal Yacht Britannia
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give his latest estimate of the cost of refitting the royal yacht Britannia.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Strathkelvin and Bearsden (Mr. Galbraith) on 3 November 1987, at column 651. Subject to final negotiation, the cost of refitting HMY Britannia is not expected to exceed £19 million.

SCOTLAND

  Amniocentesis Tests
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many women had amniocentesis tests in each of the last five years; what was the average time between the test and the results being made available, stating the information for each health board area.

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

  Cervical Smear Tests
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has as to the number of women who had cervical smear tests in each year between 1981 and 1987 and the average time between the time of testing and the time of result and made available in each year, showing the information for each health board area.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The numbers of women who had cervical smear tests are set out in the table. Data for 1987 are not yet available. The figures relate to the health board in which the examining laboratories are located, which is not necessarily the health board in which the cervical smears were taken. Information on the time taken to notify results of tests is not centrally available.

  in Scotland aged between 20 and 60, detailed guidance was issued to health boards on the provision of such a service including the need to insitute "fail-safe" arrangements to ensure that a woman with a positive result is followed up.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has as to the number of cases where there was either a failure to inform on an undue delay in
  105
  informing the woman concerned of a positive cervical smear test in the Lothian health board area between 1984 and 1987.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  This information is not held centrally.

  Libraries (Incentive Scheme)
  Mr. Buchan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the public library development incentive scheme as it applies to Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I have no plans to introduce a scheme of incentive funding for libraries in Scotland similar to that announced recently for England. I shall, however, be following with interest the progress of the scheme in England.

  Rating Reform
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to be in a position to provide a definition of permanency of residence in relation to the poll tax in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  A person's sole or main residence will generally be a matter of fact in relation to the circumstances of each case. The only exception relates to persons undertaking a full-time course of education who are to be regarded, under section 8(4) of the Abolition of Domestic Rates Etc. (Scotland) Act 1987, as being solely or mainly resident in the area of the local authority in which they are resident during term time for the purpose of undertaking the course. There is no question of my right hon. and learned Friend providing a definition of sole or main residence for community charge purposes.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his latest estimate of the cost to local authorities of new computers for implementing the poll tax.

  Mr. Lang
  The information requested is not held centrally. Additional capital allocations of £15 million will, however, be made available to local authorities in respect of 1988–89 to meet expenditure incurred in implementing the community charge. This is on top of the additional £6 million capital expenditure consent already allocated in 1987–88.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the latest estimate of additional staff required by Scottish local authorities to implement the poll tax.

  Mr. Lang
  The information requested is not held centrally. It is for individual local authorities to consider the manpower implications of the plans for their own areas.

  Domestic Assaults
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has as to which police forces in Scotland produce separate figures on the number of reported domestic assaults each year.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I have no information on the extent to which statistics such as these, which are not collected centrally, are compiled by individual police forces.

  Orthopaedic Consultants (Ayrshire and Arran)
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many elective operations major and minor, were carried out in each year since 1980 by each orthopaedic consultant employed by the Ayrshire and Arran health board.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information is not available in the form requested.

  Operating Theatres (Ayrshire and Arran)
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many operating theatres there are in the Ayrshire and Arran health board area; what was the number of operations carried out in each during each of the past three years; and the percentage utilisation in terms of hours for each theatre.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information is not available centrally.

  Orthopaedic Consultants (Highland Health Board)
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the number of elective operations, major and minor carried out for each year since 1980, by each orthopaedic consultant employed by the Highland health board.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information is not available in the form requested.

  Operating Theatres (Raigmore Hospital)
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the number of operating theatres at Raigmore hospital of the Highland health authority, the number of operations done in each, for the last three years for which figures are available and the percentage utilisation in terms of hours for each theatre.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information is not available centrally.

  Pupil-Teacher Ratios (Perthshire)
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of pupil-to-teacher ratio in the schools in Perthshire in the years 1978, 1986 and 1987.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Information on schools in Perthshire can be obtained from Tayside regional council.

  Pupil-Teacher Ratios (Angus)
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of pupil-to-teacher ratios in the schools in Angus in the years 1978, 1986 and 1987.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Information on schools in Angus can be obtained from Tayside regional council.

  Catering and Domestic Service Contractors
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the answer of 19 January,Official Report, column 664, if he will list the names of each trade association for catering and domestic service contractors and the names of the individuals representing them, at the meeting of 2 October 1987.
  107
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The British Hotels, Restaurants and Caterers Association was represented by Mr. T. Brannigan, Mr. E. Wilkinson, Mr. C. Bone, Mr. R. Dyson and Mr. J. Kilpatrick; the Contract Cleaning and Maintenance Association by Mr. J. Hall, Mr. M. Davies and Mr. A. Tucker.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the answer of 19 January,Official Report, column 664, whether any informal minute or record was made by any individual at, or subsequent to, the meeting of 2 October 1987, which related to that meeting.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Yes; an informal report on the seminar was prepared for my information.

  Johnstone Infectious Diseases Hospital, Renfrewshire
  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the cost of the original contract to build the new purpose-built block at Johnstone infectious diseases hospital in Renfrewshire; and what is the new cost for the revised plan.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The cost of the original contract to provide a support services block at the hospital was £990,882. The cost of the revised contract, including the new provision of a recreational area for patients, is still subject to negotiation, but the board is confident that it will be less than the cost of the original contract.

  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the cost implications to the responsible health board of halting the planned kitchen at Johnstone infectious diseases hospital, Renfrewshire.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Argyll and Clyde health board anticipates that there will be an overall saving on the contract. In addition, the future cost of providing recreational facilities for patients at Johnstone hospital will now be avoided.

  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland why the electricity and gas supplies for the now cancelled kitchen block at the Johnstone infectious diseases hospital, Renfrewshire, are still going ahead; and at what cost.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The change of use of part of the block from kitchen to recreational facilities does not affect the requirement to supply the block with electrical power or to introduce a gas supply which will fuel the heating system.

  The provisional total is £14,540, which is already included in the contract price.

  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what compensation is to be paid to the contractor following cancellation of the building of the kitchen at Johnstone infectious diseases hospital, Renfrewshire.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Johnstone hospital provides facilities for the elderly and the young physically disabled. No compensation is to be paid to the contractor following the cancellation of the fitting out of the kitchen at the hospital.

  Grampian Health Board (Correspondence)
  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make available to the hon. Member for Aberdeen, North copies of correspondence between
  108
  Grampian health board and the Scottish Home and Health Department which relate to discussions and negotiations culminating in the signing on 3 November 1987 of the efficiency savings schedule of agreements by Mr. H. Fullerton for Grampian health board and by Mr. A. McKechnie and Mr. H. McGrath for the staff side, joint staff consultative committee.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Correspondence between the Department and health boards is not normally made available to other parties.

  On 22 June the Scottish Home and Health Department wrote to Grampian health board asking for details of a new bonus scheme which it understood had apparently been introduced by the board for certain ancillary staff. The board replied on 14 October confirming that a new flat-rate bonus scheme for domestic, catering, portering, linen and laundry, hairdressing and gardening staff had been introduced to replace a number of existing ancillary staff bonus schemes. The letter dealt solely with the content of the scheme and the fact that staff representatives had been involved in its preparation and introduction.

  Northumberland Natural Park
  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the answer of 15 February,Official Report column 482, what acreage of the Northumberland natural park was afforested with conifers in 1958, 1960 and 1965.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information is as follows:

  Year (at 31 March)

  Area of productive coniferous woodland (hectares)

  1958

  11,000

  1960

  12,000

  1965

  15,000

  NHS Staff (Telephone Fault Repair System)
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) whether all Health Service staff required to be on emergency call are registered for British Telecom's priority fault repair system; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will take steps to ensure that after April health boards will continue to pay the cost for employees on British Telecom's priority fault repair system; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  British Telecom is in the process of changing the arrangements for the operation and funding of emergency repairs to telephones at NHS premises and at the homes of key personnel. The Scottish Home and Health Department is consulting interested parties, including health boards and professional associations, about the arrangements to be made. The Department aims to identify arrangements which represent good value for public money, do not conflict with the terms of service of the key personnel concerned and, above all, are effective.

  Scottish Special Housing Association
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will give the capital programme for the Scottish
  109
  Special Housing Association for each of the last five years, showing the proportion in real and percentage terms financed from capital receipts and from borrowing;

  (2) if he will give the projected capital programme for the Scottish Special Housing Association for each of the next five years, showing the proportion in real and percentage terms to be financed from projected capital receipts and from borrowing;

  (3) if he will give the capital receipts from house sales for each of the last five years for the Scottish Special Housing Association.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  As the Scottish Special Housing Association's capital allocation is determine

  Capital Programme Expenditure and Capital Sales Receipts

  Capital programme expenditure

  Capital programme expenditure

  Capital receipts from house sales

  Capital receipts from house sales as a percentage of capital programme expenditure

  (cash price) £ million

  (1986–87 prices) £ million

  (cash price) £ million

  (cash price) Percentage

  1982–83

  59·9

  71·6

  19·2

  32·0

  1983–84

  52·3

  59·7

  30·1

  57·6

  1984–85

  65·0

  71·1

  35·0

  53·8

  1985–86

  50·7

  52·3

  24·9

  49·1

  1986–87

  54·0

  54·0

  23·0

  42·6

  1987–88

  64·7

  n.a.

  39·9

  61·7

  1988–89

  54·9

  n.a.

  40·3

  73·4

  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list each of the sums borrowed by the Scottish Special Housing Association in 1987 to finance its capital programmes, showing in each case the terms and from whom borrowed.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information is shown in the table. All the association's borrowings are from the National Loans Fund.

  Sums borrowed by the SSHA from the National Loans Fund in 1987–88 (to 19 February 1988)

  Date of advance

  Amount of loan

  Term

  Interest Rate Per cent.

  £ million

  2 April 1987

  6·0

  60 years

  9·125

  30 June 1987

  4·2

  60 years

  9·250

  30 June 1987

  11·8

  30 years

  9·250

  30 June 1987

  16·0

  183 days

  9·250

  31 December 1987

  16·0

  60 years

  9·750

  Sheep Monitoring
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many scintillators were available to, and used by, his Department for the monitoring of live sheep in the restricted areas of Scotland in each month from May 1986 to May 1987.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The figures are as follows:

  Number

  1986

  May

  Nil

  June

  Nil

  July

  1

  August

  1

  September

  1

  110
  annually within the normal arrangements for public expenditure, programme figures are not available for any years after 1988–89. It is not possible to distinguish between the sums from capital receipts and borrowings from the National Loans Fund to meet capital expenditure for any financial year.

  The table shows capital programme expenditure at cash prices and at 1986–87 prices for the five years up to 1986–87; it also gives capital receipts for house sales at cash prices and expressed as a percentage of capital programme expenditure for the same five years; estimated outturn figures for 1987–88 and 1988–89 have been included as appropriate.

  Number

  October

  4

  November

  6

  December

  6

  1987

  January

  8

  February

  8

  March

  8

  April

  8

  May

  8

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when monitoring of live sheep on a general basis was introduced in the restricted areas of Scotland following the Chernobyl accident.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  July 1986.

  Nurses
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to recruit and retain nurses within the National Health Service in Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Provan (Mr. Wray) of 27 October 1987, at column 104.

  In the intervening period, the Nursing and Midwifery Staffs Negotiating Council has agreed a new grading structure which recognises specific skills and will enable nurses to progress in their careers without necessarily having to move into management, will recognise post-basic clinical skills and training at all levels and provide a response to shortages in key specialisms. The Nurses' Pay Review Body has been asked to make recommendations on salaries in the new structure as part of its annual report on pay.
  111
  In addition, the launch of a joint Nursing Times/ Scottish Home and Health Department campaign on nurse recruitment and retention will take place on Monday 28 March 1988 in Edinburgh.

  Geese
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what weight is given to the number of geese grazing on land when determining whether a licence to shoot should be granted; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what criteria he applies in determining the density or numbers of geese that are deemed to be causing significant damage for the purpose of granting a licence to shoot.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Licences are granted only where white-fronted geese are regularly causing damage in concentrations of more than 200 birds on restricted areas of land carrying crops or improved grass.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what step he has taken to satisfy himself that the licensed shooting of white-fronted geese on Islay has not caused nor is likely to cause any disturbance to the wild birds in the proposed special protection area known as the Rhins.
  112
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  No licences have been issued in respect of land lying within any of the SSSIs including the Rhins. Licensed shooting outwith the SSSIs would not be expected to disturb birds within the protected areas.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any plans to procure manpower for the purpose of scaring white-fronted geese from farmland on Islay.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  A scheme for the scaring of geese on farmland lying outwith the protected areas has already been introduced with support from the Manpower Services Commission for the employment of scarers.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many licence applications he has now received to shoot white-fronted geese; how many licences have been granted to date; and if he has received advice from the Nature Conservancy Council in respect of each licence application.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Twenty eight applications for licences to shoot white-fronted geese have been received and 10 have been granted. The Nature Conservancy Council was informed in advance of each of the licences to be issued.

  REMAND CELLS: INSPECTION
  REMAND CELLS: INSPECTION
  WAGES COUNCILS
  WAGES COUNCILS
  ELECTRICITY INDUSTRY: PRIVATISATION
  ELECTRICITY INDUSTRY: PRIVATISATION
  FLUIDISED BED COMBUSTION TECHNOLOGY: RESEARCH COSTS
  FLUIDISED BED COMBUSTION TECHNOLOGY: RESEARCH COSTS