Written Answers of 29 January 1988

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Police Computers
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish the number of police officers for each year since 1979, who have been disciplined following complaints of misuse of information held on police computers.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The information is not readily available, and could be obtained only with difficulty and at disproportionate cost.

  Member's Question (Cost)
  Mr. Knowles
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the cost in time and money of the preparation for an answer to the oral question put down by the hon. Member for Nottingham, North (Mr. Allen) for answer on 21 January, which was subsequently withdrawn by the hon. Member on 20 January.

  Mr. Douglas Hurd
  About two and a half hours, at a total cost of about £50.

  Crime (Wolverhampton)
  Mr. Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crimes, in their various categories, took place in Wolverhampton during(a) 1979 and (b)

  Mr. John Patten
  I refer the hon. Member to the annual report of the chief constable of the West Midlands. The figures that are regularly collected centrally relate to entire police force areas; they are published each year in the Command Paper "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales" (tables 2.4. to 2.6 in the issue for 1986, Cm. 233). Copies of both publications are available in the Library. Figures for 1987 are not yet available.

  Custodial Remand
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what restrictions are placed on the letters which can be received by people who have been remanded in custody to await sentence.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The receipt of letters is regulated by prison rule 34 and standing order 5B copies of which are available in the Library. The following is a summary of the main provisions concerning convicted prisoners awaiting sentence. One letter may be received on the prisoner's reception into prison and thereafter two a week, though governors have discretion to allow more. If a correspondent makes a practice of sending an excessive number of letters, the governor may return them. Correspondents who make a practice of sending overlong 396
  letters may be asked to confine future letters to four sides of paper and, if they ignore the request, the governor may return subsequent overlong letters. There is no restriction on the frequency or length of letters from a legal adviser in connection with legal proceedings to which a prisoner is a party. Letters may be stopped if they contain material which is prohibited for example, for security reasons.

  Radio
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he will publish a digest of the responses to the Green Paper "Radio: Choices and Opportunities".

  Mr. Renton
  No, but I am placing in the Library a list of all those who responded.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what period of time the franchises for(a) independent commercial, (b) independent local and (c) community radio stations will extend.

  Mr. Renton
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer 1 gave to a similar question from him on 27 January at column 253.

  Radio Authority
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers the radio authority will have to prevent advertising or sponsorship influencing the editorial output of stations.

  Mr. Renton
  We envisage that the legislative proposals which my right hon. Friend will bring before Parliament will include provision for the radio authority to issue a code of practice covering these matters, adherence to which will be a licence condition.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the radio authority will have regional offices to supervise and monitor community radio stations.

  Mr. Renton
  This will be a matter for the radio authority.

  Radio (Advertising)
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what estimates he has of radio's projected share of national advertising revenue over the next five years;

  (2) if he will publish any estimates he has of radio's projected share of national advertising revenue over 'the next five years.

  Mr. Renton
  Our plans for independent radio will leave it well placed to increase its share—currently just over 2 per cent.—of total national advertising. Projections of this sort depend on a variety of assumptions, and I have not yet seen one which takes account of our announcement on 19 January. But it was forecast last year that radio advertising revenue could be over £270 million by 1995.

  Visitors (Visas)
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has on the effects
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  of the imposition of visas on admissions and the refusals of those seeking entry as visitors from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria and Ghana; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Renton
  The available information, comparing the first nine months of 1987 with the same period in 1986, for nationals of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Ghana is given in the following table. Corresponding figures are not given for Nigeria because visas were not introduced there until February 1987. Although there was no delay in

  Visitors admissions and refusals 1986–87

  Bangladesh

  India

  Pakistan

  Ghana

  Visitor admissions

  January to September 1986

  9,280

  141,090

  69,590

  21,120

  January to September 19871

  7,200

  118,200

  52,200

  14,000

  Initial refusals (all categories) at the ports

  January to September 1986

  1,180

  3,450

  2,070

  1,440

  January to September 19872

  1,080

  660

  390

  480

  Visitors refused entry clearance abroad

  January to September 1986

  380

  150

  30

  n/a

  January to September 1987

  1,340

  3,880

  5,470

  1,920

  n/a—Not available.

  1 Estimates based on admissions in January to August grossed up using the pattern of admissions in 1986.

  2 Almost entirely persons who had arrived before mid-October 1986 but who, due to backlogs at the ports, were not 'initially refused' until 1987 (these refusals cannot be differentiated in the figures); and persons without a visa, for which there was no equivalent category of refusal in 1986.

  Royal Prerogative
  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on recent allegations concerning the use of the royal prerogative in connection with security operations.

  Mr. Douglas Hurd
  Yes. At no time have the Goverment asserted that any of the alleged actions which have featured in recent newspaper articles could lawfully be done under the prerogative when they would otherwise be criminal offences.

  Birmingham Pub Bombings
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, following the decision of the Court of Appeal to uphold the convictions of the men in the Birmingham pub bombings case, he has any plans to recommend the exercise of the royal prerogative of mercy in their cases.

  Mr. Hurd
  I have noted the decision of the Court of Appeal and I understand that an application is to be made for leave to appeal to the House of Lords. Where, following a reference by me, the Court of Appeal has considered the issues at length, I would not think it right to intervene in the absence of any indication from the courts that I should consider doing so.

ENVIRONMENT

  Lambeth (Rate Capping)
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will modify the proposed rate limitations for Lambeth in the light of representations made to him.
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  issuing visitor visas, the numbers of visitors seeking admission fell—if at different rates—from each of the four countries between the first nine months of 1986 and 1987. Because of these falls and because of the limitations of the port refusal figures described in the second footnote to the table, refusal rates before and after visas were introduced cannot usefully be compared, particularly when it is too early to judge how far travel patterns have changed permanently. The Government will continue to monitor the situation.

  Mr. Chope
  My right hon. Friend is considering the representations made to him by Lambeth and other authorities on the maximum rates he has proposed for 1988–89, and will reach a view shortly.

  Portable Antiquities
  Mr. Cormack
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to publish his consultative document on portable antiquities.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Very soon.

  Berkshire Structure Plan
  Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish his decisions relating to the review of the Berkshire structure plan.

  Mrs. Roe
  My right hon. Friend published his modifications to the submitted replacement structure plan for Berkshire yesterday.

  PSA and Crown Suppliers
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last met the controller of the Crown Suppliers; and if he will make a statement on what was discussed.

  Mr. Chope
  Ministers meet the controller of the Crown Suppliers whenever they need to do so in connection with the management of his business.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  AIDS
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications for medical aid to developing countries of the recent evidence showing that AIDS may be spread through a mother's milk.

  Mr. Eggar
  Breast feeding has important health benefits for mothers and children in developing countries. The role of breast milk in HIV transmission is not fully understood. The World Health Organisation has considered the issue with care and advises that for the present breast feeding should continue to be promoted and supported. I have placed a copy of the WHO statement on this subject in the Library of the House.

  Population Projects
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list in the Official Report the organisations which requested assistance with the eight population projects or projects with a population component on which preparatory work was in hand on 31 December 1987; and if he will list the date on which each request was received.

  Mr. Eggar
  My hon. Friend the Minister for Overseas Development will write to the hon. Member shortly.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Blair Allison and Co.
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Attorney-General what action has been taken to recover legal aid monies paid from public funds to Messrs. Blair Allison and Co. when they were acting as uncertificated solicitors.

  The Attorney-General
  The legal aid area office in Birmingham is looking into the matter. I will write to the hon. Member when those inquiries are complete.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Schools (Discipline)
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he has taken to monitor the growth of violence in schools and the number of attacks on teachers; and what have been the results.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Battersea (Mr. Bowis) on 11 January at column 53.

  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received seeking the establishment of an inquiry into the issues of discipline in schools and violence against teachers; and what response he has made.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The Professional Association of Teachers has written to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister asking her to establish a commission of inquiry into discipline in schools throughout the United Kingdom. The Government are still considering the association's proposal.

  Schoolchildren (Benefits)
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many means-tested schemes are run by his Department; if he will give in tabular form details of the number of children claiming such benefits; and if he will give comparable data for 1979.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The Department is responsible for the assisted places scheme and for the music and ballet scheme, both of which came into operation in September 1981. The number of pupils claiming fee remission in the academic year 1986–87 was as follows:

  Number of pupils

  Assisted places scheme

  22,853

  Music and ballet scheme

  496

  Local education authorities operate their own schemes of assistance to pupils, for example, for school clothing, and are required to offer free school meals to certain pupils. The numbers receiving free school meals were:

  Number of pupils

  October 1979

  899,000

  October 1986

  1,144,000

  Details of the take-up of other schemes run by local education authorities are not available.

  Research Councils
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many directions under section 2 of the Science and Technology Act 1965 have been made to research councils in each of the last 10 years; and for each of the last four years what directions were given.

  Mr. Jackson
  I am not aware of any direction to a research council under section 2 of the Science and Technology Act 1965 in any of the last 10 years.

  Teachers
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the latest figures he has for the recruitment of teachers in Northumberland in the shortage subjects.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  There are no unfilled vacancies in Northumberland in the shortage subjects at present.

WALES

  Health Authorities (Voluntary Aid)
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the total amount given by way of voluntary aid to each health authority in Wales during the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The only information held centrally is that relating to donations and legacies in health authorities' income and expenditure trust funds accounts. Details for 1986–87 are given in the following table:
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  District Health Authority

  Subscriptions donations and grants

  Legacies

  Total

  £000

  £000

  £000

  Clwyd

  217

  89

  306

  East Dyfed

  236

  38

  274

  Gwent

  181

  21

  202

  Gwynedd

  205

  28

  233

  Mid Glamorgan

  294

  42

  336

  Pembrokeshire

  132

  2

  134

  Powys

  58

  3

  61

  South Glamorgan

  345

  12

  358

  West Glamorgan

  298

  19

  317

  Wales

  1,966

  254

  2,220

  Figures may not add up due to rounding.

  Source: Health Authorities Annual Accounts

  Cash Limits
  Sir Raymond Gower
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he proposes to make any change to the cash limit on class XVII, vote 5.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Yes. The cash limit on class XVII, vote 5 is being reduced by £900,000 to £213,669,000. This reduction will offset a corresponding increase to class XIII, vote 10 which will enable the Welsh Arts Council to complete the purchase of the Sherman theatre from University college, Cardiff.

DEFENCE

  Defence Contracts (Prosecutions)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will name the individuals and their companies who were involved in the eight prosecutions since 1979 over defence contracts.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 18 January 1988]: Of the eight prosecutions since 1979 over defence contracts, successful cases were brought against the following employees or directors:

  Norman Edward Gough

  Margaret Storrar

  Charles Richardson

  William Galloway MacLeod

  John Leslie Nixon

  William John Cackett

  Peter Riley Roberts

  Neil Leslie Sayer

  Duncan Graham McLachlan

  John Keith Tooley

  Malcolm Allen

  No prosecutions were brought against the companies associated with the individuals mentioned above; therefore it would be inappropriate to give details of the companies.

  Foxhunter
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what problems there have been over the procurement of software for Foxhunter.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 22 January 1988]: While some of the problems encountered during the development of the Foxhunter radar have been software-related, radars which operate to an agreed interim standard are now in service with the Royal Air Force. A
  402
  programme of modifications which will achieve the required performance has been agreed, and negotiations with Marconi defence systems on a firm price contract to complete this work are nearing completion.

  Blue Vixen Radar Programme
  Dr. Hampson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what cost over-runs have been incurred with the Blue Vixen radar programme.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  None.

  Nuclear Weapons (Targeting)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with his French counterpart about co-ordinated nuclear weapons targeting; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  Details of the discussions between the British and French Governments on nuclear matters are confidential.

  Royal Marines
  Mr. David Martin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the future of R company, Royal Marines; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  All aspects of future Royal Navy and Royal Marines manpower are kept under consideration. No decisions have been taken in the case of R company Royal Marines.

  Cruise Missiles
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the modernisation and deployment of cruise air-launched missiles will be discussed at the next summit meeting of Nato alliance leaders.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  I expect a wide range of issues relating to the security of the NATO Alliance to he discussed, including the need to maintain modern and effective nuclear and conventional forces.

  Property Services Agency
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what studies and reports have been and are being undertaken by his Department into the operation of the Property Services Agency from 1979 up to the latest date available.

  Mr. Freeman
  It is not the practice of the Ministry of Defence to conduct studies into the working of another Department. The Property Services Agency is required to examine its own operational efficiency. However, a number of initiatives have been taken jointly by MOD, PSA and central Departments to improve the effectiveness of the PSA's defence works and estate management. For example, in 1980 a review under Sir Derek Rayner studied the economy with which new building works were carried out and more recently the National Audit Office studied the control and management of the defence estate. These reports recommended further work which is being carried out jointly by MOD and PSA.

  Royal Navy Task Group
  Mr. Gregory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he plans next to deploy a Royal Navy task group beyond the NATO area.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  I am glad to say that we plan to deploy a Royal Navy task group to the far east, Australia and Indian ocean area, leaving the United Kingdom in June. The group, which will be led by HMS Ark Royal, will represent the Royal Navy at the fleet review in Sydney to celebrate the Australian bicentenary. It will spend some six months on deployment, before returning to the United Kingdom in December. Detailed planning of the deployment is still in progress. Further details, including visits to particular countries by ships of the group, will be announced in due course.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Private Bills
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how many private Bills have been laid before Parliament in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The numbers of private Bills (including personal Bills and substituted Bills) first deposited in each of the last 10 Sessions are as follows:

  Session

  Number of Bills

  1987–88

  29

  1986–87

  25

  1985–86

  36

  1984–85

  36

  1983–84

  32

  1982–83

  18

  1981–82

  32

  1980–81

  26

  1979–80

  28

  1978–79

  21

TRANSPORT

  Severn Bridge
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what his estimate is in current cost terms of the aggregate revenue specified as recoverable under the Severn Bridge Tolls Act 1965 between 1988 and 2005;

  (2) if, pursuant to his answer of 14 December 1987, Official Report, columns 421–2, he will show the calculations by which he derives the need for tolls on the Severn bridge to rise by about 70 per cent. and be maintained in real terms to achieve the objective set out in the Severn Bridge Tolls Act 1965.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  At current toll levels, updated in line with a low rate of inflation, revenue in the period 1988–2005 is estimated to be about £230 million to £260 million depending on assumptions about the rate of traffic growth. The debt of £77 million at the end of the 1986–87 financial year is estimated to rise by the end of that period, because of continuing annual deficits, to between £270 million and £310 million.

  A 70 per cent. tolls increase introduced immediately and maintained in real terms should, assuming high traffic
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  growth and low inflation, enable debt to be eliminated by about the end of the period of 40 years specified in the Severn Bridge Tolls Act 1965.

  Carlton PSV Limited
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will make a statement on the safety record of Carlton PSV Limited, following its acquisition of the Yelloway and SVT fleets;

  (2) if he will set up an inquiry into the safety record at Carlton PSV Limited.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  The safety record of PSV operators is a matter for the traffic commissioners. I understand that Carlton PSV Limited does not hold an operator's licence in its own right. In June 1987 the North-Westerm traffic commissioner took action against Yelloways' licence, reducing the number of vehicles it could operate from 50 to 35.

  Mersey Tunnels
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what is the current level of capital debt on the Mersey tunnels;

  (2) what was the cost of operating the Mersey tunnels in the latest available year.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The passenger transport authority's published account for 1986–87 show that at the end of the financial year debt was £108·9 million and operating expenses £6·15 million.

  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the toll income from the Mersey tunnels over the last five available yars.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The published accounts show that the annual toll income has been as follows:

  £ million

  1982–83

  8·19

  1983–84

  8·15

  1984–85

  8·03

  1985–86

  8·13

  1986–87

  10·04

  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what were the debt charges payable on the Mersey tunnels over the last five available years.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The published accounts show that the debt charges in each year were as follows:

  £ million

  1982–83

  9·56

  1983–84

  9·62

  1984–85

  8·69

  1985–86

  10·36

  1986–87

  13·64

  Pensioners (Travel Passes)
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will seek powers to enable him to compel London boroughs to issue new travel passes to pensioners from 1 April; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  No. Adequate safeguards exist in the London Regional Transport Act 1984, which provides a reserve free travel scheme to come into effect in any year
  405
  that the London local authorities fail to reach agreement on a satisfactory uniform concessionary travel scheme for pensioners and disabled people. I am pleased to see that for the next two years the London local authorities have reached agreement on the continuance of the present voluntary arrangements. The associated reissue of passes to pensioners is an administrative matter for LRT.

  A358 (Speed Limit)
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to respond to the application from Somerset county council for a 40 mph speed limit on the A358 Cross Keys to Pen Elm section.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  An application has not yet been received.

  Morningside (Railway Line)
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the original source of the information given by officials of his Department that the railway line through Morningside was maintained only to freight standard; when and how the error was discovered; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  When providing the draft of a reply to a letter in November 1987 an official misread the description of the status of the railway line through Morningside and thought that it was only maintained to freight standards. This does not imply a lower standard of maintenance but that certain signalling requirements, which are applicable to passenger railways, are not necessarily provided. The error was discovered last week when a newspaper reporter, who had been in touch with British Railways, challenged the statement in the letter. The Morningside line, although not at present regularly used by passenger trains, is nevertheless signalled and maintained to passenger standards.

  Nuclear Material (Transportation)
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he takes to monitor the quality of railway track supporting trains carrying nuclear material; and if he will make it his policy to request British Rail to upgrade such track.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  Once a railway is opened the railway operator has the responsibility of maintaining the track to a standard fit for the traffic it has to bear; there are no statutory powers available to require the operator to make any improvements. The measure of his performance in meeting this responsibility forms part of the analysis in the "Annual Report on the Safety of Railways in Great Britain", copies of which are in the Library. It is not intended to take special steps to monitor the quality of track for any particular traffic.

  Motor Cyclists
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many motor cyclists are killed or injured on Britain's roads; and what is the casualty rate for motor cycles and for cars.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The casualty rate for motor cycle users is 14 times that for car users.
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  Motor cyclists are 40 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured than car drivers.

  Some 43 per cent. of motor cycle rider casualties are aged 16 to 19.

  In 1986, the latest year for which figures are available, 52,280 people were killed or injured on two-wheeled motor vehicles in Great Britain. This is a reduction of 26·2 per cent. on 1980.

  The overall casualty rate for two-wheeled motor vehicles is down by 18·4 per cent. to 977 per 100 million vehicle kilometres. A total of 10,311 of the casualties in 1986 were on mopeds and 41,969 were on motor cycles (including scooters). The casualty rate for car users is 65·66 casualties per 100 million vehicle kilometres, a reduction of 9·7 per cent. on 1980.

  In order to obtain a clearer picture of the nature and distribution of accidents involving two-wheeled motor vehicles the Transport and Road Research Laboratory is undertaking a study of the accident experience of a random sample of 10,000 riders. This work forms part of a wider TRRL research programme aimed at developing methodology for identifying those groups of the riding population most at risk and subsequent driving techniques to reduce their risk.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what has been the effect of the Transport Act 1981 on the numbers of motorcyclists taking training and the on-road test; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The Transport Act 1981 sought to encourage learner riders to take proper training by introducing a two-part test for motor cyclists, part 1 being a new off-road test of machine handling skills. The Act also imposed a two-year limit on provisional motorcycle licences with a two year's ban if both parts of the test had not been passed in the two years.

  The proportion of new riders taking training has risen from about 10 per cent. in 1980 to about 30 per cent. in 1986. It is estimated that up to 80,000 new riders each year take to the road without any formal instruction, supervision or training. The two-year provisional licence restriction has failed to increase the proportion of provisional licence holders who take and pass the test. The total passing the test each year has fallen by about 50 per cent. Of those who take the test 75 per cent. now pass compared with 55 per cent. before the 1981 Act.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  South Africa
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his progress in securing the South African Government's grant of clemency in relation to the Sharpeville Six.

  Mrs. Chalker
  In February 1986, Her Majesty's ambassador expressed to the South African Government our concern at the death sentences and at allegations that some of the accused had been tortured. After their appeals had been dismissed last December, the members of the European Community made a collective appeal for clemency. We also supported a statement issued on behalf of the United Nations Security Council. We have since reiterated our concern direct to the South African Government.
  407
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he, or any of the Ministers in his Department, have any plans to seek to visit refugee camps or townships of the Republic of South Africa so as to ascertain the conditions prevailing there; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Chalker
  No ministerial visits to South Africa are at present planned.

  Central America Peace Summit
  Sir Russell Johnston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government support the final agreement reached at the Central America peace summit held over the weekend of 16 and 17 January in San Jose, Costa Rica, and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  Yes. We and our European Community partners issued a statement on 26 January supporting the declaration signed by the Central American Presidents and urging them to fulfil all their outstanding obligations under the Guatemala peace agreement unconditionally and without delay.

  Japan (Nuclear Power Discussions)
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, on his recent trip to Japan, he discussed with members of the Government or nuclear industry(a) the transport of plutonium from the United Kingdom to Japan, (b) the Japanese contract for the use of the British Nuclear Fuels Limited thermal oxide reprocessing plant for reprocessing light water reactor fuel at Sellafield, (c) the current operational and safety status of the Tokai Mura British-designed Magnox nuclear plant, (d) the safeguarding of Japanese plutonium returned to Japan from Sellafield or (e) other nuclear energy.

  Mr. Eggar
  No.

  Nuclear Test Ban
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in regard to the current United States-Soviet discussions in Geneva on nuclear testing and verification of a nuclear test ban, what

  Organisation

  Percentage Catholic

  Percentage Protestant

  Date

  Source

  Shorts

  10

  87

  November 1987

  Fair Employment Agency

  Fire Authority (full-time firemen only)

  16

  82

  1980

  Fair Employment Agency (1984)

  Southern Area Health Board

  47

  49

  1984

  Fair Employment Agency Report (1986)

  Ambulance Service

  24

  74

  1983

  Fair Employment Agency Report (1985)

  Ford Motor Company

  38

  57

  May 1987

  Company Report (1987)

  Cars and Vans (Imports)
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what regulatory restrictions apply to the importation of(a) new cars and (b) new vans and other commercial type vehicles from the Irish Republic into Northern Ireland.
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  information he has on which specific verification problems are understood to exist; and when he expects the United Kingdom to join the negotiations.

  Mr. Eggar
  The current round of United States/Soviet negotiations is aimed at agreeing verification methods to allow ratification of the threshold test ban and peaceful nuclear explosions treaties. The difficulty is that of verifying that a nuclear test has not exceeded the 150 kilotons threshold. The verification problems associated with a comprehensive test ban are even more intractable since their solution demands the detection and identification of nuclear tests of very low yield. The United Kingdom does not participate in the current negotiations which are concerned with two bilateral treaties to which the United Kingdom is not a party; nor will we take a decision on future participation until the prospects for a successful outcome are clearer.

  Sellafield
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has concerning the attempts by the Energy Research and Technology Committee of the European Parliament to obtain from the European Commission documentation of safeguards facility attachments for Sellafield's reprocessing line, for EURATOM safeguards inspectors.

  Mr. Eggar
  We are aware of the Committee's interest in obtaining from the Commission details of safeguards arrangements at Sellafield. I understand that the Committee is consulting the European Parliament's Committee on Legal Affairs following the Commission's refusal to disclose details of these arrangements.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Work Force (Religious Denominations)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of workers in Harland and Wolff, Shorts, the fire service, the health and social services and the ambulance service, and Mackies and Ford automobile, respectively, are(a) Catholic and (b) Protestant.

  Mr. Viggers
  We do not have all the information requested. The religious composition of work forces is available only in respect of the organisations listed, and at the dates specified.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 27 January 1988]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland makes regulations for the registration of imported vehicles and construction and use requirements for vehicles intended to be used on the roads in Northern Ireland.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  COCOM
  Mr. Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what consultations he has had with the European Commission regarding COCOM; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I have not had any consultations with the European Commission regarding COCOM.

  Self-Regulating Organisations
  Mr. Warren
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on progress in the establishment of the self-regulating organisations to be established under the Financial Services Act.

  Mr. Maude
  The Securities and Investments Board has now recognised three self-regulating organisations under the Financial Services Act 1986. These are the Financial Intermediaries, Managers and Brokers Regulatory Association (recognised on 14 December 1987), the Association of Futures Brokers and Dealers (recognised on 13 January 1988) and the Investment Management Regulatory Association (recognised on 27 January 1988). Two other self-regulating organisations, the Securities Association and the Life Assurance and Unit Trust Regulatory Organisation, have applied to the board for recognition. These applications are still being considered.

THE ARTS

  Glasgow
  Mr. McTaggart
  To ask the Minister for the Arts if he plans to visit any cultural establishments in Glasgow in the near future.

  Mr. Luce
  I have no plans to visit Glasgow in the near future but hope to have the opportunity to do so, in view of the city's preparations for its year as European City of Culture in 1990.

SCOTLAND

  Renal Units
  Mr. McTaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the recommended ratio of nursing staff to patients in renal units; and what the ratio is at Glasgow royal infirmary.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  There is no nationally recommended ratio of nursing staff to patients in renal units in Scotland. The ratio of nursing staff to patients receiving dialysis within the renal unit at Glasgow royal infirmary is 8·6:38. In addition, two nurses are employed to assist the 67 patients receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, who attend the unit as out-patients.

  Health Board General Managers (Correspondence)
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer in the Official Report, 19 January, column 665, if the Scottish Home and Health Department's letter, dated 11 December 1987 and issued over the signature of Hugh Morison to health board
  410
  general managers, was intended to be a legally binding directive to health boards under the terms of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act (1978) section 2.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Under section 2 of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 health boards are appointed by the Secretary of State to act on his behalf in administering the Health Service. They are therefore under an obigation to act in accordance with Government policy and to give effect to instructions issued by the Secretary of State. The letter of 11 December from the Scottish Home and Health Department sets out firm instructions by the Secretary of State on action boards are to take, and they are obliged to implement them.

  Gualin National Nature Reserve
  Mr. Allan Roberts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Nature Conservancy Council has now negotiated a management agreement with the owners of Gualin national nature reserve in Sutherland to protect it from damage caused by sporting activities; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 21 January 1988]: I understand that the Nature Conservancy Council concluded a nature reserve agreement in 1971 with the then owner of Gualin estate. The council has obtained a legal opinion on the terms of that agreement which states that there is a right of vehicular access for estate purposes including the exercise of fishing rights by the present owners. The council has been unable to negotiate any change to that agreement. I understand that the owners of the estate have applied for planning permission to construct an access route within the Gualin national nature reserve, and that the council has indicated that it is willing, subject to planning permission being granted, to consider financial assistance towards the cost of constructing the route as a means of reducing the prospect of damage to the special interest of the reserve.

SOCIAL SERVICES

  Thames Health Regions
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will list the total expenditure on capital projects in each of the four Thames health regions in each of the last three years for which figures are available; (2) if he will list the total annual expenditure of each of the four Thames health regions in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

  Mrs. Currie
  Following is the information requested:

  Hospital and Community Health Services1 Total Expenditure

  £ thousand

  Revenue

  Capital

  Revenue and Capital

  North West Thames

  1984–85

  701,170

  55,369

  756,539

  1985–86

  728,848

  64,906

  793,754

  1986–87

  777,781

  66,543

  844,324

  North East Thames

  1984–85

  881,326

  66,652

  947,978

  1985–86

  914,188

  65,932

  980,120

  1986–87

  976,100

  75,904

  1,052,004

  411

  Revenue

  Capital

  Revenue and Capital

  South East Thames

  1984–85

  772,108

  49,853

  821,961

  1985–86

  807–525

  55,181

  862,706

  1986–87

  857,088

  76,517

  933,605

  South West Thames

  1984–85

  586,260

  42,174

  628,434

  1985–86

  608,276

  52,859

  661,135

  1986–87

  650,071

  54,172

  704,243

  1 Includes ambulance, blood transfusion and other services.

  Source: Annual accounts of regional and district health authorities comprising the four Thames regions.

  Note: Expenditure on family practitioner services is excluded: such expenditure is accounted for by family practitioner committees (FPCs) and cannot strictly be attributed to particular regions. However, prior to 1 April 1985 many of the district health authorities within each region had an associated FPC and those authorities' expenditure totals for 1984–85 include small elements relating to FPC administrative expenses which are not separately identifiable.

  Income Support Scheme
  Mr. Sean Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many claimants will be eligible for transitional payments under the income support scheme throughout the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Scott
  The information requested is not available for Northern Ireland. The estimated number of claimants in Great Britain who will receive a transitional addition is 1.4 million.

  Neonatal, post neonatal and infant mortality by sex (numbers and rates)

  England and Wales 1985 and 1986

  Neonatal deaths

  Post neonatal deaths

  Infant deaths

  Number

  1Rate

  Number

  1Rate

  Number

  1Rate

  1985

  Male

  2,005

  6·0

  1,505

  4·5

  3,510

  10·4

  Female

  1,526

  4·8

  1,105

  3·5

  2,631

  8·2

  Total

  3,531

  5·4

  2,610

  4·0

  6,141

  9·4

  1986

  Male

  2,031

  6·0

  1,693

  5·0

  3,724

  11·0

  Female

  1,458

  4·5

  1,131

  3·5

  2,589

  8·0

  Total

  3,489

  5·3

  2,824

  4·3

  6,313

  9·6

  1 Rate per 1,000 live births.

  Neonatal deaths: deaths in the first 28 days of life (27 completed days).

  Postneonatal deaths: deaths at ages 28 days and over, but under one year.

  Infant deaths: deaths at ages under one year.

  Abortions
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what was the most commonly mentioned ground upon which abortion was performed after 18 weeks gestation in England and Wales in the latest year for which figures are available; and what percentage of all abortions after 18 weeks falls into this category;

  (2) what was the most frequently noted number of previous children had by women upon whom abortions were performed after 18 weeks in England and Wales in the latest year for which figures are available; and what percentage of all abortions after 18 weeks falls into this category;

  Infant Mortality
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the total numbers of sudden infant deaths in 1985 and 1986 and the numbers which occurred at ages(a) under one month, (b) one month, (c) two months, (d) three months, (e) four months, (f) five months and (g) six to 11 months.

  Mrs. Currie
  The information is given in the table.

  Numbers of deaths under one year of age with any mention of cot death, sudden infant death syndrome or similar term on the death certificate, by age at death

  England and Wales 1985 and 1986 (provisional)

  Age at death

  1985

  1986

  Total under one year

  1,301

  1,506

  Under one month

  64

  85

  One month but under two months

  233

  279

  Two months but under three months

  317

  332

  Three months but under four months

  242

  269

  Four months but under five months

  149

  180

  Five months but under six months

  104

  117

  Six months but under one year

  192

  244

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the number of neonatal, post neonatal and infant deaths among male, female and all babies in England and Wales and the rate per 1,000 live births in 1985 and 1986.

  Mrs. Currie
  The information is given in the table.

  (3) what was the most commonly noted age group of women upon whom abortions were performed after 18 weeks in England and Wales in the latest year for which figures are available; and what percentage of all abortions after 18 weeks falls into this category;

  (4) what was the most commonly noted marital status of women upon whom abortions after 18 weeks were performed in England and Wales in the latest year for which figures are available; and what percentage of all abortions after 18 weeks falls into this category;

  (5) what was the most commonly noted category of premises in which abortions were performed after 18 weeks in England and Wales in the latest year for which figures are available; and what percentage of all abortions after 18 weeks was performed in such premises.
  413
  Mr. Newton
  The information is given in the table.

  Notifications of abortions carried out under the Abortion Act 1967 at gestation 18 completed weeks and over most common age group, marital status, number of previous children, category of premises and statutory grounds. Numbers and percentages. England and Wales, residents and non-residents. 1986

  Number

  Percentage of total

  Total at 18 completed weeks and over

  8,276

  100·0

  Age group 20–24 years

  2,742

  33·1

  Marital status: single

  6,123

  74·0

  Number of previous live or stillborn children: 0

  5,770

  69·7

  Category of premises: non-NHS

  7,097

  85·8

  Statutory grounds: 2 (alone)1

  7,270

  87·8

  1 Grounds 2: the continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk of injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman greater than if the pregnancy were terminated.

  Residential Care
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when Lady Wagner's review of residential care for the elderly was begun; and what factors are preventing its publication before January 1989.

  Mrs. Currie
  When the appointment of Lady Wagner as chairman of the review of residential care was announced by the National Institute for Social Work in December 1985 it was stated that the review would cover residential care for people of all ages and was expected to be completed in two years. The timing of the publication of the report is a matter for the institute and Lady Wagner but we understand it is planned for the near future.

  Registered Homes Act 1984
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to publish the national report of his Department's Social Services Inspectorate on the application of the Registered Homes Act 1984.

  Mrs. Currie
  We expect the report to be published shortly.

  Private Residential and Nursing Homes
  Mr. Thornton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on progress on the establishment of national standards governing private residential and nursing homes and on the provision of a national inspectorate for such homes.

  Mrs. Currie
  The Residential Care Homes Regulations 1984 and the Nursing Homes and Mental Nursing Homes Regulations 1984 set out the facilities and services to be provided in these homes. An independent working party convened by the Centre for Policy on Ageing produced in the same year a code of practice for residential care, "Home Life", which was endorsed by my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Social Services and for Wales. The following year the National Association of Health Authorities published a handbook for health authorities, "Registration and Inspection of Nursing Homes". Any changes in the existing arrangements for registration and inspection would need to take account of what is said about homes in the reports expected shortly of Lady Wagner's review of residential care, Sir Roy 414
  Griffiths' overview of community care and the Social Services Inspectorate's report on the implementation of the Registered Homes Act 1984.

  Medical Laboratory Scientific Officers
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to respond to the letter dated 25 September 1987 from the assistant general secretary of the Association of Scientific, Technical and Managerial Staffs asking him to meet a delegation of hon. Members to discuss the situation of medical laboratory scientific officers employed in the National Health Service.

  Mrs. Currie
  It would have been inappropriate for Ministers to meet ASTMS during the recent pay negotiations. I understand that pay increases for 1987–88 were settled on 16 November 1987 and the management side agreed to put forward proposals for a comprehensive grade restructuring for medical laboratory scientific officers as soon as possible. As these points were the major agenda items it was unclear, in the absence of further correspondence whether the union wished to pursue their request for a meeting.

  Eastbourne Conference
  Mr. Gow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether he will list those who were present at the meeting attended by the Minister for Health at the Grand hotel, Eastbourne, on 20 January; and those who stayed at the Grand hotel at public expense for the night of either 19 or 20 January;

  (2) which Ministers in his Department attended a meeting at the Grand hotel, Eastbourne, on 20 January; on what date was the date and place of that meeting decided and by whom; and what was the total cost to public funds of that meeting.

  Mr. Moore
  The conference held in Eastbourne on 20 January was arranged last year by my officials and the Inter-Regional Secretariat so that Health Ministers could discuss a wide range of official business with the fourteen RHA chairmen and other NHS representatives. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Health, my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Security and I attended the meeting along with Sir Roy Griffiths in his capacity as deputy chairman of the NHS Management Board. Thirty-two of the 35 people attending the conference stayed overnight in Eastbourne on 19 January. The total cost of the conference is estimated to be about £4,000.

  Medicines (Licence Exemption Applications)
  Mrs. Peacock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average length of time taken in each of the last three years by his Department to process applications made under article 3 of the Medicines (Exemption from Licences) (Special and Transitional Cases) Order 1971 as extended by article 3 of the Medicines (Exemptions from Licences) (Manufacture and Assembly Temporary Provisions) Order 1972.

  Mr. Newton
  The average length of time taken to process applications under this order for the last three years is as follows:
  415

  Weeks

  1985

  6

  1986

  7

  1987

  10

  Food Imports (Radioactivity)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what food imports have been refused entry to the United Kingdom since 26 April 1986 due to levels of radioactivity above the permitted limit; what was their country of origin; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Currie
  Central records on the monitoring of food imports by port health authorities for radiation contamination following the Chernobyl nuclear accident show that consignments of dried prunes from Romania, and hazelnuts, laurel bay leaves, oregano and sage from Turkey have exceeded maximum permitted levels. All consignments concerned have been refused entry into the United Kingdom.

  Port health authorities are continuing to monitor food imports from countries outside the European Community in accordance with the latest European Council regulation (EEC No. 3955/87 of 22 December 1987).

  Trichloro Ethylene
  Mr. John Garrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many cases of deaths and injuries have been reported in each of the last 10 years from the effects of the use of trichloro ethylene in industry.

  Mr. Nicholls
  I have been ask to reply.

  The information available is shown in the table. The figures given up to and including 1985–86 are for incidents of gassings caused by trichloro ethylene in factory premises which have been notified to the Health and Safety Executive's Factory Inspectorate and medically confirmed by the Employment Medical Advisory Service. For 1986–87 the numbers are for all persons affected by accidental exposure to trichloro ethylene reported under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1985 (RIDDOR).

  Persons affected by exposure to trichloroethylene

  Year

  Number of cases

  Of which fatal

  1977

  14

  0

  1978

  10

  0

  1979

  12

  0

  1980

  7

  1

  1981

  4

  0

  1982 and first quarter of 19831

  4

  0

  1983–84

  4

  0

  1984–85

  1

  0

  1985–86

  4

  0

  1986–87

  28

  0

  1 From 1 April 1983 the statistics were kept by financial year rather than calendar year.

  2 Provisional.

  Girocheques (North Tyneside)
  Mr. Ted Garrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to eliminate the failure 416
  of Girocheques to reach claimants on a Saturday morning in North Tyneside, by moving the Thursday signing on to a Wednesday; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lee
  I have been asked to reply.

  I am naturally concerned about unemployed people not getting their benefit cheques in time for the weekend.

  However, there have been no reported incidents of widespread delay in the North Tyneside area over recent months. In the case of delays being reported, we would approach the Post Office for improvement in its service where necessary. It is not practical for operational reasons to move Thursday signers to the earlier day of Wednesday.

  District Health Authorities
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services by how much each district health authority in Nottinghamshire overspent in the last financial year; and what estimate he has of projected overspend in the current year.

  Mrs. Currie
  [holding answer 18 December 1987]: The following information is derived from the 1986–87 annual accounts of the district health authorities concerned. This shows the extent to which these districts relied on their accumulated balances to fund their total expenditure:

  Health authority

  Total available funds (excluding balances)

  Total expenditure

  Net addition to/(use of) balances

  Bassetlaw

  15,662

  15,582

  80

  Central Nottinghamshire

  50,699

  51,508

  (809)

  Nottingham

  145,631

  146,129

  (498)

  The Trent regional health authority is responsible for monitoring its districts' income and expenditure under/ overspending positions and the hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman of that authority who may be able to assist with the information required for the last financial year and the current year.

  The Department does not routinely collect over/ underspending information for individual district health authorities. Regular formal monitoring of the income and expenditure position of authorities is, however, to be introduced.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Income Tax
  Mr. Higgins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table in the Official Report showing, as a percentage, the top marginal rates of tax on personal income, including as appropriate income tax, special contributions, supertax, surtax, surtax surcharge and investment income surcharge, levied since 1957–58 on individuals in the United Kingdom, showing the level of gross income, at both current and 1987 constant prices, assuming the income to be that of a married man with two children, at which the top marginal rate of tax is first applied and also showing the dates of changes in the top marginal rates.

  Mr. Lawson
  The information is given in the table:
  417

  Married man with two children (under 11)

  Top marginal rate of tax1 on earned income

  Gross earned income at which top marginal rate of tax first applied

  Current prices

  1987–88 prices2

  per cent.

  per cent.

  £

  £

  1957–58

  92·50

  15,279

  129,129

  1958–59

  92·50

  15,279

  126,218

  1959–60

  88·75

  15,279

  125,914

  1960–61

  88·75

  15,279

  124,218

  1961–62

  88·75

  18,847

  147,837

  1962–63

  88·75

  18,847

  142,814

  1963–64

  88·75

  18,901

  141,036

  1964–65

  88·75

  18,901

  135,611

  1965–66

  96·25

  18,879

  129,391

  1966–67

  91·25

  18,879

  124,725

  1967–68

  91·25

  18,879

  121,823

  1968–69

  91·25

  18,900

  115,631

  1969–70

  91·25

  18,900

  109,991

  1970–71

  91·25

  18,920

  102,600

  1971–72

  75·44

  (88·75)

  20,776

  103,126

  1972–73

  79·69

  (93·75)

  20,776

  96,323

  1973–74

  75·00

  (90·00)

  21,175

  88,857

  1974–75

  83·00

  (98·00)

  21,345

  75,989

  1975–76

  83·00

  (98·00)

  21,435

  61,243

  1976–77

  83·00

  (98·00)

  21,685

  53,741

  1977–78

  83·00

  (98·00)

  22,821

  49,617

  1978–79

  83·00

  (98·00)

  25,735

  51,671

  1979–80

  60·00

  (75·00)

  26,815

  46,473

  1980–81

  60·00

  (75·00)

  29,895

  44,582

  1981–82

  60·00

  (75·00)

  29,895

  39,938

  1982–83

  60·00

  (75·00)

  33,945

  42,369

  1983–84

  60·00

  (75·00)

  38,795

  46,283

  1984–85

  60·00

  41,255

  46,822

  1985–86

  60·00

  43,655

  46,803

  1986–87

  60·00

  44,855

  46,580

  1987–88

  60·00

  44,995

  44,995

  1 1957–58 to 1970–71: standard rate plus highest rate of surtax.

  1971–72 to 1972–73: standard rate plus highest rate of surtax. The figures in brackets represent the top marginal rate of tax on investment income.

  1973–74 to 1983–84: Highest rate of income tax. The figures in brackets represent the top marginal rate on investment income assuming a minimum at current prices of £2,000 of investment income 1973–74 to 1977–78; £2,250, 1978–79; £5,000, 1979–80; £5,500, 1980–81 to 1981–82; £6,250, 1982–83; £7,100, 1983–84.

  2 By reference to movements in the general index of retail prices.

  Changes in tax rates apply from 6 April

  Dover Eastern Docks
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received since 1 October 1987 regarding queues of lorries at Dover eastern docks; whether such representations referred to manpower shortages in Her Majesty's Customs and Excise; what proposals he has to remedy the queuing; and if he would make a statement.

  Mr. Lilley
  No such representations have been received since 1 October 1987. Queues can build up from time to time due to peaking of traffic. The peaking can become acute in the late evening and early hours of the morning as many vehicles load during the day and use the night hours for the Channel crossing.

  Significant changes in import and export documentation were introduced throughout the European Community on 1 January 1988. Problems experienced at Dover in early January due to errors or incorrect documentation are steadily being overcome.

  Government Data Network
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, pursuant to his answer of 18 December 1987,Official
  418
  Report, column 847, he will publish estimates available to him on the value for money to be achieved from the Government data network.

  Mr. Brooke
  No. Value for money information will be available only after tenders are received and compared to the costs of alternatives. Tender details will be commercially confidential and will not be disclosed publicly.

  Premium Bonds
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what have been the administrative costs of running the premium bond system in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Lilley
  The administrative costs of running the premium bond system were as follows:

  Year to 31 March

  £ million

  1983

  26·0

  1984

  23·7

  1985

  21·9

  1986

  21·0

  1987

  20·2

  419
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many valid premium bonds there have been in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Lilley
  The number of valid premium bonds—including those held by people abroad, which are not recorded separately—was as follows:

  At 31 March

  Million

  1983

  1,586

  1984

  1,674

  1985

  1,768

  1986

  1,833

  1987

  1,916

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much prize money for premium bonds was not claimed in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Lilley
  The prize money not claimed as at November 1987 for prize draws was as follows:

  Prize draws in year to 31 March

  £

  1983

  511,000

  1984

  618,000

  1985

  808,000

  1986

  1,124,000

  1987

  1,637,000

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money was paid out in prize money for premium bonds in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Lilley
  Premium bond prizes — including unclaimed prizes not yet paid out—were as follows:

  Year to 31 March

  £ million

  1983

  104·2

  1984

  110·2

  1985

  121·7

  1986

  135·0

  1987

  141·0

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money the Treasury received from premium bonds, excluding prize money paid out and administrative costs, in the last five financial years.

  Mr. Lilley
  The total money received by the Treasury from premium bonds was as follows:

  Year to 31 March

  Total net investment £ million

  1983

  80

  1984

  88

  1985

  94

  1986

  65

  1987

  83

  These figures take no account of prize money paid out or administrative costs.

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in the United Kingdom owned premium bonds in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Lilley
  The number of premium bond holdings—ng holdings by people abroad, which are not recorded separately—was as follows:
  420

  At 31 March

  Million

  1983

  26·0

  1984

  24·8

  1985

  24·7

  1986

  24·6

  1987

  24·4

  Inland Revenue (Reply-Paid Envelopes)
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the Inland Revenue's practice on the issue of business reply-paid envelopes with tax returns and other correspondence.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  It has in the past been the practice to issue a business reply-paid envelope with all tax returns and with correspondence needing a reply. It has been decided to limit this practice with general effect from April 1988 to cases where payment of tax due is being requested (where the present first-class reply service will remain unchanged) and to a few other special circumstances. The resulting savings in 1988–89 are estimated at about £2 million.

  Turtle (Rayleigh)
  Dr. Michael Clark
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will indicate the whereabouts and state of health of the turtle, seized on 18 December 1987 under endangered species legislation by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise from Swallow nurseries, Rayleigh; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 18 January 1988]: I am writing to my hon. Friend, and will place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Food Quality
  Mr. Brandon-Bravo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in the light of the recent public analyst's report of a steady improvement in compliance with standards set for the quality of food, he will indicate what steps he is taking to ensure that a proper balance is being followed as between prosecution and written warnings for offences under current regulations.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I am not aware of the public analyst's report to which my hon. Friend has referred nor, therefore, of the conclusions which it makes. Enforcement of the current regulations on food quality standards is; a matter for the local enforcement authorities and the courts; there is no statutory provision in them for the issue of written warnings.

  Radiation
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he plans with farmers in areas affected by fall-out from Chernobyl concerning prospects for the current year.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I have no plans at present for any general discussions with farmers in these areas, but my Department is carrying out a number of research programmes including the assessment of the likely uptake of caesium 137 in upland vegetation this season and will be keeping farmers informed of the results of their work.

  Rainfall Levels
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information concerning rainfall levels in the United Kingdom on 2 and 3 May 1986 was passed between the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Meteorological Office; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  My Department was in close contact with the Meteorological Office in the initial stages following the Chernobyl accident when information on rainfall for the period including 2–3 May 1986 was used by us to help identify those areas most likely to be affected by significant radioactive deposition. Subsequently MAFF obtained information on actual deposition patterns from ground surveys of radioactive material deposited on vegetation commissioned from the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology and from its own monitoring. However, the Meteorological Office continued to provide information in relation to this period following further work up of data, at various times during 1986 and 1987.

  Pigmeat
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much Danish pork and Danish bacon has been imported into Britain in the last 12 months.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Provisional figures for 1987 indicate that about 38,000 tonnes of pork and 128,000 tonnes of bacon were imported into Britain from Denmark.

  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the subsidy per tonne on Danish port and Danish bacon.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The monetary compensatory amounts which are payable on imports into the United Kingdom from Denmark are currently £53·85 per tonne for pig carcases and £68·93 per tonne for bacon sides.

  Radioactivity (Farm Restrictions)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the number of farms, the number of sheep and the area of land, in acres, under restriction in England as a result of radioactivity from the Chernobyl accident; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  About 116,000 acres with some 80,000 sheep on about 150 holdings are currently under restriction in England as a result of radioactivity from the Chernobyl accident.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about current proposals to reform the common agricultural policy.

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

  Animal Welfare
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his 422
  policy to give the proposed code of practice on horse markets and other sales legal status; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The Government are proposing to make an order on horse sales, which will lay down the basic requirements and will have the status of a statutory instrument made under the Animal Health Act 1981. In addition, we are proposing to issue a code of practice, which will be for guidance only, and which will not have any legal status.

  Knackerries
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will place in the Library, copies of all correspondence to appropriate knackerries dealing with natural death in the restricted area of Cumbria from 20 June 1986 to date.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to my replies of 1 December and 10 December 1987 at columns 541–2 and 259 respectively. One knacker in Cumbria was given a consent to receive meat from one sheep from the restricted area on condition that it was not used for human or animal food.

  Letters to slaughterhouses, livestock markets and showgrounds, advising them of the restrictions on movement and slaughter of sheep, were copied to all knackers in Cumbria.

  I am placing copies of the consent and the letters in the Library of the House.

  Bentonite
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his ministry is undertaking on the use of bentonite to alleviate the problems of radioactive caesium in upland farms; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Research initiated by my Department has identified the use of bentonite, applied to upland pasture or added to sheep and cattle feed, as one means of reducing radiocaesium levels in the animals concerned, but a practicable method of general application is not presently available.

  Set-aside Scheme
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on how the EEC proposals for land set-aside will affect less-favoured areas.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The Council of Ministers is still considering the Commission's latest suggestions on the terms of a Community set-aside scheme. In discussions of those I am having careful regard to the interests of producers in less-favoured areas as well as those in other parts of the country.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Stevens
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether it is intended to change the cash limit on any departmental Vote for which he has responsibility.

  Mr. MacGregor
  Yes. Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the
  423
  cash limit for class IV, vote 5 (Departmental Research Advisory Services and Administration) will be increased by £900,000 from £206,219,000 to £207,119,000 to make provision for reduced appropriations in aid due to a delay in recovery of costs in the operation of the pesticides approvals scheme. The increase will be offset by a reduction of £900,000 to the cash limit on class IV, Vote 4 (Other Agricultural and Food Services, and Support for the Fishing Industry) from £142,676,000 to £141,776,000, reflecting a reduced requirement for grants for the encouragement of co-operation in agriculture and horticulture and will not therefore add to the planning total of public expenditure.

ENERGY

  Gas Pipes
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how he ensures acceptable levels of public safety with regard to cast iron gas pipes susceptible to corrosion and fractures used by British Gas; what standards exist for systems of inspection, maintenance and repair of such pipes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  I have been asked to reply.

  The responsibility for ensuring acceptable levels of public safety from cast-iron gas pipes lies with British Gas plc under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The Health and Safety Executive is the enforcing authority.

EMPLOYMENT

  NUM (President)
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to meet the president of the National Union of Mineworkers; and if he will make a statement.
  424
  Mr. Nicholls
  I have no such plans.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the percentage increase in(a) employment and (b) unemployment in each parliamentary constituency, grouped by region and county (i) each year since 1979, (ii) over the period since 1979 as a whole, (iii) from mid 1979 to mid 1986 and (iv) since mid 1986.

  Mr. Cope
  Figures of employment by constituency are available only from the censuses of employment in September 1981 and September 1984. Figures for unemployment by constituency are available only from June 1983 and are in the Library. I am sending the hon. Member the available information.

  Special Employment Measures
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the currently estimated gross and net costs for each financial year since 1982–83 for the following special employments measures: (i) the community programme, (ii) the enterprise allowance scheme, (iii) the young workers scheme, (iv) community industry,(v) the job release scheme and (vi) the job splitting scheme.

  Mr. Cope
  [pursuant to his reply 4 December 1987, c. 773–74]: I regret that there was an error in the table providing estimated gross costs for the employment measures. The gross costs of the enterprise allowance scheme (EAS) for 1983–84 and 1984–85 should be £23·2 million and £76·7 million and not £25 million and £79·6 million as given in the table.