Written Answers of 11 January 1988

PRIME MINISTER

  USSR
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Prime Minister if, at her meeting with Secretary Gorbachev on 8 December 1987, she discussed Soviet incursions into the United Kingdom air defence region; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  The subject of Soviet air activity in the United Kingdom air defence region was not raised during my discussions with General Secretary Gorbachev on 7 December.

  British Nuclear Fuels plc
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Prime Minister on how many further occasions since her reply of 21 October,Official Report, column 734, members of her staff have been guests of British Nuclear Fuels plc; and if she will list them by title and date.

  The Prime Minister
  My chief press secretary attended a British Nuclear Fuels plc dinner for the media in November. A member of the policy unit also attended a British Nuclear Fuels plc dinner in that month.

  No. 10 Downing Street
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Prime Minister if domestic rates are payable in respect of any part of No. 10 Downing street.

  The Prime Minister
  Occupations by the Crown are exempt from rating, but contributions in lieu of rates are made by the Treasury (rating of Government property department) on the basis of values determined by the Treasury Valuer. It is normal practice for a single rateable value to be determined for each large complex.

  D Notice Committee
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's response to the communications from Mr. Michael Ramsden and the future of the D Notice Committee.

  The Prime Minister
  At the meeting of the Defence Press and Broadcasting Committee on 21 December 1987 the media members called for a statement clarifying the Government's attitude to the D notice system. The Government are considering their response.

  Windscale Fire
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Prime Minister if, pursuant to her reply of 21 October 1987 to the hon. Member for Copeland, all documents, reports and surveys connected with the 1957 Windscale fire have now been published under the 30-year rule; if she will arrange for copies to be placed in the Library; and if she will make a statement.
  2
  The Prime Minister
  In accordance with normal practice it would not be appropriate for the Public Records Office to copy such a large volume of documents for retention in the House of Commons Library. Government Departments and the Atomic Energy Authority have fulfilled their responsibilities in accordance with the requirements of the Public Records Act, and papers on the Windscale fire have been available for scrutiny in the Public Records Office in Kew since 2 January. All papers due for release in 1988 have been released except for a limited number of papers withheld under the terms of the Act.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Ethiopia and Sudan
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many irrigation projects the Overseas Development Administration is currently funding or supporting with technical aid in Ethiopia and in the Sudan.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  In Sudan we are financing an irrigation rehabilitation project in the northern region at a cost of £10·8 million over three years, and also helping to rehabilitate the light railway in the Gezira irrigation scheme. We are not currently financing directly any irrigation projects in Ethiopia, although under the joint funding scheme we are helping the Catholic Fund for Overseas Development with small projects in Tigray.

  India
  Sir Brandon Rhys Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in the light of his recent visit, he has any plans to alter the size or composition of the British aid programme to India.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  I was most impressed with the quality of the projects I visited in India. The overall size of the programme, which is rightly by far our largest, will continue to be determined by what we can afford and by the proposals put to us by the Government of India.

  The balance between our aid to infrastructure, including energy, and to natural resources, health, education and water is about right. I hope to be able over the next few months to announce further projects in the fields of education, urban development and rural water supplies.

  Oxfam (Aid White Paper)
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what response he has made to the proposals of the Oxfam white paper on aid, published in October, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The Government's aid policy is set out in its response (Cm 225), also published in October, to the report of the Foreign Affairs Committee "Bilateral Aid: Country Programmes".

  Ethiopia
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information
  3
  he has as to the value of current food aid programmes to Ethiopia, expressed as a percentage of gross national product of (a) the United Kingdom and (b) the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisations, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics pledged 2,500 tonnes of rice to Ethiopia in 1987; the cost is not known. The United Kingdom allocated 54,500 tonnes in wheat equivalent of cereals food aid in 1987 at a cost of £9·4 million. I have just pledged a further 40,000 tonnes of food aid. Comparisons in terms of GNP are not possible, since economic statistics are not prepared for the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the same basis as those for OECD and IMF members.

  Sir Russell Johnston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much long-term development aid has been provided to Ethiopia by Her Majesty's Government since 1984.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  Her Majesty's Government have no present plans to provide long-term financial assistance to Ethiopia from the bilateral aid programme. We will however, continue to respond for humanitarian reasons to emergency needs. In addition, we maintain a programme of technical co-operation and have provided funds for rehabilitation following the 1984–85 famine; expenditure on these activities taken together came to about £2·5 million in 1986.

  Under the third Lome Convention, the European Community has allocated about £160 million as Ethiopia's national programme. Britain contributes one sixth of this.

  Mr. Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on the position relating to famine in Ethiopia.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  I returned yesterday from a visit to Ethiopia. I believe that our own response to the emergency has been generous, but a sustained effort by the Ethiopian Government, by donors and by voluntary organisations will continue to be needed this year. In the course of my visit, I therefore announced the allocation of an additional 40,000 tonnes of food aid which we will deliver after the end of March. This will be channelled through international and voluntary agencies.

  With this allocation, our contribution to the food aid needs of the Ethiopian people totals 94,500 tonnes, and the overall cost of our assistance, including our share of European Community relief programmes, totals some £35 million since the beginning of last year.

  We shall continue to monitor the situation closely, and will consider if there is more that we should do.

  Syria
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on the current European Economic Community negotiations with Syria regarding the establishment and funding of water and agricultural projects in Syria, and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  We do not oppose implementation of projects for which EC aid funds were approved before October 1986.

  Budget (Underspend)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how much is the projected underspend on the overseas development budget for 1987–88; and how this is disaggregated to the development and the emergency funds.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  On the basis of current plans, we will fully spend the overseas aid Vote for 1987–88, which includes provision for both development and emergency aid.

  Aid and Trade Provision
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list in the Official Report the amount of money paid out, in each of the past five years, under the provisions of the aid and trade provision and the projects in the United Kingdom which received this financial assistance.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Oxford, East (Mr. Smith) on 7 July 1987 at columns 73–76.

  Sub-Saharan Africa
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what undertakings were given by Her Majesty's Government on contributions to the co-financing of structural adjustment programmes for sub-Saharan Africa at the meeting of the World Bank in Paris in December.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The meeting identified substantial aid resources available from western donor countries for co-ordinated support for structural adjustment programmes in poor sub-Saharan African countries with debt problems. Her Majesty's Government indicated that they expect to commit about £250 million of programme aid over the next three years to the target countries.

  Total pledges at the World Bank meeting amounted to $6·4 billion. In addition, the World Bank expects to commit $6·2 billion to the special programme of assistance from the eighth replenishment of the International Development Association.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the process of decision-making in the Crown Prosecution Service.

  The Attorney-General
  Papers submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service are subjected to independent review either by lawyers or in a limited range of cases by trained executive officers of the service as soon as possible after receipt. Prosecution decisions are taken in accordance with the code for Crown prosecutors.

  "Spycatcher"
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Attorney-General (1) what are the total legal costs so far incurred by Her Majesty's Government as a result of all litigation relating to Peter Wright's book "Spycatcher"; and if he will make a statement;
  5
  (2) if he will itemise all other costs, in addition to legal costs, so far incurred by Her Majesty's Government as a result of all litigation relating to Peter Wright's book, "Spycatcher"; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  The total amount of costs expended to date by the Government is about £500,000 in legal fees and £78,000 in travelling and subsistence for officials.

  London Rent Assessment Panel
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Attorney-General, if he will list the current appointees to the London rent assessment panel, giving their professional qualifications in each case.

  The Attorney-General
  The Lord Chancellor's current appointees to the London rent assessment committee are:

  LAWYERS

  President

  T. H. M. Whipham—Barrister.

  Vice President

  Mrs. S. Lloyd—Barrister.

  T. G. Ashmore—Barrister.

  D. Bluston—Solicitor.

  Mrs. J. Charles—Barrister.

  Mrs. R. A. Corkhill—Solicitor.

  Lady Z. Y. Davies—Barrister.

  Mrs. S. E. Denman—Barrister.

  C. J. Ettinger—Solicitor.

  Prof. J. T. Farrand—Solicitor.

  D. P. Flynn—Solicitor.

  Lady Fox—Barrister.

  B. Greenby—Solicitor.

  Mrs. A. C. M. Harman

  —Barrister 1945.

  —Solicitor 1971.

  Mrs. C. Henderson—Barrister.

  Mrs. H. Kelly—Barrister.

  Mrs. C. A. Lewis—Barrister.

  Lady S. Mars-Jones—Barrister.

  Mrs. D. E. McKenzie—Barrister.

  D. E. Moore—Barrister.

  Lady Phillips—Barrister.

  Mrs. K. F. G. Pulay—Barrister.

  Mrs. C. Ray—Barrister.

  Lady P. E. Rossi—Barrister.

  Mrs. M. Simon—Solicitor.

  B. Sinclair—Barrister.

  Mrs. S. E. Turner—Barrister.

  Mrs. L. E. Vickers—Solicitor.

  F. D. Ward—Solicitor.

  Mrs. M. E. Wigoder Halberstam—Barrister.

  J. D. Witty—Solicitor.

  VALUERS & SURVEYORS

  Vice President

  W. G. M. Williams.

  J. N. Ayes.

  D. E. F. Baldock.

  N. I. Behr.

  P. J. Bexson.

  C. J. Bradley.

  R. N. Burtsal.

  M. Clark.

  E. J. Hosking.

  E. C. J. McDaniel.

  Mrs. J. McGrandle.

  M. I. Prevett.

  P. F. Prior.

  W. D. C. Simonds.

  D. R. Stevens.

  G. A. Turnball.

  Birmingham Pub Bombings
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Attorney-General what was the cost of the trial of the 14 prison officers at Winson Green prison who were found not guilty of assaulting the six men convicted of the Birmingham pub bombings.

  The Attorney-General
  The cost of this trial amounted, in respect of fees paid to both prosecution and defence lawyers, and witnesses' expenses, to £75,469.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will estimate the cost of the recent appeal hearing of the case against the six men convicted of the Birmingham pub bombings, following the decision to refer the case to Court of Appeal under section 17 of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968.

  The Attorney-General
  As judgment has not yet been given in this case, no lawyers' bills have been presented or determined, no fees have therefore yet been paid, and therefore no satisfactory estimate of the cost can be made at present.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will estimate(a) the cost to the public purse of the original trial of the six men convicted of the Birmingham pub bombings at Lancaster Crown court, (b) the cost of their appeal the following year and (c) the cost of each stage of the civil action brought by the convicted men against the West Midlands police.

  The Attorney-General
  The cost of the original trial at the Crown court at Lancaster in 1975 amounted, in respect of fees paid to both prosecution and defence lawyers, and witnesses' expenses, to £237,683. The cost of the appeal in 1976 in respect of fees paid to defence lawyers was £5,327. The cost of the civil action cannot be ascertained without disproportionate expense.

  "Inside Intelligence"
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the Government's recent use of an injunction to stop newspaper publication of material from Anthony Cavendish's book, "Inside Intelligence".

  The Attorney-General
  Injunctions were granted by the High Court on 1 and 2 January against two newspapers to restrain the publication of material in breach of the lifelong duty of confidence owed to the Crown by present and former members of the security and intelligence services.

  Rating Reform
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Attorney-General if, in view of the proposal continuously to update the poll tax register, he will make use of it for jury service purposes.

  The Attorney-General
  No, there is no intention of making use of the proposed community charges register for the purposes of summoning jurors. The register of electors, which is updated annually, will continue to be used, in accordance with section 3 of the Juries Act 1974.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Television Licences
  Mr. McTaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will investigate the possibility of
  7
  amending the rules on television licence refunds, in order to enable people who are forced to leave their homes for extensive periods through unforeseen circumstances, such as hospitalisation, storm damage, property renovation, and so on, to claim full refunds.

  Mr. Renton
  Refunds are already available when two licences are held of which one was obtained in error; when an unexpired monochrome licence is surrendered for a colour licence; and when a licence is surrendered within 28 days of its issue (or due date of issue in cases of renewal). There are no plans to extend these arrangements.

  Electoral Registers (Sale)
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has about the number of local authorities which sell their electoral registers to commercial companies.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  This information is not recorded centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Departmental Responsibilities
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list in the Official Report those areas of his departmental responsibility which extend to Scotland.

  Mr. Hurd
  My Department's responsibilities extend to Scotland in the following areas: animal experiments, broadcasting, data protection, immigration and nationality, passports, race relations and sex discrimination. In addition, my Department shares responsibility with the Department of my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland in a number of areas including betting and gaming, drugs and poisons, extradition, air attack warning and monitoring, terrorism and security policy.

  Immigration (DNA Tests)
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the number of decisions made by the immigration services in which results of DNA tests have been provided; and if he will indicate the proportion where the claimed family relationship has been proved.

  Mr. Renton
  This information is not available.

  Traffic Violations (TV Cameras)
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if there are any plans to introduce in the Metropolitan police area the use of remote-controlled television cameras to record traffic law violations by motorists at traffic lights, and for use as evidence in prosecutions, in the light of the experiment conducted in Nottingham.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Within the limits set by law, the extent to which technology is used to enforce the law is a matter for individual chief officers of police. The scope for improving road traffic law enforcement through the further use of technology, supported as necessary by legislative change, is being considered by the road traffic law review, being conducted by Dr. Peter North of Jesus 8
  college, Oxford. His report is expected soon. The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis has indicated that he is awaiting the report of the review before reaching decisions on the use of technology such as that referred to by the hon. Member.

  Prisoners (Drugs)
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were(a) the categories and (b) the numbers of individual doses of drugs administered to inmates at: (i) Her Majesty's prison, Cardiff and (ii) Her Majesty's prison, Swansea in the latest available year.

  Mr. John Patten
  The table provides the information requested in respect of Her Majesty's prison, Cardiff.

  Number of doses of medicine administered to inmates (year ended 31 March 1987)

  Her Majesty's prison Cardiff

  Medicines available without prescription in the community

  73,504

  Prescription only medicines

  (a) Psychotropic drugs (ie antidepressants, sedatives and tranquillisers)

  7,031

  (b) Hypnotic drugs

  1,040

  (c) Drugs acting on the central nervous system other than those shown in (a) and (b)

  7,031

  (d) Other drugs and medicines

  58,118

  The larger part of the medical services at Her Majesty's prison Swansea is provided by one doctor. It is a long established policy not to publish information about the prescribing practice of individual doctors.

  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total cost of drugs administered to prisoners within Her Majesty's penal establishments in the latest available year.

  Mr. John Patten
  Information in the form requested is not available. In the financial year 1986–87 the cost of procuring medicines and other pharmaceutical items (including dressings and small items of medical equipment) for use in prison service establishments in England and Wales was £1·9 million.

  War Crimes
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will now be making a statement on what the Government intend to do regarding those living in the United Kingdom who are alleged to have been involved in Nazi war crimes against humanity.

  Mr. John Patten
  My right hon. Friend hopes to make an announcement in due course.

  Amusement Arcades and Gaming Machines
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to publish the report of his research unit on amusement arcades and gaming machine addiction; and what response he will be making to its findings.

  Mr. John Patten
  We shall publish the report as soon as we have fully considered the findings, which we are now doing. We shall then be able to take a view on what further steps might be appropriate.

  Crime Statistics
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will give the most recent juvenile crime figures for(a) England and Wales, (b) inner London, (c) outer London, (d) Birmingham, (e) Greater Manchester, (f) Sheffield, (g) Liverpool, (h) Leeds and (i) Bradford; and if he will give them as a total for each area, as percentage of total crimes committed in each area and the number of such crimes committed per head of population in each area;

  (2) if he will give the most recent figures for violent and non-violent crimes committed by juveniles for (a) England and Wales, (b) inner London and (c) outer London.

  Mr. John Patten
  The readily available information is given in the following tables:

  Table 1

  Persons aged 10 and under 17 found guilty at all courts or cautioned for indictable offences in selected police force areas

  England and Wales

  Numbers and percentages

  Police force area

  Number of offenders aged 10–16 found guilty or cautioned

  Known offenders aged 10–16 as a percentage of all known offenders

  Known offenders aged 10–16 per 100 population

  Greater Manchester

  10,918

  31

  4·3

  Merseyside

  4,426

  26

  3·1

  Metropolitan Police

  14,187

  17

  2·3

  South Yorkshire

  4,791

  29

  3·9

  West Yorkshire

  10,885

  33

  4·2

  West Yorkshire

  8,475

  32

  4·2

  England and Wales

  141,514

  27

  3·0

  Table 2

  Persons aged 10 and under 17 found guilty at all courts or cautioned for indictable offences by type of offence

  England and Wales 1986

  Number of Persons

  Police force area

  All indictable offences

  Offences of violence1

  Other indictable offences

  Metropolitan Police

  14,187

  1,340

  12,847

  England and Wales

  141,514

  12,253

  129,261

  1 Comprises violence against the person, sexual offences and robbery.

  Birmingham Pub Bombings
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the cost of detaining(a) on remand and (b) in prison the six men convicted of the Birmingham pub bombings.

  Mr. John Patten
  It is not possible to distinguish the costs of keeping particular individuals in custody. The table shows the average weekly net operating cost of keeping a person in a dispersal prison—the type of establishment in which these prisoners have mainly been accommodated since their conviction—for 1976–77 and subsequent financial years. Comparable information on costs for earlier years is not available.

  Average weekly net operating cost per inmate in dispersal prisons

  £ per week

  1976–77

  163

  1977–78

  187

  10

  £ per week

  1978–79

  232

  1979–80

  304

  1980–81

  369

  1981–82

  412

  1982–83

  433

  1983–84

  1478

  1984–85

  482

  1985–86

  469

  1986–87

  467

  1 From 1983–84 onwards the figures have been compiled on a slightly different basis.

  Source: Annual reports on the work of the Prison Department.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the cost of the various police investigations into the Birmingham pub bombings of 21 November 1974.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I understand from the chief constable of the West Midlands police that no separate record of the cost of the public investigations into the Birmingham pub bombings was kept at the time of the investigations, and that it is not now possible to make an estimate of the cost.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the cost of the inquiry by the Devon and Cornwall police into allegations made by former PC Tom Clarke regarding the treatment in custody of the six men convicted of the Birmingham pub bombings.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I understand from the chief constable of Devon and Cornwall that his present estimate of the total cost is £444,000.

  Charities
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made on the recommendations of the report entitled "Efficiency and Scrutiny of the Supervision of Charities"; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  My right hon. Friend expects to be in a position to announce the Government's response to this report shortly.

  Nationality
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications have been(a) accepted and (b) rejected for registration under the Nationality Act by month since January 1987.

  Mr. Renton
  The information is given in the table:

  Applications for Registration as a British Citizen

  Granted

  Refused

  1957

  January

  3,316

  186

  February

  4,835

  235

  March

  5,313

  206

  April

  2,529

  303

  May

  3,361

  245

  June

  4,089

  253

  July

  4,030

  260

  August

  3,278

  213

  September

  3,605

  274

  October

  3,642

  295

  11

  Granted

  Refused

  November

  3,933

  226

  41,931

  2,696

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what income has been received, by month, since January 1987, for fees in respect of the Nationality Act 1982.

  Mr. Renton
  Fees received, net of refunds to unsuccessful applicants, were as follows:

  1987

  £

  January

  246,808

  February

  508,720

  March

  487,892

  April

  463,818

  May

  629,708

  June

  755,910

  July

  741,626

  August

  705,009

  September

  878,314

  October

  945,525

  November

  1,551,943

  December

  1,405,056

  TOTAL

  9,320,329

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provisions he is making for late applications for registration under the Nationality Act, due to Christmas post delays.

  Mr. Renton
  There is no discretion to extend beyond 31 December 1987 the deadline for receipt of registration applications under section 8 of the 1981 Act. There is discretion to extend the deadline for applications under section 7"in the special circumstances of any particular case".
  Reasons for delay will have to be considered in each case. But in general, for example, my right hon. Friend would expect to be able to exercise discretion in respect of any application under section 7 which was postmarked on or before 31 December 1987, irrespective of when it arrived.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice or assistance he is giving those people wishing to register for British citizenship under the Nationality Act 1981, who are either patients in psychiatric hospitals or otherwise disadvantaged, and unable to afford the registration fees, in order that they should not be denied the right of application through lack of money.

  Mr. Renton
  Section 42(1) of the British Nationaity Act precludes registration as a British citizen if the prescribed fee has not been paid. The Government believe that those who wish to become British citizens should pay the cost of processing their applications. Concessions to one group would mean increased costs for others.

  Ian Cutler
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis in respect of the letter he received from soliciters acting for Ian Cutler; and if he will make a statement;
  12
  (2) what complaints have been received in respect of the case of Mr. Ian Cutler by the Police Complaints Authority; and when he expects them to report.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Allegations made by Mr. Cutler are being investigated under the procedures set out in part IX of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no role in those procedures and it would not be right for him to intervene in the case. The investigation is being supervised by the Police Complaints Authority, but it cannot say when the investigating officer's report will be completed. I understand that the authority has received no complaints about the case. We have, however, passed to it for information copies of correspondence with a number of right hon. and hon. Members who have expressed concern over Mr. Cutler's allegations.

  Nottinghamshire Police
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what decision he has taken regarding Nottinghamshire police authority's request for increased police manpower.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The police authority has recently been informed that my right hon. Friend will give further consideration to the application in due course when he comes to decide on the allocation of additional police officer posts for the financial year 1988–89.

  Holloway Prison
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current population of Holloway prison; how many prisoners there are(a) on remand and (b) long-term; and what information he has as to how many children have been taken into care as a result of this.

  Mr. John Patten
  According to the records held centrally, the population of Holloway prison on 30 November 1987 was about 470. Of these, 240 were untried, 40 were convicted unsentenced and about 70 were serving sentences of over three years.

  Information on dependent children is not collected centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate costs.

  Pakistan (Drug Traffic)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much aid has been given to Pakistan to eliminate drug trafficking.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The United Kingdom firmly supports the efforts of the Government of Pakistan to combat drug production and trafficking. During the past five years we have pledged a total of £3·4 million to the United Nations fund for drug abuse control in support of their rural development scheme in the Dir district of the North West Frontier province. In the same period we have spent about £0·2 million on equipment for use by law enforcement agencies in Pakistan and have provided technical assistance in the form of training for customs officers.

  Domestic Fires
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has about the
  13
  causes of flashover in domestic fires which have caused accidents; what representation he has received from fire authorities about this phenomenon; what steps he is taking to combat it; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Flashover is a technical term used to describe a very rapid combustion of materials which can occur in domestic and other fires when temperatures reach around 1000°C.

  The Home Office has received no particular representations from fire authorities about the phenomenon which is well known. However, it is clearly important to adopt all the usual fire prevention and protection measures to prevent a fire occurring or, if one does break out, to escape from it at the earliest possible stage and call the fire brigade.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many domestic fires in each of the last five years have involved upholstered furniture containing polyurethane foam; how many deaths and injuries have resulted in each of those years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The table shows figures for fires in dwellings, and casualties in those fires, which were

  1986–87

  1987–881

  1988–89

  EL (£ million)

  Maximum precept (p in £)

  EL (£ million)

  Maximum precept

  EL (£ million)

  Proposed maximum precept

  Original

  Final

  Original

  Final

  Original

  Final

  (p in £)

  Original

  Final

  (p in £)

  Police

  Greater Manchester

  80·375

  83·687

  16·52

  16·52

  89·121

  92·686

  17·87

  94·052

  95·221

  15·38

  Merseyside

  56·685

  59·808

  25·62

  25·62

  62·047

  64·529

  23·29

  66·916

  68·906

  19·30

  Northumbria

  41·952

  43·431

  13·01

  13·01

  45·542

  47·364

  14·20

  49·926

  49·926

  13·92

  South Yorkshire

  34·961

  35·412

  17·12

  17·12

  36·726

  38·195

  16·79

  40·691

  40·691

  15·59

  West Midlands

  76·829

  80·831

  12·67

  12·70

  81·402

  84·658

  12·32

  92·254

  93·423

  14·11

  West Yorkshire

  60·616

  63·269

  20·81

  20·81

  66·117

  68·762

  19·47

  72·479

  72·479

  15·72

  Fire and Civil Defence Authority

  Greater Manchester

  37·886

  40·139

  9·09

  9·52

  43·312

  44·395

  9·75

  46·799

  46·799

  10·82

  Merseyside

  26·775

  26·884

  6·42

  7·19

  29·284

  30·016

  6·80

  31·617

  31·617

  8·22

  South Yorkshire

  18·702

  20·059

  10·84

  10·84

  20·681

  21·198

  10·27

  22·314

  22·514

  11·21

  Tyne and Wear

  19·291

  19·292

  10·98

  10·98

  20·989

  21·514

  10·54

  22·649

  22·649

  11·04

  West Midlands

  35·682

  36·374

  6·17

  6·56

  39·523

  40·511

  6·73

  42·696

  42·696

  7·48

  West Yorkshire

  29·032

  32·388

  11·20

  11·20

  33·788

  34·633

  11·59

  36·489

  37·558

  13·41

  London

  140·942

  147·383

  7·50

  7·70

  156·348

  160·257

  8·07

  166·775

  166·775

  8·15

  1 The Local Government Finance Act 1987 set the precepts for 1987–88 by formula uprating the original police EL's by 4 per cent. and original fire and civil defence ELs by 2·5 per cent.

  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the budgeted and estimated outturn, where available, of total expenditure of each fire and police joint board in 1986–87 and 1988–89.

  Mr. Hurd
  The information is as follows:

  1986–87 estimated outturn (£ million)

  Police Authorities

  Greater Manchester

  81·086

  Merseyside

  57·053

  Northumbria

  43·057

  South Yorkshire

  33·401

  West Midlands

  77·136

  West Yorkshire

  58·059

  14
  attended by local authority fire brigades in the United kingdom and where the item mainly responsible for the development of the fire was upholstered furniture or covers (including cushions, but excluding bedding);

  Fires, and casualties in fires, where material mainly responsible for development of fire was upholstered furniture or covers

  Number

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  Fires

  4,179

  4,030

  4,552

  4,656

  5,007

  Deaths

  182

  166

  213

  181

  219

  Non-fatal casualties

  1,399

  1,335

  1,527

  1,433

  1,869

  Fire and Police Boards
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the original and final expenditure levels underlying precept limits, and the original and final precept limits set, for each fire and police joint board in 1986–87, 1987–88 and 1988–89.

  Mr. Hurd
  The information is set out in the table. I have asked the authorities to let me know by 15 January whether they accept the proposed maximum precept for 1988–89 notified to them in December.

  1986–87 estimated outturn (£ million)

  Fire and Civil Defence Authorities

  Greater Manchester

  39·372

  Merseyside

  27·711

  South Yorkshire

  18·937

  Tyne and Wear

  19·251

  West Midlands

  36·422

  West Yorkshire

  32·016

  London

  146·386

  The figures are given in expenditure level terms. Authorities will need to set their budgets for 1988–89 in the light of the maximum precept limits which have yet to be finalised.

  Electoral Register
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will bring forward proposals to update continuously the electoral register in the same manner as planned for the poll tax register.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  No. The Representation of the People Act 1983 requires local registration officers to compile the electoral register annually after"house to house or other sufficient enquiry".

  They are encouraged to ensure the best practicable coverage of those entitled to vote. There are no plans to alter the statutory arrangements.

  Remand Prisoners
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were held on remand in the Somerset and Avon police authority area on 30 April and 30 September in each year since 1983; and how many of these prisoners had been waiting for trial for(a) more than nine months and (b) between six and nine months.

  Mr. John Patten
  [holding answer 17 December 1987]: Populations of the two establishments are given in the table. Information for all the dates on the time spent in custody by the untried population of the establishments could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, it is estimated that on 30 June 1987, 19 untried prisoners had been initially remanded into custody between six and nine months earlier and five untried prisoners more than nine months earlier. On 30 June 1983 the figures were six and nine respectively. These periods include any intervening time spent on bail.

  Notifiable offences of burglary and theft recorded by the police in which firearms were reported to have been stolen, by police force area and principal weapon.

  England and Wales 1986

  Number of offences1

  Police force area

  Total

  Air Weapon

  Shotgun

  Pistol

  Rifle

  Starting gun

  Other

  Avon and Somerset

  84

  37

  30

  1

  4

  4

  8

  Bedfordshire

  40

  18

  11

  5

  2

  —

  4

  Cambridgeshire

  43

  14

  22

  1

  5

  —

  1

  Cheshire

  53

  9

  13

  8

  10

  6

  7

  Cleveland

  2

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cumbria

  11

  8

  2

  —

  —

  —

  Derbyshire

  38

  15

  17

  2

  1

  —

  3

  Devon and Cornwall

  82

  35

  25

  8

  3

  5

  6

  Dorset

  13

  4

  5

  4

  —

  —

  —

  Durham

  44

  19

  18

  —

  3

  2

  2

  Essex

  91

  29

  34

  7

  8

  1

  12

  Gloucestershire

  14

  4

  8

  2

  —

  —

  —

  Greater Manchester

  23

  12

  4

  5

  —

  —

  2

  Hampshire

  104

  37

  37

  10

  5

  1

  14

  Hertfordshire

  15

  7

  6

  1

  —

  —

  14

  Humberside

  87

  52

  17

  1

  4

  3

  10

  Kent

  126

  45

  50

  10

  3

  4

  14

  Lancashire

  107

  50

  30

  5

  1

  4

  17

  Leicestershire

  46

  24

  14

  1

  —

  2

  5

  Lincolnshire

  24

  6

  13

  1

  3

  —

  1

  London, City

  2

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Merseyside

  104

  70

  13

  9

  1

  3

  8

  Metropolitan

  157

  62

  48

  16

  2

  8

  21

  Norfolk

  76

  32

  34

  2

  2

  4

  2

  Northamptonshire

  57

  27

  19

  3

  4

  1

  3

  Northumbria

  135

  63

  27

  3

  3

  7

  32

  North Yorkshire

  56

  20

  27

  —

  6

  2

  1

  Nottinghamshire

  32

  19

  8

  1

  —

  —

  4

  16

  Untried and convicted unsentenced populations of Bristol prison and Pucklechurch remand centre on 30 April and 30 September, 1983–87

  Number of prisoners

  Untried

  Convicted unsentenced

  1983

  30 April

  177

  66

  30 September

  183

  57

  1984

  30 April

  210

  26

  30 September

  190

  53

  1985

  30 April

  251

  32

  30 September

  246

  54

  1986

  30 April

  302

  42

  30 September

  259

  51

  1987

  30 April

  260

  45

  30 September

  239

  55

  Stolen Guns
  Mr. David Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many guns police force by police force, were reported stolen in each of the last five years; and in each case what was their category.

  Mr. John Patten
  [holding answer 9 December 1987]: The available information relates to burglaries and thefts in which a firearm was reported stolen, by principal weapon, and is published for England and Wales as a whole, 1976–86, in table 3.12 of "Criminal Statistics England and Wales 1986" (Cm 233) copies of which are in the Library. Information is not collected centrally on the number of weapons reported stolen in these incidents. A breakdown of the 1986 figures by police force area is given in the table. Such a breakdown for earlier years could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
  17

  Police force area

  Total

  Air Weapon

  Shotgun

  Pistol

  Rifle

  Starting gun

  Other

  South Yorkshire

  99

  69

  12

  7

  1

  6

  4

  Staffordshire

  28

  10

  11

  3

  —

  1

  3

  Suffolk

  67

  28

  16

  3

  2

  6

  12

  Surrey

  53

  18

  21

  7

  2

  2

  3

  Sussex

  44

  19

  19

  2

  1

  1

  2

  Thames Valley

  123

  38

  56

  8

  5

  6

  10

  Warwickshire

  35

  19

  11

  —

  1

  3

  1

  West Mercia

  74

  25

  23

  5

  11

  2

  8

  West Midlands

  149

  70

  31

  15

  3

  12

  18

  West Yorkshire

  117

  58

  24

  17

  7

  5

  6

  Wiltshire

  12

  3

  7

  1

  1

  —

  —

  Dyfed Powys

  21

  6

  12

  1

  1

  —

  1

  Gwent

  15

  8

  5

  1

  —

  —

  1

  North Wales

  23

  9

  13

  1

  —

  —

  —

  South Wales

  29

  18

  9

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Total

  2,555

  1,117

  804

  177

  105

  101

  251

  1 More than one firearm may have been stolen in each offence.

EMPLOYMENT

  Restart
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make it his policy to count imprisonment as unemployment for the purpose of restart interviews.

  Mr. Lee
  On release from prison ex-offenders are offered an in-depth interview at a jobcentre without having to wait six months for a restart interview. The interview provides an opportunity to discuss ways back into employment comparable to that offered by a restart interview. Periods of imprisonment count towards the unemployment requirement of current Manpower Services Commission programmes designed to help long-term unemployed people, for example, the community programme and the new job training scheme.

  Clothing Industry (Morpeth-Ashington)
  Mr. Jack Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what has been the total level of employment in the clothing industry in the Morpeth-Ashington employment area from 1975 to date;

  (2) what was the proportion of women's employment in the clothing industry as part of the total employment figure in the Morpeth-Ashington employment area from 1975 to date;

  (3) what proportion of total employment has been taken up by the clothing industry in the Morpeth-Ashington employment areas from 1975 to date.

  Mr. Lee
  Information for the clothing industry in Morpeth and Ashington cannot be given without indirectly disclosing information relating to individual firms which was collected in confidence.

  New Workers Scheme
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether employers who take YTS graduates on under the terms of the new workers scheme before it is terminated at the end of January will receive the full year's subsidy for each employee under this scheme from the time of employment.
  18
  Mr. Lee
  Payment of new workers scheme support in respect of applications approved for jobs starting up to and including 31 January 1988 is not affected by the scheme's closure.

  Civil Service and NHS (Trainees)
  Mr. Clelland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the numbers of trainees currently engaged in YTS placements in(a) the Civil Service and (b) the National Health Service.

  Mr. Cope
  Estimates made by the Manpower Services Commission and the Office of the Minister for the Civil Service show that there are currently more than 2,400 YTS trainees in Civil Service placements. This figure includes both industrial and non-industrial YTS places.

  The recent report by Price Waterhouse on YTS in the National Health Service identified 32 existing YTS schemes with over 700 young people training in client care.

  Clothing Industry (Blyth and Cramlinton)
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what has been the total level of employment in the clothing industry in the Blyth and Cramlinton employment area since 1975;

  (2) what has been the proportion of women's employment in the clothing industry as part of the total employment figure in the Blyth and Cramlinton employment area since 1975;

  (3) what proportion of total employment has been taken up by the clothing industry in the Blyth and Cramlinton employment area since 1975.

  Mr. Lee
  Information for the clothing industry in Blyth and Cramlinton cannot be given without indirectly disclosing information relating to individual firms which was collected in confidence.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment by how much unemployment has fallen in the Warrington travel-to-work area since November 1986.

  Mr. Lee
  The following information is in the Library. On 12 November 1987 the number of unemployed claimants in the Warrington travel-to-work area was 7,779, a fall of 2,113 since November 1986.
  19
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will provide a similar breakdown of cases of voluntary unemployment for the four quarters ended 30 June 1986 to that given in his answer of 26 November 1987,Official Report, columns 263–64.

  Quarter ending

  30 September 1985

  31 December 1985

  31 March 1986

  30 June 1986

  Section 20(1)(a)

  107,718

  (1,358)

  101,778

  (1,507)

  94,817

  (1,260)

  100,539

  (1,236)

  Section 20(1)(b)

  342

  (19)

  370

  (8)

  417

  (16)

  529

  (8)

  Section 20(1)(c)

  198

  (15)

  263

  (8)

  304

  (5)

  319

  (14)

  Section 20(1)(d)

  39

  (1)

  38

  (—)

  12

  (3)

  3

  (1)

  Section 20(1)(e)

  1,293

  (47)

  1,547

  (83)

  1,862

  (61)

  1,644

  (75)

  Total

  109,590

  (1,440)

  103,996

  (1,606)

  97,412

  (1,345)

  103,034

  (1,334)

  Average Earnings
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the cash increase in average earnings since 1980, with the 1980 sum expressed as 100.

  Mr. Lee
  The average earnings index for the whole economy at October 1987 relative to January 1980 = 100 was 203·8, seasonally adjusted, representing an increase of 103–8 per cent.

  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list those areas where unemployment rose in December 1987; and if he will list employment statistics separately for Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

  Mr. Lee
  Unemployment figures for 10 December 1987 are not yet available. They will be released on Thursday 14 January. The latest available employee estimates for counties and smaller areas are from the September 1984 census of employment and are as follows:

  Employees in employment1: September 1984

  County1

  Figures

  East Sussex

  228,100

  West Sussex

  249,900

  Hampshire

  567,800

  Isle of Wight

  41,300

  1 The figures exclude the self-employed and members of Her Majesty's forces.

  2 The counties are defined in terms of ward boundaries as at 1984.

  Unfair Dismissal
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many cases of unfair dismissal were brought, and how many proven, in the area of the Derbyshire, North-East constituency in 1986 and 1987 at the latest available count.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Industrial tribunals statistics are kept on a regional and not a constituency basis. During the two years ended 31 March 1987, the area of the constituency of Derbyshire, North-East came under the Sheffield region of the industrial tribunals. The relevant statistics for the region are as follows:
  20
  Mr. Lee
  Details of adjudication officers' decisions disqualifying claims for unemployment benefit under section 20(1) of the Social Security Act 1975 in each of the quarters ended 30 September 1985, 31 December 1985, 31 March 1986 and 30 June 1986 are shown in the table: the numbers in brackets represent decisions, whenever made, varied on review in each quarter.

  12 months ended 31 March 1986

  12 months ended 31 March 1987

  Number of complaints of unfair dismissal which proceeded to a hearing

  358

  394

  Number of complaints of unfair dismissal which were upheld

  124

  128

  Tourism
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how much tourists spent in the north-east of England in the years 1984–85 and 1985–86.

  Mr. Lee
  I understand from the English Tourist Board that it estimates spending by tourists in the Northumbria tourist board area was: £205 million in 1984;£209 million in 1985; and £210 million in 1986.

  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what measures he is taking to promote the tourist industry in the north-east of England; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lee
  I read with interest the annual progress report of the North East Tourism Co-ordination Group which was published in December. 1 have arranged for a copy to be placed in the library. Indeed I met the co-ordination group in late November and discussed its current initiatives and plans. The group, which is chaired by my Department's regional director, has reviewed the progress of the industry in the region and has identified action points for the further development of tourism. I am examining these points to see what further help Government can give to the development of the tourism industry in the north-east. Considerable efforts are already being made by the British Tourist Authority, the English and the Northumbria tourist boards to promote the northeast as a tourist destination.

  Employees (Subsidised Meals)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what is the estimated number of employees in the private sector who receive subsidised meals at works canteens and staff restaurants;
  21
  (2) what is the estimated number of employees in the public sector who are eligible for or obtain meals through subsidised canteens or smaller outlets at their place of work.

  Mr. Lee
  I regret the information requested is not available.

  Industrial Language Training Service
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects to complete his review of the management and funding of the industrial language training service; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cope
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to her in the Official Report of 18 December 1987, at column 831.

  YTS
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many YTS places have so far been made available on Merseyside; what percentage of unemployed young people in the area have been offered a place on the YTS; and what percentage of those offered a place have accepted it.

  Mr. Cope
  As at November 1987, 23,536 YTS places were available on Merseyside.

  Places are offered by the local authority careers service and by employers, and the percentage of young people in the area that have been offered and accepted a place is not available to the Department.

  However, since 1 April 1987, some 13,000 young people on Merseyside have left school and accepted a place on YTS.

  Training Schemes
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he intends to designate the community programme and job training scheme as approved training schemes for the purposes of the Social Security Act 1975.

  Mr. Cope
  The community programme provides employment rather than training and is therefore already covered by section 20 of the Social Security Act 1975. We have no present plans to change the position of the job training scheme.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Street Works
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals there are for amending legislation which precludes the Department of Environment (Northern Ireland) from funding any street works relating to rear entries; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  No such proposals are being considered. Any legislative change may have the undesirable effect of diverting scarce financial resources from essential maintenance and improvement of the existing public road system.

ENERGY

  Private Coal Operators
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what grants have been made available to private opencast coal operators and the operators of private licensed coal mines.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  No specific Government grants are available. Where applicable, operators may nevertheless be eligible for regional selective assistance grants. Operators may also be eligible to apply for loans from British Coal Enterprise for new job-creating projects.

  Departmental Responsibilities
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list in the Official Report those areas of his departmental responsibility which extend to Scotland.

  Mr. Parkinson
  I am responsible for the efficient and economic development, supply and use of energy sources in Great Britain generally. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland is responsible for the Scottish electricity boards. My right hon. and learned Friend and I consult each other as necessary on energy matters affecting Scotland.

  Sellafield
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will give an indication of how far radioactive discharges have been reduced at Sellafield over recent years.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Liquid discharges from Sellafield were reduced by 93 per cent. for alpha emitters and 98 per cent. for beta emitters between 1978 and 1986 as a result of BNFL's massive investment in waste management plant. The level of discharges will be further reduced when the current investment programme is completed in the early 1990s.

  Sizewell B
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what progress has been made in implementing each of the recommendations made in Sir Frank Layfield's report on the Sizewell B inquiry.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Merionnyd Nant Conwy (Dr. Thomas) on 7 December 1987 at column 9.

  With regard to recommendation 7 (a), the CEGB published the pre-construction safety report on 21 December. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

  With regard to recommendation 13, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Energy gave information on plutonium production in an answer on 15 December 1987 pursuant to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Colne Valley (Mr. Riddick) on 30 October.

  Hinkley Point
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what consideration he has given to the implications of the recommendations in Sir Frank Layfield's report of the Sizewell B inquiry for the Central Electricity Generating Board's application to build a pressurised water reactor at Hinkley Point in Somerset.
  23
  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My right hon. Friend will issue, in advance of the public inquiry into the CEGB's application, a statement of the matters which appear to him relevant to his consideration of the application. He will take all relevant factors into account in preparing that statement.

  British Coal (Opencast Executive)
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many employees are employed in the Opencast Executive operations in the north-east area of British Coal.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  This is a matter for the British Coal Corporation, and I have asked the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

WALES

  A55 (Conwy)
  Mr. John Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the design traffic flow for the improvement on the A55 at Conwy; and what are the total estimated costs.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The design traffic flows through Conwy tunnel based on the 1981 forecast for the 16-hour two-way August peak flows in the design year 2003 were:

  High growth 36,590 vehicles/day

  Low growth 29,730 vehicles/day

  The total estimated cost for the improvement of the A55 at Conwy is £160 million.

  Operations
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to achieve his publicly stated objective of a maximum 12-month waiting period for operations in the National Health Service in Wales.

  Mr. Grist
  Following a seminar with the Department last month to discuss their plans for tackling waiting times, health authorities have been asked to submit estimates of when those lists which do not currently meet the waiting times targets will do so. I shall write to the hon. Gentleman when the information is available.

  NHS (Staff)
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to reduce the number of administrators in the National Health Service in Wales below that pertaining in 1979.

  Mr. Grist
  The determination of appropriate staffing levels in any particular discipline is an operational matter for individual district health authorities.

  Cardiff Bay Barrage
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if the nature Conservancy Council was formally notified under Standing Order No. 19 of Private Bill Standing Orders that clause 52 of the Cardiff Bay Barrage Bill seeks to stop it carrying out its duties under sections 28(5) and 29(3) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981; and if he will make a statement.
  24
  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  I understand that South Glamorgan county council—which is the promoter of the Cardiff Bay Barrage Bill—has satisfied the Examiner that all Standing Orders have been complied with.

  Rates
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the total of grant-related expenditure, by service and in total, at rate support grant settlement and at estimated outturn in each year from 1981–82 to 1988–89, by class.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The Welsh rate support grant formulae do not form a basis for calculating a national allocation of grant-related expenditure for any particular service. Totals of grant-related expenditure for each class of local authority are as follows:

  Total grant related expenditure

  Rate support grant settlement

  Outturn

  £ million

  £ million

  Districts

  1981–82

  188·5

  193·7

  1982–83

  208·6

  200·7

  1983–84

  224·3

  215·8

  1984–85

  215·1

  219·4

  1985–86

  233·2

  231·6

  1986–87

  1223·7

  2247·1

  1987–88

  250·8

  2251·1

  1988–89

  267·0

  n/a

  Counties

  1981–82

  897·0

  898·9

  1982–83

  973·9

  969·0

  1983–84

  1,025·4

  1,024·3

  1984–85

  1,064·9

  1,064·7

  1985–86

  1,116·4

  1,111·9

  1986–87

  11,055·1

  21,178·3

  1987–88

  1,270·1

  21,300·3

  1988–89

  1,402·7

  n/a

  1 For the 1986–87 rate support grant settlement only, total grant related expenditure was set at a level equal to 90 per cent· of total expenditure provision to effect certain changes in the distribution of block grant without affecting the amount of grant available· In all other reports, total grant related expenditure is equal to total expenditure provision and comparable figures for the 1987–88 rate support grant settlement are £248·5 million and £1,172·4 million for districts and counties respectively.

  2 Estimates.

  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list, on a ranked and class basis, the percentage change in the grant-related expenditure of each local authority between 1987–88 and 1988–89.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The information requested is as follows:

  Percentage change in Grant Related Expenditure between 1987–88 and 1988–891

  Per cent.

  Local Authority Counties

  Dyfed

  8·8

  Gwynedd

  8·7

  Mid Glamorgan

  8·6

  South Glamorgan

  8·5

  Powys

  7·3

  Gwent

  7·2

  West Glamorgan

  7·1

  Clwyd

  6·6

  25

  Per cent.

  Districts

  Rhuddlan

  14·1

  Taff-Ely

  11·1

  Colwyn

  10·6

  Rhondda

  9·4

  Cynon Valley

  9·2

  Ceredigion

  8·9

  Brecknock

  8·1

  Montgomeryshire

  8·0

  Torfaen

  7·7

  Dwyfor

  7·6

  Monmouth

  7·6

  Meirionnydd

  7·4

  Vale of Glamorgan

  7·4

  Aberconwy

  7·3

  Llanelli

  7·2

  Blaenau Gwent

  7·0

  Rhymney Valley

  7·0

  Radnor

  6·9

  Merthyr Tydfil

  6·9

  Arfon

  6·9

  Lliw Valley

  6·8

  Cardiff

  6·8

  Islwyn

  6·7

  Ynys Mon-Isle of Anglesey

  6·5

  Glyndwr

  6·3

  £ million

  1981–82 Settlement

  1981–82 Budget

  1981–82 Outturn

  1982–83 Settlement

  1982–83 Budget

  1982–83 Outturn

  Aggregate Exchequer Grant

  871·0

  881·0

  873·1

  943·0

  933·2

  926·6

  Aggregate Amount of Rate Support Grants

  744·6

  753·2

  745·3

  814·7

  804·4

  797·8

  Block Grant

  696·7

  705·4

  697·5

  790·0

  779·7

  773·1

  Domestic Rate Relief

  47·8

  47·8

  47·8

  24·7

  24·7

  24·7

  Relevant Expenditure

  1,187·0

  1,246·7

  1,233·4

  1,300·8

  1,318·9

  1,327·5

  Total Expenditure (for Block Grant purposes)

  1,070·5

  1,133·1

  1,117·1

  1,182·5

  1,208·9

  1,207·2

  Current Expenditure (R&G purposes)

  1,031·8

  1,085·2

  1,078·6

  1,126·0

  1,163·1

  1,154·5

  £ million

  1983–84 Settlement

  1983–84 Budget

  1983–84 Outturn

  1984–85 Settlement

  1984–85 Budget

  1984–85 Outturn

  Aggregate Exchequer Grant

  975·00

  962·4

  962·9

  996·0

  983·0

  992·5

  Aggregate Amount of Rate Support Grants

  827·5

  814·9

  812·0

  824·3

  811·3

  815·4

  Block Grant

  802·5

  789·9

  787·0

  799·0

  786·0

  790·1

  Domestic Rate Relief

  25·0

  25·0

  25·0

  25·3

  25·3

  25·3

  Relevant Expenditure

  1,385·2

  1,401·3

  1,406·2

  1,440·0

  1,453·1

  1,468·8

  Total Expenditure (for Block Grant purposes)

  1,249·7

  1,272·2

  1,267·3

  1,280·0

  1,299·7

  1,304·0

  Current Expenditure (R&G purposes)

  1,205·0

  1,231·0

  1,233·5

  1,253·0

  1,274·2

  1,288·2

  £ million

  1985–86 settlement

  1985–86 Budget

  1985–86 outturn

  1986–87 settlement

  1986–87 Budget

  1986–87 revised estimate

  Aggregate exchequer grant

  1,014·2

  1,013·0

  1,022·7

  1,067·0

  1,073·6

  1,081·3

  Aggregate amount of rate support grants

  836·7

  831·2

  837·0

  875·8

  877·1

  882·1

  Block grant

  811·2

  805·7

  811·5

  850·0

  851·3

  856·3

  Domestic rate relief

  25·5

  25·5

  25·5

  25·8

  25·8

  25·8

  Relevant expenditure

  1,514·21

  1,521·8

  1,529·6

  1,597·1

  1,634·6

  1,640·6

  Total expenditure (for Block Grant purposes)

  1,349·6

  1,363·7

  1,352·8

  1,420·9

  1,453·3

  1,466·3

  Current expenditure (RSG purposes)

  1,309·0

  1,323·0

  1,336·4

  1,368·1

  1,427·7

  1,437·8

  26

  Per cent.

  Neath

  6·2

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  6·2

  Ogwr

  6·0

  Alyn and Deeside

  5·2

  Dinefwr

  4·9

  Carmarthen

  4·1

  Wrexham Maelor

  3·4

  South Pembrokeshire

  3·4

  Swansea

  3·1

  Newport

  1·9

  Port Talbot

  1·3

  Delyn

  0·2

  1 Data are from the Welsh Rate Support Grant Report 1988–89 and the Supplementary Report 1987–88.

  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the aggregate Exchequer grant, rate support grant, block grant, domestic rate relief grant, relevant expenditure, total expenditure and current expenditure at rate support grant settlement, budget and estimated outturn in each year from 1981–1982 to 1988–1989.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The information requested is as follows:
  27

  £ million

  1987–88 settlement

  1987–88 budget

  1988–89 settlement

  Aggregate exchequer grant

  1,157·0

  1,165·1

  1,256·0

  Aggregate amount of rate support grants

  927·9

  937·1

  1,014·8

  Block grant

  901·7

  910·9

  987·8

  Domestic rate relief

  26·2

  26·2

  27·0

  Relevant expenditure

  1,734·0

  1,781·1

  1,894·0

  Total expenditure (for Block Grant purposes)

  1,520·9

  1,574·6

  1,669·7

  Current expenditure (RSG purposes)

  1,496·5

  1,558·1

  1,640·0

  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for each local authority, on a ranked and class basis, the total population used in calculating each authority's expected grant entitlement for 1988–89; and if he will show the comparable figures for 1987–88, giving the percentage change between the two years.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The information requested is as follows:

  Total population used in calculation of expected Grant Entitlement1

  1987–88

  1988–89

  Per cent. change

  Local Authority Counties:

  Dyfed

  335,900

  339,000

  0·9

  Powys

  111,400

  112,400

  0·9

  Gwynedd

  233,600

  234,600

  0·4

  Clwyd

  397,900

  399,600

  0·4

  Gwent

  440,200

  441,800

  0·4

  South Glamorgan

  394,800

  395,700

  0·2

  Mid Glamorgan

  533,900

  534,500

  0·1

  West Glamorgan

  364,100

  363,400

  -0·2

  Districts:

  Ceredigion

  81,800

  83,700

  3·1

  Montgomeryshire

  48,900

  50,000

  2·2

  Colwyn

  50,500

  51,600

  2·2

  South Penbrokeshire

  39,000

  39,800

  2·1

  Rhuddlan

  54,300

  55,200

  1·7

  Monmouth

  76,700

  77,800

  1·4

  Meirionydd

  31,400

  31,800

  1·3

  Glyndwr

  40,200

  40,700

  1·2

  Ogwr

  132,900

  134,400

  1·1

  Radnor

  21,500

  21,700

  0·9

  Torfaen

  90,200

  90,900

  0·8

  Aberconwy

  52,200

  52,600

  0·8

  Lliw Valley

  60,400

  60,800

  0·7

  Ynys Mon-Isle of Anglesey

  69,700

  70,100

  0·6

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  70,300

  70,600

  0·4

  Taff Ely

  94,400

  94,800

  0·4

  Dwyfor

  26,300

  26,400

  0·4

  Carmarthen

  53,600

  53,800

  0·4

  Dinefwr

  37,100

  37,200

  0·3

  Newport

  129,500

  129,800

  0·2

  Cardiff

  278,900

  279,500

  0·2

  Vale of Glamorgan

  115,900

  116,100

  0·2

  Rhymney Valley

  104,000

  104,100

  0·1

  Wrexham Maelor

  114,600

  114,700

  0·1

  Islwyn

  65,700

  65,700

  0·0

  Merthyr Tydfil

  58,500

  58,500

  0·0

  Neath

  65,200

  65,100

  -0·2

  Swansea

  187,400

  187,000

  -0·2

  Delyn

  65,400

  65,200

  -0·3

  Llanelli

  74,100

  73,800

  -0·4

  Arfon

  54,000

  53,700

  -0·6

  Blaenau Gwent

  78,100

  77,600

  -0·8

  Brecknock

  41,000

  40,700

  -0·7

  Cynon Valley

  65,400

  64,900

  -0·8

  Alyn and Deeside

  72,900

  72,200

  -1·0

  Port Talbot

  51,100

  50,600

  -1·0

  Rhondda

  78,700

  77,800

  -1·1

  28

  1 In Wales, population is used in the calculation of Grant Related Expenditure, but is not used directly in the calculation of grant entitlement.

  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list, on a ranked basis, the percentage change in the grant-related expenditure of each non-metropolitan county and each non-metropolitan district between(a) 1981–82 and 1988–89 and (b) 1985–86 and 1988–89.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The information requested is as follows:

  (a) Percentage change in grant related expenditure between 1981–82 and 1988–891

  per cent.

  Local authority counties

  West Glamorgan

  60·5

  South Glamorgan

  59·9

  Dyfed

  59·1

  Powys

  56·2

  Gwynedd

  55·2

  Clwyd

  54·4

  Mid Glamorgan

  53·8

  Gwent

  51·7

  Districts

  Rhuddlan

  61·0

  Rhondda

  60·5

  Blaenau Gwent

  57·3

  South Pembrokeshire

  57·1

  Dwyfor

  56·9

  Islwyn

  54·4

  Meirionnydd

  54·0

  Swansea

  48·8

  Merthyr Tydfil

  47·5

  Cynon Valley

  45·7

  Delyn

  43·2

  Carmarthen

  41·7

  Colwyn

  41·6

  Ceredigion

  40·8

  Ogwr

  40·2

  Brecknock

  39·6

  Arfon

  39·0

  Ynys Môn-Isle of Anglesey

  38·8

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  38·2

  Aberconwy

  37·7

  Montgomeryshire

  36·2

  Lliw Valley

  35·9

  Monmouth

  33·8

  Vale of Glamorgan

  33·1

  Dinefwr

  33·0

  Taff-Ely

  32·5

  Rhymney Valley

  32·5

  Neath

  32·2

  Radnor

  31·3

  Wrexham Maelor

  30·1

  Newport

  29·8

  Alyn and Deeside

  29·3

  Torfaen

  28·3

  Port Talbot

  27·6

  29

  per cent.

  Llanelli

  27·6

  Cardiff

  24·8

  Glyndwr

  23·6

  1 Data are from the Welsh Rate Support Grant Report 1988–89 Supplementary (No. 3) Report 1981–82.

  (b) Percentage Change in Grant Related Expenditure between 1985–86 and 1988–891

  Per cent.

  Local Authority Counties:

  Dyfed

  29·0

  Mid Glamorgan

  28·2

  Gwynedd

  26·6

  Powys

  26·0

  South Glamorgan

  26·0

  West Glamorgan

  25·1

  Clwyd

  24·5

  Gwent

  23·0

  Districts:

  Rhuddlan

  34·8

  Colwyn

  22·3

  Vale of Glamorgan

  21·9

  Brecknock

  21·0

  Torfaen

  20·2

  Dwyfor

  20·1

  Blaenau Gwent

  18·9

  Ynys Mon-Isle of Anglesey

  17·8

  Cynon Valley

  17·8

  Islwyn

  17·7

  Aberconwy

  17·7

  Ogwr

  17·6

  South Pembrokeshire

  17·4

  Neath

  17·2

  Ceredigion

  17·1

  Rhondda

  16·7

  Monmouth

  16·1

  Taff Ely

  16·0

  Rhymney Valley

  16·0

  Lliw Valley

  15·9

  Alyn and Deeside

  15·1

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  15·0

  Merthyr Tydfil

  14·6

  Dinefwr

  14·6

  Montgomeryshire

  13·9

  Arfon

  13·7

  Llanelli

  13·3

  Cardiff

  12·5

  Swansea

  12·3

  Newport

  11·6

  Glyndwr

  11·4

  Wrexham Maelor

  11·3

  Radnor

  11·2

  Meirionnydd

  9·6

  Carmarthen

  9·1

  Delyn

  7·6

  Port Talbot

  7·4

  1Data are from the Welsh Rate Support Grant Report 1988–89 and the Supplementary (No. 2) Report 1985–86.

  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the rate poundage implied for each authority at taxpayer level by the rate support grant for 1988–89, assuming that each authority meets his Department's spending assumption, with no additions to or withdrawals from funds or balances, and assuming 1987–88 penny rate products; and if he will list, on a class and ranked basis, each authority's 1987–88 rate poundage, showing the difference between the 1987–88 poundage and the implied one for 1988–89 and showing the resulting percentage change.
  30
  Mr. Peter Walker
  The information requested is as follows:

  Local Authority

  1987-88 Rate poundage (pence)

  Notional poundage 1988-89 (pence)

  Change in poundage (pence)

  Islwyn

  230·50

  249·54

  8·26

  Torfaen

  237·28

  256·68

  8·18

  Wrexham Maelor

  234·99

  253·96

  8·07

  Newport

  230·54

  247·38

  7·31

  Port Talbot

  264·34

  282·50

  6·87

  Monmouth

  230·10

  245·87

  6·85

  Delyn

  233·20

  249·16

  6·84

  Glyndwr

  229·46

  244·74

  6·66

  Lliw Valley

  262·38

  279·42

  6·49

  Neath

  253·94

  270·38

  6·47

  Blaenau Gwent

  238·28

  253·58

  6·42

  Alyn and Deeside

  228·47

  243·04

  6·38

  Swansea

  269·54

  285·55

  5·94

  Radnor

  213·75

  223·17

  4·41

  Montgomeryshire

  210·73

  218·90

  3·88

  Colwyn

  246·09

  255·44

  3·80

  Brecknock

  225·51

  234·06

  3·79

  Meirionnydd

  219·15

  224·06

  2·24

  Ynys Mon

  223·02

  227·97

  2·22

  Dinefwr

  234·86

  239·50

  1·98

  Aberconwy

  228·66

  233·16

  1·97

  Cardiff

  210·65

  214·68

  1·91

  Rhuddlan

  233·68

  237·69

  1·72

  Dwyfor

  228·31

  232·20

  1·71

  Arfon

  223·80

  226·39

  1·16

  Merthyr Tydfil

  259·45

  260·24

  ·30

  Llanelli

  255·98

  256·61

  ·25

  Vale of Glamorgan

  217·92

  217·72

  -·09

  Rhymney Valley

  257·13

  256·40

  -·28

  Carmarthen

  238·99

  236·93

  -·86

  Ogwr

  259·43

  254·10

  -2·06

  Taff Ely

  258·70

  253·34

  -2·07

  Preseli

  234·65

  229·66

  -2·13

  South Pembroke

  238·17

  232·86

  -2·23

  Rhondda

  263·49

  257·02

  -2·46

  Ceredigion

  235·65

  227·61

  -3·41

  Cynon Valley

  252·44

  242·36

  -3·99

  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what changes were made to the method of calculating grant-related expenditure in each rate support grant settlement from 1981–82 to 1988–89.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Full details of the methodology used in calculating grant related expenditure are set out in each Welsh rate support grant report laid before the House.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Information Technology Staff
  Mr. Michael Marshall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of the professional information technology staff in his Department, including programmers, systems analysts and managers, are based in London and the south-east.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Ninety-eight per cent. of staff using ADP functional skills on a full-time basis are based in London and the south-east.

  Mr. Michael Marshall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of the trainees for professional information technology posts within his Department are(a) female and (b) more than 30 years of age.
  31
  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Just under 60 per cent. of trainees for the ADP functional specialism, current and those joining shortly, are women and about 10 per cent. are over 30 years of age.

  Mr. Michael Marshall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of the professional information technology staff in his Department, including programmers, systems analysts and managers, are(a) female and (b) more than 30 years of age.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Thirty-one per cent. of staff using ADP functional specialism skills on a full-time basis are women. The figure for staff over 30 years of age is not readily available.

  Mr. Michael Marshall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many professional level information technology staff are employed by his Department, including programmers, systems analysts and managers; and how many trainees there are for such posts.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The complement for posts in the administrative class requiring the knowledge and skills of the ADP functional specialism, excluding staff engaged on data processing duties, is 237. In addition, a number of staff in other professional grades exercise these skills as part of their duties. Currently there are four trainees in post and 13 more are to join shortly.

  Moulin Winter Wheat
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in the light of the widespread failure of Moulin winter wheat crops in the current year, to what extent public money will be used for compensation payments to growers.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Unless legal liability is established, the Government have no intention of making public money available to compensate growers who may have suffered losses attributable to the performance of Moulin.

  Dairy Quotas
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement regarding the hardship among large numbers of dairy farmers in Northern Ireland resulting from the imposition of dairy quotas; and if he will establish an exceptional hardship provision under paragraph 16, schedule 8 to the Dairy Produce Quota Regulations 1986; and if he will make appropriate arrangements for its administration.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  As elsewhere in the United Kingdom, the dairy sector in Northern Ireland has successfully come to terms with the difficulties arising from the introduction of milk quotas. I have no plans at present to make a new exceptional hardship provision under regulation 16 of the Dairy Produce Quotas Regulations 1986.

  Intervention Stocks
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much grain is held in intervention in the county of Durham.
  32
  Mr. Donald Thompson
  No intervention grain is currently stored in the county of Durham.

  Pigmeat
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to ensure the continuing prohibition of the importation of uncured pigmeat from Europe; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  In accordance with European Community law, imports of fresh pigmeat from Community countries will continue to be prohibited unless the meat is derived from pigs reared in officially swine fever free parts of the Community.

  Agricultural Practice
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent he has investigated changes in agricultural practices caused by the flooding and mudslide in Sussex in October; in what particular places; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  [holding answer 18 December 1987]: Severe surface water run-off and soil erosion was experienced on 7 October this year and subsequently on six areas of farmland in an area of the South Downs near Brighton during the exceptionally heavy rainfall during the first part of that month. Local advisers in the Department's Agricultural Development and Advisory Service have visited the sites affected and have provided advice at the request of the principal landowner concerned on measures to avoid recurrence of the problem.

  ADAS is able to provide advice when requested on a range of measures that can be taken in response to these types of problems, including changes in cultivation or land management practices. The specific measures recommended will depend on the individual circumstances of the particular farm or location.

  Alternative Land Use
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether farmers, opting to set aside land for woodlands under his proposed extensification scheme, are expected to claim the relevant rate of grant for their management under that scheme or from the proposed farm woodland grant scheme.

  Mr. MacGregor
  [holding answer 18 December 1987]: The consultation document issued on 9 December suggested a possible link between the extensification scheme and the farm woodland scheme whereby a farmer prepared to accept the requirements of both schemes might receive payments for the first five years under the extensification scheme and payments under the farm woodland scheme thereafter. But I shall wish to consider the relationship between the two schemes further in the light of all views expressed.

  Milk
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the reductions in(a) milk production and (b) milk quotas in each European Community country in each year since 1984 as a percentage of (i) national production and (ii) European Community production, together with the total for each category for all years since 1984.
  33
  Mr. Donald Thompson
  [holding answer 17 December 1987]: The information requested is contained in the following tables. There was no change in milk quotas between 1985–86 and 1986–87.

  Data on milk production were obtained from Eurostat, and represent quantities within the Eurostat definition of "deliveries to dairies". This differs from the definition of "wholesale deliveries" for quota purposes, and hence the Eurostat milk production figures are not directly comparable with quota. Levels of quota were taken from the appropriate EC regulations, including allocations of quota from the Community reserve.

  Change in production between 1983–84 and 1984–85 as percentage of:

  (i) National production 1983–84

  (ii) EC (10) production 1983–84

  Belgium

  -5·4

  -0·17

  Denmark

  -6·6

  -0·33

  France

  -2·4

  -0·60

  Germany

  -7·6

  -18·5

  Greece

  -3·9

  -0·02

  Ireland

  +3·0

  +0·16

  Italy

  -005

  -0·004

  Luxembourg

  +3·3

  +0·01

  Netherlands

  -5·4

  -0·66

  United Kingdom

  -7·3

  -1·18

  ECIO

  —

  -4·6

  Change in production between 1984–85 and 1985–86 as percentage of:

  (i) National production 1984–85

  (ii) EC (10) production 1984–85

  Belgium

  +5·4

  +0·17

  Denmark

  -0·7

  -0·03

  France

  +0·5

  0·14

  Germany

  +0·7

  +0·18

  Greece

  +8·8

  +0·04

  Ireland

  -0·2

  -0·01

  Italy

  +0·9

  +0·07

  Luxembourg

  +0·2

  +0·003

  Netherlands

  +0·2

  0·03

  United Kingdom

  +0·36

  +0·06

  EC10

  —

  +0·63

  Change in Production between 1985–86 and 1986–87 as percentage of:

  (i) National production 1985–86

  (ii) EC (10) production 1985–86

  Belgium

  +1·1

  +0·04

  Denmark

  -0·5

  -0·02

  France

  -0·05

  -0·13

  Germany

  +1·1

  +0·26

  Greece

  +1·5

  +0·01

  Ireland

  -0·9

  -0·05

  Italy

  n/a

  n/a

  Luxembourg

  +1·4

  +0·004

  Netherlands

  -0·7

  -0·09

  United Kingdom

  +0·5

  +0·08

  EC 10

  n/a

  n/a

  Change in Quota between 1984–85 and 1985–86 as percentage of:
  34

  (i) National production 1984–85

  (ii) EC (10) production 1984–85

  Belgium

  -0·06

  -0·002

  Denmark

  -1·01

  -0·05

  France

  -0·35

  -0·09

  Germany

  -0·27

  -0·06

  Greece

  -12·2

  -0·005

  Ireland

  No change

  No change

  Italy

  No change

  No change

  Luxembourg

  -1·02

  -0·003

  Netherlands

  -0·59

  -0·07

  United Kingdom

  -1·01

  -0·16

  EC10

  —

  0·45

  Note: Quota was reduced in all member states except Ireland and Italy by 1 per cent. from 1984–85 levels. However, transfers of quota between wholesale and direct sale partially offset this reduction. There were no reductions in milk quota between 1985–86 and 1986–87.

  Change in quota between 1986–87 and 1987–88 as percentage of:

  (i) National production 1986–87

  (ii) EC (10) production 1986–87

  Belgium

  -5·8

  n/a

  Denmark

  -6·0

  n/a

  France

  -6·0

  n/a

  Germany

  -5·9

  n/a

  Greece

  -7·1

  n/a

  Ireland

  -5·7

  n/a

  Italy

  n/a

  n/a

  Luxembourg

  -5·5

  n/a

  Netherlands

  -5·9

  n/a

  United Kingdom

  -5·9

  n/a

  EC10

  n/a

  n/a

  Farm Incomes
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his projection of farm incomes over the next five years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. MacGregor
  [holding answer 18 December 1987]: Future farm incomes will be influenced by many unpredictable factors, including individual farmers' management decisions. Consequently, reliable estimates cannot be made. The Government's determination that proper budgetary discipline should be applied to the CAP offers the best prospect for ensuring its continuance as a viable support policy and is thus in the interests of farmers, as well as taxpayers and consumers.

  EC (Food Exports)
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his reply of 15 December,Official Report, column 478, what was the total amount, expressed in pounds sterling, expended by the EEC in exporting food to the Soviet Union in the period January-May in export rebates and what was the comparable total in respect of the exports in the calendar year 1986.

  Mr. MacGregor
  [holding answer 18 December 1987]: Information on the cost of refunds paid on exports to the Soviet Union is not available. No breakdown by country of destination is provided by the Commission.

CIVIL SERVICE

  Quangos
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service how many quangos in net terms have been either abolished or created since(a) 1984 and (b)

  Mr. Luce
  Up to 1 April 1987, there was a net decrease in the number of non-departmental public bodies ("quangos") of(a) 38 since 1 April 1984, and (b) 11 since 1 April 1985.

THE ARTS

  Northern Arts
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what was the level of grant made to Northern Arts for the years 1982–83, 1983–84, 1985–86 and 1986–87.

  Mr. Luce
  The information is as follows:

  £

  1982–83

  1,733,236

  1983–84

  1,819,020

  1985–86

  2,086,802

  1986–87

  3,543,845

  Museums and Galleries
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Minister for the Arts if he will list each of the functions of the Museums and Galleries Commission; and what proportion each accounts for in the dual budget from his Department.

  Mr. Luce
  The objects and powers of the Museums and Galleries Commission are set out in its royal charter. The commission's principal functions are:

  1. Advising Government and others on museum matters, including security, acceptances in lieu of tax, and the operation of the Government indemnity scheme.

  2. The administration of grants to the English Area Museum Councils, the Museums Documentation Association and non-national museums.

  3. The promotion and co-ordination of museum-related conservation services and of travelling exhibitions.

  It is for the commission to decide the distribution of its resources, including the grant-in-aid, between its various functions, subject to any guidelines or specific requirements which I may indicate as to the application of the grant-in-aid. The commission publishes a statement of expenditure in its annual report. A table analysing provision for the previous and current years is also included in the annual Supply Estimates.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mrs. Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Minister for the Arts whether he will publish in the Official Report the total amount spent by the Office of Arts and Libraries, directly and indirectly, on funding (a) orchestral music, (b) non-orchestral music and (c) all music excluding opera for every year from 1979–80 to 1987–88.

  Mr. Luce
  [holding answer 16 November 1987]: The information requested is as follows:
  36

  Year

  Orchestral music

  Non-orchestral music (including opera)

  All music excluding opera

  £

  £

  £

  1979–80

  14,625,033

  115,025,013

  16,388,096

  1980–81

  15,327,411

  116,702,851

  17,096,405

  1981–82

  16,117,281

  118,827,504

  18,063,864

  1982–83

  7,091,157

  22,064,401

  9,428,942

  1983–84

  7,290,855

  24,173,188

  9,749,017

  1984–85

  7,542,318

  25,130,648

  10,283,561

  1985–86

  7,584,718

  26,282,454

  10,777,805

  1986–87

  10,290,459

  28.920,837

  14,463,185

  1987–88

  2

  2

  2

  1 Two regional arts authorities were unable to break down their music budgets in these years. The totals above do not therefore include the music budgets of these two regional arts authorities.

  2 Firm figures for 1987–88 are not yet available.

  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Minister for the Arts how much of the Office of Arts and Libraries expenditure directly and indirectly, on music, excluding opera, has been set aside for the replacement of Greater London council and metropolitan county council grants to music in every year since the Greater London council and the metropolitan county councils were abolished; which institutions have benefited; and by how much.

  Mr. Luce
  [holding answer 16 November 1987]: The available information is as follows:

  1986–87

  £

  London Philharmonic Orchestra

  222,500

  London Symphony Orchestra

  230,000

  Philharmonia Orchestra

  265,750

  Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

  266,250

  Halle Concerts Society

  412,000

  Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society (including the Philharmonic Hall)

  659,175

  Northern Sinfonia

  180,000

  Northern Sinfonia Lunchtime Concerts

  5,000

  City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

  308,628

  Newcastle City Symphony Concerts Series

  20,000

  Sunderland Empire Lunchtime Concerts

  5,000

  Jazz Central, Birmingham

  2,500

  Asian Music Academy and Resources Centre

  19,800

  Atum Community Music

  5,250

  Black Music Archive

  32,500

  Black Music Association UK Ltd.

  16,200

  Camden Jazz Week

  6,615

  Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eirann

  1,470

  Cultural Co-operative

  65,000

  Dadakrama

  24,500

  East London African Arts

  4,000

  Endymion Ensemble

  25,200

  Firehouse Population Music Centre

  10,000

  Foundation for African Arts

  26,055

  Dishari Shilipi Gosthi

  9,920

  Grand Union

  12,840

  Lewisham Academy of Music

  32,500

  Linking Music

  22,000

  Live Music Now

  10,920

  London Brotherhood of Steel

  10,400

  Mela Multi-Cultural Festival

  1,450

  National Interest Band

  2,650

  Over Music Group

  19,300

  Pyramid Arts Development Co. Ltd.

  27,535

  Rayman Chinese Orchestra

  5,460

  Sugumugu Sundae

  13,400

  Tower Hamlet Youth Music Workshop

  11,600

  Triangle Music Workshop

  19,200

  Safrica

  25,000

  West London Women's Music Project

  24,050

  Wilf Walker Entertainments Ltd.

  28,050

  37

  1986–87

  £

  Woolwich Simba Project

  8,000

  Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra

  16,450

  Youth and Music

  19,400

  Zion Music Workshop

  32,240

  Total

  3,165,758

  Full outturn figures for 1987–88 are not yet available.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Mr. E. Bernasko
  Mr. Matins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will be in a position to reply to the letter of 4 November 1987, from the hon. Member for Croydon, North-West on the subject of Mr. E. Bernasko of Silverleigh road, Thornton Heath.

  Mr. Eggar
  A reply was sent to my hon. Friend on 15 December 1987.

  African National Congress
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign arid Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 15 December Official Report, column 443, why the high commission at Dar-es-Salaam did not accept the invitation to the African National Congress conference.

  Mrs. Chalker
  We have contacts from time to time with the African National Congress. But it is not our policy to attend all its functions. In the case of the Arusha conference, we were invited to attend only the opening session.

  Peace Initiatives
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent initiatives Her Majesty's Government have taken to promote peace through non-military initiatives since 1979.

  Mr. Eggar
  Since 1979 Her Majesty's Government have worked consistently to further the cause of world peace by keeping NATO's defences strong; observing and promoting respect for international law; playing our full part in international fora such as the United Nations and the Commonwealth.

  Embassy and Consular Services
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the Official Report the overall cost of maintaining Her Majesty's embassy and consular services in (a) Italy, (b) Japan, (c) Saudi Arabia, (d) Singapore, (e) Burkina Faso, (f) Canada and (g) New Zealand.

  Mr. Eggar
  In the financial year 1986–87, the cost excluding FCO support services in the United Kingdom, of Her Majesty's embassies and consular offices in the named countries was as follows:

  £ millions

  (a) Italy

  6·919

  (b) Japan

  10·110

  (c) Saudi Arabia

  3·765

  38

  £

  (d) Singapore

  2·013

  (e) Burkina Faso—(see below)

  —

  (f) Canada

  3·854

  (g) New Zealand

  1·485

  The United Kingdom has no direct representation in Burkina Faso, relations with that country being maintained through Her Majesty's embassy in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

  Istanbul (Immigration Service)
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give the figures for the number of staff working on entry clearance at his Department's Istanbul post for each of the years 1978 to 1987.

  Mr. Eggar
  The number of staff working on entry clearance at Istanbul was 5·5 each year from 1978 to 1985, six in 1986 and seven in 1987.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give the average time taken to process visa applications at his Department's Istanbul post; and if he will give the number of visa applications currently awaiting a decision.

  Mr. Eggar
  Applications by foreign visa nationals, except Iranians, are normally processed within a maximum of three days of receipt. There are 1,024 applications by non-resident Iranians awaiting a personal interview and subsequent decision.

  Pakistan
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings Her Majesty's Government's representatives in Pakistan have had with representatives of the Pakistan People's Party and other opposition parties in the last year.

  Mr. Eggar
  Her Majesty's ambassador to Pakistan has met most of the main opposition leaders. In addition, members of staff at the embassy in Islamabad and the consulate-general in Karachi have contacts at all levels with a wide range of opposition politicians.

  Mr. Sidney Clarke
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contacts with the Government of Thailand have been made in respect of Mr. Sidney Clarke, a British prisoner; whether a King's pardon has been applied for; and if he is satisfied with the medical attention Mr. Clarke is receiving.

  Mr. Eggar
  Her Majesty's embassy in Bangkok have been in contact with the appropriate Thai authorities in connection with both Mr. Clarke's royal pardon application and medical attention for him.

  Our consular staff visit Mr. Clarke regularly, and officials in Britain maintain close touch with his family.

  Mr. Clarke's application for a King's pardon was submitted in June 1986. The embassy has established that it has reached the royal household.

  There is a prison doctor available. Where necessary the Thai prison authorities arrange for prisoners to receive treatment in outside hospitals. Mr. Clarke has declined to

  39
  consult the prison doctor. He recently agreed, however, to see a local British doctor if the embassy can obtain the necessary permission from the Thai prison authorities. The embassy has applied for this.

  Yemen
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make representations to the President Praesidium of the Supreme People's Council of the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen to seek clemency for the 35 people that have been sentenced to death in connection with the attempted coup.

  Mr. Mellor
  On behalf of the Twelve, the EC Presidency representative in Aden made a demarche on humanitarian grounds to the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen authorities on behalf of the five people in detention whose death sentences were ratified. However, we now understand that those five were executed soon after that ratification.

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the maintenance of prosperity and stability in Hong Kong in the light of recent developments connected with the Hong Kong stock exchange.

  Mr. Eggar
  We believe that the prompt action taken by the Hong Kong Government in November to initiate a thorough review of the management and operation of the Hong Kong stock exchange and, more recently, the resolutions passed by the stock exchange enabling certain members of its committee to distance themselves from the management of the exchange while investigations into 40
  allegations of corruption in the operation of the exchange are in progress, will have reinforced international confidence in Hong Kong as a leading financial centre. This will contribute to the maintenance of the prosperity and stability of the territory.

  Imperial College, London
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give the fees or remuneration received by the renewable resources assessment group at Imperial college, London for the work undertaken for the Falkland Islands Government in connection with the issue of fishing licences for use in the Falkland Islands conservation zone.

  Mr. Eggar
  The fees paid to the renewable resources assessment group at Imperial college are met from the Falkland Islands Government's scientific budget which for 1987–88 is £265,000. The terms of the contract under which RRAG provides scientific advice to the Falkland Islands Government are commercially confidential.

  French Ambassador
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last had discussions with the French ambassador; if middle east problems were discussed; and when he next intends to meet the ambassador.

  Mrs. Chalker
  My right hon. and learned Friend encounters the French ambassador regularly, but has had no recent discussion of the middle east with him. He has no plans for a meeting specifically with the French ambassador in the near future.

  West Bank (Ministerial Visit)
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent visit to the West Bank by the Minister of State, the hon. and learned Member for Putney (Mr. Mellor).

  Mr. Mellor
  During my visit to Israel and the occupied territories I had useful and constructive discussions with a wide range of Israelis and Palestinians. I took every opportunity to register our concern at abuses of human rights and violations of international law in the occupied territories and to reiterate our view that an international conference offers the best way forward to a peaceful settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the recent statement of the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

  Estimated costs of administering visa countrol in the new visa regime countries

  £'000

  Country

  Year to end September 1987

  Year to end September 1988

  Ongoing operating costs

  Start up costs

  Ongoing operating costs

  Start up costs

  Bangladesh

  2,336

  70

  2,639

  nil

  Ghana

  309

  nil

  417

  nil

  Nigeria

  3,840

  2,000

  5,829

  710

  India

  3,330

  286

  4,297

  5

  Pakistan

  3,778

  287

  4,193

  140

  Total

  13,593

  2,643

  17,375

  855

  Cruise Missiles
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, pursuant to the statement by the Minister of State, the hon. and learned Member for Putney (Mr. Mellor)Official Report, 10 December, column 630, he will set out the uses to which the nuclear material arising from withdrawn cruise missile warheads, to which he makes reference, may be put; and if any provisions have been made to transfer ownership to civil uses.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  I have been asked to reply.

  The warheads for ground-launched cruise missiles currently based in the United Kingdom as well as the missiles themselves, are wholly the property of the United States Government. The warheads will, therefore, be returned to the United States, and the use of the nuclear material they contain is entirely a matter for the United States Government.

  School leavers 1985–86

  Maintained schools only

  1 Percentages

  Attempting

  Achieving

  Total leavers (000's)

  CSE

  O level

  A level

  2Lower grades

  3Higher grades

  A level passes

  London boroughs

  Barking

  21·2

  79·4

  50·6

  10·0

  78·7

  41·3

  7·3

  42
  on his official visit to the West Bank represents Her Majesty's Government policy; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  Yes.

  Visa Control
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the total cost of administering visa control in the five countries which became subject to such visa control in October 1986, what is the estimated cost of administering such visa control over the coming year; how many entry control officers were in post on 1 October 1986 and 1 October 1987; how many entry control officers will be in post on 1 October 1988; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  [pursuant to the reply, 8 December 1987, c. 116]Following are the figures requested concerning the present and future costs of administering visa control in the five countries, which became subject to visa control in October 1986:

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Examination Statistics
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will list the number of children sitting(a) CSE exams, (b) O-level exams and (c) A-level exams in each local education authority in England as a percentage of the total number in the relevant year groups in each authority for the latest available year;

  (2) if he will list by each local educational authority in England the total number of children achieving (a) CSE grades 2 to 5, (b) O-level grades A to C and CSE grade 1 and (c) A-level grades A to E as a percentage of the total number of pupils in the relevant year group in each authority, for the latest available year.

  Mr. Dunn
  The information requested for maintained schools, expressed as percentages of school leavers, is given in the table.
  43

  1 Percentages

  Attempting

  Achieving

  Total leavers (000's)

  CSE

  O level

  A level

  2Lower grades

  3Higher grades

  A level passes

  Barnet

  3·54

  71·6

  80·2

  37·1

  79·2

  67·4

  31·7

  Bexley

  3·50

  68·5

  67·6

  19·8

  78·1

  53·7

  17·3

  Brent

  2·82

  76·0

  58·8

  15·9

  76·3

  44·4

  14·3

  Bromley

  3·68

  73·1

  74·4

  22·0

  81·7

  55·5

  19·6

  Croydon

  4·26

  80·6

  65·9

  14·1

  82·2

  54·9

  13·1

  Ealing

  3·19

  86·3

  68·7

  12·6

  84·1

  46·9

  10·5

  Enfield

  3·13

  76·5

  59·3

  21·6

  81·9

  49·2

  18·1

  Haringey

  1·96

  79·6

  69·1

  17·0

  80·1

  53·2

  13·5

  Harrow

  2·16

  79·4

  79·1

  33·4

  83·1

  70·5

  31·2

  Havering

  3·79

  81·4

  69·3

  17·8

  82·2

  56·7

  15·2

  Hillingdon

  3·08

  87·3

  65·5

  16·1

  88·4

  53·1

  13·2

  Hounslow

  2·91

  79·2

  58·5

  15·8

  80·5

  50·1

  13·1

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  1·52

  60·6

  73·6

  25·0

  74·3

  65·3

  22·0

  Merton

  2·22

  74·7

  64·8

  15·6

  79·2

  48·6

  13·6

  Newham

  2·94

  72·5

  48·7

  12·3

  70·5

  41·2

  8·8

  Redbridge

  3·10

  71·8

  68·2

  22·6

  78·7

  53·2

  20·2

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  1·39

  84·2

  81·1

  —

  82·7

  52·8

  —

  Sutton

  2·03

  71·7

  61·8

  18·8

  82·8

  50·0

  18·3

  Waltham Forest

  2·55

  81·5

  54·9

  10·2

  78·7

  41·2

  8·8

  ILEA

  23·50

  75·4

  51·0

  12·9

  74·8

  44·6

  10·6

  West Midlands

  Birmingham

  16·71

  80·6

  66·0

  12·3

  79·5

  44·7

  10·1

  Coventry

  5·01

  88·2

  76·5

  14·6

  85·8

  50·8

  11·5

  Dudley

  5·03

  85·7

  76·5

  10·2

  83·9

  48·0

  9·0

  Sandwell

  4·13

  83·8

  65·1

  8·0

  82·2

  36·8

  6·4

  Solihull

  3·44

  92·7

  80·1

  18·9

  88·5

  57·2

  17·4

  Walsall

  4·97

  79·1

  62·2

  14·7

  77·2

  47·7

  13·1

  Wolverhampton

  4·44

  80·1

  61·7

  10·6

  80·6

  43·5

  7·7

  Merseyside

  Knowsley

  2·56

  76·1

  58·0

  6·0

  72·5

  33·4

  6·0

  Liverpool

  7·13

  72·2

  67·2

  12·3

  70·3

  44·1

  9·8

  St. Helens

  3·54

  84·2

  71·2

  13·1

  79·4

  47·0

  11·9

  Sefton

  4·39

  82·9

  83·8

  19·8

  84·2

  53·2

  16·8

  Wirral

  5·17

  86·6

  78·2

  15·6

  82·3

  51·6

  13·0

  Greater Manchester

  Bolton

  4·26

  86·6

  82·1

  16·7

  82·9

  52·0

  15·7

  Bury

  2·58

  81·6

  83·6

  20·7

  81·1

  63·7

  20·3

  Manchester

  7·50

  71·0

  64·7

  14·1

  71·3

  44·2

  12·2

  Oldham

  2·95

  85·7

  73·5

  8·8

  81·2

  42·1

  7·7

  Rochdale

  3·27

  85·2

  80·4

  13·8

  82·1

  52·8

  10·8

  Salford

  3·62

  85·8

  79·1

  15·4

  79·7

  48·7

  15·1

  Stockport

  3·81

  82·3

  86·5

  18·6

  79·0

  60·9

  14·5

  Tameside

  3·87

  84·1

  82·0

  13·0

  83·7

  53·8

  11·3

  Trafford

  3·00

  80·7

  88·1

  17·6

  81·3

  65·5

  16·6

  Wigan

  5·63

  88·8

  82·6

  16·1

  80·6

  59·1

  14·1

  South Yorkshire

  Barnsley

  3·46

  85·8

  77·7

  8·1

  82·7

  35·8

  7·5

  Doncaster

  4·38

  89·7

  79·7

  13·9

  84·6

  42·5

  12·0

  Rotherham

  4·51

  84·8

  70·6

  13·0

  81·4

  42·2

  12·6

  Sheffield

  8·84

  88·2

  78·6

  12·5

  83·5

  48·4

  10·5

  West Yorkshire

  Bradford

  7·24

  78·8

  72·1

  12·9

  73·1

  41·0

  10·6

  Calderdale

  2·76

  81·7

  78·6

  15·5

  79·7

  49·0

  13·0

  Kirklees

  6·29

  87·9

  83·6

  18·7

  82·4

  53·4

  15·1

  Leeds

  10·40

  85·9

  81·3

  14·7

  81·4

  51·0

  13·3

  Wakefield

  5·66

  86·0

  70·7

  8·2

  81·3

  45·8

  6·4

  Tyne and Wear

  Gateshead

  2·89

  82·0

  60·8

  12·7

  80·5

  45·9

  9·9

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  3·60

  77·8

  52·9

  13·7

  77·4

  41·8

  10·8

  North Tyneside

  2·83

  82·6

  69·6

  12·3

  84·9

  48·6

  10·1

  South Tyneside

  2·33

  86·1

  55·0

  15·0

  88·3

  40·7

  11·4

  Sunderland

  5·11

  89·5

  75·4

  9·5

  90·5

  51·2

  7·5

  Counties

  Avon

  12·08

  86·7

  62·6

  15·7

  86·8

  55·2

  14·1

  Bedfordshire

  7·41

  90·6

  70·9

  18·2

  88·0

  56·5

  16·1

  Berkshire

  9·64

  80·6

  60·6

  21·2

  83·6

  54·6

  19·4

  Buckinghamshire

  8·45

  72·8

  65·7

  23·2

  82·8

  61·6

  21·6

  44 45

  1 Percentages

  Attempting

  Achieving

  Total leavers (000's)

  CSE

  O level

  A level

  2Lower grades

  3Higher grades

  A level passes

  Cambridgeshire

  7·87

  86·2

  70·0

  11·4

  87·5

  51·8

  10·1

  Cheshire

  14·67

  85·1

  82·2

  17·7

  83·6

  54·7

  16·1

  Cleveland

  9·89

  84·8

  69·2

  16·6

  83·6

  51·3

  15·4

  Cornwall

  6·65

  85·2

  60·5

  16·2

  85·2

  56·8

  15·0

  Cumbria

  7·36

  84·2

  69·6

  15·4

  84·3

  54·2

  15·1

  Derbyshire

  14·48

  86·0

  59·9

  12·6

  86·6

  51·5

  10·8

  Devon

  12·38

  84·7

  59·7

  11·9

  85·2

  54·4

  10·8

  Dorset

  8·09

  82·7

  63·0

  14·7

  86·5

  61·0

  13·1

  Durham

  8·73

  85·4

  61·8

  10·7

  85·1

  50·4

  9·0

  East Sussex

  7·50

  80·2

  68·2

  19·4

  85·5

  54·0

  16·1

  Essex

  22·35

  84·1

  72·7

  15·8

  84·8

  56·2

  14·0

  Gloucestershire

  7·67

  82·2

  61·6

  18·7

  87·4

  56·1

  16·6

  Hampshire

  21·43

  87·6

  61·7

  14·5

  88·4

  57·4

  12·7

  Hereford and Worcester

  8·88

  84·9

  76·6

  21·0

  86·1

  55·1

  19·1

  Hertfordshire

  14·28

  83·6

  74·3

  20·1

  84·1

  60·4

  17·3

  Humberside

  13·73

  85·2

  68·3

  13·5

  83·9

  46·5

  12·0

  Isle of Wight

  1·65

  84·8

  50·1

  14·4

  88·4

  48·9

  10·6

  Kent

  21·34

  74·0

  62·2

  18·5

  83·5

  52·7

  16·9

  Lancashire

  21·28

  84·1

  78·5

  10·8

  81·6

  55·2

  96

  Leicestershire

  12·02

  83·4

  60·6

  17·7

  83·2

  44·8

  15·1

  Lincolnshire

  8·01

  80·4

  64·2

  16·4

  85·5

  52·3

  13·7

  Norfolk

  10·44

  81·9

  62·6

  11·8

  79·6

  49·2

  11·1

  North Yorkshire

  9·83

  84·3

  82·8

  21·3

  82·9

  58·6

  19·5

  Northamptonshire

  8·69

  86·6

  64·6

  16·3

  87·9

  52·5

  14·3

  Northumberland

  4·11

  81·1

  73·2

  20·8

  81·9

  58·3

  18·6

  Nottinghamshire

  15·50

  86·7

  56·4

  12·8

  86·0

  40·8

  11·3

  Oxfordshire

  7·57

  87·9

  59·8

  16·8

  89·8

  55·2

  14·8

  Shropshire

  6·29

  88·6

  73·9

  16·2

  86·3

  57·4

  14·2

  Somerset

  6·12

  86·1

  57·1

  9·8

  89·0

  51·9

  83

  Staffordshire

  16·33

  82·8

  71·6

  13·7

  82·1

  52·0

  12·3

  Suffolk

  8·96

  87·0

  71·0

  16·5

  86·0

  50·9

  14·5

  Surrey

  12·80

  78·4

  74·6

  24·5

  84·5

  62·1

  21·8

  Warwickshire

  7·12

  83·3

  75·2

  17·7

  84·9

  55·4

  16·2

  West Sussex

  8·77

  86·4

  64·6

  21·7

  87·4

  61·0

  19·4

  Wiltshire

  6·57

  87·3

  58·8

  12·2

  86·8

  51·0

  11·1

  Total England

  673·55

  82·8

  68·3

  15·5

  83·1

  52·0

  13·6

  Source: School leavers sample survey. Data subject to sampling error.

  1 Excludes examination attainments at tertiary colleges or other FE establishments.

  2 O level grades D, E, CSE grades 2–5.

  3 O level grades A-C, CSE grade 1.

  History Curriculum
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whose advice he has sought from outside his Department for the preparation of the history curriculum as a foundation subject; and whom he intends to consult on the curriculum.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The arrangements for consulting on proposals for attainment targets and programmes of study in relation to any national curriculum foundation subject are set out in clauses 11 and 12 of the Education Reform Bill now before the House. My right hon. Friend has not yet established working groups to prepare such proposals for foundation subjects other than mathematics or science.

  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he specially requested the document in the history curriculum prepared and submitted to him on 2 February by the English Historical Association; and what assessment he has made of the support enjoyed by the document as a basis for the history curriculum amongst historians and teachers of history in Britain.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The Historical Association sent a copy of the first version of its "Proposals for a Core Curriculum 46
  in History" on its own initiative. In responding to the document, my right hon. Friend said that the proposals were interesting, that working towards a national curriculum would involve a great deal of consultation and debate, and that the subject associations would have an important contribution to make to the process. The consultation procedures now provided for in the Education Reform Bill will enable support for the Government's own eventual proposals for history to be assessed.

  Education Reform
  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make it his policy to use the differential formula for converting students into full-time equivalents contained in schedule 7 to the Education Reform Bill as a significant factor in the determination of funding for further education.

  Mr. Jackson
  The determination of funding for further education is a matter for local education authorities. The Government take account of a projection of full-time equivalent student numbers in drawing up their plans for spending on non-advanced further education by local authorities collectively. They also convert actual student
  47
  numbers to full-time equivalents in the assessment of grant-related expenditure (GRE) which is one determinant of the distribution of block grant. In both these contexts the Government currently use the same multipliers as are listed in column 3 of the table shown in paragraph 2 of the schedule. But the schedule serves to provide a method of converting part-time enrolments to full-time equivalents for the purposes of clauses 82, 83, 90, 100 and 102 of the Bill. The Government are not committed to the continued use of the same multipliers in expenditure projections or GREs.

  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the reasons for the differential formula for converting students into full-time equivalents contained in schedule 7 to the Education Reform Bill.

  Mr. Jackson
  The formula provides a method for calculating the full-time equivalent enrolment number of an institution — a concept used in the Bill to decide whether an institution will enter the sector to be funded by the Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council, or whether the local education authority will be required to delegate to an institution which it will continue to maintain responsibility for managing the institution's budget.

  Full-time equivalent weightings are used because students on different levels of course and modes of attendance require different amounts of teaching time and expenditure. The weightings shown in schedule 7 are consistent with the relative teaching hours for different modes of attendance revealed by the Department's annual monitoring survey; and they were developed in consultation with the National Advisory Body and the local education authorities.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent representations he has received concerning the Education Reform Bill as it affects Scottish universities.

  Mr. Jackson
  We have received many representations about the university provisions in the Education Reform Bill, which apply equally to universities in England, Scotland and Wales.

  Education Expenditure
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much each education authority in England spends per pupil per year on(a) textbooks, (b) materials and supplies, (c) computers, (d) video recorders, (e) video cameras, (f) television sets and (g) paper and reprographics.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Information in the form requested is not available. However, the figures in the following table show the overall expenditure on text and library books and education equipment, stationery and materials per primary and secondary pupil by each education authority in England for 1985–86.

  Expenditure (£) on books and equipment per pupil primary and secondary schools—England—1985–86

  £

  Barking

  35·42

  Barnet

  37·79

  48

  £

  Bexley

  35·42

  Brent

  46·28

  Bromley

  46·02

  Croydon

  39·21

  Ealing

  41·87

  Enfield

  41·43

  Haringey

  48·55

  Harrow

  41·91

  Havering

  44·42

  Hillingdon

  35·02

  Hounslow

  32·14

  Kingston·upon·Thames

  59·39

  Merton

  n/a

  Newham

  n/a

  Redbridge

  41·96

  Richrnond-upon-Thames

  33·68

  Sutton

  35·57

  Waltham Forest

  43·20

  ILEA

  69·38

  Birmingham

  22·98

  Coventry

  40·29

  Dudley

  32·49

  Sandwell

  31·76

  Solihull

  36·62

  Walsall

  n/a

  Wolverhampton

  36·46

  Knowsley

  25·34

  Liverpool

  22·32

  St. Helens

  23·94

  Sefton

  28·46

  Wirral

  39·71

  Bolton

  38·01

  Bury

  39·66

  Manchester

  31·77

  Oldham

  35·19

  Rochdale

  29·57

  Salford

  32·36

  Stockport

  38·26

  Tameside

  35·60

  Trafford

  32·75

  Wigan

  29·70

  Barnsley

  30·65

  Doncaster

  27·95

  Rotherham

  22·27

  Sheffield

  36·67

  Bradford

  31·99

  Calderdale

  28·20

  Kirklees

  31·12

  Leeds

  12·03

  Wakefield

  27·76

  Gateshead

  39·67

  Newcastle-Upon-Tyne

  34·77

  North Tyneside

  40·91

  South Tyneside

  36·57

  Sunderland

  29·75

  Isles of Scilly

  39·00

  Avon

  34·00

  Bedfordshire

  42·32

  Berkshire

  35·60

  Buckinghamshire

  37·54

  Cambridgeshire

  35·03

  Cheshire

  33·57

  Cleveland

  33·93

  Cornwall

  25·76

  Cumbria

  36·39

  Derbyshire

  41·70

  Devon

  19·54

  Dorset

  34·58

  Durham

  25·83

  East Sussex

  36·16

  Essex

  32·96

  Gloucestershire

  29·77

  Hampshire

  28·62

  Hereford and Worcester

  38·09

  Hertfordshire

  35·63

  Humberside

  32·80

  Isle of Wight

  37·62

  49

  £

  Kent

  31·98

  Lancashire

  31·83

  Leicestershire

  35·10

  Lincolnshire

  33·60

  Norfolk

  33·70

  North Yorkshire

  35·62

  Northamptonshire

  32·01

  Northumberland

  33·83

  Nottinghamshire

  36·22

  Oxfordshire

  40·05

  Shropshire

  26·62

  Somerset

  37·79

  Staffordshire

  39·09

  Suffolk

  35·73

  Surrey

  28·12

  Warwickshire

  33·68

  West Sussex

  37·04

  Wiltshire

  31·34

  England

  34·54

  Notes:

  1. Returns of expenditure for 1985–86 have not been received from Merton or Newham, and information for Walsall is not available in this form.

  2. The figures are based on expenditure returns made by local authorities to the Department of the Environment and pupil number returns made to the Department of Education and Science.

  Careers Education
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on careers education for 11 to 14-year-olds.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The foundations of careers education must he laid from primary age onwards. Pupils need to develop over time an understanding of the world of work, its challenges and satisfactions, and the choices and decisions that lie ahead of them in their school careers and beyond.

  The Government's thinking on careers education was set out more fully in "Working Together for a Better Future", copies of which are in the Library.

  The publication of this document in April 1987 marked the launch by my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Education and Science, for Employment and for Wales of their joint initiative on careers education and guidance, which affirms the key place of careers education in the school curriculum. Our commitment to careers education is reflected also in the eligibility of in-service teacher training under this heading for LEA training grants as a national priority.

  Adult Education
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he next intends meeting representatives of the teaching profession in further education to discuss the Government's proposals for adult education institutions; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dunn
  My right hon. Friend has no plans for such a meeting but is always ready to consider comments or representations from any of the teacher organisations.

  Science Teachers
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about the current level of recuitment of teachers of science subjects.
  50
  Mrs. Rumbold
  I am glad to report that the number of recruits to initial teacher training science courses in England and Wales in 1987 is above target by 2 per cent. and within that physics courses, where there is an acute need, have recruited to 99 per cent of their notional target.

  This is most encouraging and a firm indication that the positive measures taken by the Government to increase teacher supply are taking effect. We will continue to keep under close review the numbers of recruits to all science subjects.

  Scottish Universities
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received opposing the proposed reductions in the level of central Government finance to be made available to universities in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  We have received many representations about the funding of the eight universities in Scotland. The application of the University Grants Committee's standard criteria has resulted in three of these receiving increases in basic grant for 1987–88 above the Great Britain average.

  Capital Allocations
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish in the Official Report the 1988–89 capital allocations to each local education authority, indicating in each case the bid submitted and the allocation as a percentage of the bid in each case.

  Mr. Dunn
  The allocation in respect of prescribed expenditure for an individual authority does not represent my right hon. Friend's view of what that authority's capital spending on education should be. Authorities may use spending power from capital receipts and other flexibilities in the capital control system to supplement the allocations.

  The information sought is given in the table.

  Local Education Authority

  1988–89

  Allocation (£000's)

  LEA's Plans (£000's)

  Allocation as percentage of plans

  Barking

  1,639

  10,457

  16

  Barnet

  2,000

  11,192

  18

  Bexley

  1,234

  1,758

  70

  Brent

  2,532

  6,758

  37

  Bromley

  403

  6,098

  7

  Croydon

  1,595

  7,149

  22

  Ealing

  1,174

  9,053

  13

  Enfield

  1,318

  9,504

  14

  Haringey

  2,330

  11,042

  21

  Harrow

  1,643

  3,862

  43

  Havering

  692

  1,962

  35

  Hillingdon

  918

  6,307

  15

  Hounslow

  1,242

  4,860

  26

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  1,695

  11,731

  14

  Merton

  1,023

  6,965

  15

  Newham

  3,061

  6,316

  48

  Redbridge

  3,719

  5,418

  69

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  277

  2,210

  13

  Sutton

  627

  6,063

  10

  Waltham Forest

  5,498

  7,120

  77

  Inner London

  17,767

  54,545

  33

  51

  Local Education Authority

  1988–89

  Allocation (£000's)

  LEA's Plans (£000's)

  Allocation as percentage of plans

  Birmingham

  4,407

  11,472

  38

  Coventry

  6,155

  17,980

  34

  Dudley

  1,555

  7,773

  20

  Sandwell

  767

  3,710

  21

  Solihull

  700

  4,890

  14

  Walsall

  907

  2,210

  41

  Wolverhampton

  1,849

  7,823

  24

  Knowsley

  1,136

  4,815

  24

  Liverpool

  2,323

  7,692

  30

  St. Helens

  1,211

  5,685

  21

  Sefton

  1,450

  2,778

  52

  Wirral

  2,330

  6,391

  36

  Bolton

  1,212

  3,866

  31

  Bury

  467

  1,282

  36

  Manchester

  9,269

  34,860

  27

  Oldham

  2,822

  5,793

  49

  Rochdale

  1,440

  5,654

  25

  Salford

  3,430

  5,740

  60

  Stockport

  2,878

  3,891

  74

  Tameside

  716

  2,781

  26

  Trafford

  471

  2,637

  18

  Wigan

  3,508

  5,308

  66

  Barnsley

  342

  1,198

  29

  Doncaster

  421

  644

  65

  Rotherham

  699

  2,184

  32

  Sheffield

  7,189

  17,815

  40

  Bradford

  10,457

  33,604

  31

  Calderdale

  3,619

  5,486

  66

  Kirklees

  1,486

  9,078

  16

  Leeds

  4,626

  14,280

  32

  Wakefield

  3,573

  6,397

  56

  Gateshead

  1,933

  5,420

  36

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  3,917

  12,946

  30

  North Tyneside

  2,129

  4,587

  46

  South Tyneside

  2,527

  5,939

  43

  Sunderland

  4,583

  10,951

  42

  Isles of Stilly

  39

  405

  10

  Avon

  4,277

  10,993

  39

  Bedfordshire

  1,630

  5,660

  29

  Berkshire

  5,567

  12,603

  44

  Buckinghamshire

  6,152

  9,013

  68

  Cambridgeshire

  4,314

  13,719

  31

  Cheshire

  4,829

  10,812

  45

  Cleveland

  3,673

  7,104

  52

  Cornwall

  6,413

  9,744

  66

  Cumbria

  4,858

  6,530

  74

  Derbyshire

  10,777

  15,025

  72

  Devon

  6,262

  10,732

  58

  Dorset

  4,052

  8,459

  48

  Durham

  1,415

  5,451

  26

  East Sussex

  9,815

  25,962

  38

  Essex

  20,317

  37,264

  55

  Gloucestershire

  5,302

  9,864

  54

  Hampshire

  16,550

  38,619

  43

  Hereford and Worcester

  2,892

  9,032

  32

  Hertfordshire

  5,525

  18,887

  29

  Humberside

  7,077

  13,333

  53

  Isle of Wight

  1,663

  4,377

  38

  Kent

  7,134

  15,217

  47

  Lancashire

  12,809

  25,419

  50

  Leicestershire

  7,419

  15,643

  47

  52

  Local Education Authority

  1988–89

  Allocation (£000's)

  LEA's Plans (£000's)

  Allocation as percentage of plans

  Lincolnshire

  3,897

  8,891

  44

  Norfolk

  4,021

  7,938

  51

  North Yorkshire

  3,937

  7,297

  54

  Northamptonshire

  3,190

  8,571

  37

  Northumberland

  955

  3,554

  27

  Nottinghamshire

  2,461

  4,709

  52

  Oxfordshire

  4,673

  18,701

  25

  Salop

  4,465

  8,474

  53

  Somerset

  2,764

  6,501

  43

  Staffordshire

  7,469

  15,494

  48

  Suffolk

  7,014

  9,448

  74

  Surrey

  4,859

  15,468

  31

  Warwickshire

  1,375

  4,069

  34

  West Sussex

  3,053

  10,851

  28

  Wiltshire

  3,215

  6,867

  47

  Schools
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will indicate for each local education authority(a) the number of schools built prior to 1914, (b) what percentage of schools in each area this represents, and (c) what percentage of school places are provided in such schools in each area.

  Mr. Dunn
  This information is not held centrally.

  Truancy
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give the most recent figures for schooldays lost through truancy for(a) England and Wales, (b) inner London, (c) outer London, (d) Birmingham, (e) Greater Manchester, (f) Sheffield, (g) Liverpool, (h) Leeds and (i) Bradford; and if he will give them as a total and per head of school population.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  This information is not available centrally. Under the Education Acts, the responsibility for taking action on truancy rests with local education authorities. It is they who should ensure that attendance levels in their schools are monitored and that action is taken to keep them under control.

  Higher Education
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give the most recent figures for the number of young people going on into higher education for(a) England and Wales, (b) the Inner London education authority, (c) Croydon, (d) Kingston upon Thames, (e) Brent and (f) Sheffield; and if he will give each as a total and as a percentage of the total year group for each area.

  Mr. Jackson
  Information is not available in the form requested. The numbers of new full-value awards to students in the academic year 1984–85, including the rates per thousand of the age group, are as follows. Full-value awards are, in general, made to students on higher education courses.
  53

  New full-value awards to students in the academic year 1984–85

  At universities

  At public sector establishments

  All new awards

  Local education authority

  Number

  1per 1000

  Number

  1per 1000

  Number

  1per 1000

  England and Wales

  64,573

  79

  106,262

  130

  170,835

  208

  Inner London

  2,779

  65

  6,992

  164

  9,771

  229

  Croydon

  512

  104

  457

  93

  969

  197

  Kingston upon Thames

  245

  122

  281

  140

  526

  262

  Brent

  374

  92

  1,173

  290

  1,547

  382

  Sheffield

  585

  53

  1,179

  107

  1,764

  160

  1 Per 1000 of the average of the 18 and 19 year old population in each local authority.

  Teachers (Assaults)
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give the most recent figures for assaults on teaching staff committed by pupils for(a) England and Wales, (b) inner London and (c) outer London.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  This information is not available centrally. 1 t is for local education authorities and governing bodies, as employers, to decide whether to collect information on assaults on teaching staff and to take appropriate action in response to such incidents.

  National Curriculum
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects the national curriculum to be in operation in schools; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  It is too early to set out a timetable. Decisions on the pace of the introduction of the national curriculum must take account of the advice contained in the report of the task group on assessment and testing, of the recommendations of the working groups for the foundation subjects and of the views of the curriculum councils and of those consulted as part of the statutory process. However, we intend, as a first step, to ask primary schools to ensure from September 1989 that pupils spend a reasonable time studying in the area of each foundation subject; and we expect the rest of the arrangements required by the national curriculum to be introduced incrementally, subject by subject, stage by stage, over a period of years, beginning in September 1989 with the introduction of attainment targets and programmes of study for maths and science for at least the first key stage of five to seven.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to publish figures indicating the number of teachers required to teach the national curriculum; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend has already said that the national curriculum will be introduced broadly within the existing level of resources. On overall teacher numbers, we are already planning for the pupil-to-teacher ratio to fall further from its present lowest ever level of 17·3:1 to reach a level of 17:1 by 1989. It is too early to come to precise estimates of numbers of teachers required for each foundation subject. More teaching time will be needed for some subjects, and less for others. Some redirection of teaching effort and measures to boost teacher numbers in particular subjects may be required, but not necessarily an increase in teacher numbers overall.

  Maintained Schools
  Mr. Butterfill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the funding for maintained schools for each county in England; and what is the allowance made in each case for(a) the provision of new schools to meet basic need and (b) the replacement of schools that have outlived their useful lives.

  Mr. Dunn
  I have assumed that my hon. Friend's question refers to capital funding and would refer him to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave my hon. Friend the Member for Skipton and Ripon (Mr. Curry) on 18 December 1987 at column 765. Allocations in respect of prescribed expenditure are not grants—they represent limits on the capital spending which local authorities may undertake. Authorities may supplement their allocations by using spending power from receipts and other flexibility under the capital control system. Since the allocations are unhypothecated, authorities may use them as they wish. Information on the funding which individual local authorities devote to specific categories of capital expenditure is not, therefore, available centrally.

  Capital works at aided and special agreement schools are directly assisted by grant aid from my Department. It is not possible, however, to identify the specific sums devoted to the categories of work mentioned in the question because individual projects often meet a mixture of needs.

  Mr. Butterfill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many maintained schools have been replaced after reaching the end of their useful life in Dorset since 1979; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dunn
  This information is not available centrally.

  Adult Literacy
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has undertaken, or has had made available to him, any information or research on the effects of price increases for books and periodicals on the level of adult literacy.

  Mr. Dunn
  I am not aware of any such information.

  Inner London Education Authority
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what were the original and final expenditure levels underlying the precept limit of the Inner London education authority, showing its original and final precept limit and budgeted expenditure in 1986–87, 1987–88 and 1988–89.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The information requested is as follows:
  55

  Year

  Original expenditure level

  Final expenditure level

  Proposed precept limit

  Final precept limit

  Final budget estimate

  £ million

  £ million

  P

  P

  £ million

  1986–87

  902

  915

  76·5

  77·25

  3971

  1987–88

  915

  1—

  1—

  79·73

  31,025

  1988–89

  955

  2970

  80·56

  4—

  4—

  1 Not applicable in 1987–88. The precept limit for that year was determined by the formula in the Local Government Finance Act 1987.

  2 Expenditure level subject to a requirement under section 3(b) of the Rates Act concerning the use of £15 million.

  3 Total budget to be financed from balances, reserves and precept, as published in ILEA's capital and revenue estimates 1986–87 and 1987–88.

  4 Not yet determined.

  Council for Educational Technology
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to rationalise the operations of the Council for Educational Technology and the Microelectronics Education Support Unit.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  I wrote to the chairman of both bodies on 7 January 1988 proposing that they be amalgamated to form a new National Council for Educational Technology from 1 April 1988. Copies of my letters have been placed in the Library.

  Sickle Cell Anaemia
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what research and at what cost is currently being undertaken into sickle cell anaemia; and if he will indicate the total cost of this.

  Mr. Jackson
  The Medical Research Council is the main Government agency for the direct support of biomedical research. In the financial year 1986–87 the council spent £341,000 on projects concentrating directly on sickle cell anaemia and a further £702,000 on projects which may have some relevance to this disease. The council is always willing to consider soundly-based scientific proposals in competition with other applications.

  Research into sickle cell anaemia is also carried out in universities and medical schools using funds for teaching and research allocated on advice from the University Grants Committee. In addition, the medical charities may be funding relevant research. The Government are not in a position to influence directly the scale and nature of these research activities.

  Teacher-Pupil Ratios
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the average teacher-to-pupil ratio in(a) nursery schools and classes and (b) primary schools in (i) England, (ii) Wales, (iii) Northern Ireland and (iv) by each local authority.

  Mr. Dunn
  [holding answer 14 December 1987]: The average pupil-teacher ratio in nursery schools and classes and in primary schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in January 1987 was as follows:

  Nursery schools and classes

  1Primary schools

  England

  23·4

  21·9

  1 Includes nursery classes.

  2 Nursery schools

  3 Primary schools

  Wales

  21·0

  22·1

  Northern Ireland

  23·1

  23·4

  56

  1 Includes nursery classes.

  2 Information for nursery classes is not available.

  Information for each local education authority in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is as follows.

  In England, some nursery classes are staffed solely by nursery assistants. As such assistants are not taken into account when calculating pupil-teacher ratios (PTRs), the ratios for some authorities will be relatively high.

  Pupil-teacher ratios January 1987

  1 3 Nursery schools and classes

  2 Primary schools

  England

  Barking

  22·7

  20·8

  Barnet

  21·4

  20·4

  Bexley

  17·6

  22·6

  Brent

  18·8

  19·0

  Bromley

  20·3

  23·1

  Croydon

  25·2

  21·8

  Ealing

  19·4

  19·2

  Enfield

  27·6

  21·7

  Haringey

  17·0

  18·4

  Harrow

  25·6

  20·5

  Havering

  28·4

  22·6

  Hillingdon

  25·2

  21·4

  Hounslow

  23·7

  19·3

  Kingston upon Thames

  22·9

  21·4

  Merton

  24·6

  21·1

  Newham

  21·9

  21·3

  Redbridge

  21·0

  23·9

  Richmond upon Thames

  21·7

  20·7

  Sutton

  24·4

  23·7

  Waltham Forest

  17·9

  21·5

  Inner London

  20·4

  17·2

  Birmingham

  24·4

  22·7

  Coventry

  27·6

  21·9

  Dudley

  36·4

  22·8

  Sandwell

  25·5

  22·3

  Solihull

  24·0

  23·2

  Walsall

  80·2

  20·7

  Wolverhampton

  24·6

  20·2

  Knowsley

  25·5

  21·3

  Liverpool

  24·7

  20·9

  St. Helens

  23·8

  21·9

  Sefton

  23·5

  22·8

  Wirral

  21·6

  22·1

  Bolton

  27·2

  23·5

  Bury

  25·4

  22·1

  Manchester

  23·6

  20·8

  Oldham

  27·4

  22·9

  Rochdale

  20·7

  22·1

  Salford

  24·9

  22·8

  Stockport

  23·6

  23·1

  Tameside

  21·8

  23·2

  Trafford

  25·6

  22·4

  Wigan

  25·9

  21·2

  Barnsley

  26·0

  21·6

  57

  1 3 Nursery schools and classes

  2 Primary schools

  Doncaster

  27·3

  21·5

  Rotherham

  26·9

  21·2

  Sheffield

  22·1

  19·8

  Bradford

  19·6

  20·1

  Calderdale

  22·9

  21·9

  Kirklees

  23·5

  21·2

  Leeds

  28·9

  20·4

  Wakefield

  26·2

  21·2

  Gateshead

  25·7

  19·3

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  20·6

  19·6

  North Tyneside

  22·9

  18·5

  South Tyneside

  21·5

  20·5

  Sunderland

  21·1

  21·8

  Isles of Stilly4

  0·0

  12·8

  Avon

  22·0

  24·1

  Bedfordshire

  24·1

  22·0

  Berkshire

  20·3

  23·6

  Buckinghamshire

  28·3

  24·4

  Cambridgeshire

  22·0

  23·2

  Cheshire

  21·4

  23·2

  Cleveland

  26·4

  22·1

  Cornwall

  23·4

  23·2

  Cumbria

  19·9

  21·2

  Derbyshire

  22·7

  21·3

  Devon

  26·4

  22·6

  Dorset

  24·0

  22·9

  Durham

  19·9

  22·1

  East Sussex

  20·2

  22·4

  Essex

  22·7

  23·1

  Gloucestershire4

  0·0

  22·4

  Hampshire

  22·3

  22·3

  Hereford and Worcester

  26·5

  24·1

  Hertfordshire

  20·7

  21·8

  Humberside

  24·1

  21·4

  Isle of Wight

  24·3

  23·5

  Kent

  21·1

  24·0

  Lancashire

  20·8

  23·6

  Leicestershire

  26·9

  22·9

  Lincolnshire

  21·9

  24·0

  Norfolk

  24·1

  22·4

  North Yorkshire

  21·6

  21·9

  Northamptonshire

  19·1

  22·7

  Northumberland

  24·4

  23·1

  Nottinghamshire

  27·4

  20·7

  Oxfordshire

  25·5

  23·0

  Shropshire

  21·8

  21·3

  Somerset

  22·3

  22·9

  Staffordshire

  39·8

  22·9

  Suffolk

  23·5

  22·5

  Surrey

  20·1

  21·3

  Warwickshire

  23·0

  21·7

  West Sussex

  25·1

  22·8

  Wiltshire

  22·9

  22·8

  Wales

  Clwyd

  18·6

  24·1

  Dyfed

  22·4

  20·6

  Gwent

  22·8

  21·9

  Gwynedd5

  0·0

  20·4

  Mid Glamorgan

  20·4

  23·3

  Powys5

  0·0

  19·3

  South Glamorgan

  19·5

  22·9

  West Glamorgan

  23·4

  21·2

  Northern Ireland

  Belfast

  23·2

  21·9

  Western

  23·1

  23·7

  North·Eastern

  22·2

  23·3

  South·Eastern

  23·8

  23·7

  Southern

  23·1

  24·0

  58

  1 A number of nursery classes in some local education authorities in England are staffed solely by nursery assistants.

  2 Includes nursery classes.

  3 Information for nursery classes is not available.

  4 These authorities have no nursery schools or classes.

  5 These authorities have no nursery schools.

  Reception Classes
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the average size of reception classes for rising fives for each local authority in(a) England, (b) Wales and (c) Northern Ireland; and what is the comparable average primary class size.

  Mr. Dunn
  [holding answer 14 December 1987]: The information on reception classes for England and Wales is not collected centrally. The average size of reception classes and comparable primary classes for each local education authority in Northern Ireland in January 1987 is as follows.

  Average class size1 for reception classes and primary classes m Northern Ireland—January 1987

  Education and Library Board

  Reception classes

  2 Primary classes

  Belfast

  21·0

  26·2

  Western

  14·0

  26·5

  North-Eastern

  11·4

  26·5

  South-Eastern

  13·5

  26·8

  Southern

  12·5

  25·8

  1 Classes as taught.

  2 Excludes nursery and reception classes.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is, by local education authority, the number of children, subject to a statement of special educational need under the Education Act 1981, attending mainstream schools, as a percentage of the total number of children with a statement in each local education authority, for each year from October 1984.

  Mr. Dunn
  [holding answer 11 December 1987]: The number of pupils with statements of special educational need attending maintained, primary, middle and secondary schools as a percentage of all pupils with statements in each local education authority in England in 1985, 1986 and 1987 is as follows.

  Pupils with statements in maintained Primary, Middle and Secondary schools as a percentage of pupils with statements in each LEA1

  January of each year

  1985

  1986

  1987

  Barking

  10·3

  15·0

  19·5

  Barnet

  15·0

  18·9

  21·5

  Bexley

  20·9

  29·1

  36·0

  Brent

  10·1

  9·2

  9·3

  Bromley

  26·0

  38·2

  46·1

  Croydon

  12·9

  21·5

  33·8

  Ealing

  19·4

  9·2

  11·2

  Enfield

  6·4

  9·2

  8·7

  Haringey

  17·2

  21·0

  12·3

  Harrow

  24·1

  23·9

  30·6

  Havering

  14·1

  13·2

  21·3

  Hillingdon

  9·1

  10·4

  9·9

  Hounslow

  0·0

  12·7

  22·5

  Kingston upon Thames

  17·5

  16·3

  18·5

  Merton

  14·7

  7·7

  7·3

  59

  January of each year

  1985

  1986

  1987

  Newham

  9·6

  11·8

  15·0

  Redbridge

  6·6

  10·3

  11·8

  Richmond upon Thames

  11·0

  22·5

  28·7

  Sutton

  9·9

  16·6

  17·8

  Waltham Forest

  14·6

  12·6

  12·7

  Inner London

  13·8

  15·2

  16·6

  Birmingham

  11·2

  13·2

  16·7

  Coventry

  7·9

  9·6

  13·5

  Dudley

  18·1

  16·6

  17·7

  Sandwell

  16·2

  13·7

  13·0

  Solihull

  8·7

  13·3

  18·8

  Walsall

  12·0

  13·2

  17·5

  Wolverhampton

  18·2

  29·2

  24·6

  Knowsley

  5·3

  10·3

  9·3

  Liverpool

  7·7

  4·4

  6·7

  St. Helens

  11·8

  12·9

  12·9

  Sefton

  5·2

  10·9

  18·4

  Wirral

  16·7

  19·1

  18·8

  Bolton

  2·4

  6·6

  11·2

  Bury

  18·3

  28·4

  40·5

  Manchester

  2·7

  1·9

  3·5

  Oldham

  11·5

  13·6

  13·6

  Rochdale

  10·8

  17·3

  19·2

  Salford

  2·6

  3·3

  51

  Stockport

  16·0

  23·4

  27·4

  Tameside

  27·0

  26·2

  29·7

  Trafford

  29·3

  35·1

  37·0

  Wigan

  12·3

  9·5

  8·4

  Barnsley

  12·3

  22·1

  30·5

  Doncaster

  0·2

  2·5

  5·0

  Rotherham

  20·3

  23·3

  21·3

  Sheffield

  14·5

  21·1

  26·6

  Bradford

  8·4

  10·5

  14·2

  Calderdale

  6·5

  9·6

  12·9

  Kirklees

  16·2

  26·6

  33·0

  Leeds

  16·9

  23·8

  27·7

  Wakefield

  1·2

  2·4

  5·1

  Gateshead

  13·8

  18·8

  12·8

  Newcastle-Upon-Tyne

  6·3

  10·4

  15·3

  North Tyneside

  9·6

  11·9

  16·1

  South Tyneside

  14·5

  20·7

  20·9

  Sunderland

  25·9

  19·9

  20·2

  Isles of Stilly

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Avon

  58·2

  56·8

  49·7

  Bedfordshire

  24·2

  13·8

  11·6

  Berkshire

  31·1

  23·5

  18·3

  Buckinghamshire

  22·8

  29·6

  31·5

  Cambridgeshire

  25·3

  26·1

  29·5

  Cheshire

  42·7

  47·1

  49·9

  Cleveland

  16·6

  24·0

  23·6

  Cornwall

  66·3

  69·0

  74·1

  Cumbria

  44·6

  51·4

  59·2

  Derbyshire

  25·9

  35·1

  42·8

  Devon

  18·3

  22·9

  29·9

  Dorset

  14·3

  20·5

  27·1

  Durham

  14·8

  20·4

  23·0

  East Sussex

  7·2

  4·8

  6·6

  Essex

  12·6

  19·9

  27·2

  Gloucestershire

  10·9

  11·8

  4·1

  Hampshire

  10·1

  8·0

  12·6

  Hereford and Worcester

  4·8

  16·1

  18·6

  Hertfordshire

  20·9

  24·2

  30·1

  Humberside

  28·7

  30·0

  30·7

  Isle of Wight

  14·8

  13·0

  16·8

  Kent

  19·4

  17·1

  18·7

  Lancashire

  8·2

  8·8

  11·3

  Leicestershire

  26·5

  24·3

  24·2

  60

  January of each year

  1985

  1986

  1987

  Lincolnshire

  29·9

  28·2

  27·8

  Norfolk

  33·2

  33·2

  44·4

  North Yorkshire

  14·8

  17·3

  22·3

  Northamptonshire

  21·0

  23·3

  25·7

  Northumberland

  10·7

  18·8

  22·7

  Nottinghamshire

  4·8

  4·3

  4·8

  Oxfordshire

  5·4

  1·6

  1·0

  Shropshire

  34·6

  39·7

  42·6

  Somerset

  29·7

  34·4

  44·8

  Staffordshire

  18·4

  18·1

  16·3

  Suffolk

  42·3

  48·4

  53·3

  Surrey

  8·6

  12·3

  15·1

  Warwickshire

  4·3

  6·9

  9·1

  West Sussex

  10·3

  13·0

  13·0

  Wiltshire

  49·3

  51·4

  53·8

  England

  18·7

  20·9

  23·4

  1 Excludes independent schools and nursery schools. Includes all pupils in hospital special schools.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is, by local education authority, the number of children subject to a statement of special educational need under the Education Act 1981, for each year from October 1984.

  Mr. Dunn
  [holding answer 11 December 1987]: The number of pupils with statements of special educational need attending maintained primary, middle and secondary schools and special schools in each local education authority in England in 1985, 1986 and 1987 is as follows.

  Pupils with statements in maintained primary, middle and secondary schools

  January of each year

  1985

  1986

  1987

  Barking

  32

  43

  53

  Barnet

  75

  102

  114

  Bexley

  94

  152

  189

  Brent

  60

  50

  46

  Bromley

  187

  296

  351

  Croydon

  91

  157

  282

  Ealing

  141

  59

  67

  Enfield

  34

  48

  44

  Haringey

  88

  101

  53

  Harrow

  100

  99

  121

  Havering

  74

  65

  103

  Hillingdon

  53

  58

  55

  Hounslow

  0

  84

  162

  Kingston upon Thames

  54

  52

  60

  Merton

  54

  26

  23

  Newham

  65

  81

  102

  Redbridge

  33

  52

  59

  Richmond upon Thames

  23

  50

  68

  Sutton

  34

  64

  70

  Waltham Forest

  146

  129

  113

  Inner London

  1,195

  1,309

  1,395

  Birmingham

  416

  482

  614

  Coventry

  86

  101

  142

  Dudley

  143

  128

  123

  Sandwell

  169

  139

  133

  Solihull

  40

  59

  77

  Walsall

  95

  103

  133

  Wolverhampton

  129

  237

  181

  Knowsley

  35

  65

  61

  Liverpool

  171

  90

  133

  St. Helens

  67

  74

  72

  Sefton

  37

  82

  148

  Wirral

  202

  237

  220

  61

  January of each year

  1985

  1986

  1987

  Bolton

  14

  41

  71

  Bury

  71

  114

  175

  Manchester

  57

  38

  71

  Oldham

  94

  107

  100

  Rochdale

  69

  123

  137

  Salford

  28

  34

  48

  Stockport

  156

  239

  281

  Tameside

  152

  137

  174

  Trafford

  181

  226

  249

  Wigan

  110

  82

  70

  Barnsley

  51

  94

  130

  Doncaster

  2

  25

  52

  Rotherham

  156

  191

  164

  Sheffield

  248

  368

  379

  Bradford

  118

  143

  190

  Calderdale

  23

  38

  53

  Kirklees

  131

  246

  331

  Leeds

  435

  630

  700

  Wakefield

  11

  20

  42

  Gateshead

  89

  125

  75

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  68

  111

  159

  North Tyneside

  61

  75

  106

  South Tyneside

  56

  84

  84

  Sunderland

  272

  188

  178

  Isles of Scilly

  0

  0

  0

  Avon

  3,289

  3,071

  2,213

  Bedfordshire

  370

  188

  151

  Berkshire

  859

  572

  399

  Buckinghamshire

  534

  740

  775

  Cambridgeshire

  494

  484

  517

  Cheshire

  1,426

  1,599

  1,733

  Cleveland

  385

  565

  540

  Cornwall

  575

  696

  869

  Cumbria

  509

  619

  773

  Derbyshire

  693

  992

  1,342

  Devon

  507

  673

  930

  Dorset

  211

  331

  481

  Durham

  201

  287

  317

  East Sussex

  139

  92

  129

  Essex

  505

  827

  1,188

  Gloucestershire

  169

  185

  58

  Hampshire

  472

  373

  607

  Hereford and Worcester

  76

  292

  350

  Hertfordshire

  750

  872

  993

  Humberside

  665

  677

  654

  Isle of Wight

  54

  45

  59

  Kent

  941

  816

  913

  Lancashire

  348

  369

  476

  Leicestershire

  509

  450

  419

  Lincolnshire

  552

  502

  482

  Norfolk

  496

  491

  768

  North Yorkshire

  242

  289

  385

  Northamptonshire

  428

  452

  477

  Northumberland

  76

  143

  176

  Nottinghamshire

  129

  116

  124

  Oxfordshire

  65

  19

  10

  Shropshire

  424

  534

  577

  Somerset

  373

  447

  626

  Staffordshire

  511

  487

  421

  Suffolk

  613

  770

  910

  Surrey

  285

  414

  506

  Warwickshire

  69

  114

  148

  West Sussex

  148

  194

  198

  Wiltshire

  819

  907

  997

  England

  26,787

  30,047

  33,277

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is, by local education authority, the 62
  number of children subject to a statement of special educational need under the Education Act 1981, for each year from October 1984.

  Mr. Dunn
  [holding answer 11 December 1987]: The number of pupils with statements of special educational need attending maintained primary, middle and secondary schools and special schools in each local education authority in England in 1985, 1986 and 1987 is as follows.

  Total pupils with statements in each LEA1

  January of each year

  1985

  1986

  1987

  Barking

  311

  286

  272

  Barnet

  501

  539

  531

  Bexley

  449

  522

  525

  Brent

  597

  542

  492

  Bromley

  720

  774

  761

  Croydon

  704

  730

  835

  Ealing

  725

  639

  597

  Enfield

  528

  521

  503

  Haringey

  512

  482

  431

  Harrow

  415

  415

  396

  Havering

  524

  493

  484

  Hillingdon

  584

  556

  558

  Hounslow

  610

  661

  721

  Kingston upon Thames

  309

  319

  324

  Merton

  367

  336

  316

  Newham

  676

  686

  680

  Redbridge

  498

  507

  499

  Richmond upon Thames

  209

  222

  237

  Sutton

  343

  385

  394

  Waltham Forest

  997

  1,025

  893

  Inner London

  8,645

  8,608

  8,386

  Birmingham

  3,716

  3,645

  3,673

  Coventry

  1,089

  1,057

  1,052

  Dudley

  788

  770

  694

  Sandwell

  1,046

  1,015

  1,022

  Solihull

  459

  445

  410

  Walsall

  791

  778

  760

  Wolverhampton

  710

  811

  736

  Knowsley

  657

  631

  654

  Liverpool

  2,208

  2,041

  1,974

  St. Helens

  569

  573

  557

  Sefton

  709

  749

  803

  Wirral

  1,213

  1,244

  1,170

  Bolton

  594

  625

  632

  Bury

  387

  401

  432

  Manchester

  2,092

  2,050

  2,024

  Oldham

  816

  787

  735

  Rochdale

  639

  713

  713

  Salford

  1,061

  1,022

  940

  Stockport

  973

  1,022

  1,024

  Tameside

  562

  523

  585

  Trafford

  618

  643

  673

  Wigan

  892

  862

  838

  Barnsley

  416

  425

  426

  Doncaster

  946

  1,019

  1,035

  Rotherham

  767

  820

  770

  Sheffield

  1,707

  1,740

  1,427

  Bradford

  1,405

  1,357

  1,338

  Calderdale

  353

  394

  411

  Kirklees

  811

  924

  1,003

  Leeds

  2,571

  2,646

  2,526

  Wakefield

  890

  835

  816

  Gateshead

  645

  666

  588

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  1,084

  1,065

  1,036

  North Tyneside

  636

  632

  659

  South Tyneside

  387

  405

  402

  63

  January of each year

  1985

  1986

  1987

  Sunderland

  1,049

  947

  882

  Isles of Scilly

  0

  0

  0

  Avon

  5,656

  5,406

  4,450

  Bedfordshire

  1,531

  1,359

  1,298

  Berkshire

  2,765

  2,436

  2,186

  Buckinghamshire

  2,337

  2,497

  2,459

  Cambridgeshire

  1,954

  1,854

  1,753

  Cheshire

  3,339

  3,393

  3,476

  Cleveland

  2,319

  2,352

  2,287

  Cornwall

  867

  1,009

  1,173

  Cumbria

  1,141

  1,204

  1,306

  Derbyshire

  2,675

  2,824

  3,135

  Devon

  2,765

  2,938

  3,107

  Dorset

  1,471

  1,614

  1,777

  Durham

  1,355

  1,406

  1,381

  East Sussex

  1,930

  1,905

  1,964

  Essex

  4,004

  4,164

  4,371

  Gloucestershire

  1,549

  1,574

  1,409

  Hampshire

  4,676

  4,664

  4,836

  Hereford and Worcester

  1,588

  1,813

  1,880

  Hertfordshire

  3,584

  3,600

  3,294

  Humberside

  2,314

  2,257

  2,129

  Isle of Wight

  365

  346

  352

  Kent

  4,857

  4,763

  4,882

  Lancashire

  4,241

  4,188

  4,207

  Leicestershire

  1,924

  1,851

  1,734

  Lincolnshire

  1,848

  1,778

  1,736

  Norfolk

  1,495

  1,481

  1,729

  North Yorkshire

  1,640

  1,666

  1,726

  Northamptonshire

  2,035

  1,938

  1,856

  Northumberland

  712

  760

  774

  Nottinghamshire

  2,705

  2,695

  2,597

  Oxfordshire

  1,213

  1,158

  1,040

  Shropshire

  1,224

  1,345

  1,353

  Somerset

  1,254

  1,298

  1,398

  Staffordshire

  2,783

  2,684

  2,576

  Suffolk

  1,448

  1,591

  1,708

  Surrey

  3,317

  3,362

  3,361

  Warwickshire

  1,608

  1,646

  1,633

  West Sussex

  1,430

  1,489

  1,522

  Wiltshire

  1,661

  1,763

  1,852

  England

  143,060

  143,601

  141,962

  1 Excludes independent schools and nursery schools. Includes all pupils in hospital special schools.

DEFENCE

  Trident
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the implications for the number of warheads to be permitted on missiles on the Trident D-5 system, to be purchased from the United States, of agreements concluded on missile warhead ceilings, in the recent Washington summit between the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  Only the United States and Soviet Governments are party to the START negotiations. The ceiling of 4,900 warheads, announced in the United States-Soviet joint statement issued following the recent summit talks in Washington, relates therefore only to United States and Soviet strategic ballistic systems. It has no implications for the modernisation of the United Kingdom's strategic deterrent.

  RN SSIX Missile
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the cost of the RNSSIX missile and its associated systems;

  (2) if he will outline the purpose of the RNSSIX missile.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  It is assumed that these questions refer to the RN SSIXS satellite communications system. This system is fitted in most Royal Navy submarines, also in the Invincible class carriers and ashore, to facilitate voice and teleprinter communications between the British and United States navies.

  The cost of an installation depends upon the configuration of the equipment fitted, but ranges between £270,000 and £400,000.

  Sea Harrier
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will outline the changes that will be made to Sea Harrier to update it to FRS 2 standard.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Blue Vixen target acquisition and tracking radar will replace the Blue Fox radar and advanced medium range air-to-air missiles will be added to complement Sidewinder missiles. These improvements will allow look-down detection and engagement of airborne targets in all weather conditions.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when work will commence on full updating of the Sea Harrier; and what is the cost of the programme.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Work on updating the Sea Harrier started in 1983 at both British Aerospace and Ferranti. An incentive contract for the radar development and production was placed with Ferranti in that year and a similar contract for the aircraft will be concluded with British Aerospace shortly.

  RFA Argus
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what penalties have been paid to his Department by Harland and Wolff for cost overrunning on the RFA Argus.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  None. MOD has a firm price contract with Harland and Wolff.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total cost of RFA Argus.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The contract with Harland and Wolff was placed following a competition. Details are commercially confidential.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many black and Asian personnel are employed in the executive branch of the Civil Service by his Department;

  (2) how many black and Asian personnel are employed in the administrative branch of the Civil Service by his Department.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The voluntary survey of the ethnic origins of non-industrial civil servants is being conducted in six phases and the first three phases have been
  65
  completed. The MOD respondents to this voluntary survey included 15 black and 29 Asian people employed in the executive officer, higher executive officer, and senior executive officer grades, and 189 black and 157 Asian people employed in the administrative assistant and administrative officer grades.

  Tucano
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes are currently being made to the Shorts Tucano aircraft.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Several modifications are being carried out to ensure that the aircraft meets the required specification. This is not unusual in the early stages of delivery.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what effect delays on the Shorts Tucano aircraft have had on the cost of the project.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  None.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department intends to review its decision to order the Shorts Tucano aircraft.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  No.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence why no Shorts Tucano aircraft have been delivered to the RAF.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Deliveries cannot be made until the service release trials have progressed far enough to permit release to the RAF.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what British contracts have been awarded in Brazil to offset the purchase of Tucano.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Some 90 per cent. of the value of the Tucano airframe order is in work to be carried out in the United Kingdom, mainly by Shorts. The balance does not warrant an offset undertaking.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many flying hours have been recorded for the Tucano aircraft accepted by his Department.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Three quarters of an hour.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if, pursuant to his answer of 16 November 1987,Official Report, column 454, he can now give a date for the start of release for service trials on the Shorts Tucano.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The first Tucano aircraft started its release to service programme on 8 December 1987, and the second aircraft on 14 December 1987.

  Strategic Defence Initiative
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the value of strategic defence initiative contracts awarded in the United Kingdom to date.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Southwark and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) on 8 December 1987 at column 438.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many United Kingdom academic institutions are currently involved in strategic defence initiative research.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Seventeen.
  66
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many United Kingdom companies have been awarded strategic defence initiative contracts to date.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Thirty-eight.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent dicussions he has had with his United States counterpart concerning strategic defence initiative contracts; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  None recently, but there have been several ministerial and senior official contacts with the United States Department of Defence in recent months on United Kingdom participation in the United States strategic defence initiative research programme.

  SDIPO
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many civilian industrial consultants are currently employed in the SDIPO.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Four, all of whom have severed their relationship with their respective companies for the duration of their secondment.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many civilian industrial consultants have been employed in SDIPO since the office was established.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Four.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the total cost of running the SDIPO office.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Since its formation in December 1985, approximately £1 million.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many civil servants are currently employed in the SDIPO.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Twenty-three, including three United Kingdom-based civilians and four locally employed civilians located in the United States.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many United States personnel are currently employed or attached to the SDIPO.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  None.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the companies from which industrial consultants to the SDIPO have been provided.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  British Aerospace plc, Thorn EMI, Ferranti plc and Hunting Engineering, each of which have provided one consultant on secondment for a period of two years.

  Faslane and Coulport
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the latest estimate of the eventual total cost of the expansion work at Faslane and Coulport;

  (2) what proportion of the cost of expansion work at the Clyde submarine base is allocated to the Trident budget;

  (3) what has been the total cost of construction work at Faslane and Coulport from 1962 to 1987; and what is the estimated cost from 1987 to 1995.

  Mr. Freeman
  The total cost, excluding contingencies and PSA resource costs, of the development at the Clyde
  67
  submarine base, which includes Faslane and Coulport, is estimated at some £660 million; of this, some £350 million is attributable to the Trident programme. About £580 million is expected to be spent between 1 April 1987 and 31 March 1995. I regret that it would involve disproportionate effort to identify expenditure back to 1962.

  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the number of civilian jobs at the bases at Faslane and Coulport currently held by individuals residing in Dumbarton district.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Approximately 3,100.

  Rating Reform
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people he estimates will pay the community charge as from RNAD Coulport and Faslane.

  Mr. Freeman
  Around 7,160 service and civilian personnel over the age of 18 are employed or based at Faslane and Coulport. All these personnel, and adult members of their families, will be liable to pay the community charge in respect of their sole or main residence.

  Patriot Missile System
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department intends to purchase the Patriot missile system.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  There are no plans to do so.

  Interceptor Aircraft
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many interceptor aircraft are maintained on quick reaction alert at security state Bikini Black.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  Details of forces assigned to quick reaction alert duties are classified.

  Ground-launched Missile Systems
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Royal Air Force ground-launched missile systems are capable of engaging high targets above 70,000 ft.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  Details of the operational capabilities of military equipment are, in general, classified. However, the Bloodhound ground-to-air missile system is capable of engaging targets at high altitude.

  Air Defence Region (Interceptions)
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions Tornado F3 aircraft have intercepted Soviet military aircraft that have penetrated the United Kingdom's air defence region.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  None, as yet.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any Backfire, Blinder or Fencer aircraft have been detected or intercepted in the United Kingdom air defence region; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  It is not our practice to give details of penetrations into the United Kingdom air defence region 68
  by Soviet military aircraft, or of their interception by Royal Air Force aircraft. However, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for the Western Isles (Mr. Macdonald) on 14 December 1987 at column 412.

  Radar
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether any research into over-the-horizon radar is currently taking place at RSRE Malvern; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what funding is currently being provided by his Department for over-the-horizon radar research;

  (3) what assessment he has made of the ability of over-the-horizon radar to detect low-flying aircraft.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Wallace) on 8 December 1987 at column 156. RSRE Malvern is involved with these studies and, by the beginning of this financial year, some £1 million (at 1987–88 prices) had been spent by the United Kingdom.

  Bloodhound
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total cost of the Bloodhound missile update.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  As my right hon. Friend the Member for Tonbridge and Malling (Mr. Stanley) the then Minister of State for the Armed Forces, informed the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull, North (Mr. McNamara) on 22 April 1987 at column 590, the Bloodhound Mk 2 system is expected to remain in service until the next century. Further improvements to the system to enable it to maintain its capability against the increasing threat are under consideration, but no decisions have yet been taken.

  Aircraft (Maximum Operating Altitudes)
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the maximum operating altitude of the Tornado F3, Phantom F4J-FG1-FGR2 and Lightning aircraft.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  The information requested by the hon. Member is classified.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has about the estimated maximum operating altitudes of Bison, Badger, Bear, Backfire, Blinder, Fencer, Foxhound and Foxbat aircraft.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  Bison, Badger, Bear, Backfire, Blinder and Fencer aircraft all have estimated maximum operating altitudes of between 40,000 and 50,000 ft. The Foxbat and Foxhound are capable of operating above 60,000 ft.

  Arms Exports
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is his policy towards the export of arms to countries with a record of human rights abuses; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what steps will be taken to ensure that none of the equipment on display at the British Army equipment exhibition at Aldershot in June 1988 is sold to, or otherwise reaches, countries with records of human rights abuses; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Our policy is not to allow the export of defence equipment likely to be used for internal repression
  69
  or to violate human rights. All exports of defence equipment are subject to strict licensing procedures. In considering applications for licences we look at each on its merits, and the human rights record of the country concerned would be one fact taken into account when deciding whether or not to grant a licence.

  Contracts Organisation (Leeds)
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the undertaking given in the "Statement on the Defence Estimates" on 1 July 1986, that the Leeds branch of the contracts organisation would not be closed, remains his policy; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I have nothing to add at present to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bury St. Edmunds (Sir E. Griffiths) on 11 December 1987 at column 310.

  Defence Budget
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the 1987–88 defence budget is devoted to non-military defence spending.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  I refer the hon. Member to the Supply Estimates 1987–88, class 1, Ministry of Defence, and to the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1987", for details of defence spending. Non-military defence spending is not a concept that can be readily defined.

  Air Defence Ground Environment
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total cost of the improved United Kingdom air defence ground environment to date.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  It is estimated that expenditure on the improved United Kingdom air defence ground environment to the end of the current financial year will be £386 million (at 1987–88 prices) for the command and control system, new radars and communications. In addition, £44 million (at outturn prices) has been spent on associated works services. The contracts for the system are at fixed prices and over half the overall cost is being recovered from NATO.

  Trident
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence at what sterling-dollar exchange rate the purchase of the Trident missile system will be undertaken.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The sterling-dollar exchange rates at which the purchase of the Trident missile system will be undertaken will be those applicable at the time the MOD purchases United States dollars for overseas payments.

  Earth Tremor (South-West Scotland)
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has on the force and nature of the earth tremor which affected parts of south-west Scotland on 17 November.

  Mr. Jackson
  I have been asked to reply.

  The tremor referred to was detected by a NERC British Geological Survey seismograph at 00.09 on 18 November. The tremor was not an earthquake or other seismic event
  70
  in the ground or underwater, but was almost certainly a sonic boom in the air. Such events are common throughout Britain and are usually caused by aircraft. However, on this occasion the available data is not consistent with an aircraft sonic boom and, with the possible sighting of a fireball at about 00.17 in Rosshire, the most probable interpretation is that the tremor was caused by a supersonic meteor in the atmosphere.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Income Tax
  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate(a) on the basis of 1987–88 income levels, allowances and higher rate thresholds and (b) on the basis of forecast 1988–89 income levels and of 1988–89 allowances and higher rate thresholds, assuming statutory indexation therefore in the 1988 Budget, the full year cost of (i) abolishing the 60 per cent. rate so that the top rate is 55 per cent., (ii) abolishing the 55 and 60 per cent. rates so that the top rate is 50 per cent., (iii) abolishing the 50, 55 and 60 per cent. rates so that the top rate is 45 per cent., (iv) abolishing the 45, 50, 55 and 60 per cent. rates so that the top rate is 40 per cent., and (v) abolishing all the higher rates.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The direct revenue costs in a full year at 1987–88 and 1988–89 income levels of abolishing the higher rates of income tax are given in the table:

  £ million

  Direct revenue costs

  Top rate of tax (per cent.)

  at 1987–88 levels of income

  at forecast 1988–89 levels of income

  55

  190

  220

  50

  450

  530

  45

  850

  1,000

  40

  1,400

  1,650

  27

  3,250

  3,800

  The costs at 1988–89 levels of income assume indexation of the current income tax bands and allowances to 1988–89 levels as in table 4.1 of the 1987 Autumn Statement. The estimates assume that the wife's earnings election is made where it is beneficial, but no other allowance is made for possible changes in taxpayers' behaviour.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people owed tax interest and penalties as a result of Inland Revenue investigations, for each year since 1979; and what proportion of these paid income tax at(a) basic rate only, (b) above basic rate and (c) above 60 per cent. in each year.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 18 December 1987]: I regret that the information is not available in the form requested.

  Information is available about the number of Inland Revenue investigations and the yield, but the statistics are not held in a form that would permit the extraction of the number of people in arrears or the distribution of that number as between the different rates of liability.

  Taxation (Conscientious Objectors)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the Inland Revenue's
  71
  current policy towards the prosecution of individuals who withhold or divert tax on the grounds of a conscientious objection to paying for military expenditure through their taxes.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The Inland Revenue has a number of options of civil, not criminal, action where individuals refuse to pay tax. The type of action taken is decided on the basis of the particular circumstances of each case. However, withholding or attempting to divert on the grounds of conscientious objection, of whatever type, is not a factor in deciding whether to take a particular action.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list for each year since 1980(a) the number of people who have been prosecuted for withholding or diverting tax on the grounds of a conscientious objection to paying for military expenditure through their taxes and (b) the number of individuals whose prosecution for withholding or diverting tax on the grounds of a conscientious objection to paying for military expenditure through their taxes has resulted in (i) a warrant of execution against goods, (ii) garnishee proceedings, (iii) attachment of earnings orders, (iv) bankruptcy and (v) a prison sentence.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The Inland Revenue does not take criminal prosecutions in these circumstances but uses civil actions of distraint or through the courts.

  I regret that the detailed information about such actions is not readily available and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.

  Value Added Tax
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from trade associations and the Confederation of British Industry regarding the implications of the current case in the European Court of Justice on zero-rating; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lilley
  Several representations have been received from interested parties including trade associations.

  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the relative effect of levying value added tax on gas, electricity, water and sewerage on larger firms which are registered for value added tax and on smaller firms which are exempt because of their turnover.

  Mr. Lilley
  If VAT were levied on these goods and services, large firms which are registered for VAT would be able to recover any tax incurred on purchases relating to their taxable activities through the normal input tax credit mechanism. Firms not registered for VAT would have to bear the tax in the same way as they currently bear the VAT incurred on their taxable purchases.

  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement setting out information available to him on the nature of the industrial and commercial buildings which the Advocate General argued should be levied for value added tax in his advice to the European Court of Justice of 2 December; and if buildings for local authorities, public bodies and charities were covered by his advice.
  72
  Mr. Lilley
  The Advocate General's opinion seems to be that, while the zero-rating for the construction of public and private housing is permissible, that for all other new buildings and civil engineering works is not.

  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has now received from the European Court of Justice its decision on the proposal by the EEC Commission that the United Kingdom should be obliged to levy value added tax on spectacles; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lilley
  The European Court of Justice has not yet delivered its judgment; it is now expected early in the new year.

  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what reduction there has been in the refund of value added tax under section 20 of the Value Added Tax Act 1983 to local government bodies as a result of privatisation of local authority services, over the last five years;

  (2) what sum of value added tax regained by the Treasury is attributable to privatisation of local government services; and what is the forecast in the light of the Local Government Bill.

  Mr. Lilley
  I regret that information is not available at a sufficient level of detail to identify the effect of privatisation on refunds of value added tax under section 20.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what revenue would be raised in 1987–88 by the introduction of value added tax at 15 per cent. on travel fares;

  (2) what is his estimate of the additional cost per household on transport costs of imposing value added tax at 15 per cent. on travel fares;

  (3) what is his estimate of the annual cost to industry of imposing value added tax on travel fares.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 18 December 1987]: The estimated full year net revenue yield in 1987–88 of imposing value added tax at 15 per cent. on travel fares is £575 million.

  The average additional cost per household on transport costs of imposing value added tax at 15 per cent. on transport fares is estimated to be about 20p per week in 1987.

  Most businesses would be able to reclaim any value added tax on fares and so would face no extra costs. Only traders who choose not to register or those making exempt supplies would face any increase in costs. It is not possible to give an estimate but the figure is thought to be very small.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what additional revenue would be raised in 1988–89 by increasing the rate of value added tax to(a) 16 per cent, (b) 17 per cent, (c) 17·5 per cent, (d) 18 per cent. and (e) 19 per cent.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 18 December 1987]: The estimated net additional revenue would be:

  Rate of value added tax per cent.

  £ million

  16·0

  945

  17·0

  1,870

  73

  Rate of value added tax per cent.

  £ million

  17·5

  2,320

  18·0

  2,770

  19·0

  3,655

  Britoil
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions his Department had with BP concerning that company's intention to purchase shares in Britoil, prior to 8 December.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  None.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions his Department has had with private companies about the Government's policy towards using their special rights preference share in Britoil; and on what dates such discussions took place.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  Ministers and officials have frequent contacts with private companies. It is not usual practice to give details of the timing or subject matter of such meetings.

  The Government have publicly stated that in present circumstances they intend to use its special share in Britoil to prevent any bidder from gaining control of the Britoil board.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he was first informed of the intention of the Atlantic Richfield Company of Los Angeles to purchase shares in Britoil.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The Government first learnt of the Atlantic Richfield Company's intention of purchasing shares in Britoil on Friday 11 December when a press release was issued.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he was first informed of BP's intention to purchase shares in Britoil.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  BP informed the Government of its intention to purchase shares in Britoil on Tuesday 8 December.

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much he now estimates that public expenditure has risen in real terms since 1978–79, including his latest plans for 1988–89.

  Mr. Major
  On the basis of the plans for 1988–89 published in the Autumn Statement, the real increase in general Government expenditure, excluding privatisation proceeds, between 1978–79 and 1988–89 is expected to be 18·6 per cent., representing an average annual increase of 1·7 per cent.

  North-East Region
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the annual figure for Government subventions, grants and expenditures to the economy of the north-east region of England, indicating the absolute figures, the north-east region contribution and the per capita figure for the population of the United Kingdom as a whole; and if he will make a statement.
  74
  Mr. Major
  Apart from expenditure which is the responsibility of the territorial Departments, most public expenditure is planned on a national basis and it is not possible to identify separately expenditure allocated to a particular area.

  Management Consultants
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has on the number of external management consultants employed by Her Majesty's Government, their terms of reference and the cost per Government Department.

  Mr. Brooke
  Comprehensive information on the number of external management consultants employed by Her Majesty's Government, their terms of reference, and the cost per Government Department is not gathered centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Coulport and Faslane
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the amount paid to the local authorities in lieu of rates for RNAD Coulport and Faslane for the years(a) 1983–84, (b) 1984–85 and (c) 1986–87.

  Mr. Major
  The amounts paid were as follows:

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1986–87

  £

  £

  £

  RNAD Coulport

  813,584

  902,756

  1,001,896

  Clyde Submarine Base, Faslane

  1,510,294

  1,616,149

  1,833,932

  YTS (Civil Service)
  Mr. Clelland
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many YTS trainees are engaged in the training of staff for the Civil Service.

  Mr. Luce
  I have been asked to reply.

  None.

  Privatisation (Special Shares)
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which special shares held by Her Majesty's Government in privatised companies expire in(a) 1988, (b) 1989 and (c)

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 18 December 1987]: The articles of association of the companies concerned give the definitive statement of rights and restrictions attaching to the Government's special shares. However, the redemption of such shares is normally at the request of the special shareholder, with the following exceptions:

  (i) Jaguar: the company will redeem the special share on 31 December 1990;

  (ii) Enterprise Oil: the company will redeem the special share on 31 December 1988, unless circumstances arise in which the special shareholder is permitted to elect for a later date;

  (iii) Amersham International: the special share cannot be redeemed earlier than 31 March 1988.

  Tax Receipts
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list(a) the capital gains tax receipts

  75
  and (b) the corporation tax receipts, for each of the Inland Revenue districts in Greater London for 1979 and for the last financial year available, in current and in constant prices.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 18 December 1987]: I regret that this information is not centrally available.

  1986–87 prices1

  £ billion

  Income tax

  VAT receipts

  North sea revenues

  Privatisation proceeds

  1978–79

  36·5

  9·4

  0·8

  0

  1979–80

  34·3

  13·6

  3·9

  0·6

  1980–81

  34·1

  15·4

  5·3

  0·6

  1981–82

  36·7

  15·2

  8·3

  0·6

  1982–83

  36·2

  16·5

  9·3

  0·6

  1983–84

  35·5

  17·4

  10·0

  1·3

  1984–85

  35·5

  20·2

  13·1

  2·3

  1985–86

  36·4

  19·9

  11·7

  2·8

  1986–87

  38·5

  21·4

  4·8

  4·4

  1 Revalued at 1986–87 prices using GDP deflator.

  COI (Photographic Library)
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for the photographic library of the Central Office of Information; and if they involve the destruction of any part of the collection.

  Mr. Brooke
  [holding answer 17 December 1987]: From April 1988 the photographic services of the Central Office of Information, including the library function, are to be reorganised. The aim will be to improve the service to Government Departments, who are the main customers of the COI. The existing photographic library will be closed: it is not an archive, but the Public Record Office and other appropriate libraries are being consulted about original material which will be offered to various specialist collections for safe keeping.

  Taxation
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give estimates for the direct and indirect revenue yield from increases in income tax of 1 per cent., 2 per cent., 3 per cent., 4 per cent., 5 per cent. and 6 per cent., taking into account current economic growth and unemployment figures.

  Mr. Lamont
  [holding answer 16 December 1987]: The direct revenue effect of increasing the basic rate of income tax by 1p in the pound is forecast at £1·25 billion in 1988–89 and 1·60 billion in 1989–90, as published in table 4·5 of the Autumn Statement 1987. Direct effects of further increases in the basic rate of tax are proportionately greater. These estimates make no allowance for possible changes in taxpayers' behaviour.

  Estimates of further, second round effects would require simulations on an economic model and would depend on the precise assumptions chosen.

  Government Income
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much income tax, value added tax, oil revenue and privatisation proceeds, respectively, the Government have received in each year since 1978–79, using 1986–87 prices.

  Mr. Lawson
  [holding answer 17 December 1987]: Following is the information:

ENVIRONMENT

  Bed and Breakfast Accommodation
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to how many children in the following inclusive age ranges live with a parent or parents in bed and breakfast accommodation(a) birth to three years, (b) four to five years, (c) six to seven years, (d) eight to 11 years, (e) 12 to 14 years and (f) 15 and 16 years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Roe
  At 30 September 1987, there were 11,240 households temporarily placed in bed and breakfast accommodation by English local authorities under the homelessness provisions of the Housing Act 1985. Information on the number of children in these households is not collected by the Department.

  Rating Reform
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received seeking exemption from the community charge for hostels provided for political refugees; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  We have received no representations seeking exemptions. We have, however, received representations that the community charge register could be used to track down political refugees. We have, therefore, decided to take steps to protect the confidentiality of people at risk, to enable them to register for the community charge without making public their names and addresses.

  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment why, pursuant to his answer of 11 December,Official Report, columns 275–76, a considerable amount of effort is involved in producing the information requested in respect of the poll tax.

  Mr. Howard
  Estimates of gainers and losers are made using a complex computer-based tax benefit model. This
  77
  is constructed to produce results which are net of rebates since this is the better measure of the impact of our proposals on households. To produce figures which are gross of rebates would require parts of the computer model and the associated data handling routines to be rewritten and tested for consistency.

  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if information relating to an adult's date of birth will be used in any personal identification system for the purposes of the poll tax.

  Mr. Howard
  The Local Government Finance Bill provides that each registration officer shall compile and maintain a register of the persons in his area who are subject to the community charge. The Bill does not provide for any personal identification system based on dates of birth. It will be for charging authorities to decide how they wish to identify individual accounts.

  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Billericay (Mrs. Gorman) on 2 December,Official Report, column 619, he will state under what specific powers poll tax registration officers will be required to omit from the community charge register the names and addresses of people who are in fear of physical injury.

  Mr. Howard
  In making regulations under paragraph 14(1)(a) of schedule 1 to the Local Government Finance Bill, my right hon. Friend will provide that the extract of prescribed information taken from the community charge register should exclude the names and, where appropriate, the addresses of people living in danger of physical injury.

  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make available consultation papers and draft regulations on poll tax rebates in advance of the Committee stage of the Local Government Finance Bill.

  Mr. Scott
  I have been asked to reply.

  Discussions with the local authority associations on the details of the rebate scheme have already started, and we hope to send the associations draft regulations covering a substantial part of the provisions needed for the community charge rebate scheme before the end of this month.

  A precise timetable for the discussion of particular provisions within the Local Government Finance Bill in Committee has not been fixed, but it is unlikely that the rebate provisions will be considered before then.

  Urban Development Corporation (Leeds)
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when his Department will publish a definitive map of the mini urban development corporation proposed for Leeds; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  When the order designating the UDC is laid before Parliament, probably in the spring.

  Nitrate Pollution
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he intends to take to ascertain links between stomach cancers and(a) nitrate pollution in drinking water and (b) nitrite pollution in drinking water.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The many studies into stomach cancer and nitrate concentrations in water have not established 78
  any links in so far as nitrate is converted to nitrite in the body. Furthermore, Government medical advisers have advised that nitrate and nitrite concentrations in public water supplies are not a health risk. This advice has been confirmed by independent medical experts.

  Water Industry
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment who will be responsible for the financing of compulsory installation of water meters; and what costs will be borne by(a) landlords, (b) tenants, (c) owner-occupiers and (d) water public limited companies.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Paragraph 5 of schedule 1 of the Public Utility Transfers and Water Charges Bill requires water undertakers to meet the cost of compulsory installation of meters in existing properties, but the Government have agreed in principle to contribute up to 50 per cent. of the cost of the limited number of compulsory metering trials now being planned by the water industry.

  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps will be taken to regulate the resale of metered water by landlords to tenants; how the safeguards will be imposed; and by whom.

  Mr. Moynihan
  If controls are found to be necessary, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry already has power to make regulations under section 26 of the Consumer Protection Act 1987 to control the resale of water, however it is charged for, on lines similar to those already proposed for the resale of gas and electricity. Enforcement would be by trading standards officers.

  Poll Tax Registers
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he proposes to keep a national set of poll tax registers for England under the powers he is taking under schedule 1 to the Local Government Finance Bill.

  Mr. Howard
  No.

  Planning Appeals
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list, for each year since 1980, how many occasions decisions made by inspectors appointed by him to determine planning appeals have been overruled or varied by Ministers in his Department.

  Mr. Ridley
  When inspectors are appointed to determine planning appeals their decisions are made on my behalf and I have no power to overrule or vary them.

  In the few cases where, in accordance with published policy, jurisdiction for the appeal is assumed by the Secretary of State the inspector makes a recommendation, not the decision. Most such recommendations are accepted, as the following table shows:

  Appeals recovered for decision by Secretary of State

  Year

  Total number of appeals decided

  Number decided after inquiry

  Number of decisions contrary to inspectors recommendation

  1980

  13,130

  845

  15

  1981

  14,451

  919

  34

  79

  Appeals recovered for decision by Secretary of State

  Year

  Total number of appeals decided

  Number decided after inquiry

  Number of decisions contrary to inspectors recommendation

  1982

  12,915

  596

  20

  1983

  11,221

  370

  13

  1984

  11,643

  253

  16

  1985

  14,639

  289

  23

  1986

  14,823

  383

  23

  19871

  12,614

  329

  17

  1 January-September.

  Local Government Finance Bill
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many copies of the fact sheets relating to the Local Government Finance Bill were made available to right hon. and hon. Members at the time of the Bill's publication;

  (2) how many copies of the questions and answers paper published in conjunction with the Local Government Finance Bill were made available to (a) right hon. and hon. Members and (b) to others;

  Percentage change in population for grant purposes between 1987–88 1st Supplementary Report and 1988–89 settlement

  1987–88 population for grant purposes

  1988–89 population for grant purposes

  Percentage change

  Rank in class

  Shire counties

  Avon

  942,000

  946,624

  0·5

  20

  Bedfordshire

  516,700

  520,959

  0·8

  15

  Berkshire

  724,000

  734,073

  1·4

  6

  Buckinghamshire

  601,600

  612,863

  1·9

  2

  Cambridgeshire

  621,400

  635,205

  2·2

  1

  Cheshire

  942,400

  946,504

  0·4

  25

  Cleveland

  559,900

  557,580

  -0·4

  39

  Cornwall

  441,900

  446,231

  1·0

  14

  Cumbria

  484,400

  486,603

  0·5

  24

  Derbyshire

  912,400

  916,834

  0·5

  22

  Devon

  988,000

  998,988

  1·1

  11

  Dorset

  627,700

  638,215

  1·7

  3

  Durham

  600,900

  599,553

  -0·2

  37

  East Sussex

  682,400

  689,695

  1·1

  12

  Essex

  1,504,700

  1,512,083

  0·5

  21

  Gloucestershire

  511,400

  517,105

  1·1

  10

  Hampshire

  1,523,900

  1,527,666

  0·2

  29

  Hereford and Worcester

  650,800

  654,504

  0·6

  19

  Hertfordshire

  986,100

  985,723

  -0·0

  35

  Humberside

  850,000

  848,504

  -0·2

  36

  Isle of Wight

  122,900

  124,555

  1·3

  7

  Kent

  1,495,200

  1,500,927

  0·4

  27

  Lancashire

  1,380,300

  1,380,727

  0·0

  34

  Leicestershire

  872,200

  874,953

  0·3

  28

  Lincolnshire

  560,300

  567,253

  1·2

  8

  Norfolk

  719,100

  727,817

  1·2

  9

  Northamptonshire

  546,100

  554,441

  1·5

  5

  Northumberland

  300,600

  301,020

  0·1

  31

  North Yorkshire

  696,600

  699,786

  0·5

  23

  Nottinghamshire

  1,005,900

  1,006,437

  0·1

  33

  Oxfordshire

  565,400

  574,703

  1·6

  4

  Shropshire

  390,300

  392,685

  0·6

  18

  Somerset

  447,000

  448,888

  0·4

  26

  Staffordshire

  1,020,400

  1,020,991

  0·1

  32

  Suffolk

  624,200

  628,578

  0·7

  17

  80
  (3) how many copies of the fact sheets relating to the Local Government Finance Bill were made available, and to whom.

  Mr. Howard
  The fact sheets and question and answer briefing referred to by the hon. Member were produced as part of a press pack for use by the media on introduction of the Local Government Finance Bill. Three hundred copies were sent to national and local media and about 100 copies were made available at the press conference itself. Copies were also provided to the Library of the House.

  Other copies of the material have been provided to individuals on request, but no record has been kept of the numbers or to whom they have been sent.

  Local Authority Finance
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each local authority, on a ranked and class basis, the total population used in caculating each authority's expected grant entitlement for 1988–89 and 1987–88, giving the percentage change between the two years.

  Mr. Ridley
  The information is as follows:
  81

  1987–88 population for grant purposes

  1988–89 population for grant purposes

  Percentage change

  Rank in class

  Surrey

  1,013,700

  1,011,424

  -0·2

  38

  Warwickshire

  479,700

  480,744

  0·2

  30

  West Sussex

  687,700

  694,722

  1·0

  13

  Wiltshire

  540,800

  545,225

  0·8

  16

  Greater London

  City of London

  5,021

  4,847

  -3·5

  1

  Camden

  180,400

  183,290

  1·6

  2

  Greenwich

  216,200

  217,841

  0·8

  3

  Hackney

  187,500

  187,074

  -0·2

  10

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  150,900

  150,784

  -0·1

  7

  Islington

  167,900

  167,969

  0·0

  6

  Kensington and Chelsea

  137,600

  137,430

  -0·1

  8

  Lambeth

  243,500

  245,000

  0·6

  4

  Lewisham

  232,400

  231,981

  -0·2

  9

  Southwark

  215,900

  216,043

  0·1

  5

  Tower Hamlets

  147,100

  152,761

  3·8

  1

  Wandsworth

  258,800

  257,144

  0·6

  11

  Westminster

  179,100

  176,138

  -1·7

  12

  Barking and Dagenham

  148,600

  148,113

  -0·3

  16

  Barnet

  301,200

  304,630

  1·1

  1

  Bexley

  218,500

  220,130

  0·7

  3

  Brent

  254,900

  255,689

  0·3

  4

  Bromley

  297,900

  297,024

  -0·3

  15

  Croydon

  319,000

  319,283

  0·1

  9

  Ealing

  292,400

  295,528

  1·1

  2

  Enfield

  265,000

  265,446

  0·2

  7

  Haringey

  197,200

  196,066

  -0·6

  19

  Harrow

  201,700

  201,893

  0·1

  8

  Havering

  238,500

  238,073

  -0·2

  14

  Hillingdon

  232,300

  231,965

  -0·1

  12

  Hounslow

  195,600

  194,857

  -0·4

  17

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  133,900

  133,765

  -0·1

  11

  Merton

  164,500

  164,794

  0·2

  6

  Newham

  208,600

  205,196

  -1·6

  20

  Redbridge

  228,000

  227,920

  -0·0

  10

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  161,500

  161,969

  0·3

  5

  Sutton

  169,600

  168,713

  -0·5

  18

  Waltham Forest

  216,200

  215,834

  -0·2

  13

  ILEA

  2,322,321

  2,328,302

  0·3

  1

  London Fire & CD Authority

  6,767,500

  6,775,190

  0·1

  1

  Metropolitan Police

  7,237,116

  7,242,746

  0·1

  1

  Greater Manchester

  Bolton

  261,200

  261,579

  0·1

  5

  Bury

  173,300

  172,581

  -0·4

  24

  Manchester

  451,100

  451,437

  0·1

  7

  Oldham

  219,700

  220,027

  0·1

  4

  Rochdale

  206,100

  206,581

  0·2

  3

  Salford

  240,000

  239,277

  -0·3

  19

  Stockport

  291,200

  289,886

  -0·5

  25

  Tameside

  215,500

  215,221

  -0·1

  14

  Trafford

  217,800

  216,303

  -0·7

  32

  Wigan

  306,700

  306,590

  0·0

  10

  Merseyside

  Knowsley

  166,300

  163,822

  -1·5

  35

  Liverpool

  491,500

  483,021

  -1·7

  36

  St. Helens

  188,300

  187,949

  -0·2

  15

  Sefton

  298,400

  298,030

  -0·1

  13

  Wirral

  336,500

  334,799

  -0·5

  29

  South Yorkshire

  Barnsley

  223,300

  222,226

  -0·5

  27

  Doncaster

  288,500

  289,275

  0·3

  2

  Rotherham

  252,700

  252,074

  -0·2

  16

  Sheffield

  538,700

  534,324

  -0·8

  34

  82 83

  1987–88 population for grant purposes

  1988–89 population for grant purposes

  Percentage change

  Rank in class

  Tyne and Wear

  Gateshead

  208,100

  207,297

  -0·4

  22

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  282,200

  281,375

  -0·3

  18

  North Tyneside

  193,200

  192,252

  -0·5

  28

  South Tyneside

  157,600

  156,857

  -0·5

  26

  Sunderland

  298,800

  297,705

  -0·4

  21

  West Midlands

  Birmingham

  1,007,500

  1,004,097

  -0·3

  20

  Coventry

  312,200

  310,375

  -0·6

  31

  Dudley

  300,800

  300,897

  0·0

  9

  Sandwell

  303,300

  301,124

  -0·7

  33

  Solihull

  201,900

  202,154

  0·1

  6

  Walsall

  262,900

  261,820

  -0·4

  23

  Wolverhampton

  253,200

  251,852

  -0·5

  30

  West Yorkshire

  Bradford

  463,500

  463,072

  -0·1

  12

  Calderdale

  191,700

  193,110

  0·7

  1

  Kirklees

  376,900

  376,634

  -0·1

  11

  Leeds

  710,500

  710,948

  0·1

  8

  Wakefield

  310,200

  309,332

  -0·3

  17

  Percentage change for grant purposes between 1987–88 1st supplementary report and 1988–89 settlement

  1987–88 population for grant purposes

  1988–89 population for grant purposes

  Percentage change

  Rank in class

  Greater Manchester Police Authority

  2,582,600

  2,579,482

  -0·1

  2

  Merseyside Police Authority

  1,481,000

  1,467,621

  -0·9

  6

  South Yorkshire Police Authority

  1,303,200

  1,297,899

  -0·4

  5

  Northumbria Police Authority

  1,440,500

  1,436,506

  -0·3

  3

  West Midlands Police Authority

  2,641,800

  2,632,319

  -0·4

  4

  West Yorkshire Police Authority

  2,052,800

  2,053,096

  0·0

  1

  Greater Manchester Fire and CD Authority

  2,582,600

  2,579,482

  -0·1

  2

  Merseyside Fire and CD Authority

  1,481,000

  1,467,621

  -0·9

  6

  South Yorkshire Fire and CD Authority

  1,303,200

  1,297,899

  -0·4

  5

  Tyne and Wear Fire and CD Authority

  1,139,900

  1,135,486

  -0·4

  4

  West Midlands Fire and CD Authority

  2,641,800

  2,632,319

  -0·4

  3

  West Yorkshire Fire and CD Authority

  2,052,800

  2,053,096

  0·0

  1

  Greater Manchester Transport Authority

  2,582,600

  2,579,482

  -0·1

  2

  Merseyside Transport Authority

  1,481,000

  1,467,621

  -0·9

  6

  South Yorkshire Transport Authority

  1,303,200

  1,297,899

  -0·4

  5

  Tyne and Wear Transport Authority

  1,139,900

  1,135,486

  -0·4

  4

  West Midlands Transport Authority

  2,641,800

  2,632,319

  -0·4

  3

  West Yorkshire Transport Authority

  2,052,800

  2,053,096

  0·0

  1

  Percentage change in population for grant purposes between 1987–88 1st supplementary report and 1988–89 settlement

  1987–88 population for grant purposes

  1988–89 population for grant purposes

  percentage change

  Rank in class

  Avon

  Bath

  84,300

  84,422

  0·1

  188

  Bristol

  393,800

  391,497

  -0·6

  265

  Kingswood

  87,900

  88,547

  0·7

  128

  Northavon

  124,100

  126,153

  1·7

  43

  Wansdyke

  78,000

  78,206

  0·3

  171

  Woodspring

  173,900

  177,799

  2·2

  21

  Bedfordshire

  North Bedfordshire

  133,900

  134,868

  0·7

  129

  Luton

  166,100

  166,339

  0·1

  189

  Mid Bedfordshire

  108,100

  110,764

  2·5

  14

  South Bedfordshire

  108,600

  108,988

  0·4

  161

  Berkshire

  Bracknell

  90,700

  93,206

  2·8

  9

  Newbury

  130,600

  134,072

  2·7

  10

  84 85

  1987–88 population for grant purposes

  1988–89 population for grant purposes

  percentage change

  Rank in class

  Reading

  135,300

  134,984

  -0·2

  235

  Slough

  98,600

  98,484

  -0·1

  226

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  133,400

  132,444

  -0·7

  272

  Wokingham

  135,400

  140,883

  4·0

  4

  Buckinghamshire

  Aylesbury Vale

  139,400

  142,504

  2·2

  22

  South Buckinghamshire

  61,140

  61,143

  0·0

  211

  Chiltern

  90,820

  90,505

  -0·3

  246

  Milton Keynes

  153,200

  161,758

  5·6

  1

  Wycombe

  157,040

  156,953

  -0·1

  221

  Cambridgeshire

  Cambridge

  98,700

  99,782

  1·1

  90

  East Cambridgeshire

  56,900

  58,382

  2·6

  12

  Fenland

  68,900

  69,967

  1·5

  53

  Huntingdonshire

  137,300

  141,661

  3·2

  6

  Peterborough

  144,600

  148,217

  2·5

  13

  South Cambridgeshire

  115,000

  117,196

  1·9

  34

  Cheshire

  Chester

  116,600

  116,613

  0·0

  208

  Congleton

  83,900

  84,666

  0·9

  112

  Crewe and Nantwich

  96,300

  96,548

  0·3

  174

  Ellesmere Port and Neston

  80,200

  80,165

  0·0

  218

  Halton

  122,900

  123,218

  0·3

  172

  Macclesfield

  151,500

  151,804

  0·2

  181

  Vale Royal

  113,500

  113,507

  0·0

  210

  Warrington

  177,500

  179,983

  1·4

  65

  Cleveland

  Hartlepool

  91,600

  90,667

  -1·0

  288

  Langbaurgh

  147,700

  146,846

  -0·6

  263

  Middlesbrough

  144,800

  144,280

  -0·4

  247

  Stockton-on-Tees

  175,800

  175,787

  -0·0

  213

  Cornwall

  Caradon

  72,500

  72,662

  0·2

  178

  Carrick

  78,300

  78,969

  0·9

  118

  Kerrier

  85,800

  85,835

  0·0

  202

  North Cornwall

  68,700

  69,822

  1·6

  47

  Penwith

  55,400

  56,593

  2·2

  25

  Restormel

  81,200

  82,350

  1·4

  62

  Cumbria

  Allerdale

  95,600

  95,819

  0·2

  177

  Barrow in Furness

  74,100

  74,181

  0·1

  193

  Carlisle

  101,300

  101,434

  0·1

  192

  Copeland

  71,200

  71,436

  0·3

  167

  Eden

  44,800

  45,272

  1·1

  96

  South Lakeland

  97,400

  98,461

  1·1

  93

  Derbyshire

  Amber Valley

  108,800

  109,650

  0·8

  123

  Bolsover

  70,750

  70,119

  -0·9

  283

  Chesterfield

  96,800

  96,748

  -0·1

  220

  Derby

  215,300

  216,203

  0·4

  156

  Erewash

  105,000

  106,166

  1·1

  88

  High Peak

  82,700

  83,402

  0·8

  119

  North East Derbyshire

  97,050

  97,631

  0·6

  141

  South Derbyshire

  69,400

  70,120

  1·0

  99

  Derbyshire Dales

  66,600

  66,795

  0·3

  168

  Devon

  East Devon

  112,200

  113,171

  0·9

  117

  Exeter

  99,700

  99,295

  -0·4

  252

  North Devon

  80,400

  81,593

  1·5

  58

  Plymouth

  253,656

  256,044

  0·9

  107

  South Hams

  69,444

  71,405

  2·8

  8

  Teignbridge

  100,600

  105,417

  4·8

  2

  Mid Devon

  60,700

  61,422

  1·2

  84

  Torbay

  117,900

  117,288

  -0·5

  256

  Torridge

  49,500

  49,950

  0·9

  113

  West Devon

  43,900

  43,403

  -1·1

  289

  86 87

  1987–88 population for grant purposes

  1988–89 population for grant purposes

  percentage change

  Rank in class

  Dorset

  Bournemouth

  149,700

  152,158

  1·6

  45

  Christchurch

  41,100

  41,129

  0·1

  198

  North Dorset

  50,700

  51,948

  2·5

  15

  Poole

  124,500

  126,449

  1·6

  51

  Purbeck

  43,300

  44,326

  2·4

  17

  West Dorset

  81,300

  82,283

  1·2

  82

  Weymouth and Portland

  60,900

  62,135

  2·0

  29

  Wimborne

  76,200

  77,787

  2·1

  27

  Durham

  Chester-le-Street

  53,160

  53,365

  0·4

  159

  Darlington

  99,700

  99,163

  -0·5

  259

  Derwentside

  86,300

  86,088

  -0·2

  236

  Durham

  86,260

  86,123

  -0·2

  228

  Easington

  97,100

  96,470

  -0·6

  269

  Sedgefield

  89,280

  88,564

  -0·8

  279

  Teesdale

  24,400

  24,766

  1·5

  56

  Wear Valley

  64,700

  65,014

  0·5

  148

  East Sussex

  Brighton

  143,100

  141,937

  -0·8

  280

  Eastbourne

  80,500

  80,696

  0·2

  175

  Hastings

  80,200

  81,079

  1·1

  91

  Hove

  89,500

  89,803

  0·3

  166

  Lewes

  84,400

  87,042

  3·1

  7

  Rother

  79,900

  81,574

  2·1

  26

  Wealden

  124,800

  127,564

  2·2

  23

  Essex

  Basildon

  156,300

  156,937

  0·4

  157

  Braintree

  115,602

  115,845

  0·2

  180

  Brentwood

  70,997

  70,850

  -0·2

  233

  Castle Point

  86,100

  85,888

  -0·2

  237

  Chelmsford

  147,900

  149,831

  1·3

  73

  Colchester

  143,100

  145,116

  1·4

  63

  Epping Forest

  114,703

  114,098

  -0·5

  257

  Harlow

  75,200

  74,001

  -1·6

  293

  Maldon

  51,000

  52,161

  2·3

  20

  Rochford

  74,800

  74,871

  0·1

  194

  Southend-on-Sea

  158,200

  159,928

  1·1

  92

  Tendring

  121,200

  122,806

  1·3

  71

  Thurrock

  124,400

  124,084

  -0·3

  238

  Uttlesford

  65,198

  65,667

  0·7

  130

  Gloucestershire

  Cheltenham

  86,000

  86,749

  0·9

  116

  Cotswold

  71,600

  72,708

  1·5

  54

  Forest of Dean

  74,100

  75,178

  1·5

  59

  Gloucester

  91,100

  90,855

  -0·3

  241

  Stroud

  104,500

  106,668

  2·1

  28

  Tewkesbury

  84,100

  84,947

  1·0

  101

  Hampshire

  Basingstoke and Deane

  137,600

  137,891

  0·2

  179

  East Hampshire

  97,000

  97,760

  0·8

  122

  Eastleigh

  99,000

  99,523

  0·5

  144

  Fareham

  94,200

  95,705

  1·6

  49

  Gosport

  77,800

  77,513

  -0·4

  249

  Hart

  80,200

  81,283

  1·4

  68

  Havant

  118,500

  118,918

  0·4

  162

  New Forest

  155,600

  159,000

  2·2

  24

  Portsmouth

  187,900

  186,884

  -0·5

  260

  Rushmoor

  81,400

  79,145

  -2·8

  295

  Southampton

  202,300

  200,501

  -0·9

  282

  Test Valley

  98,700

  99,335

  0·6

  137

  Winchester

  93,700

  94,208

  0·5

  143

  Hereford and Worcester

  Bromsgrove

  89,400

  89,215

  -0·2

  232

  Hereford

  48,300

  48,373

  0·2

  186

  Leominster

  38,100

  38,105

  0·0

  207

  Malvern Hills

  85,697

  86,924

  1·4

  61

  Redditch

  73,300

  74,757

  2·0

  31

  South Herefordshire

  48,600

  48,679

  0·2

  184

  88 89

  1987–88 population for grant purposes

  1988–89 population for grant purposes

  percentage change

  Rank in class

  Worcester

  77,400

  77,839

  0·6

  142

  Wychavon

  96,903

  97,629

  0·7

  125

  Wyre Forest

  93,100

  92,983

  -0·1

  227

  Hertfordshire

  Broxbourne

  81,900

  82,401

  0·6

  140

  Dacorum

  133,100

  132,595

  -0·4

  250

  East Hertfordshire

  116,880

  118,110

  1·1

  97

  Hertsmere

  88,100

  88,091

  0·0

  214

  North Hertfordshire

  111,400

  111,614

  0·2

  183

  St. Albans

  128,800

  128,747

  0·0

  217

  Stevenage

  75,120

  74,371

  -1·0

  287

  Three Rivers

  80,300

  80,287

  0·0

  215

  Watford

  76,500

  76,186

  -0·4

  253

  Welwyn Hatfield

  94,000

  93,321

  -0·7

  273

  Humberside

  Beverley

  108,300

  109,708

  1·3

  75

  Boothferry

  61,500

  61,935

  0·7

  131

  Cleethorpes

  68,800

  68,585

  -0·3

  243

  Glanford

  68,300

  69,460

  1·7

  41

  Great Grimsby

  90,900

  90,415

  -0·5

  258

  Holderness

  48,300

  48,697

  0·8

  120

  Kingston upon Hull

  262,000

  258,048

  -1·5

  292

  East Yorkshire

  78,300

  79,165

  1·1

  89

  Scunthorpe

  63,600

  62,491

  -1·7

  294

  Isle of Wight

  Medina

  69,688

  70,653

  1·4

  67

  South Wight

  53,212

  53,902

  1·3

  76

  Kent

  Ashford

  91,000

  92,402

  1·5

  55

  Canterbury

  127,350

  127,679

  0·3

  173

  Dartford

  79,715

  79,088

  -0·8

  275

  Dover

  102,552

  103,871

  1·3

  77

  Gillingham

  95,200

  95,856

  0·7

  135

  Gravesham

  93,525

  92,988

  -0·6

  262

  Maidstone

  132,431

  133,607

  0·9

  115

  Rochester upon Medway

  145,600

  146,218

  0·4

  153

  Sevenoaks

  107,860

  107,891

  0·0

  204

  Shepway

  88,498

  88,671

  0·2

  182

  Swale

  110,800

  110,853

  0·0

  201

  Thanet

  122,500

  123,633

  0·9

  110

  Tonbridge and Mailing

  99,600

  99,658

  0·1

  200

  Tunbridge Wells

  98,569

  98,512

  -0·1

  222

  Lancashire

  Blackburn

  141,100

  139,061

  -1·4

  290

  Blackpool

  145,800

  145,416

  -0·3

  240

  Burnley

  87,452

  86,878

  -0·7

  270

  Chorley

  94,622

  95,621

  1·1

  95

  Fylde

  72,800

  72,765

  0·0

  219

  Hyndburn

  79,397

  80,010

  0·8

  124

  Lancaster

  128,500

  129,953

  1·1

  87

  Pendle

  84,818

  84,532

  -0·3

  245

  Preston

  124,400

  125,000

  0·5

  149

  Ribble Valley

  53,133

  53,211

  0·1

  187

  Rossendale

  64,000

  64,185

  0·3

  169

  South Ribble

  98,078

  97,177

  -0·9

  284

  West Lancashire

  107,500

  106,832

  -0·6

  267

  Wyre

  98,700

  100,086

  1·4

  64

  Leicestershire

  Blaby

  80,300

  81,493

  1·5

  57

  Charnwood

  143,500

  144,922

  1·0

  102

  Harborough

  63,200

  63,944

  1·2

  85

  Hinckley and Bosworth

  93,279

  94,108

  0·9

  114

  Leicester

  282,900

  281,076

  0·6

  268

  Melton

  42,900

  42,868

  0·1

  223

  North West Leicestershire

  78,621

  78,932

  0·4

  158

  Oadby and Wigston

  52,500

  52,038

  0·9

  281

  Rutland

  35,000

  35,572

  1·6

  46

  90 91

  1987–88 population for grant purposes

  1988–89 population for grant purposes

  percentage change

  Rank in class

  Lincolnshire

  Boston

  51,900

  51,911

  0·0

  206

  East Lindsey

  108,700

  110,500

  1·7

  42

  Lincoln

  78,200

  78,966

  1·0

  103

  North Kesteven

  81,400

  82,887

  1·8

  37

  South Holland

  63,700

  64,307

  1·0

  106

  South Kesteven

  99,900

  101,610

  1·7

  39

  West Lindsey

  76,500

  77,072

  0·7

  126

  Norfolk

  Breckland

  100,600

  101,908

  1·3

  74

  Broadland

  99,800

  100,752

  1·0

  105

  Great Yarmouth

  84,200

  85,632

  1·7

  40

  North Norfolk

  87,400

  90,201

  3·2

  5

  Norwich

  122,300

  121,620

  0·6

  261

  South Norfolk

  98,800

  99,423

  0·6

  139

  King's Lynn and West Norfolk

  126,000

  128,281

  1·8

  38

  Northamptonshire

  Corby

  50,700

  50,701

  0·0

  212

  Daventry

  59,800

  61,248

  2·4

  16

  East Northamptonshire

  62,800

  64,234

  2·3

  19

  Kettering

  72,000

  73,155

  1·6

  48

  Northampton

  169,800

  172,507

  1·6

  50

  South Northamptonshire

  66,700

  67,512

  1·2

  81

  Wellingborough

  64,300

  65,084

  1·2

  80

  Northumberland

  Alnwick

  29,700

  29,834

  0·5

  151

  Berwick-upon-Tweed

  26,300

  26,494

  0·7

  127

  Blyth Valley

  78,000

  78,268

  0·3

  164

  Castle Morpeth

  50,696

  50,711

  0·0

  203

  Tynedale

  54,904

  55,285

  0·7

  134

  Wansbeck

  61,000

  60,428

  0·9

  285

  North Yorkshire

  Craven

  48,200

  48,231

  0·1

  199

  Hambleton

  76,000

  75,707

  -0·4

  251

  Harrogate

  144,500

  145,226

  0·5

  147

  Richmondshire

  48,400

  49,043

  1·3

  69

  Ryedale

  88,800

  89,428

  0·7

  133

  Scarborough

  103,300

  103,650

  0·3

  165

  Selby

  85,200

  86,918

  2·0

  30

  York

  102,200

  101,583

  -0·6

  266

  Nottinghamshire

  Ashfield

  106,900

  106,666

  -0·2

  234

  Bassetlaw

  104,200

  104,937

  0·7

  132

  Broxtowe

  105,600

  106,097

  0-5

  150

  Gedling

  111,162

  110,834

  -0·3

  242

  Mansfield

  100,700

  100,337

  -0·4

  248

  Newark and Sherwood

  102,338

  102,869

  0·5

  145

  Nottingham

  279,402

  277,775

  -0·6

  264

  Rushcliffe

  95,958

  96,992

  1·4

  66

  Oxfordshire

  Cherwell

  119,100

  121,467

  2·0

  32

  Oxford

  115,000

  116,186

  1·0

  100

  South Oxfordshire

  133,300

  133,044

  -0·2

  231

  Vale of White Horse

  108,400

  110,432

  1·9

  35

  West Oxfordshire

  89,600

  93,574

  4·4

  3

  Shropshire

  Bridgnorth

  51,500

  51,512

  0·0

  205

  North Shropshire

  51,900

  53,090

  2·3

  18

  Oswestry

  31,600

  31,499

  -0·3

  244

  Shrewsbury and Atcham

  90,509

  91,353

  0·9

  108

  South Shropshire

  34,906

  35,037

  0·4

  160

  Wrekin

  129,885

  130,194

  0·2

  176

  Somerset

  Mendip

  93,400

  93,484

  0·1

  195

  Sedgemoor

  93,000

  94,138

  1·2

  79

  Taunton Deane

  90,900

  91,283

  0·4

  155

  92 93

  1987–88 population for grant purposes

  1988–89 population for grant purposes

  percentage change

  Rank in class

  West Somerset

  30,600

  31,004

  1·3

  72

  South Somerset

  139,100

  138,979

  -0·1

  224

  Staffordshire

  Cannock Chase

  85,000

  85,134

  0·2

  185

  East Staffordshire

  94,000

  93,907

  -0·1

  225

  Lichfield

  90,600

  91,693

  1·2

  83

  Newcastle-under-Lyme

  118,400

  117,820

  -0·5

  254

  South Staffordshire

  103,300

  104,911

  1·6

  52

  Stafford

  117,800

  117,959

  0·1

  191

  Staffordshire Moorlands

  95,900

  95,978

  0·1

  197

  Stoke-on-Trent

  248,700

  246,884

  -0·7

  274

  Tamworth

  66,700

  66,705

  0·0

  209

  Suffolk

  Babergh

  76,400

  77,107

  0·9

  109

  Forest Heath

  57,800

  55,692

  -3·6

  296

  Ipswich

  118,130

  118,291

  0·1

  190

  Mid Suffolk

  74,400

  75,478

  1·4

  60

  St. Edmundsbury

  90,300

  91,453

  1·3

  78

  Suffolk Coastal

  103,970

  105,987

  1·9

  33

  Waveney

  103,200

  104,570

  1·3

  70

  Surrey

  Elmbridge

  111,400

  110,322

  -1·0

  286

  Epsom and Ewell

  67,100

  67,158

  0·1

  196

  Guildford

  125,256

  125,038

  -0·2

  230

  Mole Valley

  77,100

  77,611

  0·7

  136

  Reigate and Banstead

  116,600

  115,807

  -0·7

  271

  Runnymede

  71,400

  71,281

  -0·2

  229

  Spelthorne

  90,200

  88,844

  -1·5

  291

  Surrey Heath

  79,325

  80,152

  1·0

  98

  Tandridge

  76,500

  76,117

  -0·5

  255

  Waverley

  112,517

  112,491

  0·0

  216

  Woking

  86,302

  86,603

  0·3

  163

  Warwickshire

  North Warwickshire

  60,200

  59,725

  -0·8

  277

  Nuneaton and Bedworth

  112,500

  113,072

  0·5

  146

  Rugby

  85,600

  84,919

  -0·8

  278

  Stratford on Avon

  104,600

  105,735

  1·1

  94

  Warwick

  116,800

  117,293

  0·4

  154

  West Sussex

  Adur

  57,800

  58,057

  0·4

  152

  Arun

  126,600

  126,949

  0·3

  170

  Chichester

  101,700

  104,368

  2·6

  11

  Crawley

  84,000

  83,779

  -0·3

  239

  Horsham

  104,100

  105,810

  1·6

  44

  Mid Sussex

  118,700

  119,850

  1·0

  104

  Worthing

  94,800

  95,909

  1·2

  86

  Wiltshire

  Kennet

  67,000

  67,431

  0·6

  138

  North Wiltshire

  108,500

  109,378

  0·8

  121

  Salisbury

  102,500

  103,436

  0·9

  111

  Thamesdown

  159,800

  162,792

  1·9

  36

  West Wiltshire

  103,000

  102,188

  -0·8

  276

  All purpose authority

  Isles of Stilly

  1,980

  1,978

  -0·1

  1

  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the budgeted income and estimated outturn of total expenditure of each local authority subject to rate limitation in each year from 1985–86 to 1987–88.
  94
  Mr. Ridley
  The information in respect of authorities selected for rate or precept limitation under section 2 of the Rates Act is as follows:
  95

  £ million

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  Budget

  Outturn

  Budget

  Outturn

  Budget

  Authorities first selected for 1985–86

  Sheffield

  218·631

  217·538

  not selected

  257·131

  Camden

  117·609

  108·160

  147·266

  1149·699

  152·981

  Greenwich

  66·637

  166·639

  109·231

  1104·189

  96·331

  Hackney

  97·150

  194·399

  136·503

  1128·222

  145·859

  Islington

  85·723

  86·636

  106·115

  1109·421

  106·286

  Lambeth

  116·212

  112·266

  167·777

  1171·942

  152·373

  Lewisham

  90·914

  78·401

  126·868

  1112·505

  133·101

  Southwark

  108·437

  106·942

  136·215

  1133·984

  135·690

  Brent

  148·356

  140·402

  not selected

  183·633

  Haringey

  136·048

  128·632

  167·188

  1168·067

  154·455

  Basildon

  13·662

  8·860

  16·945

  116·198

  16·911

  Thamesdown

  14·199

  14·022

  14·848

  14·849

  14·199

  Leicester

  24·392

  24·116

  not selected

  not selected

  Portsmouth

  16·511

  16·511

  not selected

  not selected

  GLC

  608·746

  605·600

  abolished

  abolished

  ILEA

  945·057

  886·804

  n/a

  n/a

  Merseyside MCC

  213·479

  203·219

  abolished

  abolished

  South Yorkshire MCC

  178·674

  176·289

  abolished

  abolished

  Authorities first selected for 1986–87

  Liverpool

  n/a

  287·554

  284·024

  not selected

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  n/a

  162·952

  164·653

  156·784

  Authorities first selected for 1987–88

  Gateshead

  n/a

  n/a

  103·207

  North Tyneside

  n/a

  n/a

  95·124

  Tower Hamlets

  n/a

  n/a

  124·033

  Hounslow

  n/a

  n/a

  103·204

  Newham

  n/a

  n/a

  172·891

  Middlesbrough

  n/a

  n/a

  17·569

  Brighton

  n/a

  n/a

  14·610

  1 Denotes revised estimate.

  Information on outturn for 1987–88 is not yet available. Information in respect of authorities deemed to have been designated for precept limitation by virtue of section 68 of the Local Government Act 1985 is a matter for my right hon. Friends the Home Secretary, the Secretary of State for Education and Science, and the Secretary of State for Transport.

  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the original and final

  Table 1: Expenditure levels

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  Original £ million

  Redetermined £ million

  Original £ million

  Redetermined £ million

  Original £ million

  Redetermined £ million

  Original £ million

  Redetermined £ million

  Authorities first selected for 1985–96

  Sheffield

  216·573

  —

  1

  1

  258·915

  264·093

  1

  1

  Camden

  117·429

  —

  133·669

  136·919

  136·919

  —

  136·924

  —

  Greenwich

  66·584

  —

  88·629

  95·228

  95·228

  —

  95·230

  —

  Hackney

  82·315

  —

  119·422

  128·572

  128·572

  —

  128·572

  —

  Islington

  85·564

  —

  106·113

  —

  106·113

  —

  1

  1

  Lambeth

  113·558

  —

  144·068

  152·309

  152·309

  —

  152·311

  —

  Lewisham

  79·301

  —

  112·062

  115·594

  115·594

  —

  115·594

  —

  Southwark

  108·437

  —

  134·190

  —

  134·190

  —

  134·193

  —

  Brent

  140·021

  —

  1

  1

  176·690

  180·200

  1

  1

  Haringey

  128·658

  —

  152·813

  —

  152·813

  —

  156·142

  —

  Basildon

  13·662

  —

  13·662

  —

  13·662

  —

  13·662

  1

  Thamesdown

  14·199

  —

  14·199

  —

  14·199

  —

  14·201

  —

  Leicester

  24·392

  —

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Portsmouth

  16·751

  —

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Greater London Council

  785·233

  —

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  ILEA

  900·366

  —

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  Merseyside MCC

  205·180

  —

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  South Yorkshire MCC

  178·291

  —

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  96
  expenditure levels underlying rate and precept limits, and the original and final rate and precept limits, set for each authority subject to rate limitation, in each year from 1985–86 to 1988–89.

  Mr. Ridley
  The information in respect of authorities selected for rate or precept limitation under section 2 of the Rates Act is as follows:
  97

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  Original £ million

  Redetermined £ million

  Original £ million

  Redetermined £ million

  Original £ million

  Redetermined £ million

  Original £ million

  Redetermined £ million

  Authorities first selected for 1986–87

  Liverpool

  3

  3

  265·070

  274·550

  1

  1

  307·742

  —

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  3

  3

  151·252

  154·652

  154·652

  —

  159·305

  —

  Authorities first selected for 1987–88

  Gateshead

  3

  3

  3

  3

  95·986

  97·906

  1

  1

  North Tyneside

  3

  3

  3

  3

  93·259

  95·124

  1

  1

  Tower Hamlets

  3

  3

  3

  3

  121·601

  124·033

  124·033

  126·033

  Hounslow

  3

  3

  3

  3

  112·220

  114·464

  1

  1

  Newham

  3

  3

  3

  3

  154·353

  157·440

  1

  1

  Middlesbrough

  3

  3

  3

  3

  17·225

  17·570

  17·570

  —

  Brighton

  3

  3

  3

  3

  14·610

  14·902

  1

  1

  Authorities first selected for 1988–89

  Manchester

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  316·594

  —

  Ealing

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  157·153

  —

  Waltham Forest

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  142·028

  —

  Kingston-upon-Hull

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  30·942

  —

  1 Not selected.

  2 Abolished.

  3 Not applicable.

  Note:

  Redetermined figures shown only where applicable. The "redetermined" figures for 1987–88 are those produced by application of Schedule 2 to the Local Government Finance Act 1987.

  Table 2: Rate and precept limits

  Pence

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  Proposed

  Final

  Proposed

  Final

  Final

  Proposed

  Authorities first selected for 1985–86

  Sheffield

  207·07

  —

  1

  1

  259·07

  1

  Camden

  92·02

  —

  118·35

  —

  120·07

  115·41

  Greenwich

  96·42

  —

  124·21

  —

  120·89

  125·72

  Hackney

  114·09

  147·18

  141·96

  —

  123·30

  123·80

  Islington

  111·21

  112·07

  93·20

  —

  78·90

  1

  Lambeth

  107·57

  —

  126·11

  —

  112·42

  92·32

  Lewisham

  87·49

  99·66

  141·86

  —

  127·12

  131·76

  Southwark

  112·69

  —

  121·16

  —

  111·31

  98·02

  Brent

  196·42

  —

  1

  1

  224·84

  1

  Haringey

  222·17

  268·50

  254·59

  —

  238·37

  214·69

  Basildon

  50·33

  —

  52·75

  —

  52·84

  49·68

  Thamesdown

  57·22

  —

  54·68

  —

  55·16

  51·10

  Leicester

  16·27

  25·22

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Portsmouth

  26·88

  —

  1

  1

  1

  1

  GLC

  36·52

  —

  2

  2

  2

  2

  ILEA

  74·19

  77·25

  3

  3

  3

  3

  Merseyside MCC

  82·86

  —

  2

  2

  2

  2

  South Yorkshire MCC

  81·32

  —

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Authorities first selected for 1986–87

  Liverpool

  3

  3

  232·09

  —

  1

  268·17

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  3

  3

  321·23

  —

  290·82

  270·01

  Authorities first selected for 1987–88

  Gateshead

  3

  3

  3

  3

  231·46

  1

  North Tyneside

  3

  3

  3

  3

  265·77

  1

  Tower Hamlets

  3

  3

  3

  3

  110·38

  123·21

  Hounslow

  3

  3

  3

  3

  206·82

  1

  Newham

  3

  3

  3

  3

  232·67

  1

  Middlesbrough

  3

  3

  3

  3

  44·57

  32·16

  Brighton

  3

  3

  3

  3

  22·50

  1

  Authorities first selected for 1988–89

  Manchester

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  285·63

  Ealing

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  125·06

  Waltham Forest

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  199·14

  Kingston upon Hull

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  47·51

  1 Not selected.

  2 Abolished.

  3 Not applicable.

  Note:

  "Final" column only denotes figures which differ from "proposed". For 1987–88 there were no proposed limits; final limits were determined under the Local Government Finance Act 1987. Final limits for 1988–89 have not yet been determined.
  98 99
  Information in respect of authorities deemed to have been designated for precept limitation by virtue of section 68 of the Local Government Act 1985 is a matter for my right hon. Friends the Home Secretary, the Secretary of State for Education and Science, and the Secretary of State for Transport.

  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the aggregate Exchequer grant, rate support grant, block grant, domestic rate relief grant,

  Aggregate Exchequer Grant

  Rate Support Grant

  Block Grant

  Domestic Rate Relief Grant

  Relevant Expenditure

  Total Expenditure

  Current Expenditure

  1981–82

  Settlement

  10,895·0

  9,027·0

  8,364·0

  663

  18,423·0

  2—

  16,180·0

  Budget

  110,843·0

  18,952·0

  18,289·0

  663

  18,673·0

  2—

  317,602·0

  Audited Outturn

  110,939·0

  19,009·0

  18,346·0

  663

  19,933·0

  2—

  17,472·0

  1982–83

  Settlement

  11,484·0

  9,360·0

  8,682·0

  678

  20,463·0

  18,515·0

  18,000·0

  Budget

  111,119·0

  18,982·0

  18,304·0

  678

  321,942·0

  319,947·0

  319,260·0

  Audited Outturn

  111,242·0

  19,027·0

  18,349·0

  678

  21,765·0

  19,737·0

  19,051·0

  1983–84

  Settlement

  11,782·0

  9,416·0

  8,730·0

  686

  22,307·0

  20,134·0

  19,692·0

  Budget

  111,503·0

  19,135·0

  18,449·0

  686

  323,070·0

  320,905·0

  320,550·0

  Estimated Outturn

  111,486·0

  19,075·0

  18,389·0

  686

  23,082·0

  20,881·0

  20,389·0

  1984–85

  Settlement

  11,872·0

  9,323·0

  8,631·0

  692

  22,883·0

  20,542·0

  20,389·0

  Budget

  111,497·0

  18,868·0

  18,176·0

  692

  3,801·0

  21,390·0

  21,446·0

  Estimated Outturn

  111,902·0

  19,104·0

  18,412·0

  692

  23,872·0

  21,285·0

  21,529·0

  1985–86

  Settlement

  11,764·0

  9,188·0

  8,489·0

  699

  24,161·0

  21,815·0

  21,314·0

  Budget

  111,225·0

  18,638·0

  17,939·0

  699

  24,446·0

  22,093·0

  22,227·0

  Estimated Outturn

  111,780·0

  19,138·0

  18,439·0

  699

  24,116·0

  21,719·0

  22,285·0

  1986–87

  Settlement4

  11,764·0

  8,988·0

  8,280·0

  708

  25,328·5

  22,790·0

  22,253·5

  Budget

  11,879·0

  9,010·0

  8,302·0

  708

  26,658·0

  24,034·0

  24,266·0

  1987–88

  Settlement4

  12,842·0

  9,549·0

  8,832·0

  717

  27,746·0

  24,703·0

  25,251·0

  Budget

  612,697·1

  59,466·1

  58,749·1

  5717

  328,813·0

  525,847·0

  326,512·0

  1988–89

  Settlement

  13,775·0

  10,209·0

  9,482·0

  727

  29,846·0

  26,569·0

  27,538·0

  1 Figure after holdback.

  2 Figure not available on a consistent basis with later years.

  3 Figure estimated.

  4 Figures exclude additional allowance for teachers' pay.

  5 Figure from revision of estimate of block grant, September 1987, under Section 66(1) of the Local Government Planning and Land Act 1980.

  6 Notional figure derived from 5

  Grant-related Expenditure
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list, on a ranked and class basis, the percentage change in the grant-related expenditure of each local authority between 1987–88 and 1988–89.

  Mr. Ridley
  The information is as follows:

  Percentage change in grant-related expenditure between 1987–88 1st supplementary report and 1988–89 settlement

  Percentage change

  Rank in class

  Shire Counties

  Avon

  8·5

  20

  100
  relevant expenditure, total expenditure and current expenditure at rate support grant settlement, budget and estimated outturn in each year from 1981–82 to 1988–89.

  Mr. Ridley
  The following table lists the aggregate Exchequer grant, relevant expenditure, total expenditure and current expenditure at RSG settlement, budget and estimated outturn in each year from 1981–82 to 1988–89, where figures are available. Figures are taken from Rate Support Grant Reports (England) and Rate Support Grant Supplementary Reports (England) for the relevant years except where otherwise shown.

  Percentage change

  Rank in class

  Bedfordshire

  8·7

  13

  Berkshire

  9·8

  2

  Buckinghamshire

  9·5

  4

  Cambridgeshire

  9·3

  5

  Cheshire

  8·3

  22

  Cleveland

  7·6

  31

  Cornwall

  8·8

  11

  Cumbria

  6·9

  39

  Derbyshire

  8·1

  24

  Devon

  7·6

  30

  Dorset

  8·7

  12

  101

  Percentage change

  Rank in class

  Durham

  7·6

  29

  East Sussex

  9·3

  6

  Essex

  8·1

  25

  Gloucestershire

  8·8

  10

  Hampshire

  8·6

  14

  Hereford and Worcester

  7·0

  38

  Hertfordshire

  7·5

  33

  Humberside

  7·5

  32

  Isle of Wight

  9·9

  1

  Kent

  7·8

  27

  Lancashire

  7·7

  28

  Leicestershire

  9·0

  9

  Lincolnshire

  8·5

  18

  Norfolk

  8·3

  23

  Northamptonshire

  9·2

  8

  Northumberland

  7·4

  36

  North Yorkshire

  8·6

  17

  Nottinghamshire

  8·0

  26

  Oxfordshire

  7·5

  34

  Shropshire

  8·6

  16

  Somerset

  8·4

  21

  Staffordshire

  7·4

  35

  Suffolk

  9·2

  7

  Surrey

  8·6

  15

  Warwickshire

  7·3

  37

  West Sussex

  9·6

  3

  Wiltshire

  8·5

  19

  Greater London

  City of London

  8·5

  1

  Camden

  6·5

  3

  Greenwich

  -0·3

  1

  Hackney

  -0·8

  12

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  7·1

  1

  Islington

  2·7

  8

  Kensington and Chelsea

  6·1

  4

  Lambeth

  6·5

  2

  Lewisham

  5·0

  5

  Southwark

  4·6

  6

  Tower Hamlets

  0·7

  10

  Wandsworth

  3·6

  7

  Westminster

  1·9

  9

  Barking and Dagenham

  5·6

  19

  Barnet

  9·1

  4

  Bexley

  8·4

  10

  Brent

  6·4

  16

  Bromley

  8·2

  11

  Croydon

  7·2

  13

  Ealing

  9·1

  5

  Enfield

  8·8

  7

  Haringey

  7·8

  12

  Harrow

  9·7

  2

  Havering

  6·1

  18

  Hillingdon

  8·7

  8

  Hounslow

  7·2

  14

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  11·3

  1

  Merton

  8·6

  9

  Newham

  5·0

  20

  Redbridge

  9·3

  3

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  6·4

  17

  Sutton

  8·9

  6

  Waltham Forest

  7·1

  15

  ILEA

  8·8

  1

  102

  Percentage change

  Rank in class

  London Fire and Civil Defence Authority

  4·9

  1

  Metropolitan Police

  8·2

  1

  Greater Manchester

  Bolton

  6·8

  29

  Bury

  6·9

  28

  Manchester

  5·4

  34

  Oldham

  8·2

  9

  Rochdale

  8·5

  7

  Salford

  5·7

  33

  Stockport

  5·0

  36

  Tameside

  6·5

  32

  Trafford

  7·4

  22

  Wigan

  6·9

  27

  Merseyside

  Knowsley

  8·0

  12

  Liverpool

  5·1

  35

  St· Helens

  7·5

  18

  Sefton

  7·8

  15

  Wirral

  7·5

  19

  South Yorkshire

  Barnsley

  7·0

  25

  Doncaster

  7·7

  16

  Rotherhara

  8·9

  3

  Sheffield

  6·5

  31

  Tyne and Wear

  Gateshead

  6·9

  26

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  9·0

  2

  North Tyneside

  8·5

  5

  South Tyneside

  7·9

  13

  Sunderland

  8·5

  6

  West Midlands

  Birmingham

  7·9

  114

  Coventry

  8·7

  4

  Dudley

  7·3

  23

  Sandwell

  7·6

  17

  Solihull

  7·4

  21

  Walsall

  7·2

  24

  Wolverhampton

  6·7

  30

  West Yorkshire

  Bradford

  9·4

  1

  Calderdale

  8·1

  10

  Kirklees

  8·3

  8

  Leeds

  8·0

  11

  Wakefield

  7·4

  20

  Percentage change in grant-related expenditure between 1987–88 1st supplementary report and 1988–89 settlement

  Percentage change

  Rank in class

  Greater Manchester Police Authority

  11·9

  6

  Merseyside Police Authority

  11·9

  5

  South Yorkshire Police Authority

  13·8

  2

  Northumbria Police Authority

  14·4

  1

  West Midlands Police Authority

  11·9

  4

  West Yorkshire Police Authority

  13·0

  3

  Greater Manchester Fire & CD Authority

  2·8

  5

  Merseyside Fire & CD Authority

  2·0

  6

  South Yorkshire Fire & CD Authority

  4·8

  2

  Tyne and Wear Fire & CD Authority

  5·6

  1

  West Midlands Fire & CD Authority

  3·5

  3

  West Yorkshire Fire & CD Authority

  3·3

  4

  103

  Percentage change

  Rank in class

  Greater Manchester Transport Authority

  0·8

  2

  Merseyside Transport Authority

  -8·4

  6

  South Yorkshire Transport Authority

  -0·2

  3

  Tyne and Wear Transport Authority

  -0·4

  4

  West Midlands Transport Authority

  3·6

  1

  West Yorkshire Transport Authority

  -2·2

  5

  Percentage change in grant-related expenditure between 1987–88 1st supplementary report and 1988–89 settlement

  Percentage change

  Rank in class

  Avon

  Bath

  5·1

  73

  Bristol

  5·7

  58

  Kingswood

  3·8

  140

  Northavon

  5·9

  54

  Wansdyke

  8·4

  8

  Woodspring

  6·8

  27

  Bedfordshire

  North Bedfordshire

  4·6

  101

  Luton

  8·0

  9

  Mid Bedfordshire

  4·6

  102

  South Bedfordshire

  3·3

  168

  Berkshire

  Bracknell

  6·3

  40

  Newbury

  3·5

  157

  Reading

  3·4

  159

  Slough

  6·8

  28

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  1·3

  262

  Wokingham

  6·2

  44

  Buckinghamshire

  Aylesbury Vale

  4·1

  123

  South Bucks

  3·5

  158

  Chiltern

  1·5

  258

  Milton Keynes

  9·4

  3

  Wycombe

  3·9

  130

  Cambridgeshire

  Cambridge

  -0·5

  290

  East Cambridgeshire

  3·3

  167

  Fenland

  3·6

  153

  Huntingdonshire

  6·0

  48

  Peterborough

  6·8

  31

  South Cambridgeshire

  2·4

  223

  Cheshire

  Chester

  3·9

  129

  Congleton

  4·7

  95

  Crewe and Nantwich

  3·0

  189

  Ellesmere Port and Neston

  7·8

  10

  Halton

  7·6

  17

  Macclesfield

  1·9

  244

  Vale Royal

  3·2

  176

  Warrington

  4·9

  82

  Cleveland

  Hartlepool

  9·4

  4

  Langbaurgh

  -7·2

  295

  Middlesbrough

  14·6

  1

  Stockton-on-Tees

  6·1

  46

  Cornwall

  Caradon

  4·0

  127

  Carrick

  4·6

  100

  Kerrier

  4·7

  90

  104

  Percentage change

  Rank in class

  North Cornwall

  3·4

  165

  Pen with

  7·3

  22

  Restormel

  6·3

  39

  Cumbria

  Allerdale

  1·1

  267

  Barrow in Furness

  3·2

  180

  Carlisle

  4·2

  115

  Copeland

  5·2

  70

  Eden

  3·9

  133

  South Lakeland

  2·1

  237

  Derbyshire

  Amber Valley

  2·8

  198

  Bolsover

  2·9

  195

  Chesterfield

  5·5

  63

  Derby

  3·9

  132

  Erewash

  0·7

  279

  High Peak

  3·2

  179

  North East Derbyshire

  1·8

  250

  South Derbyshire

  1·9

  246

  Derbyshire Dales

  -2·5

  292

  Devon

  East Devon

  2·0

  240

  Exeter

  4·7

  93

  North Devon

  7·4

  20

  Plymouth

  7·7

  12

  South Hams

  7·6

  16

  Teignbridge

  5·6

  62

  Mid Devon

  6·9

  25

  Torbay

  6·9

  26

  Torridge

  4·5

  104

  West Devon

  10

  272

  Dorset

  Bournemouth

  7·5

  18

  Christchurch

  5·5

  64

  North Dorset

  6·0

  50

  Poole

  7·1

  24

  Purbeck

  7·4

  21

  West Dorset

  6·0

  49

  Weymouth and Portland

  9·9

  2

  Wimborne

  4·4

  110

  Durham

  Chester·le·Street

  -2·8

  293

  Darlington

  0·7

  280

  Derwentside

  2·6

  209

  Durham

  1·7

  252

  Easington

  -26·6

  296

  Sedgefield

  3·5

  155

  Teesdale

  3·4

  163

  Wear Valley

  3·1

  182

  East Sussex

  Brighton

  2·7

  204

  Eastbourne

  5·2

  72

  Hastings

  9·1

  5

  Hove

  5·7

  57

  Lewes

  0·8

  277

  Rother

  6·8

  29

  Wealden

  3·0

  188

  Essex

  Basildon

  0·0

  287

  Braintree

  2·3

  226

  Brentwood

  2·7

  201

  Castle Point

  2·0

  242

  Chelmsford

  3·1

  181

  Colchester

  2·1

  232

  Epping Forest

  2·4

  222

  Harlow

  3·4

  164

  Maldon

  2·1

  235

  Rochford

  1·8

  251

  105

  Percentage change

  Rank in class

  Southend-on-Sea

  6·5

  34

  Tendring

  2·4

  219

  Thurrock

  5·1

  75

  Uttlesford

  1·1

  266

  Gloucestershire

  Cheltenham

  5·9

  53

  Cotswold

  0·7

  282

  Forest of Dean

  5·2

  68

  Gloucester

  5·2

  69

  Stroud

  4·6

  97

  Tewkesbury

  5·6

  59

  Hampshire

  Basingstoke and Deane

  4·7

  89

  East Hampshire

  4·2

  121

  Eastleigh

  4·4

  111

  Fareham

  4·1

  122

  Gosport

  1·4

  260

  Hart

  4·7

  91

  Havant

  6·4

  35

  New Forest

  3·4

  161

  Portsmouth

  4·8

  86

  Rushmoor

  2·5

  213

  Southampton

  7·5

  19

  Test Valley

  5·1

  76

  Winchester

  3·7

  148

  Hereford and Worcester

  Bromsgrove

  2·8

  199

  Hereford

  4·9

  81

  Leominster

  2·7

  206

  Malvern Hills

  4·3

  114

  Redditch

  6·5

  33

  South Herefordshire

  4·6

  99

  Worcester

  5·8

  55

  Wychavon

  2·5

  214

  Wyre Forest

  3·1

  185

  Hertfordshire

  Broxbourne

  3·2

  174

  Dacorum

  2·7

  203

  East Hertfordshire

  4·4

  109

  Hertsmere

  1·8

  248

  North Hertfordshire

  2·1

  234

  St· Albans

  2·2

  228

  Stevenage

  4·2

  117

  Three Rivers

  2·2

  227

  Watford

  3·1

  186

  Welwyn Hatfield

  1·7

  254

  Humberside

  Beverley

  3·5

  156

  Boothferry

  2·0

  241

  Cleethorpes

  1·7

  253

  Glanford

  8·8

  7

  Great Grimsby

  2·3

  225

  Holderness

  2·5

  210

  Kingston upon Hull

  5·7

  56

  East Yorkshire

  4·4

  107

  Scunthorpe

  5·2

  71

  Isle of Wight

  Medina

  4·7

  94

  South Wight

  7·7

  14

  Kent

  Ashford

  1·0

  270

  Canterbury

  3·8

  141

  Dartford

  4·4

  106

  Dover

  3·8

  137

  Gillingham

  5·1

  77

  Gravesham

  2·3

  224

  Maidstone

  3·6

  150

  Rochester upon Medway

  4·0

  126

  Sevenoaks

  2·6

  208

  106

  Percentage change

  Rank in class

  Shepway

  1·8

  249

  Swale

  4·7

  88

  Thanet

  3·9

  131

  Tonbridge and Mailing

  1·4

  261

  Tunbridge Wells

  3·0

  193

  Lancashire

  Blackburn

  2·0

  243

  Blackpool

  7·7

  15

  Burnley

  6·5

  32

  Chorley

  4·2

  120

  Fylde

  2·9

  197

  Hyndburn

  3·7

  143

  Lancaster

  7·8

  11

  Pendle

  5·4

  66

  Preston

  8·9

  6

  Ribble Valley

  2·5

  211

  Rossendale

  2·0

  239

  South Ribble

  2·6

  207

  West Lancashire

  6·3

  38

  Wyre

  3·7

  142

  Leicestershire

  Blaby

  1·9

  245

  Chamwood

  3·3

  169

  Harborough

  1·0

  269

  Hinckley and Bosworth

  2·7

  205

  Leicester

  5·0

  79

  Melton

  1·8

  247

  North West Leicestershire

  0·7

  281

  Oadby and Wigston

  1·3

  264

  Rutland

  —

  286

  Lincolnshire

  Boston

  2·8

  200

  East Lindsey

  7·1

  23

  Lincoln

  3·1

  184

  North Kesteven

  2·9

  196

  South Holland

  0·7

  278

  South Kesteven

  4·0

  128

  West Lindsey

  4·5

  103

  Norfolk

  Breckland

  2·1

  233

  Broadland

  3·7

  144

  Great Yarmouth

  4·8

  84

  North Norfolk

  5·1

  74

  Norwich

  6·2

  42

  South Norfolk

  0·9

  274

  King's Lynn and West Norfolk

  4·0

  125

  Northamptonshire

  Corby

  6·1

  47

  Daventry

  3·7

  146

  East Northamptonshire

  3·9

  134

  Kettering

  5·4

  65

  Northampton

  -6·7

  294

  South Northamptonshire

  2·7

  202

  Wellingborough

  1·3

  263

  Northumberland

  Alnwick

  1·1

  268

  Berwick-upon-Tweed

  0·9

  276

  Blyth Valley

  4·3

  113

  Castle Morpeth

  0·3

  283

  Tynedale

  0·2

  284

  Wansbeck

  4·1

  124

  North Yorkshire

  Craven

  4·3

  112

  Hambleton

  1·4

  259

  Harrogate

  3·7

  147

  Richmondshire

  3·6

  149

  Ryedale

  3·2

  172

  Scarborough

  6·3

  36

  Selby

  4·8

  85

  107

  Percentage change

  Rank in class

  York

  4·5

  105

  Nottinghamshire

  Ashfield

  3·1

  187

  Bassetlaw

  3·2

  175

  Broxtowe

  4·7

  96

  Gedling

  3·0

  190

  Mansfield

  -0·9

  291

  Newark and Sherwood

  2·4

  221

  Nottingham

  6·8

  30

  Rushcliffe

  4·2

  119

  Oxfordshire

  Cherwell

  4·8

  87

  Oxford

  3·6

  152

  South Oxfordshire

  1·7

  256

  Vale of White Horse

  3·0

  192

  West Oxfordshire

  4·9

  80

  Shropshire

  Bridgnorth

  2·2

  229

  North Shropshire

  2·4

  216

  Oswestry

  1·2

  265

  Shrewsbury and Atcham

  3·8

  138

  South Shropshire

  1·0

  271

  Wrekin

  5·6

  60

  Somerset

  Mendip

  5·3

  67

  Sedgemoor

  7·7

  13

  Taunton Deane

  4·6

  98

  West Somerset

  4·2

  116

  South Somerset

  4·4

  108

  Staffordshire

  Cannock Chase

  3·4

  166

  East Staffordshire

  5·6

  61

  Lichfield

  2·4

  215

  Newcastle-under-Lyme

  1·7

  255

  South Staffordshire

  3·8

  139

  Stafford

  1·6

  257

  Staffordshire Moorlands

  0·9

  273

  Stoke-on-Trent

  6·2

  43

  Tamworth

  6·3

  37

  Suffolk

  Babergh

  2·4

  218

  Forest Heath

  0·9

  275

  Ipswich

  3·0

  191

  Mid Suffolk

  -0·0

  289

  St-Edmundsbury

  3·4

  160

  Percentage changes in grant-related expenditure between (a) 1981–82 4th supplementary report and 1988–89 settlement, and (b) 1985–86 3rd supplementary report and 1988–89 settlement

  (a) 1981·82 to 1988·89

  (b) 1985·86 to 1988·89

  per cent. Change

  Rank in class

  per cent. Change

  Rank in class

  Shire counties

  Avon

  49·0

  35

  22·1

  29

  Bedfordshire

  52·6

  26

  20·2

  36

  Berkshire

  59·4

  9

  23·8

  16

  Buckinghamshire

  67·9

  1

  25·0

  9

  Cambridgeshire

  62·9

  3

  25·3

  6

  Cheshire

  50·0

  31

  23·8

  15

  Cleveland

  53·3

  22

  21·6

  32

  Cornwall

  63·9

  2

  26·9

  1

  Cumbria

  49·2

  32

  22·7

  25

  Derbyshire

  54·7

  19

  23·9

  14

  Devon

  56·7

  13

  23·2

  23

  Dorset

  60·1

  5

  25 1

  7

  Durham

  50·4

  30

  23·5

  19

  East Sussex

  56·9

  12

  23·1

  24

  108

  Percentage change

  Rank in class

  Suffolk Coastal

  3·6

  151

  Waveney

  6·0

  51

  Surrey

  Elmbridge

  3·9

  135

  Epsom and Ewell

  2·9

  194

  Guildford

  3·3

  170

  Mole Valley

  2·5

  212

  Reigate and Banstead

  5·0

  78

  Runnymede

  6·1

  45

  Spelthorne

  2·4

  217

  Surrey Heath

  3·3

  171

  Tandridge

  3·1

  183

  Waverley

  2·0

  238

  Woking

  6·0

  52

  Warwickshire

  North Warwickshire

  2·2

  230

  Nuneaton and Bedworth

  3·9

  136

  Rugby

  3·2

  173

  Stratford on Avon

  0·1

  285

  Warwick

  3·2

  178

  West Sussex

  Adur

  4·9

  83

  Arun

  3·6

  154

  Chichester

  3·7

  145

  Crawley

  4·7

  92

  Horsham

  -0·0

  288

  Mid Sussex

  3·2

  177

  Worthing

  6·2

  41

  Wiltshire

  Kennet

  3·4

  162

  North Wiltshire

  2·1

  236

  Salisbury

  2·4

  220

  Thamesdown

  4·2

  118

  West Wiltshire

  2·1

  231

  All purpose authority

  Isles of Scilly

  6·7

  1

  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list, on a ranked basis, the percentage change in the grant-related expenditure of each non-metropolitan county and each non-metropolitan district between(a) 1981–82 and 1988–89 and (b) 1985–86 and 1988–89.

  Mr. Ridley
  The information is as follows:
  109

  (a) 1981–82 to 1988–89

  (b) 1985–86 to 1988–89

  per cent. Change

  Rank in class

  per cent. Change

  Rank in class

  Essex

  53·0

  23

  23·3

  21

  Gloucester

  54·4

  20

  25·5

  2

  Hampshire

  50·7

  29

  21·6

  31

  Hereford and Worcester

  55·2

  18

  22·3

  28

  Hertfordshire

  42·5

  39

  19·8

  37

  Humberside

  52·5

  27

  22·1

  30

  Isle of Wight

  56·0

  17

  21·2

  33

  Kent

  52·7

  25

  22·5

  27

  Lancashire

  56·6

  15

  23·4

  20

  Leicestershire

  59·5

  8

  24·3

  12

  Lincolnshire

  59·9

  6

  25·3

  5

  Norfolk

  59·4

  10

  25·1

  8

  Northamptonshire

  59·7

  7

  23·6

  18

  Northumberland

  44·3

  37

  16·7

  39

  North Yorkshire

  53·3

  21

  24·9

  11

  Nottinghamshire

  48·3

  36

  21·0

  35

  Oxfordshire

  43·2

  38

  19·6

  38

  Shropshire

  60·1

  4

  25·5

  3

  Somerset

  56·7

  14

  24·0

  13

  Staffordshire

  52·0

  28

  22·6

  26

  Suffolk

  56·6

  16

  25·4

  4

  Surrey

  49·0

  34

  21·1

  34

  Warwickshire

  49·1

  33

  23·2

  22

  West Sussex

  58·6

  11

  24·9

  10

  Wiltshire

  52·9

  24

  23·8

  17

  Avon

  Bath

  12·5

  215

  16·0

  29

  Bristol

  22·9

  143

  18·0

  22

  Kingswood

  28·2

  115

  8·5

  102

  Northavon

  23·6

  140

  6·5

  153

  Wansdyke

  8·2

  247

  6·6

  152

  Woodspring

  33·0

  87

  10·7

  67

  Bedfordshire

  North Bedfordshire

  38·1

  64

  14·5

  40

  Luton

  49·6

  31

  23·3

  6

  Mid Bedfordshire

  41·2

  51

  12·6

  55

  South Bedfordshire

  13·7

  208

  8·4

  105

  Berkshire

  Bracknell

  90·6

  1

  14·0

  43

  Newbury

  11·2

  226

  8·8

  93

  Reading

  42·3

  46

  14·3

  41

  Slough

  32·5

  92

  18·8

  16

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  11·9

  219

  4·3

  200

  Wokingham

  14·3

  205

  8·3

  110

  Buckinghamshire

  Aylesbury Vale

  35·7

  76

  6·7

  147

  South Bucks

  -2·3

  284

  -0·1

  274

  Chiltern

  4·0

  265

  -2·8

  292

  Milton Keynes

  90·1

  2

  14·2

  42

  Wycombe

  40·8

  53

  2·8

  238

  Cambridgeshire

  Cambridge

  25·6

  128

  9·2

  86

  East Cambridgeshire

  39·7

  57

  9·6

  80

  Fenland

  26·1

  126

  9·9

  77

  Huntingdonshire

  29·2

  112

  18·5

  19

  Peterborough

  30·0

  107

  18·7

  17

  South Cambridgeshire

  17·5

  184

  7·7

  124

  Cheshire

  Chester

  35·0

  79

  10·2

  71

  Congleton

  35·9

  74

  5·4

  177

  Crewe and Nantwich

  10·8

  229

  3·8

  215

  Ellesmere Port and Neston

  17·0

  188

  7·2

  139

  Halton

  32·9

  88

  18·4

  20

  Macclesfield

  11·0

  228

  3·1

  226

  Vale Royal

  22·4

  153

  4·6

  189

  Warrington

  54·6

  18

  15·0

  34

  110 111

  (a) 1981–82 to 1988–89

  (b) 1985–86 to 1988–89

  per cent· Change

  Rank in class

  per cent· Change

  Rank in class

  Cleveland

  Hartlepool

  32·4

  93

  13·0

  51

  Langbaurgh

  3·6

  267

  -6·1

  295

  Middlesbrough

  45·9

  36

  24·7

  5

  Stockton·on·Tees

  28·0

  118

  16·2

  27

  Cornwall

  Caradon

  32·5

  91

  4·6

  190

  Carrick

  17·0

  187

  6·4

  154

  Kerrier

  18·1

  178

  8·0

  118

  North Cornwall

  21·1

  160

  5·3

  179

  Penwith

  16·6

  189

  13·7

  45

  Restormel

  25·2

  132

  9·2

  87

  Cumbria

  Allerdale

  13·5

  211

  -6·2

  296

  Barrow in Furness

  27·7

  119

  16·1

  28

  Carlisle

  41·8

  49

  8·9

  91

  Copeland

  22·8

  144

  3·0

  229

  Eden

  16·6

  190

  4·1

  207

  South Lakeland

  9·0

  244

  3·5

  222

  Derbyshire

  Amber Valley

  0·3

  276

  3·7

  218

  Bolsover

  4·5

  264

  3·0

  230

  Chesterfield

  38·4

  63

  8·4

  106

  Derby

  58·3

  15

  15·8

  30

  Erewash

  17·7

  179

  6·6

  150

  High Peak

  10·3

  237

  4·4

  196

  North East Derbyshire

  18·6

  174

  -1·4

  285

  South Derbyshire

  10·7

  231

  1·8

  255

  Derbyshire Dales

  -4·9

  289

  0·5

  265

  Devon

  East Devon

  22·0

  157

  2·2

  251

  Exeter

  50·4

  28

  11·9

  59

  North Devon

  13·7

  209

  7·8

  121

  Plymouth

  45·0

  39

  28·5

  2

  South Hams

  5·4

  260

  7·9

  120

  Teignbridge

  15·8

  193

  4·8

  185

  Mid Devon

  30·6

  103

  6·0

  160

  Torbay

  45·9

  35

  19·0

  14

  Torridge

  2·9

  269

  2·0

  252

  West Devon

  -1·1

  278

  -0·9

  279

  Dorset

  Bournemouth

  50·9

  24

  25·5

  4

  Christchurch

  39·0

  60

  5·9

  164

  North Dorset

  39·6

  58

  4·1

  208

  Poole

  37·3

  66

  14·0

  44

  Purbeck

  31·1

  100

  7·5

  129

  West Dorset

  15·2

  196

  4·1

  206

  Weymouth and Portland

  57·3

  16

  19·6

  12

  Wimborne

  5·6

  259

  2·8

  239

  Durham

  Chester·le·Street

  6·5

  251

  6·7

  148

  Darlington

  33·0

  85

  4·3

  201

  Derwentside

  32·6

  90

  2·2

  250

  Durham

  42·3

  45

  5·7

  167

  Easington

  -6·6

  293

  8·7

  95

  Sedgefield

  -7·0

  294

  3·0

  231

  Teesdale

  23·6

  139

  -0·5

  277

  Wear Valley

  3·9

  266

  7·5

  133

  East Sussex

  Brighton

  31·5

  98

  8·7

  99

  Eastbourne

  48·1

  32

  8·8

  92

  Hastings

  53·8

  21

  26·8

  3

  Hove

  41·4

  50

  19·0

  15

  Lewes

  10·4

  235

  -2·2

  289

  Rother

  26·9

  123

  1·4

  260

  Wealden

  1·7

  272

  0·1

  273

  Essex

  112 113

  (a) 1981–82 to 1988–89

  (b) 1985–86 to 1988–89

  per cent. Change

  Rank in class

  per cent. Change

  Rank in class

  Basildon

  1·2

  274

  -2·8

  291

  Braintree

  14·8

  200

  2·9

  232

  Brentwood

  8·8

  246

  31

  228

  Castle Point

  28·3

  114

  7·0

  141

  Chelmsford

  60·6

  12

  5·8

  165

  Colchester

  55·3

  17

  7·6

  128

  Epping Forest

  53·8

  20

  9·4

  83

  Harlow

  22·4

  152

  9·3

  84

  Maldon

  12·4

  216

  5·5

  174

  Rochford

  9·6

  242

  2·9

  235

  Southend·on·Sea

  31·4

  99

  15·6

  31

  Tendring

  36·8

  67

  7·8

  122

  Thurrock

  4·8

  262

  12·7

  52

  Uttlesford

  -5·2

  290

  0·4

  268

  Gloucestershire

  Cheltenham

  44·2

  40

  15·3

  33

  Cotswold

  10·4

  234

  -1·0

  280

  Forest of Dean

  -2·7

  286

  -3·5

  294

  Gloucester

  52·8

  22

  14·5

  39

  Stroud

  29·4

  111

  5·3

  178

  Tewkesbury

  22·5

  150

  6·6

  149

  Hampshire

  Basingstoke and Dean

  65·1

  9

  7·5

  130

  East Hampshire

  ·2·3

  283

  4·2

  203

  Eastleigh

  42·3

  44

  7·7

  123

  Fareham

  22·6

  146

  8·7

  98

  Gosport

  35·9

  75

  13·3

  48

  Hart

  16·5

  191

  8·0

  119

  Havant

  22·8

  145

  8·4

  107

  New Forest

  15·2

  198

  4·3

  198

  Portsmouth

  11·7

  221

  22·7

  7

  Rushmoor

  22·5

  151

  12·0

  58

  Southampton

  50·1

  29

  22·1

  8

  Test Valley

  14·7

  201

  5·5

  173

  Winchester

  17·3

  186

  3·3

  223

  Hereford and Worcester

  Bromsgrove

  22·4

  154

  3·1

  225

  Hereford

  87·7

  3

  15·6

  32

  Leominster

  25·5

  129

  1·7

  256

  Malvern Hills

  10·7

  230

  2·3

  249

  Redditch

  40·9

  52

  15·0

  35

  South Herefordshire

  20·8

  162

  2·7

  240

  Worcester

  60·7

  11

  16·9

  24

  Wychavon

  14·0

  207

  2·6

  245

  Wyre Forest

  7·8

  249

  5·2

  180

  Hertfordshire

  Broxbourne

  -5·7

  291

  18·0

  21

  Dacorum

  76·6

  5

  7·4

  134

  East Hertfordshire

  35·0

  80

  11·3

  61

  Hertsmere

  17·6

  182

  9·1

  88

  North Hertfordshire

  40·6

  54

  7·2

  137

  St· Albans

  42·8

  43

  6·0

  162

  Stevenage

  28·1

  117

  10·9

  66

  Three Rivers

  2·5

  270

  4·2

  204

  Watford

  9·8

  241

  12·0

  57

  Welwyn Hatfield

  50·4

  27

  6·1

  157

  Humberside

  Beverley

  36·2

  70

  -2·1

  288

  Boothferry

  13·3

  212

  -2·4

  290

  Cleethorpes

  27·3

  121

  -0·4

  276

  Glanford

  41·9

  48

  3·9

  212

  Great Grimsby

  32·4

  94

  5·7

  168

  Holderness

  28·4

  113

  -2·1

  287

  Kingston upon Hull

  60·3

  13

  8·3

  108

  East Yorkshire

  18·9

  172

  1·3

  261

  Scunthorpe

  ·7·2

  295

  0·3

  270

  Isle of Wight

  Medina

  33·7

  83

  11·0

  64

  South Wight

  34·2

  81

  17·1

  23

  114 115

  (a) 1981–82 to 1988–89

  (b) 1985–86 to 1988–89

  per cent. Change

  Rank in class

  per cent. Change

  Rank in class

  Kent

  Ashford

  28·2

  116

  1·6

  258

  Canterbury

  33·4

  84

  8·6

  101

  Dartford

  ·5·7

  292

  9·0

  89

  Dover

  5·8

  256

  6·6

  151

  Gillingham

  31·8

  97

  12·4

  56

  Gravesham

  6·4

  253

  3·9

  213

  Maidstone

  12·3

  217

  4·0

  211

  Rochester upon Medway

  6·5

  252

  8·6

  100

  Sevenoaks

  14·0

  206

  -0·1

  275

  Shepway

  20·7

  164

  6·8

  145

  Swale

  9·6

  243

  5·9

  163

  Thanet

  24·0

  137

  7·5

  132

  Tonbridge and Mailing

  25·7

  127

  2·0

  253

  Tunbridge Wells

  30·4

  104

  3·8

  214

  Lancashire

  Blackburn

  32·8

  89

  10·0

  75

  Blackpool

  73·0

  6

  30·9

  1

  Burnley

  15·6

  194

  14·9

  36

  Chorley

  11·1

  227

  10·1

  74

  Fylde

  32·1

  96

  8·7

  97

  Hyndburn

  21·8

  159

  6·9

  143

  Lancaster

  42·1

  47

  14·7

  37

  Pendle

  16·2

  192

  14·5

  38

  Preston

  51·6

  23

  21·8

  9

  Ribble Valley

  2·1

  271

  4·9

  182

  Rossendale

  29·6

  109

  9·8

  79

  South Ribble

  9·9

  240

  3·5

  220

  West Lancashire

  5·8

  255

  8·2

  114

  Wyre

  18·1

  177

  1·9

  254

  Leicestershire

  Blahy

  18·4

  175

  4·5

  194

  Charnwood

  17·3

  185

  6·0

  159

  Harborough

  -2·1

  280

  1·7

  257

  Hinckley and Bosworth

  24·0

  136

  7·2

  138

  Leicester

  44·1

  41

  16·4

  25

  Melton

  14·5

  202

  4·1

  209

  North West Leicestershire

  11·4

  224

  3·8

  216

  Oadby and Wigston

  36·1

  71

  5·4

  176

  Rutland

  32·1

  95

  3·7

  217

  Lincolnshire

  Boston

  36·5

  68

  3·3

  224

  East Lindsey

  24·1

  135

  7·5

  131

  Lincoln

  62·0

  10

  13·2

  49

  North Kesteven

  4·9

  261

  3·5

  221

  South Holland

  1·6

  273

  2·4

  247

  South Kesteven

  30·6

  102

  6·0

  158

  West Lindsey

  -2·1

  281

  2·6

  243

  Norfolk

  Breckland

  10·5

  232

  2·6

  244

  Broadland

  19·3

  171

  0·2

  271

  Great Yarmouth

  50·8

  25

  8·0

  117

  North Norfolk

  33·0

  86

  2·9

  233

  Norwich

  22·5

  149

  20·5

  11

  South Norfolk

  -2·2

  282

  -1·1

  281

  King's Lynn and West Norfolk

  23·0

  142

  5·4

  175

  Northamptonshire

  Corby

  25·3

  131

  8·3

  109

  Daventry

  46·4

  34

  3·6

  219

  East Northamptonshire

  38·4

  62

  2·8

  237

  Kettering

  5·7

  258

  7·0

  142

  Northampton

  39·4

  59

  9·3

  85

  South Northamptonshire

  35·5

  77

  -1·2

  283

  Wellingborough

  22·5

  147

  8·2

  115

  Northumberland

  Alnwick

  19·4

  169

  -1·7

  286

  Berwick·upon·Tweed

  50·7

  26

  -1·4

  284

  Blyth Valley

  1·1

  275

  9·5

  81

  Castle Morpeth

  13·2

  213

  0·3

  269

  Tynedale

  -2·4

  285

  -3·3

  293

  Wansbeck

  27·6

  120

  11·2

  62

  116 117

  (a) 1981–82 to 1988–89

  (b) 1985–86 to 1988–89

  per cent. Change

  Rank in class

  per cent. Change

  Rank in class

  North Yorkshire

  Craven

  21·9

  158

  0·9

  264

  Hambleton

  18·2

  176

  0·2

  272

  Harrogate

  19·8

  168

  5·6

  169

  Richmondshire

  193

  170

  7·0

  140

  Ryedale

  36·0

  72

  1·0

  262

  Scarborough

  38·8

  61

  8·3

  111

  Selby

  15·2

  197

  6·3

  155

  York

  66·6

  8

  21·3

  10

  Nottinghamshire

  Ashfield

  10·3

  238

  10·2

  72

  Bassetlaw

  10·4

  233

  8·7

  94

  Broxtowe

  15·3

  195

  5·6

  172

  Codling

  47·5

  33

  13·1

  50

  Mansfield

  -8·0

  296

  10·9

  65

  Newark and Sherwood

  17·7

  180

  4·6

  187

  Nottingham

  69·1

  7

  18·6

  18

  Rushcliffe

  22·5

  148

  7·6

  127

  Oxfordshire

  Cherwell

  24·7

  133

  8·3

  112

  Oxford

  40·6

  55

  12·7

  53

  South Oxfordshire

  13·1

  214

  2·5

  246

  Vale of White Horse

  34·0

  82

  4·3

  197

  West Oxfordshire

  29·7

  108

  8·7

  96

  Shropshire

  Bridgnorth

  36·3

  69

  2·9

  234

  North Shropshire

  30·2

  105

  0·4

  267

  Oswestry

  79·7

  4

  1·4

  259

  Shrewsbury and Atcham

  39·7

  56

  6·1

  156

  South Shropshire

  11·3

  225

  4·5

  193

  Wrekin

  11·8

  220

  9·8

  78

  Somerset

  Mendip

  26·4

  124

  5·1

  181

  Sedgemoor

  29·4

  110

  6·7

  146

  Taunton Deane

  23·9

  138

  5·7

  166

  West Somerset

  11·5

  223

  4·5

  195

  South Somerset

  45·3

  37

  4·0

  210

  Staffordshire

  Cannock Chase

  15·1

  199

  8·2

  113

  East Staffordshire

  45·1

  38

  7·6

  126

  Lichfield

  49·9

  30

  4·3

  202

  Newcastle-under-Lyme

  36·0

  73

  4·9

  183

  South Staffordshire

  17·6

  181

  5·6

  171

  Stafford

  22·1

  156

  4·6

  188

  Staffordshire Moorlands

  23·0

  141

  -1·1

  282

  Stoke-on-Trent

  58·5

  14

  19·4

  13

  Tamworth

  26·2

  125

  2·7

  242

  Suffolk

  Babergh

  -0·1

  277

  0·9

  263

  Forest Heath

  -1·7

  279

  8·5

  103

  Ipswich

  43·4

  42

  13·5

  46

  Mid Suffolk

  13·5

  210

  2·8

  236

  St. Edmundsbury

  30·0

  106

  4·9

  184

  Suffolk Coastal

  20·7

  163

  4·2

  205

  Waveney

  20·5

  165

  7·3

  136

  Surrey

  Elmbridge

  6·4

  254

  9·5

  82

  Epsom and Ewell

  -3·2

  287

  8·1

  116

  Guildford

  12·2

  218

  11·1

  63

  Mole Valley

  3·4

  268

  7·4

  135

  Reigate and Banstead

  18·9

  173

  10·1

  73

  Runnymede

  5·8

  257

  12·6

  54

  Spelthorne

  7·8

  248

  7·6

  125

  Surrey Heath

  22·3

  155

  10·3

  69

  Tandridge

  35·4

  78

  9·9

  76

  Waverley

  10·3

  239

  10·3

  70

  Waking

  11·5

  222

  10·5

  68

  118 119

  (a) 1981–82 to 1988–89

  (b) 1985–86 to 1988–89

  per cent. Change

  Rank in class

  per cent. Change

  Rank in class

  Warwickshire

  North Warwickshire

  -4·6

  288

  0·5

  266

  Nuneaton and Bedworth

  4·5

  263

  8·4

  104

  Rugby

  25·3

  130

  4·3

  199

  Stratford on Avon

  20·4

  166

  -1·7

  278

  Warwick

  14·5

  203

  5·6

  170

  West Sussex

  Adur

  21·1

  161

  8·9

  90

  Arun

  14·3

  204

  4·5

  192

  Chichester

  7·6

  250

  2·4

  248

  Crawley

  54·1

  19

  11·9

  60

  Horsham

  20·1

  167

  6·9

  144

  Mid Sussex

  10·3

  236

  4·6

  191

  Worthing

  37·8

  65

  16·3

  26

  Wiltshire

  Kennet

  31·0

  101

  2·7

  241

  North Wiltshire

  17·5

  183

  4·7

  186

  Salisbury

  24·6

  134

  6·0

  161

  Thamesdown

  27·1

  122

  13·4

  47

  West Wiltshire

  8·9

  245

  3·1

  227

  All purpose authority

  Isles of Scilly

  62·4

  1

  26·3

  1

  Rate Support Grant
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the cost to his Department of administering the rate support grant in each year from 1979–80 to 1987–88.

  Mr. Ridley
  An approximate estimate for the financial year 1986–87 based on the costs of staff effort and of printing, computing and so on is £1·4 million. The cost in 1987–88 may be about £1.2 million. These estimates do not include certain other costs, such as accommodation, which cannot easily be attributed to particular functions. Consistent figures for earlier years are not available.

  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the rate poundage implied for each authority at taxpayer level by the rate support grant for 1988–89, assuming that each authority meets his Department's spending assumption, with no additions to or withdrawals from funds or balances, and assuming 1987–88 penny rate products; and if he will list, on a class and ranked basis, each authority's 1987–88 rate poundage, showing the difference between 1987–88 poundage and the implied one for 1988–89 and showing the resulting percentage change.

  Mr. Ridley
  I have today placed the information in the Library.

  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what changes were made to the method of calculating grant-related expenditure in each rate support grant settlement from 1981–82 to 1988–89.

  Mr. Ridley
  Changes to the method of calculating grant related expenditure assessment in each rate support grant settlement are as follows:

  1982–83

  Changes to GRE components for:

  Education
  increase the weight given to additional educational needs
  double the weighting of ethnic minorities within the additional educational needs indicator
  120
  to introduce a component for the young unemployed to be distributed on youth unemployment
  to distribute debt charges arising from pre 1981–82 capital expenditure on past years' actual debt charges

  Personal social services, miscellaneous
  to base the assessed need for provision on a regression estimation against an indicator of housing and social conditions in place of the previous per capita distribution

  Passenger transport
  to distribute debt charges arising from pre 1981–82 capital expenditure on a past year's actual debt charges and introduction of a new GRE component (with a negative central total) for:

  Interest receipts
  to be distributed on all other assessed GRE's.

  1983–84

  Changes to GRE components for:

  Education
  to widen the scope of adult education GRE to include non-release part-time day courses in addition to evening-only courses; but to leave the basis of distribution unchanged;
  to replace, in the component for school meals and milk, the indicator of numbers of pupils receiving free school meals with a new indicator of pupils in families whose head is in receipt of supplementary benefits.

  Passenger transport revenue support
  to allocate a proportion solely to metropolitan counties and to distribute this between them on the basis of loaded train miles.

  Sports and parks and parish precepts
  to amalgamate into a single GRE component ('recreation'); and to omit the visitor rights indicator from the assessment.

  Rate collection
  to omit the rateable values indicators from the assessment.

  Coast protection
  to change the basis of distribution from population of coastal authorities to length of protected coastline;
  and introduction of a new explicit GRE component for: building regulations — to be distributed on the number of building regulation applications determined.

  1984–85

  Changes to GRE components for:
  121
  Education
  a change to the sparseness of population indicator need in the component for secondary education to remove school size.

  Personal social services
  complete change to the methodology.

  Probation
  removal of the population density indicator.

  Housing outside the HRA
  to include an indicator of numbers in private rented accommodation.

  Economic development
  to distribute on the basis of numbers of unemployed.

  Building control
  to divide the control total initially between inner London, including GLC and other authorities on the basis of past spending to reflect the different responsibilities in inner London.

  Interest receipts
  to divide the negative control total initially between the classes of authority on the basis of past levels of interest receipts.

  1985–86

  Changes to the GRE components for:

  Passenger transport revenue support
  distributed on a public transport demand factor and loaded train miles;

  Normal road maintenance, winter maintenance and street lighting
  distributed on road lengths, road usage and severity of winter weather;

  Contribution to the housing revenue account
  change to the methodology to take into account more recent information for various items and to project separately each major HRA item.

  Recreation
  to introduce a new methodology based on the product of numbers in need of recreational facilities and the unit cost of providing them;

  Cemeteries and crematoria
  to distribute on numbers of deaths.

  Enhancement of the method of adjusting for higher labour costs in and around London differentiating by groups of services according to the share of costs nationally relating to direct manpower expenditure and the local labour content of non-labour costs in each service grouping.

  1986–87

  Changes to GRE components for:

  Concessionary fares
  to change the basis of distribution from numbers of elderly to a client group assessment of the numbers in need of public transport and its availability;

  Local authority support for local rail networks
  to take account of all rail services rather than just those British Rail services supported under s.20 of the Transport Act 1968, and change the basis of distribution from loaded train miles to a combination of rail route mileage and network infrastructure costs in each metropolitan area:

  Table 1: Grant-related expenditure by class of authority, 1981–82 to 1988–89

  £ million

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  Sett.

  Final SR

  Sett.

  Final SR

  Sett.

  Final SR

  Sett.

  Final SR

  Sett.

  3rd SR

  Shire districts

  1,243

  1,267

  1,400

  1,374

  1,470

  1,468

  1,414

  1,436

  1,462

  1,465

  Shire counties

  8,300

  8,378

  8,934

  8,906

  9,287

  9,276

  9,770

  9,826

  10,442

  10,476

  Metropolitan districts

  3,489

  3,528

  3,762

  3,729

  3,891

  3,873

  3,978

  3,997

  4,187

  4,194

  Metropolitan counties

  786

  802

  864

  862

  927

  927

  996

  1,005

  1,186

  1,190

  City of London

  11

  13

  16

  16

  17

  17

  16

  16

  17

  17

  Inner London boroughs

  573

  583

  643

  628

  678

  664

  661

  664

  729

  732

  Outer London boroughs

  1,437

  1,452

  1,562

  1,548

  1,616

  1,606

  1,628

  1,635

  1,708

  1,717

  ILEA

  468

  468

  514

  509

  517

  513

  533

  532

  555

  525

  GLC

  406

  427

  481

  457

  480

  464

  517

  525

  549

  548

  122
  Education
  to distribute debt charges arising from pre 1981–82 capital expenditure on the basis of all other education assessed GREs; and to sub-divide the sparseness of population indicator into two indicators reflecting differing degrees of sparseness;

  Personal social services
  to change the basis of distribution of costs of social workers and social services central management and administration to assessed social services GRE for children and the elderly;

  Refuse collection and waste disposal
  to modify the density of population indicator in each case.

  1987–88

  Changes to GRE components for:

  The police service
  to change the basis of distribution to police establishments;

  Personal social services
  to combine the PSS categories for children aged under 5 and aged 5 to 17;

  Education
  to include fully the cost of pupils, not belonging to the area of any authority in the 'no area' pool and to exclude them from the numbers of school pupils indicators;

  Roads maintenance (winter)
  to substitute air frost for grass frost in the weather adjustment factor;

  Housing revenue account
  to modify the treatment of an earlier assessed rent increase;
  and
  Introduction of new GRE components for
  Airports debt charges
  Public transport pension payments
  both to be distributed on the basis of authorities' actual' expenditure.

  1988–89

  Changes to GRE components for:

  Non-advanced further education
  to include all YTS students in the indicator for non-advanced further education students;

  Housing benefits
  to modify the proportion of certificated and non-certificated housing benefits qualifying for GRE, to reflect changes to be made to the financing of housing benefits by DHSS from 1 April 1988;

  Building regulations
  to change the basis of distribution from number of building regulation applications determined to numbers of domestic and non-domestic properties.

  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the total of grant-related expenditure, by service and in total, at rate support grant settlement and at estimated outturn, in each year from 1981–82 to 1988–89, by class.

  Mr. Ridley
  The available information is as follows:
  123

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  Sett.

  Final SR

  Sett.

  Final SR

  Sett.

  Final SR

  Sett.

  Final SR

  Sett.

  3rd SR

  Metropolitan police

  268

  274

  338

  327

  346

  348

  367

  367

  385

  389

  Isles of Scilly

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  England

  16,982

  17,194

  18,515

  18,357

  19,231

  19,156

  19,882

  20,003

  21,221

  21,254

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  Sett.

  3rd SR

  Sett.

  1st SR

  Sett

  Shire districts

  1,617

  1,614

  1,540

  1,540

  1,601

  Shire counties

  11,059

  11,150

  11,628

  11,909

  12,894

  Metropolitan districts

  5,040

  5,082

  5,232

  5,348

  5,744

  Joint fire authorities

  152

  152

  167

  167

  173

  Joint police authorities

  328

  328

  363

  363

  408

  Joint transport authorities

  284

  282

  305

  305

  303

  City of London

  24

  24

  34

  34

  37

  Inner London boroughs

  1,112

  1,107

  1,149

  1,149

  1,190

  Outer London boroughs

  2,081

  2,088

  2,167

  2,210

  2,384

  ILEA

  545

  547

  559

  580

  631

  London Fire and CD Authority

  125

  126

  136

  136

  142

  Metropolitan police

  421

  421

  460

  460

  498

  Isles of Stilly

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  England

  22,790

  22,924

  23,742

  24,202

  26,006

  Table 2: Grant-related Expenditure by Service, 1981–82 to 1988–89

  £ million

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  Sett.

  Final SR

  Sett.

  Final SR

  Sett.

  Final SR

  Sett.

  Final SR

  Sett.

  3rd SR

  Education, arts & libraries

  9,367

  10,217

  10,349

  10,329

  10,624

  10,650

  11,093

  11,093

  Personal Social Services

  1,643

  1,943

  2,085

  2,081

  2,205

  2,208

  2,366

  2,366

  Law and Order

  1,479

  1,649

  1,785

  1,789

  1,890

  1,893

  2,008

  2,022

  Transport

  1,286

  1,373

  1,398

  1,387

  1,487

  1,497

  1,733

  1,733

  Employment and Consumer Protection

  100

  107

  110

  110

  115

  115

  118

  118

  Housing

  509

  591

  536

  561

  514

  538

  628

  628

  Environment Services

  2,176

  2,405

  2,507

  2,470

  2,520

  2,558

  2,652

  2,672

  Financing items

  423

  230

  461

  430

  527

  544

  622

  622

  Total

  16,982

  17,194

  18,515

  18,357

  19,231

  19,156

  19,882

  20,003

  21,221

  21,254

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  Sett.

  3rd SR

  Sett.

  1st SR

  Sett.

  Education, arts and libraries

  11,618

  11,729

  12,576

  13,036

  13,939

  Personal Social Services

  2,553

  2,553

  2,757

  2,757

  2,913

  Law and order

  2,152

  2,152

  2,363

  2,363

  2,555

  Transport

  1,929

  1,929

  2,045

  2,045

  2,024

  Employment and Consumer Protection

  127

  127

  148

  148

  159

  Housing

  826

  829

  825

  825

  816

  Environment Services

  2,926

  2,945

  3,000

  3,000

  3,137

  Financing items

  660

  660

  29

  29

  464

  Total

  22,790

  22,924

  23,742

  24,202

  26,006

  Notes:

  1. Outturn figures for 1985–86 onwards are not yet available so latest supplementary report figures have been used. For 1983–84, 1984–85 and 1986–87 the latest data are as in the consultation papers issued by the Department of the Environment to each local authority on 9 December 1987.

  2. Service breakdowns of the final 1981–82 and 1982–83 GREs are not available.

  3. Figures may not sum due to rounding.

  Homes Insulation
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to introduce the new homes insulation scheme announced by the then Minister for Housing and Construction, the hon. Member for Oxford, West and Abingdon (Mr. Patten) on 19 December 1986; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  A new homes insulation scheme has today been laid before Parliament. Nearly 90 per cent. of 124
  accessible loft spaces are now insulated and in future the available resources need to be concentrated on those most in need of assistance with loft insulation works. The new scheme therefore withdraws the rate of grant at 66 per cent. available to eligible householders in general but extends the availability of 90 per cent. grants to all eligible householders who are in receipt of housing benefit, supplementary benefit—income support from April 1988 —or family income supplement—family credit from April 1988. The grant available will be 90 per cent. of the

  125
  costs of work up to a ceiling of £137, which is a substantial increase over the maximum grant previously available. The new scheme applies to England, Scotland and Wales and will come into effect on 1 February 1988.

  Advisory Comittees
  Mr. Richard Shepherd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in the Official Report the names of his advisory committees, together with an indication of those whose members are required to sign a declaration under, or who have otherwise had drawn to their attention, the provisions of section 2 of the Officials Secrets Act.

  Mr. Ridley
  [pursuant to his reply, 18 December 1987, c. 787]: The list of advisory bodies for which I am responsible should also have included the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution.

  Sheltered Workshops
  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether local authorities will still be able to use the priority suppliers scheme if the Local Government Bill is passed in its present form; and if he will make a statement regarding the relationship between the local authorities' sheltered workshops in light of the proposals on competitive tendering.

  Mr. Chope
  The effect of the Bill's provisions on the priority suppliers scheme is currently under consideration. Any additional costs incurred in the employment of local authority disabled employees who are involved in activities affected by the competition provisions of the Bill, whether in sheltered workshops or otherwise, will be taken into account by the Secretary of State in deciding whether to act against any failure to meet the financial objectives provided for by the Bill.

  Wimpey No-fines Dwellings
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) when the Walsall metropolitan borough council will be notified of his Department's decision regarding expenditure for 1988–89 on improvements to the Wimpey no-fines dwellings;

  (2) what submissions have been made by the Walsall metropolitan borough council regarding the improvements to the Wimpey no-fines dwellings in the next financial year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Roe
  Walsall metropolitan borough council was notified on 18 December 1987 that it would receive an HIP allocation of £6·9 million for 1988–89. This allocation took full account of the most recent submissions by Walsall metropolitan borough council on the repair and improvement of Wimpey no-fines houses, which were made during the preceding HIP round. HIP allocations do not differentiate between separate items of expenditure, and it will be for Walsall metropolitan borough council to determine its own expenditure priorities during the coming financial year.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Mr. Jeremy Warner
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 126
  will invite the inspectors investigating alleged insider dealing by civil servants not to take out an application for punishment of Mr. Jeremy Warner, business correspondent of The Independent; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maude
  The inspectors applied to the High Court in March 1987 for the court to inquire into the refusal by Mr. Warner to answer certain questions put to him by the inspectors. The House of Lords has now decided that Mr. Warner did not have a reasonable excuse for his refusal to answer. By order of the House of Lords the matter will now be remitted to the High Court. It will be for the court to decide how to deal with the matter. It is not for the inspectors to make any recommendation about punishment.

  British Steel Corporation (Monopolies and Mergers Commission Report)
  Mr. Gould
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he received and when he expects to publish the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report following its investigation of the British Steel Corporation.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The report was commissioned under section 11 of the Competition Act 1980 and delivered in August 1986.

  The long delay in publication has been caused by the need to consider very carefully a request by the British Steel Corporation that the Secretary of State should exercise his powers under section 17 of the Act to make a number of excisions to the published report in order to avoid prejudicing the interests of the corporation. We will publish the report as soon as possible.

  Gallows (Export)
  Mr. Gould
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will take steps to prohibit the export by United Kingdom firms of gallows and other equipment whose sole purpose is use in the carrying out of the death sentence; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  No. I understand that gallows and related equipment may be constructed from items designed for other purposes and the export of which it would be impractical to control.

  Nissan
  Mr. Caborn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what grants have been made available to Nissan over the past three months in relation to its expansion plans in the north-east.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Government have offered financial assistance to Nissan of up to £25 million in respect of the company's plans to produce a second model at its Sunderland plant.

  Clothing Industry (Morpeth and Ashington)
  Mr. Jack Thompson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what has been the total level of regional aid granted to the clothing industry in the Morpeth and Ashington employment areas since 1975 by regional development grant, regional selective assistance and northern selective assistance to date.

  Mr. Atkins
  Identifiable regional aid granted to the clothing and knitwear industry in the Castle Morpeth and
  127
  Wansbeck local authority districts since 1975 amounted to £0·1 million. However this does not include aid under the original regional development grant scheme for which sufficiently detailed information is not available.

  Mr. Jack Thompson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what grants have come from the European Economic Community since 1979 for the clothing industry in the Morpeth and Ashington employment areas.

  Mr. Atkins
  There have been no grants from the European Community since 1979 for the clothing industry companies in this area.

  Mr. Jack Thompson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what has been the estimated number of jobs created or saved by regional or European Economic Community grant aid since 1979 in the Morpeth and Ashington employment areas.

  Mr. Atkins
  It was estimated that around 2,650 jobs would be created or safeguarded as a result of regional aid granted in the Castle Morpeth and Wansbeck local authority districts since 1979. This does not include aid under the original regional development grant (RDG) scheme which was not job-related and for which sufficiently detailed information is in any case not available.

  Note:
  Aid from the European regional development fund (ERDF) may be payable in respect of companies in receipt of RDG and/or regional selective assistance. Such ERDF support does not go to companies, but is instead retained by the Government to increase the total level of assistance to industry.

  Mr. Jack Thompson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what clothing companies in the Morpeth and Ashington employment areas have received European Economic Community aid since 1979.

  Mr. Atkins
  The following clothing companies in the Castle Morpeth and Wansbeck local authority districts have been granted regional aid since 1979:

  Hadrian Fashions Ltd.

  P. Shapira Ltd.

  There have been no grants from the European Community since 1979 for clothing industry companies in these districts.

  Note:
  For Regional Development Grants detailed records are only available for the revised scheme introduced in November 1984.

  Mr. Jack Thompson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what proportion of total grant aid to the Morpeth and Ashington employment areas the grant aid to the clothing industry has represented since 1979.

  Mr. Atkins
  Since 1979, identifiable grant aid to the clothing and knitwear industry in the Castle Morpeth and Wansbeck local authority districts was 1 per cent. of total aid granted by my Department to the area under the same schemes.

  Note:
  The schemes referred to are the revised regional development grant scheme, regional selective assistance, support for major projects, innovation linked investment scheme, and support for innovation. Sufficiently detailed information is not available for the original regional development grant scheme.

  Clothing Industry (Blyth and Cramlinton)
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what has been the total level of regional aid granted to the clothing industry in the Blyth and Cramlinton employment areas since 1975 by regional development grant, regional selective assistance, and northern selective assistance.

  Mr. Atkins
  Identifiable regional aid granted to the clothing and knitwear industry in Blyth valley local authority district since 1975 amounted to £1·1 million. However, this does not include aid under the original regional development grant scheme for which sufficiently detailed information is not available.

  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what grants have come from the European Economic Community since 1979 for the clothing industry in the Blyth and Cramlinton employment areas.

  Mr. Atkins
  There have been no grants from the European Community since 1979 for the clothing industry companies in this area.

  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what proportion of total grant aid to the Blyth and Cramlinton employment areas grant aid to the clothing industry has represented since 1979.

  Mr. Atkins
  Since 1979, identifiable grant aid to the clothing and knitwear industry in the Blyth Valley local authority district was 8 per cent. of total aid granted by my Department to the area under the same schemes.

  Notes:— The grant schemes referred to are the revised regional development grant scheme, regional selective assistance, support for major projects, innovation linked investment scheme, and support for innovation. Sufficiently detailed information is not available for the original regional development grant scheme.

  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which clothing companies in the Blyth and Cramlinton employment areas have received European Economic Community aid since 1979.

  Mr. Atkins
  There have been no grants from the European Community since 1979 for the clothing industry companies in this area.

  Job Creation (Blyth and Cramlinton)
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what has been the estimated number of jobs created or saved by regional or European Economic Community grant aid since 1979 in the Blyth and Cramlinton employment areas.

  Mr. Atkins
  It was estimated that around 4,350 jobs would be created or safeguarded as a result of regional aid granted in the Blyth Valley local authority district since 1979. This does not include aid under the original regional development grant scheme which was not job-related and for which sufficiently detailed information is in any case not available.

  Notes:—
  (1) The above information includes both regional selective assistance (RSA) and the revised regional development grant (RDG) scheme introduced in November 1984: RSA and RDG are sometimes both granted in respect of the same project. There may therefore be an element of double-counting in the jobs figure quoted.
  129
  (2) Aid from the European regional development fund (ERDF) may be payable in respect of companies in receipt of RDG and/or RSA. Such ERDF support does not go to companies, but is instead retained by the Government to increase the total level of assistance to industry.

  Shipbuilders
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to what extent his Department has subsidised shipbuilders in Great Britain in each of the last five years; if he will publish a list of British shipyards and the subsidy allocated to each; and how much money is presently committed further to subsidise each shipyard in Great Britain.

  Mr. Atkins
  State aid has been provided to British Shipbuilders in the form of contract-related support through the shipbuilding intervention fund and by the injection of public dividend capital as follows:

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  Totals

  Richards (Shipbuilders) Ltd.

  1·19

  0·34

  0·16

  0·88

  0·54

  3·11

  Cochrane (Shipbuilders) Ltd.

  1·20

  1·07

  0·79

  2·21

  1·19

  6·46

  Richard Dunston Ltd.

  1·43

  0·55

  0·03

  0·25

  0·79

  3·05

  McTay Marine Ltd.

  0·14

  0·43

  0·99

  0·42

  1·01

  2·99

  James Cook Ltd.

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  0·20

  Nil

  0·20

  Cubow Ltd.

  0·09

  0·02

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  0·11

  G. & O. Brown Ltd.

  0·06

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  0·06

  Totals

  4·11

  2·41

  1·97

  3·96

  3·53

  15·98

  International Tin Agreement
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what have been the costs to date of defending the various legal actions brought against the Government following the collapse of the international tin agreement in 1985.

  Mr. Atkins
  Payments in respect of legal costs by the Treasury Solicitor acting for the Government Departments concerned in various actions in the courts in England arising out of the cessation of the buffer stock operation of the International Tin Council totalled £219,096 at 31 December 1987.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what contribution the United Kingdom has made to the International Tin Council since the collapse of the international tin agreement in 1985.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Government's contribution to the administrative account of the International Tin Council for the years ended 30 June 1986 and 30 June 1987 was £55,071 and £76,117 respectively, and is £73,458 for the current year.

  Patent Office (Relocation)
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether, pursuant to his answers to the hon. Members for Bradford, West (Mr. Madden) and for Harrogate (Mr. Banks),Official Report, column 239, he will reconsider his decision on Patent Office relocation in the light of the decision of the Trustee Savings Bank to relocate to Newport.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  As I have stated on previous occasions, the location of the Patent Office close to other large DTI establishments in Cardiff or Newport would
  130

  £ million

  1982–83

  113·8

  1983–84

  307·6

  1984–85

  206·6

  1985–86

  97·8

  1986–87

  297·1

  Total

  1,022·9

  The current year forecast is for total payments of £118 million. An estimate of £80 million has been made for 1988–89.

  Payments of shipbuilding intervention fund to private sector shipbuilders have been as set out in the table. The current year forecast is for total payments of £6 million. An estimate of £2·47 million has been made for 1988–89.

  yield significant operational and financial advantages. My officials are currently examining the feasibility of such a move and I have no plans to look elsewhere at the moment.

  Furniture (Polyurethane Foam)
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many representations he has received about the fire hazard arising from the use of polyurethane foam in upholstered furniture; if he will introduce a ban on the use of such material for that purpose; what advice he has received about the availability of alternative and safer materials; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maude
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement I made on this subject this afternoon.

  Advisory Committees
  Mr. Richard Shepherd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list in the Official Report the names of his advisory committees, together with an indication of those whose members are required to sign a declaration under, or who have otherwise had drawn to their attention, the provisions of section 2 of the Official Secrets Act.

  Mr. Maude
  [holding answer 18 December 1987]: I list in the table my Department's advisory bodies. Members of those in list A are required to sign a declaration under, or have otherwise had drawn to their attention, the provisions of section 2 of the Official Secrets Act. Members of those in list B are not. Members of those in list C may be asked to sign a declaration under the Act in the event of information with a national security classification coming before them.
  131
  List A

  British Overseas Trade Board

  Export Guarantees Advisory Council

  Industrial Development Advisory Board

  Overseas Projects Board

  Production Statistics Advisory Committee

  Regional Industrial Development Boards

  List B

  China Clay Council

  Focus Committee on Information Technology Standards

  Joint Optoelectronics Research Scheme Assessment Committee

  Joint Optoelectronics Research Scheme Displays Assessment Committee

  Standing Advisory Committee on Patents

  Standing Advisory Committee on Trade Marks

  Technology Transfer Services Advisory Committee

  List C

  Technology Requirements Board

  Sectoral Advisory Committees:

  Advanced Manufacturing Technology

  Applied Electronics

  Aviation

  Biotechnology

  Computing, Software and Communications

  Electrical Technology

  Electronic Devices and Materials

  Maritime Technology

  Mechanical Engineering

  Metals, Minerals and Reclamation

  Standards, Quality and Measurement

  Non-Metrallic Materials and Chemicals

  Process Plant

  Textiles and Other Manufactures

  Vehicle

TRANSPORT

  Motorway Cones
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of motorway were coned on 10 January.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  About 30 miles of motorway at 16 sites were subject to lane closures for major maintenance works; there may also have been some closures for minor and emergency works; we do not keep records of these.

  Vehicle Mileage
  Mr. Waller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what has been the percentage change in vehicle mileage on roads in England since 1982.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  22 per cent.

  London Underground (Rodents)
  Ms. Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the extent of rodent infestation on the London Underground system.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  No. This is entirely a matter for London Underground Limited.

  London Underground Ltd.
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans to put any of the work of London Underground Ltd. out to competitive tender; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  Neither my right hon. Friend nor I are responsible for putting work out to tender.132
  Parliament has placed on London Regional Transport the obligation to see that tenders are invited where appropriate.

  Drink-Driving
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the Christmas campaign against drinking and driving.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The Christmas phase of the year-round campaign stressed the importance of planning to avoid drinking and driving, and helping others by providing non-alcoholic drinks to guests who are driving. The July and October phases of the campaign also made a considerable impact on public attitudes. The campaign will continue throughout 1988.

  British Rail (Electrification)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a further statement on his discussions with British Rail on the electrification of the Edinburgh-Fauldhouse-Glasgow lines, and the Edinburgh-Linlithgow-Glasgow lines.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  British Rail is still considering whether there is a case for electrifying one of these routes.

  Roadbuilding Priorities
  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans to change his priorities in roadbuilding.

  Mr. Channon
  My objectives in building roads in Britain remain the reduction of transport costs, to assist economic growth, the removal of through traffic from unsuitable roads in towns and villages and the enhancement of road safety. All the schemes in my road programme meet one or more of these objectives; many of them achieve all three, and I have no plans to change them.

  Aircraft Noise
  Mr. Higgins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when next he plans to meet the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority to discuss aircraft noise.

  Mr. Channon
  I frequently meet the chairman and discuss a whole range of topics with him.

  Motorways (Hazard Warning Lights)
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what improvements he expects to introduce in hazard warning lights on the motorway system in 1988.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Improvements in standards of design, operation and provision are continually being made. In 1988 trials will be undertaken of equipment to detect incidents and operate signals automatically. Matrix signals will be installed throughout M25 as part of a new control system.

  Manchester International Airport
  Mr. Hind
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what level of development has been approved for Manchester International airport in each of the last eight years.
  133
  Mr. Channon
  Approvals have been given which have allowed capital expenditure by Manchester airport totalling £89·9 million over the eight years ending in 1986–87. A table showing the annual figures is being printed in the Official Report.

  Approvals have been given which have allowed the following levels of capital expenditure by Manchester International airport:

  Financial year

  Expenditure £ million

  1979–80

  8·4

  1980–81

  7·0

  1981–82

  10·5

  1982–83

  7·1

  1983–84

  10·2

  1984–85

  11·5

  1985–86

  17·8

  1986–87

  17·4

  Sources:

  1979–80 to 1985–86: Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy "Local Authority Airports and Statistics".

  1986–87: Monopolies and Mergers Commission Report "Manchester Airport plc".

  British Rail
  Mr. A. J. Beith
  (Berwick upon Tweed): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met the chairman of British Rail; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Channon
  I last met the chairman on 3 December and discussed a wide range of matters of current interest.

  British Rail Engineering Ltd
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what has been the investment in new machinery in British Rail Engineering Ltd. workshops at Crewe for each year from 1985–86 to 1987–88.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  BREL has provided the following figures for investment in new machinery and associated reorganisation programmes at Crewe:

  Year

  £ Million

  1985–86

  2·0

  1986–87

  4·0

  1987–88

  (Forecast)

  1·6

  Figures are rounded to the nearest £100,000.

  Investment Finance
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much investment finance his Department has provided for London Regional Transport and British Rail's Network SouthEast for each of the last three years.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  Investment by London Regional Transport and British Rail's Network SouthEast has been as follows:

  £ Million

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  NSE

  1125

  125

  129

  LRT

  1192

  226

  241

  1 Adjusted from 15 month figure January 1985—March 1986.

  British Rail (Electrification)
  Mr. Gregory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the first stretch of the London-Edinburgh electrification scheme to become operational.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  A full electric service from London to Huntingdon and Peterborough has been operating since May 1987. Services to Leeds are now expected to start in August 1988, a year earlier than originally planned.

  London Regional Transport
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his policy towards future levels of revenue subsidy for London Regional Transport.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  It is not expected that LRT will need further revenue support after the end of the current financial year, but substantial grants will continue to be made to finance capital investment.

  Mr. Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on capital investment in London Regional Transport's Underground in the current and the next financial year and with particular reference to plans for capital expenditure on the Northern line.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  Capital expenditure this year on the underground is expected to be £199 million, and well in excess of £200 million next year. Current plans for the Northern line include an additional eight trains next year, and investment of £45 million over the next three years on continuing station modernisation, lifts and escalators, signalling and better communications and passenger information systems.

  Foreign Lorries
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the surveillance of foreign lorries is increased by 50 per cent., what percentage of the total number of foreign lorries will be checked for excess weight at ports and elsewhere.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The 8,800 foreign lorries we expect to weigh this year are about three per cent. of the total number of inward journeys. Many of these are carried out by regular visitors whose cumulative chances of being weighed during the year are higher.

  Civil Aviation (Competition)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received on the level of competition in civil aviation.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  We have received representations from several hon. Members, airlines, other interested parties and members of the public about various aviation policy issues.

  Manningtree Station
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will pay an official visit to Manningtree station.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  I have no plans to do so.

  Freight Transport
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received in connection with the charges made for transporting freight on the rail network in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  None recently.

  National Dock Labour Scheme
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met representatives of the national dock labour scheme employers; and what subjects were discussed.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  The chairmen of the British Ports Association and the National Association of Port Employers met my right hon. Friend on 10 July 1987 and expressed their concerns about the workings of the dock labour scheme.

  European Air Fares
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what further steps he is taking to encourage moves towards the liberalisation of European air fares; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The EC liberalisation package came into force on 1 January this year. It is an important step in opening up aviation in the EC to market forces. It gives airlines the opportunity to introduce lower fares, to decide for themselves what capacity to operate, to open up new routes and to compete more vigorously on routes already served, within a framework of fair competition.

  It is only a first step. The Council is committed to bringing in further measures during 1990 as part of the process of completing the internal market by 1992.

  We have already negotiated even more liberal arrangements with Germany and the Benelux countries. We shall be seeking to build on this in further bilateral discussions with other member states.

  Saltash Tunnel
  Mr. John Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the estimated cost of the Saltash tunnel now under construction; and what is its design traffic flow.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The estimate cost of this 410m long tunnel is £4·2 million and its traffic capacity is 4,500 vehicles per hour.

  Hatfield, Waltham Cross and Holmesdale Tunnels
  Mr. John Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what were the total costs of the construction of the Hatfield, Waltham Cross and Holmesdale tunnels, respectively.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The latest estimate of the final cost of the A1(M) Hatfield tunnel is £30 million. The two M25 tunnels at Holmesdale near Waltham Cross and Bell common, south of Epping, cost £19·45 million and £14·82 million respectively. These figures are for the civil engineering, mechanical and electrical works. They exclude land-compensation costs and the costs of the actual carriageways through the tunnels.

  Rochester Way and Sidcup Bypass
  Mr. John Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the design traffic flows in the A2 Rochester Way relief road and the A20 Sidcup bypass.

  Mr. Channon
  The Rochester Way relief road was designed by the Greater London council which estimated in 1980 that the busiest section of the road, when opened, would carry 3,900 vehicles per hour (westbound) in the morning peak and that off-peak and eastbound morning peak figures would be approximately 1,500 vehicles per hour.

  The A20 Sidcup bypass improvement scheme was designed for 41,000 vehicles two-way per 16-hour day including a maximum of 4,200 vehicles per hour during the morning peak (1991 figures) on the busiest section between Frognal corner and Crittalls corner.

  London River Crossing
  Mr. John Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the design traffic flow for the A406 London river crossing.

  Mr. Channon
  The Thames bridge section of the proposed East London river crossing has forecast traffic flows of 5,700 (low growth) and 6,200 (high growth) vehicles per hour in the morning peak in 1991.

  Enfield (Bounds Green—Halls Lane Improvements)
  Mr. John Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the total estimated cost of the three improvements to the A406 in the London borough of Enfield between Bounds Green and Halls lane; and what are the average 16 hour peak traffic flows on these sections of the road.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  There are four improvement schemes in preparation or under construction on the A406 North Circular road in the London borough of Enfield. The total estimated cost, including works, land and fees, at December 1987 prices for each scheme is:

  Scheme

  Cost £ million

  Bounds Green—Green Lanes (in preparation)

  76·72

  Great Cambridge (A 10) junction (under construction)

  28·13

  Silver Street—A1010 (in preparation)

  39·68

  Dysons Road—Hall Lane (in preparation)

  64·54

  The average 16-hour traffic flow along the length of the A406 in the London borough of Enfield varies between 35,000 and 45,000 vehicles.

  M3 (Sunbury-Popham)
  Mr. John Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the total cost of construction of the M3 motorway between Sunbury and Popham.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  This section of the M3 was constructed between 1968 and 1974. The total cost at outturn prices, including ancillary works and land, was £46·332 million.

  Ferries (Passenger Restraints)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any proposals regarding the carriage of passenger restraints on United Kingdom registered passenger ferries; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  No. The master is provided with powers for keeping order on passenger ferries under section 287 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1984. It is for ferry operators to decide whether to provide passenger restraints.

  Aircraft (Passenger Restraints)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions his Department has recently held with the Civil Aviation Authority regarding the carriage of passenger restraints on all United Kingdom commercial passenger aircraft; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  None.

  Drivers (Accident Records)
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research his Department has carried out into the accident records of drivers in the first year of holding a full driving licence.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Past work has focused on the age of the driver rather than the period that has elapsed since passing the driving test. A project over the next two years is identifying the training and driving experience of a sample of L-drivers and reviewing their driving history 12 months later.

  Transport Supplementary Grant
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he proposes to announce allocations arising from bids for the additional £19 million supplementary transport allocation for 1987–88; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Sixty-nine of the 108 local highway authorities in England submitted bids for supplementary capital allocations for 1987–88. These bids have been carefully scrutinised.

  Additional allocations of £18 million for capital expenditure on local roads will help local authorities to carry out additional minor improvements to their roads in this financial year, including accident investigation and prevention measures. They will make possible acceleration of some authorities' programmes, maintenance of progress in the face of cost increases on important major schemes such as the north-south route in Enfield and the Penzance primary distributor road and the bringing forward of urban traffic management schemes in Birmingham, Newcastle and Camden.

  It has also been agreed that Colchester borough council will be allocated an additional £242,000 for public transport. The allocation of the remainder of the £19 million is still under consideration.

  Details of the additional allocations to local highway authorities are set out in the table. Local authorities are being informed individually of their own additional allocations. No authority gets a larger allocation than Lancashire.
  138

  The Distribution of Supplementary Capital Allocations for Local Roads 1987–88

  Authority

  Supplementary Allocation (£'000)

  Berkshire

  350

  Cheshire

  150

  Cleveland

  40

  Cornwall

  400

  Cumbria

  750

  Derbyshire

  700

  Devon

  600

  Dorset

  560

  Durham

  340

  East Sussex

  400

  Essex

  400

  Gloucestershire

  90

  Hampshire

  350

  Hereford & Worcester

  120

  Humberside

  650

  Isle of Wight

  160

  Kent

  320

  Lancashire

  1,000

  Lincolnshire

  120

  Northamptonshire

  580

  Northumberland

  200

  Oxfordshire

  400

  Shropshire

  200

  Somerset

  220

  Staffordshire

  200

  Suffolk

  400

  Warwickshire

  280

  Wiltshire

  170

  Total Shire Counties

  10,200

  Bolton

  100

  Bury

  90

  Manchester

  520

  Oldham

  100

  Rochdale

  80

  Tameside

  80

  Knowsley

  100

  Liverpool

  400

  St. Helens

  80

  Wirral

  100

  Gateshead

  200

  Newcastle

  980

  Barnsley

  260

  Doncaster

  260

  Sheffield

  400

  Calderdale

  180

  Kirklees

  160

  Leeds

  100

  Wakefield

  70

  Birmingham

  730

  Dudley

  160

  Solihull

  120

  Walsall

  200

  Wolverhampton

  500

  Total Metropolitan Districts

  5,970

  Bexley

  180

  Camden

  300

  Enfield

  1,000

  Hackney

  200

  Newham

  30

  Tower Hamlets

  120

  Total London

  1,830

  Total England

  18,000

  139
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received following the announcement of the 1988–89 transport supplementary grant: and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  I have received eight letters from hon. Members or direct from local authorities. Most are about Lancashire's capital allocation, the third largest of any shire county.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish in the Official Report details of the capital allocations for road schemes for 1988–89 made in the transport supplementary grant and give details in each case of the bid submitted by each authority and the allocation expenses as a percentage of that bid.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The information for the 108 local highway authorities in England is set out in the tables. The relationship between each local authority's bid and the capital allocation provided is determined by the relative merits of each authority's proposed programme as described in the transport policies and programme documents submitted to the Department and the total capital allocations available.

  Capital allocation for roads 1988–89

  Authority

  Bid £ million

  Allocation £ million

  Allocation as percentage of bid

  Per cent

  City of London

  1·792

  0·650

  36·3

  Barking and Dagenham

  8·749

  6·100

  69·7

  Barnet

  2·201

  1·040

  47·3

  Bexley

  3·619

  2·750

  76·0

  Brent

  1·935

  1·210

  62·5

  Bromley

  10·671

  8·820

  82·7

  Camden

  4·075

  0·360

  8·8

  Croydon

  2·696

  0·730

  27·1

  Ealing

  15·115

  6·360

  42·1

  Enfield

  33·088

  22·850

  69·1

  Greenwich

  6·085

  3·390

  55·7

  Hackney

  6·389

  1·700

  26·6

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  0·285

  0·280

  98·2

  Haringey

  10·482

  8·320

  79·4

  Harrow

  11·599

  9·590

  82·7

  Havering

  2·895

  1·280

  44·2

  Hillingdon

  16·610

  10·460

  63·0

  Hounslow

  3·267

  1·750

  53·6

  Islington

  1·697

  0·410

  24·2

  Kensington and Chelsea

  1·653

  1·120

  67·8

  Kingston upon Thames

  6·502

  5·630

  86·6

  Lambeth

  1·783

  0·780

  43·7

  Lewisham

  4·545

  2·410

  53·0

  Merton

  8·146

  6·750

  82·9

  Newham

  7·434

  2·650

  35·6

  Redbridge

  2·829

  1·910

  67·5

  Richmond upon Thames

  1·410

  0·700

  49·6

  Southwark

  6·848

  4·350

  63·5

  Sutton

  7·155

  2·580

  36·1

  Tower Hamlets

  1·763

  0·560

  31·8

  Waltham Forest

  2·670

  1·670

  62·5

  Wandsworth

  7·150

  2·420

  33·8

  Westminster

  13·403

  1·490

  11·1

  Bolton

  4·780

  4·030

  84·3

  Bury

  3·369

  2·280

  67·7

  Manchester

  15·554

  7·780

  50·0

  Oldham

  9·368

  5·240

  55·9

  Rochdale

  4·266

  1·300

  30·5

  Salford

  12·250

  7·990

  65·2

  140

  Authority

  Bid £ million

  Allocation £ million

  Allocation as percentage of bid

  Per cent

  Stockport

  2·650

  0·940

  35·5

  Tameside

  3·125

  1·040

  33·3

  Trafford

  4·431

  1·760

  39·7

  Wigan

  5·342

  4·760

  89·1

  Knowsley

  1·909

  0·720

  37·7

  Liverpool

  7·680

  3·510

  45·7

  St. Helens

  2·036

  1·550

  76·1

  Sefton

  2·111

  1·160

  55·0

  Wirral

  3·833

  2·870

  74·8

  Barnsley

  3·399

  1·550

  45·6

  Doncaster

  3·553

  1·890

  53·2

  Rotherham

  2·549

  1·190

  46·6

  Sheffield

  12·009

  2·780

  23·1

  Gateshead

  5·740

  4·300

  74·9

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  9·750

  5·480

  56·2

  North Tyneside

  1·600

  1·000

  62·5

  South Tyneside

  4·522

  1·720

  38·0

  Sunderland

  6·673

  3·790

  56·8

  Birmingham

  19·861

  9·570

  48·2

  Coventry

  7·749

  4·600

  59·4

  Dudley

  6·561

  2·360

  36·0

  Sandwell

  4·692

  2·280

  48·6

  Solihull

  2·216

  1·260

  56·9

  Walsall

  6·548

  4·770

  72·8

  Wolverhampton

  10·267

  7·830

  76·3

  Bradford

  7·615

  4·280

  56·2

  Calderdale

  3·455

  1·120

  32·4

  Kirklees

  6·311

  3·450

  54·6

  Leeds

  7·745

  4·460

  57·6

  Wakefield

  6·568

  1·320

  20·1

  Avon

  14·300

  10·450

  73·1

  Bedfordshire

  8·479

  6·710

  79·1

  Berkshire

  13·420

  9·240

  68·9

  Buckinghamshire

  5·582

  2·740

  49·1

  Cambridgeshire

  12·695

  6·670

  52·5

  Cheshire

  9·870

  4·410

  44·7

  Cleveland

  12·738

  8·720

  68·5

  Cornwall

  9·571

  6·560

  68·5

  Cumbria

  4·030

  3·410

  84·6

  Derbyshire

  8·805

  5·190

  58·9

  Devon

  17·446

  9·780

  56·1

  Dorset

  18·210

  10·190

  56·0

  Durham

  8·237

  4·550

  55·2

  East Sussex

  15·084

  6·300

  41·8

  Essex

  23·756

  18·990

  79·9

  Gloucestershire

  7·340

  4·070

  55·4

  Hampshire

  16·569

  10·450

  63·1

  Hereford & Worcester

  7·270

  4·620

  63·5

  Hertfordshire

  10·699

  8·760

  81·9

  Humberside

  12·642

  10·420

  82·4

  Isle of Wight

  4·082

  1·940

  47·5

  Kent

  40·695

  21·610

  53·1

  Lancashire

  27·421

  13·520

  49·3

  Leicestershire

  18·239

  13·420

  73·6

  Lincolnshire

  6·140

  3·010

  49·0

  Norfolk

  9·880

  5·090

  51·5

  Northamptonshire

  12·440

  10·390

  83·5

  Northumberland

  3·981

  1·590

  39·9

  North Yorkshire

  9·361

  5·210

  55·7

  Nottinghamshire

  12·204

  5·520

  45·2

  Oxfordshire

  10·777

  4·440

  41·2

  Shropshire

  7·897

  5·110

  64·7

  Somerset

  13·713

  8·920

  65·0

  Staffordshire

  13·815

  7·570

  54·8

  Suffolk

  7·650

  4·710

  61·6

  Surrey

  11·681

  8·030

  68·7

  Warwickshire

  7·556

  4·080

  54·0

  West Sussex

  9·444

  7·330

  77·6

  Wiltshire

  6·429

  2·280

  35·5

  M6—Heysham Link
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he proposes to give trunk road status to the M6 —Heysham link; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  We are prepared to consider financial support through the transport supplementary grant system. Its construction is a matter for Lancashire county council. We concluded last year that there is no compelling case for building the link as a trunk road.

  M66 (Stockport)
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions are taking place about providing a motorway service station on the M66 in Stockport.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  None. A maintenance compound is proposed at Brinnington and has been discussed with Stockport borough council as the planning authority.

  Essex Road—Old Street Stations (Fire)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has about the cause and circumstances surrounding a fire between Essex Road and Old Street stations on the Finsbury Park to Moorgate line on 16 December 1987; if any inquiry is to be held; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  There was no fire on the railway between Essex Road and Old Street stations on 16 December 1987. Trains were stopped, passengers were detrained and the fire brigade examined the tunnels as a precaution after smoke was reported. However, no source for the smoke was found and it was considered most likely that smoke had been drawn into the system from the surface down a ventilation shaft.

  Piccadilly Line (Fire)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has about the circumstances in which an underground train drove through a fire on the Piccadilly line near Knightsbridge on 12 December 1987; if any inquiry is to be held; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  On 12 December 1987 at about 11.35 an incident, which was not statutorily reportable, occurred on the Piccadilly line at Knightsbridge station. A small quantity of rubbish on the track at the end of the platform was seen to be smouldering. It was dealt with by the station staff without it being necessary to close the station or to stop the running of trains. The fire brigade was not called.

  £ million

  Greater Manchester

  Merseyside

  South Yorkshire

  Tyne and Wear

  West Midlands

  West Yorkshire

  1986–87

  Original budgets1

  74·5

  81·5

  59·3

  63·9

  58·1

  61·3

  Revised estimates2

  74·9

  81·5

  59·6

  62·2

  59·5

  62·4

  Outturns3

  74·6

  —

  —

  61·6

  59·6

  1987–88

  Original budgets1

  78·8

  66·95

  46·1

  56·8

  56·0

  59·3

  Reprocessed Plutonium (Japan)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his reply of 8 December,Official Report, column 120, from which airport British Nuclear Fuels intends to fly reprocessed plutonium to Japan.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  We understand that British Nuclear Fuels' current preferred option is to use Prestwick airport for this traffic, which will not however take place for several years.

  London Underground (Defect Reports)
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many engineering insurance company defect reports were received by the Health and Safety Executive for London Underground lifts and escalators in 1986 and in 1987; and how many were acted on by the Health and Safety Executive.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  None. The Offices, Shops arid Railway Premises (Hoists and Lifts) Regulations 1968 require that lifts shall be examined every six months by a "competent person". The use of an engineering insurance company is not mandatory and London Underground Ltd. uses suitably qualified members of its own staff as competent persons. If the examiner makes the continued use of a lift conditional upon specified defects being remedied, a copy of the report must be sent to the enforcing authority. During 1986 and 1987, one such defect report was forwarded to the railway inspectorate as agents of the Health and Safety Executive. There are no corresponding statutory provisions for escalators.

  Settle-Carlisle Railway Line
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a further statement on the Settle to Carlisle railway line.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  I am consulting the relevant local authorities to discover how important they consider the restoration of the Ribblehead viaduct and what contributions towards it they are prepared to make.

  Transport Joint Boards
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the budgeted and estimated outturn where available of total expenditure of each transport joint board in 1986–87 and 1987–88.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  Those total current expenditure figures which are presently available are shown in the table.
  143
  Sources:

  1 Rate and Expenditure Return 1987.

  2 Rate and Expenditure Return 1988.

  3 Rates Fund Services Summary and Block Grant Claim Form 1986–87.

  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the original and financial expenditure levels underlying precept limits, and the original and final precept limits set, for each transport joint board in 1986–87, 1987–88, and 1988–89.

  £ million

  Greater Manchester

  Merseyside

  South Yorkshire

  Tyne and Wear

  West Midlands

  West Yorkshire

  1986–87

  Original EL (£)

  74·3

  75·2

  50·5

  60·0

  54·2

  57·8

  Final EL (£)

  83·5

  81·3

  59·3

  63·9

  58·1

  61·3

  Proposed PL (p)

  19·99

  44·88

  44·07

  24·27

  10·3

  26·51

  Final PL (p)

  19·99

  44·38

  44·07

  24·27

  10·32

  26·51

  1987–88

  Original EL (£)

  74·1

  67·7

  45·7

  56·6

  55·1

  57·9

  Final EL (£)

  75·528

  69·054

  46·614

  57·732

  56·202

  59·058

  Proposed PL (p)

  12·97

  28·5

  34·28

  14·52

  7·82

  23·79

  Final PL (p)

  12·96

  28·49

  34·28

  14·51

  7·81

  23·78

  1988–89

  Original EL (£)

  80·0

  58·5

  41·5

  53·5

  59·5

  57·0

  Final EL (£)

  80·0

  64·1

  41·5

  53·5

  65·0

  59·1

  Proposed PL (p)

  15·58

  26·5

  30·35

  9·58

  10·74

  24·82

  Final precept limits for 1988–89 have not yet been set.

  Bus Deregulation (Cumbria County Council)
  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has as to the saving made by Cumbria county council as a result of bus deregulation.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  Cumbria county council's spending on revenue support for passenger transport in 1985–86, the last full year before deregulation, was £1·26 million. In 1987–88 it has budgeted to spend £500,000, a reduction of £760,000 or 60 per cent.

  Drink-Drive Casualties
  Mr. Ward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what private sector initiatives he has supported to reduce drink-drive casualties.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  We support and welcome the growing number of private sector initiatives aimed at reducing the appalling toll of death and injury on our roads caused by drinking and driving.

  The key initiative is the Brewers' Society's "Wheelwatch" promotion. This encourages publicans to take a more responsible attitude towards discouraging drinking and driving by encouraging drivers and riders to choose non or low alcoholic drinks, offering to order a taxi if alcohol has been drunk, and so on.

  Among other imaginative and important initiatives of which we are aware are:
  Courage ran TV advertisements over the Christmas period against drinking and driving. Also offered customers free public transport home on new year's eve.
  Whitbread launched new low-alcohol beer in December. General Accident sponsored Gallup poll survey of drinking and driving.
  144
  Mr. David Mitchell
  The relevant figures are shown in the table.

  Everards brewery has launched its own version of "Wheelwatch".
  Youngs brewery offered free bus passes to customers between 21–31 December.
  Shell Oil UK — "travellers' check" shops on garage forecourts selling low or non alcoholic beers and wines.
  Ford Motor Co. Ltd. — "good driving" talks to HQ employees in liaison with Essex police. Planning advanced driving courses for company drivers.
  Sponsorship of public transport by Fosters lager on new year's eve.
  Distribution of cards, menus, posters or leaflets highlighting non-alcoholic drinks, by Trust House Forte; Dairy Crest; CPM/Marketing Week; Clausthaler; Off Licence News; Orangina.

  Manchester International Airport (US Carrier Access)
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the outcome of the recent meeting between his Department and representatives of the United States State and Transportation Departments' team in terms of expediting United States carrier access to Manchester International airport; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  There has been no formal meeting between the Department and representatives of the United States State and Transportation Departments to discuss wider access to Manchester International airport for United States airlines. A letter was handed to them on 7 January setting out details of a five-year development plan with a view to providing opportunities for United States passenger airlines to serve Manchester on a scheduled basis. The plan was developed in consultation with interested parties including Manchester International airport authority. It is intended to form a basis for discussion.
  145
  The United States Government will consider these proposals and respond as soon as possible.

  Officials of the Department have indicated that (in exchange, as a quid pro quo) we would be seeking enhanced opportunities for United Kingdom airlines to serve parts of the United States market which are not currently open to us.

SCOTLAND

  Rural Transport
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received about the availability and quality of rural transport(a) in the Strathclyde area and (b) in the Clydesdale area.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Over the past 12 months, two representations have been received about bus services in the rural areas of Strathclyde including one representation about bus services in the Clydesdale area. I have also received one representation about rail services in the Clydesdale area.

  Post Mortems
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the number of post mortems done under fiscal licence for each year since 1980.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information is only available from July 1984 and, so far as can be ascertained, is as follows:

  Number

  1984 (July—December)

  2,622

  1985

  5,317

  1986

  5,239

  1987 (January—October)

  4,342

  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the number of post mortems done under fiscal licence in National Health Service hospitals for each year since 1980.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I regret that the information is not available.

  "Birds, Bogs and Forestry"
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what response he proposes to make to the Nature Conservancy Council's report "Birds, Bogs and Forestry"; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Rifkind
  I am currently considering the report and I hope to make a statement early in the new year.

  Education Authorities (Expenditure)
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much each education authority in Scotland spends per pupil per year on(a) textbooks, (b) materials and supplies, (c) computers, (d) video recorders, (e) video cameras, (f) television sets and (g) paper and reprographics.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Information is not held centrally in the precise form requested. The information set out in the table, which has been compiled from local authority 146
  financial returns, gives information on expenditure per primary and secondary pupil on (a) text and library books and (b) educational tools, equipment and materials in 1985–86, the latest year for which this information is available.

  Expenditure per pupil (primary and secondary) 1985–86

  £s at out-turn prices

  Region

  Text and library books

  Educational tools, equipment and materials

  Borders

  15·64

  0·26

  Central

  133·72

  1n.a.

  Dumfries and Galloway

  9·45

  25·07

  Fife

  8·81

  30·77

  Grampian

  7·94

  24·57

  Highland

  137·53

  1n.a.

  Lothian

  7·22

  19·17

  Strathclyde

  8·24

  19·51

  Tayside

  7·22

  15·16

  Orkney

  10·81

  36·12

  Shetland

  12·60

  14·54

  Western Isles

  12·60

  9·84

  1 In recording their expenditure these authorities do not distinguish between amounts spent on books and on equipment/materials. In other cases the recording of expenditure on these two items is not necessarily consistent between authorities.

  Cataract Operations
  Mr. McTaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cataract operations were carried out in(a) Glasgow, (b) Strathclyde and (c) Scotland within the last five years; and what is the approximate cost of such operations.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The cost of cataract operations is not available. The number of operations carried out is as follows:

  Greater Glasgow

  Strathclyde

  Scotland Glasgow

  1981

  1,385

  2,320

  5,115

  1982

  1,129

  2,003

  4,373

  1983

  1,857

  3,136

  6,633

  1984

  1,836

  3,026

  6,904

  1985

  1,737

  2,992

  6,882

  Barlinnie Prison
  Mr. McTaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the optimum figure for prison officers and inmates at Barlinnie prison and the actual number of prison officers and inmates at the present time.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  387 is the approved complement for grades VI-VIII (the former prison officer grades)— which will be adjusted as implementation of the fresh start initiative proceeds. The number of grade VI-VIII staff assigned to Barlinnie prison on a permanent basis was 388 at 1 January 1988. Because of unusually high levels of sickness, a further 29 staff had been temporarily assigned to Barlinnie from other establishments. At that date, 21 civilian staff were also occupying specialist prison officer posts.

  The design capacity is 983 (excluding segregation and hospital facilities). The number of inmates on 5 January 1988 was 1,015.

  Greater Glasgow Health Board Area (Nursing Staff)
  Mr. McTaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the ratio of nursing staff to patients in the Greater Glasgow health board area for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information requested is not available centrally, but the following table shows the average number of whole-time equivalent nursing staff1 per occupied bed in each year to 30 September:

  Ratio

  1979

  1:1

  1980

  1:2

  1981

  1:2

  1982

  1:3

  1983

  1:3

  1984

  1:3

  1985

  1:3

  1986

  1:3

  21987

  1:3

  1 Includes qualified, unqualified and learner nurses.

  2 31 March 1987.

  Children in Prison
  Mr. McTaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he plans to take on the recommendations contained in the report of Her Majesty's inspector of prisons regarding children in prison.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  In "Children in Prison" published on 17 July 1986, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland recommended a procedure to monitor the number of children placed in penal custody and to publish annually the information which was obtained. My right hon. Friend the Member for Ayr (Mr. Younger) accepted this recommendation in his response to the report.

  It is our policy that the use of penal establishments for detaining children should be kept to a minimum. We have made substantial grant aid available to local authorities and voluntary school managers to provide additional secure accommodation as an alternative to penal establishments for remand and assessment of children. We are also encouraging local arrangements to reduce the use of unruly certificates by courts under the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 to commit young people to prison. In 1986 the number of children under unruly certificates fell to less than half that for 1985.

  Children subject to residential training orders under sections 206 and 413 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 are now only exceptionally placed in penal establishments. In recent years no child has been so

  Committee

  Name of Member

  Nominating Body or Bodies

  North England

  Lady Elizabeth Kirk

  Countryside Commission

  East England

  C. Stratton

  Council for the Protection of Rural England

  West England

  R. Jarman

  Royal Society for Nature Conservation

  Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

  D. W. Hildred

  Ramblers Association

  Wales

  Mrs. D. M. Raikes

  Countryside Commission

  Council for the Protection of Rural Wales

  Royal Society for Nature Conservation

  North Scotland

  Professor C. Gimingham

  Scottish Wildlife Trust

  148
  detained under a section 413 order and under the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1987, such placement under section 413 orders is abolished with effect from 1 April next.

  Information on numbers of children received into or held in custody on remand or on sentence is now published in the statistical bulletin "Prison Statistics Scotland" which is available in the Library.

  Remanded Children
  Mr. McTaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many children under the age of 16 years were held on remand in each of the last five years; and of these, how many were subsequently given custodial sentences.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The numbers of children aged 14 or 15 received into prison under unruly certificates made by the courts under sections 24 and 297 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 were:

  Number

  1983

  144

  1984

  138

  1985

  133

  1986

  50

  No information is available on the number of these who were subsequently given custodial sentences.

  Figures for 1987 are not yet available.

  Galloway (Radioactive Contamination)
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to initiate a survey of radioactive contamination in Galloway.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Regular surveys of Dumfries and Galloway are included in the programme of monitoring of environmental radioactivity in Scotland organised on behalf of the Secretary of State by Her Majesty's industrial pollution inspectorate. The most recent summary of the findings is in the Scottish Development Department statistical bulletin No. 1(E)1987 which is in the Library.

  Forestry
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the name of the member of each Forestry Commission regional advisory committee appointed primarily to represent the environmental interest.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information is as follows:
  149

  Committee

  Name of Member

  Nominating Body or Bodies

  Mid Scotland

  B. S. Brookes

  Nature Conservancy Council Countryside Commission for Scotland

  South Scotland

  T. Croft

  Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the dates in 1987 when the director general of the Forestry Commission met the following groups(a) Countryside Link and Wildlife Link, (b) Forestry Industry Committee of Great Britain and (c) Timber Growers United Kingdom.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information is as follows:

  (a) 27 January

  (b) 18 March, accompanying the Secretary of State for Scotland, and 1 December at the launch of the committee's report "Beyond 2000".

  (c) No meeting has taken place specifically with Timber Growers United Kingdom. The director general has, however, been present at a number of meetings during the year at which they were represented, along with other bodies.

  Scottish Fire Service Training School, Gullane
  Mr. Eadie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the report of the inquiry carried out by Her Majesty's inspector of fire services regarding allegations of humiliation and degradation at the Scottish Fire Service Training School in Gullane.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  No. The report was private and contained information which was given to Her Majesty's inspector of fire services on the understanding that confidentiality would be observed. However, the findings and recommendations of the report were contained in a very detailed Scottish Office news release published on 16 September 1987, copies of which have been placed in the Library. Subsequently, Lothian and Borders fire board was given a detailed resume of the inquiry and I shall be meeting representatives of the board on 22 January to discuss the matter further.

  Hypothermia
  Mr. McTaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the number of hypothermia and cold-related deaths in Glasgow for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information is as follows:

  Deaths mentioning hypothermia, Glasgow city, 1979 to 1986

  Number

  1979

  66

  1980

  30

  1981

  48

  1982

  36

  1983

  37

  1984

  42

  1985

  35

  1986

  52

  Fine Defaulters
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will respond to the Association of Directors of Social Work document on fine defaulters.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  We shall consider what, if any, action to take on the recommendations contained 150
  in the report of the Association of Directors of Social Work on fine defaulters once we have the results of the current study of the effectiveness of the 15 fines officers appointed to work in the sheriff courts.

  We expect the results of the study to be available in the spring of this year.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has to reduce the number of fine defaulters in prison.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The imposition of imprisonment in case of fine default is a matter for the courts. The Government have created 15 posts of fine officers in the sheriff courts and a research study is in progress into the effectiveness of fines officers in reducing the number of fine defaulters sent to prison.

  Intermediate Treatment Provisions
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he plans to extend intermediate treatment provisions for over 18s in Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The equivalent to many of the services provided for those under 18 and described as "intermediate treatment" is available to offenders over the age of 18. These include supported accommodation, assistance to offenders and their families, in association with non-custodial disposals available to the courts.

  It is the Government's intention to develop and expand the range and extent of non-custodial disposals. We have reduced the minimum period of a probation order to six months and enabled a requirement as to compensation to be included as a condition of a probation order. We have also indicated our willingness to change the funding for community service so that local authorities will receive 100 per cent. funding for agreed expenditure.

  Remand Prisoners
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has to reduce the number of remand prisoners in Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The decision to remand in any particular case is a matter for the courts; and the number of persons on remand is governed by the courts' decisions. The results of a pilot study on remands will be published shortly. The Scottish Office is about to undertake a detailed study of bail and remand decisions and is funding a feasibility study into the provision of bail accommodation for those who might otherwise be remanded in custody because they have no fixed address.

  Parole
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has any proposals to amend the parole regulations for Scotland.
  151
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. and learned Friend to the hon. Member for Caithness and Sutherland (Mr. Maclennan) on Wednesday 16 December 1987.

  Mentally Ill People (Prisons)
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has to reduce the number of mentally ill people in prison.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The initial disposal of individuals on remand or sentence is a matter for the courts. There is now a wide range of disposals, other than prison, open to the courts in dealing with individuals who may be mentally ill or mentally handicapped. In addition, the courts can decide to obtain a psychiatric assessment, in a mental hospital or in a penal establishment, before deciding on the most appropriate disposal.

  A number of schemes have been developed locally under which offenders may be diverted to psychiatric assistance rather than to prosecution in the courts. The largest such scheme is in Glasgow and the operation of this scheme is being evaluated in a research study funded by the Scottish Home and Health Department.

  The courts have powers to remand individuals, in appropriate cases, to hospital rather than to prison pretrial or awaiting sentence. The powers to remand untried individuals to hospital have existed in Scotland for many years. A new "interim hospital order", appropriate to certain convicted offenders, was introduced in 1983 and is regularly being used by the courts. Decisions on individual cases, however, need to be taken on the evidence and reports available to the court.

  For those individuals who are sent to prison either on remand awaiting trial or sentence or after sentence, appropriate medical care, including the services of visiting consultant psychiatrists, is available. Visiting psychiatrists will advise the medical officer of the establishment on any cases which are drawn to their attention and the facilities or treatment which might be available elsewhere.

  The process of transfer from prison to a mental hospital depends on clinical judgment in individual cases. Closer liaison has been developed between the Scottish prison service and the State hospital Carstairs, and with other mental hospitals on cases where transfer to such a hospital might be appropriate.

  There are many forms of short-lived emotional stress or more persistent behavioural disorders which would not necessarily benefit from transfer to a mental hospital. Any individual who has a mental disorder which appears to require assessment or treatment ina psychiatric hospital will be carefully assessed. All requests to transfer a prisoner to psychiatric hospital are now monitored centrally to see whether there are recurrent difficulties or any general issues which need to be addressed.

  In 1986, 63 inmates in penal establishments were diagnosed as suffering from psychosis. In the same year there were 35 transfers of prisoners to mental hospitals, 18 of these to the State hospital, Carstairs and 17 to other mental hospitals. This is a significant increase in the number of transfers which took place in 1985 and earlier years as a result of the closer liaison which has been developed in the assessment and consideration of individual cases.

  Offenders (Alcoholism)
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce alternatives to imprisonment for those offenders with drink problems.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I am satisfied that offenders with drink problems can, upon conviction, be dealt with appropriately through the existing range of disposals available to the courts, both custodial and non custodial. Some may, in place of prosecution in appropriate cases, be diverted from the criminal justice system in a number of ways including referral to social work or psychiatric assistance or to a designated place or similar facilities.

  Airport (Rates)
  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has on(a) the rateable values of and (b) the rates paid by Scottish airports within the British Airports Authority in each year since 1983.

  Mr. Lang
  This information is not held centrally. I suggest that the hon. Member contacts the airports concerned direct for the information.

  Road Accidents (Gordon)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many people have been seriously injured in road accidents in the Gordon constituency in each of the last five years;

  (2) how many people have been killed in road accidents in the Gordon constituency in each of the last five years.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The figures for Gordon constituency are not available. However, the figures for Gordon local authority district are as follows:

  Killed

  Seriously Injured

  1982

  14

  129

  1983

  18

  100

  1984

  15

  124

  1985

  23

  123

  1986

  15

  119

  The figures for 1985 and 1986 have been published in the annual "Road Accidents, Scotland" series.

  Motoring Offences (Gordon)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prosecutions there have been for alcohol-related motoring offences in the Gordon constituency in which persons have been killed or injured in each of the last five years.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I regret that the information requested is not available.

  Paisley College (Lady Lane Property)
  Mr. Allen Adams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland why he has refused Paisley college governors permission to borrow money required in respect of their property in Lady lane, Paisley.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The proposal submitted by the governors of Paisley college of technology to finance
  153
  property development at Lady lane entailed a loan from a bank secured by a mortgage on property acquired from public funds. Such a loan would have constituted a contingent liability on the Exchequer which the Government were not prepared to accept.

  Student Accommodation
  Mr. Allen Adams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in the light of increased demand for privately rented accommodation, he will give the provision of student accommodation a high priority in the coming year.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Capital expenditure on student accommodation at the centrally funded colleges will continue to be considered against other priority proposals for educational capital expenditure.

  Dinoseb
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has about the use of the product Dinoseb in raspberry production in Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  In December 1986 it was announced that all approvals except for storage of the use of Dinoseb and chemically related products were to be suspended on evidence of birth defects in experimental animals.

  In the spring of 1987 and on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Pesticides, the responsible Ministers agreed that the suspension should be relaxed to allow the use of Dinoseb only in Scotland on the raspberry variety Glen Clova for a limited period from 20 April to 29 May 1987 under strict and tightly supervised conditions. Dinoseb treatment is the only known means of controlling excessive cane vigour in Glen Clova, a variety which occupies some 75 per cent. of the total area of raspberry production in Scotland.

  Since December 1986 the Advisory Committee on Pesticides has carried out a full review on Dinoseb and its recommendations are now being considered by Ministers; an announcement as to future use of the chemical will he made shortly.

  Health Spending
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of Scottish gross domestic product is spent on health in Scotland; and if he will publish what information he has on the proportion of gross domestic product spent on health in (i) England, (ii) EEC member states, (iii) Norway, (iv) Sweden, (v) Denmark and (vi) Finland.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The gross NHS expenditure on health services in Scotland in the year 1984 represented 8·2 per cent. of gross domestic product calculated at factor cost. The comparable figure for England was 6·2 per cent. These figures exaggerate, however, the difference in health expenditure levels in the two countries because they omit private sector expenditure on health and because gross domestic product per head of population is larger in England.

  These figures are not comparable, however, with the normally-quoted international comparisons which are calculated on a different basis. In addition, different countries have different systems of providing and
  154
  financing health care, and different procedures for classifying and accounting for the expenditure. Subject to these substantial qualifications, the calculations by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development of the proportion of gross domestic product at market prices spent on all health care in the various countries listed in 1984 are as follows:

  Percentage

  Belgium

  6·2

  Denmark

  6·3

  France

  9·1

  Germany

  8·1

  Greece

  4·6

  Ireland

  8·0

  Italy

  7·2

  Luxembourg

  6·4

  Netherlands

  8·6

  Portugal

  5·5

  Spain

  5·8

  United Kingdom

  5·9

  Finland

  6·6

  Norway

  6·3

  Sweden

  9·4

  Education Staff (Exchanges)
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has for the interchange of staff at a professional management level between local authorities, educational institutions and the Scottish Education Department.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The advantages to be gained from the interchange of staff at professional management levels are recognised, but have to be set against the need to preserve continuity in such senior posts. There is no formal interchange scheme particular to this area; proposals are considered on their merits taking account of the nature and level of the posts and the candidates available on both sides.

  Further Education Lecturers (Pay)
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of Stale for Scotland if he will take steps to ensure that additional funding will be made available to ensure that the management side of the Scottish Joint Negotiating Committee (Further Education) is able to fund an award to lecturers of an equivalent value to that given recently to school teachers.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The level of pay awards to lecturers in further and higher education in Scotland is a matter for the Scottish joint negotiating committee (further education), and it is for the management side to negotiate within limits of what can be afforded. On 9 December 1987, my right hon. and learned Friend announced an increase in resources for additional running costs at the centrally funded Colleges in 1988–89 and I understand that a settlement was reached for that sector at the SJNC meeting on 8 January. For local authority expenditure we have already announced a realistic rate support grant settlement for 1988–89 which provides for a 9 per cent. increase in resources over the settlement for 1987–88 and, on 8 January, a formal offer was made by the management side which the teachers' side is now considering.

  Loch Trool Forest Trail
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland who authorised the closure of Loch Trool forest trail on 15 November 1987; and under what powers.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Loch Trool forest trail was not closed to the public on 15 November 1987. A military exercise was taking place in the area and this may have put some pressure on car parking facilities, but I have had no reports of members of the public being denied access to the trail.

  Bennan Hill (New Building)
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has about the scope and purpose of the new building on Bennan hill in Glentrool.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The site has been leased from the Forestry Commission by Dumfries and Galloway regional council. The building and associated mast have been erected by the council for the purpose of radio communication.

  Community Care
  Dr. Moonie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many lump sums or continuing payments have been made by each health board to enable people to move out of hospital into care in the community, since the publication of circular (Gen) 18 in 1985.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The number of payments made by health boards in terms of the 1985 circular to enable people to move out of hospital into care in the community as notified to my Department is as follows:

  Health Board

  Number of lump sum payments

  Number of continuing payments

  Argyll and Clyde

  —

  1

  Ayrshire and Arran

  4

  1

  Borders

  5

  —

  Dumfries and Galloway

  2

  —

  Fife

  8

  8

  Forth Valley

  4

  2

  Grampian

  —

  —

  Greater Glasgow

  1

  4

  Highland

  —

  —

  Lanark

  6

  6

  Lothian

  12

  25

  Orkney

  —

  —

  Shetland

  —

  1

  Tayside

  3

  —

  Western Isles

  —

  —

  In addition, health boards make payments to enable dependent people to remain in the community rather than be admitted to hospital. Payments also continue to be made in respect of projects approved before April 1985.

  Common Services Agency
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the separate functions carried out by the Common Services Agency and the capital and revenue allocations in respect of each such function.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information is set out in the table:
  156

  Scottish Health Service Common Services Agency Allocations 1987–88

  £000

  (a) Revenue allocations

  Ambulance Service

  31,208

  Blood Transfusion Service

  15,426

  Health Education Group

  3,232

  Dental Estimates Division

  1,402

  Prescription Pricing Division

  2,728

  Central Legal Office

  1,051

  Supplies Division

  1,732

  Communicable Diseases Unit

  411

  Management Development Group

  950

  Hospital Advisory Service

  191

  Antibody Production Unit

  376

  Hospital Catering School

  179

  Central Administration

  2,402

  Directorate of Health Service Information Systems

  1,879

  Computer Centre

  841

  Information and Statistics Division

  991

  Total revenue allocation

  64,999

  (b) Capital allocations

  Building Division

  5,765

  Other capital expenditure (not attributed to specific functions)

  7,034

  Total Capital allocation

  12,799

  Total Revenue and Capital allocations

  77,798

  Family Planning (Young People)
  Mr. Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the conception rate for people under 20 years in Scotland.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The known conception rate in Scotland in 1986 was 49·6 per thousand women aged 15–19 years.

  Mr. Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many health boards in Scotland provide special family planning services for young people.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  This information is not centrally available. It is for individual health boards to determine the pattern of provision of these services and the extent to which designated facilities are provided.

  Mr. Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what support his Department gives to the Edinburgh Brook Advisory Centre and to other agencies providing family planning advice and supplies to young people.

  Mr. Rifkind
  In the current financial year 1987–88 the Edinburgh Brook Advisory Centre is receiving £5,000 from the Scottish Home and Health Department towards the administrative costs of its all-Scotland education activities, and £2,834 from the social work services group for a study of the help which the Brook Advisory Centre staff may be able to give to social workers with clients who are HIV positive or suffering from AIDS.

  Grant is also provided to the Family Planning Association, National Family Planning Group and Scottish Catholic Marriage Advisory Council, but these bodies do not concentrate specifically on young people. Most family planning services are provided by health boards, some of which make special provision for young people.
  157
  Mr. Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has as to what proportion of people under 20 years received contraceptive help and advice from their general practitioners in the Lothian health area.

  Mr. Rifkind
  This information is not available centrally.

  AIDS
  Mr. Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the agencies his Department is supporting for their work with AIDS and young people.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  In addition to the general level of support given to local authorities and health boards, the Scottish Office is providing grant in the present financial year in connection with services related to AIDS and HIV infection to the Scottish AIDS Monitor, Network (Scotland) Limited, the Edinburgh Brook Advisory Centre, the Scottish Drugs Forum and the West of Scotland HIV advisory group. These services are available to the public generally, including young people. Additionally, grant support is being provided to the drugs training project at Stirling University, the alcohol studies centre at Paisley college of technology and six local drug projects, all of which undertake work related to the problem of HIV infection and AIDS among drug misusers.

  The Scottish Education Department is collaborating with Strathclyde regional council on a project to develop curricular material on AIDS for use in schools within a health education framework.

  Brook Advisory Centre
  Mr. Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing the level of funding provided by his Department to the Brook Advisory Centre for each of the past five years.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The grant awarded is as follows:

  Percentage of those presented obtaining given Ordinary Grade awards

  (a)

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  Girls

  Mathematics

  A

  25·7

  27·1

  27·2

  24·1

  24·4

  24·8

  24·1

  B

  16·9

  18·4

  15·9

  17·3

  17·6

  15·8

  17·3

  Craft and Design2

  A

  0·0

  0·0

  37·5

  29·4

  13·3

  18·8

  23·7

  B

  18·2

  0·0

  25·0

  17·6

  40·0

  24·8

  19·9

  Physics

  A

  38·0

  33·7

  34·9

  36·4

  30·6

  34·8

  36·1

  B

  20·7

  19·7

  21·0

  19·0

  20·2

  19·8

  19·0

  Boys

  Mathematics

  A

  30·8

  31·5

  30·6

  30·9

  29·7

  29·1

  28·2

  B

  16·8

  17·2

  15·8

  17·6

  17·6

  16·8

  17·0

  Craft and Design2

  A

  20·9

  24·4

  25·7

  23·0

  23·4

  24·0

  24·3

  B

  18·3

  20·1

  13·8

  23·8

  20·8

  20·6

  22·1

  Physics

  A

  31·5

  30·1

  29·9

  31·2

  31·1

  31·9

  32·4

  B

  17·6

  16·8

  18·5

  16·4

  17·7

  16·3

  16·6

  1 School candidates only.

  2 Craft and Design was introduced in 1984; prior to that the subject was classified as Integrated Craftwork and presentations were restricted to approved pilot schools. Fewer than 20 girls were presented for this subject in any of the years 1979–1983.

  158

  £

  1982–83

  4,000

  1983–84

  4,000

  1984–85

  4,200

  1985–86

  4,400

  1986–87

  5,000

  Mr. Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many health boards fund young people's family planning services through arrangements with the Brook Advisory Centre.

  Mr. Rifkind
  One—Lothian health board.

  Abortions
  Mr. Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many abortions were carried out on women under 20 years old in Scotland for each of the past five years.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The information is as follows:

  Number

  1982

  2,541

  1983

  2,521

  1984

  2,891

  1985

  2,841

  1986

  2,819

  Examination Results
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will give the proportion for each year since 1979 of(a) girls and (b) boys taking O-grade mathematics, craft, design and technology, and physics, who obtained grades A and B.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  From 1986, ordinary grades have been awarded on a numeric, 1–5, basis which is not directly comparable with the previous A-E awards. Part(a) of the table gives the information requested on A and B awards for the period 1979 to 1985. Part (b) of the table gives information on the percentages obtaining grades 1 and 2 in 1986 and 1987.
  159

  (b)

  1986

  1987

  Girls

  Mathematics

  1

  15·7

  16·6

  2

  18·0

  16·5

  Craft and Design

  1

  14·8

  13·9

  2

  19·4

  22·5

  Physics

  1

  28·6

  27·3

  2

  23·8

  22·5

  Boys

  Mathematics

  1

  18·8

  19·5

  2

  18·6

  17·1

  Craft and Design

  1

  16·0

  15·1

  2

  19·2

  19·9

  Physics

  1

  23·0

  22·4

  2

  19·4

  19·1

  Student Awards
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will amend the student awards regulations so that married women are no longer dependent on their husband's income for grant purposes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  No. The spouse contribution (from husband or wife, as appropriate) reflects the principle that a family should contribute to the cost of the higher education of its members, according to its ability to do so. The same principle underlies the requirement for a parental contribution in respect of dependent children undertaking higher education; it is a basic element of the present awards system.

  National Assessment (Sex Bias)
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has to ensure that any programme of national assessment in state schools is free from sex bias; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Avoidance of gender bias is fundamental to our education policy. Care will be taken to ensure that the programme of national assessment will reflect this policy.

  Women Teachers
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidelines his Department issues to education boards to encourage back into teaching those women who have taken a career break; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The recruitment of individuals to teaching posts is entirely a matter for individual education authorities as employers.

  Women Inspectors for Schools
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of Her Majesty's inspectors for schools and colleges are women in Scotland; and what proportion of the total this represents.

  Mr. Malcolm Rifkind
  Thirteen of Her Majesty's inspectors of schools in Scotland are women. This represents 11·9 per cent. of the total.

  Rating Reform
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if, pursuant to his reply of 18 December,Official Report, column 815, he will list the uses other than determination of age that an adult's date of birth will be put to in respect of the poll tax;

  (2) why, pursuant to his reply of 18 December, Official Report, column 815, a statement that a person is over 18 years is not sufficient in order to compile the community charge register.

  Mr. Lang
  Section 13(1)(d) of the Abolition of Domestic Rates Etc. (Scotland) Act 1987 provides for dates of birth to be included in the community charges register in order to assist community charges registration officers in clearly identifying individuals and in establishing their community charge liability.

  NHS (Tendering)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report his letter to health board managers on tendering and if he will make a statement on the response.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I have placed in the Library a copy of the official letter of 11 December. Boards are implementing the programme they have been asked to undertake.

  Mobility Allowance
  Mr. McTaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people in the Glasgow area have applied for mobility allowance in each of the last three years; and how many of those have been refused.

  Mr. Scott
  I have been asked to reply.

  I regret that this information is not available.

  Mentally Handicapped People (Board and Lodging Allowances)
  Mr. Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received about the lack of increase in board and lodging allowances for the mentally handicapped.

  Mr. Scott
  I have been asked to reply.

  The residential care home limit that applies to mentally handicapped persons is to be increased by £10 to £160 from next April at the time of the general benefit uprating. The increase has been welcomed by, amongst others, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations.

  General Practitioners (Ancillary Staff)
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will(a) list the number of staff in whole-time equivalents in each main category of staff for whom general practitioners are entitled to claim reimbursement for part of their salaries under the ancillary staff scheme, (b) give the average cost per whole-time equivalent of the reimbursement to unrestricted principals in general practice for each category of staff and (c) give the breakdown of these figures for each health board; and if he will make a statement.
  161
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 17 December 1987]: The information on the numbers of staff in whole-time equivalents for whom general practitioners are

  Number of staff for whom reimbursement may be claimed: 1 April 1987 whole-time equivalents

  Secretary

  Other Administration Staff

  Receptionist

  Secretary Receptionist

  Dispenser

  Nurse

  Combination

  Total

  Health Board

  Argyll and Clyde

  19·3

  —

  191·8

  21·2

  —

  12·4

  27·2

  271·9

  Ayrshire and Arran

  49·7

  —

  80·9

  91·5

  0·3

  17·4

  9·7

  249·5

  Borders

  14·4

  —

  26·9

  11·9

  —

  0·1

  3·4

  56·7

  Dumfries and Galloway

  11·1

  —

  48·0

  35·9

  0·5

  2·2

  1·4

  99·1

  Fife

  14·7

  —

  97·1

  90·2

  —

  13·2

  28·4

  243·6

  Forth Valley

  33·5

  —

  69·9

  59·1

  0·4

  5·0

  2·8

  170·7

  Greater Glasgow

  41·7

  —

  458·1

  111·5

  —

  22·9

  61·4

  695·6

  Grampian

  32·8

  —

  105·6

  123·6

  0·8

  23·6

  60·3

  346·7

  Highland

  22·6

  —

  43·8

  52·6

  —

  16·8

  21·8

  157·6

  Lanarkshire

  15·1

  8·5

  239·0

  34·7

  —

  16·5

  27·2

  341·0

  Lothian

  96·6

  —

  251·7

  161·5

  —

  21·0

  4·3

  535·1

  Orkney

  1·3

  —

  —

  9·8

  —

  —

  3·8

  14·9

  Shetland

  —

  —

  —

  3·9

  —

  —

  12·6

  16·5

  Tayside

  36·9

  —

  97·2

  56·6

  1·0

  16·0

  23·0

  230·7

  Western Isles

  7·4

  —

  6·0

  5·1

  0·4

  3·4

  5·3

  27·6

  Scotland

  397·1

  8·5

  1,716·0

  869·1

  3·4

  170·5

  292·6

  3,457·2

  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give, for each year since 1979, the total health board expenditure(a) under the ancillary staff

  (a) Ancillary staff scheme

  £ at 1986–87 prices

  Health Board

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  Ayrshire and Arran

  639,534

  693,069

  757,359

  791,997

  887,968

  922,393

  997,921

  1,124,943

  Borders

  172,054

  187,116

  195,475

  204,419

  237,548

  247,009

  239,329

  288,554

  Argyll and Clyde

  708,706

  804,783

  904,756

  1,020,779

  1,071,999

  1,119,152

  1,168,090

  1,344,223

  Fife

  702,763

  658,641

  729,856

  714,109

  792,665

  903,366

  916,111

  1,006,266

  Greater Glasgow

  1,764,299

  1,850,283

  1,966,220

  2,144,672

  2,314,645

  2,384,467

  2,576,264

  2,707,014

  Highland

  372,907

  404,411

  466,792

  514,939

  571,649

  595,277

  651,584

  842,960

  Lanarkshire

  817,527

  937,852

  966,472

  1,024,439

  1,087,768

  1,154,300

  1,150,077

  1,397,020

  Grampian

  885,746

  1,016,912

  1,087,069

  1,094,927

  1,222,123

  1,319,725

  1,374,470

  1,656,646

  Orkney

  49,419

  48,096

  52,638

  57,764

  58,144

  62,967

  68,680

  67,577

  Lothian

  1,571,116

  1,757,196

  1,793,327

  1,859,997

  1,998,926

  2,129,490

  2,158,528

  2,693,024

  Tayside

  822,069

  937,422

  957,375

  990,157

  1,043,624

  1,110,477

  1,110,763

  1,243,934

  Forth Valley

  464,315

  512,429

  548,657

  599,917

  675,847

  711,814

  733,486

  814,110

  Western Isles

  62,922

  66,905

  85,889

  98,574

  104,934

  117,058

  124,256

  168,810

  Dumfries and Galloway

  258,294

  283,014

  320,378

  333,857

  363,967

  374,838

  383,870

  487,884

  Shetland

  41,040

  44,273

  62,597

  61,612

  64,635

  62,271

  72,005

  77,605

  Totals

  9,332,711

  10,202,402

  10,894,860

  11,512,159

  12,496,442

  13,214,604

  13,725,434

  15,930,570

  (b) Rent and rate scheme

  £ at 1986–87 prices

  Health Board

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  Ayrshire and Arran

  236,099

  242,158

  268,633

  321,539

  326,154

  318,609

  389,700

  439,215

  Borders

  87,567

  86,413

  101,242

  106,202

  159,872

  185,529

  188,452

  205,656

  Argyll and Clyde

  408,641

  415,897

  496,268

  574,190

  591,968

  587,624

  596,550

  698,594

  Fife

  277,658

  303,101

  299,735

  383,299

  438,146

  386,865

  408,767

  432,400

  Greater Glasgow

  717,708

  770,276

  852,966

  1,007,801

  1,182,155

  1,232,859

  1,254,502

  1,346,205

  Highland

  245,669

  278,927

  305,532

  329,789

  393,546

  383,257

  389,632

  414,668

  Lanarkshire

  349,445

  445,490

  558,094

  672,548

  668,374

  750,548

  739,417

  868,997

  Grampian

  563,755

  620,114

  656,648

  686,862

  784,309

  862,412

  864,805

  947,645

  Orkney

  14,335

  12,612

  12,555

  14,779

  17,937

  15,912

  15,939

  16,876

  Lothian

  582,146

  762,297

  914,917

  886,850

  999,810

  1,173,327

  1,264,583

  1,553,867

  162
  entitled to claim reimbursement under the ancillary staff scheme is set out in the table. Information on costs is not held centrally.

  scheme and (b) on providing premises under the rent and rate scheme, with an indication of the costs adjusted for general price inflation, in each health board in Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 17 December 1987]: The information is set out in the tables:
  163

  Health Board

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  Tayside

  345,289

  384,672

  421,703

  473,035

  537,190

  544,187

  549,953

  593,877

  Forth Valley

  167,215

  176,384

  182,292

  220,230

  246,227

  249,283

  259,391

  319,913

  Western Isles

  33,689

  36,840

  51,038

  52,264

  52,471

  51,228

  69,489

  59,768

  Dumfries and Galloway

  82,692

  99,854

  108,610

  117,988

  138,873

  141,738

  160,613

  201,462

  Shetland

  5,705

  10,993

  21,321

  20,809

  18,206

  14,659

  16,217

  16,856

  Totals

  4,117,613

  4,646,028

  5,251,554

  5,868,185

  6,555,238

  6,898,037

  7,168,010

  8,115,999

  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will give, for each year since 1979, the average number of whole-time equivalent ancillary staff employed per unrestricted principal in general practice, for each health board in Scotland;

  (2) if he will give the total, and a breakdown for each health board, for the last full year for which figures are available, of (a) the average number of whole-time equivalent ancillary staff per unrestricted principal in

  Average number of ancillary staff employed per unrestricted principal whole-time equivalent

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  Argyll and Clyde

  0·7

  0·7

  0·7

  0·8

  0·8

  0·8

  0·9

  0·9

  Ayrshire and Arran

  1·0

  0·9

  0·8

  0·9

  1·0

  0·9

  0·9

  1·0

  Borders

  0·7

  0·7

  0·7

  0·8

  0·9

  0·9

  0·9

  0·9

  Dumfries and Galloway

  0·8

  0·7

  0·8

  0·8

  0·8

  0·8

  0·8

  0·9

  Fife

  0·8

  0·7

  0·8

  1·0

  0·9

  1·0

  1·1

  1·1

  Forth Valley

  0·9

  0·8

  0·8

  0·8

  0·8

  0·8

  0·9

  0·9

  Grampian

  0·9

  0·6

  0·6

  0·6

  0·7

  1·1

  1·1

  1·1

  Greater Glasgow

  0·8

  0·8

  0·7

  0·9

  0·8

  1·1

  1·2

  1·0

  Highland

  0·7

  0·8

  0·8

  0·8

  0·9

  0·9

  0·9

  0·9

  Lanarkshire

  1·0

  1·0

  0·9

  1·0

  0·9

  1·0

  1·0

  1·1

  Lothian

  0·8

  0·8

  0·8

  0·9

  1·0

  1·0

  1·0

  1·0

  Orkney

  0·6

  0·6

  0·6

  0·6

  0·6

  0·6

  0·7

  0·7

  Shetland

  0·7

  0·6

  0·6

  0·7

  0·7

  0·8

  0·9

  1·1

  Tayside

  0·9

  0·9

  1·0

  1·0

  1·1

  1·0

  1·0

  1·1

  Western Isles

  0·6

  0·5

  0·6

  0·6

  0·8

  0·9

  1·0

  0·9

  Scotland

  0·8

  0·8

  0·8

  0·9

  0·9

  1·0

  1·0

  1·0

  Information on the numbers of unrestricted principals employing less than their full entitlement of ancillary staff is not held centrally.

  General Practitioners
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give, for the last year for which figures are available, the total and a breakdown for each health board, of(a) the number of general practice premises and (b) the amount directly reimbursed to unrestricted principals in general practice for the cost of providing premises under the rent and rates scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 17 December 1987]: Information on the number of general practice premises is not held centrally. The information requested on the amount directly reimbursed to unrestricted principals in general practice for the cost of providing premises under the rent and rates scheme is as follows:

  Health board

  1986–87 £

  Argyll and Clyde

  698,594

  Ayrshire and Arran

  439,215

  Borders

  205,656

  Dumfries and Galloway

  201,462

  164
  general practice and (b) the number of unrestricted principals in general practice who employ less than their full entitlement under the ancillary staff scheme of two whole-time equivalent ancillary staff; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answers 17 December 1987]: The average numbers of ancillary staff per unrestricted principal are given in the table:

  Health board

  1986–87

  £

  Fife

  432,400

  Forth Valley

  319,913

  Grampian

  947,645

  Greater Glasgow

  1,346,205

  Highland

  414,668

  Lanarkshire

  868,997

  Lothian

  1,553,867

  Orkney

  16,876

  Shetland

  16,856

  Tayside

  593,877

  Western Isles

  59,768

  Total

  8,115,999

  Penal System
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will set up an independent inquiry to make recommendations on all aspects of the penal system in Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 27 October 1987]: No. Appropriate action is being taken on a number of issues of concern. For instance, we have announced a thorough review of parole, and other forms of early release, under the chairmanship of Lord Kincraig.

SOCIAL SERVICES

  Nurses
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish a table showing both the actual number and the whole-time equivalent number of nurses employed in each pay grade.

  Mr. Newton
  The table shows the information requested for selected pay grades of nursing and midwifery staff employed in England at 30 September 1986:

  Numbers and whole-lime equivalents of nursing and midwifery staff employed1 in selected pay grades at 30 September 1986: England

  Numbers2

  Whole-time equivalents2

  Regional nursing officer

  10

  10

  District nursing officer

  150

  150

  Director of nursing services

  920

  920

  Senior nurse 6 (clinical managerial)

  940

  930

  Senior nurse 8 (clinical managerial)

  3,780

  3,760

  Health visitor

  10,240

  9,070

  Nursing sister II

  65,770

  61,820

  Staff nurse/senior enrolled nurse

  109,440

  86,340

  Enrolled nurse

  86,530

  71,520

  Nursing auxiliary

  114,840

  89,930

  Students

  48,130

  48,100

  Pupils

  10,250

  10,230

  Director of nurse education I

  30

  30

  Senior nurse (education) 4

  420

  420

  Tutor

  2,460

  2,390

  Social security appeals in Great Britain—1980–86

  Number of appeals heard and decided

  Appeals at which claimant was represented

  (1)

  (2)

  (3)

  (4)

  (5)

  Year

  Successful

  Unsuccessful

  Total

  Successful as percentage of column (1)

  Unsuccessful as percentage of column (2)

  1980

  10,914

  38,441

  49,355

  44·9

  20·4

  1981

  8,862

  41,002

  49,864

  49·7

  22·2

  1982

  10,195

  45,889

  56,084

  48·7

  22·5

  1983

  11,828

  48,739

  60,567

  48·8

  22·7

  1984 (first quarter)

  3,314

  13,557

  16,871

  46·2

  20·4

  1984 (April to December)

  15,745

  58,797

  74,542

  44·1

  16·7

  1985

  26,689

  87,861

  114,550

  43·8

  16·0

  1986

  31,675

  94,163

  125,838

  41·2

  15·1

  Notes:

  Figures for period 1980 to 1984 (first quarter) relate to supplementary benefit only.

  Figures for period 1984 (April to December) to 1986 relate to all social security benefits.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will announce his decisions relating to the detailed provisions under the Social Security Act 1986 section 34, dealing with the new internal review procedure, indicating how many days an applicant will have in which to seek a review of a decision made by a social fund officer, how many days an applicant will have in which to appeal to a social fund inspector subsequent to initial review being rejected and how many days his Department will have in which to inform claimants of decisions relating to the social fund.

  Mr. Scott
  The Social Fund (Application for Review) Regulations will be laid before Parliament shortly. They
  166

  Numbers2

  Whole-lime equivalents2

  Clinical teacher

  3,140

  3,040

  Total

  457,040

  388,660

  Source: DHSS Annual census of NHS non-medical manpower.

  1 Excludes agency staff.

  2 All figures are independently rounded to the nearest ten (10).

  3 The information given relates to staff in the pay grades shown, therefore, for example, district nurses are included in the figures shown for Nursing Sister II.

  Social Security Tribunals
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) of the unsuccessful appeals in social security tribunal cases in 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985 and 1986, in what proportion of cases the claimant was represented;

  (2) of the successful appeals in social security tribunal cases in 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985 and 1986, in what proportion of cases the claimant was represented.

  Mr. Portillo
  The table gives the available information. Prior to April 1984 appeal statistics on representation were kept only for supplementary benefit appeal tribunals.

  Social security appeal tribunal statistics are now published annually in "Social Security Statistics'". The 1986 edition contains information on social security tribunal statistics from April 1984 to December 1985, and the 1987 edition contains information on social security tribunal statistics from January 1986 to December 1986.

  will provide that applications to a social fund officer or social fund inspector for review of a social fund officer's decision shall be made within 28 days of the decision in question being issued. These time limits may be extended if the social fund officer or social fund inspector considers there are special reasons for doing so.

  Paragraphs 3052 and 6041 of the social fund manual, a copy of which is in the Library, advise social fund officers that decisions on applications for budgeting loans and community care grants respectively should, where practicable, be decided within 28 days. Paragraph 4043 advises that when all the necessary information has been obtained applications for crisis loans should be decided without delay.
  167
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what amounts of money have been allocated to the offices of his Department in Greenock and Port Glasgow from the social fund in the first and second year and each subsequent year for which projections are available.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the social fund allocation for Sunderland for 1988–89 as a percentage of supplementary benefits single payments in 1986–87.

  Mr. Scott
  Information on the allocations for 1988–89 was contained in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Wells (Mr. Heathcoat-Amory) on 4 November at columns 774–81. Allocations for future years have not yet been decided. Information on expenditure on single payments in 1986–87 is in the Library.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many local offices of his Department have responded either to regional or national headquarters of his Department on the level of their social fund budget; and how many expressed concern about the level of their social fund allocation.

  Mr. Scott
  About 25 local offices have raised operational questions relating to their budget allocation.

  Information Technology Staff
  Mr. Michael Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of the trainees for professional information technology posts within his Department are(a) female and (b) more than 30 years of age.

  Mr. Portillo
  Statistical information on the number of civil servants wholly employed on information technology tasks—as specified in Treasury—Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency guidelines — who are trainees and are(a) female and (b) more than 30 years of age is not kept by this Department.

  Detailed information of this sort could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Michael Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of the professional information technology staff in his Department, including programmers, systems analysts and managers, are(a) female and (b) more than 30 years of age.

  Mr. Portillo
  Statistical information on the number of civil servants wholly employed on Information Technology tasks — as specified in Treasury — Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency guidelines—who are(a) female and (b) more than 30 years of age is not held. Detailed information of this sort could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Hepatitis B
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what action is being taken to provide to all those employed in the public service at risk appropriate free vaccination against hepatitis B.

  Mrs. Currie
  I refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave to the hon. Member for Southport (Mr. Fearn) on 13 November at columns 361–62 and to my hon. Friend the Member for Warwick and Leamington (Sir D. Smith) on 18 December at columns 932–33.

  Centralised Services
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the total cost of centralised services provided by his Department to the regional health authorities in England and Wales.

  Mrs. Currie
  The estimated cost of the central health and miscellaneous services in 1987–88 is £285,966,000. Details of these services are shown in sections B to F of Class XIV, Vote 3, as published in Supply Estimates 1987–88 (HC 227-XIV, XV of 1986–87) as amended by Supply Estimates 1987–88 Summer Supplementary Estimates (HC 16 of 1987–88). These services are not provided specifically to regional health authorities.

  Blood Transfusion Service
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what have been the costs of the blood products laboratory at Elstree; and what proportion of those costs have been charged to the blood transfusion service in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Newton
  Figures for the revenue cost of the blood products laboratory at Elstree are not separately available. The revenue costs of the Central Blood Laboratories Authority as a whole, the major part of which relate to the blood products laboratory, for the past five years have been:

  £ million

  1982–83

  3·1

  1983–84

  4·6

  1984–85

  5·6

  1985–86

  4·5

  1986–87

  8·3

  These costs are not recharged to the blood transfusion service.

  Withdrawal of Drugs
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what information he has as to on how many occasions since 1979 withdrawals of drugs or medically related devices in the United States of America have been followed by immediate withdrawal in Britain, and vice versa; and on how many occasions and for which products there has been a delay;

  (2) if he will list the names and number of drugs and medically related devices that have had approval withdrawn since 1979; and if he will give for each, information available to him on the period of time for which they were on such list in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) the United States of America.

  Mr. Newton
  The licensing authority does not routinely hold information about marketing status in the United States of America, though some specific information will be available on particular licence files. A complete search through all such files would involve disproportionate cost. In the United Kingdom 105 medicinal products have had their licences withdrawn, that is suspended or revoked, since 1 January 1979. A list of these products will be placed in the Library shortly. In addition, for a variety of reasons, 15,645 product licences have been surrendered by companies or have lapsed since that date. These include cases where licences were surrendered voluntarily after concern about safety. Licence holders are not required to
  169
  give a reason for surrendering or failing to renew a licence. A list of products where safety was identified by the licence holder as a reason for product withdrawal could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

  Claimants
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when he intends to place in the Library the remaining information referred to in his answer,Official Report, 18 November, column 573, relating to the number of claimants in receipt of supplementary benefit and the number of single payments made to various categories of claimants.

  Mr. Portillo
  The information on the number of claimants in receipt of supplementary benefit is not held centrally and is being collated from a number of sources. It will be placed in the Library as soon as possible. Information on the number of claimants receiving single payments is not kept and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The remaining information has been placed in the Library today. I apologise to the hon. Member for the delay in providing this information.

  HIV Infection
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what prevalence rates of HIV infection have been detected amongst bisexual and homosexual men attending sexually transmitted disease clinics in London.

  Mr. Newton
  It is not possible to establish accurately the prevalence rates. Information on the type of clinic at which a blood sample is taken for HIV testing and the total numbers of homosexual and bisexual men is not available. Individuals attending sexually transmitted disease clinics may not admit to being homosexual or bisexual. However, among known homosexuals attending such clinics in London, published work describes rates of HIV infection between about 10 per cent. and 30 per cent. The detected rates among known bisexuals are lower.

  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what information his Department has on the dominant mode of infection by HIV in Africa.

  Mr. Newton
  Almost all cases of identified HIV infection in Africa are reported to be in heterosexually active adults or in babies. Some cases of infection in all age groups can be linked to therapeutic injections or infusions including blood transfusions. The dominant modes of infection of HIV in Africa are thought to be heterosexual intercourse and vertical transmission (mother to baby).

  Pensions (Cash Cards)
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what consideration is being given to introducing plastic cards for use in cash dispensing machines in place of the old age pension book; and what assessment has been made of the effect of this proposal on the economics of small post offices.

  Mr. Portillo
  We have no plans to introduce plastic cash cards as a replacement for retirement pension books.

  Health Authorities (Overspending)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many representations were reviewed 170
  by his Department regarding the overspending of health authorities and health cutbacks prior to his announcement of extra funding on 16 December.

  Mr. Newton
  A considerable number.

  Thames Regions (Allocations)
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will express the sums of money allocated to the four Thames health regions in his announcement of 16 December 1987, excluding the moneys allocated(a) for AIDS, (b) for storm damage, (c) for the reduction of waiting lists and (d) any other specially allocated moneys.

  Mr. Newton
  I assume the hon. Member is referring to the additional funds announced for 1988–89. The information requested is as follows:

  £ million

  North West Thames

  39·6

  North East Thames

  48·9

  South East Thames

  44·4

  South West Thames

  37·6

  Lewisham and North Southwark Health Authority
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether he will advise the South East Thames regional health authority to allocate sufficient money from the increase he announced on 16 December 1987, to meet the currently estimated shortfall of £1·9 million within the Lewisham and North Southwark district health authority;

  (2) what advice he is giving to the four Thames health regions as to how the increase in funds to meet the current shortfall, announced on 16 December 1987, should be distributed amongst the district health authorities.

  Mr. Newton
  Within broad guidelines it is for regional health authorities to decide how resources are allocated between district health authorities.

  AIDS
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what information is available to his Department on(a) the number of AIDS cases and (b) the number of HIV carriers currently in the world.

  Mr. Newton
  The number of cases of AIDS reported globally to the World Health Organisation by 9 December 1987 was 72,004. It should be noted that the completeness and accuracy of reporting vary from country to country. Some countries do publish estimates of the number of people infected with HIV, but the inevitable inaccuracies and the lack of complete data make it impossible to arrive at meaningful worldwide figures.

  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will direct the health departments covering England, Wales and Northern Ireland to project the total number of AIDS cases to the same date to which the Scottish Office projects such figures; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Newton
  As my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland said in his reply to my hon. Friend on 15 December at column 450, the projections of future numbers of cases of AIDS contained in the report of the working party on Health Service

  171
  implications of HIV infection in Scotland—the Tayler report—were made on a very limited base and are being kept under review. The Government look to the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre and the Communicable Disease (Scotland) Unit for advice on these matters. Their current view is that it is not possible, on the evidence currently available, to make reliable estimates of the numbers of cases of AIDS after this year, as I stated in my reply to my hon. Friend on 20 November at column 708.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if any of the additional £10 million to be allocated to the three Thames regions in further recognition of the particular pressures in these areas arising from the number of AIDS patients has been earmarked for the London Lighthouse.

  Mr. Newton
  The North West Thames regional health authority has approved a capital grant of £500,000 to

  Married couple

  Single person

  Cash Amount

  Index

  Cash Amoount

  Index

  £

  (Nov80=100)

  £

  (Nov 80 = 100)

  November 1980

  43·45

  100

  27·15

  100

  November 1981

  47·35

  109·0

  29·60

  109·0

  November 1982

  52·55

  120·9

  32·85

  121·0

  November 1983

  54·50

  125·4

  34·05

  125·4

  November 1984

  57·30

  131·9

  35·80

  131·9

  November 1985

  61·30

  141·1

  38·30

  141·1

  July 1986

  61·95

  142·6

  38·70

  142·5

  April 1987

  63·25

  145·6

  39·50

  145·5

  April 1988

  65·90

  151·7

  41·15

  151·6

  Private Health
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how often he publishes statistics on private health provision.

  Mrs. Currie
  The Department prepares three prime sources of information on private health provision:

  i. SBH212 — details on places registered under the Registered Homes Act 1984—published annually.

  ii. SH9 — contractual arrangements between the National Health Service and private sector —compiled annually and being placed in the Library.

  iii. SBH211—private patients treated in National Health Service hospitals—compiled annually and available in the Library.

  The implementation of the Körner recommendations will result in data being collected on a financial year basis. This may affect publication targets. The Department also contributes private medical insurance data to an annual Central Statistical Office publication, "Social Trends".

  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what evidence he has on the effect on waiting lists of private health care.

  Mr. Newton
  National Health Service waiting lists consist primarily of people waiting for elective surgery, and the majority of operations carried out in the private sector are also for elective procedures, but it is not possible to quantify the inter-action between the two.

  Benefit Disqualifications
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will provide a breakdown of the number of cases in 1986, and separately for cases so far in
  172
  London Lighthouse following the announcement on 23 October last year of extra allocations for the three Thames regions which have been facing special additional pressures as a result of the large number of people with AIDS they are having to treat. The additional £10 million allocated to these regions for AIDS-related services, as a result of my statement to the House on 16 December, was not earmarked centrally for specific purposes.

  Retirement Pensions
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the increase in cash terms since 1980 in the weekly retirement pension for(a) a married couple and (b) a single person, with the 1980 sum expressed as 100.

  Mr. Scott
  The information requested is as follows. The dates shown are those when upratings of retirement pension took effect.

  1987, of benefit disqualification under section 20(1) of the Social Security Act 1975 and associated legislation, showing disqualifications due to (a) leaving voluntarily, (b) misconduct and (c) other reasons.

  Mr. Portillo
  The table shows the number of disqualifications for benefit imposed under section 20(1) of the Social Security Act 1975 during 1986 and the first nine months of 1987 — the latest period for which information is available.

  Disqualifications for unemployment benefit under s20(1) of Social Security Act 1975

  Reason for disqualification

  1986

  January-September 1987

  Leaving voluntarily

  310,976

  231,314

  Dismissal for misconduct

  98,938

  73,116

  Others

  9,532

  7,379

  Total

  419,446

  311,809

  Source: 100 per cent. count of decisions by adjudication officers.

  Hospital Beds
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many beds were available for patients during the years 1984–85, 1985–86 and 1986–87, in Dryburn hospital, Durham, Sunderland district general hospital, Sunderland Royal infirmary, Hartlepool district general hospital, Ryhope general hospital, the County hospital, Durham, Cherry Knowle, Ryhope and Winterton hospital, Sellafield.

  Mrs. Currie
  The information requested is given in the table.
  173

  Average daily number of available beds, 1984–1986

  Year

  Health authority and hospital

  1984

  1985

  1986

  Durham

  Dryburn hospital

  420

  427

  433

  County hospital

  60

  60

  60

  Hartlepool

  Hartlepool general hospital

  449

  446

  449

  South West Durham

  Winterton hospital

  952

  945

  938

  Sunderland

  Royal infirmary

  253

  247

  254

  Sunderland district general hospital

  708

  701

  710

  Average available beds in National Health Service hospitals

  Year

  Specialty or specialty group and county

  1978

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  General medicine1

  Devon

  439

  460

  484

  463

  471

  454

  Somerset

  177

  165

  159

  148

  173

  166

  General surgery

  Devon

  539

  569

  538

  505

  494

  513

  Somerset

  172

  151

  172

  158

  157

  158

  Other acute specialties

  Devon

  2,126

  2,100

  2,105

  2,122

  2,114

  2,129

  Somerset

  670

  716

  719

  748

  707

  725

  Geriatric

  Devon

  1,357

  1,374

  1,361

  1,342

  1,349

  1,351

  Somerset

  515

  513

  508

  511

  506

  479

  Maternity specialties

  Devon

  352

  345

  345

  344

  342

  330

  Somerset

  137

  134

  135

  135

  120

  129

  Mental illness specialties

  Devon

  1,697

  1,423

  1,427

  1,306

  1,319

  1,180

  Somerset

  1,271

  1,120

  1,108

  1,103

  1,076

  1,055

  Mental handicap

  Devon

  1,303

  1,226

  1,179

  994

  808

  748

  Somerset

  553

  523

  513

  497

  454

  384

  Units for the younger disabled

  Devon

  50

  56

  56

  56

  54

  53

  Somerset

  26

  26

  26

  26

  26

  26

  All specialties

  Devon

  7,863

  7,553

  7,495

  7,130

  6,951

  6,755

  Somerset

  3,520

  3,347

  3,339

  3,326

  3,219

  3,121

  1 Figures for 1978 are not comparable with those for later years, due to a change of specialty definitions in 1979.

  Note: For the county of Devon figures for Exeter, North Devon, Plymouth and Torbay DHAs have been used. (Devon AHA figures used for the 1978 figures). As regards Somerset, figures for Somerset DHA (Somerset AHA for 1978) have been used.

  Nursing and midwifery staff in post-Devon and Somerset counties 30 September

  Whole time equivalent1

  Devon1

  Somerset2

  1978

  7,400

  2,890

  1982

  8,530

  3,190

  1983

  8,630

  3,220

  174

  Year

  Health authority and hospital

  1984

  1985

  1986

  Ryhope general hospital

  427

  396

  362

  Cherry Knowle hospital

  663

  672

  680

  Sir Peter Emery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give for the year 1978 and for each of the last five years the total number of hospital beds for each of the following services(a) general medical, (b) general surgical, (c) non-psychiatric acute, (d) geriatric, (e) maternity, (f) mental illness, (g) mentally handicapped and (h) young chronic sick; and what is the total of these and the number of nurses employed in the counties of Devon and Somerset.

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

  Whole time equivalent1

  Devon2

  Somerset2

  1984

  8,490

  3,230

  1985

  8,870

  3,270

  1986

  9,010

  3,270

  Source: DHSS annual census of NHS non-medical manpower

  1 All figures are independently rounded to the nearest ten (10) whole-time equivalents.

  2 Figures for 1978 relate to the Devon and Somerset area health

  175
  authorities respectively. Figures for 1982–86 are as follows:

  Devon county comprises the sum of the North Devon, Plymouth, Torbay and Exeter district health authorities.

  Somerset county comprises Somerset district health authority.

  Drug Centres (Durham)
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what measures he is taking to establish drug advice centres in the county of Durham.

  Mrs. Currie
  Local health authorities are responsible for the provision of services for drug misusers. Since 1986–87, regional health authorities have been allocated an extra £5 million a year specifically for the development of these services. Funds from this allocation have been used to set up advice and counselling services in South West Durham, North West Durham and Darlington health authorities; a limited advice and counselling service is also available in Durham health authority, for more information, the hon. Member may like to contact the chairmen of these authorities.

  Hospital Car Services
  Sir Peter Emery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will recommend to health authorities that they should reimburse drivers in the hospital car service at rates at least equal to the rates notified annually by his Department, based upon those agreed by the General Whitley council for National Health Service staff;

  (2) if he will list those health authorities which reimburse drivers in the hospital car services at rates below those agreed by the General Whitley council.

  Mrs. Currie
  Each year the Department recommends to health authorities mileage rates for volunteer hospital car service drivers comparable to those agreed for health service staff. The rates adopted are a matter for authorities to decide in the light of local circumstances. Information about the amount per mile paid by individual authorities is not collected centrally.

  Conception Rate (Young People)
  Mr. Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Service, what is the conception rate for people under 20 years in England and Wales.

  Mr. Newton
  During 1985 there were 61·7 conceptions to women aged under 20 per 1,000 women aged 15 to 19 resident in England and Wales. This figure includes conceptions leading to maternities or to abortions under the 1967 Act, but excludes conceptions leading to spontaneous abortions.

  Unemployed Councillors
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in the light of successful appeal by Councillor Mike Hannon of Warrington borough council to the social security appeal tribunal in September 1987, he will introduce legislation to provide that expenses allowed to unemployed councillors should include those incurred in the course of their duties outside official council meetings.

  Mr. Portillo
  No. It is a matter for the independent adjudication authorities to interpret the regulations in individual cases.

  Community Programme
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has to seek to change the law so as to allow his Department to withhold benefit from claimants who refuse offers of places on the community programme.

  Mr. Portillo
  There are no plans to change section 20(1)(b) of the Social Security Act 1975 under which a person may be disqualified for receiving unemployment benefit if, without good cause, he refuses an offer of suitable employment.

  Severe Disablement Allowance
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in the light of the judgment of the European Court in the Clarke case, he will now(a) invite claims to severe disablement allowance from married and cohabiting women who fulfilled the conditions for noncontributory invalidity pension in 1984, other than the household duties test, but were wrongly denied severe disablement allowance as from 22 December 1984 by the discriminatory provisions of the transitional regulations, (b) make extra-statutory payments to such women now making new claims to severe disablement allowance to compensate them for non-payment of that benefit from 22 December 1984, (c) exercise his discretion under regulation 9(6) of the Claims and Payments Regulations to treat all claims for non-contributory invalidity pension received from such women in 1984 and 1985 as claims for severe disablement allowance, and (d) exercise his discretion under regulation 9(1) of the same regulations to treat all claims for (i) unemployment benefit, (ii) sickness benefit, (iii) invalidity benefit and (iv) maternity allowance received from such women in 1984 and 1985 as claims for severe disablement allowance; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to her on 5 November 1987 at column 869. We intend to discharge our legal obligation to pay women whose entitlement to severe disablement allowance was established by the judgment of the European Court of Justice in the case of Mrs. J. B. Clarke. I am advised that this applies to married women who had a claim to SDA, founded on entitlement to non-contributory invalidity pension, between the earliest date for claiming SDA (10.9.84) and the latest date for claiming NCIP (29.11.85) and the claim failed because of the household duties test or has awaited decision pending the judgment. This would include claims to NCIP treated as claims to SDA under regulation 9(6) of the Claims and Payments Regulations 1979. Central records indicate that there were some 3,000 to 4,000 such women.

  Claims to unemployment benefit, sickness benefit, invalidity benefit and maternity allowance which failed during this period would have been treated also as claims to SDA where appropriate in accordance with regulation 9(1) of the same regulations. If, because of the household duties test these SDA claims also failed, they will have been included within the 3,000 to 4,000.

  Because the women who may benefit from the judgment are identifiable from central records, they are being contacted individually which obviates the need for a wider invitation to submit claims. Inquiries will then be

  177
  made to establish whether any payment is due, both currently and for any periods since 22 December 1984. Extra-statutory payments will be made where necessary.

  Income Support Regulations
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the reasons for each of the differences between the provisions of the Income Support (Transitional) Regulations 1987 and the draft which was made available at the beginning of November 1987.

  Mr. Scott
  After the draft version of the Income Support (Transitional) Regulations 1987 had been placed in the Library on 3 November, legal advice led to a number of technical and drafting changes to ensure that the regulations more accurately reflected the original policy intentions.

  Yorkshire RHA (Allocation)
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how much of the recently announced additional £4·7 million for the Yorkshire regional health authority will be allocated to(a) the designated new liver transplant centre, (b) the child cancer unit at St. James's hospital and (c) the current Leeds Western budget deficit.

  Jointly registered illegitimate live births by social class of father 1975–86

  England and Wales

  000's

  Year

  All classes

  I

  II

  IIIN

  IIIM

  IV

  V

  Armed Forces

  Others including not stated

  1975

  26·9

  0·8

  2·8

  1·6

  11·8

  6·1

  2·7

  0·4

  0·7

  1976

  27·4

  0·6

  3·1

  1·6

  12·7

  5·8

  2·8

  0·3

  0·6

  1977

  29·3

  0·8

  3·5

  1·4

  12·9

  6·7

  3·2

  0·4

  0·7

  1978

  32·8

  0·8

  4·0

  1·9

  14·8

  7·0

  3·2

  0·4

  0·5

  1979

  38·3

  0·8

  4·7

  2·3

  17·0

  7·2

  5·2

  0·4

  0·7

  1980

  44·2

  1·0

  5·0

  2·7

  19·6

  8·6

  6·1

  0·4

  1·0

  1981

  47·1

  1·0

  5·2

  3·0

  20·6

  8·7

  6·9

  0·5

  1·3

  1982

  53·4

  1·0

  6·1

  3·5

  22·6

  10·1

  8·1

  0·6

  1·4

  1983

  60·8

  1·0

  7·2

  3·7

  25·4

  11·7

  9·3

  0·8

  1·7

  1984

  69·9

  1·3

  7·9

  4·6

  29·3

  13·2

  10·3

  0·7

  2·6

  1985

  81·8

  1·5

  9·1

  5·0

  34·6

  15·3

  12·2

  0·7

  3·4

  1986

  93·5

  2·0

  11·3

  5·8

  38·3

  18·2

  13·6

  0·8

  3·6

  Note: Figures are based on a 10 per cent. sample of birth registrations.

  Mental Hospital Admissions
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has about the comparative rates of admission to mental hospital for black and white people in the United Kingdom.

  Mrs. Currie
  I regret that statistics on admissions to mental illness hospitals subdivided into categories by race are not collected centrally.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the rates of admission to mental hospital for(a) men and (b) women.

  Mrs. Currie
  In 1986 the rates of admission into National Health Service mental illness hospitals and units in England were 364 male admissions per 100,000 male population and 468 female admissions per 100,000 female population.
  178
  Mrs. Currie
  It is for the Yorkshire regional health authority to decide how the £4·7 million will be allocated within the region. I understand that an announcement has not yet been made by the regional health authority. The hon. Member may wish to approach the regional chairman for the information he is seeking.

  The hon. Member may wish to know, however, that as from 1 April 1988 the liver transplant centre will be a designated supra-regional service. As such it will receive central funding of £287,000 for 1988–89 in addition to its current district allocation of £287,000 in 1987–88, a total therefore of £574,000 for 1988–89.

  Illegitimate Babies
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give, for each year from 1975 onwards, the numbers of livebirths of jointly registered illegitimate babies in England and Wales with fathers whose occupations were classified as(a) social class I, (b) social class II, (c) social class III non-manual, (d) social class III manual, (e) social class IV, (f) social class V, (g) armed services and (h) students, unoccupied and any occupations not included in (a) to (g).

  Mrs. Currie
  The figures are shown in the table.

  Specialist Advisory Staff
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many specialist advisory staff at his Department's headquarters have a background in(a) physical health and (b) mental health.

  Mrs. Currie
  The following table shows the numbers of specialist advisory staff at the Department's headquarters who have backgrounds in either physical or mental health.

  Civil Servants

  Physical Health

  Mental Health

  Doctors

  103

  8

  Dentists

  36

  —

  Nurses

  30

  8

  Therapists

  6

  —

  In addition, the chief medical officer is able to call upon 47 consultant advisers, two of whom have backgrounds in mental health.

  NHS (London)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the resource allocation working party formula at national and each regional level in respect of the four Thames regions, further to his statement of 16 November 1987.

  Mr. Newton
  The allocation formula devised by the resource allocation working party is described in its report "Sharing Resources for Health in England", a copy of which is in the Library.

  Target allocations are arrived at by reference to regional health authority populations weighted to take account of age and sex distribution and the geographical incidence of different conditions requiring health care resources. The pace of change towards targets is decided by Ministers each year, in the light of the additional resources available.

  In 1988–89 the Thames regions will again benefit from the £15 million special fund; and they will also receive the bulk of the additional funds made available in recognition of the special pressures arising from AIDS and HIV infection.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list, by district, the allocations for AIDS, general funding and storm damage for each London health authority following his announcement of 16 December 1987.

  Mr. Newton
  Allocations to districts are a matter for regional health authorities. The hon. Member may wish to approach the chairmen of the four Thames regional health authorities for this information.

  Great Ormond Street Hospital
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has as to how many patients from the Trent health authority have in the last three years been treated at Great Ormond street hospital.

  Mrs. Currie
  Reliable estimates cannot be made from the sample data held centrally. The hon. Member may wish to write to the chairman of the Hospitals for Sick Children Special Health Authority for the information.

  West Midlands RHA
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when the additional sum for the West Midlands regional health authority which he announced on 16 December,Official Report, column 1104, will be paid to the regional health authority; and if there are any restrictions on its use.

  Mrs. Currie
  The West Midlands regional health authority was informed on 16 December that its share of the additional funds available this year was £6·7 million. Formal notification that the region's cash limit had been increased by this amount was issued on 4 January.

  It is for the regional health authority to determine how the funds available should be distributed. We are, however, requiring it to ensure that the additional resources are used where necessary to maintain established services, to assist where hospital services are being reorganised for the future, and to secure a sound financial base on which to build plans for 1988–89.

  Hospital Waiting Lists
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons according to the latest figures had been waiting(a) nought to two months, (b) three to five months, (c) six to eight months, (d) nine to 11 months, (e) 12 to 14 months and 15 months or more for admission to hospital in each of the main specialties in each district health authority.

  Mr. Newton
  A copy of the September 1987 waiting list booklet will be placed in the Library as soon as it is available.

  Census Information
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated number of people resident in the United Kingdom who were born in(a) Estonia, (b) Latvia and (c) Lithuania; and why the information on country of birth of such residents is recorded for census purposes.

  Mrs. Currie
  The information requested is not recorded. All people enumerated in the census have to state the present name of their country of birth. Persons who recorded that they were born in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania were given the same code as persons born in the USSR.

  Pregnancy Testing
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received concerning the proposal by Cambridge health authority to end the free pregnancy testing service at Addenbrooke's hospital, Cambridge.

  Mrs. Currie
  We have received one letter forwarded by an hon. Member.

  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is his policy on the provision of free pregnancy testing by health authorities; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) which health authorities provide free pregnancy testing services; and which health authorities have ceased to provide this service in the last 12 months.

  Mrs. Currie
  Information on free pregnancy testing services is not held centrally.

  Where health authorities offer general practitioners direct access to pathology facilities, then the opportunity exists for the provision of pregnancy testing, free of charge, if the practitioner feels this is appropriate. Health authorities may also offer free pregnancy tests to the patients of family planning clinics, and are aware of the importance of facilities being readily available to give prompt confirmation of pregnancy, and an early uptake of care. This was recommended by the first report of the Maternity Services Advisory Committee, which also stressed the need for each woman to be able to discuss thoroughly, with those who will be responsible for her care, any medical or social factors which may affect the course of the pregnancy, and agree a suitable pattern of care. We have commended this report to health authorities for their consideration as to the action which could and should be taken locally to improve services.

  Leukaemia Clusters (Cumbria)
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services to what extent any studies he has commissioned into leukaemia clusters in Cumbria have taken account of any possible effects from the consumption of radioactive milk or other substances after the Windscale fire of October 1957.

  Mrs. Currie
  The independent expert Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment reported in 1986 on the incidence of cancer in West Cumbria. This report was based on evidence — both published and unpublished — of estimated radiation doses to the public from all sources, including radioactive milk, over the period 1951 to 1982 including the effects of the Windscale fire of 1957.

  Cancer
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in the light of the fact that the request for funding in respect of the "Quest for a Test for Cancer" is to cover improved cytology, he will reconsider his decision to delay responding to this application; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Currie
  No. The reasons for deferring a decision were set out in my reply to the hon. Member for Belfast, South (Rev. Martin Smyth) on 17 December 1987 at columns 712–73 and they still apply. Decisions will be made as soon as possible.

  Hospitals and Extensions
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list all new hospitals and new hospital extensions built during the past five years which are not yet fully in use because of staff shortages.

  Mrs. Currie
  I regret we do not routinely collect such information centrally.

  Wealth and Poverty (Report)
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what response he intends to make to the report of the Family Policy Studies Centre on wealth and poverty in Britain.

  Mr. Portillo
  We will study the report with interest.

  Dental Examinations and Eyesight Tests
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many letters he has received supporting his proposal to introduce charges for(a) dental examinations and (b) the eyesight test.

  Mr. Newton
  About 900 representations have been received on the proposals to restrict the NHS sight test to certain groups and to introduce a charge for the NHS dental examination, subject to numerous exemptions in line with those for other dental charges. They are generally opposed to the proposals, but do not appear to oppose also the substantially increased expenditure on family practitioner services, including the many improvements proposed in the White Paper "Promoting Better Health", which the dental and sight test proposals will help to finance.

  Radiotherapy Units (Southend and Oldchurch)
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received about proposals to close the Southend and Oldchurch radiotherapy units; what discussions he has had with the North East Thames regional health authority about such proposals; and upon what basis the level of provision of radiotherapy services is determined.

  Mrs. Currie
  We have received tens of thousands of representations from members of the public about these proposals. Following local opposition to the closure of the Southend radiotherapy unit, the North East Thames regional health authority has now put the matter to my right hon. Friend for his final decision.

  Health authorities are expected to provide radiotherapy services on the basis of what best serves the patient. The Department's guidance on ways in which such services should be organised is currently under review.

  Community Charge
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in calculating personal income, the board and lodging provided as part of the support for full-time volunteers will be disregarded in assessing income and eligibility for rebates of community charge.

  Mr. Scott
  The details of the community charge rebate scheme have yet to be decided, but the present intention is that the procedures for calculating entitlement to rebates should follow as closely as practicable the provisions of the Housing Benefit (General) Regulations 1987. Regulation 35(5) of these regulations provides that the procedures for assessing notional income shall not apply in the case of a person claiming housing benefit who is engaged by a charitable or voluntary body, or who is a volunteer if the appropriate authority is satisfied that it is reasonable for him to provide his services free of charge.

  Benefit Rates
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give for single adult males(a) supplementary benefit or national assistance and (b) sickness or unemployment benefit as a percentage of average weekly earnings for the last 30 years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Portillo
  The information required is available in sections 5 and 6 of the "Abstract of Statistics for Index of Retail Prices, Average Earnings, Social Security Benefits and Contributions," published by the Department, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Overseas Visitors (NHS Treatment)
  Mr. Waller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has any plans to amend the regulations which govern National Health Service treatment for overseas visitors; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Newton
  Under the National Health Service (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 1982, there are a range of visitors who are exempt from charges. For those subject to charge, treatment at or following any reference from a special clinic for the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases is nevertheless exempt from charge.
  183
  We have concluded this exemption is too widely defined. Regulations being laid today redefine the exemption as being for treatment at such a special clinic or treatment for a sexually transmitted disease following a reference from such a clinic. They also restrict the exemption, in the case of infection with any human immunodeficiency virus, to diagnosis and counselling only and introduce a specific charge for any drug or medicine designed to treat such a virus and supplied to non-exempt overseas visitors as out-patients. Equivalent regulations are being laid for Scotland.

  Consultants
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services, by specialty and for each regional health authority in England and Wales, what was(a) the number of consultants employed on full-time contracts, (b) the number of consultants employed on part-time contracts, (c) the number of hours worked by full-time consultants and (d) the number of hours worked by part-time consultants.

  Mr. Newton
  I regret that information in the precise form requested is not available, since we do not hold information on hours worked by consultants. However, such information as is readily available is given in two tables which I have placed in the Library. The first shows for each specialty and for each of the English regional health authorities and for Wales, the numbers of consultants at 30 September 1986 in the following categories:

  i. Whole-time;

  ii. maximum part-time;

  iii. other part-time, distinguishing between those with nine sessions, those with less than nine sessions, and those on the doctors' retainer scheme; and

  iv. doctors with honorary consultant contracts.

  The second gives, again for each specialty and region, the average number of sessions for which consultants are

  Table 1

  Number of live and still births of 2,500 grams and under birthweight and percentages of all births. England and Wales 1976–86

  Year

  Livebinhs 2,500g and under

  Percentage of all livebirths

  Stillbirths 2,500g and under

  Percentage of all stillbirths

  1976

  37,465

  6·4

  3,524

  62·5

  1977

  36,917

  6·5

  3,462

  65·0

  1978

  39,146

  6·6

  3,302

  65·5

  1979

  43,028

  6·7

  3,316

  65·5

  1980

  44,764

  6·8

  3,152

  66·5

  1981

  43,079

  6·8

  2,751

  661

  1982

  42,726

  68

  2,418

  62·1

  1983

  42,568

  6·8

  2,282

  63·6

  1984

  43,132

  6·8

  2,291

  63·6

  1985

  44,531

  6·8

  2,282

  63·5

  1986

  45,473

  6·9

  2,225

  62·7

  Source: DHSS, annual summaries of LHS 27/1 returns.
  184
  contracted, distinguishing between those with whole-time or maximum part-time contracts and those with other part-time or honorary contracts.

  Contaminated Blood Products
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when he will answer the letter sent by the hon. Member for Birkenhead on 17 September 1987, concerning the date Ministers were first informed of the dangers of HIV infection from contaminated blood products and asking for details of professional advice given to haemophilia centres regarding these dangers in 1983.

  Mr. Newton
  I am replying to the hon. Member today.

  Babies (Birthweight)
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the number of babies born below 2,500 g for each of the last 10 years; if he will present this data as a percentage of all births; and if he will classify the social class of these babies by the class of the father.

  Mrs. Currie
  [holding answer 9 December 1987]: Information on birthweight from annual summaries of DHSS form LHS 27/1 is given in table 1. These returns do not identify the social class of baby or father.

  Information on birthweight from the registration of live births was first collected by the Office of Population, Censuses and Surveys in 1975. The level of birthweight recording rose, and data were first published for 1980 when 87 per cent. of live births had a stated birthweight. Table 2, therefore, shows figures for live and still births from 1980 to 1985, the latest year available.

  Information on social class for illegitimate births is not shown as this is not collected on a comparable basis to that for legitimate births. The social class data for live births are derived from a sample of live births.
  185

  Table 2 Legitimate livebirths by birthweight and social class 1980–85

  Live births

  England and Wale.

  Birthweight (grams)

  Social class

  All births

  Total stated birthweight

  Under 2,500

  Percentage under 2,500

  1980

  I-V

  558,938

  480,895

  30,330

  6·3

  I

  40,803

  35,473

  1,882

  5·3

  II

  123,586

  107,857

  5,680

  5·3

  IIIN

  61,902

  52,595

  3,025

  5·8

  IIIM

  212,279

  181,843

  11,991

  6·6

  IV

  87,669

  74,946

  5,468

  7·3

  V

  32,669

  28,181

  2,284

  8·1

  Other

  19,924

  16,758

  1,031

  6·2

  1981

  I-V

  53,376

  508,347

  31,194

  6·1

  I

  41,064

  39,252

  2,149

  5·5

  II

  122,249

  116,317

  5,542

  4·8

  IIIN

  60,394

  57,554

  3,026

  5·3

  IIIM

  198,234

  188,871

  12,299

  6·5

  IV

  79,880

  76,220

  5,639

  7·4

  V

  31,555

  30,133

  2,539

  8·4

  Other

  20,150

  19,267

  1,209

  6·3

  1982

  I-V

  516,946

  492,446

  30,526

  6·2

  I

  40,894

  39,022

  2,091

  5·4

  II

  118,383

  113,148

  6,206

  5·5

  IIIN

  58,021

  55,289

  3,113

  5·6

  IIIM

  189,654

  181,087

  11,550

  6·4

  IV

  79,278

  74,545

  5,225

  7·0

  V

  30,716

  29,355

  2,341

  8·0

  Other

  20,128

  19,367

  1,151

  5·9

  1983

  I-V

  509,133

  508,513

  31,135

  6·1

  I

  39,249

  39,199

  1,951

  5·0

  II

  116,979

  116,849

  6,393

  5·5

  IIIN

  57,138

  57,068

  3,071

  5·4

  IIIM

  188,184

  187,994

  11,536

  6·1

  IV

  76,368

  76,258

  5,713

  7·5

  V

  31,215

  31,145

  2,471

  7·9

  Other

  20,150

  20,710

  1,480

  7·1

  1984

  I-V

  504,190

  503,710

  32,760

  6·5

  I

  39,640

  39,630

  2,190

  5·5

  II

  115,180

  115,020

  6,270

  5·5

  IIIN

  57,610

  57,560

  3,280

  5·7

  IIIM

  185,480

  185,300

  12,530

  6·8

  IV

  76,380

  76,320

  6,080

  8·0

  V

  29,910

  29,870

  2,420

  8·1

  Other

  22,160

  22,010

  1,310

  6·0

  1985

  I-V

  504,800

  504,140

  32,630

  6·5

  I

  40,000

  39,930

  2,100

  5·3

  II

  118,380

  118,240

  6,670

  5·6

  IIIN

  56,210

  56,140

  3,210

  5·7

  IIIM

  184,320

  184,120

  12,740

  6·9

  IV

  75,380

  75,250

  5,550

  7·4

  V

  30,520

  30,470

  2,370

  7·8

  Other

  25,330

  25,240

  1,650

  6·5

  Note: Rounded figures may not add exactly to totals.
  186

  Legitimate stillbirths by birthweight and social class, 1980–85, England and Wales

  Stillbirths

  Birthweight (grams)

  Social class

  All births

  Total stated birthweight

  Under 2,500

  Percentage under 2,500

  1980

  I-V

  3,933

  3,363

  2,216

  65·9

  I

  204

  170

  115

  67·6

  II

  745

  621

  403

  64·9

  IIIN

  387

  328

  206

  62·8

  IIIM

  1,576

  1,352

  885

  65·5

  IV

  708

  619

  415

  67·0

  V

  313

  273

  192

  70·3

  Other

  144

  102

  61

  59·8

  1981

  I-V

  3,364

  3,066

  1,988

  64·8

  I

  190

  169

  106

  62·7

  II

  681

  610

  398

  65·2

  IIIN

  335

  308

  186

  60·4

  IIIM

  1,302

  1,196

  797

  66·6

  IV

  576

  529

  337

  63·7

  V

  280

  254

  164

  64·6

  Other

  146

  131

  80

  61·1

  1982

  I-V

  3,149

  2,792

  1,735

  62·1

  I

  177

  158

  92

  58·2

  II

  599

  518

  315

  60·8

  IIIN

  334

  298

  181

  60·7

  IIIM

  1,200

  1,061

  683

  64·4

  IV

  590

  533

  317

  59·5

  V

  249

  224

  147

  65·6

  Other

  132

  122

  82

  64·1

  1983

  I-V

  2,820

  2,777

  1,752

  63·1

  I

  166

  163

  95

  58·3

  II

  560

  552

  349

  63·2

  IIIN

  279

  276

  159

  57·6

  IIIM

  1,059

  1,042

  671

  64·4

  IV

  535

  527

  336

  63·8

  V

  221

  217

  142

  65·4

  Other

  93

  92

  59

  64·1

  1984

  I-V

  2,699

  2,658

  1,627

  61·2

  I

  157

  155

  90

  58·1

  II

  507

  503

  307

  61·0

  IIIN

  267

  260

  145

  55·8

  IIIM

  997

  979

  609

  62·2

  IV

  515

  509

  323

  63·5

  V

  256

  252

  153

  60·7

  Other

  126

  120

  68

  56·7

  1985

  I-V

  2,618

  2,581

  1,574

  61·0

  I

  162

  160

  85

  53·1

  II

  485

  480

  296

  61·7

  IIIN

  291

  288

  183

  63·5

  IIIM

  982

  970

  582

  60·0

  IV

  477

  468

  288

  61·5

  V

  221

  215

  140

  65·1

  Other

  155

  150

  90

  60·0

  Hospital Closures
  Mr. Lofthouse
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list all those hospitals in England that
  187
  have been (a) closed or (b) partially closed without having been referred to him, and where local consultation has not taken place.

  Mrs. Currie
  [holding answer 14 December 1987]: Provision is made for urgent temporary closures to be implemented without consultation. We do not routinely collect statistics about hospital closures for which statutory consultation has not been necessary.

  Medical Records
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has begun discussions with the medical profession with a view to encouraging greater access by patients to their medical records on a non-statutory basis; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Currie
  [holding answer 14 December 1987]: Medical records are maintained for patient care and are used by doctors, nurses and other health professionals to help them in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. The primary purpose remains to record what is in the best interests of patients. We consider that as a matter of principle patients should have the right to know what has been recorded about them, subject to appropriate safeguards to protect those individuals who might otherwise be harmed by the uncontrolled disclosure of their personal health information.

  Discussions have already taken place between officials and representatives of certain medical bodies and meetings with others are being arranged. When these discussions
  188
  have been completed officials will report on the prospects for achieving substantive and timely progress in opening up medical records further on a non-statutory basis.

  Breast Cancer
  Dr. Glyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the latest figures for the incidence of breast cancer in women.

  Mrs. Currie
  [holding answer 18 December 1987]: The nearest available information on the incidence of cancer is the registration of newly diagnosed cases of cancer. The provisional number of registrations of malignant neoplasm of female breast cancer (International Classification of Diseases 9th revision 174) for England and Wales in 1984 is 21,474; 13,641 women died of the disease in 1986 in England and Wales.

  "You and Your Dentist"
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the cost of producing the publication "You and Your Dentist", and whether there are plans for a revised edition.

  Mrs. Currie
  [holding answer 18 December 1987]: I understand that the copy for the booklet was prepared by the National Consumer Council within a production budget at £3,000. Her Majesty's Stationery Office published the booklet on its normal commercial basis at no cost to the council. The revision of the booklet is a matter for the council. (ISBN 0 11 701343 9 — Price £2·50.)

  MILITARY PERSONNEL AND RETIREMENT EMPLOYMENT
  MILITARY PERSONNEL AND RETIREMENT EMPLOYMENT
  WORK SHARE PROVISIONS AND SINGLE EUROPEAN ACT
  WORK SHARE PROVISIONS AND SINGLE EUROPEAN ACT
  MALAYSIAN DETENTIONS
  MALAYSIAN DETENTIONS
  PESTICIDES
  PESTICIDES
  GOVERNMENT PURCHASING
  GOVERNMENT PURCHASING
  R & D EXPENDITURE: RESPONSIBILITY
  R & D EXPENDITURE: RESPONSIBILITY
  CODES OF PRACTICE AND LEGISLATION: GUIDANCE
  CODES OF PRACTICE AND LEGISLATION: GUIDANCE
  FISHING VESSEL REGISTRATION
  FISHING VESSEL REGISTRATION
  N.I. FORESTRY REPORT
  N.I. FORESTRY REPORT
  PRISONERS IN POLICE CUSTODY
  PRISONERS IN POLICE CUSTODY
  ASSISTED PLACES IN SCHOOLS
  ASSISTED PLACES IN SCHOOLS