Written Answers of 13 June 1988

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Health and Safety Legislation (Prosecutions)
  Mr. Flannery
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to raise the maximum penalty in the magistrates' court for prosecutions under the health and safety legislation.

  Mr. John Patten
  We have no present plans to do so.

  Terrorism
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Acts 1974, 1976 and 1984 were subsequently convicted on the basis of confession evidence only; and how many of those convictions were contested by the defence.

  Mr. Hurd
  This information is not available.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many times access to a solicitor has been delayed under section 58(13) of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act to individuals being held in police custody under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1984 since I January 1986; and for how long;

  (2) how many times section 56(11) of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 has been invoked since 1 January 1986 to delay action to inform a relative, friend or person interested in the welfare of an individual being held in police custody under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1984, and for how long.

  Mr. Hurd
  This information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Sunday Trading
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he will list the occasions on which he has met Sir Basil Feldman since 1 January and discussed Sunday trading deregulation;

  (2) on what occasions his departmental officials have met Sir Basil Feldman since 1 January; and which officials were in attendance at these meetings;

  (3) what information was available to his Department before it agreed to meet Sir Basil Feldman, concerning the nature of his fiancial involvement in the campaign for Sunday trading deregulation; and whether he will make a statement;

  (4) whether he will make it his policy to refuse to meet persons involved in the campaign for the deregulation of Sunday trading who are contracted to receive success fees in relation to that campaign; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Renton
  Sir Basil Feldman called on me on 25 January and on my right hon. Friend on 25 May to discuss 2
  Sunday trading. Private secretaries and officials concerned with this issue were present on each occasion. Officials have not otherwise met Sir Basil Feldman except at a conference organised by him on 17 February, which I also attended. Sir Basil Feldman has informed my right hon. Friend that his involvement in the Sunday trading campaign is voluntary and that he is under no contract to receive either a fee or a success-related fee in connection with the campaign.

  Mr. Stuart Holmes
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the South Yorkshire constabulary as to when the Sheffield police will return to Mr. Stuart Holmes his extendable banner, seized outside the Crucible theatre during the world professional snooker championships; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I understand from the chief constable of South Yorkshire police that the banner is being retained for evidential purposes and will be returned to Mr. Holmes when the legal proceedings are complete.

  Police Complaints Authority
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to grant the Police Complaints Authority powers to carry out itself the investigation of serious allegations against police officers.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  No. My right hon. Friend is not persuaded of the need to extend the powers already possessed by the Police Complaints Authority, to which I referred in my reply to the hon. Member's question on 18 May, at column 462.

  Sex Discrimination Act
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will bring forward legislation to amend the Sex Discrimination Act to bring private clubs with both male and female members within the scope of the Act.

  Mr. John Patten
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a question from the hon. Member for Barking (Ms. Richardson) on 14 March, at columns 422–23.

  Endangered Species
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions involving wildlife trade have been taken under(a) the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations 1985, (b) the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act 1976 and (c) the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979; and in each case what penalties were imposed.

  Mr. John Patten
  Records available to me for 1986, which may be incomplete, show no prosecutions under the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations 1985 and one prosecution under the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act 1976 which resulted in a conviction and a fine of £600. The number of prosecutions under the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 which involved wildlife is not available separately.

  Neighbourhood Watch Schemes
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many neighbourhood watch schemes there were in the Chelmsford local authority area in each year from 1982 to the latest available year.

  Mr. John Patten
  I understand from the chief constable of Essex police that at the end of 1987 there were 160 neighbourhood watch schemes in the Chelmsford police sub-division, the boundary of which is roughly conterminous with that of Chelmsford borough council. The first scheme in Chelmsford was established in October 1984. There were seven schemes at the end of 1984, 49 at the end of 1985 and 108 at the end of 1986.

  Member's Representations
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects that the private office of the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Mid-Sussex (Mr. Renton), will respond to the telephone query of the hon. Member for Stretford of 6 June and the subsequent telephone calls of the hon. Member concerning the case of the passports of Mr. S. A. H. (Home Office Ref. Nos. H209976 and H 392426) and of his relation Mrs. A. B.

  Mr. Renton
  My Private Office supplied the information requested by the hon. Member on 10 June.

  Police Interviews (Tape Recording)
  Mr. Greg Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to issue a code of practice on the tape recording of police interviews with suspects, in accordance with section 60(1)(a) and section 67 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.

  Mr. Hurd
  In accordance with sections 60(1)(a) and 67(3) of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, I have today laid before Parliament a draft code of practice on the tape recording of police interviews with suspects at police stations.

  The draft code published today has been produced after extensive consultations, but publication affords an opportunity for me to consider any further representations about the draft, which should reach my Department by 11 July.

  The Act provides for the code to be brought into operation by an order made by statutory instrument and approved by both Houses of Parliament. I propose to lay such an order before each House as soon as possible after 11 July.

  After the code has come into operation it will need to be applied in separate orders to particular police force areas. It is my intention to make the necessary orders, under section 60(1)(b) of the 1984 Act, in relation to individual police force areas, or parts thereof, when chief officers, in consultation with other agencies in the criminal justice system, have made satisfactory arrangements for the tape recording of interviews in the areas to be covered by the order. The effect of such an order will be to require the tape recording of interviews with persons suspected of specified offences in accordance with the provisions of the code. But police forces may proceed with arrangements for tape recording in advance of an order applying to their area, and most forces are already doing so.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Departmental Staff(Education)
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has as to the proportion of senior civil servants in his Department who were educated in(a) private schools and (b) state schools.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  One third of the Department's staff at grade 3 and above attended state schools and two thirds attended private schools.

  GCSE
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any plans to review the current standards and administration of the general certificate of secondary education; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The Secondary Examinations Council (SEC) and the GCSE examining groups are collaborating to review experience of the first GCSE examinations this summer and to make any necessary improvements quickly. My right hon. Friend looks to the SEC and its intended successor body, the School Examinations and Assessment Council, to report on the outcome of the review by the end of this year, and to recommend changes as necessary.

  Higgingson Report
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received concerning the Higgingson report; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend on 7 June, at column 436, to my hon. Friend the Member for Rugby and Kenilworth (Mr. Pawsey), in which he announced the publication of the report.

  School Leavers
  Mr. Holt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of 16-year-olds leave school at the first legal opportunity.

  Mr. Dunn
  The proportion of pupils aged 16 at the end of August 1986 in England that had left school by January 1987 was 70·5 per cent.

  Derbyshire (Expenditure)
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will meet a deputation from Derbyshire county council to discuss its education capital expenditure for 1988–89 to 1990–91;

  (2) how many requests he has received from Derbyshire county council to discuss its education capital expenditure for 1988–89 to 1990–91.

  Mr. Dunn
  My right hon. Friend has received one substantive request. A meeting has been arranged for 27 June.

  Head Teachers (Early Retirement)
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what estimates have been made of the cost of early retirement of head teachers during 1988–89 and 1989–90; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The Government's expenditure plans for 1988–89, set out in Cm. 288, provide for spending of £80 million on the costs of premature retirement compensation in the schools sector. The costs of early retirement of head teachers cannot be separately identified within this sum. Detailed plans for 1989–90 have yet to be settled.

  Irish Citizens
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many citizens of the Republic of Ireland are attending United Kingdom universities and colleges of higher education.

  Mr. Jackson
  In 1986, the latest year for which figures are available, there were 1,042 students from the Irish Republic on higher education courses in the United Kingdom.

  Teacher Training
  Mr. Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what evaluation studies will be carried out on the bursary schemes for initial teacher training in shortage subjects; what are his targets for the proportion of persons in receipt of such bursaries to take up a first appointment in the maintained sector; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  An evaluation of the bursary scheme is being carried out by Bath university school of education as part of a review of the major Government initiatives introduced to combat teacher shortage. A summary of phase 1 of the review, which was completed this spring, will be published this month and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  The evaluation confirmed that the bursary has made an important contribution to the increased numbers of students entering initial teacher training in the shortage subjects.

  All those in receipt of the bursary have to sign an undertaking that they intend to teach in the maintained sector on qualification and we expect all those who satisfactorily complete their training to do so.

  Mr. Paul Gray (Letters)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is undertaking a leak inquiry into the leaking of the briefing given to him by civil servants about leak inquiries relating to the unauthorised disclosure of a letter from Mr. Paul Gray to Mr. Tom Jeffrey, regarding educational testing, in relation to questions for answer on 17 May from the hon. Members for Glasgow, Maryhill (Mrs. Fyfe) and for Linlithgow.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  All unauthorised disclosures of information are investigated by whatever means seem appropriate.

  Education Reform
  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from schools in the north-west in response to his proposal that state schools should be permitted to opt out of local authority control.

  Mr. Dunn
  All individual schools which have approached the Department have done so on the basis that their interest will be treated in confidence.

  Senior School Population
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are his latest estimates of numbers of 19-year-olds still at school.

  Mr. Dunn
  In January 1987 the number of pupils aged 19 and over in school was 2,707.

  "The Bangladeshis in Britain"
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will arrange for the document published by his Department "The Bangladeshis in Britain" to be made available in Bengali; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  "Bangladeshis in Britain" was not published by my Department. It was a report of the Home Affairs Committee in the 1986–87 Session.

  Technological Studies
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his assessment of the effect which the proposed technological studies course will have, if implemented, on the standard of technical drawing and on the number of students qualified in technical drawing.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  With the introduction of technology as a foundation subject in the national curriculum, all pupils will be introduced to the principles and practice of good design, the application of theoretical knowledge to practical problems and, within that context, the practical craft, design and communication skills needed for realising their designs in a range of materials. My right hon. Friend believes this will increase the opportunities for students to obtain qualifications in all aspects of design and technology and provide a sounder foundation for the development of specialised skills such as technical drawing.

  City Technology Colleges
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is aware of any proposals or plans for a city technology college in Sunderland.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend has as yet received no proposals to establish a city technology college in Sunderland. If there is support in industry and in the local community for doing so he would be pleased to consider any proposals which are put forward.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the amount of public funds payable to the City Technology Colleges Trust for each year since its establishment; what grant is planned for future years; for
  7
  what purpose this grant is payable; and what proportion the grant represents of the total income of the City Technology College Trust for each year.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  Grant is being paid to the City Technology College Trust to support work in obtaining premises for CTCs and in briefing prospective sponsors. It is envisaged that the trust will also provide support for individual CTC bodies, for example, in curriculum and staff development. If so, the Department is prepared to make a temporary contribution to the cost of these activities.

  I envisage that grants to the trust for these purposes will not exceed £200,000 over the next three years, including the current financial year, and that the amount of grant will be limited to a maximum of two thirds of the trust's total relevant expenditure. The trust has secured money from private sources to meet the balance. The trust has submitted claims totalling £20,140 in respect of the financial year 1987–88 and is expected to submit claims totalling £90,000 in the current financial year.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list respectively, how many officials at what grade, and at what estimated cost(a) comprise his Department's city technology college unit, (b) work outside this unit but in respect of city technology colleges, (c) work on the abolition of the Inner London education authority and (d) work on grant maintained schools.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  (a) The city technology colleges unit comprises:

  1 Grade 5

  1 Grade 5 HMI for approximately ⅔ of his time

  2 Grade 7s

  1 Higher Executive Officer

  1 Executive Officer

  2 Personal Secretaries

  1 Administrative Officer

  The unit's salary cost is currently about £14,000 per month.

  (b) Staff in the architects and building branch are working on design and refurbishment of buildings for CTCs. Currently this involves:

  0·75 Grade 6

  1 Grade 7

  4 Senior Professional and Technology Officers

  1 Administrative Officer

  This level of commitment is recent and is likely to decline after the summer: the salary cost is currently about £11,000 per month.

  (c) The team working on the abolition of ILEA currently comprises:

  0·75 Grade 5

  1·5 Grade 7

  1 Senior Executive Officer

  1 Higher Executive Officer (Development)

  2 Higher Executive Officers

  2 Executive Officers

  1·5 Administrative Officers

  1 Personal Secretary

  1 Typist

  1·5 Casual clerical support staff

  I expect there to be a modest increase in the staffing of the team if and when the Education Reform Bill is enacted, but the staff salary costs are at present running at about £16,000 per month.

  A considerable amount of the time of many other senior officials and their staffs within the Department is also devoted to matters arising from the abolition of the ILEA.
  8
  (d) The team currently working on grant-maintained schools comprises:

  0·33 Grade 5

  0·75 Grade 7

  1 Higher Executive Officer (Development)

  1 Executive Officer

  1 Administrative Assistant

  The staff salary costs are about £6,000 per month.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science of what plans he is aware for the establishment of any trust or other body to support or encourage the development of grant-maintained schools; and what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards such trusts or bodies receiving finanical assistance from public funds.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  I am aware that there are plans to establish an independent trust with the aim of supporting the development of grant-maintained schools. I welcome this initiative. If such a body were in due course to make an application to my Department for financial assistance towards specific activities intended to provide support or advice for schools which had acquired grant-maintained status, the Department would be prepared to consider it.

  Student Finance
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to be in a position to make a statement on the conclusion of the review of student finance and on when it will be published.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  The student support review has not yet completed its work. The Government's proposals for the future of student support will be published in due course.

  Universities (Expenditure)
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give central Government spending on universities per head of university population since 1979 at constant prices, including planned expenditure per head for 1988–89 to 1990–91, together with the intake to universities of undergraduate students for each of these years.

  Mr. Jackson
  [holding answer 10 June 1988]: In the following table Government expenditure has been taken as University Grants Committee recurrent grant to universities in Great Britain plus home student fee income. Per capita figures for each financial year have been derived by dividing by full-time equivalent home student numbers. The figures are at constant 1986–87 prices as measured by the gross domestic product deflator. The full-time home undergraduate student intake shown relates to the corresponding academic year.

  Government expenditure per student

  New Undergraduate entrants

  £ (constant prices)

  000's

  1979–80

  5,421

  74·7

  1980–81

  5,773

  76·4

  1981–82

  5,589

  74·0

  1982–83

  5,796

  71·6

  1983–84

  5,830

  69·2

  9

  Government expenditure per student

  New Undergraduate entrants

  £ (constant prices)

  000's

  1984–85

  5,790

  70·5

  1985–86

  5,606

  70·3

  1986–87

  5,552

  70·7

  1987–881

  5,753

  72·0

  1988–891

  5,829

  73·6

  1989–901

  5,741

  75·7

  1990–911

  5,621

  74·2

  1 Based on estimated figures.

  Average expenditure (£) per pupil1

  (Maintained, Nursery, Primary, Secondary and Special Schools—England)

  Year

  Teacher salaries2

  Seconded teacher salaries

  Repair and maintained buildings

  Text and library books

  Educational equipment3

  School meals and milk

  Cash terms

  Real terms

  Cash terms

  Real terms

  Cash terms

  Real terms

  Cash terms

  Real terms

  Cash terms

  Real terms

  Cash terms

  Real terms

  1979–80

  365

  610

  2

  3

  n/a

  n/a

  6

  10

  14

  23

  50

  84

  1980–81

  473

  666

  2

  3

  n/a

  n/a

  7

  10

  16

  23

  49

  69

  1981–82

  539

  691

  2

  3

  29

  37

  7

  9

  18

  23

  50

  64

  1982–83

  586

  701

  3

  4

  34

  41

  8

  10

  21

  25

  53

  63

  1983–84

  627

  716

  4

  5

  39

  45

  9

  10

  23

  26

  57

  65

  1984–85

  665

  728

  6

  7

  41

  45

  9

  10

  25

  27

  59

  65

  1985–86

  716

  739

  7

  7

  41

  42

  9

  9

  26

  27

  60

  62

  1986–87

  800

  800

  11

  11

  48

  48

  11

  11

  32

  32

  64

  64

  1 Based on returns of expenditure to the Department of the Environment and of pupil numbers to the Department of Education and Science.

  2 Excluding seconded teacher salaries.

  3 Expenditure levels for different types of equipment are not available. The figures in the table show the overall expenditure on educational equipment.

  Note: The case figures for the earlier years have been repriced to 1986–87 real terms using the Gross Domestic Product (Market Prices) Deflator.

  Village Schools
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give the number of(a) village schools closed since 1979 and (b) the capital spending on local authority schools falling within metropolitan areas, in each year since 1979 at constant prices.

  Mr. Dunn
  [holding answer 10 June 1988]: In the period from 1979 to 1987, 590 primary and 27 secondary schools in rural areas were approved for closure as a result of proposals published by local education authorities under section 12 of the Education Act 1980 which were either approved by my right hon. Friend or his predecessors or determined by the local education authorities. Local education authorities have a statutory duty to implement all such proposals which have been approved or determined.

  The gross capital expenditure on schools by metropolitan district councils (excluding Greater London) in England is as follows:

  Year

  Expenditure at 1986–87

  Prices (£000s)

  11986–87

  82,350

  1985–86

  96,242

  1984–85

  97,639

  1983–84

  99,278

  1982–83

  107,628

  1981–82

  86,268

  1980–81

  129,475

  1979–80

  124,297

  Schools (Expenditure)
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give the average expenditure per pupil in local authority schools on(a) books, (b) scientific equipment, (c) computers, (d) sports facilities, (e) school meals and milk, (f) teachers, (g) in-service teachers training and (h) school buildings, at constant and current prices, for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Dunn
  [holding answer 10 June 1988]: The available information is set out in the following table:

  1 Provisional.

  Notes:

  1 Figures for 1985–86 converted from outturn prices to 1986–87 prices using gross domestic product market prices deflator.

  2 Source of information—Department of Environment capital outturn forms CO1.

PRIME MINISTER

  Scotland (Ministerial Visits)
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Prime Minister to which Department is allocated the responsibility for publicity relating to(a) prime ministerial and (b) other ministerial visits to Scotland.

  The Prime Minister
  The prime responsibility for publicity in connection with prime ministerial and other ministerial visits to Scotland rests with the office or Department of the Minister concerned. Scottish information office provides valuable support.

  Graffiti
  Mr. Favell
  To ask the Prime Minister what is her estimate of the cost of removing graffiti from all statues, vehicles, buildings, and other structures; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  The information is not available.

  Psychological Operations (Ministerial Responsibility)
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Prime Minister which Minister in Her Majesty's Government is currently responsible for psychological operations activities in(a) Northern Ireland and (b) Great Britain.
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  The Prime Minister
  "Psychological operations" is a military term. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has primary responsibility for military questions.

  President Reagan (Visit)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister what was the total cost of the visit to London by President Reagan on June 2; and what official gifts were given to the President.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 10 June 1988]: Since President Reagan came on 2 June as a special visitor rather than as a guest of Her Majesty's Government, the Americans were responsible for most of the costs. Her Majesty's Government's expenditure amounted to about £14,600.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Ethiopia
  Mr. Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about United Kingdom contributions of aid to Ethiopia during the last five years.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  United Kingdom public expenditure on aid to Ethiopia through bilateral and multilateral channels, over the calendar years 1983 to 1987, has been as follows:

  £ thousands

  Bilateral

  Multilateral1

  1983

  3,433

  11,920

  1984

  7,004

  14,150

  1985

  28,058

  23,200

  1986

  9,627

  n/a

  1987

  8,554

  n/a

  1 United Kingdom share.

  n/a—not available.

  The bulk of this aid has been in the form of assistance for famine relief and rehabilitation. Information on the United Kingdom share of multilateral expenditure in Ethiopia in 1986 and 1987 is not yet available. Since January 1987 the United Kingdom has committed over £45 million for famine relief in Ethiopia, including our share of European Community assistance.

  Budget
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current Overseas Development Administration budget expressed as a percentage of gross national product.

  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current level of overseas development spending.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The Overseas Development Administration budget for overseas aid for the current financial year is £1,337 million. What proportion of gross national product this will represent depends on developments in the economy during the year.

  Project Evaluation (Women)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his Department will institute the practice of evaluating the development projects it supports for the impact they have on women.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  Since 1986 it has been the practice when evaluating projects to consider their impact on women. The terms of reference for all projects evaluations include this issue.

WALES

  Public Library Service
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many representations he has received on his Green Paper entitled "Financing our Public Library Service" from individuals or organisations in Wales.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  At 1 June comments had been submitted by six individuals and organisations in Wales.

  Enterprise Allowance Scheme
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many unemployed people have started businesses in Wales in 1987 under the enterprise allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  In 1987, 6,438 unemployed people started businesses in Wales under the enterprise allowance scheme. Since the scheme began in August 1983, over 21,000 unemployed people have joined in Wales.

  Long-term Unemployment (Clwyd)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to eliminate long-term unemployment in Clwyd; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The number of long-term unemployed people in Clwyd has fallen in each quarter since January 1986. At April 1988 there were 6,358 long-term unemployed people in Clwyd, 3,770 less than in January 1986.

  The reduction reflects the Government's comprehensive range of measures to help long-term unemployed people find jobs. In particular, employment training, which begins in September 1988, will offer a flexible training programme designed to meet individual needs, and is specifically aimed to give longer-term unemployed people the skills they need to get and keep jobs.

  Channel Tunnel (Job Creation)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the number of jobs that might accrue to Wales-based companies in the building of the Channel tunnel; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  There are no available estimates of the total number of jobs directly resulting from construction of the Channel fixed link. I am keen that industry in Wales should be involved whenever possible and the Welsh Office is actively informing companies of construction opportunities that arise.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many manufacturing jobs have been lost in (i) Clywd and (ii) Wales since May 1979; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  While comprehensive information regarding jobs lost is not available, Department of Employment estimates show that there were 109,000 fewer employees in employment in manufacturing industry (SIC 1980 divisions 2–4) in Wales in June 1987 than in June 1979.

  Equivalent information is not available for Clwyd, but my Department's regional data system (which is restricted to companies of over 10 employees and uses a slightly different definition of manufacturing industry) indicates there to have been a fall of 7,800 in the numbers employed in manufacturing in Clwyd between 1979 and the latest available results.

  Youth Training Scheme
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many young people who are in employment in (i) Clwyd and (ii) the Shotton travel-to-work area are participating in YTS.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  Information is available only at Training Commission area office level. The most recent information relates to the end of April 1988 when 6,688 trainees were participating in YTS in the Clwyd, Gwynedd and Powys area.

  Restart
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people in Wales in the restart scheme are disabled and mentally handicapped; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  The information requested is not available.

  Skills Shortages
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his plans to tackle skills shortages in Wales.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The strength of the economy is leading to increasing demand for skills. The Government have made a massive increase in investment in training since 1979, when the Training Commission's expenditure in Wales was £31 million. Estimated expenditure in the next two years will be over £200 million.

  The Training Commission is continuing to develop its programmes, and employment training, which begins in September 1988, will provide unemployed adults with the skills employers need.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Singapore
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will review the use by the Singaporean Government of the internal radio transmitter formerly controlled by the British Forces Broadcasting Service.
  14
  Mr. Eggar
  We are aware of no internal radio transmitter, formerly controlled by the British Forces Broadcasting Service, and now used by the Singapore Government. The former BFBS transmitter at Tanglin was handed over to the BBC in the early 1970s and replaced in 1987 by a new FM transmitter which is used exclusively to relay the BBC world service to Singapore listeners.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Government of Singapore concerning the statements made by the Prime Minister of Singapore concerning possible legal action against a former President of Singapore.

  Mr. Eggar
  This is a private matter between Mr. Lee and Mr. Devan Nair.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will review the instructions given to British diplomatic staff at the Office of the United Kingdom high commission in Singapore following the recent expulsion of the first secretary of the United States embassy in Singapore for alleged political interference.

  Mr. Eggar
  Mr. Hendrickson's expulsion is a matter for the Governments of the United States and of Singapore. The British high commissioner and his staff will continue to discharge their duties in the normal manner.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make representations to the Government of Singapore concerning the arrest, detention arid re-arrest of Singaporeans involved in political activities in the run-up to the 1988 Singapore general election;

  (2) if he will make representations to the Government of Singapore concerning the use of the Internal Security Act during the 1988 Singapore general election.

  Mr. Eggar
  We are not aware that any date has yet been set for the next general election in Singapore. Singapore's record on human rights has in the past generally been good. However, the recent detentions have caused concern to friends of Singapore. In the margins of the meeting of Foreign Ministers of the countries of the European Community and the Association of South East Asian Nations in Dusseldorf on 2 and 3 May, the 12 EC countries made their concerns known to the Singapore authorities. We have since heard that three detainees were released on 18 May, although the others of course remain in detention.

  Nicaragua (Arms Exports)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all approaches made to Her Majesty's Government since 1984 by the United States administration for help in securing the export of arms directly or indirectly to rebel forces in Nicaragua; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  As the hon. Gentleman knows, it is our well established policy not to comment on matters of this kind. We have made it clear that we have never supplied arms to the Contras directly or indirectly, nor have we ever had any intention of doing so.

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has about the import of worked ivory into Hong Kong in each of the last five years, by weight and value, and what were the countries of origin.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Hong Kong Government's records of the importation of worked ivory are currently collated on the basis of value and of the previous country of export. Imports, by value, in the last five years are:

  Hong Kong dollars million

  £ million

  1983

  22

  1·6

  1984

  26

  1·9

  1985

  39

  2·8

  1986

  55

  3·9

  1987

  61

  4·4

  The bulk of this ivory was imported into Hong Kong from China, Macau, Japan and Singapore, all of which are party to the convention on international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to ensure that Hong Kong complies with the provisions of conf. 6·16 of the CITES regulation agreed in Ottawa in 1987.

  Mr. Eggar
  CITES resolution conf. 6·16 adopted in Ottawa in 1987 made a number of recommendations for the tighter control of worked ivory. The Hong Kong Government plan to introduce subsidiary legislation to implement these recommendations during July.

  We are in close and regular touch with the Hong Kong Government about this matter.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Hong Kong authorities intend to ban the sale of all medicinal products containing rhino horn as from July; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Hong Kong Government will ban the internal sale of rhino horn in July. They intend to implement a ban on the internal sale of medicinal products claiming to contain rhino horn as soon as possible. They have concluded that such a ban cannot be achieved administratively, as they had earlier intended, but will require new legislation, which they plan to introduce later this year.

  Elephants
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance is being given to east African countries to combat the poaching of elephants; and what information he has about the current levels of the elephant population in Africa.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Our aid includes the provision of Land Rovers for anti-poaching patrols in Tanzania, and three technical co-operation officers in the Kenyan Wildlife Department. We understand that wildlife experts put the current level of the elephant population in Africa at some 750,000.

ENVIRONMENT

  Dangerous Emissions
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution has as to the number of sites in England and Wales that have dangerous emissions of carbon dioxide and methane.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution has received replies to its letters on landfill gas of 18 December from the majority of English and Welsh waste disposal authorities, and is processing the responses. I await its report.

  Hedgerows
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in the interests of the preservation of the habitats of many species of wildlife, he plans to introduce measures to reduce the destruction of hedgerows.

  Mr. Moynihan
  We believe the preservation of hedgerows depends on the voluntary co-operation of farmers and others. Agricultural advisers from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food encourage farmers to retain hedgerows wherever possible and to manage them effectively. MAFF gives grants for the planting of new hedgerows and for hedgerow laying. Where appropriate, the Countryside Commission and Nature Conservancy Council can also offer assistance.

  Local Authorities (Spending)
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those local authorities whose budgeted total expenditure for 1988–89 exceeds their total expenditure for 1987–88 by more than 6 per cent. and those authorities whose budgeted total expenditure for 1988–89 exceeds their grant-related expenditure assessment by more than 5 per cent., ranking the authorities according to the amount by which their budgeted expenditure exceeds their grant-related expenditure assessment, and showing for each authority(a) the authority's grant-related expenditure assessment, (b) its budgeted total expenditure for 1988–89, (c) its total expenditure for 1987–88, (d) the percentage by which its budgeted total expenditure exceeds or falls below its grant-related expenditure assessment and (e) the percentage by which its budget total expenditure for 1988–89 exceeds or falls below its total expenditure for 1987–88.

  Mr. Howard
  I have today placed the information in the Library of the House. The total expenditure information for 1987–88 (revised budget) and for 1988–89 (budget) has been taken from the 1988–89 returns of expenditure and rates (RER89). Where these returns have not been received, the latest information available has been used and the figures are provisional.

  Urban Development Corporations
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his Department conducted any analysis of the achievements and difficulties of the London Docklands Development Corporation and the Merseyside Development Corporation, before deciding to establish more urban development corporations.
  17
  Mr. Ridley
  My Department continuously monitors both London Docklands Development Corporation and Merseyside Development Corporation. I took account of their experience when I decided to establish more urban development corporations.

  Right-to-Buy Forms
  Mr. Heddle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will investigate the reasons why his Department has told Lichfield district council that it is out of stock of right-to-buy forms; how many other local authorities who are pursuing right-to-buy policies have been similarly informed; how long these forms have been out of stock; and what steps he is taking to have fresh supplies printed forthwith and to ensure that this situation does not recur.

  Mrs. Roe
  Supplies were unavailable between 6 May and 7 June, and local authorities which ordered forms during this period were so informed. The difficulty arose from a defect in the reordering system, which is being remedied, coupled with a greater than expected demand for the form earlier this year.

  House Sales (Corby)
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the sum raised by sales made by the New Towns Commission in Corby for each year since 1980.

  Mrs. Roe
  The sums raised from the sale of property in Corby by the Commission for the New Towns have been as follows:

  Year ending 31 March

  £'000

  1980

  615

  1981

  952

  1982

  580

  1983

  5,840

  1984

  2,517

  1985

  1,506

  1986

  1,826

  1987

  4,464

  1988

  10,564

  Clinical Waste (Disposal)
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what regulations govern the disposal by hospitals of clinical waste; what measures exist to prevent accidental infection being caused to waste disposal operatives by hypodermic syringes and similar articles; and if he has any proposals for establishing clinical waste incinerators as an alternative to the use of the normal public waste disposal arrangements.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Arrangements for the disposal of clinical waste from hospitals are a matter for health authorities. The Health and Safety Commission guidance document of 1982, and waste management paper No. 25, give guidance on disposal of clinical waste.

  Member's Correspondence
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to be able to provide a18
  substantive reply to the letters dated 7 March and 9 May from the hon. Member for Slough to the Minister for Housing and Planning about a right-to-buy case.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I sent my hon. Friend a substantive reply on 9 June.

  Civil Servants (Outside Activities)
  Mr. John
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Pontypridd of 23 May,Official Report, column 77, he will list the names and Civil Service grades of the 16 civil servants appointed as directors of public liability companies, building societies or other outside bodies specified therein; and of which such companies or other outside bodies they have been appointed;

  (2) pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Pontypridd, Official Report,23 May, column 77, by what means and for what departmental purposes the 16 civil servants were appointed as directors of the outside bodies specified in the question.

  Mr. Ridley
  Following is the answer:

  Grade

  Company

  Mr. P. C. McQuail

  2

  Generation Securities Ltd.

  Mr. F. A. Osborn

  2

  Trafalgar House Oil and Gas Ltd.

  Mr. J. P. G. Rowcliffe

  2

  Bradford and Bingley Building Society

  Mr. C. J. S. Brearley

  3

  John McLean and Sons Ltd.

  Dr. D. J. Fisk

  3

  Hydraulics Research Ltd.

  Mr. P. J. Fletcher

  3

  John Mowlem Homes Ltd.

  Mr. R. J. Green

  3

  Butterley Brick Ltd.

  Miss D. A. Nichols

  3

  John Laing ETE Ltd.

  Mr. B. D. Ponsford

  3

  Smiths Industries Medical Systems Group

  Mr. R. J. A. Sharp

  3

  ARC Concrete Ltd.

  Mr. K. E. C. Sorensen

  3

  Balfour Beatty Construction International Ltd.

  Mr. N. W. Summerton

  3

  Redland Bricks Ltd.

  Miss E. C. Turton

  3

  Woolwich Equitable Building Society

  Mr. A. G. Watson

  3

  Denco Ltd.

  Mr. R. Johnson

  6

  Salveson Homes Ltd.

  Mr. M. Tucker

  7

  Thamesmead Town

  Dr. Fisk's appointment as a non-executive director of Hydraulics Research Ltd. arises directly from his official duties. The appointment of Mr. Tucker as a non-executive director of Thamesmead Town followed an approach to him by the directors of the company; he currently serves on secondment to the company. The other appointments as non-excecutive directors listed in the table were arranged by senior departmental officers with a view to providing opportunities for civil servants to obtain direct experience of the operation of the private sector.

  Planning Appeals
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list(a) the number of planning appeals made to his Department in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available, (b) the number of such appeals that were allowed and (c) the percentage that (b) represents of (a).

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The table shows the number of planning appeals received, withdrawn prior to decision, decided and allowed. The success rate given is the number of appeals allowed as a percentage of the total number decided in each year.
  19

  Year

  Appeals received

  Appeals withdrawn

  Appeals decided

  Appeals allowed

  Percentage allowed of those decided

  1978

  11,609

  2,671

  8,952

  2,504

  28·0

  1979

  12,990

  2,485

  8,933

  2,602

  29·1

  1980

  16,208

  2,921

  13,130

  4,044

  30·8

  1981

  16,637

  3,305

  14,451

  4,721

  32·7

  1982

  13,900

  2,591

  12,915

  4,003

  31·0

  1983

  13,699

  1,611

  11,221

  8,633

  32·4

  1984

  16,192

  2,475

  11,643

  3,773

  32·4

  1985

  17,053

  2,110

  14,639

  5,477

  37·4

  1985–86

  17,839

  2,143

  14,130

  5,581

  39·5

  1986–87

  19,856

  2,533

  15,613

  6,208

  39·8

  1987–88

  22,482

  3,173

  18,474

  6,955

  37·6

  Rating Reform
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether 19-year-olds still at school will receive any assistance with poll tax by way of rebates, student discount or total exemption; and from what resources he expects any residual liability to be met.

  Mr. Ridley
  Individuals aged over 18 who are still at school and in respect of whom child benefit is payable will be exempt from the community charge. Child benefit is not payable in respect of 19-year-olds still at school. They will be eligible for rebates of up to 80 per cent. of the community charge according to their incomes. The residual liability will be met from the same sources as their other living expenses.

  Companies (Local Authority Involvement)
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any proposals for regulating local authorities' involvement in Companies Act companies; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  My right hon. Friend has today published a consultation paper setting out proposals for a statutory framework for local authorities' involvement in companies. Copies of the paper have been placed in the Library.

  The report of the committee of inquiry into the conduct of local authority business (the Widdicombe committee) highlighted a number of concerns about companies used by local authorities, under their control or influence, to conduct various activities. In the light of these concerns, the Government have examined the policy issues involved, with the help of specialist assistance from Coopers and Lybrand. As background to this work, my Department conducted a survey of local authorities about their involvement with companies, the results of which are set out in the paper. The survey found that companies are being used by authorities for a very wide range of activities and that their number and the scale of operation is tending to increase.

  The Government do not wish to prevent local authorities from becoming involved in companies where there are operational advantages in doing so. Local authorities' use of companies has proved useful in a variety of cases, particularly in joint ventures with the private sector.

  The Government have, however, concluded that it is anomalous that local authorities' interests in companies, and the control of influence that these can give, are outside various rules governing the conduct of local authority business, which are intended to ensure that local
  20
  authorities demonstrably conduct their affairs in accordance with the principles which should govern all public authorities. The proposals set out in the consultation paper are designed to remove this anomaly.

  The essence of the proposals is that where a local authority or authorities control a company or have a dominant influence on it, there should be, and should be seen to be, accountability and propriety in the conduct of its affairs; and that such companies should not be capable of being used as a means of avoiding the controls imposed by Parliament on local authorities. These objectives are more difficult to achieve in cases where local authorities do not control a company. It is therefore proposed that local authorities will be able to hold a minority interest in a company only in circumstances where an important policy end is served. The paper sets out the circumstances proposed by the Government.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales is consulting separately on these proposals.

  Plumbers
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to ensure that unvented hot water storage systems are installed by registered plumbers under the terms of the scheme operated by the British Board of Agrèment.

  Mr. Trippier
  The installation of an unvented hot water system is covered by the safety requirements set out in part G3 of the Building Regulations 1984. Guidance has been given that such a system should be installed by an approved installer, but there is no legal requirement to this effect, although there are requirements that the building control authority must be told whether or not the installer of a system has been approved. We have taken steps to make building control authorities aware of the dangers arising from improper installation, and we have actively encouraged plumbers to seek registration as approved installers. Nevertheless, I am aware that the British Board of Agrèment remains concerned about this issue and my officials will be meeting it shortly to consider whether the present arrangements need to be reviewed.

  American Waste
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the danger of importing vermin with American domestic waste proposed to be dumped in the north-west and south-west of England.

  Mr. Moynihan
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 9 June, at column 654.

  Merseyside Task Force
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the future of the Merseyside task force.

  Mr. Trippier
  The task force has played a major role in the regeneration of Merseyside. My right hon. Friend has no plans to change this role.

  Pollution
  Mr. McCrindle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list those landfill sites identified by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution officials as emitting methane and/or carbon dioxide; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will estimate how many homes have been evacuated because of concern at the level of methane and carbon dioxide gas given off at sites (a) where new housing has been built on landfill sites and (b) where housing is built close to landfill sites; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  [holding answer 10 June 1988]: Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution has received replies to its letter on landfill gas of 18 December from the majority of English and Welsh waste disposal authorities, and is processing the responses. I await its report.

  Rating Reform
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Copeland (Dr. Cunningham) Official Report, 1 March,

  Tax unit type

  Number paying charge

  Total gross community charge bills

  Number entitled to community charge rebate

  Total value of rebates

  (millions)

  (£ millions)

  (millions)

  (£ millions)

  Primary tax units

  Single pensioner

  3·0

  611

  1·8

  263

  One parent family

  0·7

  147

  0·3

  56

  Other single adult

  2·4

  514

  0·5

  77

  Couple—no children

  6·5

  2,592

  1·5

  348

  Couple—one child

  2·2

  863

  0·3

  81

  Couple—two children

  2·6

  1,008

  0·3

  87

  Couple—three or more children

  1·0

  404

  0·2

  68

  All

  18·4

  6,140

  5·2

  980

  Secondary tax units

  Single pensioner

  0·4

  85

  0·3

  40

  One parent family

  0·1

  18

  0·1

  9

  Other single adult

  3·8

  772

  1·0

  145

  Couple—no children

  0·1

  35

  0·0

  7

  Couple—one child

  0·0

  15

  0·0

  4

  Couple—two children

  0·0

  9

  0·0

  3

  Couple—three or more children

  0·0

  5

  0·0

  1

  All

  4·4

  939

  1·3

  208

  Note: Numbers may not add due to rounding.

  National Engineering Laboratory
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will give the asset value of the land, buildings and capital equipment for each of those categories at the National Engineering Laboratory, East Kilbride;
  22
  columns 560–62, he will retabulate those tables taking into consideration the 15 per cent. rebate taper and any other relevant modifications to the rebate scheme.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 9 June 1988]: The tables give the requested update of the figures provided by my right hon. Friend on 1 March 1988. As before, the figures should be treated as indicative only. They show that, as a result of reducing the community charge rebate taper from 20p to 15p in the pound, around 400,000 extra households are expected to contain individuals entitled to a rebate. Households where someone is presently projected to be entitled to less than the maximum rebate will also benefit from the reduced taper, with a total of 5 million adults gaining. As before, the estimated value of rebates does not include the benefit of uprating of income support in respect of the 20 per cent. minimum contribution to rates in 1988–89. The net cost of community charges to tax unit types is not therefore simply the difference between gross community charges and the value of rates. These figures relate to England only and are in 1986–87 prices, like the earlier table.

  Household type

  Number1 millions

  Single pensioner

  1·5

  Other single adult

  0·7

  Two adults

  2·7

  Three plus adults

  1·2

  All

  6·2

  Note: Numners may not add due to rounding.

  1 Households where individuals are expected to be entitled to a community charge rebate.

  (2) if he will list the Government Departments and non-Government agencies permanently on site at the National Engineering Laboratory, East Kilbride, listing the work undertaken by each of the organisations on site.

  Mr. Chope
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has today placed in the Library an information pack which contains the requested information which is currently available.

EMPLOYMENT

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the male and female rate of unemployment in each(a) development area and (b) intermediate area in April for Great Britain.

  Mr. Lee
  The following information is in the Library. The tables show the number of unemployed male and female claimants, expressed as a percentage of employees in employment plus the unemployed for each development area and intermediate area in Great Britain on 8 April 1988.

  Unemployment rate April 1988

  Region and development areas

  Male

  Female

  South West

  Falmouth

  18·60

  13·10

  Helston

  22·00

  13·20

  Newquay

  23·10

  17·30

  Penzance and St. Ives

  21·30

  12·00

  Redruth and Camborne

  20·10

  13·00

  East Midlands

  Corby

  11·70

  9·30

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Rotherham and Mexborough

  24·20

  12·20

  Scunthorpe

  15·60

  9·70

  Whitby

  21·10

  10·30

  North West

  Liverpool

  24·50

  10·90

  Widnes and Runcorn

  19·30

  11·70

  Wigan and St. Helens

  20·00

  10·50

  Wirral and Chester

  20·70

  9·80

  Workington

  13·70

  12·10

  North

  Bishop Auckland

  20·30

  11·20

  Hartlepool

  26·10

  12·10

  Middlesbrough

  24·60

  10·70

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  18·30

  8·60

  South Tyneside

  27·50

  13·40

  Stockton on Tees

  18·60

  10·70

  Sunderland

  22·90

  11·20

  Wales

  Aberdare

  28·20

  12·80

  Blaenau Gwent and Abergavenney

  21·50

  9·60

  Cardigan

  22·50

  20·90

  Holyhead

  22·10

  16·70

  Lampeter and Aberaeron

  18·80

  11·80

  Merthyr and Rhymney

  21·60

  11·70

  Neath and Port Talbot

  15·30

  11·20

  Pontypridd and Rhondda

  20·00

  9·20

  Shotton, Flint and Rhyl

  16·10

  10·10

  South Pembrokeshire

  24·70

  16·90

  Wrexham

  14·60

  9·80

  Scotland

  Arbroath

  21·50

  14·50

  Bathgate

  19·50

  10·80

  Cumnock and Sanquhar

  33·60

  16·70

  Dumbarton

  21·40

  14·50

  Dundee

  17·20

  9·30

  Glasgow

  20·30

  9·60

  Greenock

  25·10

  11·70

  Irvine

  25·90

  13·80

  Kilmarnock

  20·10

  10·00

  Lanarkshire

  22·20

  11·30

  24

  Region and intermediate areas

  Male

  Female

  South West

  Bodmin and Liskeard

  15·00

  9·90

  Bude

  13·70

  12·60

  Cinderford and Ross on Wye

  10·70

  10·40

  Plymouth

  14·60

  9·20

  West Midlands

  Birmingham

  14·60

  8·60

  Coventry and Hinkley

  12·80

  9·20

  Dudley and Sandwell

  14·20

  9·60

  Kidderminster

  10·30

  8·40

  Telford and Bridgenorth

  15·20

  10·80

  Walsall

  14·40

  9·00

  Wolverhampton

  —

  —

  East Midlands

  Gainsborough

  15·30

  10·70

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Barnsley

  22·30

  10·00

  Bradford

  14·20

  7·20

  Doncaster

  20·70

  12·40

  Grimsby

  16·40

  8·20

  Hull

  16·30

  8·80

  Sheffield

  17·10

  9·20

  North West

  Accrington and Rossendale

  12·70

  8·20

  Blackburn

  14·60

  7·30

  Bolton and Bury

  16·50

  8·80

  Manchester

  15·00

  7·40

  Oldham

  14·80

  9·10

  Rochdale

  15·00

  9·00

  North

  Darlington

  14·70

  9·00

  Durham

  14·30

  7·60

  Morpeth and Ashington

  19·40

  8·70

  Wales

  Bangor and Caernarfon

  19·70

  10·80

  Bridgend

  17·40

  8·90

  Cardiff

  15·20

  6·70

  Fishguard

  18·70

  19·30

  Haverfordwest

  19·90

  11·60

  Llanelli

  17·90

  12·00

  Newport

  15·40

  8·70

  Pontypool and Cwmbran

  15·80

  10·00

  Porthmadoc and Ffestiniog

  13·40

  8·80

  Pwhelli

  21·00

  15·70

  Swansea

  18·70

  8·60

  Scotland

  Alloa

  22·50

  12·50

  Ayr

  16·10

  10·30

  Badenoch

  15·60

  9·80

  Campbeltown

  22·90

  13·70

  Dunfermline

  15·50

  11·10

  Dunoon and Bute

  19·10

  13·20

  Falkirk

  16·00

  11·70

  Forres

  24·20

  18·00

  Girvan

  29·90

  16·50

  Invergordon and Dingwall

  29·90

  12·70

  Kirkcaldy

  21·40

  10·90

  Lochaber

  17·60

  10·60

  Newton Stewart

  20·00

  16·40

  Skye and Wester Ross

  20·90

  14·90

  Stewartry

  11·40

  9·60

  Stranraer

  19·50

  14·10

  Western Isles

  28·00

  11·40

  Sutherland

  22·00

  13·10

  Wick

  24·50

  7·10

  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the number of job vacancies advertised in each(a) assisted development area and (b) intermediate area in April.
  25
  Mr. Lee
  The table shows the number of unfilled vacancies, excluding vacancies on the community programme, registered at jobcentres approximately corresponding to each of the development areas and intermediate areas in Great Britain on 8 April 1988. Nationally only about a third of all vacancies are reported to jobcentres; this proportion is likely to vary between areas.

  Unfilled Vacancies—April 1988

  Region and Development Areas

  Number

  South West

  Falmouth

  222

  Helston

  129

  Newquay

  522

  Penzance and St. Ives

  541

  Redruth and Camborne

  318

  East Midlands

  Corby

  566

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Rotherham and Mexborough

  539

  Scunthorpe

  452

  Whitby

  87

  North West

  Liverpool

  2,907

  Widnes and Runcorn

  380

  Wigan and St. Helens

  1,077

  Wirral and Chester

  1,696

  North

  Workington

  167

  Bishop Auckland

  612

  Hartlepool

  199

  Middlesbrough

  982

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  3,642

  South Tyneside

  222

  Stockton on Tees

  648

  Sunderland

  1,331

  Wales

  Aberdare

  138

  Blanau Gwent and Abergavenny

  432

  Cardigan

  177

  Holyhead

  156

  Lampeter and Aberaeron

  61

  Merthyr and Rhymney

  488

  Neath and Port Talbot

  642

  Pontypridd and Rhondda

  618

  Shotton, Flint and Rhyl

  993

  South Pembrokeshire

  221

  Wrexham

  467

  Scotland

  Arbroath

  71

  Bathgate

  585

  Cumnock and Sanquhar

  178

  Dundee

  462

  Glasgow

  4,525

  Greenock

  262

  Irvine

  1,421

  Kilmarnock

  536

  Lanarkshire

  1,175

  Unfilled vacancies—April 1988

  Region and intermediate areas

  Number

  South West

  Bodmin and Liskeard

  336

  Bude

  74

  Cinderford and Ross on Wye

  412

  Plymouth

  1,250

  West Midlands

  Birmingham

  8,284

  26

  Region and intermediate areas

  Number

  Coventry and Hinkley

  1,577

  Dudley and Sandwell

  2,705

  Kidderminster

  660

  Telford and Bridgenorth

  1,044

  Walsall

  853

  Wolverhampton

  675

  East Midlands

  Gainsborough

  135

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Barnsley

  289

  Bradford

  1,875

  Doncaster

  382

  Grimsby

  335

  Hull

  1,431

  Sheffield

  772

  North West

  Accrington and Rossendale

  556

  Blackburn

  716

  Bolton and Bury

  6,194

  Oldham

  605

  Rochdale

  477

  North

  Darlington

  475

  Durham

  545

  Morpeth and Ashington

  553

  Wales

  Bangor and Caernarfon

  373

  Bridgend

  483

  Cardiff

  1,457

  Fishguard

  0

  Haverfordwest

  284

  Llanelli

  499

  Newport

  536

  Pontypool and Cwmbrian

  353

  Porthmadoc and Ffestiniog

  119

  Pwhelli

  171

  Swansea

  1,163

  Scotland

  Alloa

  148

  Ayr

  562

  Badenoch

  530

  Campletown

  25

  Dunfermline

  226

  Dunoon and Bute

  109

  Falkirk

  559

  Forres

  39

  Girvan

  101

  Invergordon and Dingwall

  70

  Kirkcaldy

  426

  Lochaber

  183

  Newton Stewart

  46

  Skye and Wester Ross

  154

  Stewartry

  48

  Stranraer

  67

  Western Isles

  69

  Sutherland; Wick

  163

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many job vacancies were registered at jobcentres in Tameside at the most recent available date.

  Mr. Lee
  On 8 April 1988 there were 548 unfilled vacancies, excluding community programme vacancies, at jobcentres covering an area closely corresponding to the Tameside local authority district.

  Engineering Industry
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is his assessment of the effect of the removal of the Manpower Services Commission grant for industrial placement training on the engineering industry.

  Mr. Nicholls
  There need be no significant effect. This grant, which amounted to £850,000 in 1987–88, represented a small proportion of the total support the Training Commission gives to the engineering industry. Research indicates that many employers would have made a sandwich placement available without it. Moreover, I understand that the Engineering Industry Training Board has now introduced a modified scheme of grants for sandwich grant placement training for engineering undergraduates.

ENERGY

  Oil and Gas (Field Development Approvals)
  Mr. Sackville
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many field development approvals there have been for(a) oil and (b) gas in each month since January 1987.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  In 1987, 11 oil and two gas projects were approved. So far this year 11 projects have been approved; two oil projects in March, two oil and two gas in April, two oil and one gas in May and two gas in June.

  Electricity Privatisation
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Scretary of State for Energy when he expects to complete his consultations about statutory obligations and supply regulations in the electricity supply industry following privatisation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  A large number of responses to the supply code consultation document have been received, and these are being considered.

  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what effect he expects the privatisation of electricity will have on the numbers of people employed in the supply industry.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Manning levels after privatisation will be a matter for the industry, as is the case now.

  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will have further planning discussions with representatives of the area electricity boards prior to presenting future legislation on privatisation, in respect of the forthcoming operational framework for the boards' respective retail outlets.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My right hon. Friend and I meet the chairmen of the area boards from time to time to dicuss a number of privatisation matters. The operational framework for the boards' retail outlets is still under consideration.

  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what further representations he has received about the proposals for privatisation of the electricity supply industry; and if he will make a statement.
  28
  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I continue to receive many representations on electricity privatisation.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if, pursuant to his answer of 9 May,Official Report column 3, he will itemise all additional costs arising from his proposals in relation to the operational control of the national grid; what estimates of each of these costs he has received from Lord Marshall; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The Government believe that any additional costs arising from the transfer of ownership of the national grid to the distribution companies will be outweighed by the benefits from increased competition.

  Power Stations (Gas Burn)
  Mr. Summerson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what applications for permission to burn gas in power stations he has approved; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has received an application from Thames Power and the Central Electricity Generating Board to establish a 1000 MW gas-fired power station at Barking Reach in east London.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  Proposals to establish gas-fired power stations have been made by Thames Power Limited and Leicester Energy Limited.

  I am pleased to say that I have approved both the 990 MW combined cycle plant at Barking and the 290 MW combined heat and power plant at Leicester, in accordance with section 14 of the Energy Act 1976 and the relevant European Community directive.

  Hinkley Point C PWR
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has received the outline statement of the case, published by the Central Electricity Generating Board, in advance of the public inquiry into the proposed Hinkley Point C pressurised water reactor to commence this October, and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I received the Central Electricity Generating Board's outline statement of case on 13 May. I also received an outline statement of case, on the same day, from Somerset county council on behalf of itself, West Somerset district council and a consortium of opposing local authorities.

  Oil and Gas Production (North Sea)
  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what the current level of oil and gas production is in the British sector of the North sea; and for how long he expects the United Kingdom to maintain self-sufficiency.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  Oil production from the United Kingdom continental shelf averaged 2·5 million barrels per day in the first quarter of 1988, while, according to provisional figures, gas production averaged 181·2 million cu m per day in the same period.

  On current estimates, the United Kingdom is likely to remain self-sufficient in oil and gas well into the 1990s.

  Coal Industry Privatisation
  Mr. Jack Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has had meetings with the chairman of British Coal to discuss future investment in the light of his policy towards future privatisation of the coal industry.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My right hon. Friend and I regularly meet the chairman to discuss the corporation's capital programme.

  Fawley B Power Station
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has fixed the date for the public inquiry into the proposals by the Central Electricity Generating Board to construct the Fawley B power station and coal jetty.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  In making arrangements for the inquiry my right hon. Friend is statutorily obliged to make a statement of matters which he considers likely to be relevant to his consideration of the application. It is therefore clear that he must study the objections he has received very carefully before announcing the inquiry.

  Offshore Petroleum Licences
  Mr. Madel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he will announce a further round of offshore petroleum licences.

  Mr. Hanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he is now ready to launch the eleventh round of offshore petroleum licensing.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  My Department is still consulting interested parties about our proposals for an eleventh round of offshore petroleum licensing. My right hon. Friend hopes to launch the round formally before the summer recess.

  Power Stations (Coal Burn)
  Mr. Haynes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has recently met the chairman of the Central Electricity Generating Board to discuss future coal burn in power stations.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My right hon. Friend and I have regular meetings with the chairman of the CEGB to discuss all aspects of the electricity supply industry.

  Coal Industry Dispute
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will now make it his policy to enter into discussions with the chairman of British Coal regarding the reinstatement of the miners sacked during the 1984–85 strike; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I have nothing to add to the answer I gave the hon. Member on 15 February 1988, at column 695.

  Paper Manufacturing Industry
  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what consultations he has had recently with representatives of the paper industry concerning, and what steps his Department has taken to achieve, greater energy efficiency within Britain's paper manufacturing industry.
  30
  Mr. Peter Morrison
  My Departmemt, through the Energy Efficiency Office, continues to work closely with the paper industry to improve energy efficiency in paper manufacturing.

  Offshore Supply Industry
  Mr. Gregory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what steps his Department is taking to encourage the United Kingdom offshore supply industry to increase its share of overseas markets.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  My right hon. Friend and I are actively promoting the industry by visiting selected markets accompanied, where appropriate, by an industrial mission. In addition, my Offshore Supplies Office has substantially increased the resources it devotes to identifying export market opportunities and is encouraging and supporting the industry's efforts to increase its share of these markets.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what action he has taken in the last year to provide work opportunities for the United Kingdom offshore supply industry.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  Last year my Department approved development plans for a total of 13 projects including seven new offshore oil and gas projects. So far this year 11 offshore, onshore and incremental projects have been approved. These developments will provide our supplies and fabrication industries with considerable work opportunities over the next few years.

  Fast Breeder Reactors
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on his policy towards investment in fast breeder reactors and fusion; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My Department funds a large programme of research and development on the fast reactor. This programme is currently under review. No decisions have yet been taken.

  The United Kingdom is making a major contribution to the Community fusion programme, including the Joint European Torus (JET) project at Culham.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what progress has been made in improving energy efficiency in cities.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  A large proportion of the £700 million gross annual savings attributable to the Energy Efficiency Office's programmes arises in cities. The EEO has also helped to launch 11 energy action cities, which harness a variety of resources to a broad campaign aimed at improving energy efficiency throughout the local economy.

  Mr. Gerald Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what further efforts are being made to improve the energy efficiency of buildings.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  Our research development and demonstration programmes in domestic buildings will
  31
  continue to sustain the momentum which has contributed to savings worth £1·1 billion per year. I have also recently asked the building societies to encourage investment in energy efficiency. In non-domestic buildings our programmes will continue to promote increased market awareness by developing energy targets and by supporting professionals in this field.

  Sullom Voe (Oil Throughput)
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what was the volume of oil throughput at Sullom Voe in the first four months of 1988 and the first four months of 1987.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  In the first four months of this year, Sullom Voe handled 18·2 million tonnes of crude oil, compared with 17·3 million tonnes over the same period in 1987.

  Dounreay Fast Breeder Reactor
  Mr. Michael Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he expects to take a decision in relation to future funding of the fast breeder reactor at Dounreay.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The fast reactor programme funded by my Department is currently under review. No decisions have yet been taken.

  Dr. Michael Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the expected life of the prototype fast reactor at Dounreay; and what plans there are for constructing a commercial fast reactor on that site or elsewhere.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The design life of the prototype fast reactor at Dounreay, when commissioned in 1974, was about 30 years. The Government have received no application to construct a commercial fast reactor.

  Fuel Disconnection
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has received on the operations of the code of practice on fuel disconnection.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  The code of practice is monitored by the electricity and gas consumers' councils, and by the Office of Gas Supply. In responding to the paper on a "Proposed Supply Code for the Electricity Supply Industry", a number of bodies have made general comments about the code of practice. These are being considered together with all other comments received on the paper.

  Hinkley Point A Power Station
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when the Hinkley A power station is likely to reach the end of its useful life.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  This is a matter for the CEGB, and I have asked the chairman to write to my hon. Friend.

  British Gas
  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many British Gas shareholders have now paid the third instalment; and what is the total sum collected.
  32
  Mr. Peter Morrison
  Of nearly 3 million payments due in the British Gas third instalment, 99·5 per cent. have been received. The total sum collected amounts to £1,589 million.

  Continental Shelf (Gas Shares)
  Mr. Greg Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what are the prospects for further sales of gas from the United Kingdom continental shelf; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  A number of gas sale contracts on the United Kingdom continental shelf have recently been agreed and others are under negotiation. There is a good prospect of gas from the United Kingdom continental shelf meeting our needs well into the second half of the 1990s.

  Research and Development Projects
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many research and development projects were approved for support by the Offshore Energy Technology Board in the last financial year; what was their total value; and how much the Government will contribute to them.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  In 1987–88, 41 new projects were approved for support. Their total cost was £17 million, and the Government contribution was £4·4 million.

  Natural Gas Imports
  Mr. Prescott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his policy on imports of natural gas from Norway.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  Gas imports can have a major effect on the rate and pattern of the development of the United Kingdom continental shelf. In recognition of this, and of the importance the Government attach to maintaining the rate of activity on the United Kingdom continental shelf, British Gas has undertaken to consult the Government on any import plans as these develop. Any imports from Norway would be subject to the normal consent requirements for laying pipelines on the United Kingdom continental shelf and, where appropriate, the conclusion of intergovernmental treaties.

  Association of Independent Electricity Producers
  Mr. Rost
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met the Association of Independent Electricity Producers.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My right hon. Friend last met the association on 28 October 1987. Our officials are in regular contact with the association.

  Electricity Industry (Regulatory Framework)
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make it his policy, when drawing up the regulatory framework for the electricity industry, to require distributors to show that they have investigated all possibilities, including energy efficiency schemes, in order to meet their customers' requirements at the least cost.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The future regulatory framework for the electricity supply industry is still under consideration.

  Dumping at Sea
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what efforts are being made by his Department to show that there are no practical land-based alternatives to dumping flyash at sea and that flyash does not cause harm to the marine environment.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  This is a matter for the CEGB. I understand that it has already embarked upon studies into alternative disposal methods for its wastes. If sea disposal is to continue beyond 1989, the CEGB will need to satisfy

  000 tonnes

  Country of origin

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  German Democratic Republic

  1

  107

  117

  109

  86

  Belgium

  9

  102

  29

  17

  72

  United States of America

  —

  6

  24

  43

  24

  Federal Republic of Germany

  20

  943

  101

  —

  22

  Netherlands

  —

  11

  1

  9

  17

  Republic of South Africa

  —

  1

  36

  20

  12

  Norway

  —

  3

  3

  5

  12

  France

  2

  162

  34

  10

  4

  Japan

  658

  639

  1

  —

  —

  Other countries

  13

  24

  29

  —

  —

  Total

  703

  1,998

  375

  213

  249

  Source: Her Majesty's Customs and Excise.

  Plutonium (Japan)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what provision there is for review of the permission for the export of plutonium to Japan during the period of the proposed contract, should Japan decide that its proposed fast breeder reactor programme has no commercial future;

  (2) if he has made an independent assessment of the quantity of plutonium required by Japan for its fast breeder reactor and MOx fuel programmes to ensure that the conditions for the export of fissile material to a non-nuclear weapons state are adhered to.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My Department has not made such an assessment. The return of plutonium from the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel at THORP to its country of origin or to any other destination will not take place for several years and will be made only on receipt of assurances covering peaceful use, application of safeguards, physical protection and controls on retransfer in line with the statement by the then Foreign Secretary, now Lord Callaghan, on 31 March 1976, at columns 514–16.

  Nuclear Safety
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what plans he has to meet the chairman of the advisory committee on the safety of nuclear installations.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My right hon. Friend and I meet the chairman of ACSNI from time to time.

  Fluidised Bed Project (Grimethorpe)
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how much money was spent(a) from 1976 to 1984 and (b) from 1985 to date by British Coal and the Central Electricity Generating Board on the fluidised bed project at Grimethorpe; what proportion of this money was foreign investment; and from which country it came.
  34
  the licensing authority (MAFF) that there is no practical land-based alternative and that the waste will not cause harm to the marine environment.

  Coke
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what were the total imports of coke for each of the last five years; and what were the amounts from each country of origin.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Imports of hard coke for each of the last five years by total and by country of origin are as follows:

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Between 1976 and 1984, under the auspices of the International Energy Agency, the United States of America, Federal Republic of Germany and United Kingdom each contributed £20 million to the fluidised bed combustion project at Grimethorpe. Of the United Kingdom share, British Coal contributed £3 million, and the Department of Energy £17 million. British Coal also made contributions in kind. From 1985 to date the project has been the responsibility of British Coal together with the Central Electricity Generating Board. I understand from British Coal that during this period the United States of America contributed £10 million, in addition to expenditure by British Coal and CEGB of £28 million.

SCOTLAND

  Acute Beds
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give for each health board the numbers of acute beds in Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information is set out in the table.

  Average available staffed beds in acute specialties in National Health Service hospitals in Scotland, year ending 30 September 1987 (provisional figures)

  Number

  Scotland

  17,108

  Argyll and Clyde

  1,214

  Ayrshire and Arran

  1,065

  Borders

  347

  Dumfries and Galloway

  444

  Fife

  814

  Forth Valley

  672

  Grampian

  1,692

  Greater Glasgow

  3,958

  Highland

  695

  35

  Number

  Lanarkshire

  1,564

  Lothian

  2,817

  Orkney

  60

  Shetland

  60

  Tayside

  1,622

  Western Isles

  86

  Rating Reform
  Mr. Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what evidence he has received on the usefulness of including dates of birth in helping assessors establish the community charge liability of individuals.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The requirement in section 13(1)(d) of the Abolition of Domestic Rates Etc. (Scotland) Act 1987 that dates of birth are to be included in the community charges register was added to the Bill as a result of representations made by local authority practitioners on the desirability of the provision being included and the information is being included in local authority systems as an aid to identification.

  Power Stations (Coal Burn)
  Mr. Douglas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a further statement on the level of coal burned from pits in the Scottish coalfield in South of Scotland Electricity Board power stations.

  Mr. Lang
  I am advised by the South of Scotland Electricity Board that coal burn in the fiscal year 1987–88 was about 5·6 million tonnes, all from indigenous sources, both British Coal and private workings. For the fiscal year 1988–89, the board estimates that the total coal burn could be at a similar level, but the quantity and sources will be dependent on a number of factors, including the competitiveness of coal prices and the level of electricity trading.

  Social Workers
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions his Department has undertaken with the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work about the funding of social workers from voluntary organisations who wish to undertake professional training leading to the certificate in social services or the certificate of qualification in social work; and what is his policy towards provision for such students for the academic year 1988–89.

  Mr. Rifkind
  Since 1987 support of social workers from voluntary organisations undertaking professional training for the certificate in social services has been administered by the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work. The level of resources allocated for this support is under review by my Department following representations by CCETSW. I cannot predict the outcome. Support is not available for social workers in voluntary organisations wishing to undertake the certificate of qualification in social work.

  Radioactivity (Monitoring)
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he proposes to take on the recommendations 36
  of the Committee on the Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment in respect of (a) a series of detailed studies of leukaemia cases, (b) increased monitoring of diet, air, sea spray sediment and dust and (c) whole body monitoring and the measurement of radioactivity in placentae; and whether such action will relate to the areas around Chapelcross, Hunterston and Torness and those affected by the Sellafield drift, as well as Dounreay.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Tayside, North (Mr. Walker) on 8 June. This set out the responses of the Government to the report of the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE) on the possible increased incidence of leukaemia in young people near the Dounreay nuclear establishment. So far as action relating to other areas containing nuclear establishments is concerned, we will continue to be guided by the advice of COMARE.

  Hospital Beds
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the number of beds per hospital for(a) each hospital completed since 1979 and (b) each hospital approved in principle since 1979.

  Mr. Michael Forysth
  The information is as follows:

  All projects completed since 1979

  Number of beds

  Argyll and Clyde

  Johnstone Hospital

  30

  Dunoon and District General Hospital

  30

  Merchiston Hospital Phase I

  120

  Merchiston Hospital

  30

  Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley

  720

  Ayrshire and Arran

  Crosshouse Hospital

  710

  Biggart Hospital

  30

  Borders

  Hay Lodge, Peebles

  50

  Borders General

  404

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Annan Hospital (geriatric)

  30

  Fife

  Glenrothes Hospital

  72

  Whyteman's Brae, Kirkcaldy

  180

  West Fife District General Hospital

  240

  Forth Valley

  Royal Scottish National Hospital, Larbert

  120

  Sauchie Hospital

  60

  Falkirk Royal Infirmary

  176

  Grampian

  Woodend Geriatric Hospital

  30

  Inverurie Hospital

  30

  Spynie Hospital, Elgin

  30

  Ugie Hospital, Peterhead

  30

  Woodend Hospital—Glenburn Wing

  24

  Woodlands Hospital

  120

  Greater Glasgow

  Blawarthill Hospital

  30

  Canniesburn Hospital

  30

  Gartloch Hospital

  30

  Gartnavel Hospital

  60

  Mearnskirk Hospital

  30

  Stobhill Hospital

  60

  37

  Number of beds

  Belvidere Hospital Phase I

  30

  Woodilee Hospital Phase I

  60

  Glasgow Royal Infirmary Phase I

  214

  Stobhill Hospital

  90

  Gartloch Hospital

  120

  Leverndale Phase I(a)

  240

  Lennox Castle

  120

  Lennox Castle (two intensive care units)

  24

  Highland

  Lochaber Hospital

  30

  Raigmore Hospital, Inverness

  680

  Caithness Hospital Phase II

  121

  Lanarkshire

  Kirklands Hospital Phase I

  120

  Kirklands Hospital Phase I(a)

  120

  Lothian

  Royal Edinburgh Phase I

  120

  Astley Ainslie Hospital

  90

  Herdmanflat Hospital

  72

  Royal Victoria Hospital, Edinburgh

  180

  Shetland

  Montfield Hospital

  60

  Tayside

  Irvine Memorial Hospital, Pitlochry

  12

  Murray Royal Hospital, Perth

  60

  Perth Royal Infirmary

  60

  Royal Liff Hospital, Dundee

  60

  Blairgowrie Cottage Hospital

  30

  Aberfeldy Cottage Hospital

  12

  All projects approved since 1979

  Number of beds

  Argyll and Clyde

  Ravenscraig Phase III(a) (Alcohol and Rehabilitation Unit)

  22

  Oban Hospital

  138

  Campbeltown Hospital

  62

  Dunoon and District General Hospital

  30

  Merchiston Hospital

  30

  Ayrshire and Arran

  Dunlop House

  60

  Seafield Hospital

  60

  Acute Hospital, Ayr

  288

  Biggart Hospital

  30

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Services for the Mentally Handicapped

  114

  Annan Hospital (geriatric)

  30

  Forth Valley

  Bonnybridge (psychogeriatric)

  90

  Royal Scottish National Hospital Larbert

  120

  Sauchie Hospital

  60

  Falkirk Royal Infirmary

  176

  Grampian

  Royal Cornhill

  564

  Woodend Geriatric Hospital

  30

  Inverurie Hospital

  30

  Woodend Hospital—Glenburn Wing

  24

  Greater Glasgow

  Parkhead Psychiatric Development Phase II

  120

  Rutherglen (geriatric)

  240

  Lennox Castle (two intensive care units)

  24

  Woodilee three by 30 bed units

  90

  Leverndale Phase I(a)

  240

  Lennox Castle

  120

  Lanarkshire

  Geriatric, Psychogeriatric and Psychiatric Project:

  (a) Hairmyres

  120

  (b) Udston (including 30 place day hospital)

  120

  Kirklands Hospital Phase I

  120

  38

  Number of beds

  Kirklands Hospital Phase I(a)

  120

  Lothian

  Princess Margaret Rose Spinal Paralysis and Rehabilitation Unit

  70

  Orkney

  Balfour Hospital

  30

  Tayside

  Perth Royal Infirmary

  236

  Western Isles

  Stornoway Lewis Hospital

  212

  Lothian Regional Council
  Mr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many organisations have made representations to him regarding his decision to enforce a reduction in Lothian regional council's 1988–89 budget, showing how many(a) supported and (b) opposed his decision; and if he will list them.

  Mr. Lang
  The table lists 11 organisations that have written to my right hon. and learned Friend on his proposed rate reduction in Lothian region. Some opposed the proposal and some supported it. Others have written on points of detail and on what the consequences might be for them.

  Lothian Region Joint Trade Union Committee

  Scottish Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux (and individual Bureaux)

  Lothian Marriage Counselling Service

  Edinburgh Chambers of Commerce and Manufacturers

  Lothian RAGE

  Wester Hailes Representative Council

  Lothian Rights Group

  Edinburgh and Lothian 'Women's Aid

  Sneddi Merchandising Ltd.

  Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations

  National Engineering Laboratory
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the implications for the Scottish economy of proposals to privatise the National Engineering Laboratory, East Kilbride; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  Following the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry's announcement on 7 June, interested parties now have until 22 July to submit proposals for taking the National Engineering Laboratory into the private sector. Each proposal received will be carefully assessed by my right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in consultation with my right hon. And learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his policy towards the expenditure of public funds through the Scottish Development Agency or any other Government supported agency in support of a management buyout of the National Engineering Laboratory.

  Mr. Lang
  Any approach to the Scottish Development Agency by the management of the National Engineering Laboratory for assistance in support of a management buyout will be dealt with by the agency in accordance with its industrial investment guidelines. A copy of these guidelines was placed in the Library of the House when they were issued in 1980.

THE ARTS

  Public Library Service
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what representations he has received on his Green Paper "Financing our Public Library Service."

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what representations he has received from public librarians on his Green Paper "Financing our Public Library Service."

  Ms. Abbott
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what representations he has received from local authorities on his Green Paper "Financing our Public Library Service".

  Mr. Luce
  I have received about 200 letters, including a large proportion from public libraries commenting on the Green Paper and I expect to receive many more by 30 June, the closing date for representations.

  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Minister for the Arts how many complaints he has received in the last 12 months from library users that public libraries are not sufficiently client-orientated.

  Mr. Luce
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Ashfield (Mr. Haynes) on Tuesday 7 June, at columns 512–13.

  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what external economic expertise was available to him in the preparation of the Green Paper on the financing of public libraries.

  Mr. Luce
  The financial and statistical data contained in the library Green Paper were obtained from sources published by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy. The economic expertise available within Government was adequate for my purposes in relation to the Green Paper.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what evidence he has on the extent of demand for competitive tendering for renting videos in public libraries.

  Mr. Luce
  Competitive tendering is, I suggest in my library Green Paper, one way of enabling library authorities to use their resources more effectively. No library authority in England has, I understand, put out to competitive tendering any direct service to its library users. I wish them to consider doing so.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Minister for the Arts whether he has met the Library Association to discuss the Green Paper "Financing our Public Library Service".

  Mr. Luce
  Yes. I met a delegation from the Library Association on 25 May and had a useful discussion with the association about the Green Paper.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Minister for the Arts whether he consulted with the Library Association on the contents of his Green Paper on financing the public library service prior to publication.

  Mr. Luce
  No, but I met a delegation from the Library Association on 25 May to discuss, among other matters, my Green Paper on financing the public library service. The association intends, I understand, to make a substantive submission to me shortly on the Green Paper.

  Public Libraries (Cost-effectiveness)
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what evidence he has on the cost-effectiveness of public libraries.

  Mr. Luce
  There are at present limited means for assessing the cost effectiveness of public libraries. However, my office has recently published a costing model, "A Costing System for Public Libraries". I am also currently funding, through the British Library, production of a manual of performance indicators for public libraries.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Minister for the Arts whether the premium book subscription scheme, proposed in the Green Paper "Financing our Public Library Service", will apply to new children's books.

  Mr. Luce
  No.

  Haymarket Theatre, Leicester
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Minister for the Arts when he next intends to visit the Haymarket theatre, Leicester.

  Mr. Luce
  I hope to visit the Haymarket theatre, and other arts bodies, when I visit the region this autumn.

  Arts-History Link
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what initiatives are planned by his Department to promote greater appreciation of the links between the arts and British economic history.

  Mr. Luce
  The collections in our museums and galleries and the work of artists, both living and dead, are influenced by the social and historical contexts in which they were created, and may be used to illustrate many aspects of British history. Their contemporary interpretation is a matter for individual institutions or artists.

  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Minister for the Arts whether his Office has any plans for an arts festival to celebrate the year 2000.

  Mr. Luce
  I am sure that the nation will want to celebrate the year in some special way, but I have not yet embarked on detailed discussions with the arts world.

  South Bank Board
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what assessment he has made of the effects of the recently completed independence of the South Bank Board Ltd.

  Mr. Luce
  It is too soon to be clear about the effects of independence, but first indications are encouraging. I am confident that the South Bank Board Ltd., under the chairmanship of Mr. Ronald Grierson, will continue to manage its affairs efficiently and economically and to present arts events of the highest standard.

  Public Lending Right Scheme
  Mr. Gerald Bowden
  To ask the Minister for the Arts how much public funding has been allotted to the public lending right scheme in 1986–87, 1987–88 and 1988–89; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Luce
  Funding for the public lending right scheme is as follows:
  41

  £ million

  1986–87

  2·75

  1987–88

  2·75

  1988–89

  3·5

  The 27 per cent. increase in 1988–89 brings the fund to its highest level in real terms since its inception.

  Dr. Twinn
  To ask the Minister for the Arts how many authors are presently registered under the public lending right scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Luce
  The number of authors currently registered for public lending right is 14,635.

  Acceptances-in-lieu
  Mr. Jessel
  To ask the Minister for the Arts if he will make a statement on the outcome to date of the acceptance-in-lieu-of-tax scheme since its inception in July 1985.

  Mr. Luce
  In July 1985 the Government announced new arrangements which permit an annual call on the Reserve of around £10 million a year, taking one year with the next. This has greatly facilitated such offers. The table sets out the financial position and highlights those items whose acceptance was made possible by these arrangements. Additionally, the scheme has benefited from two further changes introduced in 1987. It is now possible to have interest charges on an offer waived while negotiations are proceeding towards acceptance of an item at the original agreed valuation, and it is also possible to offer an item whose "special price" is greater than the tax liability on the estate, if the institution for which the item is intended is prepared to make up the difference. Both the Picasso and the Gainsborough paintings were accepted in this way. There is no shortage of items in the pipeline—an indication that the scheme is proving an attractive one, and one which plays a vital role in preserving important items and land for future public benefit.

  Year

  Amount of tax satisfied

  1Call on the Reserve

  Item

  £

  £

  1985–86

  2,366,707

  520,000

  The Portland Archive

  1986–87

  2,947,842

  440,000

  Matthew Boulton Clock

  725,000

  Bellini "Madonna and Child"

  1987–88

  8,627,464

  1,200,000

  Picasso's "Weeping Woman"

  5,500,000

  Constable's "Stratford Mill"

  638,444

  Gainsborough's "Captain Wade"

  1 Although the total agreed call on the Reserve since July 1985 was £9,023,444, because of underspends in each financial year on the annual Vote of £2 million the amount actually spent from the Reserve was £7,942,013.

  Museums and Galleries Commission
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Minister for the Arts how much extra funding the Museums and Galleries Commission will receive in the next three years specifically for the purpose of promoting improvements in the management of non-national museums and galleries; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Luce
  Over the next three years I have provided £270,000 within the Museums and Galleries Commission's42
  grant-in-aid to be used to encourage improved management and marketing in non-national museums and galleries. The commission recently announced an exciting programme of seminars, courses and studies for the coming year.

  Good management and effective marketing skills are vital if museums and galleries are to make the best use of resources. In addition to my allocations to the Museums and Galleries Commission to encourage improvements in the management and marketing of museums, I have provided some £600,000 for this purpose this year in the grants-in-aid of the National Museums and Galleries In March I announced also a major initiative on the training of museums staff, and a research study into the resource implications of collections management.

  Industrial Archaeology
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what recent discussions he has had on those aspects of industrial archaeology and the heritage related thereto which engage his ministerial responsibilities.

  Mr. Luce
  A number of the national museums and galleries which I sponsor have an interest in aspects of the industrial heritage and these feature, accordingly, in my discussions with the institutions.

  Arts Bodies
  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what guidance he has given arts bodies on the benefits of participation in the community programme and job-splitting scheme.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what guidance he has given to arts bodies on the benefits of participation in the business expansion scheme and youth training scheme.

  Mr. Luce
  I am encouraged by the amount of support given to arts bodies by my colleagues in other Departments. The directors of regional arts associations and their officers are always ready to advise arts bodies and individual artists on the details of the various schemes.

  National Heritage Memorial Fund
  Mr. Burt
  To ask the Minister for the Arts how much public funding has so far been awarded to the National Heritage Memorial Fund since its inception in 1980; and what assessment he has made of the outcome of the scheme to date.

  Mr. Luce
  The amount of public funding since the inception of the National Heritage Memorial Fund is £105,621,576. This is set out on an annual basis in the table. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and I are jointly responsible for the operation of the fund. Lord Charteris and the trustees are to be congratulated on an outstanding record of achievement to date. The trustees have chosen carefully among the hundreds of applications for assistance, and I commend their annual reports to my hon. Friend for descriptions of the wide range of land, buildings, artefacts and works of art saved for the nation with contributions from the fund. I have every confidence in their continuing success.
  43

  Public funding of NHMF

  £

  £

  1980–81

  DOE

  7,047,773

  OAL

  7,047,773

  14,095,546

  1981–82

  DOE

  1,244,404

  OAL

  1,244,404

  2,488,808

  1982–83

  DOE

  5,500,000

  OAL

  5,500,000

  11,000,000

  1983–841

  DOE

  1,896,327

  OAL

  593,327

  Inland Revenue

  1,468

  2,491,122

  1984–85

  DOE

  29,000,000

  OAL

  4,000,000

  33,000,000

  1985–86

  DOE

  12,000,000

  OAL

  1,500,000

  13,500,000

  1986–87

  DOE

  1,500,000

  OAL

  1,500,000

  3,000,000

  1987–882

  DOE

  21,546,100

  OAL

  1,500,000

  23,046,100

  1988–89

  DOE

  1,500,000

  OAL

  1,500,000

  3,000,000

  Total

  105,621,576

  1 The 1983–84 figure represents a grant of £1,304 million from DOE, the unspent AIL allocations of DOE and OAL (£593,327 each) and £1,468 rebate from the Land Fund.

  2The 1987–88 DOE figure comprises of £20 million cash injection, 1·5 million annual grant and £46,100 from the proceeds of Heveningham Hall.

  Museums and Galleries
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Minister for the Arts if he will give the percentage charge in non-Exchequer receipts of the national museums and galleries between 1979–80 and latest available year.

  Mr. Luce
  Using the figures I gave in my written answer to the hon. Member for Clydebank and Milngavie (Mr. Worthington) on 26 May, at columns 259–62, the percentage increase between 1979–80 and 1988–89 is expected to be some 800 per cent. in cash terms (393 per cent. in real terms).

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Protestant Task Force
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information is available to his Department as to the nature and activities of the Protestant Task Force.

  Mr. Stanley
  My Department is not aware of an organisation of this name.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Interest Rates
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has as to the interest rates of the countries in the European monetary system, both nominal 44
  and real; and what equivalent information he has for the other countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

  Mr. Lilley
  Various short and long-term interest rates are given for all the countries in question in "IMF International Financial Statistics", monthly. The same publication gives indices of consumer or wholesale prices which are often used to convert nominal interest rates into "real" terms.

  Balance of Trade
  Mr. McCrindle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has made an estimate of the effect on the United Kingdom's balance of trade with European Economic Community countries if it remains outside the European monetary system in 1992.

  Mr. Lilley
  No. Britain is a member of the European monetary system. I imagine my hon. Friend is referring to the exchange rate mechanism of the system. There is no reason to suppose remaining outside the exchange rate mechanism will significantly affect the balance of trade between the United Kingdom and the European Community.

  Government Expenditure
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give a figure for general Government expenditure in 1988–89 equivalent to that in table 1·4 of Cm. 288–1, recalculated on the assumption that there is a sustained(a) 10 per cent. rise and (b) 10 per cent. fall in the trade-weighted exchange rate over a period of one year from the level used in the formulation of the above table.

  Mr. Major
  The impact of exchange rate changes on the economy would depend on assumptions made about the financial policies being followed at the time. The impact of the subsequent economic effects on public expenditure cannot be determined uniquely either as this depends on the control regime being operated. A large part of the planning total is subject to cash limits where the presumption is that no adjustments are made for variations in prices or costs. Furthermore, the rates of social security benefits are determined in relation to price levels known before the start of the financial year. There is no unique relationship between changes in the exchange rate and debt interest.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households receiving housing benefit pay income tax.

  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 4 May 1988]I have been asked to reply.

  Information drawn from the family expenditure survey suggests that some 1·7 million housing benefit recipients may also have paid income tax in 1985.

  Tax Forms
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many more tax forms have been sent to pensioners in this financial year than last;

  (2) if he plans to apologise to pensioners wrongly sent income tax forms;
  45
  (3) what is his estimate of the cost of sending 1 million tax forms.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 7 June 1988]I regret that due to a computer programming fault tax returns were issued to some pensioners who would not normally have been called upon to make a return. The Inland Revenue has taken steps to ensure that this will not recur.

  No separate figures are kept of returns issued to pensioners, but the Inland Revenue estimates that the number of returns issued to them in April 1988 is approximately 500,000 higher than last year.

  The estimated cost of sending 1 million tax returns is £137,250. This includes the cost of the returns, notes, envelopes and postage. The cost of issuing the 500,000 returns to pensioners is therefore £68,625.

  Nationalised Industries (Fixed Assets)
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the percentage increase in fares, prices and tariffs required for the British Railways Board, Electricity England and Wales, London Regional Transport, North of Scotland Hydro-Electricity board, Post Office, South of Scotland Electricity Board and Water England and Wales to meet the expenditure on fixed assets given for 1990–91 in table 4.4 of Cm. 288-I, assuming these industries financed all this investment internally from commercially generated funds.

  Mr. Major
  [holding answer 10 June 1988]Hypothetical projections on the lines requested would not justify the costs involved in preparing them. Assumptions would need to be made concerning general market conditions, the responsiveness of revenues to price changes and a wide range of factors affecting cost performance such as wage settlements, fuel costs and productivity growth. For reasons of commercial confidentiallity, the Government do not publish estimates of internal resources for the later years covered by the public expenditure plans, the assumptions on which they are based, or the effects of varying those assumptions.

  Local Authority Expenditure
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give for 1978–79 and 1988–89 to 1990–91 at constant 1988–89 and cash prices local authority capital expenditure in Great Britain broken down as in table 3.6 of Cm. 288-I.

  Mr. Major
  [holding answer 10 June 1988]The presentation used in table 3.6 of Cm. 288-I was introduced in the 1987 public expenditure White Paper (Cm. 56 table 4.5). That table provides information back to 1981–82 and figures are not available in this form for earlier years. For 1988–89 to 1990–91 the cash figures are published in table 3.6 of Cm. 288-I; corresponding figures in real terms (base year 1988–89) are in the table.

  Local Authority Capital Expenditure in Great Britain in real terms1 2

  £ million

  (base year 1988–89)

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  Plans

  Plans

  Plans

  DOE/LA1 Gross Spending

  Housing

  2,934

  2,710

  2,550

  46

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  Plans

  Plans

  Plans

  Transport

  800

  770

  750

  Education

  494

  490

  480

  Personal Social Services

  111

  100

  100

  Other services:

  Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

  31

  30

  30

  Environment

  627

  610

  590

  Home Office

  40

  30

  30

  Other Departments

  22

  20

  20

  Total other services

  721

  690

  680

  Housing Association Grant

  114

  100

  90

  Total gross spending in DOE/LA1

  5,173

  4,860

  4,650

  Receipts

  Housing

  -1,876

  -1,850

  -1,800

  Transport

  -62

  -50

  -50

  Education

  -105

  -100

  -100

  Personal Social Services

  -28

  -30

  -30

  Other services:

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  -10

  -10

  -10

  Environment

  -542

  -520

  -510

  Home Office

  —

  —

  —

  Other Departments

  —

  —

  —

  Total other services

  -552

  -530

  -520

  Total receipts

  -2,623

  -2,570

  -2,500

  Total net local authority capital in DOE/LA1

  2,437

  2,190

  2,070

  Total DOE/LA1

  2,551

  2,290

  2,150

  HO/LA1

  132

  140

  140

  DOE/UA1

  Other environmental services

  272

  260

  260

  Other Departments

  24

  20

  20

  Other: Urban Development Corporations etc.

  222

  230

  230

  Total DOE/UA1

  519

  510

  510

  Memo item: Land drainage

  7

  10

  10

  England-Total

  2,864

  2,630

  2,490

  WO/LA1 Wales

  Transport

  —

  —

  —

  Employment

  1

  —

  —

  Home Office

  1

  —

  —

  Welsh Office

  285

  270

  270

  Other

  73

  80

  80

  Total local authority capital in WO/LA1

  287

  270

  270

  Total WO/LA1

  360

  350

  350

  Memo item: not in cash limit

  1

  —

  —

  Wales-Total

  295

  280

  280

  SO/LA1—non housing

  438

  470

  470

  SO/LA2—housing

  Local authority

  343

  390

  390

  Other

  182

  190

  200

  Total SO/LA2

  525

  580

  590

  47

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  Plans

  Plans

  Plans

  Memo item: not in cash limit

  1

  —

  —

  Scotland-Total

  783

  870

  860

  Total local authority capital expenditure in Great Britain

  Net

  3,942

  3,770

  3,620

  Gross

  6,957

  6,670

  6,430

  1 Real terms figures are the cash plans adjusted to 1988–89 price levels by excluding the effect of general inflation as measured by the GDP deflator.

  2 See also footnotes to Table 3.6 in Cm. 288-I.

CIVIL SERVICE

  Agencies
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service if he will make a statement about current proposals for the creation of agencies within his Department.

  Mr. Luce
  I announced on 9 May that the Civil Service College and the occupational health service are promising candidates for agency status. We are now closely examining each of them to assess their suitability. Like other Ministers, I shall continue to review the functions of my Department to identify any other areas which might be suitable.

  Funding
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service if any extra funding will be made available to the Civil Service, in the light of recent policy announcements on(a) race relations and (b) the employment of women.

  Mr. Luce
  Civil Service equal opportunity policies on the employment of women and ethnic minorities form part of the normal personnel management work of Departments. Actions to implement these policies are taken within Departmental running costs. My Department is giving priority to increasing the effectiveness of Civil Service equal opportunity policies.

  Polygraphs
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service if he will place a copy in the Library of the independent scientific study about the validity of polygraphic techniques.

  Mr. Luce
  I understand that the study is currently being assessed. No decisions have yet been taken about its handling, but, as indicated by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 24 May, at column 192, there will be an announcement to the House in due course.

AGRICULTURE

  Hedgerows
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any proposals to discourage the destruction of hedgerows and to encourage the planting of new hedgerows.
  48
  Mr. Gummer
  The Government's voluntary approach to countryside conservation seeks to ensure that farmers are fully aware of the landscape and wildlife value of their hedgerows. This Department's Agricultural Development and Advisory Service encourages farmers to retain hedgerows where possible and provides advice both on their management and the planting of new hedgerows.

  Grants are available to farmers under the agriculture improvement scheme at the rate of 30 per cent. (60 per cent. in the less-favoured areas) towards the cost of planting new hedgerows and hedgerow laying. In addition, as a special measure, grants are available to farmers at 60 per cent. for the replacement of hedgerows damaged in the storm of 15–16 October last year.

  Set-aside Scheme
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he now expects to announce his proposals on the set-aside of agricultural land; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I shall be making a statement shortly.

  Sheep (Radioactivity)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will arrange for further sample monitoring of radioactivity levels in sheep in Devon and Somerset.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  My Department has undertaken an extensive monitoring programme—the results of which have been placed in the Library of the House—that gives complete reassurance as to the safety of all produce entering the food chain. Monitoring continues outside the restricted area where necessary, but I see no need to carry out sample monitoring of sheep in Devon or Somerset.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will arrange for further sample monitoring of radioactivity levels in sheep in non-restricted areas which had high levels of precipitation on 2 and 3 May 1986.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Live monitoring of sheep is continuing wherever it is necessary, but the significance of rainfall data has been superseded by the results of surveys of actual deposition and of monitoring.

  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he proposes to take, in the light of the research findings of Dr. Kenton Morgan, of the University of Bristol, on radiation contamination among sheep in Somerset and Devon following the Chernobyl disaster, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers given today and on 1 December 1987 to the Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark), at column 542. No further action is required and I understand that Dr. Morgan has now made it clear that his work implies no risk to the food chain and no long-term contamination.

  Dumping at Sea
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give the latest available figures for the amount of flyash dumped at sea at sites off the north-east coast of England.
  49
  Mr. Gummer
  In 1987 just under 375,000 tonnes of flyash were deposited at approved sea dump sites off the north-east coast of England.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give the latest available figures for the amounts of colliery spoil dumped at sea off the north-east coast of England.

  Mr. Gummer
  In 1987 a total of 2,014,000 tonnes of minestone were deposited under licence on the beaches at Seaham, Easington and Lynemouth; a further 1,572,000 tonnes were disposed of at the approved sea dump site off the north-east coast.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the latest available figures of the amounts and types of chemicals in industrial waste dumped at sea at each of the various sites around the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Gummer
  I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will outline the investigations being carried out to demonstrate that dumping liquid industrial waste at sea does not harm the marine environment; and whether these investigations are carried out in their laboratory or in the field.

  Mr. Gummer
  All liquid industrial wastes for which application for sea disposal is made are examined in the Ministry's laboratory. Toxicity testing and chemical analysis are undertaken to ensure that potentially toxic or persistent bioaccumulatable substances are within internationally agreed limits and pose no likelihood of causing damage to the marine environment in the short or longer term. The probable initial dilution of the waste, its degradeability and its longer term fate are assessed. The minimum initial dilution required to avoid toxic effects is determined and imposed if necessary as a condition of any licence granted.

  Investigations at the disposal site are made by Ministry scientists to establish the nature of the marine species, water movements which may affect dilution and dispersion of the waste, and water quality. Once disposal commences, monitoring is conducted to confirm the absence of harm to the marine environment; this will usually include assessments of actual dilution, field bioassays, analysis of water and sediments and examination of fish and other species, including those living on the seabed.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will outline the efforts being made to find environmentally acceptable alternatives to dumping colliery spoil in the North sea and adjacent beaches.

  Mr. Gummer
  Each application for a licence under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 to dispose of colliery spoil at sea or on beaches is thoroughly examined by my Ministry. I make a careful assessment of all potential alternative means of disposal, drawing on comments obtained from consultations held by my officials with local environmental interests and local authorities. The Government also have available the results of research into disposal options commissioned by the Department of the Environment in 1986.
  50
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give details of any investigations which have concluded that there are no practical land-based alternatives to dumping at sea.

  Mr. Gummer
  All applicants for licences to dump waste at sea are required to demonstrate that land-based alternatives to dumping have been carefully considered. The practicability of land-based disposal options is thoroughly assessed in every case by this Ministry,drawing, where appropriate, on the advice of Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution.

  The composition and volume of most liquid industrial wastes hitherto accepted for disposal at sea has generally rendered them technically unsuitable for other disposal methods. As regards colliery spoil, the Department of the Environment commissioned research by Ove Arup and Partners Ltd. into the availability and cost of means of disposal other than beach tipping at Seaham; the Government concluded from that work in 1986 that there was currently no practical land-based alternative to dumping.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list any details of any investigations demonstrating the level of risk to the marine environment posed by sewage sludge dumped at sea.

  Mr. Gummer
  Investigations in the laboratory and at sea are carried out for sewage sludge in a similar way to those undertaken for liquid industrial wastes described in my reply today to another question by the hon. Member. Sewage sludge is a dispersion of organic rich solids and other particulates in water. The water content is usually more than 95 per cent. The organic matter is largely readily degraded in the sea and limits are set to the trace levels of any persistent organic chemicals and metals to ensure that no harm to the marine environment can be caused by their presence.

  Results of monitoring investigations at dump sites by this Ministry are published from time to time in the fisheries research technical report series. They show that disposal of sewage sludge at sea under controlled conditions has a minimal effect on the marine environment.

  Pâtè de Foie Gras
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any plans to introduce a ban on the import of pâtè de foie grass,; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  My Department has no plans to impose a ban on the import of pâtè de foie gras as I am advised that such a step would contravene the treaty of Rome. In any case, it is for individuals to decide whether or not to buy or consume foie gras.

  Civil Servants (Outside Activities)
  Mr. John
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Pontypridd of 24 May,Official Report, column 139, he will list the names and Civil Service grades of the two civil servants appointed as directors of commercial companies; and of which companies they have been appointed directors.
  51
  Mr. Donald Thompson
  At present the following two officials hold appointments in commercial companies:

  Mr. C. J. A. Barnes, Grade 5, as a non-executive director with Booker Food Services (Booker plc) and

  Mr. G. M. Trevelyan, Grade 5, as an observer with Brooke Bond Oxo (Unilever).

  Surplus Food
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether tenders for either(a) the packaging or (b) the transportation of surplus European Economic Community food have yet been issued; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The arrangements for the provision of beef and butter stocks for distribution to the most needy require designated organisations to invite tenders for processing or packaging and to make the necessary arrangements for transportation. A number have already done so. Others are grouping together in order to minimise costs. Group tenders for the packaging of butter and butter oil have been invited and are awaited. An invitation to tender for beef will be issued shortly. I understand that the first distributions to eligible beneficiaries are likely to take place towards the end of this month.

  Lambs
  Mr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many lambs were marked blue and relased for further fattening in the United Kingdom between 28 September 1987 and 10 January 1988.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  A total of 6,497 lambs of not more than one year old were marked blue under the "mark and release" arrangements in the United Kingdom between 28 September 1987 and 10 January 1988.

  Marked blue and released for further fattening from 28 September 1987 to 10 January 1988

  Lambs

  Sheep

  Total

  Cumbria

  248

  135

  383

  Wales

  1,546

  209

  1,755

  Scotland

  4,689

  8,903

  13,592

  Northern Ireland

  14

  110 9,357

  124

  6,497

  9,357

  15,854

  Food Costs
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his latest estimate of the additional cost in food per average family in consequence of the common agricultural policy; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him on 31 March, at column 638.

  Rhizomania Infection
  Mr. David Davis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has made for the inspection of beet fields for rhizomania infection during the current season.

  Mr. MacGregor
  We will carry out a very extensive inspection programme throughout the country while the 52
  1988 crop is growing. This will concentrate on sugar beet fields likely to be susceptible to rhizomania risk because of, for example, soil structure, poor irrigation or a history of low sugar yields. The fields will be identified by the local knowledge of inspectors, by British Sugar's records and by the results of aerial photography. Inspections will also be carried out on other fields of sugar beet and on fields of red and fodder beet.

  To ensure that infection had not been spread from the farm in Suffolk where rhizomania was found last season, prior to the discovery, we will inspect all fields growing beet this year within 5 km of the site and also crops on the farms visited by the sugar beet contractor who worked on the farm between 1981 and 1987.

  All these inspections will be carried out, under a joint programme, by the Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate, Ministry field staff and British Sugar staff. Sample beets will be taken from each field inspected. These will be tested by the Ministry's Harpenden laboratory.

  We expect this inspection programme to cover about 2,000 fields. It is a formidable task, but I am sure that it is justified in order to maintain our protection against rhizomania disease. It follows widespread surveys last year and programmes of inspection in the three previous seasons, which found no sign of rhizomania infection.

  I am grateful to British Sugar for its co-operation in the inspections carried out in previous years and for the help it will again be providing in the coming season.

  Argentine Ant
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has on the dangers to native flora and fauna from the accidental import of the Argentine Ant.

  Mr. Moynihan
  I have been asked to reply.

  Incidents of accidental infestations of the Argentine Ant in the United Kingdom are very rare and have been confined to permanently heated buildings. All currently available evidence suggests that the species cannot survive in the wild in the United Kingdom.

SOCIAL SERVICES

  Severely Mentally Handicapped People
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement concerning the benefit entitlement of the severely mentally handicapped who have undertaken a community programme placement for therapeutic purposes.

  Mr. Scott
  Anyone receiving an incapacity benefit who performs work for which an employer might reasonably pay shows that he is capable of work and his benefit may be affected. This may apply to severely mentally handicapped people who have undertaken a community programme placement. The decision whether in practice a person is capable of work is for determination by the independent adjudicating authority.

  However, a person receiving any incapacity benefit may nevertheless earn up to £27 a week without loss of benefit provided he satisfies the adjudicating authorities that the work is therapeutic, by furnishing medical evidence to that effect.

  A severely mentally handicapped person is not entitled to income support if he is working 24 hours or more a

  53
  week on a community programme. But benefit may be payable if the work averages less than 24 hours a week. The first £5 or £15, as appropriate, of his earnings are disregarded in deciding entitlement.

  Departmental Offices (St. Helens)
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the current total social fund allocation for his Department's offices in St. Helens; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the current total social fund allocation for his Department's offices in the Manchester area; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  I refer the hon. Members to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Wells (Mr. Heathcoat-Amory) on 4 November 1987, at columns 774–81.

  Twenty-four Hours Rule
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received regarding the application of the 24-hours-per-week working rule in respect of a family's eligibility for benefit.

  Mr. Portillo
  Representations have been received in certain individual cases where supplementary benefit was previously in payment but where there is no entitlement to income support under the new rules because 24 hours a week, or more, are being worked. Families with children can claim the new family credit, and families facing substantial losses may also be eligible for help under the transitional arangements announced by my hon. Friend the Minister for Social Security and the Disabled on 28 April, at columns 253–54.

  European Cancer Initiative
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what contribution the Government have made towards the European cancer initiative.

  Mrs. Currie
  We have made £100,000 available to provide full or part funding of United Kingdom cancer charities' activities in support of the Europe against cancer initiative. In addition, we have taken the lead in cancer prevention by implementing the European Community's first comprehensive cervical cancer screening service based on computerised call and recall, the world's first nationwide breast cancer screening sevice, and by setting up the DHSS cancer screening evaluation unit at the Institute of Cancer Research to monitor existing cancer screening programmes and to assess the possibility of screening for other cancers. The Health Education Authority has also published an updated guide for the general public on how to reduce the risk of cancer by a healthy lifestyle.

  Meningitis
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the death rate from meningococcal meningitis.
  54
  Mrs. Currie
  The table gives the number of deaths registered where meningococcal meningitis was the underlying cause of death and the crude mortality rate per million usually resident population for the latest five years.

  Deaths with underlying cause as meningococcal meningitis (ICD(9)1 036·0): numbers and rates per million population England and Wales 1983–87

  Year

  Number

  Rate per million

  1983

  20

  0·40

  1984

  26

  0·52

  1985

  36

  0·72

  1986

  44

  0·88

  21987

  37

  0·74

  1International Classification or" Diseases 9th revision.

  2Provisional.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement about the incidence of haemophilus or pneumococcal meningitis.

  Mrs. Currie
  The table gives the numbers of notifications of haemophilus and pneumococcal meningitis for the latest six years available. In addition, the numbers of notifications where the organism was not specified on the notification forms are shown.

  Number of notifications of (a) haemophilus (influenzal), (b) pneumococcal and (c) unspecified meningitis England and Wales 1982 to 1987

  Type of meningitis

  Year

  Haemophilus

  Pneumococcal

  Unspecified

  1982

  177

  87

  145

  1983

  173

  74

  137

  1984

  217

  78

  149

  1985

  206

  82

  186

  1986

  268

  143

  232

  11987

  250

  109

  171

  1Provisional, January to September only.

  Aspirin
  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what conclusions have been reached by his Department on the use of aspirin as preventive medicine for those who have suffered a heart attack and for those in the age categories where they are most vulnerable to such an attack; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Currie
  The use of aspirin in the prevention of heart attack is an area in which there have recently been some interesting research studies. Research is continuing,

  The best preventive measures against heart disease continue to be lifestyle changes such as stopping smoking and changes in diet.

  Household Income
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish a set of figures for 1979 on the same basis as contained in "Households Below Average Income 1981–1985".

  Mr. Portillo
  I have no plans to publish a full set of "Households Below Average Income" figures for 1979. However, "Low Income Statistics—Report of a Technical Review" proposes that data for an earlier year (perhaps 1971) might be included in a future edition. Copies of this report are available in the Library.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the figures allocated for the social fund to be claimed from the Seaham and Peterlee office of his Department for the financial year 1988–89 and the proportions of these which were(a) loans and (b) grants; and whether these figures will be revised if the demand for amounts from the fund exceeds the allocated amounts.

  Mr. Portillo
  Social fund allocations were announced by my hon. Friend the Minister for Social Security and the Disabled in his reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Wells (Mr. Heathcoat-Amory) on 4 November 1987, at columns 774–81. I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Maryhill (Mrs. Fyfe) on 4 March, at column 746, for details of the contingency arrangements.

  Community Care
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what financial arrangements are made in each health region when patients are transferred out of long-stay hospitals into community care; and how many patients were transferred out under these arrangements in each health region since 1984.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many patients formerly resident in long-stay mental hospitals have so far been discharged into the community as part of the community care policy in each regional health authority; and what has been the total amount of cost savings accrued as a result.

  Mrs. Currie
  In response to local circumstances and needs, regions have a variety of financial arrangements for funding the transfer of mentally ill or handicapped patients from long-stay hospitals to more community orientated patterns of care. In some cases funds are transferred with individual patients ("dowries") according to regional guidelines or are directly negotiated by district health authorities; in others development monies are earmarked by the regional health authority to fund specific projects. General development funds are, of course, also used to meet the costs of community care. Dowries are often permanent revenue payments uprated for inflation each year. A number of regions have set aside specific sums to bridge the cost of continuing to run old long-stay institutions while developing new services, but such funds are not the only ways of meeting such costs. The broad details of regions' financing arrangements are as follows. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman of the regional health authority concerned for more detailed information.

  Northern RHA. Health Service developments funded from regional priority service fund. Arrangements for patients transferred from NHS to local authority or voluntary care individually negotiated. Bridging arrangements but no specific fund.

  Yorkshire RHA. Direct care costs transferred to patients "home" DHA. The balance of resources required to provide community care provided from general development funds. Arrangements for transfers to local authority and voluntary agencies separately negotiated at district level. Bridging fund.

  Trent RHA. Regional guideline for dowries of £13,800 for patients transferred between health authorities and of £6,900 for transfer to local authority or voluntary care. Bridging fund. (Policy under review.)
  56
  North Western RHA. Dowry of £21,400 per patient for all patients transferred as part of district package of which £4,300 is non-recurrent. Dowry of f 13,400 for transfers agreed on an individual basis. Bridging fund.

  Mersey RHA. Financial arrangements negotiatied by DHAs according to dependency level of individual patient. Bridging fund.

  West Midlands RHA. Dowry of 50 per cent. of average cost of mentally handicapped patients and 100 per cent. of average cost of mentally ill patients. Targeted bridging fund.

  East Anglian RHA. Funding arrangements negotiated individually by district health authorities. Bridging fund.

  North West Thames RHA. Dowries ranging from £13,000 to £20,000 according to type of patient. Additionally, there are development fund moneys available from natural decline. Bridging fund.

  North East Thames RHA. For health authorities, each DHA allocated funds either to pay for care in the existing long stay hospital or to provide its own service. Transfers to local authorities and voluntary agencies separately negotiated. Strategic reserve to top up costs of care in the community where necessary with ad hoc bridging finance provided by RHA to existing providing districts.

  South East Thames RHA. Dowry of £13,000 (plus London weighting if necessary) for mental handicap patients. For mental illness patients costs of hospital care apportioned to districts on the basis of numbers to be transferred. Bridging fund.

  South West Thames RHA. For health authorities dowries of £13,477 for mental illness and £11,334 for mental handicap patients admitted before December 1982. Separate negotiations for patients admitted after that date and for transfers to local authorities, voluntary agencies and across regional boundaries. Bridging fund.

  Oxford RHA. Development funds earmarked for specific projects.

  Wessex RHA. Dowry of £14,000 per patient for all agencies. Mental handicap bridging fund.

  South Western RHA. Dowry of £13,700 for mental handicap patients available for community provision by health authorities. Separate negotiation for mental illness patients and for all transfers to other agencies.

  Information is not available centrally on the numbers of patients discharged from long-stay care specifically under these arrangements. The tables show the number of discharges from NHS mental illness hospitals and units and mental handicap hospitals and units in England where the depth of stay was five or more years. Tranfers to other hospitals and special hospitals are excluded. 1986 is the latest year for which this information is available centrally.

  Information on cost savings is not available centrally.

  Discharges from Mental Illness hospitals and units where there was a stay of five or more years1

  Regional health authority

  1984

  1985

  1986

  England2

  981

  987

  1,082

  Northern

  48

  48

  54

  Yorkshire

  74

  67

  85

  Trent

  102

  105

  113

  East Anglian

  32

  29

  38

  North West Thames

  96

  65

  83

  North East Thames

  76

  76

  77

  South East Thames

  75

  70

  83

  South West Thames

  65

  59

  81

  Wessex

  53

  67

  99

  Oxford

  34

  39

  46

  South Western

  97

  110

  101

  West Midlands

  117

  114

  111

  Mersey

  65

  81

  50

  North Western

  46

  56

  61

  Special health authority hospitals

  1

  1

  0

  Source: MHE.

  1Excludes deaths, transfers to a special hospital, transfers to a

  57
  hospital psychiatric bed and transfer to a hospital non-psychiatric bed.

  2Excludes special hospitals.

  Discharges from Mental Handicap hospitals and units where there was a stay of five or more years1

  Year

  Regional Health Authority

  1984

  1985

  1986

  England2

  1,375

  1,523

  1,951

  Northern

  63

  58

  81

  Yorkshire

  71

  148

  175

  Trent

  129

  150

  300

  East Anglian

  58

  66

  60

  North West Thames

  50

  65

  58

  North East Thames

  72

  83

  53

  South East Thames

  148

  201

  275

  South West Thames

  119

  171

  277

  Wessex

  82

  75

  143

  Oxford

  38

  57

  74

  South Western

  304

  155

  133

  West Midlands

  70

  100

  104

  Mersey

  98

  72

  102

  North Western

  73

  122

  116

  Special Health Authority hospitals

  0

  0

  0

  Source: MHE.

  1Excludes deaths, transfers to a special hospital, transfers to a hospital psychiatric bed and transfer to a hospital non-psychiatric bed.

  2Excludes Special Hospitals.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if his Department currently issues any guidance to health authorities on the consultations which should be undertaken with patients, their parents and their relatives before individuals are discharged into the community from long-stay mental hospitals;

  (2) if his Department currently issues any guidance to health authorities on the consultations which should he undertaken with patients, their parents and relatives, and local residents before long-stay mental hospitals are run down as part of the implementation of the policy of care in the community.

  Mrs. Currie
  The Government's response to the report of the House of Commons Social Services Committee on "Community Care with Special Reference to Adult Mentally Ill and Mentally Handicapped People", circulated to all health authorities, reminded them of the need to consult patients and their families about discharge from long-stay hospitals. We will be considering the question of consultation with local residents as we review reports from the Health Service Commissioner which bear on this issue.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what mechanisms his Department has established to oversee the transfer of residents of long-stay mental institutions to the community.

  Mrs. Currie
  The development of mental illness and mental handicap services, including the shift to community-based services, is a regular feature of the annual review meetings which Ministers and the NHS Management Board hold with each regional health authority. The Department's Social Services Inspectorate maintains liaison with local social services departments and monitors the development of personal social services, including those for patients discharged from mental institutions.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his policy towards health authorities being 58
  required to consult neighbours before mentally handicapped people are moved into the community; what representations he has received in this respect for the Health Service Ombudsman, Mr. Anthony Barrowclough; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Currie
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Liverpool, West Derby (Mr. Wareing) on 10 June, at column 727.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received regarding the cases of former long-stay hospital residents who are ineligible for community care grants on discharge because they do not qualify for income support; what was the nature of these representations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Long-stay Hospitals
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what minimum standards exist for long-stay hospitals; when these standards were laid down; whether they are under review; and what steps he has undertaken to enforce these standards.

  Mrs. Currie
  Minimum standards for long-stay hospitals were first laid down in 1969, and other guidance bearing on various aspects of physical standards of provision for long-stay patients was issued between 1979 and 1982. The minimum standards were used by the national development team for people with a mental handicap and by the health advisory service, but there has always been a danger that these standards would be regarded as norms rather than minima. They fall well below current expectations in terms of services for long-stay patients and for this reason are now little used. Local managers are expected to look critically at the operation of services using quantified information, such as Health Service indicators, and using check lists of questions designed to expose poor quality of services.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many wards in long-stay hospitals do not meet the 1971 minimum standards of 8ft between bed centres and 70 sq ft of bedroom space per resident; and in which health districts these wards are located;

  (2) what proportion of wards of long-stay hospitals in each health region fail to meet the standards of 8ft between bed centres and 70 sq ft of bedroom space per resident.

  Mrs. Currie
  I regret that the information is not available.

  Disabled Child Premium
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what financial provision he has made to assist single parents, unable to work because of the needs of their handicapped children, to supplement their income support, other than the £6·15 additional disabled child premium; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  The income support of a single parent with a disabled child would normally include, in addition to the disabled child premium, an age-related personal
  59
  allowance for the claimant and each child, the lone parent premium (of £3·70) and the family premium (of £6·15). In addition, attendance allowance, mobility allowance as well as invalid care allowance might be payable. A person on income support would receive maximum housing benefit, free prescriptions, dental treatment, free school meals and other benefits in kind.

  Cranage Hall Hospital
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has received any recent representations concerning the proposed closure of the Cranage Hall hospital.

  Mrs. Currie
  No.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has any plans to meet residents of the Cranage Hall hospital or their parents and relatives.

  Mrs. Currie
  We have received no requests to meet them and therefore we have no plans to do so.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will call for a report from the chairman of the Mersey regional health authority and Crewe district health authority into the handling of the proposed run-down of Cranage Hall hospital.

  Mrs. Currie
  Proposals for Cranage Hall hospital are being formulated by the Crewe health authority in collaboration with the Cheshire social services department. These proposals are still at an early stage, but we will be monitoring progress through the review and planning processes.

  Crewe Health Authority (General Manager)
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will call for a report from the chairman of the Mersey regional health authority into the resignation of the former general manager of the Crewe health authority, the ex-gratia payment and the subsequent re-employment of the ex-general manager by the Mersey regional health authority; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Currie
  Employment and contractual matters are entirely the responsibility of individual health authorities.

  Post-abortion Stress Disorder
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to be able to publish the results of the investigation currently being conducted at his request by the Manchester branch of the Royal College of General Practitioners into post-abortion stress disorder.

  Mr. Newton
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Hexham (Mr. Amos) on 30 March, at column 540.

  Physiotherapy (Data)
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the arrangements which health authorities have made for the calculation of data for physiotherapy services under the revised arrangements 60
  recommended by the fourth and sixth Körner reports; what he estimates the cost of this to be; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Newton
  We are satisfied that those health authorities which are not already doing so, will begin the collection of the full Körner data requirements on physiotherapy services during 1988–89. Authorities currently without computer systems have made interim arrangements to collect basic statistics. The cost of collecting the Körner data will vary between health authorities, depending upon the particular system in operation, the size and number of departments and existing data collection arrangements. This costing information is not available centrally.

  Child Guidance Units
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his policy towards the continuance of multi-professional, multi-agency work for children with emotional difficulties, through child guidance; what proposals he has to secure the future of child guidance units in inner London; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Currie
  Our current policy is that children with emotional difficulties should be able to look for help from professional staff, including psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers, who spend most of their time working in the child and adolescent fields. The organisation of these services in London after the proposed abolition of the Inner London education authority is a matter for consideration by the health and local authority services concerned.

  Wakefield DHA (Inquiry)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to prevent the Yorkshire regional health authority from proceeding with its inquiry into the management of Wakefield district health authority; and if he will establish an independent public inquiry in its stead.

  Mr. Newton
  No. Where problems occur within a district health authority our expectation is that matters will be settled locally by the authority putting its own house in order. If the DHA concerned proves to be unable to resolve its problems internally the regional health authority, as the next management tier, and the one to which the district is accountable, has a duty to act. I therefore support the decison of the RHA to establish its own inquiry.

  Nurses (Prescribing)
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on his policy towards the prescribing of medicines by nurses.

  Mr. Newton
  As we made clear in "Promoting Better Health" (Cm. 249), we see merit in giving nurses more freedom to prescribe some items and use their professional judgment in other related matters. A joint working group (mainly members of the Standing Medical, Nursing and Midwifery and Pharmaceutical Advisory Committees) has recently been appointed to help us take this forward.

  Nurses (Grading Structure)
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress has been made in respect of the implementation of the clinical grading structure for nurses.

  Mr. Newton
  Management guidance on the implementation of the new clinical grading structure has been issued to all health authorities and they have been asked to complete the regrading exercise by 31 October.

  Social Security Management Board
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many meetings of the Social Security Management Board he has attended in the last year.

  Mr. Scott
  The Social Security Management Board is a body chaired by the permanent secretary which reports to Ministers as required. We would not therefore expect to attend meetings of the board.

  Project 2000
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the ratio of qualified nurses to nursing auxiliaries being sought under the recently announced Project 2000 proposals; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what is his assessment of the likely funding requirements for the implementation of Project 2000.

  Mr. Newton
  The implementation of Project 2000 will be phased over a number of years. The final cost will depend upon the final shape of the whole package of proposals, in which much detail remains to be settled.

  The number of qualified nurses and support workers will be decided by district health authorities, which must determine their own requirements for staff.

  Social Services (Private Companies)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many local authority social services departments currently allow private companies to undertake their statutory services.

  Mrs. Currie
  Information about contractual arrangements between local authorities and private companies for the provision of social services is not collected centrally.

  Social Work Staff
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many local authority social service departments offer additional incentives over and above basic grade salaries in order to assist their recruitment of social work staff.

  Mr. Newton
  I regret that this information is not held centrally.

  Conductive Education
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he proposes to take, in the light of Warwick university applied social studies department's report entitled "Come Wind, Come Weather," about conductive education, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.
  62
  Mr. Scott
  I am aware of the recommendations contained in the report to assist British families at the Peto Institute in Budapest. The Peto method of conductive education is one of a wide range of services for disabled children and adults. Proposals for its introduction in Britain would have to take into account existing health and education provision as well as the evaluation being undertaken by Birmingham university of the research project of the foundation for conductive education. I have arranged to visit a number of organisations to look at the range of services available in these fields. A team of officials from DES and DHSS recently visited Budapest to obtain more information about the difficulties faced by the British families at the Peto Institute and the part that conductive education plays in the provision of services in Hungary.

  Inquest (Carlisle)
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if the Registrar General has yet determined whether the requirements of the legislation governing the registration of births and deaths should be applied to the case which was the subject of a recent request to the Secretary of State for the Home Department by the coroner in Carlisle for the holding of an inquest; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Newton
  Following the decision made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department not to direct that an inquest should be held, the Registrar General has made her own inquiries and these indicate that the requirements of the legislation governing the registration of births and deaths do apply in this case.

  Hospital and Community Health Service
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give a table showing(a) current spending and (b) capital spending per tax unit on the hospital and community health service in England and the United Kingdom in 1988–89.

  Mr. Newton
  The information is as follows:

  Current (gross)

  Capital (gross)

  £

  £

  United Kingdom

  750

  60

  England

  700

  60

  These figures are based on the estimated number of tax units who pay income tax.

  Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on his future plans for financial support to the Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Association; and why financial assistance has not yet been given.

  Mrs. Currie
  [holding answer 7 June 1988]: In recognition of the valuable work of the Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Association we have decided to make a grant for the first time of £5,000 for the current financial year.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Upper Waiting Hall (Exhibitions)
  Mr. John Garrett
  To ask the Lord President of the Council why it is necessary for an hon. Member to obtain the agreement of the appropriate Government Department before applying to the Serjeant at Arms to arrange an exhibition in the Upper Waiting Hall.

  Mr. Wakeham
  This measure has been approved by the Services Committee to ensure that exhibitions mounted by right hon. and hon. Members do not contain items of advertising or commercial interest nor material explicitly intended to further the aims of any political party or group. It was considered that by using their background knowledge of the subjects of exhibitions the Government Departments could help meet the wishes of the House.

  In addition, the Services Committee recently resolved that Members' applications for exhibitions should be submitted to the Chairman of the Accommodation and Administration Sub-Committee as well as to the relevant Government Department.

  Sittings of the House
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will publish in the Official Report a consolidated list of the occasions on which the House has sat later than 1.30 am since 1958.

  Mr. Wakeham
  [pursuant to his reply, 10 June 1988, c. 714]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to his previous written question on 13 April 1988, Official Report, columns 166–68. It would be inappropriate to republish this information in a consolidated form.

  The following tables set out the revised figures for the current Session (1987–88) to date and also the total number of occasions in each Session since 1958 when the House sat after 1.30 am.

  Table I

  House sits after 1.30 am

  Session

  Number of occasions

  Time at which adjourned (am unless stated)

  Date

  1987–88 (to date)

  24

  1.34

  14 July 1987

  1.40

  17 February 1988

  1.45

  27 April 1988

  1·50

  9 February 1988

  1.53

  6 July 1987

  1.53

  7 July 1987

  1.53

  15 December 1987

  1.57

  13 April 1988

  2.11

  10 May 1988

  2.20

  8 February 1988

  2.23

  30 March 1988

  2.29

  23 May 1988

  2.31

  2 December 1987

  2.47

  2 March 1988

  2.55

  29 March 1988

  2.56

  3 February 1988

  3.27

  20 July 1987

  4.01

  21 October 1987

  4.07

  9 March 1988

  5.58

  25 May 1988

  8.30

  10 March 1988

  9.24

  8 December 1987

  9.27

  13 July 1987

  18.55

  10 November 1987

  64
  1 pm.

  Table II

  Occasions when the House sat after 1.30 am

  Session

  Number

  1959–60

  8

  1960–61

  16

  1961–62

  10

  1962–63

  9

  1963–64

  4

  1964–65

  27

  1965–66

  7

  1966–67

  40

  1967–68

  21

  1968–69

  24

  1969–70

  9

  1970–71

  33

  1971–72

  30

  1972–73

  24

  1973–74

  4

  1974

  10

  1974–75

  35

  1975–76

  39

  1976–77

  23

  1977–78

  21

  1978–79

  8

  1979–80

  41

  1980–81

  28

  1981–82

  22

  1982–83

  13

  1983–84

  34

  1984–85

  35

  1985–86

  18

  1986–87

  6

  1987–881

  24

  1 To date.

DEFENCE

  Southampton University (Contracts)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the contracts for research and development that have been awarded to Southampton university by his Department for each of the last five years, together with the purpose and cost for each contract.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The Ministry of Defence has currently 805 research agreements and 76 contracts with a wide range of United Kingdom universities, polytechnics and other institutions of higher education.

  It is not our policy to give details of these arrangements. It is for the universities themselves to confirm their involvement.

  Departmental Costs
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he proposes to make any changes to the 1988–89 running costs limit for his Department.

  Mr. Younger
  The running costs limit for the Ministry of Defence will be reduced by £50,000 from £5,407,883,000 to £5,407,833,000. The reduction falls on class 1, vote 1 and reflects an agreement by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys (OPCS) to take over responsibility for producing some analytical work required by the MOD. This reduction will be matched by a corresponding increase in the OPCS's running cost limit to be shown on class 20, vote 16. The transfer of this work will not affect the MOD block cash limit, nor the cash limit on class 1, vote 1, as the MOD will be charged on the non-running cost part of the Vote for the work undertaken by OPCS.

  Woolwich Arsenal
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what proposals he is presently considering for major housing development on land at Woolwich Arsenal;

  (2) what consultations he has undertaken with the London borough of Greenwich concerning redevelopment of land at Woolwich Arsenal.

  Mr. Freeman
  The royal arsenal west and royal arsenal east sites are principally occupied by the directorate general defence quality assurance. The future location of the directorate general is under study and, until this has been concluded, we cannot determine what land disposal may be possible on these sites. I can, however, confirm that we would expect to discuss plans for the development of any land to be released with the planning authority at an

  Session

  Report Number

  Description of PAC Report

  Related C&AG Reports

  1979–80

  16th

  Matters Relating to the Ministry of Defence:

  Paras 17–30 Class 1 Vote 8 Defence Procurement: Sea Systems

  Appropriation Account 1978–79 Volume 1 Class 1 Vote 8

  1980–81

  3rd

  Matters Relating to the Ministry of Defence:

  Paras 18–54 Class I Vote 2 Defence Procurement

  Appropriation Account 1979–80 Volume 1 Class 1 Vote 2

  1981–82

  9th

  Chevaline improvement to the Polaris missile system

  No C&AG report

  1981–82

  16th

  Ministry of Defence:

  Provision of Army Vehicles; Estimating, monitoring and control of Expenditure; Pricing and post costing of non—competitive contracts. Paras 17–29

  Appropriation Account 1980–81 Volume 1 Class 1 Votes 1, 2, 4 and 5

  1982–83

  5th

  Matters relating to the Ministry of Defence:

  Paras 42–53 Class 1 Vote 2 Defence Procurement

  Appropriation Account 1981–82 Class 1 Vote 2

  1983–84

  19th

  The United Kingdom Trident Programme

  HC 287

  1983–84

  33rd

  Economy of Stores Support

  HC 359

  1984–85

  1st

  Maintenance of major RAF equipments

  HC 481

  1984–85

  16th

  Major Projects Statement 1983–84

  No published C&AG report

  1984–85

  25th

  Profit Formula for non—competitive Government contracts, etc

  HC 243 1984–85

  1984–85

  28th

  The Torpedo programme

  Hc 291

  1984–85

  35th

  Design and Procurement of Warships

  HC 423 1984–85

  1985–86

  18th

  Supplies for the Armed Forces

  HC 465 1984–85

  1985–86

  23rd

  Production Costs of Defence Equipment

  HC 505 1984–85

  1985–86

  35th

  International Collaborative Projects for Defence Equipment; Major Projects Statement

  No published C&AG report

  1986–87

  6th

  Control and Management of the Development of Major Equipment

  HC 568 1985–86

  Note:

  In addition to the reports referred to above:

  (1) The PAC have taken evidence in their current session on the following procurement subjects although the reports have yet to be published: The Torpedo Programme and Design and Procurement of Warships; Control and Management of the Trident Programme Annual Statement on Major Defence Projects; Control and Management of the Development of Major Equipment Procurement Irregularities; Demountable Rack Offloading and Pick-up System (DROPS)

  The Profit Formula

  EH 101

  (2) The Appropriation Accounts (Volume 1 Class 1) for the period 1983–84 to 1986–87 also contain reports on defence matters by the C&AG.

  Rally Sport
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much income has been derived in each of the last five years by the use of his Department's land in Epynt, Otterburn and Salisbury Plain for all forms of rally sport.

  Mr. Freeman
  Income derived from all forms of rally sport on defence land at Epynt in Brecon, Otterburn and Salisbury Plain over each of the last five years is as follows:

  Epynt

  Otterburn

  Salisbury Plain

  £

  £

  £

  1983–84

  3,342

  967

  4,121

  1984–85

  4,202

  1,485

  7,092

  1985–86

  5,729

  1,518

  9,815

  1986–87

  7,268

  1,379

  7,253

  1987–88

  4,360

  2,066

  5,259

  66
  early date. Any such plans would need to take account of the nature of the area and, in particular, of the historic buildings on the royal arsenal west site.

  Procurement (Overspending)
  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all overspending by his Department on defence procurement as identified by the Comptroller and Auditor General and the Public Accounts Committee since 1979.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Information in the form requested is not held by my Department. However, the following is a list of reports by the Committee of Public Accounts since 1979, most of which have been based on reports by the Comptroller and Auditor General, and which have addressed aspects of defence procurements:

  Service Personnel (Taxation)
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if, in any country in which they are stationed, members of the armed forces pay any form of local taxation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  Members of the armed forces who are operating abroad under the provisions of the NATO status of forces agreement are exempt, under article X of the agreement, from any local taxes that result from residence or domicile in the receiving state, or on the salaries and emoluments paid to them in respect of their employment as members of the armed forces. Outside NATO, we always seek to ensure that similar arrangements apply. The armed forces do not, however,
  67
  enjoy any exemption from taxes or duties relating to purchases and services chargeable under the fiscal regulations of the receiving state.

  Low-flying Areas
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what geographical area, expressed(a) by county and (b) by parliamentary constituency, is covered by low-flying area 4.

  Mr. Freeman
  Low-flying area 4 covers(a) the county of Hereford and parts of the counties of Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and the west midlands and (b) the parliamentary constituencies of Cheltenham, Worcester, Mid-Worcestershire, Worcestershire South. Wyre Forest, Leominster, Gloucester and Hereford and parts of the parliamentary constituencies of Ludlow, Staffordshire South, Bromsgrove, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwick and Leamington, Banbury, Witney, Cirencester and Tewkesbury, Stroud and Gloucestershire, West.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what geographical area, expressed(a) by county and (b) by parliamentary constituency, is covered by low-flying area 6.

  Mr. Freeman
  Low-flying area 6 covers(a) the county of Northamptonshire and parts of the counties of Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Nottinghamshire and Warwickshire and (b) the parliamentary constituencies of Rutland and Melton, Leicester, East, Leicestershire, South, Leicester, West, Harborough, Peterborough, Corby, Mid-Bedfordshire, Bedfordshire, North, Huntingdon, Wellingborough, Kettering, Northampton, North, Northampton, South, Blaby, Milton Keynes, and Luton, North, and parts of the parliamentary constituencies of Loughborough, Rushcliffe, Gedling, Sherwood, Newark, Grantham, Stamford and Spalding, Holland with Boston, Norfolk, North-West, Norfolk, South-West, Cambridgeshire, North-East, Cambridgeshire, South-East, Cambridgeshire, South-West, Saffron Walden, Stevenage, Hertford and Stortford, Hertfordshire, North, Hertfordshire, West, Bedfordshire, South-West, Buckingham, Daventry, Banbury, Stratford-on-Avon, Rugby and Kenilworth, Nuneaton and Bosworth.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the restrictions on use of afterburners by military jet aircraft flying at low level(a) in the United Kingdom low-flying system as a whole and (b) in the central Wales, Borders and northern Scotland tactical training areas.

  Mr. Freeman
  Aircrew are instructed to use engine reheat (or afterburners) as little as possible when flying overland at low level, particularly over inhabited areas. Where use is necessary, for example, during take-offs and properly authorised display and trials flying, and emergencies and related training, it is discouraged at levels below 1,000 ft minimum separation distance (msd) or 500 ft msd for Jaguar aircraft. These instructions apply to the United Kingdom low-flying system as a whole, including tactical training areas.

  Ex-Service Personnel (Rejoining)
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy concerning Army ex-service men and women rejoining the Army when they have a criminal record.

  Mr. Freeman
  Whether or not an ex-service man or woman with a criminal record is allowed to re-enlist into the Army would depend on the individual nature of the offence. However, a person who has been sentenced to a term of imprisonment is normally ineligible for re-enlistment.

  RAF Feltwell
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which unit of the United States Air Force space command at Falcon air force station, Colorado, will control the proposed deep space tracking station at RAF Feltwell.

  Mr. Freeman
  The 18th space surveillance group from Falcon air force base, Colorado, will have operational control of the deep space tracking station at RAF Feltwell.

  Maritime Concepts
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals on the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation concept of maritime operations his Department is producing for the Eurogroup maritime concepts subgroup; what the timetable is for the review of maritime operations by the Eurogroup; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  The Ministry of Defence contributes fully to the work of the Euro long-term working group. Details of this are classified.

  B-52 Bombers
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the purpose and function of exercises of B-52s at (i) RAF Fairford, April to May, (ii) RAF Fairford, June and (iii) RAF Marham, June.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  Five United States Air Force B-52 aircraft deployed to RAF Fairford for the second of this year's Busy Brewer exercises, between 3 and 13 June. Such exercises, which involve deployments within the United Kingdom and continental Europe, are designed to rehearse the aircraft's wartime role in conventional support of NATO. The previous Busy Brewer exercise was held at Fairford between 29 April and 16 May. Two B-52 aircraft will deploy to RAF Marham between 15 and 24 June to participate in joint training exercises with the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force.

  Exercise Tristar
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many ground troops and vehicles will be taking part in Exercise Tristar; what is the role in their exercise; and in what areas they will be exercising;

  (2) what is the purpose of Exercise Tristar; how many and what types of aircraft will be participating; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  Exercise Tristar 88 is a routine training exercise which is being held in southern Scotland
  69
  and northern England from 10 to 26 June and involves a small number of troops, vehicles and aircraft. It is not our general practice to give details of such exercises in advance.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations have taken place with the National Farmers Union and local authorities concerning Exercise Tristar.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  The usual consultations for an exercise of this size have taken place with the various authorities concerned. No consultations have taken place with the National Farmers Union, although, in the usual way, there have been consultations with individual landowners as necessary.

  Search and Rescue Helicopters
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has yet made a decision about the future deployment of search and rescue helicopters at RAF Leuchars; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will announce his decision over the future deployment of A flight, 22 Squadron, RAF Chivenor.

  Mr. Freeman
  My hon. Friends will be aware that the Ministry of Defence has been conducting a detailed study, in consultation with the Department of Transport and other interested Government Departments, into the deployment of military search and rescue helicopters in the United Kingdom. Certain aspects of that study, as they affect deployment on the east and south coasts of England, have been completed and announced.

  I am well aware of the concern felt by my hon. Friends and other hon. Members about the future of search and rescue helicopter services as they affect the remaining areas of the country. To enable all these concerns to be further considered by the Government, no decisions will be taken until later this year.

TRANSPORT

  LRT (Chairman)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has any plans to appoint a new chairman of London Regional Transport.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  No.

  Channel Tunnel
  Mr. Batiste
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by what route trains from the north of England will be directed through London to the Channel tunnel; what infrastructure work will be required for this; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  This is a matter for the British Railways Board. I understand it intends initially at least to use the existing west London line, which will be upgraded and electrified for this purpose.

  East London River Crossing
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what additional evidence about the east 70
  London river crossing he has received from the London borough of Greenwich in the light of his Department's decision to alter the criteria for assessing the economic performances of new road schemes; and what response he has made;

  (2) if he will make it his policy to take into account his Department's revised criteria for assessing the economic performance of new road schemes when reaching a decision on the proposed east London river crossing;

  (3) when he now expects to be able to announce his decision on the proposed east. London river crossing.

  Mr. Channon
  The London borough of Greenwich has submitted its consultants' assessment of the effect of the revised values of travel time and accident prevention on the east London river crossing scheme. I have confirmed that my Department's reassessment, together with that of the London borough of Greenwich, will be taken into account by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and me in reaching our decision on the statutory orders for this scheme. We hope to announce our joint decision soon.

  Driving Test Fees
  Mr. Roger King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to assess the value for money of the service provided by the Driving Test Organisation in the light of the proposed increase in the driving test fee to £16·50.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The 10% increase proposed represents a total increase of 15% since 1984. This is below the increase in the retail prices index. The new driving test fee of £16·50 is required to cover increased costs and the move to a reduced examiner work schedule later in the year. Significant efficiency improvements are being made following the review of driver testing to improve the service provided to the public, improve productivity and reduce unit costs.

  Drivers (Minimum Age)
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his assessment of the effect on the number of serious injuries and deaths of raising the minimum age requirement for the driving of(a) motor cars and (b) all motor vehicles to 18 years.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  In 1986 a total of 266 deaths and 5,697 serious injuries occurred in accidents where the driver or rider of a motor vehicle was under 18 years old. It is impossible to predict how many of these casualties might be saved by raising the minimum age to 18, because a significant factor in accidents to this group is lack of driving experience rather than simply a question of age. We have no plans to raise the current minimum age requirement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his assessment of the effect on the volume of traffic of raising the minimum age requirement for the driving of(a) motor cars and (b) all motor vehicles to 18 years.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The effect on the volume of traffic of raising to 18 years the minimum age requirement for the driving of both(a) motor cars, and (b) all motor vehicles,

  71
  would probably be a reduction of about one quarter of 1 per cent. There is no intention at present of altering the age requirements for driving licences.

  Toxic Waste (Switzerland)
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what special measures his Department is taking to monitor the transportation in the next few weeks of toxic waste from Switzerland to the ReChem plant at Pontypool.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The transport of the waste will, I understand, take place under the terms of the European agreement covering the international carriage of dangerous goods by road (ADR). Special monitoring is unnecessary. In addition to the requirements of the agreement, a consignment note must be raised at the port of entry in Great Britain when imported waste is special waste under the terms of the Control of Pollution (Special Waste) Regulations 1980.

  Manor Drive, Kirkham
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department proposes to take in order to determine the ownership of Manor drive, Kirkham, Iancashire.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Lancashire county council has agreed with us that the land off Manor drive in which the Department once had an interest now vests in the council.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Japan (Imports)
  Mr. Oppenheim
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what he estimates to be the annual cost to the consumer of the car industry's voluntary agreement to limit car imports from Japan.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I refer my hon. Friend to the written answers I gave on 26 April,Official Report, columns 92–93, to my hon. Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr. Hamilton) and on 7 June, Official Report, column 429, to my hon. Friend the Member for Darlington (Mr. Fallon).

  Mr. Oppenheim
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what items from Japan are subject to import quotas or voluntary restraint agreements by the European Community or the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  There are no quantitative restrictions on imports into the United Kingdom from Japan. There are, however, some informal inter-industry voluntary arrangements with Japanese producers, details of which were given in the written answer of 30 March,Official Report, columns 478–79, to a question raised by my hon. Friend the Member for Darlington (Mr. Fallon).

  Mr. Oppenheim
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what imports from Japan are subject to European Community tariffs.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I refer my hon. Friend to the common customs tariff of the European Communities. There are no preferential arrangements with Japan.

  Net Book Agreement
  Mr. Oppenheim
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what he estimates to be the annual cost to the consumer of the net book agreement.

  Mr. Butcher
  Although there have been several studies of the effect of the net book agreement, I have not been able to establish that any estimates have ever been made. Any attempt to quantify the cost would be dependent upon so many uncertainties that its usefulness would be limited. I therefore have no such estimate.

  Hearing Aid Council
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will publish in the Official Report the names of the chairman and members of the Hearing Aid Council, together with the dates upon which their appointments expire.

  Mr. Butcher
  The information requested is as follows:

  Date appointment ends

  Chairman

  Mr. N. Grant

  December 1990

  Members

  Mr. R. S. Eldridge

  December 1988

  Mrs. M. B. Nobbs

  December 1988

  Mr. A B. Day

  December 1988

  Mrs. I. Gilbert

  December 1988

  Mr. D. P. Ormerod

  December 1989

  Mr. A. J. Douglas

  December 1989

  Miss A. Spokes

  December 1989

  Dr. D. N. Brooks

  December 1989

  Dr. S. Bellman

  December 1990

  Mr. N. J. King

  December 1990

  Mr. I. E. Munro

  December 1990

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will publish in the Official Report a list of the bodies he consulted before appointing two members of the Hearing Aid Council capable of representing the interests of registered dispensers until December 1990.

  Mr. Butcher
  There are only two trade bodies which represent the interests of hearing aid dispensers, the Hearing Aid Industry Association and the Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists. Both were consulted before the appointments referred to by the hon. Member were made.

  Manufacturing Output
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what information he has as to the percentage change in manufacturing output in each of the European Economic Community countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada and Japan, taking the 1979 level as 100.

  Mr. Atkins
  The information is in the following tables:

  Changes in manufacturing output between 1979 and 1987

  Per cent.

  Belgium

  4·4

  Denmark

  ..

  France

  1-1·6

  Federal Republic of Germany

  7·8

  Greece

  -0·8

  Ireland

  46·2

  73

  Per cent.

  Italy

  8·8

  Luxembourg

  21·5

  Netherlands

  13·1

  Portugal

  136·9

  Spain

  11·3

  United Kingdom

  0·2

  United States

  20·9

  Canada

  19·3

  Japan

  28·4

  .. = not readily available

  1 estimate

  Sources: Central Statistical Office. OECD.

  Polyurethane Foam
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what ignition tests on polyurethane foam were carried out or arranged by his Department in preparation for the proposed Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations.

  Mr. Butcher
  Manufacterers of polyurethane foam, independently and in co-ordination under the British Rubber Manufacturers Association, have been involved in more or less continuous fire testing of their products. As a result, claims were made during 1987 about new combustion-modified types of foams and their resistance to BS 5852 ignition source 5.

  One of these manufacturers also undertook work in 1987 on a possible weight loss test in connection with envisaged regulations.

  Following a statement by my hon. Friend the then Minister for Consumer Affairs on 11 January 1988, at column 23–24, my Department requested that the industry should concentrate on a test to distinguish "combustion modified" foam from the standard foam and high resilience foam, which we proposed to ban. This work was then drawn together by a BSI technical committee which first met on 5 February. Agreement on the requirements for an ignition test to indentify combustion-modified foam was announced in a written answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Meriden (Mr. Mills) on 10 May, at column 69. In parallel with this, some confirmatory testing was incorporated into a study of the fire behaviour of the various foams arranged at the fire research station of the Department of the Environment. The results of this study are not yet available.

  Fire Safety
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) if he will list the programmes currently being pursued by the Department of Trade and Industry to promote consumer awareness of the need for greater domestic fire safety;

  (2) if he will list the sums allocated in 1986, 1987 and 1988 by the Department of Trade and Industry to promote consumer education in domestic fire safety.

  Mr. Butcher
  Publicity on fire safety in the home other than fire safety of consumer goods is the responsibility of the Home Office. But my Department does promote home safety awareness campaigns which include some safety messages on how to avoid the dangers from fire in the home, for example, Electricity Can Kill, Electric Blankets, Nightwear and Fire, Fireworks, Furniture and Fire.

  It is not possible to separate the element of expenditure on fire safety from the total costs of these campaigns.

  Contracts (Cancellation Forms)
  Mr. Madel
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in the light of the changes in the law after 1 July relating to contracts signed away from business premises and in particular to that part of the contract that deals with cancellation forms, he will state how this law will be enforced, with particular regard to those firms which are not members of trade associations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maude
  The new regulations (SI 1987/2117) provide that if the consumer does not receive a written notice informing him of his right of cancellation the contract will not be enforceable against him. My Department has taken steps to alert traders to the new legal requirements by publishing a guidance booklet which has been distributed to trading standards departments throughout the United Kingdom as well as to interested trade associations. The Office of Fair Trading will also be alerting consumers to their new rights in a revised version of its leaflet "How to cope with doorstep salesmen" to be published shortly.

  Companies
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was(a) the total cost of administration of companies registration offices in Great Britain in the year 1987–88, (b) the total revenue from fees charged by companies registration offices in Great Britain in the year 1987–88, and (c) the sum of profit or loss resulting from the difference between (a) and (b).

  Mr. Maude
  Provisional figures for 1987–88 show that expenditure on a memorandum trading account basis at the companies registration offices amounted to £21 million. Fees and charges to cover these costs, together with a contribution towards the costs of running a system of registered companies, amounted to £28 million in the same period.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the total number of company searches carried out at each of the public search rooms in Great Britain, and by the postal search services at each office, during the year 1987–88.

  Mr. Maude
  The number of searches carried out during the period at the London, Cardiff and Edinburgh search rooms was 3,021,000, 872,000 and 206,000 respectively. In addition, the Cardiff and Edinburgh offices handled 58,000 and 8,000 postal searches respectively.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the total of inspection fees collected for inspections carried out at each of the public search rooms of companies registration offices and at each of the postal sales units.

  Mr. Maude
  The total of inspection fees collected in 1987–88 was £3·8 million of which £0.8 million was collected at Cardiff, £2·9 million at London and £0·2 million at Edinburgh. Income from postal searches amounted to £130,000 at Cardiff and £20,000 at Edinburgh.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether the postal sales service of
  75
  company information which was introduced by companies registration offices in December 1983 is accommodated within the existing buildings of companies registration offices.

  Mr. Maude
  Yes.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what additional recurring costs, apart from staff costs, have been incurred by companies registration offices as a result of the introduction of the postal sales service for company information in 1983.

  Mr. Maude
  The introduction of the postal search service has resulted in recurring non-staff costs to cover postage, stationery, printing, micrographics equipment, office machinery and departmental overheads.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will give the total cost of maintaining the Companies House facility in London during the year 1987–88.

  Mr. Maude
  Provisional figures for 1987–88 show that the cost of maintaining the Companies House facility in London on a memorandum trading account basis was £4·4 million. These costs exclude those services at Cardiff which support this facility.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the number of company searches carried out at each of the companies registration offices in Great Britain on behalf of Departments of Her Majesty's Government during the year 1987–88; if such services are charged to the requesting Department; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maude
  In 1987–88 some 176,000 searches were carried out for the CROs' own working purposes and those of other parts of the Department of Trade and Industry. Searches for other Government Departments attract the normal search feee and are, therefore, not always separately identified, but total at least 68,000.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the number of staff employed in directly meeting the requests for company information, as opposed to collecting and collating company records, at(a) each of the public search rooms and (b) each of the units handling the postal sales services.

  Mr. Maude
  The number of staff (full-time equivalents) employed in the CROs, as at March 1988, in meeting requests made for company information at London, Cardiff and Edinburgh were 282, 68 and 12 respectively. For postal sales services from Cardiff and Edinburgh the numbers were 18·5 and 2 respectively.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the total number of live limited companies registered at each companies registration office in Great Britain at the end of the year 1987–88.

  Mr. Maude
  The number of companies registered in England and Wales and in Scotland at the end of the financial year 1987–88 was 1,063,811 and 53,706 respectively. A number of these were either in liquidation or in course of removal from the register, leaving the number regarded as "active" as 880,000 and 47,000 respectively.
  76
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the total number of new companies registered at each companies registration office in Great Britain in the year 1987–88, and the total number registered in each case with a total paid-up capital of £100 or less during the same period.

  Mr. Maude
  The number of new companies registered at the Cardiff and Edinburgh offices in 1987–88 was 120,000 and 6,300 respectively. An analysis of paid-up capital is not yet available, but the number of new companies with a nominal capital of £100 or less is estimated to have been 47,600 and 3,200 respectively.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the number of microfiches required to carry the average company records at companies registration offices in Great Britain; and what is the material cost of reproducing a single microfiche at companies registration offices.

  Mr. Maude
  An average of five microfiches carry each company record. The cost of film and processing materials for each microfiche is about 3p.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what are the significant elements in his calculation that an increase in company search fees is necessary at companies registration offices; and how each proposed new charge for the company search services was arrived at.

  Mr. Maude
  The main elements of search service costs include staff, equipment, accommodation and overheads. The new fees have been set at a level to ensure that the income received will cover the full costs of providing the services.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster why, in relation to the company registration offices, an increase in search charges is proposed.

  Mr. Maude
  Search fees have remained unaltered since 1981. For some time the income from these services has fallen short of the costs of delivering them. The new fees have been set at a level designed to ensure that, taking one year with another, the income received will cover the costs of the services involved.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the level of the statutory search fee at each of the companies registration offices' public search rooms in 1978 and 1983; and what is the proposed figure for 1989.

  Mr. Maude
  The statutory inspection fees were 5p (formerly one shilling) in 1978 (as it had been since 1844) and £1 in 1983. The proposed £2·50 fee from 1 July 1988 will be subject to annual review.

  Aerospace (Launch-aid)
  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what has been the total amount of support from his Department to aerospace companies for launch aid since 1979, project by project and year by year.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Since 1979 lauch aid has been provided by the Department of Trade and Industry to aerospace companies as follows:
  77

  £ million

  Project

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  11988–89

  Total

  British Aerospace

  A320

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  46·5

  73·0

  86·0

  44·5

  2-0·

  3249·3

  Rolls-Royce

  RB211–22B

  3·4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3·4

  RB211–524B

  —

  —

  0·3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0·3

  RB211–524

  29·5

  34·7

  32·3

  15·0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  111·5

  Growth programme

  RB211–535

  45·9

  32·4

  60·3

  38·6

  14·6

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  191·8

  RB211–535E4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  60·0

  10·0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  70·0

  V2500

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  10·0

  22·7

  27·3

  —

  —

  60·0

  Total Rolls—Royce

  78·8

  67·1

  92·9

  53·6

  74·6

  20·0

  22·7

  27·3

  —

  —

  437·0

  Westland

  W30

  —

  —

  —

  10·0

  10·7

  14·0

  4·6

  —

  —

  —

  39·3

  EH101

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3·7

  3·9

  5·7

  8·1

  0·3

  421·7

  Total Westland

  —

  —

  —

  10·0

  10·7

  17·7

  8·5

  5·7

  8·1

  0·3

  61·0

  Total payments

  78·8

  67·1

  92·9

  63·6

  85·3

  84·2

  104·2

  119·0

  52·6

  -0·4

  747·3

  Receipts5

  5·2

  9·6

  8·6

  12·9

  8·0

  10·2

  14·6

  18·8

  25·2

  60·1

  113·2

  Net Total

  73·6

  57·5

  84·3

  50·7

  77·3

  74·0

  89·6

  100·2

  27·4

  -0·5

  634·1

  1To date.

  2 Relates to the repayment by British Aerospace to DTI of an overpayment of aid.

  3Up to £450 million is also expected to be made available to British Aerospace between 1988 and 1992 in connection with its participation in the Airbus A330/A340 programme.

  4Total launch aid for this project will be £60 million.

  5Levies received so far relate only to Rolls-Royce, including contracts where launch aid was paid prior to 1979–80.

  6 Yet to be notified.

  British Shipbuilders (Cuba Order)
  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he expects to respond to the request by British Shipbuilders for intervention fund support for the potential order from Cuba.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I have not yet received a formal application for support for this order, but I have told British Shipbuilders in response to inquiries that I would consider any application from it with great care in view of the considerable losses over and above agreed support that the corporation has made on other orders.

  Shipbuilding
  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on what occasions and for what purposes his Department has made formal complaints to the European Community Commissioner concerning breaches of the fifth or sixth directives on support for shipbuilding by other member states of the Community.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  We have asked the European Commission to investigate the use of state aid in the following bids: from the Netherlands for a floating crane in April 1985 and two trawlers in October 1985; from France for a cross-channel ferry in January 1987; from Portugal for a fishing boat in May 1987; and from Spain for a stern trawler in March 1988. We have been concerned to ensure fairness of competition for United Kingdom yards with others within the Community.

  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what information he has about the accrued losses of(a) the Italian, (b) the West German and (c) the French merchant shipbuilding industries since 1979.
  78
  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  This information is not available to us. The losses owners are prepared to bear is a matter for them.

  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what information he has about the accrued losses of the South Korean shipbuilding industry since 1979.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  There is no reliable information.

  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what has been, year by year since 1979, the amount of money provided by his Department to British Shipbuilders as intervention fund under the fifth and sixth directives of the European Community.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Payments of intervention fund to British Shipbuilders since 1979 have amounted to £259 million. Year by year totals from 1979–80 have been £31 million, £40 million, £46 million, £44 million, £34 million, £18 million, £22 million, £14 million and £10 million, respectively. The figures include payments made under the fourth directive, which was effective until 27 April 1981. No payments have yet been made in 1988–89.

  British Shipbuilders (Losses)
  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will give his estimate for the accrued losses of British Shipbuilders since 1979, excluding those mixed and naval yards that are now in the private sector.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The total cost to the taxpayer of keeping British Shipbuilders merchant shipbuilding business alive since 1979 has been over £1,850 million. The
  79
  accrued losses on a profit and loss basis, excluding the warship yards and Scott Lithgow, have been approximately £1,050 million.

  United Kingdom Balance of Trade in Manufactures 1

  £ billion

  Balance of payments basis

  Overseas trade statistics basis

  European Community

  Rest of world

  European Community

  Rest of world

  Twelve months to:

  March 1988

  210½

  22

  -11·6

  +0·7

  April 1988

  ..

  ..

  -11·9

  +0·2

  1 Standard International Trade Classification (Rev. 3) Sections 5 to 8

  2 Estimate

  .. Not available

  Note: 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.

  Departmental Research Establishments
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will place in the Library a copy of the review study undertaken into his Department's research establishments.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  No. The review was part of my Department's advice on the policy that my right hon. and noble Friend should adopt towards by Deprtment's research establishments. His conclusions were explained to the House in the answer I gave on 7 June.

  Furniture Safety
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations he has received on the Draft Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations, issued by his Department on 1 March; and if he will consider implementing these regulations sooner than 1 March 1989.

  Mr. Butcher
  I have received approximately 260 seperate representations on the draft Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Relugations. A number of these contain suggestions about the dates for them to come into operation both for manufacture and for retail sale. I am considering proposals for an earlier date of implementation for one of the requirements.

  Civil Servants (Outside Activities)
  Mr. John
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Pontyridd of 24 May,Official Report, column 114, are the names and Civil Service grades of the seven civil servants appointed as directors of public liability companies; of which companies they have been appointed directors; and how much expenses they received in the last full year of such directorships.

  Mr. Butcher
  The following is the information on the seven civil servants referred to in the earlier answer:

  Manufacturing Trade
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the most recent 12-month surplus or deficit in manufacturing trade with the EEC and the rest of the world, respectively.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The latest information is in the following table:

  Grade

  Company

  Mr. J. V. Hagestadt

  5

  British Aerospace Flying College Limited, a subsidiary of British Aerospace plc.

  Mr. R. A. C. Hewes

  3

  Comforto-Vickers, a Division of Vickers plc.

  Miss M. T. Neville-Rolfe

  3

  Rolls Royce Motors Limited, a subsidiary of Vickers plc.

  Mr. R. Priddle

  3

  Film and Television Division of Rank Organisation plc

  Mr. P. Salvidge

  5

  Marine Engineering Division of Vickers plc

  Mr. N. R. Thornton

  5

  Medical and Scientific Equipment Division of Vickers plc

  Dr. A. J. Wallard

  5

  Rank Cintel, a subsidiary of the Rank Organisation plc.

  Since that time Mr. Thornton has resigned from that appointment and Mr. J. P. Spencer, a grade 5, has been appointed to the board of GEC Avery, a division of GEC plc. The only expenses received are the expenses which the individuals incur in attending board meetings and otherwise visiting the companies.

  National Engineering Laboratory
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the actual or estimated staffing levels for each category of staff employed at the National Engineering Laboratory, East Kilbride, for the period 1979 to 1990 inclusive.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The staffing levels of industrial and non-industrial staff at the National Engineering Laboratory on 1 April for the years 1979 to 1988 were:

  Industrials

  Non-industrials

  Total

  1979

  294

  531

  825

  1980

  267

  523

  790

  1981

  246

  495

  741

  1982

  237½

  468½

  706

  1983

  226½

  456½

  683

  1984

  193

  458½

  651½

  1985

  185

  461

  646

  1986

  186

  448

  634

  1987

  168

  463

  631

  1988

  156

  472

  628

  81
  The projected level for 1989 and 1990 is a total of 620 staff.

  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster from which firm his Department commissioned a study into the future of the Government-run research establishments, including the National Engineering Laboratory; and on what date it was submitted to his Department.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  No such study has been commissioned by my Department.

  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster under what authority he proposes to effect the sale of the National Engineering Laboratory at East Kilbride; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The National Engineering Laboratory is a division of the Department of Trade and Industry. Its transfer will be effected under the prerogative power to determine the organisation of the Department which is exercised as Secretary of State by my right hon. and noble Friend.

  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) if he will give details and dates in the last 12 months of discussions his Department has had with representatives of(a) the British Hydromechanics Research Association and (b) the Production Engineering Research Association on the future of the National Engineering Laboratory;
  82
  (2) on what date the British Hydromechanics Research Association lodged an interest with his Department in an optics paper drawn up by the firm of Cooper and Lybrand on the future of the National Engineering Laboratory; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The British Hydromechanics Research Association and the Production Engineering Research Association independently approached the Department to express an interest in the National Engineering Laboratory during the course of the review of the research establishments. Following normal practice, details are commercially confidential. The BHRA subsequently sent the Department a paper giving its views on the future development of NEL.

  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether the British Hydromechanics Research Association was notified of the Government's intention to sell off the National Engineering Laboratory in advance of the public announcement in the answer of 7 June,Official Report, columns 431–32.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  No. However, the British Hydromechanics Research Association was informed of the likely timing of an announcement because it had expressed a close interest in the future of NEL. It was given no advance information about the content of the announcement and the results of our review of research establishments.

  GIBRALTAR SHOOTINGS: CORONER'S INQUEST
  GIBRALTAR SHOOTINGS: CORONER'S INQUEST