Written Answers of 15 January 1988

THE ARTS

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what was his Department's total expenditure on the arts in England and in Wales during the 1986–87 financial year.

  Mr. Richard Luce
  My Department's total expenditure on the arts in the financial year 1986–87 was £285.7 million, largely in the form of grants in aid to arts bodies. Of the grant in aid of £135.6 million to the Arts Council for Great Britain, £7.6 million was provided for the Welsh Arts Council. Responsibility for the provision of grants in aid to the National Museum of Wales and the National Library of Wales rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many students with special educational needs regularly attend courses run by colleges of further and higher education in England and in each of the English counties.

  Mr. Jackson
  A survey by the National Bureau for Handicapped Students was commissioned in 1985. Its report "Catching-Up?" and DES statistical bulletin 7/87 summarise the results and are in the Library of the House. Figures are not provided for individual counties, but about 44,000 students with special educational needs were attending various courses run by public sector institutions of further and higher education in England. Of these, 17,600 were on mainstream college courses or courses specifically provided for students with special educational needs, 12,500 were enrolled at another institution but attended a college for part of the week, and 13,400 were attending outreach courses run by college staff at other centres. Some of the data are to be updated annually.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Sexual Harassment
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his Department's policy on sexual harassment at work; whether guidance on reporting complaints has been issued to all staff; how many complaints have been reported in the past five years; and what disciplinary action has been taken.

  Mr. Brooke
  The Civil Service policy on sexual harassment is set out in the programme of action to achieve equal opportunities for women in the Civil Service which was published by the Cabinet Office (Management and Personnel Office) in 1984. Sexual harassment at work 406
  is not tolerated and is dealt with as a disciplinary matter through the usual Civil Service complaints procedures. Specific guidance on reporting alleged sexual harassment is included in "Women in the Treasury; a guide to personnel management policies" which has been issued to all Treasury staff. There have been four complaints reported in the past five years; in the two proven cases, formal written warnings were issued.

  Manor of Northstead
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the cost to the Exchequer of the Manor of Northstead in each year since 1980.

  Mr. Lawson
  Nothing. The stewardship of the Manor of Northstead, like that of the Chiltern Hundreds, is a nominal office of profit under the Crown; no salary actually attaches.

  Central Office of Information
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated total cost of the Central Office of Information in 1987–88; and what it was in 1978–79 and 1982–83.

  Mr. Brooke
  [holding answer 14 January 1988]: The estimated total running costs of the COI in 1987–88 and comparable actual costs for 1978–79 and 1982–83 are as follows:

  £ million

  Year

  Cash prices

  Constant 1987–88 prices

  1978–79

  10·7

  21·5

  1982–83

  17·6

  22·0

  1987–88 (estimated)

  19·0

  19·0

  At constant 1987–88 prices the total expenditure for the COI in 1978–79 was £71·4 million, in 1982–83 was £60·5 million, and in 1987–88 is estimated to be £141 million.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the cost of Central Office of Information work put out to private consultants and agencies in 1987–88; arid what it was in 1978–79 and 1982–83.

  Mr. Brooke
  [holding answer 14 January 1988]: The COI does not hold records of expenditure with consultancies and agencies in the form requested. In 1987–88 the department estimates that it will spend £104·5 miilion on goods and services with the private sector as a whole. Comparable figures for earlier years are not available.

  BP Shares
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he intends to meet the Kuwaiti Government or the Kuwaiti Investment Office in order to discuss the Kuwaiti Investment Office's shareholding in British Petroleum plc.

  Mr. Lawson
  It is not my normal practice to disclose details of possible discussions with other Governments or their agencies.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Overseas Development Administration (East Kilbride)
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the actual or estimated costs of office rentals for the Overseas Development Administration's accommodation in East Kilbride in each of the last three years, the current year, and in each of the next three years.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The annual rental cost per square metre of the Overseas Development Administration's office accommodation for its East Kilbride headquarters is as follows:

  £

  Actuals

  1984–85

  37·92

  1985–86

  39·44

  1986–87

  70·59

  1987–88

  73·06

  Estimated

  1988–89

  75·98

  1989–90

  78·64

  1990–91

  81·00

  Overseas Development Administration Headquarters
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the Overseas Development Administration has for accommodation for its London headquarters when it eventually leaves Eland house.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The matter is being kept under review by officials of my Department and the Property Services Agency.

  Overseas Development Administration (Accommodation)
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the actual or estimated costs of office rentals for the Overseas Development Administration's accommodation in London in each of the last three years, the current year and in each of the next three years.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The annual rental cost per square metre of the Overseas Development Administration's London headquarters—excluding its scientific units—is as follows:

  £

  Actuals

  1984–85

  156·20

  1985–86

  164·45

  1986–87

  149·97

  1987–88

  172·20

  Estimated

  1988–89

  179·09

  1989–90

  185·36

  1990–91

  190·92

  The charges are those paid to the Property Services Agency under property repayment services arrangements.

  Overseas Development Administration (Dispersal)
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what would be the estimated net annual recurrent cost savings if the London-based Overseas Development Administration jobs were dispersed to the Glasgow-East Kilbride area.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The main recurrent saving from moving the Overseas Development Administration London-based posts to East Kilbride would be on accommodation costs and would be approximately £1·9 million a year at January 1988 prices. Other recurrent savings, for example on London weighting, would probably be broadly offset by the additional recurrent costs of relocation, including travel.

  This estimate takes no account of unquantifiable efficiency losses arising from the separation of such a significant element of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office from the remainder of that office. Nor does it take account of the capital and other non-recurrent costs of relocation, or of costs which would accrue to other Government Departments and public bodies.

  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will place in the Library copies or summaries of the reviews and studies that the Overseas Development Administration has made into further dispersal of its work to East Kilbride since the initial dispersal exercise in 1981.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The matter has been kept under review on a continuing basis since 1981, as part of the wider exercise to ensure that the Government met their commitment to disperse to the west of Scotland functions providing at that time 2,050 jobs, and as part of a regular programme of internal Overseas Development Administration management reviews. The conclusion has always been that there were no further major blocks of work which could be dispersed without unacceptable loss of efficiency, although minor changes have been made. As my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs told the House on 3 November 1987, I re-examined the question last year as a result of representations from the Overseas Development Administration's local trade union sides in London and East Kilbride, but concluded that there was no case for a further major dispersal programme.

  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give the number of Overseas Development Administration posts dispersed to East Kilbride as a result of the reviews and studies which the Administration has carried out since the initial dispersal exercise in 1981.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  One hundred and sixty-seven posts in the Crown Agents pensions division were dispersed to East Kilbride in 1982. The Crown Agents pensions division was incorporated in the Overseas Development Administration's pensions department on 1 December 1987. Three posts dealing with arrangements for joint funding of projects with non-governmental organisations were transferred to East Kilbride from London in 1983. It was decided last year that consultancies department (10 posts based in London) should form part of overseas manpower department (based in East Kilbride). The implications of this for the structure of the department and location of jobs are currently being examined.
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  In addition we have nine staff in new posts created in East Kilbride since 1981 in specialist areas such as information technology and internal audit.

CIVIL SERVICE

  Staff Appraisal
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service what representations he has received from civil servants on the new staff appraisal system in the Civil Service.

  Mr. Luce
  No representations have been received. However, the recently completed evaluation of the new staff appraisal system has shown that the system has been well received by civil servants, who are especially pleased with its openness.

PRIME MINISTER

  Property Services Agency
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Prime Minister whether Her Majesty's Government have any proposals to remove from the Property Services Agency its current responsibilities in defence work either(a) in full or (b) in part; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  The responsibilities of the Property Services Agency are among the matters kept under review as part of the Government's efforts to improve efficiency and enhance value for money in the provision of Government accommodation. In the event of changes in those responsibilities, an announcement would be made at the appropriate time.

  Nuclear Forces
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Prime Minister, further to her answer of 7 December 1987,Official Report, column 9, whether she will convert the comparison she provided in terms of estimated fire power or throw weight intensity and provide comparable figures for NATO as a whole.

  The Prime Minister
  It is not known what quantities and types of missiles the Soviet Union would retain to meet a 50 per cent. cut in strategic systems. Furthermore, information on missile throw weight and warhead yield is classified.

  Africa (Visit)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister what was the total cost of her visit to Kenya and Nigeria; what was her method of travel and who was the carrier; and how many civil servants accompanied her.

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answers I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Holborn and St. Pancras (Mr. Dobson) at columns 352–53. I travelled by Royal Air Force VC10.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister what was the charge to journalists who travelled with her to Africa in official transport.

  The Prime Minister
  Journalists who travelled with me to Africa were charged £1,000. This sum was based on commercial rates.

  Government Decisions (Lawyers)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will place in the Library the memorandum to Government Departments about the inclusion of lawyers in key Government policy decisions.

  The Prime Minister
  It is not my practice to place documents dealing with internal Civil Service management procedures in the Library.

  State Security
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Prime Minister what consideration has been given to prosecuting under the Official Secrets Act those individuals who sought to induce Peter Wright to disclose information from MI5 files concerning Lord Wilson; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  Any such matter would be for the prosecuting authorities.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has caused inquiries to be made into the identity of individuals who sought to induce Peter Wright to disclose information from MI5 files concerning Lord Wilson; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  It would be inappropriate for me to comment on matters at issue in the proceedings concerning the Peter Wright case while those proceedings continue.

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister what steps she has taken to ensure that the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland, the hon. Member for Edinburgh, West (Lord James Douglas-Hamilton), has complied with the rules governing ministerial conduct, with particular reference to the divestment of financial interests, in so far as they relate to his dealings with the Housing (Scotland) Bill; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  I have been advised of the facts and am satisfied that no breach of the rules governing ministerial conduct has occurred.

  Conduct of Ministers
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will place in the Library the rules regarding the conduct of Ministers, with specific reference to their financial and other interests.

  The Prime Minister
  It has been the practice of successive Governments not to make Cabinet documents public or to release them to Parliament. So far as Ministers' financial interests are concerned, I refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply of 26 November 1987 to the hon. Member for Bradford, South (Mr. Cryer) at column 261.

DEFENCE

  Army Equipment Exhibition
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood) on 13 November 1987,Official Report, column 333–34, why the British Army equipment exhibition, scheduled to be held at Aldershot from 27 June to 1 July, will not be open to the public.
  411
  Mr. Sainsbury
  The British Army equipment exhibition is designed for professional and technical experts, not for the general public.

  Surplus Property
  Mr. Gow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many houses and flats owned by his Department are surplus to requirement; in how many cases the Property Services Agency has been instructed to sell such properties; and how many properties remain unsold(a) more than four months, (b) more than eight months and (c) more than 12 months after the Property Services Agency was instructed to sell them.

  Mr. Freeman
  At 30 November 1987, the most recent date for which statistics are available, a total of 2,397 houses and flats had been declared surplus to MOD's requirements and were still owned by the Ministry of Defence. Of these, PSA had been instructed to sell 844 and a further 384 were in the process of sale through the discounted sales scheme which offers houses (but not flats) to servicemen at a discount of 30 per cent. The remaining 1,169 properties were still being processed by the PL(Lands) division at the Ministry of Defence as part of the normal process prior to sale. Each year PL(Lands) processes about 2,000 properties.

  I regret that the information required to identify the number of the properties remaining unsold after four, eight and 12 months is not available to the PSA and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Military Flying
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Ynys Môn of 16 November 1987,Official Report, column 452, he will place copies of the standing instructions relating to military flying in the Library.

  Mr. Freeman
  No. The document in question, the "United Kingdom Military Low Flying Handbook," is classified.

  Ship Disposals
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) on what grounds he decided to dispose of HMS Chrysanthemum and HMS President, and what consultations he undertook prior to reaching that decision;

  (2) what publicity he gave to his decisions to dispose of HMS Chrysanthemum and HMS President; by what means their prospective sale was publicised; and how many tenders were received for each vessel;

  (3) how many tenders he received for the sale of HMS Chrysanthemum and HMS President, respectively, and what was the price received for each.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  HM ships Chrysanthemum and President currently house the London division royal naval reserve. It was decided to dispose of them, as the headquarters is due to move to new shore accommodation next month and no alternative use within the Royal Navy had been identified.

  Normal disposal procedures were followed. A number of representations concerning their possible future use after disposal were received from organisations outside the Ministry of Defence.
  412
  The sale of HM ships President and Chrysanthemum was advertised in Lloyd's List on 17–18 July 1986. In addition, invitations to tender were invited from a standard panel of ship repairers-breakers. A total of 27 inquiries were received, following which three tenders were submitted for each vessel. As a result the sale price agreed with the highest bidder covering both ships is over £100,000.

  RNAD Coulport
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) pursuant to the answer given on 8 December 1987,Official Report, column 142, how many jobs will be lost each year as the facilities progress towards the elimination of Polaris and the installation of Trident;

  (2) pursuant to the answer of 8 December 1987, Official Report, column 142, how many jobs he anticipates could be generated by the alternative forms of employment under consideration for workers at RNAD Coulport; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) pursuant to the answer on 8 December 1987, Official Report, column 142, what types of alternative employment are actively being considered for those workers who presently service the Polaris missiles at RNAD Coulport and who will be affected by the demanning involved in the changeover to Trident; and what steps have been taken to research the feasibility of these alternative jobs.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 8 December at column 142. The phasing out of Polaris is currently the subject of detailed planning within MOD. Until this work is completed, it is not possible to be specific about the timing of any resultant job losses at RNAD Coulport. Assessments of how many new jobs are likely to be created at the depot are similarly dependent upon the outcome of this work, which, because of its complexity, will not be concluded for some considerable time. The investigation into any other possible employment will similarly take a considerable time to complete.

  Vacant Properties
  Mr. Gow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many empty houses and flats were owned by his Department on the latest available date; and how many were owned on the same date in each of the past eight years.

  Mr. Freeman
  Statistics showing the number of empty service houses and flats and the number of empty MOD owned civilian houses and flats are held separately.

  As at 30 November 1987 (the latest date for which figures are available) the total number of service houses and flats vacant was 15,801. Statistics showing the number of empty service houses and flats throughout the last eight years are only available for each year as at 31 July. This information is:

  Number

  31 July 1980

  19,400

  31 July 1981

  14,850

  31 July 1982

  13,200

  31 July 1983

  14,670

  31 July 1984

  14,527

  31 July 1985

  14,235

  31 July 1986

  14,381

  31 July 1987

  15,529

  413
  The number of MOD civilian houses and flats vacant on 31 March 1987 (the latest date for which these figures are available) was 353. Figures for the previous seven years are shown below:

  Number

  31 March 1980

  313

  31 March 1981

  421

  31 March 1982

  334

  31 March 1983

  678

  31 March 1984

  496

  31 March 1985

  427

  31 March 1986

  361

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Thefts
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Lord President of the Council, how many items have been reported as stolen from the(a) offices, (b) corridors, (c) family room, (d) Library and (e) refreshment rooms of the Commons section of the Palace of Westminster in 1986 and 1987 to the most recent practicable date; and how many items have been recovered for each period.

  Mr. Wakeham
  Cases of theft from areas in the House of Commons which were reported to the head of security were as follows:

  1986

  1987

  Offices

  10

  4

  Corridors

  1

  Nil

  Families' Room

  Nil

  2

  Library

  Nil

  Nil

  Refreshment Rooms

  5

  2

  One item, stolen in 1987 has been recovered, but investigations into the remaining cases are continuing.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Romania
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action has been taken through the Council of Ministers to condemn police repression in Romania.

  Mr. Mellor
  Romania's observance of its human rights commitments is unsatisfactory. My right hon. and learned Friend had a detailed discussion of this with the Romanian Foreign Minister, during his visit to London in November. Both the United Kingdom delegation and the European Community Presidency have referred to these issues frequently at the Vienna CSCE meeting. We shall continue, with our Community partners, to draw attention to the need for Romania to respect human rights.

  Human Rights
  Mr. Dicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Zimbabwe regarding the affront to civilised values revealed in the recent report by Amnesty International on the abuse of human rights in Zimbabwe, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Chalker
  None. We are concerned at human rights violations wherever they occur. While there continue to be 414
  occasional reports of ill treatment of prisoners, we have noted a recent general improvement in the human rights situation in Zimbabwe as reflected in the Amnesty report itself, particularly the release of large numbers or opposition detainees. Significantly the African Association on Human and People's Rights in Development was established in the presence of a Zimbabwe Minister in Harare on 31 August 1987.

  Mr. Dicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Zambia regarding the affront to civilised values revealed in the recent report by Amnesty International on the abuse of human rights in Zambia, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The importance we attach to respect for human rights is well-known to the Zambians arid is regularly expressed at the United Nations, and other international fora.

  Mr. Dicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Uganda regarding the affront to civilised values revealed in the recent report by Amnesty International on the abuse of human rights in Uganda, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Amnesty International's 1987 report noted a "significant" improvement inrespect for human rights in Uganda. The Government of Uganda are publicly committed to respect for human rights. We have regular contacts with them.

  Mr. Dicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations he has made to the Government of Nigeria regarding the affront to civilised values revealed in the recent report by Amnesty International on the abuse of human rights in Nigeria, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what representations he has made to the Government of Ghana regarding the affront to civilised values revealed in the recent report by Amnesty International on the abuse of human rights in Ghana, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Chalker
  We continue to monitor closely the human rights situation in west Africa as elsewhere and regularly make clear in appropriate fora our view that human rights must be respected in accordance with internationally agreed standards.

  In respect of the 1987 Amnesty International report, no representations have been made to the Governments of Ghana or Nigeria. In general, the human rights situation in these countries has improved over recent years.

  Mr. Dicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of India regarding the affront to civilised values revealed in the recent report by Amnesty International on the abuse of human rights in India, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.
  415
  Mr. Eggar
  None. We have noted the contents of Amnesty International's 1987 report. We regularly make clear our views on the need for all governments to respect human rights.

  Mr. Dicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Bangladesh regarding the affront to civilised values revealed in the recent report by Amnesty International on the abuse of human rights in Bangladesh, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  We have noted the contents of the 1987 Amnesty International report. We regularly make clear our views on the need for all governments to respect human rights and have on several occasions raised with the Bangladesh Government at the highest levels the concern felt in this country for human rights in Bangladesh.

  Mr. Dicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Kenya regarding the affront to civilised values revealed in the recent report by Amnesty International on the abuse of human rights in Kenya, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Kenya's human rights record has been good since independence. In the context of the Amnesty International report, President Moi has given a number of public undertakings that human rights will continue to be respected. In his speech at the official banquet for my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on the 5 January he said,"Our law is clear on the question of protection of human rights … we cannot betray our struggle for Independence by denying our people the very same rights we fought for so hard".

  We have made our view clear on this issue.

  Council of Social Affairs Ministers
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what have been the main decisions of the European Community Council of Social Affairs Ministers in the last five years.

  Mr. Cope
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Member to the six-monthly White Papers on developments in the European Community, which have been laid before Parliament and debated in the House of Commons. For the decisions of the Council of Labour and Social Affairs Ministers from June 1983 to June 1987, the references are set out in the table.

  Council of Labour and Social Affairs Ministers White Papers

  2 June 1983—Cmnd. 9043 September 1983.

  2 December 1983—Cmnd. 9214 March 1984.

  7 June 1984 Cmnd. 9348 September 1984.

  13 December 1984—Cmnd. 9485 May 1985.

  13 June 1985—Cmnd. 9627 September 1985.

  5 December 1985—Cmnd. 9761 March 1986.

  5 June 1986—Cmnd. 9911 October 1986.

  11 December 1986—Cm. 122 April 1987.

  26 May 1987—Cm. 205 September 1987.

  Joint Council of Education and Social Affairs Ministers

  3 June 1983—Cmnd. 9043 September 1983.

  I refer the hon. Member to the reply of 17 December 1987 of my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Employment to my hon. Friend the
  416
  Member for Batley and Spen (Mrs. Peacock), decision of the Council of Labour and Social Affairs Ministers held on 1 December 1987.

  AIDS
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the Official Report those countries for which his Department recommends visitors to take any special precautions to avoid contracting the AIDS virus.

  Mr. Eggar
  AIDS is a worldwide problem: 130 countries had reported AIDS cases to the World Health Organisation as of 12 January 1988. The DHSS leaflet, "Protect Your Health Abroad" gives general health advice (including advice on AIDS) for people travelling overseas.

  The travel inquiries unit of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's consular department can provide similar advice, and where available official information issued by other countries. Travellers are advised to contact the mission in London of the country which they are visiting for more specific information or on arrival to contact the nearest British mission which can usually provide a list of local medical practitioners, but cannot, of course, provide medical advice.

  Sexual Harassment
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his Department's policy on sexual harassment at work; whether guidance on reporting complaints has been issued to all members of staff; how many complaints have been reported in the past five years; and what disciplinary action has been taken.

  Mr. Eggar
  Civil Service policy on sexual harassment is set out in the programme of action for equal opportunities for women in the Civil Service which was published by the Cabinet Office (Management and Personnel Office) in 1984. Sexual harassment at work is not tolerated and may be dealt with as a disciplinary matter through the usual diplomatic service or home Civil Service complaints procedure.

  Guidance on reporting complaints has been made available to all staff in the diplomatic and aid wings. There have been no official complaints in the past five years in the diplomatic wing. In the aid wing, one complaint resulted in the offender's being reprimanded.

  Kenya and Nigeria (Prime Minister's Visit)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what additional costs were incurred by Her Majesty's high commissions in Kenya and Nigeria arising from the visit to those countries by the Prime Minister.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Costs incurred by British high commissions in Kenya and Nigeria are as follows:

  £

  (a) Kenya

  563

  (b) Nigeria

  2,500

  Afghanistan
  Mr. Gregory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has as to what discussions have taken place to ensure that representative sections of the Mujahideen will participate in the peace proposals for Afghanistan.

  Mr. Eggar
  It is clear that the peace process cannot succeed without participation by the Mujahideen. The European Council statement of 5 December 1987 called on the Soviet Union to recognise that the participation of the Afghan resistance is essential to a comprehensive political settlement.

  Mr. Gregory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations have been made by Her Majesty's Government to the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics concerning the timing of withdrawal of Soviet troops stationed in Afghanistan.

  Mr. Eggar
  We regularly raise these issues with the Soviet Government, most recently on 7 December when my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister expressed to Mr. Gorbachev the hope that there would be a Soviet withdrawal in 1988.

  Kenya (Detentions without Trial)
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations he has made, or intends to make, to the Government of Kenya on the arrest in May 1986 and again in July 1986 and the subsequent detention without trial of Dr. George Katema Mkangi;

  (2) what representations he has made, or intends to make, to the Government of Kenya on the arrest in March 1986 and subsequent detention without trial of Francis Kariuki Gathitu;

  (3) what representations he has made, or will make, to the Government of Kenya on the arrest in July 1986 and again in October 1986 and the subsequent detention without trial of Wanyiri Kihoro;

  (4) what representations he has made or will make to the Government of Kenya on the arrest in May 1986 and again in July 1986 and the subsequent detention without trial of David Mukuru Ng'ang'a.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Kenya's overall human rights record has been good since independence. The Kenyan authorities are well aware of our view on the importance of maintaining this record and our concern over prolonged detention without trial. We raise such cases with them on appropriate occasions.

  Peter Karanja
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made, or will make, to the Government of Kenya on the seven-hour interrogation on 11 January of Judge Marvin Frankel and Dr. Robert Kirschner, both international observers at the inquest into the death in custody of Peter Karanja.

  Mrs. Chalker
  My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans to raise this matter with the Government of Kenya.

  Mr. Ozker Ozgur (Libel Damages)
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in the light of the implied threat to the legitimate activities of a legal opposition party and those who oppose the integration of northern Cyprus into mainland Turkey, he will make an official protest to the Turkish Government over the award of £100,000 damages against Mr. Ozker Ozgur, the leader of the Republican Turkish Party in Cyprus, for an alleged libel of Mr. Rauf Denktash.

  Mrs. Chalker
  It would not be appropriate for us to make representations over a civil case of this kind. Nor do we believe that the Government of Turkey are involved in this matter.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Radio Call Signs
  Mr. Warren
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster for what reasons the indentities of the holders of radio call signs are secret; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Butcher
  The identities of civil radio licensees are not classified, but many users of radio such as the police and security firms have very good reasons for not wanting to make unauthorised reception of their transmissions easier. There are also commercial reasons for many other users not wishing to have their call signs made available. Radio amateurs are specifically asked upon issue of their licence whether they wish to have their call sign details published; I respect their decisions.

  All licence details kept on computer are subject to the provisions of the Data Protection Act.

  Economic Prospects
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will make a statement on the economic prospects for the north-west.

  Mr. Atkins
  I refer to the Autumn Statement given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 3 November 1987 Official Report, columns 783–86, when he forecast that for the United Kingdom as a whole there was likely to be a continuation of steady growth, low inflation and falling unemployment in 1988. I would expect the economy in the north-west to share in this increasing prosperity. Unemployment in the region is already falling steadily and there is much evidence of rising investment and output from an increasingly competitive industrial base. I am confident that, thanks to the sound fiscal policies and measures to promote enterprise adopted by the Government, the economy of the north-west now has better prospects for sustained growth than for many years. I am also sure that the enterprise initiative which my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster announced on 12 January, Official Report columns 145–47, will give an added impetus to economic growth in the north-west by allowing the talents arid energies of companies and people in the region to be harnessed even more effectively than in the past.

  Courtaulds
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what has been the total of grants paid by his Department to Courtaulds in respect of its Belmont factory since its inception: when the last grant payment was made; if, in view of the closure of the factory, Courtaulds will be repaying grant; what advance notice was given to his Department of the closure of the factory: and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  Details of assistance paid to individual companies are published in "British Business" in accordance with established procedures. Assistance paid to Courtaulds in respect of its Belmont factory has been mainly by way of regional selective assistance, most of which was paid in 1975 and 1976. No assistance has been paid since 1986. The question of any repayment of grant is a matter for consideration by my Department in negotiation with the company. My Department was notified of the proposed closure the day before the press announcement on 11 December. While the closure is, of course, regrettable, it is a matter for the commercial judgment of the company.

  Regional Development Grants
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the levels of regional development grant to private licensed mines and opencast mines in the counties of Durham and Northumberland in the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Atkins
  Mining is not a qualifying activity for regional development grant.

  Corby (Advanced Manufacturing Projects)
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what are the total payments made of support for advanced manufacturing project planning and implementation in each year since 1980 within the Corby travel-to-work area.

  Mr. Atkins
  The following payments have been made under the support for advanced manufacturing project planning and implementation studies scheme within the Corby travel-to-work area:

  Year

  £

  1986–87

  20,320

  1987–88

  2,835

  Regional Aid
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which of the measures outlined in his publication "DTI—the department for Enterprise" (Cm 278) will be applicable to areas which do not at present have either regional or assisted area status.

  Mr. Atkins
  Many of the measures outlined in "DTI—the department for Enterprise" (Cm 278) apply throughout Great Britain; such measures include those on competition policy, and improving business and education links. Innovation programmes, including the new collaborative research initiatives in superconductivity and information technology, apply throughout the country,420
  with the exception of the new innovation grant for small firms which will be available only in the development areas.

  Independent firms with fewer than 500 employees are eligible for support of half of the cost of consultancy projects to improve marketing (including export marketing), design, quality management, manufacturing systems and, from April, business planning and financial and information systems. The rate of support is two thirds of the cost in assisted areas and urban programme areas.

  The English Industrial Estates Corporation is giving priority to a programme of managed work space primarily in inner city locations.

  Counterfeiting of Goods
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will introduce legislation to make counterfeiting of goods a criminal offence whether done by way of trade or not; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Butcher
  In the Copyright, Designs and Patents Bill which has now completed its Committee stage in another place, we have already proposed a new trade mark offence, punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment, to deal with counterfeiting. The offence would apply in any case where a trade mark is fraudulently applied to goods, packaging, labelling or advertising material, either for gain or with intent to cause loss to another person.

  Manufactured Goods
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the balance of trade deficit in manufactured goods with the EEC in 1987.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Figures for the whole of 1987 are not yet available. The latest information is in the table.

  United Kingdom Balance of Trade in Manufactures' with the European Community

  £ billion

  BOP basis

  OTS basis

  January to September 1987

  -7·7

  -8·4

  January to November 1987

  ֵ

  -10·5

  1 Standard International Trade Classification Sections 5 to 8.

  ֵ Not available.

  Figures on a balance of payments basis are available only quarterly. On the overseas trade statistics basis, imports, but not exports, include the cost of insurance and freight charges.

  Source: United Kingdom overseas trade statistics, Department of Trade and Industry.

  Photovoltaics
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will give details of his Department's future plans for the support of the growing export market in photovoltaics.

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 14 January 1988]: United Kingdom companies in the photovoltaic industry are generally of small to medium size and are, therefore, well placed to benefit from the recently announced enterprise initiative, including the marketing initiative which assists companies to develop a comprehensive marketing plan at home and overseas. All United Kingdom firms,

  421
  irrespective of size, will continue to be helped to succeed in the export market through my Department's new export initiative.

  Within this framework, my Department will continue to encourage collaboration in research and development including by means of the international photovoltaic energy project established as a result of the Versailles (1982) and Williamsburg (1983) economic summits, participation in European Community-funded research, development and demonstration programmes, and the development of international standards, all of which will contribute to the ability of United Kingdom firms to compete effectively in overseas markets.

  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will provide figures of the support given by the Department of Trade and Industry and any other Government Departments towards the development of photovoltaics during the past five years.

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 14 January 1988]: Over the past five years Government Departments have granted financial assistance of £3,320,000 for the development of photovoltaic devices and systems.

ENERGY

  NUM Elections
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what facilities British Coal will give during the next National Union of Mineworkers elections in particular in the Nottingham area of British Coal.

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

  Plutonium
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Colne Valley (Mr. Riddick),Official Report, 16 December 1987, column 518, if he has any plans to publish previous annual production figures for plutonium from electricity from electricity board safeguarded reactors for the period May 1979 to 31 March 1986.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I have no plans to publish this information as it could be produced only at disproportionate cost. It is our intention that from now on information on plutonium produced at Britain's civil nuclear power stations will be published annually.

  Nuclear Safeguards
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Newport, West,Official Report, 26 November 1987, column 279, on nuclear safeguards, if he will give the period judged by his Department that would not incur disproportionate cost; and if he will publish the information in the format previously requested for the period from May 1979 to 31 March 1986.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Each year safeguards inspectors from Euratom and-or the International Atomic Energy Agency make frequent visits to United Kingdom civil nuclear facilities.

  British Coal, Nottingham
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what information he has about the numbers of workers employed in British Coal workshops and garages in the Nottinghamshire coalfield area for the years 1979 until the present, inclusive;

  (2) if he will list the numbers and categories of workers employed by British Coal in the Nottinghamshire area for the years from 1979 until the present, inclusive.

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

  Reprocessed Fuel
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) on what basis the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority contracted to reprocess fuel from the Central Electricity Generating Board and the South of Scotland Electricity Board in terms of fixed fuel volumes, duration of contract and linkage to lifetime of nuclear power stations;

  (2) whether the original contracts between the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and the Central Electricity Generating Board and South of Scotland Electricity Board were concluded on an individual power station basis; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The UKAEA has no contracts with the CEGB and SSEB to reprocess nuclear fuel. The reprocessing contracts between the authority and the boards which existed before the creation of BNFL were transferred to the company.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) whether the contracts between British Nuclear Fuels plc and the Central Electricity Generating Board and the South of Scotland Electricity Board for reprocessing are fixed price contracts; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) whether the contracts between British Nuclear Fuels plc and the Central Electricity Generating Board and the South of Scotland Electricity Board provide for contingent costs to cover the additional costs arising out of improvements in waste technology; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The terms under which business is conducted between BNFL and the United Kingdom generating boards are a commercial matter between the parties involved.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the cost to date of the thermal oxide reprocessing plant at Sellafield.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Recorded expenditure to date on the thermal oxide reprocessing plant at Sellafield is in the order of £700 million.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what proportions the Sellafield thermal oxide reprocessing plant Thorp base load is expected to be provided for by overseas business from Japan.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Some 38 per cent. of the Thorp base load of 6,000 tonnes is expected to be provided for by business from Japan.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  State Security
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the outcome of Her Majesty's Government's action over "Spycatcher" in the New Zealand courts.

  The Attorney-General
  The proceedings before the New Zealand Court of Appeal are part-heard and stand adjourned during the court's long vacation in New Zealand.

  Prosecutions
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Attorney-General how many prosecutions under the Official Secrets Act since 1979 have not been proceeded with due to lack of evidence.

  The Attorney-General
  Separate records are not kept of prosecutions under the Official Secrets Act which are not proceeded with due to lack of evidence, and the information could not be collated without incurring disproportionate cost.

SCOTLAND

  Barlinnie Prison
  Mr. McTaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has as to the number of working days lost by prison officers at Barlinnie prison during the last year due to stress-related illnesses.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

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

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  We keep tight control of the proportion of total health board revenue which is applied to management and administration; since 1979, it has fallen from 5·5 per cent. to 4·5 per cent. Many administrative staff work directly in support of clinical staff and make an important contribution to patient care. In addition, effective managers make a vital contribution to the efficiency of the Health Service.

  Women Civil Servants
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of civil servants at grade 5 level and above in his Department is female.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The proportion in my departments, excluding the prison service, is 6 per cent.

  Breach of Confidence
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what importance he attaches to the early 424
  implementation of the recommendations of the Law Commission for reform of the law governing breach of confidence.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The report by the Scottish Law Commission on breach of confidence (Scot Law Com. No. 90) made no conclusive recommendation on the need for legislation in this area. I am keeping the law governing breach of confidence under review, but have not yet decided whether to legislate to supplement the common law or to leave development of the law to the courts.

  School Rolls (East Kilbride)
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the East Kilbride projected school rolls for the primary and secondary sectors, broken down by denominational and non-denominational category, for each of the next 10 years.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Information about projected school rolls in individual schools is not prepared centrally.

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Norfolk, South-West (Mrs. Shephard) of 17 December 1987,Official Report, column 723, how much of the funds for the environmentally sensitive areas will go to the Scottish areas.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The level of expenditure in Scottish environmentally sensitive areas will depend on the number of farmers wishing to join the scheme. In 1988–89 when three new areas will be introduced, it is estimated that expenditure could be about £1·5 million.

  Scottish National Meat Centre
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what financial support Her Majesty's Government will give to the Scottish national meat centre; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  Proposals for setting up a Scottish national meat centre are at a very early stage and the extent of private sector support is not yet clear. It is not, therefore, possible to say at present whether any public financial support is required or appropriate.

WALES

  Social Workers
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what information he has as to how many social workers are employed in each of the eight counties of Wales; and what is the average number of social workers per 100,000 head of population for the latest date and for each of the last four years.

  Mr. Grist
  Information about the number of senior social workers, social workers, community workers, trainee social workers and social work (welfare) assistants is given in the table:
  425

  Social Workers Employed at 30 September

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  Local authority

  No. of WTE

  Rate per 100,000 population

  No. of WTE

  Rate per 100,000 population

  No. of WTE

  Rate per 100,000 population

  No. of WTE

  Rate per 100,000 population

  No. of WTE

  Rate per 100,000 population

  Clwyd

  141·8

  36·0

  159·3

  40·3

  169·0

  42·6

  161·0

  40·5

  165·0

  41·3

  Dyfed

  13·41

  40·2

  144·0

  42·9

  149·0

  44·5

  148·0

  44·1

  159·1

  46·9

  Gwent

  210·5

  47·8

  209·6

  47·6

  213·6

  48·6

  205·6

  46·7

  225·6

  51·1

  Gwynedd

  97·9

  42·2

  97·9

  42·2

  101·5

  43·6

  107·7

  46·1

  110·4

  47·0

  Mid Glamorgan

  278·0

  51·6

  294·5

  54·9

  311·8

  58·4

  324·3

  60·7

  331·0

  61·9

  Powys

  44·5

  40·2

  44·0

  39·8

  43·7

  39·5

  43·8

  39·3

  41·1

  36·6

  South Glamorgan

  217·5

  55·8

  230·9

  58·9

  243·3

  61·7

  236·1

  59·8

  250·1

  63·2

  West Glamorgan

  171·5

  46·6

  179·0

  48·8

  184·0

  50·5

  197·0

  54·1

  194·5

  53·5

  Wales

  1,295·9

  46·2

  1,359·2

  48·4

  1,415·9

  0·4

  1,423·5

  50·6

  1,476·8

  52·4

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a special financial allocation to Clwyd county council to enable it to recruit more social workers.

  Mr. Grist
  The total amount of rate support grant made available for 1988–89, and the principles underlying its distribution between authorities, are published in the Welsh rate support grant report 1988–89. The allocations were approved by the House on 15 December, and there is no scope for extra allocations.

  It is for individual authorities to determine spending priorities for their areas. However, in setting current expenditure provision for Wales for 1988–89, an increase of £9·9 million or 7·1 per cent. was allowed for personal social services (including port health).

  Trainee Nurses
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report the number of trainees entering nursing for the state registered nurse and registered general nurse course in Wales for each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Grist
  The information is not available centrally in the form requested. The Department holds information only on the number of people in training at any one time. Information on the number in training in September in each year is given in the following table:

  State Registered Nurse

  State Enrolled Nurse

  1978

  2,168

  1,284

  1979

  2,347

  1,227

  1980

  2,306

  1,294

  1981

  2,676

  1,378

  1982

  2,641

  1,256

  1983

  2,661

  1,080

  1984

  2,670

  983

  1985

  2,639

  852

  1986

  2,693

  776

  1987

  2,769

  879

  Trainee Therapists and Midwives
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report the number of (i) trainee physiotherapists, (ii) trainee speech therapists, (iii) trainee occupational therapists and (iv) trainee midwives (Royal College of Midwives) entering courses in Wales during each of the past 10 years.
  426
  Mr. Grist
  The information requested for trainee physiotherapists, trainee occupational therapists and trainee midwives is not available centrally on an all-Wales basis. Information on the number of first year entrants into speech therapy courses at colleges of higher education is available for Wales from 1979–80 and is as follows:

  Number

  1979–80

  10

  1980–81

  14

  1981–82

  14

  1982–83

  15

  1983–84

  17

  1984–85

  15

  1985–86

  15

  1986–87

  15

  Cardigan Bypass
  Mr. Geraint Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the latest developments regarding the Cardigan bypass; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  Following the public inquiry held in July 1987, line, side roads and compulsory purchase orders were made in December. Subject to the satisfactory completion of statutory procedures and engineering design and the availability of resources, the scheme is expected to start in the period January 1988 to December 1990.

  Welsh Language Bill
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects the submissions made to his Department during his consultation exercise on the case for a new Welsh Language Bill during 1986–87 to be made available to the public for inspection.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  As soon as my right hon. Friend and I have completed our further consideration of issues related to the Welsh language.

  Regional Selective Assistance
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many offers there have been, and of what total value, against which a first payment was made of(a) regional selective assistance of (i) less than £5,000 and (ii) £5,000 or more by his Department in each financial quarter since 1985–86 in (1) Holyhead, (2) Bangor/Caernarfon, (3) Pwllheli, and (4) Portmadog Ffestiniog travel-to-work areas, respectively; and (b) regional development grants of (i) less than £5,000 and (ii) 5,000 or more in the Holyhead travel-to-work area.
  427
  Mr. Peter Walker
  There have been no offers of regional selective assistance since 1985–86 against which a first payment has been made in the travel-to-work areas of Holyhead, Pwllheli and Porthmadog and Ffestiniog. In the Bangor and Caernarfon TTWA, there have been no such offers of less than £5,000. Details of those for £5,000 or more are set out in the table.

  In the case of regional development grant, details of offers in the Holyhead TTWA against which a first payment has been made are given in the table for the period 1 April 1985 to 31 December 1987 as a whole. In order to protect confidentiality on individual projects which do not meet the standard criteria for publication, the information is not broken down into financial quarters.

  I envisage more regional development grant during 1988–89 and thereafter an increase in demand for regional selective assistance in the area.

  (i) RSA offers—1.4.85 to 31.12.87 (where a first payment has been made).

  Bangor and Caemarfon TTWA

  Offers of £5,000 or more

  Period

  Number

  Total Value

  £

  1 April 1985–30 June 1985

  1

  5,000

  1 July 1985–30 September 1985

  1

  24,000

  1 October 1985–31 December 1986

  —

  —

  1 January 1987–31 March 1987

  2

  54,000

  1 April 1987–31 December 1987

  —

  —

  Total

  4

  83,000

  Persons on the register of handicapped people at 31 March 1987

  Handicap

  Deaf with speech

  Deaf without speech

  Hard of hearing

  Blind

  Partially sighted

  General classes2

  Total

  Clwyd

  Number

  61

  138

  709

  1,077

  688

  29,804

  32,477

  per cent. of population1

  0·015

  0·034

  0·177

  0·270

  0·172

  7·458

  8·127

  Dyfed

  Number

  78

  44

  195

  1,375

  755

  8,052

  10,499

  per cent. of population

  0·023

  0·013

  0·058

  0·406

  0·223

  2·375

  3·097

  Gwent

  Number

  182

  187

  184

  1,475

  1,070

  15,249

  18,347

  per cent. of population

  0·041

  0·042

  0·042

  0·334

  0·242

  3·452

  4·153

  Gwynedd

  Number

  44

  57

  351

  801

  339

  6,116

  7,708

  per cent. of population

  0·019

  0·024

  0·150

  0·341

  0·144

  2·607

  3·286

  Mid Glamorgan

  Number

  173

  194

  437

  1,849

  1,271

  36,162

  40,086

  per cent. of population

  0·032

  0·036

  0·082

  0·346

  0·238

  6·766

  7·500

  Powys

  Number

  60

  35

  232

  249

  144

  2,985

  3,705

  per cent. of population

  0·053

  0·031

  0·206

  0·222

  0·128

  2·656

  3·296

  South Glamorgan

  Number

  169

  103

  222

  807

  516

  10,400

  12,217

  per cent. of population

  0·043

  0·026

  0·056

  0·204

  0·130

  2·628

  3·087

  West Glamorgan

  Number

  221

  274

  355

  870

  833

  10,710

  13,263

  per cent. Of population

  0·061

  0·075

  0·098

  0·239

  0·229

  2·947

  3·650

  428

  (ii) RDG offers—1 April 1985 to 31 December 1987 (where a first payment has been made).

  Holyhead TTWA

  Offer Value

  Number

  Total Value

  £

  Less than £5,000

  14

  30,961

  £5,000 or more

  28

  1,005,791

  Total

  42

  1,036,752

  Access Groups
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) which planning authorities in Wales regularly consult access groups concerning the needs of physically disabled people;

  (2) if he will list those Welsh planning authorities which have appointed access officers either on a full-time or part-time basis.

  Mr. Grist
  Information on those Welsh planning authorities which have appointed access officers and those which regularly consult access groups is not held centrally.

  Physically Disabled People
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people in Wales and in each of the Welsh counties have physical disabilities; and in each case what percentage of the population they represent.

  Mr. Grist
  The information requested is given in the table:
  429

  Handicap

  Deaf with speech

  Deaf without speech

  Hard of hearing

  Blind

  Partially sighted

  General classes2

  Total

  Wales

  Number

  988

  1,032

  2,685

  8,503

  5,616

  119,478

  138,302

  per cent, of population

  0·035

  0·036

  0·095

  0·301

  0·199

  4·235

  4·902

  1 Based on Registrar General's mid-year population estimates for 1986.

  2 Excluding those whose sole disability is a mental disorder.

  Disabled and Visually Handicapped People
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what guidance his Department has issued to planning authorities in Wales concerning the needs of the disabled and visually handicapped in planning; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  Separate guidance to planning authorities on the provision of access for the disabled is given in development control policy note No. 16 "Access for the Disabled" and in Welsh Office circular 21/82 "Disabled Persons Act 1981".

  Students (Special Educational Needs)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many students with special educational needs regularly attend courses run by colleges of further and higher education in Wales and in each of the Welsh counties.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  This information is not held centrally.

  Artificial Limb and Appliance Service
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he hopes to announce the results of his Department's consultation process on the consultative document on the future of the artificial limb and appliance service in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  Our decision to confirm the preferred option, set out in the consultation document, was announced on 26 November 1987; management responsibility will be vested in the Welsh health Common Services A uthority from 1 April 1988. For north Wales our proposals in respect of the limb service remain as set out in Welsh health circular 87/11.

  Horne Committee
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the implementation in Wales of the recommendations of the Home committee.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to him today by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Transport and confirm that such legislation would apply equally in Wales.

  Disabled Students
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he is considering commissioning a survey of disabled students in higher and further education in Wales similar to the survey commissioned on the situation in England by the Department of Education and Science and published in 1987.
  430
  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  It is not intended to commission a survey on this subject in Wales, but plans are being developed to collect information on students with special educational needs at Welsh institutions of further and higher education in the public sector annually, commencing in academic year 1988–89.

  Meningitis
  Mr. Geraint Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to prevent, contain and treat outbreaks of meningitis in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  Facilities for treating patients with meningitis exist in all district general hospitals and there are well-established procedures for contact tracing and the provision of prophylactic antibiotic treatment. In addition to advice that the Chief Medical Officer issued in June 1987, the consultant regional epidemiologist has reviewed the literature and has recently provided detailed professional guidance to all specialists in community medicine in Wales. Further professional guidance will be issued shortly.

  Speed of treatment is crucial in dealing with cases of meningococcol meningitis and this can be a major determinant of the outcome. It is important, therefore, that the symptoms and signs are known to all and, the Department will be making available urgently supplies of a suitable information leaflet.

ENVIRONMENT

  Enterprise Zones
  Mr. Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he proposes an immediate or tapered cut-off of benefits when the enterprise zone period comes to an end; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  When the period for which an area is designated as an enterprise zone comes to an end, the financial benefits arising from enterprise zone status will cease immediately.

  Caravan Sites
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he hopes to announce the conclusions of the study of provision of caravan sites for gipsies under the Caravan Sites Act 1986: and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Roe
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Sir H. Rossi) on 6 February last at column 856.

  Hostels
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what are his estimates of the effects of the abolition of the hostel deficit grant on the occupancy of hostels which have been in receipt of the grant;

  (2) what are his estimates of the effects of the proposed abolition of the hostel deficit grant on the cash flow position of small voluntary groups running hostels;

  (3) what are his estimates of the effects of the proposed abolition of the hostel deficit grant on the financial position of voluntary organisations responsible for the management of special needs housing and hostels;

  (4) what plans he has for consulting voluntary organisations directly responsible for the management of special needs, housing and hostels over the proposed abolition of the hostel deficit grant;

  (5) what transitional arrangements are planned following the proposed abolition of the hostel deficit grant.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to abolish hostel deficit grant. The Housing Bill will enable payments of such grant to continue as a form of revenue support for registered housing associations.

  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations will be held on redesigning the hostel finance system and reassessing proposed board and lodging ceilings; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We intend to issue a consultation paper on possible future arrangements for the funding of hostels run by registered housing associations. The paper will be widely distributed and the views of interested organisations and individuals will be welcome.

  Board and lodging payment levels are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services.

  Sexual Harassment
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his Department's policy on sexual harassment at work; whether guidance on reporting complaints has been issued to all staff; how many complaints have been reported in the past five years; and what disciplinary action has been taken.

  Mr. Ridley
  The Civil Service policy on sexual harassment is set out in the programme of action to achieve equal opportunities for women in the Civil Service, which was published by the Cabinet Office (Management and Personnel Office) in 1984. Sexual harassment at work is not tolerated and is dealt with as a disciplinary matter through departmental complaints procedures. Guidance on reporting complaints has been issued to all staff. No central record of complaints was kept until mid-1986. Since then there have been four complaints which have been fully investigated. It is not the Department's practice to publish the disciplinary action taken in individual cases.

  Landlord and Tenant Act 1987
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to bring into force the remaining sections of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987.
  432
  Mr. Waldegrave
  We aim to make a further commencement order in March 1988 for parts II, III and IV (dealing respectively with the appointment by the court of managers, the compulsory acquisition of the landlord's interest in certain circumstances and the variation of leases) and to bring the remaining provisions into force as soon as possible thereafter.

  Nature Reserves (County Durham)
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what provisions he is making to privatise Castle Eden Dene, Hawthorn Dene and other nature reserves in the county of Durham; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has asked the Nature Conservancy Council to consider whether there is scope for national nature reserves to be held in private ownership under appropriate conservation safeguards. The council's advice is expected later this year.

  Hawthorn Dene site of special scientific interest is already in private ownership. I understand that part of the site is managed by a local conservation trust, but it is not designated as a national nature reserve.

  Recycled Grant, Hertfordshire
  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out a table showing the amount of rate support grant-recycling received in 1987–88 by Hertfordshire county council and each district council in Hertfordshire; and whether that recycled grant was spent.

  Mr. Chope
  There was no recyling in the 1987–88 rate support grant settlement.

  Rating Reform
  Sir Charles Morrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will publish, for every London borough, metropolitan district and non-metropolitan district, the proportion of income which would be taken by community charge in 1987–88 consistent with his figures of 17 November 1987 for community charges with no safety net for a married couple whose joint gross income was(a) £4,000, (b) £5,000, (c) £7,500, (d) £10,000, (e) £15,000, (f) £20,000, (g) £30,000, (h) £50,000, and (i) £100,000, on the assumption in each case that the couple was not entitled to any social security support;

  (2) if he will publish, for every London borough, metropolitan district and non-metropolitan district, the proportion of income which would be taken by community charge in 1987–88 consistent with his figures of 17 November 1987 for community charges with no safety net, for a single person with a gross income of (a) £3,000, (b) £4,000, (c) £5,000, (d) £7,500, (e) £10,000, (f) £15,000, (g) £20,000, (h) £30,000, (i) £50,000, and (j) £100,000, on the assumption in each case that the individual was not entitled to any social security support.

  Mr. Howard
  I am writing to my hon. Friend.

  Property Services Agency
  Mr. Gow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many employees of the Property
  433
  Services Agency (full-time equivalents) are engaged in selling real property (leasehold or freehold) owned by Government Departments.

  Mr. Chope
  PSA controls the disposal programme estimated to bring in £124 million in 1987–88 for all surplus MOD and Government civil estate property. A central disposals unit of eight professional estates staff handles major MOD cases. Other disposals work is the responsibility of regional estates staff as part of their management activities. The time spent on disposals represents the equivalent of about 45 of these staff. Actual marketing of property is conducted by appointed agents.

  Mr. Gow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will list those clients other than Government Departments, for whom the Property Services Agency carried out work during the year ended 31 December 1987.

  Mr. Chope
  Following is a list of organisations other than Government Departments which paid in the year ending 31 December 1987 for works and estates services provided by PSA. Services for most of these clients were incidental to PSA's normal operations and the payments were small.

  The Oil and Pipeline Agency

  Hensol Hospital District

  Agricultural and Food Research Council

  Crown Agents

  Plymouth Navy Days Committee

  Welsh Health Common Services Authority

  Birmingham International Airport

  Oftel

  Building Services Research and Information Association

  Royal Commission, Environmental Pollution

  Government Communications Bureau

  Royal Mint

  Devonport Management Ltd.

  British Board of Agrément

  British Gas

  Hong Kong Government

  Brunei Government

  Gibraltar Government

  Royal Navy Museum Portsmouth

  RAF Museum Hendon

  Fleet Air-Arm Museum

  North West Regional Health Authority

  Liverpool Airport Merseyside County Council

  North Yorkshire Area Health Authority

  TAVR

  Council of Medical Education

  REME Training Centre Aborfield

  Federal German Armed Forces

  PAN AM

  Services Sound and Vision Corporation

  Inland Revenue Sports Association

  NAAFI

  Royal Scottish Academy

  The Sailors Fund

  West Yorkshire Police

  Air Training Corps

  Falkland Islands Government

  HQ Air Cadets

  Falkland Islands Development Commission

  Royal Bank of Scotland

  Local Government Boundaries Commission

  Civil Service Sports Council

  Roe Motors

  BBC

  British Nuclear Fuels Ltd.

  Humberside Communications Equipment Ltd.

  Automobile Association

  Kilnwick Agrochemicals

  Yorkshire Water Authority

  Bristol County of Avon

  434

  Post Office

  British Telecom

  Wessex Water Authority

  Carrick District Council

  Greenwich Hospital

  Royal College of Art

  Western European Union

  Scottish Research Reactor Centre

  WRVS Ltd.

  UKAEA

  NATO

  Forestry Commission

  Natural Environment Research Council

  Science and Engineering Research Council

  Royal Ordnance Factories plc

  Royal Society of Chemistry

  United States Armed Forces

  Fire Insurers research and Test Organisation

  Scottish Health Service Common Services Agency

  European School Culham

  Royal Hospital Chelsea

  Hydraulics Research Station

  Remploy

  Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England

  Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust

  Armouries HM Tower of London

  National Army Museum Chelsea

  Trox Bros Ltd.

  Portways-Vitaluscin

  ACE Filtration Ltd.

  Spantile Ltd.

  The Associates of the V and A

  P and S Speritex SRL

  The Law Society

  British Academy

  The Keep Britain Tidy Group

  Bondina Industrial

  Camfil Ltd.

  ITN TV

  BBC (Outside Broadcasts)

  Westminster City Council

  Epping Forest District Council

  Automet Filtration Ltd.

  TCA (UK) Ltd.

  Macbream Investments Ltd.

  Hunter International Ltd.

  Eastern Elecricity Board

  AJEX

  London Docklands Development Corporation

  Tesco Stores Ltd.

  Commonwealth Secretariat

  Windsor Festival Society Ltd.

  Glasfloss Europe SA

  Social Security Appeals Tribunal

  Universal Filters

  Interfilter Ltd.

  Filter Supply and Manufacturing Co Ltd.

  Derbyshire County Council

  Vokers Ltd.

  Catt Ewater Harbour Commissioners

  County of Cambridgeshire

  British National Oil Corporation

  Audit Commission

  British Airport Authority

  British Aerospace Ltd.

  25 Next of Kins for War-Grave Headstones

  Mr. Gow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people were employed by the Property Services Agency on 31 December 1987 and on the last day of each of the preceding eight years.

  Mr. Chope
  On 31 December 1987 25,743 non-industrial and industrial staff were employed by the Property Services Agency (including staff in the Crown Suppliers and engaged on work for the United States forces). I regret that it is not possible, in the time available, to provide staff

  435
  numbers for the last day of each of the preceding eight years. The numbers employed on 1 April in those years, however, were:—

  Number

  1979

  40,095

  1980

  36,626

  1981

  34,763

  1982

  31,512

  1983

  30,077

  1984

  28,747

  1985

  27,779

  1986

  27,009

  1987

  26,379

  Mr. Gow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to reduce the numbers employed by the Property Services Agency.

  Mr. Chope
  From 1 April 1988 the number employed by the agency will depend on changes in the workload for client Departments and the money voted for resource costs, of which manpower costs are a part. The agency will continue to seek opportunities to reduce staff by contracting out more work to the private sector where that would result in better value for money.

  Mr. Gow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many employees of the Property Services Agency have been prosecuted for fraud, theft or corruption during each of the past eight years; how many of those have been convicted; and how many have been disciplined but not prosecuted for such offences.

  Mr. Chope
  The information requested (in respect of both non-industrial and industrial staff) is as follows:

  (1)

  (2)

  (3)

  (4)

  Year

  Number of Officers Prosecuted

  Number of Officers Convicted

  Number of Officers Disciplined but not Prosecuted

  1979

  4

  4

  2

  1980

  5

  5

  6

  1981

  1

  1

  6

  1982

  11

  10

  8

  1983

  2

  2

  10

  1984

  5

  5

  9

  1985

  6

  4

  19

  1986

  5

  3

  4

  1987

  3

  3

  9

  1988

  1

  1

  —

  Notes:

  1. The year in column 1 is that in which action on the cases was completed. There are six outstanding cases where officers have been charged but the prosecutions are not completed.

  2. Column 4 includes a number of minor cases where the offence involved travel and subsistence claims or abuses of working hours rules etc.

  Mr. Gow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to eliminate fraud, theft and corruption in the Property Services Agency.

  Mr. Chope
  The Wardale report, published in 1983 drew attention to a number of weaknesses in the agency's436
  defences against fraud and corruption. In 1984 there were allegations of major contractual irregularities in certain PSA London district works offices which culminated in the recent conviction of a number of PSA officials and contractors at the Central Criminal Court. Further trials relating to those allegations are pending.

  In the period since 1984 the agency has taken a number of steps to combat both contractual and other forms of fraud, theft and corruption. In the contractual field detailed contract audits have been carried out across the whole of the agency's organisation and new procedures, including computerised records of all tenders, have been set up in key areas. Systematic and regular monitoring and inspections now take place in all district works offices. A special unit has been established to investigate suspected cases of fraud, theft and corruption and to undertake random inspections of individual PSA offices. A restructuring of the agency's regional organisation has included the strengthening of management control of district works offices.

  By these various means I am sure that the agency has improved its defences against fraud, theft and corruption, but continued vigilance is essential and will be maintained.

  Sale of Property
  Mr. Gow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment in respect of how many houses and flats which Property Services Agency has received instructions from Government Departments to sell contracts for sale have not yet been exchanged; and how many of those houses and flats remain unsold more than(a) four months, (b) eight months and (c) 12 months after instructions to sell were received by the Property Services Agency.

  Mr. Chope
  As at 31 December, 43 dwellings on the Government civil estate accepted for disposal by the Property Services Agency had not yet reached an exchange of contracts. The breakdown of this figure is:

  Number

  With PSA for less than 4 months

  3

  With PSA for more than 4 months but less than 8 months

  17

  With PSA for more than 8 months but less than 12 months

  3

  With PSA for more than 12 months

  20

  Information about dwellings on the defence estate is being provided separately by the Ministry of Defence.

  Water Authorities (Sale of Land)
  Mr. Gow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether water authorities are required by him to sell freehold or leasehold land which is surplus to operational requirements; and how much surplus land has been sold by each of the nine water authorities in each of the past eight years.

  Mr. Moynihan Yes. The sales of unused or underused land in each year from the land register in acres are as follows. Disaggregated information is not available before 1984.
  437

  1981–82 (inclusive)

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  Anglian Water

  270

  221

  10

  178

  74

  7

  Northumbrian Water

  3

  17

  3

  15

  North West Water

  14

  25

  1

  10

  Severn Trent Water

  3

  nil

  27

  nil

  Southern Water

  4

  nil

  nil

  nil

  South West Water

  2

  21

  10

  21

  Thames Water

  7

  44

  nil

  65

  Wessex Water

  6

  nil

  10

  nil

  Yorkshire Water

  nil

  12

  1

  nil

  Water Authorities (Surplus Land)
  Mr. Gow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many acres of land suplus to operational requirements are owned, whether freehold or leasehold, by each of the nine water authorities.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The acreage of unused or underused land on the land register held by each English water authority at 31 December 1987 was:

  Acres

  Anglian Water

  242

  Northumbrian Water

  126

  North West Water

  390

  Severn Trent Water

  185

  Southern Water

  344

  South West Water

  22

  Thames Water

  542

  Wessex Water

  9

  Yorkshire Water

  422

  Sir Christopher Wren (Museum)
  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to initiate or provide funds for a museum to commemorate the life and work of Sir Christopher Wren; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  I have no plans to set up such a museum, and am not aware of proposals from others to do so.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Sexual Harassment
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his Department's policy on sexual harassment at work; whether guidance on reporting complaints has been issued to all members of staff; how many complaints have been reported in the past five years; and what disciplinary action has been taken.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The Civil Service policy on sexual harassment is set out in the programme of action to achieve equal opportunities for women in the Civil Service which was published by the Cabinet Office (Management and Personnel Office) in 1984. Sexual harassment at work is not tolerated and is dealt with as a disciplinary matter through the usual Civil Service complaints procedures. Guidance on reporting complaints has been issued to all staff.

  Three formal complaints have been reported centrally to personnel division in the last five years; all were investigated and disciplinary action was taken as appropriate.

  Pesticides
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what specific steps he is taking to make sure that farmers and agricultural workers are aware of the new controls on the use of pesticides, as from 1 January.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  My Department has distributed some 200,000 copies to date of the leaflet "Pesticides—Guide to the New Controls", which will continue to be made available at suitable agricultural shows and events. This will be supplemented before this year's spraying season with a further publication drawing particular attention to the measures coming into force in both 1988 and 1989. We plan to publish at about the same time a revised list of centres providing training appropriate to certification requirements for pesticides users. We will also be publishing a new draft of a code of practice for the agricultural and horticultural industry.

  The Ministry's publicity efforts are not being carried out in isolation. The Agricultural Training Board and the proficieny tests councils are giving prominence to the training requirements and many sections of the industry are helping to get the message across.

  Citrus Fruits (Chemical Spraying)
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to introduce the labelling of EEC citrus fruit coming into the United Kingdom which has been sprayed with the chemicals thiabendazol or ortophenilphenol; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  [holding answer 14 January 1988]: Strict controls on the levels on which these chemicals may be used as preservatives on fruit are laid down in the regulations following advice from independent experts. There is no requirement in the food labelling regulations that such fruit should be labelled and I have no plans at present to alter that situation.

EMPLOYMENT

  Sexual Harassment
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is his Department's policy on sexual harassment at work; whether guidance on reporting complaints has been issued to all staff; how many complaints have been reported in the past five years; and what disciplinary action has been taken.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The Civil Service policy on sexual harassment is set out in the programme of action to achieve equal opportunities for women in the Civil Service which was published by the Cabinet Office (Management
  439
  and Personnel Office) in 1984. Sexual harassment at work is not tolerated and is dealt with as a disciplinary matter through the usual Civil Service complaints procedures. The DE group's policy was agreed on this basis. It was issued to all staff in December 1984 with guidance on the reporting and handling of complaints. We have monitored this policy since July 1985 and in the 18 months to December 1986 (the last date for which figures are available) 31 cases have been reported. Appropriate action has been taken in all cases. Disciplinary penalties imposed have ranged from a written warning to a transfer at the offending officer's own expense.

  Community Programme
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received concerning the effect of the community programme in competing with private building companies for work; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lee
  Following representations from the building industry in 1986, the Manpower Services Commission agreed procedures for ensuring that existing jobs and activities are not put at risk by community programme objects.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list in the Official Report the number of persons out of work and claiming benefit in each parliamentary constituency in (a) August 1984 and (b) April 1987 and the percentage charge revealed by these figures for each constituency.

  Mr. Lee
  I am sending my hon. Friend the information requested which is also available in the Library.

  Local Enterprise Agencies (Corby)
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the total payments made under the programme of assistance to local enterprise agencies in the Corby development area in each year since 1980.

  Mr. Cope
  None. No agency in the Corby development area has applied for a local enterprise agency grant, nor for approval under the terms of section 48(4) of the Finance Act 1982.

  Settle to Carlisle Railway
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects the joint report for the Manpower Services Commission-Jarvis plc study into job creation and promotion along the Settle to Carlisle railway corridor to be received; whether it will be circulated to all interested parties; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lee
  The final report of the feasibility study is expected at the end of January. Ministers and those with an interest will be sent a copy.

  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish the joint report of the Manpower Services Commission-Jarvis plc study into job creation and promotion along the Settle to Carlisle railway corridor; whether copies will be made available for all the 440
  local authorities assisting in financing the local service along the Settle to Carlisle railway; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lee
  Copies will be made available for comment to local authorities, and I shall arrange for copies to be placed in the Library.

  Disabled Workers
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has on the percentage of disabled workers employed in(a) the public sector and (b) the private sector.

  Mr. Lee
  [pursuant to the reply 3 December 1987, c. 600]: I regret that there was an error in line 4 of the original text and the figure 8 per cent. should read 0·8 per cent. The correct text should read as follows:
  "The only information available is about the extent of which employers covered by the quota scheme meet their obligation under that scheme. On 1 June 1986, 0·8 per cent. of public sector employees, and 1 per cent. of private sector employees, were registered disabled."

  Fit for Work Scheme
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many employers in(a) the public sector and (b) the private sector have gained the Manpower Services Commission's Fit for Work award in each year of the award to 1986.

  Mr. Lee
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State on Wednesday 2 December,Official Report columns 600–1

  The Fit for Work award is now a Department of Employment responsibility adminstered by the employment service.

  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the 1987 awards in the Manpower Services Commission's Fit for Work scheme.

  Mr. Lee
  The Fit for Work award scheme is not a Department of Employment responsibility administered by the employment service. The national reception for the 1987 award winners took place at Lancaster house on 9 December 1987. 100 awards have been made in 1987, and the names of the 100 winners were announced on that date.

  Unemployment Benefit Claims
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish up-to-date figues showing(a) the total number of new benefit claims from unemployed people since the beginning of 1987, (b) how many of these claims resulted in a benefit award, (c) a breakdown of the difference in the two figures showing the numbers deemed unavailable for work, those deemed voluntarily unemployed, withdrawn claims and any other reasons and (4) the number of appeals against benefit decisions, distinguishing between different types of decision, together with the results of such appeals.

  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 7 December 1987]: I have been asked to reply.

  In the first 10 months of 1987 some 4·1 million claims to unemployment benefit were made. It is estimated that

  441
  40 per cent. of all new claims result in payment of unemployment benefit only, 10 per cent. in payment of both unemployment benefit and supplementary allowance and 35 per cent. in payment of supplementary allowance only. The remaining 15 per cent. do not attract any benefit but a large proportion of these claims result in an award of credits.

  Of claims not attracting unemployment benefit, about 5 per cent. are disallowed unemployment benefit on the grounds of unavailability for work, 30 per cent. are disallowed on the basis that the claimant became unemployed voluntarily and 65 per cent. for other reasons, such as the receipt of a payment in lieu of notice, dismissal for misconduct or delayed claim.

  The latest available figures for appeals are for the quarter ending 31 March 1987:

  Reason for disallowance

  Non-availability and limited availability for work

  Voluntarily unemployed

  Other

  Number of appeals heard

  716

  1,002

  3,161

  Number decided in appellant's favour

  251

  426

  976

SOCIAL SERVICES

  Ante-natal Provision (Crewe and Nantwich)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what measures have been taken in the Crewe and Nantwich health district to ensure that the ante-natal provision complies with the recommendations of the report "Maternity Care in Action" of the Maternity Services Advisory Committee.

  Mrs. Currie
  The Maternity Services Advisory Committee's report provides health authorities with a guide to good practice to be used to improve the quality of maternity care. It is for individual health authorities to examine with all concerned the way ante natal care is provided locally and the hon. Member may therefore wish to contact the chairman of the Crewe health authority for the information she seeks.

  Consultants' Reports (Lothian and the Borders)
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average time it takes in the Lothian and the Borders health board areas for a full medical consultant's report to come if it is called for in making an assessment of a person's eligibility for industrial disablement benefit.

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

  Value of child support1 for each child in standard rate tax-paying families expressed at April 19872 prices (£)

  Children under age 11

  Children under age 11–15

  Children aged 16 and over

  Date3

  1st child

  2nd child

  3rd child4

  1st child

  2nd child

  3rd child4

  1st child

  2nd child

  3rd child4

  April 1958

  6·77

  8·92

  9·58

  8·42

  10 65

  11·15

  10·16

  12·30

  12·88

  April 1959

  6·20

  8·43

  9·01

  7·69

  10·00

  10·58

  9·26

  11·49

  12·15

  April 1960

  6·15

  8·37

  9·03

  7·63

  9·93

  10·50

  9·19

  11·41

  12·06

  Charities
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will break down how the £15 million to be donated to charities following the adjustment to benefits announced on 18 November was arrived at.

  Mr. Nicholas Scott
  The amount announced on 18 December of £10 million to £15 million to be donated to charities was an initial estimate. We now expect that around £14·5 million will be available. About half of this represents the underspend on social security expenditure after the special payments have been made, and the remainder underspend on public sector pensions.

  Benefits
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many claimants will receive no increase in their benefit following the adjustment being made due to the error in the retail prices index.

  Mr. Scott
  It is estimated that about 4·5 million people who receive a social security benefit that is affected by the error in the retail prices index will not be included in the February special payments exercise.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social services what would have been the additional cost of adjusting all benefits following the errors in the retail prices index.

  Mr. Scott
  As I announced in my statement to the House on 18 December, we estimate that £109 million will have been underspent as a result of the error in the calculation of the retail prices index. This is equal to the sum which will be disbursed in the form of special payments to social security beneficiaries and donations to charities. Administrative costs would have been considerably higher if we had attempted to calculate and pay each individual loss.

  Child and Family Allowances
  Sir Brandon Rhys Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish a table showing for each year since 1958 the combined value of child tax allowance after clawback and family allowance or child benefit expressed in November 1987 prices for the first, second and third child in standard rate tax paying families.

  Mr. Scott
  Comparison of values at dates other than upratings can be misleading. The figures up to the last general benefit uprating date of April 1987 are given in the table. They will be updated when the movement in the retail price index over the 12 months to April 1988 is known. Until the mid-1960s, the value of support, including child tax allowances, was substantially more for families paying standard rate income tax than for families on average earnings.
  443

  Children under age 11

  Children under age 11–15

  Children aged 16 and over

  Date3

  1st child

  2nd child

  3rd child4

  1st child

  2nd child

  3rd child4

  1st child

  2nd child

  3rd child4

  April 1961

  5·99

  8·15

  8·79

  7·43

  9·67

  10·23

  8·95

  11·10

  11·74

  April 1962

  5·67

  7·71

  8·31

  7·03

  9·15

  9·68

  8·47

  10·51

  11·11

  April 1963

  6·37

  8·37

  8·96

  7·70

  9·85

  10·30

  9·11

  11·18

  11·70

  April 1964

  6·24

  8·20

  8·78

  7·55

  9·66

  10·09

  8·93

  10·96

  11·47

  April 1965

  6·26

  8·18

  8·60

  7·63

  9·49

  9·97

  9·01

  10·87

  11·35

  April 1966

  6·04

  7·90

  8·30

  7·37

  9·16

  9·63

  8·70

  10·49

  10·96

  April 1967

  5·87

  7·67

  8·06

  7·16

  8·90

  9·35

  8·44

  10·19

  10·64

  April 1968

  5·62

  7·04

  7·47

  6·85

  8·27

  8·64

  8·09

  9·44

  9·87

  April 1969

  5·32

  6·96

  7·37

  6·49

  8·13

  8·54

  7·66

  9·30

  9·65

  April 1970

  5·04

  6·59

  6·98

  6·15

  7·70

  8·09

  7·25

  8·81

  9·14

  April 1971

  5·87

  7·44

  7·79

  6·78

  8·40

  8·76

  7·74

  9·31

  9·67

  April 1972

  5·52

  7·00

  7·33

  6·38

  7·90

  8·24

  7·28

  8·76

  9·09

  April 1973

  5·01

  6·28

  6·58

  5·93

  7·15

  7·45

  6·67

  7·89

  8·20

  April 1974

  5·75

  6·81

  7·08

  6·62

  7·61

  7·91

  7·34

  8·33

  8·63

  April 1975

  5·04

  6·97

  6·97

  5·75

  7·68

  7·68

  6·38

  8·34

  8·34

  April 1976

  5·28

  6·93

  6·93

  5·89

  7·53

  7·53

  6·44

  8·06

  8·06

  April 1977

  5·08

  5·81

  5·81

  5·59

  6·33

  6·33

  6·04

  6·75

  6·75

  April 1978

  6·05

  6·05

  6·05

  6·52

  6·52

  6·52

  6·91

  6·91

  6·91

  April 1979

  7·50

  7·50

  7·50

  7·50

  7·50

  7·50

  7·50

  7·50

  7·50

  November 1980

  6·96

  6·96

  6·96

  6·96

  6·96

  6·96

  6·96

  6·96

  6·96

  November 1981

  6·87

  6·87

  6·87

  6·87

  6·87

  6·87

  6·87

  6·87

  6·87

  November 1982

  7·20

  7·20

  7·20

  7·20

  7·20

  7·20

  7·20

  7·20

  7·20

  November 1983

  7·63

  7·63

  7·63

  7·63

  7·63

  7·63

  7·63

  7·63

  7·63

  November 1984

  7·67

  7·67

  7·67

  7·67

  7·67

  7·67

  7·67

  7·67

  7·67

  November 1985

  7·43

  7·43

  7·43

  7·43

  7·43

  7·43

  7·43

  7·43

  7·43

  July 1986

  7·41

  7·41

  7·41

  7·41

  7·41

  7·41

  7·41

  7·41

  7·41

  April 1987

  7·25

  7·25

  7·25

  7·25

  7·25

  7·25

  7·25

  7·25

  7·25

  1 The combined value of child tax-allowances after Clawback and Family Allowance/Child Benefit.

  2 Based on the movement in the General Index of Retail Prices at April 1987.

  3 Child Tax Allowance ceased after the 1978–79 Tax Year end and up-rating dates are shown from 1979 onwards.

  4 And subsequent children.

  NHS (Restrictive Practices)
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has to reduce restrictive practices within the National Health Service.

  Mrs. Currie
  We always seek to ensure the most effective and efficient working practices within the National Health Service to secure the best possible service to patients.

  Nurse Training
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report the number of trainees in England entering nursing for the state registered nurse registered general nurse course for each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Newton
  The information is:

  Intakes to Registered General Nurse Training England: Year Ending 31 March

  Number

  1978

  14,490

  1979

  17,290

  1980

  15,970

  1981

  15,020

  1982

  15,430

  1983

  14,600

  1984

  13,620

  1985

  14,900

  1986

  14,210

  1987

  14,010

  Notes:

  1 All figures rounded to the nearest 10.

  2 England only figures not available prior to 1984, therefore figures have been assumed to be 95 per cent. of England and Wales total.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he proposes to make weekly additional grants from the social fund in respect of community care needs.

  Mr. Scott
  Community care grants are intended to help certain priority groups who are receiving income support meet exceptional expenses. The social fund is not a form of weekly maintenance and help will be provided by way of lump sum payments. At present we do not propose to alter these arrangements.

  Personal Allowances and Premiums
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when he hopes to announce the levels of personal allowances and premiums operating from April.

  Mr. Scott
  The rates are set out in the Income Support (General) Regulations 1987 and the Housing Benefit (General) Regulations 1987 which were made on 20 November1987.

  As I made clear in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key) on 3 November 1987 at columns 705–6, these rates are the same as the proposed rates announced on 27 October 1987.

  Housing Benefits
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he intends to place an upper limit on housing benefit in respect of rents.

  Mr. Portillo
  I refer the hon. Member to the consultation paper (a copy of which is in the Library) issued jointly by the Department and the Department of the Environment in October 1987 on the housing benefit
  445
  implications of the Government's proposals for deregulation of new private sector lettings. This paper proposes a number of measures to ensure that, with an increasing proportion of rents in future not subject to statutory rent control, rents which attract support from the Exchequer through housing benefit are not unreasonable. These measures include the setting of limits on benefit to be awarded on the most expensive privately rented properties in each local authority area. The intention is to prevent abuse and only a small proportion of accommodation in any area is likely to be covered by this arrangement.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now reply to the letter written to him by the hon. Member for Birkenhead on 23 October 1987 about Mr. Kenneth Davies, of 34 Union street, Birkenhead.

  Mr. Portillo
  My noble Friend wrote to the hon. Member on 30 November 1987 requesting information on his constituent, Mr. Kenneth Davies, to enable him to trace Mr. Davies' papers.

  Hospital Waiting List (Bradford)
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the current hospital waiting list in Bradford for(a) urgent cases, (b) urgent cases waiting more than one month, (c) non-urgent cases and (d) non-urgent cases waiting more than one year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Newton
  The latest information available centrally is given in the table.

  In-patient waiting list at 31 March 1987

  National Health Service hospitals in Bradford district health authority

  All specialties

  Urgent cases

  Non-urgent cases

  Total

  All

  On list more than one month

  All

  On list more than one year

  7,172

  188

  88

  6,984

  1,535

  Health Authorities (Funding)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has as to regional health authorities' allocations to district health authorities of the extra funds announced on 16 December 1987.

  Mr. Newton
  [holding answer 11 January 1988]: Allocations to district health authorities are a matter for the regional health authorities, and we do not yet have detailed information about their decisions.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Crown Properties (Fire Inspections)
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fire inspectors are in post whose duties include the inspection of Crown properties in England and Wales.

  Mr. John Patten
  There are currently two officers who are designated by Her Majesty's chief inspector to inspect Crown premises.

  Prisons (Private Sector Involvement)
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any contingency plans to involve the private sector in the running of prisons, in the event of a strike by prison officers.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  It would not be sensible to give details of our contingency plans to maintain prisons and to prevent serious disorder in the event of industrial action by staff.

  Strip Searches
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many category A women prisoners there were in Her Majesty's prison Durham in December 1987; and how many strip searches were made on these prisoners in that month, indicating strip searches before and after consultation with legal advisers, after visits and after cell changes, wing searches and cell searches, and listing reasons for searches and illegal contraband or smuggled items found.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  During December, there were three category A women prisoners in Durham prison. The number of occasions on which each was strip-searched during the month is shown in the table:

  Inmate A

  Inmate B

  Inmate C

  After legal visits

  —

  —

  —

  After other visits

  2

  5

  3

  At the time of cell changes, and wing and cell searches

  3

  2

  2

  No authorised article was found on any of the three women. But, as the hon. Member is aware, strip-searching is a routine security measure to which all inmates—male and female — are subject and its justification lies not only in the fact that staff do discover items (such as drugs, syringes, plastic knives sharpened into daggers, and scissors) which they would not otherwise find, but in the deterrent effect which such searching undoubtedly has.

  Rifle and Pistol Clubs
  Mr. Onslow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the conditions for the approval of rifle and pistol clubs.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  On the basis of inquiries made by the chief officer of police for the area concerned my right hon. Friend has to be satisfied that:

  i. safety certificate for the categories of firearm to be fired are in existence for the ranges to be used;

  ii. the security arrangements for the storage of club firearms and ammunition are satisfactory;

  iii. the application is being made by, or on behalf of, a bona fide club; and

  iv. there are no other considerations that would make the club unsuitable for approval.

  Police Manpower
  Mr. Warren
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers and civilians have been recruited to date since his announcement of increases in May 1986; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  10,687 police officers were recruited to all forces in England and Wales including the
  447
  Metropolitan police between the end of May 1986 and 31 October 1987, the latest date for which information is available, either to replace officers who retired or resigned or to enable forces to implement increases in establishment. In this period, the strength of the police service, excluding those who are on secondment, increased by 2,692 police officers, from 119,325 to 122,017. Information on civilian recruitment is not held centrally but the number of civilians rose by 1,704 from 39,621 to 41,325 in the same period.

  Welsh Language
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his Department's policy on the production of civil protection material in the Welsh language; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  The question of providing a Welsh language version of the public information on civil protection was carefully considered at the time it was produced, in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales. We are guided by the criteria of demand, expediency and expense recommended in the 1965 Hughes-Parry Report on the "Legal Status of the Welsh Language". In the light of those criteria, we were not persuaded that there was sufficient demand to justify the considerable costs which would have been involved in the production of a Welsh language version of this material.

  Immigration
  Dr. Glyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many applications to adopt children from the Commonwealth have been received; how many were admitted to permanent residence in the United Kingdom since the most recent change in the relevant legislation; and whether he will make a statement;

  (2) how many applications for admission for permanent residence have been made for adopted children from the Indian sub-continent, and how many have been granted, since the most recent change in the immigration rules.

  Mr. Renton
  Information is available centrally only on the numbers of children granted settlement in the United Kingdom in 1986 on the basis of their adoption by a person already settled here. Of a total of 85 such children, 13 were nationals of the Indian sub-continent countries, 23 were Commonwealth citizens (including Bangladesh and India) and 62 were foreign nationals.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations he received from hon. Members concerning immigration matters in each year from 1983 to 1987.

  Mr. Renton
  The available information related to the number of immigration files created following representations by right hon. and hon. Members, and is as follows:

  Number

  1983

  11,456

  1984

  13,164

  1985

  16,024

  1986

  17,511

  1987

  11,856

  Notes:

  1. These figures include a number of letters dealing with general issues
  448
  rather than individual cases.

  2. Representations made on behalf of a single family may be counted as more than one case where the immigration circumstances of more than one member of the family are under consideration.

  3. Further representations made after reply has been sent are included separately in these figures.

  4. Representations received about the same case from more than one right hon. Member or hon. Member are counted separately.

  5. These figures include representations on after entry cases as well as those arising from port refusals where stops on removal were followed by written representations.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations he had received in the last year urging that hon. Members should be stopped from making representations to Ministers on immigration matters; and if he will list the names of any individuals or organisations who have made such representations in the last year.

  Mr. Renton
  None, but I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 27 November to the hon. Member for Leeds, West (Mr. Battle) at columns 366–67.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will arrange for a copy of the suspects index held by immigration officers to be placed in the Library; how many names are included in the latest suspects index; under what categories are they indexed; and what are the definitions of each category.

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

  Correspondence
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the policy in his Department on acknowledging correspondence; and what is the average time taken between correspondence being received and acknowledgement being made.

  Mr. Hurd
  The Department deals with correspondence as quickly as possible. Because of the disparate nature of the correspondence received by divisions, and the varying numbers of staff available, practice on acknowledging correspondence necessarily varies. Details of the average time between receipt and acknowledgement could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average time from receipt taken by officials in his Department to open letters addressed to his Department; what is the total number of unopened letters now awaiting attention in his Department; and how long he anticipates it will take to deal with the backlog.

  Mr. Hurd
  The information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost, and would not be significant since the amount of correspondence awaiting attention varies considerably from day to day between divisions according to the level of incoming work and the staff available.

  The large number of applications for registration as British citizens received in the latter part of last year has produced delays in dealing with correspondence addressed to the immigration and nationality department. Every effort is being made to reduce, as quickly as practicable, the resultant backlog of work.

  Departmental Houses and Flats
  Mr. Gow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many houses and flats owned by his
  449
  Department are surplus to operational requirement; and how many have been empty for more than (a) four months, (b) eight months and (c) 12 months.

  Mr. Hurd
  Of nearly 8,000 dwellings owned by the Department, 218 are currently identified as surplus to operational requirements, 201 have been vacant for more than four (but less than 12) months and 11 for over 12 months. Six are still occupied. The Department is further reviewing its holding of dwellings.

  Mr. Peter Wright (Pension)
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations were received from Mr. Peter Wright before his retirement about his pension entitlement; what representations have been received from Mr. Peter Wright since his retirement about his pension entitlement; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hurd
  There are proper channels through which such representations may be made. I have no further statement.

  Citizenship
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for registration for British citizenship were received in his Department by 31 December 1987; what policy has been adopted to decide whether or not an application was received by 31 December 1987; if he will now extend the deadline by six months; and how many representations he has received urging the deadline to be extended.

  Mr. Renton
  We have an estimated 250,000 registration and naturalisation applications awaiting initial consideration. We cannot yet say how many of these are applications for registration. In practice, to take account of postal delays around Christmas, we are treating applications as having been made before the deadline if they had postmarks earlier than 1 January 1988, regardless of when they were delivered; or if they were delivered by post before 7 January provided the declaration on the form was completed by 31 December 1987. There is however no power to extend the 31 December time limit in respect of applications under section 8 of the British Nationality Act 1981 made on the grounds of marriage. The exercise of discretion to accept late applications made by Commonwealth citizens under section 7 of the Act must take account of the special circumstances of each individual case.

  We have received representations about the deadline from 17 right hon. and hon. Members, three local authorities and five organisations.

  Departmental Telephone System
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total cost of installing a new telephone system in his Department, when the new system became operative; and when Ministers took steps to inform hon. Members of their new telephone numbers.

  Mr. Hurd
  The new system became operative on 11 January. The cost was about £785,000, including VAT. On 13 January, details of Ministers' new numbers were made available through Whips' offices. I am sorry this was not done sooner.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Debt
  Mr. McNamara To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what total deductions were made from invalidity benefit in 1987 under the Payments for Debt (Emergency Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971; and what the breakdown was by health and social services board area;
  (2) what total deductions were made from child benefit in 1987 under the Payments for Debt (Emergency Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971; and what the breakdown was by health and social services board area;
  (3) what total deductions were made from widows' benefit in 1987 under the Payments for Debt (Emergency Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971; and what the breakdown was by health and social services board area;
  (4) what total deductions were made from supplementary benefit in 1987 under the Payments for Debt (Emergency Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971; and what the breakdown was by health and social services board area;
  (5) what total deductions were made from unemployment benefit in 1987 under the Payments for Debt (Emergency Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971; and what the breakdown was by health and social services board area;
  (6) what total deductions were made from sickness benefit in 1987 under the Payments for Debt (Emergency Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971; and what the breakdown was by health and social services hoard area;
  (7) what total deductions were made from retirement pensions in 1987 under the Payments for Debt (Emergency Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971; and what the breakdown was by health and social services board area.
  Mr. Needham
  Information is not available in the form requested. Deductions made under this legislation for the first three quarters of 1987 for which figures are available were as follows:—

  1 January—30 September 1987

  Invalidity Benefit

  1,023,055·06

  Child Benefit

  52,238·64

  Widows' Benefit

  313,892·85

  Supplementary Benefit

  727,238·81

  Unemployment Benefit

  92,178·87

  Sickness Benefit

  9,762·96

  Retirement Pensions

  492,362·75

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what total deductions were made from criminal damage compensation payments in 1987; and what the breakdown was by health and social services board area, under the Payments for Debt (Emergency Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971;

  (2) what total deductions were made from criminal injury compensation payments in 1987; and what the breakdown was by health and social services board area, under the Payments for Debt (Emergency Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971.

  Mr. Stanley
  The information is as follows:
  451

  £

  Total deductions from criminal damage compensation payments

  112,005

  Total deductions from criminal injury compensation payments

  106,748

  A breakdown by health and social services board area is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total amount was which was recovered in 1987 under the Payments for Debt (Emergency Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971; what the total administrative cost was for the recovery of this amount; and what proportion the latter was of the former.

  Mr. Stanley
  In the period 1 January 1987 to 30 September 1987, some £4.5 million was recovered under this legislation. Information on the total administrative cost is not readily available, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what total amounts were deducted to recover each of rate arrears and rent arrears under the Payments for Debt (Emergency Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971 by each local council in 1987.

  Mr. Needham
  The collection of rent and rates are the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and the Department of the Environment respectively.

  The information concerning moneys deducted under the Payments for Debt (Emergency Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971 in respect of rent and rates is not recorded in the form requested, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what grants payable by Government Departments or agencies are subject to deductions under the Payments for Debt (Emergency Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971; and what total amounts were deducted from each in 1987.

  Mr. Stanley
  All grants payable by or on behalf of any Government Department or local or public authority may be subject to deductions under the legislation. Information on total amounts deducted from individual grants is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what total deductions were made from Government payments for conversion of gas heating and cooking services to other means, under the Payments for Debt (Emergency Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971; and what the breakdown was by health and social services board area.

  Mr. Viggers
  None.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what total deductions were made from public sector employees earnings in 1987 under the Payments for Debt (Emergency Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971; and what the deductions were, broken down by Government Department or agency in which debtors were employed.
  452
  Mr. Stanley
  The total amount deducted from 1 January 1987 to 30 September 1987 was £1,430,251. The information on the breakdown of these deductions by Government Departments and other agency is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland from what benefits or other payments by state bodies deductions were made under the Payments for Debt (Emergency Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971 in the year 1987; what the total deductions were in each category; and from how many people deductions were made in each category.

  Mr. Stanley
  The benefits and other payments by state bodies from which deductions were made under the legislation in the first three quarters of 1987, and the total amounts deducted, were as follows:

  1 January 1987–30 September 1987 £

  Supplementary Benefit

  727,239

  Sickness Benefit

  9,762

  Child Benefit

  52,239

  Invalidity Benefit

  1,023,053

  Unemployment Benefit

  92,178

  Widows' Pension

  313,892

  Retirement Pension

  492,362

  Training Allowance

  Nil

  Personal Injury/Criminal Damage Compensation Claims

  165,354

  Public Liability Compensation Claims Roads Services

  111,276

  Water Service

  16,171

  On 31 March 1987 the four creditor bodies had in total 127,000 debt cases. Number of people from whom deductions were made in each category are not readily available.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what total levels of debt existed in 1987 in each category for which deductions were made from debtors in that year under the Payments for Debt (Emergency Provisions) Act 1971.

  Mr. Stanley
  As at 1 April 1987 the total levels of debt in each category for which deductions were made from debtors under this legislation were as follows:

  £ million

  NIHE (Rent, Rates and District Heating)

  17·1

  NIE (Electricity)

  7·0

  Rating Division

  9·6

  Belfast Gas

  2·7

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what categories of debts payments were deducted from debtors in 1987 under the Payments for Debt (Emergency Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971; and what the total amounts deducted in each category were.

  Mr. Stanley
  The categories of debt for which payments were deducted from debtors under the legislation, and the total amounts deducted in each category for the first three quarters of 1987 were as follows:
  453

  1 January 1987 to 30 September 1987

  £

  NIHE (Rent, Rates and District Heating)

  2,674,489

  NIE (Electricity)

  1,549,838

  Rating Division

  107,472

  Belfast Gas

  104,075

  Strip Searches
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many strip searches were made of female prisoners in Her Majesty's prison Maghaberry in December 1987, giving the number of persons involved and number of times each person was searched and if any prison contraband, smuggled item or illegal correspondence was discovered in any search, indicating which items; in how many cases prisoners refused to be searched and had to be restrained while the search was being conducted: and what were the reasons for the search under each of the following headings: making a remand appearance at court, attending trial, inter-prison visit or other reasons.

  Mr. Stanley
  The information requested is as follows:

  Number

  Number of searches

  Total number of searches carried out

  24

  Total number of inmates searched

  16

  Number of prisoners searched once

  11

  Number of prisoners searched twice

  4

  Number of prisoners searched 5 times

  1

  Reasons for search

  First admission on remand/awaiting trial

  4

  First admission on sentence/final discharge

  7

  Attending Appeal Court

  1

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  Number of persons murdered by terrorists (also includes those murdered as a result of internal disputes)

  65

  53

  48

  55

  80

  Number of persons believed to be terrorists and assumed to have been killed by their own devices or weapons

  1

  —

  1

  —

  4

  Number of persons killed believed to be terrorists killed by the security forces

  6

  7

  3

  4

  8

  Total deaths associated with terrorist activity

  72

  60

  52

  59

  92

  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the trend in the number of deaths and injuries due to terrorist violence since 15 November 1985; and if he will make a statement.

  1985

  1986

  1987

  16 November to 31 December Deaths

  1 January to 31 December Deaths

  1 January to 31 December Deaths

  Number of persons murdered by terrorists (also includes those murdered as a result of internal disputes)

  6

  55

  80

  Number of persons believed to be terrorists and assumed to have been killed by their own devices and weapons

  —

  —

  4

  Number of persons believed to be terrorists killed by security forces

  —

  4

  8

  454

  Number

  Bail Court appearances

  1

  Going on or returning from home leave

  4

  Compassionate home leave

  2

  Inter prison visits

  2

  Visits to outside hospital

  1

  After a visit

  1

  During a search of the prison

  1

  No prohibited article was found during these searches and no prisoner refused to be searched.

  Plastic Bullets
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many plastic bullets were fired in Northern Ireland in the first half of 1987; in what circumstances; in what location the bullets were fired; and how many persons were injured as a result of the use of plastic bullets.

  Mr. Stanley
  During the first six months of 1987. a total of 1,571 plastic baton rounds were fired in Northern Ireland; 14 people were allegedly injured as a result.

  I am writing to the hon. Member with the information he has requested about the circumstances and places in which the baton rounds were fired. A copy of my letter will be placed in the Library.

  Terrorism
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total number of persons who died in Northern Ireland as a result of terrorist violence in each of the past five calendar years.

  Mr. Stanley
  [holding answer 14 January 1988]: The information is as follows:

  Mr. Stanley
  [holding answer 14 January 1988]: The information is as follows:
  455

  1985

  1986

  1987

  16 November to 31 December Deaths

  1 January to 31 December Deaths

  1 January to 31 December Deaths

  Total deaths associated with terrorist activity

  6

  59

  92

  Total injuries1

  86

  1,450

  1,130

  1 Information on injuries is not collected in a way which allows it to be categorised as for deaths above.

TRANSPORT

  Traffic Accidents (Drink-Driving)
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of road traffic accidents were related to drink-driving in 1986.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  It is estimated that about one tenth of all injury accidents result from driving with excess alcohol in the blood. There were 247,854 injury accidents in 1986.

  In 1985, 1,000 road users died in crashes and collisions where the driver or rider was over the legal limit, representing one fifth of all road deaths in 19852.

  In 1985, 60 per cent. of drivers and riders who were killed in road accidents between 10 pm and 4 am had a blood alcohol level in excess of the legal limit, compared with 15 per cent. at other times of the day3.

  1. "The facts about drinking and driving", published by the Transport and Road Research Laboratory, 1986.

  2. Page 34, "Road Accidents Great Britain 1986 — The Casualty Report", published by HMSO, 1987.

  3. Ibid, table CS, page 36.

  Bus Deregulation (Cheshire)
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has regarding the costs or savings to Cheshire county council in 1986–87 following bus deregulation.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  Cheshire county council budgeted to spend £5·5 million on revenue support for passenger transport in 1986–87. Following deregulation, I understand that actual expenditure for that year was less than £3·5 million.

  Thelwall Viaduct
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his latest estimate of major works to be undertaken on the Thelwall viaduct.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  We announced on 5 January our plans to widen the M6 between the M56 and M62, including Thelwall viaduct, to dual four lanes with hardshoulders.

  The £58 million scheme includes a new viaduct alongside the existing one for southbound traffic and rebuilding the existing structure for northbound traffic. Construction might start in about four years.

  National Bus Company
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy not to permit sales of National Bus Company subsidiaries which significantly undervalue the book value of the assets concerned.
  456
  Mr. David Mitchell
  Each National Bus Company subsidiary has been widely marketed with a view to establishing through competitive bidding a market valuation of the business as a going concern.

  Severn Bridge
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to make a decision regarding the future level of tolls on the Severn bridge.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  There is nothing further I can add to my replies to my hon. Friend on 14 and 18 December 1987 at columns 421–22 and 777.

  Traffic Control
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will introduce legislation to enable drivers to turn left at traffic lights when it is safe to do so, in accordance with systems long operative in many of the states in the United States of America.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  No. This proposal could only be produced generally at sites where a dedicated traffic lane could be provided for left turning traffic. Where conditions are appropriate a left filter traffic signal or "left turn only" slip roads with "give way" markings may currently be provided at the discretion of the appropriate highway authority.

  Trees
  Sir Anthony Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he takes to ensure that the replanting of trees beside roadways is not a hazard to road traffic.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Our landscape and horticultural section takes great care when planting trees on roadside embankments and — or cuttings to ensure that when fully developed they do not constitute a hazard to road traffic.

  In the case of rural or semi-rural roads, the planting carried out over the last 30 years has observed the Department's guide lines that no single tree should be planted within 4·5 m the nearside edge of the carriageway, unless protected by a safety fence or other suitable barrier.

  In the case of the urban or semi-urban roads, the greater proportion of individual trees are in verges of varying width and often close to the edge of the carriageway. This planting is primarily on pre-war and early post-war schemes.

  As part of upgrading the pre-war and early post-war schemes, replacement of the remaining trees is often the only option available to mitigate the impact of the traffic on the street scene. In such cases, special measures are incorporated in the design so as to avoid the trees becoming a traffic hazard.

  Traffic Flows (Kirkby Stephen)
  Mr. Jopling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish up-to-date figures for traffic flows, including figures for heavy lorries, for the road passing through Kirkby Stephen between Tebay and Brough; and by how much they have increased in recent years.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The A685 is a local road for which Cumbria county council is the highway authority. The 1986 annual average daily traffic flows were about 2,900 vehicles to the east of Tebay and about 4,600 just north of Kirkby Stephen, both including approximately 11 per cent. goods vehicles. During the 1980s, flows have increased by about 4 per cent. per annum.

  London City Airport
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement concerning the withdrawal of the operators' licences to fly to and from the London City airport and Paris.

  Mr. Channon
  The Civil Aviation Authority provisionally suspended the operation of flights between London City airport and Paris on 18 December pending the outcome of an inquiry into the safety of these flights in south-east air space. The conclusions of the inquiry, which the CAA announced today, recommend three alternative routes to Paris, and the airline operators concerned have confirmed that they consider themselves competent to operate flights on those routes.

  A13 (North Circular Road to Tower Bridge)
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to improve the A13 trunk road between the A406 north circular road and Tower bridge.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  A scheme to improve the A13 Newham way-A 117 East Ham Manor way junction is in the national roads programme. An interim traffic management scheme there will open this spring.

  Two studies are under way to identify other schemes. Consultants are expected to report very shortly on possible improvements to the A 13 between Dagenham and Limehouse to relieve congestion and cater for increased traffic arising from regeneration of docklands. Stage II of the East London assessment study covers the western end of the A13.

  Tyre Treads
  Sir Anthony Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what consultations he proposes to hold with the police and motoring organisations concerning the current regulations on tyre treads and the EEC proposed directive thereon; what steps he is taking to assess the effectiveness of current regulations; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will introduce legislation to require tyre tread depths on motor vehicles to be a minimum of 1·6 mm over the entire width of the tyre.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The current regulations on tyre tread depths were made in 1983 and specify 1 mm across 458
  three quarters of the width of the tyre with visible tread on the remainder. The regulations were thoroughly reviewed two years ago in consultation with the police, the motoring organisations and other interested parties. This review considered the evidence as regards enforceability and road safety and led to the conclusion that no further changes to the regulations were needed. The commission has not produced new evidence on which it is necessary to have a fresh consultation exercise.

  Sir Anthony Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many motor vehicles in each of the last three years failed the MOT test because of unsatisfactory tyres.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Too many. The most recent figures based on a 2 per cent. sample are as follows:

  Year ending December

  1984

  1985

  1986

  Total vehicles tested

  14,436,650

  14,415,266

  14,275,118

  Total vehicles failed

  5,537,505

  5,463,946

  5,747,102

  Total vehicles failed due to defective tyres

  1,176,100

  1,249,822

  1,525,449

  Figures for 1987 are not yet available.

  Woolwich Ferry
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many scheduled crossings have been lost on the Woolwich ferry since 1 April 1987.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Too many. Up to 13 January, about 25,000 crossings have been lost.

  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the London borough of Greenwich about the future operation of the Woolwich ferry; and with what outcome.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The Department continues to be in regular contact with the London borough of Greenwich. A substantial improvement in service should be achieved if the package of measures arising from the management review is agreed by the work force.

  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he received the final report of the consultants on the future operation of the Woolwich ferry; and what action he has taken or intends to take on its recommendations.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  As I told the hon. Member on 30 October,Official Report, column 484, we received the consultant's final report last July. A package of measures based on the recommendations has been put to the ferrymen and their representatives by the London borough of Greenwich. Negotiations are continuing.

  Horne Committee
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the implementation of the recommendations of the Horne committee.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  We attach great importance to improving the arrangements for the carrying out of works by public utilities in highways and securing appropriate reinstatement immediately afterwards.

  The Government's response to the Horne report, published in July 1986, accepted the great majority of its

  459
  recommendations. We are pressing ahead with the detailed technical work required on many of the recommendations. We shall continue to seek a suitable opportunity to bring before Parliament proposals for primary legislation on the lines already announced.

  Travis Brow, Stockport (Land Development)
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the land at Travis Brow,460
  Stockport, which was included in the compulsory purchase order for the M63, to be disposed of; and what delays have occurred to this disposal since the Minister with responsibility for roads and traffic wrote to the hon. Member for Denton and Reddish in November 1987.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  We will dispose of this site as soon as possible after acquiring the two outstanding interests. Some progress has been made since November towards completing the acquisitions. We are considering arrangements for the sale.

  EC FREE FOOD SCHEME
  EC FREE FOOD SCHEME