Written Answers of 3 March 1988

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Derbyshire (ex-Chief Constable)
  Mr. Benn
  To ask the Attorney-General when he received a report from the Director of Public Prosecutions following the investigations conducted into the affairs of the former chief constable of Derbyshire, Mr. Parish; and what recommendations were made to the Director of Public Prosecutions by the West Mercia police and the Derbyshire constabulary.

  The Attorney-General
  I have received no report from the Director of Public Prosecutions concerning Mr. Parish. The contents of reports submitted by the police to the Director are confidential.

  Labour Party (Red Cross Emblem)
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Attorney-General when he expects the Director of Public Prosecutions to conclude consideration of the use by the Labour party of the Red Cross emblem on a party political leaflet; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  Police inquiries into this matter are continuing. The Director will reach his decision after those inquiries have been completed and a full report has been submitted to him.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Corporal Punishment
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what new sanctions for bad behaviour have been introduced into schools since the abolition of corporal punishment; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  None. Corporal punishment was but one of several sanctions available to head teachers and governing bodies, who are responsible for disciplinary policy and practice within their individual schools. Her Majesty's inspectorate's report on good behaviour and discipline, published last year, gives schools guidance of best practice.

  RRS Frederick Russell
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what measures he intends to take to compensate for the withdrawal of the RRS Frederick Russell from service.

  Mr. Jackson
  It is for the Natural Environment Research Council to decide its scientific priorities within the total funds at its disposal. I understand from the NERC that the loss of the RRS Frederick Russell will in part be compensated for by the use of the replacement 624
  vessel for the RRS John Biscoe when it is not engaged on Antarctic duties and in part by the use of other countries' research vessels through bilateral arrangements. The replacement for the RRS John Biscoe is expected to enter service in 1990.

  Education Reform Bill
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what provision will be made for circumstances where, under the terms of the Education Reform Bill, local authorities become liable to pay compensation or legal costs where governors of schools with financial delegation have in good faith contravened statutory or contractual requirements, including the provisions of the Race Relations, Sex Discrimination and Employment Protection Acts, and collective agreements with trades unions.

  Mr. Dunn
  In so far as such costs relate to dismissal of staff, the Bill provides that the local education authority shall meet them outside the school's delegated budget unless it has good reason for deducting them from that budget. For other cases it would be a matter to be settled as part of the operation of schemes of financial delegation whether such costs were to be met outside the school's delegated budget or could be deducted from that budget.

  Consultancy (Higher Education)
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many tenders were sought and received for his Department's consultancy with Tyzack and Partners on higher education corporation governing bodies.

  Mr. Jackson
  The Department invited three firms to submit proposals for consultancy on the membership of higher education corporations. Proposals were received from two of these.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the cost to public funds of the employment of Tyzack and Partners as consultants to advise his Department on the composition of higher education corporation governing bodies.

  Mr. Jackson
  The contract is for the sum of £50,000, exclusive of VAT.

  Universities and Polytechnics
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has for safeguarding the independence of universities and polytechnics.

  Mr. Jackson
  The Government have no wish to see the proper freedoms of universities and polytechnics eroded. Universities' and polytechnics' substantial reliance on public funds means that the interests of the taxpayer have to be taken into account alongside desirable institutional autonomy. The right balance is being explored in debate during the Education Reform Bill's parliamentary passage.

  London Residuary Body
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what additional staff will be recruited by the London residuary body in the event of the abolition of the Inner London education authority.
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  Mr. Dunn
  Most of the executive work of the London residuary body in respect of the Inner London education authority will take place at a stage when the body's work arising from the abolition of the Greater London council has largely ceased. The question whether additional staff will need to be recruited will be considered at the appropriate stage.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Merchant Navy Reserve (Bounty)
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the new bounty proposed for the Merchant Navy Reserve is to be treated in the same way as the bounty paid to the Territorial Army and be free of tax.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The tax position of the proposed bounty for members of the Merchant Navy Reserve cannot be settled until the precise obligations of reservists, which give rise to the payment, have been established. I understand these are currently under detailed consideration.

  Income Tax
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further research he intends to commission into the correlation between cutting the higher rates of income tax and the work effort and efficiency of those affected.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to commission any research on this subject.

  Mr. Summerson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much income tax will be paid in the present financial year(a) by a married man with two children earning £100,000 a year, (b) by a single man with no dependants earning £100,000 a year, (c) by a married man with two children earning £25,000 a year, (d) by a single man with no dependants earning £25,000 a year, (e) by a married man with two children earning £7,500 a year and (f) by a single man with no dependants earning £7,500 a year, in each case assuming no other income and no allowances other than personal allowances.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The information is in the table:

  Income tax liability, 1987–88

  Annual earnings

  Single man

  Married man

  £

  £

  £

  7,500

  1,370·25

  1,000·35

  25,000

  6,811·75

  6,195·25

  100,000

  50,203·00

  49,381·00

  The calculations assume that the man's earnings are his only source of income and that he has no reliefs or allowances other than the appropriate personal allowance. The number of children in a family does not affect the tax liability.

  Gross Domestic Product
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the latest figures for levels of gross domestic product per capita in each of the United Kingdom regions.

  Mr. Major
  Provisional figures for gross domestic product per capita by standard region are available on 626
  page 86 of Economic Trends, November 1987, a copy of which is in the House of Commons Library. The figures are as shown:

  Gross domestic product per head (£), factor cost: current prices;

  19862

  North

  5,142

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  5,215

  East Midlands

  5,378

  East Anglia

  5,643

  South East

  6,575

  South West

  5,380

  West Midlands

  5,069

  North West

  5,232

  Wales

  4,795

  Scotland

  5,234

  Northern Ireland

  3,889

  United Kingdom1

  5,597

  1 Excluding the Continental Shelf region.

  2 Provisional.

  Manufacturing Investment
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the latest projections for the growth of manufacturing investment in each of the regions of England, Wales and Scotland and the United Kingdom as a whole.

  Mr. Major
  Official projections for individual regions do not exist. The Department of Trade and Industry's latest investment intentions survey, published in December 1987, projected a rise of 11 per cent. in United Kingdom manufacturing investment in 1988.

  Interest Rates
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received concerning interest rates.

  Mr. Lilley
  My right hon. Friend has received a number of representations on this subject.

  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the real level of interest rates in the United Kingdom, West Germany and Japan; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lilley
  There is no unique measure of "real" interest rates. But the OECD's monthly publication "Main Economic Indicators" gives various interest rates and price indices for OECD countries.

  Local Authorities
  Mr. Summerson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of total central Government revenue is given to local authorities.

  Mr. Major
  20·5 per cent. The February 1988 edition of CSO's financial statistics shows that in 1986–87 (the latest full year available) current and capital grants from central Government amounted to £22,831 million out of a total Consolidated Fund revenue of £111,211 million.

  Tax Matters (Convention)
  Mr. Madel
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he proposes to take on the joint Organisation
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  for Economic Co-operation and Development and Council of Europe convention on mutual administration assistance in tax matters, which was opened for signature on 25 January.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  We have already undertaken to consult widely among interested parties before reaching a decision on whether the United Kingdom should sign this convention and, if so, with what reservations. I have therefore asked the Inland Revenue to seek the views of the representative bodies which have expressed an interest in this matter, including the CBI and representative bodies of the accountancy and legal professions. We will be glad to consider any views which any other interested party may wish to express. Comments should be sent by the end of September. An Inland Revenue press release issued today gives further details.

  Privatisation Sales (Advertising)
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the cost to the Government of advertising in each of the privatisation sales since British Telecom.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The cost to the Government of corporate and flotation advertising and advertising agency fees, exclusive of VAT, for each privatisation and residual share sale from British Telecom onwards is as follows:

  £ million

  British Telecom

  9·7

  Britoil

  3·0

  Cable and Wireless

  2·2

  British Aerospace

  1·7

  British Gas

  21·4

  British Airways

  2·8

  Rolls-Royce

  1·6

  BAA

  4·9

  British Petroleum

  18·3

  This reply replaces that given to the hon. Member for Dunfermline East on 18 January, which did not treat each sale on a consistent basis and also contained inaccuracies.

  Numbers and percentages of single people and couples with pay as main source of income

  Range of pay and percentage of average fulltime male weekly earnings at an annual rate

  North

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Numbers (thousands)

  Per cent.

  Numbers (thousands)

  Per cent.

  Up to 50 per cent.

  185

  22·9

  319

  25·1

  Over 50 per cent. and up to 75 per cent.

  216

  26·8

  354

  27·9

  Over 75 per cent. and up to 100 per cent.

  220

  27·3

  316

  24·9

  Over 100 per cent. and up to 150 per cent.

  150

  18·6

  225

  17·7

  Over 150 per cent. and up to 200 per cent.

  27

  3·4

  37·

  2·9

  Over 200 per cent.

  8

  0·9

  20

  1·5

  Total

  806

  100·0

  1,270

  100·0

  Numbers and percentages of single people and couples with pay as main source of income

  Range of pay and percentage of average fulltime male weekly earnings at an annual rate

  North West

  East Midlands

  Numbers (thousands)

  Per cent.

  Numbers (thousands)

  Per cent.

  Up to 50 per cent.

  447

  27·0

  264

  24·8

  Over 50 per cent. and up to 75 per cent.

  481

  29·0

  284

  26·7

  Over 75 per cent. and up to 100 per cent.

  366

  22·1

  285

  26·8

  Over 100 per cent. and up to 150 per cent.

  266

  16·1

  178

  16·7

  Over 150 per cent. and up to 200 per cent.

  59

  3·6

  34

  3·2

  Charities
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the procedures for registering charities in Scotland by the Inland Revenue, in the light of the 16th report of the Public Accounts Committee on the registration of charities in England and Wales.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 1 March 1988]: There is no system of public registration of charities in Scotland. The Inland Revenue deals with claims to the tax exemptions available to bodies established for charitable purposes, on the same basis as it does elsewhere in the United Kingdom. Questions on general matters affecting charities in Scotland are for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

  Taxpayers
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what regional information is available on numbers and percentages of taxpayers on 50 per cent., 75 per cent., 100 per cent., 150 per cent., 200 per cent., 500 per cent., 700 per cent., 1000 per cent. and 2000 per cent. of average earnings; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lawson
  [holding answer 29 February 1988]: Information is not available in precisely the form requested. The table, based on the survey of personal incomes for 1985–86, shows the number of single people and married couples liable to tax on their total income and where the main source of income is pay. The ranges of annual pay shown in the table (of the husband in the case of married couples), are based on average full-time male weekly earnings in 1985–86 of about £198. Neither part-time nor part-year employees can be distinguished; thus those having average weekly earnings whilst in employment but working for less than half the year will be included in the less than 50 per cent. range. Pay will in some cases include taxable unemployment benefits or statutory sick pay. I regret that reliable information for the highest ranges of earnings requested is not available.
  629

  Range of pay and percentage of average fulltime male weekly earnings at an annual rate

  North West

  East Midlands

  Numbers (thousands)

  Per cent.

  Numbers (thousands)

  Per cent.

  Over 200 per cent.

  36

  2·2

  17

  1·6

  Total

  1,650

  100·0

  1,060

  100·0

  Numbers and percentages of single people and couples with pay as main source of income

  Range of pay and percentage of average fulltime male weekly earnings at an annual rate

  West Midlands

  East Anglia

  Numbers (thousands)

  Per cent.

  Numbers (thousands)

  Per cent.

  Up to 50 per cent.

  391

  27·6

  131

  26·3

  Over 50 per cent. and up to 75 per cent.

  388

  27·4

  119

  23·8

  Over 75 per cent. and up to 100 per cent.

  383

  27·0

  119

  23·8

  Over 100 per cent. and up to 150 per cent.

  200

  14·1

  100

  20·0

  Over 150 per cent. and up to 200 per cent.

  33

  2·3

  19

  3·8

  Over 200 per cent.

  22

  1·5

  12

  2·3

  Total

  1,420

  100·0

  499

  100·0

  Numbers and percentages of single people and couples with pay as main source of income

  Range of pay and percentage of average fulltime male weekly earnings at an annual rate

  South East

  South West

  Numbers (thousands)

  Per cent.

  Numbers (thousands)

  Per cent.

  Up to 50 per cent.

  1,190

  23·2

  283

  26·1

  Over 50 per cent. and up to 75 per cent.

  1,190

  23·1

  280

  25·8

  Over 75 per cent. and up to 100 per cent.

  1,180

  23·1

  264

  24·4

  Over 100 per cent. and up to 150 per cent.

  1,040

  20·2

  200

  18·5

  Over 150 per cent. and up to 200 per cent.

  313

  6·1

  41

  3·7

  Over 200 per cent.

  223

  4·3

  17

  1·5

  Total

  5,130

  100·0

  1,080

  100·0

  Range of pay

  Numbers and percentages of single people and couples with pay as main source of income

  Wales

  Scotland

  Northern Ireland

  Percentage of average full time male weekly earnings at an annual rate

  Numbers (thousands)

  Percentage

  Numbers (thousands)

  Percentage

  Numbers (thousands)

  Percentage

  Up to 50 per cent.

  191

  29·9

  354

  24·5

  103

  29·4

  Over 50 per cent. and up to 75 per cent.

  190

  29·7

  404

  28·0

  101

  29·0

  Over 75 per cent. and up to 100 per cent.

  117

  18·3

  369

  25·5

  74

  21·2

  Over 100 per cent. and up to 150 per cent.

  114

  17·8

  245

  16·9

  50

  14·4

  Over 150 per cent. and up to 200 per cent.

  20

  3·2

  46

  3·2

  14

  4·1

  Over 200 per cent.

  8

  1·2

  27

  1·9

  7

  1·9

  TOTAL

  639

  100·0

  1,450

  100·0

  349

  100·0

  Note: Members of Her Majesty's forces and the Merchant Navy are excluded from the tables.

  Rating Valuations
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide the terms of reference given to the interdepartmental group of the Board of Inland Revenue and the Scottish Session which is examining differences between English and Scottish assessors' valuation practice for rating purposes; when this group was set up; how many members it has; and when he expects it to report.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 29 February 1988]: A steering committee on harmonising rating valuation practice in England and Wales and Scotland was set up in 1986. It comprises the executive of the Scottish Assessors' Association and an official from Inland Revenue valuation office. In addition, there are four working groups on individual aspects of harmonisation. There are no formal terms of reference and the exercise will
  630
  not lead to a formal report or document for publication. However, it is hoped that the groups' observations will lead to proposals to reduce differences in valuation practice during and after 1990.

  Taxable Income
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the manner of his answer of 18 January,Official Report, columns 473–74, he will estimate the effect of a one-earner, two-child family, of introducing a reduced rate band of 20 per cent. on (a) the first £1,000, (b) the first £1,500, (c) the first £1,750, and (d) the first £2,000 of taxable income; and if he will estimate the full year costs, at 1988–89 incomes, of each measure.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  (holding answer 19 February 1988] The table shows the gain from each of the reduced

  631
  rate bands for a married man whose wife does not work and the full year costs at 1988–89 income levels of each measure. The calculation of the gain assumes that the taxpayer has sufficient income to receive the full benefit from each reduced rate band. The cost of each reduced rate band has been calculated by comparison with the 1987–88 income tax regime indexed to 1988–89 levels according to the statutory formula. It has been assumed that separate reduced rate bands are available to both husband and wife where the wife has earnings.

  Width of 20 per cent. reduced rate band

  Benefit to a one-earner couple

  Full year cost at 1988–89 levels of income

  £ per year

  £ per year

  £ million

  1,000

  70·00

  1,650

  1,500

  105·00

  2,400

  1,750

  122·50

  2,750

  2,000

  140·00

  3,100

  Third World
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the totals of profits and dividends from outward investment repatriated to the United Kingdom from the Third world and to the Third world from the United Kingdom in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 29 February 1988]: I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 4 November 1987 at column 752.

THE ARTS

  Book Lending
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Minister for the Arts whether he intends to charge for basic book-lending at libraries.

  Mr. Luce
  No. As I have said in my recently published Green Paper, the Government's objectives are to preserve and support the provision at public expense of the free basic book-lending and reference services of public libraries. Within this context, I also want to encourage library authorities to expand their sources of revenue so as to provide their customers with better and more client-oriented and cost-effective services.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Lunar House
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a table showing the number of applications by category dealt with at Lunar house in each year since 1979 and the number of staff dealing with them.

  Mr. Renton
  The number of citizenship applications dealt with since 1979 and after entry decisions dealt with since 1984 (comparable figures are not available before) are as follows:
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  Applications for citizenship completed

  Category of Case

  Year of Decision

  Naturalisation

  Registration

  1979

  2,832

  29,023

  1980

  7,442

  31,542

  1981

  7,903

  48,063

  1982

  8,416

  73,643

  1983

  8,675

  52,444

  1984

  15,226

  62,894

  1985

  16,262

  40,739

  1986

  15,209

  35,327

  1987

  119,895

  150,546

  1 Provisional

  After-entry decisions2 made 1984–87

  Year of Decision

  Category of case

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  Visitors

  31,600

  39,500

  44,000

  36,200

  Working holiday makers

  2,900

  5,200

  3,500

  3,800

  Students/trainees

  72,300

  81,000

  78,000

  71,500

  Au pairs

  1,400

  1,600

  1,700

  1,300

  Work permit holders

  13,900

  13,200

  13,100

  11,500

  Permit free employment

  13,700

  14,100

  12,500

  10,200

  Business/independent means

  2,300

  2,400

  2,600

  2,600

  Fiance(e)s

  500

  500

  400

  300

  Marriage

  4,800

  6,500

  7,400

  7,000

  Refugees/asylum

  3,100

  4,100

  3,500

  2,800

  Settlement

  25,700

  29,400

  26,000

  26,700

  Others1

  26,100

  32,400

  30,800

  32,700

  All decisions

  198,200

  227,900

  223,500

  206,600

  1 Largely return of passport cases.

  2 Including decisions taken by the regional public inquiry offices but excluding entry clearance cases.

  The number of staff dealing with this work in the immigration and nationality department at Lunar house in January for each of the years 1985–88 was given in a reply to a question from the hon. Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz) on 9 February, at column 137.

  Ian Richard Thain
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the grounds for his Department's decision to accept Ian Richard Thain, convicted in Northern Ireland, into a prison in Britain.

  Mr. Hurd
  Private Thain's application for permanent transfer to an establishment in England and Wales was regarded favourably in the light of the normal criteria governing transfers between the two jurisdictions.

  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the arrangements made for Ian Richard Thain's imprisonment in Britain provided for a continuing role or responsibility by the Northern Ireland Office, given the grounds and place of his conviction.

  Mr. Hurd
  No.

  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he made the decision to release Ian Richard Thain on parole;

  (2) what review body or parole board considered Ian Richard Thain's case; what was the date the matter was first referred to this body; what information this body had

  633
  before it in its considerations; what was the date the decision to recommend parole was taken; and to whom this recommendation was passed;

  (3) what information was available to him as to whether Ian Thain was returning to Army service when the decision was made on his parole.

  Mr. Hurd
  Private Thain's case was considered by the local review committee at Liverpool prison on 3 September 1986 and subsequently by the parole board on 13 October 1986. In common with the cases of all life-sentence prisoners, the information before the parole board would have included full details of the nature and circumstances of the offences, the prisoner's previous record and response in prison, and the views of the trial judge and the Lord Chief Justice on the requirements of retribution and deterrence for the offence. The board would also have taken into account the degree of risk to the public if the prisoner were to be released. Having taken all these factors into account the parole board recommended Private Thain's release on licence, and I accepted the board's recommendation.

  Both the parole board and I were aware that Private Thain's services had been retained by the Army and also that an undertaking had been given that, if released, there was no question of his again serving in Northern Ireland.

  Greenham Common
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has as to how many individuals have been(a) prosecuted, (b) convicted and (c) imprisoned under those Greenham Common byelaws which Reading Crown court ruled on 25 February were invalidly made.

  Mr. John Patten
  The information requested is not available from the records of court proceedings held centrally.

  Fire Stations (Closures)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list each fire station in England and 634
  Wales that has been closed since May 1979; and if he will give details of the appliance deployment and whole time, day manning, or retained, fire fighter staffing, as appropriate, at each immediately prior to closure.

  Mr. John Patten
  The information sought is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. If, however, the hon. Member has any particular case in mind he may wish to write to me.

  Fire Brigades
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list each local authority fire brigade in England and Wales; and if he will provide details of the net loss of uniformed operational fire fighting posts which have been implemented in each, with ministerial consent, under the Fire Services Act 1947, for each financial year since 1978–79.

  Mr. John Patten
  The information sought, but on a calendar year basis, can be derived from the annual reports of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services for England and Wales for the relevant years, copies of which are in the Library. The Secretary of State's approval is required before a fire authority may reduce the number of whole-time members of the brigade other than those whose duties do not normally include fire fighting, and of part-time members of the brigade.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list each local authority fire brigade in England and Wales; and if he will provide details of any net loss of fire appliances which have been implemented in each, with ministerial consent, under the Fire Services Act 1947, for each financial year since 1978–79.

  Mr. John Patten
  The local authority fire brigades in England and Wales are listed in the annual reports of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services for England and Wales, copies of which are in the Library. The other information sought is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Remand Prisoners
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners on remand from the Metropolitan police area were held in(a) Grimsby police station, (b) Lincoln police station, (c) Hull police station, (d) Scunthorpe police station, (e) Bradford police station and (f) Halifax police station on 1 March.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  On Tuesday 1 March, 38 prisoners from the Metropolitan police area were held in Grimsby police station; seven in Lincoln police station; 34 in Hull police station and 16 in Halifax police station. No such prisoners were held in Scunthorpe or Bradford police stations on that date.

  Leeds Prison
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) young, (b) long-term and (c) remand prisoners there were in Her Majesty's prison Leeds on the latest available figures.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The information is given in the following table.

  Population of Leeds prison on 31 January 1988: by type of prisoner

  Type of prisoner

  Young offenders3

  Adult prisoners

  Total

  Untried

  251

  422

  673

  Convicted unsentenced

  33

  51

  84

  Non-criminal

  1

  8

  9

  Sentenced:

  Short and medium term 1

  37

  396

  433

  Long term 2

  5

  172

  177

  Total

  327

  1,049

  1,376

  1 Including fine defaulters.

  2 Young offenders over three years, adult prisoners over four years.

  3 Persons under 21.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were in Her Majesty's prison Leeds in(a) 4 June 1985 and (b) 12 February 1988.

  Offences currently1 recorded as homicide where the victim was a police officer by the result of court proceedings or other outcome England and Wales: Number of persons

  Year initially recorded

  Number of offences (victims)

  Decided by the court to be

  Other outcome

  Murder

  Section 2 manslaughter

  Other manslaughter

  1980

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1981

  2

  1

  —

  1

  —

  1982

  6

  3

  —

  1

  2 (one suspect—committed suicide

  1983

  3

  —

  —

  —

  3 (no suspects)

  1984

  3

  1

  —

  —

  1 (no suspects, one suspect died)

  1985

  2

  1

  —

  —

  1 (suspects acquitted)

  1986

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  19872

  3

  1

  —

  —

  1 (awaiting trial)

  1 (suspect committed suicide)

  1 As at 1 March 1988.

  2 Provisional.

  636
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  On 4 June 1985, 1,306 prisoners were held in HM prison Leeds. On 12 February 1988 the figure was 1,410.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects construction work to start and to be completed on the extension of Her Majesty's prison Leeds.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Work on the redevelopment of HM prison Leeds is being undertaken in four phases, the first of which has now begun. It is expected that the final phase will be completed by August 1996.

  London Information Business School
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what interchange of computer information took place prior to the raid upon the London Information Business School in connection with immigration matters; which other Government Departments were involved; whether this interchangeability is ad hoc or is to be permanent; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Renton
  None.

  Immigration Officers (Tottenham)
  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask he Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the cost of the proposed visit of immigration officers to the constituency of the hon. Member for Tottenham on 14 March.

  Mr. Renton
  I assume the hon. Member is referring to a visit by officials from the Home Office to Haringey on 15 March about which I wrote to him on 18 February. The costs incurred by the officials who travel to and from Haringey will be very small.

  Police Officers (Killings)
  Mr. Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many killings of police officers in England and Wales, resulting in murder convictions, have taken place in each year since 1980.

  Mr. John Patten
  The information is given in the following table.

  Prison Officers (Killings)
  Mr. Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many killings of prison officers in England and Wales, resulting in murder convictions, have taken place in each year since 1957.

  Mr. John Patten
  Since 1957, in England and Wales, one prison officer has been killed (in 1965) and the result was conviction for murder.

PRIME MINISTER

  Canada
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Prime Minister when she next expects to pay an official visit to Canada.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I have been asked to reply.

  My right hon. Friend will be attending the economic summit in Toronto in June.

  Cawston
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has any plans to make an official visit to Cawston, near Rugby.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I have been asked to reply.

  My right hon. Friend has at present no plans to do so.

  Identity Cards
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will set up a Cabinet Committee to consider the introduction of a system of identity cards.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I have been asked to reply.

  I have nothing further to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to my hon. Friend the Member for Norwich, North (Mr. Thompson) on 26 January, at column 133, on the establishment of a Cabinet Committee. The introduction of identity cards along the lines of those issued in some European countries has been considered from time to time, but we are not persuaded that a sufficiently strong case could be made out for their issue here.

  Engagements
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 3 March.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 3 March.

  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 3 March.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 3 March.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 3 March.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 3 March.

  Mr. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 3 March.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I have been asked to reply.

  My right hon. Friend is in Brussels for a NATO summit meeting.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Masons
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if any Officer of the House, in the last five years, has booked or sought to book facilities within the House for purposes related to the Masonic order.

  Mr. Wakeham
  No such purposes have been declared by an Officer of the House. In accordance with the rules of the House, such facilities should only be booked for private meetings in connection with a parliamentary subject.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Lord President of the Council (1) if he will take steps to seek to make disclosure of membership of the Masonic order a requirement of the Register of Members' Interests;

  (2) if he will take steps to seek to make disclosure of membership of the Masonic order a requirement of the Register of Parliamentary Journalists.

  Mr. Wakeham
  No. Any consideration of changes in the scope of the Register of Members' Interests or the Register of Parliamentary Journalists would, in the first instance, be a matter for the Select Committee on Members' Interests.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Headstart Programme
  Mr. Bevan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many inner-city residents in the Government's task force areas will benefit from enterprise training under the headstart programme.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The Industrial Society, which runs the headstart in the inner-cities programme, plans to provide enterprise advice and training to at least 6,000 inner-city residents during the present one-year contract. The programme is funded jointly by my Department and the MSC, but our input is more than matched by the commitment of the society's member firms, whose managers put tremendous effort into the programme's seminars and conferences.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many members of staff within his Department are located within each region outside London; what percentage this constitutes of staff within his Department; and what were the comparable figures in 1979.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Direct comparisons between 1988 and 1979 are not possible because of machinery of Government changes. The figures for 1 January 1988 for DTI, with illustrative figures for employment by its predecessor Departments in 1979, are follows:

  11 April 1979

  Percentage of DTI total

  1 January 1988

  Percentage of DTI total

  Scotland

  910

  5·3

  690

  5·5

  Wales

  2,320

  13·5

  1·660

  13·3

  639

  1 1 April 1979

  Percentage of DTI total

  1 January 1988

  Percentage of DTI total

  Northern Ireland

  35

  0·2

  5

  —

  North East

  390

  2·3

  250

  2·0

  North West

  490

  2·8

  380

  3·0

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  250

  1·5

  220

  1·8

  East Midlands

  150

  0·9

  170

  1·4

  West Midlands

  200

  1·2

  280

  2·2

  South West

  320

  1·9

  170

  1·4

  South East (excluding London)

  750

  4·4

  600

  4·8

  Total Regions

  5,815

  33·9

  4,425

  35·4

  1 Department of Industry, of Trade and of Prices and of Consumer Protection.

  Industrial Output
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which countries have had a smaller increase than the United Kingdom in industrial output between 1979 and 1987.

  Mr. Maude
  Of the major industrial countries, France had a smaller increase in industrial output than the United Kingdom between 1979 and 1986. However, since 1981 industrial production in the United Kingdom has increased more rapidly than in France, Germany, Italy or the United States of America. (Comparable figures are not yet available for 1987.)

  European Regional Development Fund
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will seek an extension of the European regional development fund non-quota textile area regulation initiative; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  Council regulation (EEC) No. 724/75, on which the 1980 and 1984 textile area "non-quota" regulations are based, has been repealed. The current textile area regulation expires on 31 March 1989 and no further financial allocations can be made under it.

  These special "non-quota" measures were always intended to operate for a limited period and to depend on the substantial European regional development fund funding which was temporarily made available.

  However, small and medium-sized firms throughout Great Britain may now apply for the new consultancy grants recently announced as part of my Department's enterprise initiative.

  Space Research (Report)
  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he intends to respond to the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology's report on space research.

  Mr. Atkins
  A debate on the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology's report on United Kingdom space policy is planned in another place for 30 March. The Government's reply will take account of the views expressed in the debate.

  Management (Report)
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the recommendation of the efficiency committee report "Improving Management in Government: The Next Steps," which are within the area of responsibility of his Department.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  My right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and I intend to apply the recommendations in this report as rapidly arid extensively as possible. The Department provides a wide range of services to industry and commerce, many from offices outside London, and the recommendations in the report should help in our drive to improve both the quality of these services and the value for money obtained by the taxpayer. Our first candidate will be the Companies Registration Office, whose headquarters are in Cardiff, and which employs just over 1,000 staff there and in offices in London and Edinburgh.

  Chemical Industries Association
  Dr. Michael Clark
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he last met the director general of the Chemical Industries Association; and what subjects were discussed.

  Mr. Atkins
  My right hon. and learned Friend has not met the director general of the Chemical Industries Association in his capacity as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, but there are frequent meetings between the association and Ministers in this Department. A wide range of issues of mutual interest is discussed.

  Recording Industry
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what were the overseas earnings of the British recording industry in the latest available year.

  Mr. Maude
  The overseas earnings of the United Kingdom recording industry, comprising royalties from overseas on recordings made in the United Kingdom, services provided to overseas residents by the United Kingdom recording industry, profits and dividends from overseas branches and subsidiaries of United Kingdom recording companies, cannot be separately identified in the information provided to the Department for the balance of payments. In 1987 exports of pre-recorded gramophone records, tapes and other similar media were valued at £264 million.

  EC (Internal Market)
  Mr. Heddle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the extent and impact of the proposals contained in the European Commission's White Paper, "Europe without frontiers; Towards a Large Internal Market", in-so-far as his Department is concerned.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Proposals contained in the European Commission's White Paper "Completing the Internal Market, 1985," cover a wide spectrum of economic activity. Areas of interest to my Department include the elimination of physical and technical barriers to the free
  641
  movement of goods; the liberalisation of trade in service; and the removal of various restrictions on freedom of establishment for the professions.

  Removal of trade barriers will improve access to a market of 320 million people, encourage the growth of trade with other Member States, further improve economic efficiency and reduce costs to business.

  Legal Profession
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he has any plans to increase the flexibility of the legal profession.

  Mr. Maude
  Continuing work is being undertaken by my right hon. and noble Friend the Lord Chancellor to improve the efficiency with which legal services are provided. The Government also await with interest any proposals which may emerge from current consultations within the profession itself.

  Textile Consignment (Occupied Territories)
  Mr. Robert Hicks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what response he has received from the European Commission following the alterations by Israeli authorities of the occupied territories' certification of origin of consignment of textiles for a United Kingdom customer; and what action he proposes taking.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The Commission need to consult the Israeli authorities; I am pressing it to get an early response.

  Carbon Carbon Technology (Export)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will institute an inquiry into the circumstances in which carbon carbon technology was exported to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics by Consarc of Bellshill in contravention of the regulations governing the export of sensitive materials to Communist bloc countries; what co-operation Her Majesty's Government intend to give to the United States Congressional inquiry into this matter: and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Falkirk, West (Mr. Canavan) on 29 February, at column 416. I see no need to institute an inquiry.

  Citizens Band Radio
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans the Government have for 934 MHz citizens' band radio.

  Mr. Butcher
  I am pleased to make such a statement. As the House knows, the Government, in common with other Administrations in Europe, are to consider the introduction of a short range radio (SRR) system in the band 933–935 MHz. One of the existing users of this band is the 934 MHz CB allocation. Approximately 3,000 users have these sets out of a total of over 115,000 CB licensees.

  Once SRR becomes widely used, it is inevitable that the CB service will suffer an increasing level of interference and it is important that potential users of the band are aware of this, and that the many potential users of any new SRR service are adequately protected.
  642
  I have decided therefore that the Performance Specification MPT 1321 to which 934 MHz CB transceivers are manufacturer certified should be withdrawn from 30 December 1988. This will provide warning to traders and potential users alike that no new sets should be made or imported from this date.

  It is of course only fair that existing users of the CB band get a good life from their sets. I can assure users that their existing equipment may continue to be used for its foreseeable useful life.

  Merger Control
  Mr. Stevens
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when full details of the proposed legislative changes in merger control, announced in the recent White Paper "DTI—The department for Enterprise", will be published.

  Mr. Maude
  The details of the proposed legislative changes in merger control are being published today as part of a DTI paper on the policy and procedures of merger control. Copies of this paper are being placed in the Library of the House and in the Vote Office.

  The paper sets out the present policy towards mergers; that the main consideration for determining whether a merger should be referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission will continue to be its potential effect on competition. However, the law will continue to give the Secretary of State discretion to refer mergers on other public interest grounds. The paper discusses some of the concerns expressed about this policy and restates the underlying rationale for the Government's view. We believe that intervention by public authorities in lawful commercial transactions should be kept to a minimum, since broadly speaking the free commercial decisions of private decision-makers in competitive markets result in the most desirable outcomes for the economy as a whole. The paper goes on to look at this rationale in more detail and to set out how the potential effect on competition is assessed.

  While the broad thrust of merger policy remains unchanged, the Government have always considered there is room for improvement in merger procedures. A particular consideration is the length of time taken by the procedures; but the Government also want to ensure that the system is as flexible and efficient as possible.

  The paper sets out three major legislative changes directed towards improving the procedures; a new formal, but voluntary, procedure for pre-notifying mergers; a new provision for legally binding undertakings to be given in some cases without an MMC reference; and a new statutory charge to cover the costs of the merger control process.

  Prenotification.

  Those who choose to prenotify a proposed merger will need to submit answers to a standard questionnaire about the transaction and businesses involved. In simple cases, this information will allow a proposed merger to be automatically cleared within four weeks provided it has been publicly announced. In more complex cases, the OFT will need more detailed information and in those cases the parties will be informed that the right to automatic clearance has lapsed. I would expect companies to see considerable advantages in using this prenotification system. If a merger is not prenotified, it will generally take

  643
  longer than four weeks to decide whether or not a reference to the MMC should be made. Moreover, mergers which are not prenotified will remain liable to reference to the MMC for a period of up to five years. Firms therefore have much to gain in certainty and speed under the new procedure.

  Statutory Undertakings

  Some mergers pose a threat to competition which is obvious even from a cursory examination, but which may nevertheless be capable of being removed by some modification of the merger arrangements. The parties to such mergers are often willing to promise such modifications. At present, however, there is no means by which such undertakings can be given statutory force except by invoking a full Monopolies and Mergers Commission investigation. Therefore, we propose to introduce new provisions for statutory undertakings to be given to the Secretary of State by the parties, as a possible alternative to a full Monopolies and Mergers Commission investigation. These undertakings may cover such possibilities as divestment of some of the assets of the merging enterprises or the post-merger behaviour of the new group. This new provision will give the Director General of Fair Trading an enhanced role in negotiating modifications to a merger proposal and will provide a quicker and more flexible mechanism for dealing with competition problems in certain cases. The paper goes into the proposal in more detail.

  Charging

  All these improvements in speed and quality will involve resource costs at the Office of Fair Trading and the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. The Government propose to introduce a statutory charge to cover the costs of the merger control process. Details remain to be settled: one possibility is a charge payable by the acquiring company and leviable on mergers where a controlling interest is acquired and where the assets test is satisfied. The charging structure will be kept as simple as possible.

  Apart from these three major changes, the paper suggests a number of other changes in procedure aimed at speeding up and improving the present process such as closer integration between the Office of Fair Trading and the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. It is the Government's aim that the Monopolies and Mergers Commission investigations should in most cases last no more than three months.

  Newspapers

  Gross bilateral aid to SADCC countries at 1986 prices

  £ thousand

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  Angola

  74

  17

  120

  66

  81

  160

  170

  317

  Botswana

  13,790

  16,661

  13,199

  9,111

  15,207

  17,530

  9,090

  12,805

  Lesotho

  11,457

  6,648

  8,236

  5,116

  5,373

  5,742

  2,467

  3,784

  Malawi

  43,153

  23,872

  20,705

  20,440

  16,730

  14,220

  14,511

  15,019

  Mozambique

  11,020

  6,680

  6,961

  2,316

  2,066

  4,589

  8,666

  7,424

  Swaziland

  14,449

  9,339

  5,363

  7,661

  6,483

  6,174

  3,497

  7,722

  Tanzania

  41,657

  46,348

  38,877

  32,889

  34,769

  36,248

  18,612

  12,715

  Zambia

  50,451

  29,864

  31,214

  17,134

  17,720

  36,104

  26,469

  35,366

  Zimbabwe

  8,772

  52,532

  64,771

  25,832

  22,261

  16,528

  24,484

  12,242

  644
  Cm. 278 in January announced that legislation will be introduced to enable the Secretary of State to specify the period within which the Monopolies and Mergers Commission investigations into newspaper mergers should be completed. The Monopolies and Mergers Commission has said that it will complete future inquiries into the general run of newspaper mergers within two months.

  The Department of Trade and Industry has also examined its own procedures for handling cases and will issue a guidance note giving details of the procedures and specifying the information required by the Department in considering all applications for consent to a newspaper transfer. Early contact between the Department and parties to transfers will be encouraged and the streamlining of procedures within the Monopolies and Mergers Commission and the Department will make it more difficult for companies to argue that an Monopolies and Mergers Commission inquiry is ruled out by financial urgency.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Aid Statistics
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to announce the level of gross national product devoted to official aid in 1987.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  I expect to be able to inform Parliament of the figure for 1987 by early June.

  South African Development Co-ordination Conference
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list British contributions to South African Development Co-ordination Conference for each year since its formation.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  Since the Southern African Development Co-ordination Conference was formed, the United Kingdom has committed the following amounts: £10 million in 1980–81; £2 million in 1982–83; £13 million in 1985–86; £10 million in 1986–87; £10 million in 1987–88.

  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the level of British bilateral aid to each of the member states of South African Development Corporation Conference from 1979 to 1986 inclusive, in 1986 prices.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The figures are as follows:
  645
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the level of

  Gross bilateral aid to South African Development Corporation Conference countries

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  £000

  £000

  £000

  £000

  £000

  £000

  £000

  £000

  Angola

  43

  12

  93

  55

  71

  146

  164

  317

  Botswana

  7,970

  11,546

  10,199

  7,570

  13,289

  15,975

  8,775

  12,805

  Lesotho

  6,622

  4,607

  6,364

  4,251

  4,695

  5.233

  2,382

  3,784

  Malawi

  24,941

  16,543

  15,999

  16,984

  14,620

  12,959

  14,008

  15,019

  Mozambique

  6,369

  4,629

  5,379

  1,924

  1,805

  4,182

  8,366

  7,424

  Swaziland

  8,351

  6.472

  4,144

  6,366

  5,665

  5,626

  3,376

  7,722

  Tanzania

  24,076

  32,119

  30,040

  27,328

  30,384

  33,033

  17,967

  12,715

  Zambia

  29,159

  20,696

  24,119

  14,237

  15,485

  32,901

  25,552

  35,366

  Zimbabwe

  5,070

  36,405

  50,048

  21,464

  19,453

  15,062

  23,636

  12,242

  Source: British Aid Statistics.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Nuclear Waste
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on the outcome of the European Parliament special committee of inquiry meeting into the mismanagement of nuclear waste in Europe in Brussels on 22 and 23 February.

  Mr. Mellor
  The meeting was of a preliminary nature and reached no conclusions. We understand that the Committee intends to hold its next meeting in Strasbourg on 10 March, to be followed by a series of formal hearings. They will also be requesting written evidence.

  Panama
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on current relations between Her Majesty's Government and Panama.

  Mr. Eggar
  We maintain normal diplomatic relations with Panama. Together with our EC partners we have expressed deep concern about recent developments in Panama and have appealed to the present rulers of Panama to open the way for internal peace and democracy.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice is being given to British citizens in Panama in the light of recent events in that country.

  Mr. Eggar
  The situation in Panama remains calm. We have no reason to believe British citizens are at risk, but inquirers are being advised to contact Her Majesty's embassy on arrival for the latest information.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contingency plans exist to protect British maritime interests in Panama in the event of the closure of the canal.

  Mr. Eggar
  We keep the situation under constant review and are in touch with British shipping interests.
  646
  British bilateral aid to each of the member states of the South African Development Corporation Conference from 1979 to 1986 inclusive.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The figures are as follows:

ENERGY

  Electricity (Privatisation)
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what recent representations he has received concerning the future of the nuclear industry following privatisation of the electricity industry.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I have received representations from electricity consumers, unions, other nationalised industries and other interested parties about a wide range of issues related to the privatisation of the electricity supply industry, including the implications for the future of nuclear power.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if there will be any requirement on the new privatised power company including nuclear plant to renegotiate commercial contracts signed on 24 April 1986, by the Central Electricity Generating Board with British Nuclear Fuels plc for spent nuclear fuel reprocessing at the Sellafield thermal oxide reprocessing plant.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  No.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what capital value will be put on the Central Electricity Generating Board technical research centres at(a) Barnwood, (b) Marchwood and (c) Berkeley under privatisation;

  (2) what capital value will be put on the Electricity Council research centre on electricity efficiency at Capenhurst under privatisation;

  (3) what valuation will be put on (a) Central Electricity Generating Board's Magnox plants and (b) Central Electricity Generating Board's AGR plants under privatisation.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The Government aim to achieve full value for the taxpayer for all parts of the industry, consistent with the Government's objectives for the privatisation. We will be seeking expert advice on the industry's value, but ultimately it will be determined by the market.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what requirements will be laid upon the new large power
  647
  company including the nuclear power stations to retain a holding in United Kingdom Nirex Ltd. under privatisation plans.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Details have yet to be considered, but present expectations are that the Central Electricity Generating Board's shareholding in United Kingdom Nirex Ltd. will pass to the successor operator of Central Electricity Generating Board nuclear power stations.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what are the implications for the present Central Electricity Generating Board commitment to research and development investment in the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority fast reactor programme of proposed privatisation plans.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The Central Electricity Generating Board agreed to provide some 30 per cent. of the funding of the fast reactor programme with the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority from 1987–88. After privatisation, it will he a matter for the industry to decide how much it should spend on the fast reactor.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what consideration has been given in his preparation of plans to privatise the electricity supply industry to the suitability of the present underwriting insurance arrangements in the case of a major accident at a nuclear power plant.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Arrangements under the Nuclear Installations Act 1965 will continue after privatisation.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what valuation will he put on the spent nuclear fuel in storage ponds at Central Electricity Generating Board nuclear reactor sites under privatisation;

  (2) what valuation will be put on low and intermediate-level nuclear waste at Central Electricity Generating Board nuclear plant sites under privatisation;

  (3) what valuation will be put on (a) unreprocessed spent nuclear fuel, (b) uranium arisings, (c) plutonium arisings and (d) nuclear waste arisings from Central Electricity Generating Board nuclear fuel reprocessed at Sellafield under privatisation.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  It is too early to say what the valuation of these materials will be at the time of the privatisation of the electricity supply industry.

  CEGB
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met the chairman of the Central Electricity Generating Board; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Parkinson
  I meet Lord Marshall frequently, and we discuss a range of matters.

  Flue Gas Desulphurisation
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he expects the first flue gas desulphurisation plant to come into operation.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The CEGB envisages that the first stage of FGD plant planned for the Drax power station will be operational by 1993.

  Sellafield
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make available to the European Parliament Committee on Energy Research and Technology the facility attachments agreed with EURATOM for the safeguarding of the British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. Sellafield magnox reprocessing line material balance areas, with all site maps, photographs or information on access routes to the site excused from the documentation.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  No. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Member for Worcester (Mr. Walker) on 12 June 1986 at columns 268–69.

  Coal Imports
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his estimate of the impact of his policy as outlined in the White Paper published on 25 February upon coal imports as they may affect(a) deep and (b) opencast mining; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The privatised electricity supply industry will be free to purchase its coal from any source. The best protection for United Kingdom coal industry sales to the electricity supply industry is that it should produce reliable supplies of coal at prices which are competitive on the world market. Since we came into office we have backed British Coal with over £9 billion of taxpayers money.

  Onshore Licensing
  Mr. Butterfill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will make an announcement about the results of the second onshore licensing round.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  I have today announced the conditional award of 60 new-style exploration licences for blocks in England, Scotland and Wales. The licences allow companies to search and drill for petroleum, subject to the procedures of the planning system and the technical approval of my Department. Where the licences extend into coastal waters stringent conditions will be set to ensure that local interests will be fully taken into account before operations are undertaken.

  Details of the awards have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Hot Dry Rock Project
  Mr. Rost
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the outcome of the review conducted in 1987 of the geothermal hot dry rock project being conducted by the Camborne school of mines.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I have today announced a new phase of the hot dry rock programme to run from October 1988 and costing up to £8.15 million. The new programme will include:experimental work on the existing reservoir al Rosemanowes quarry to help test the feasibility of techniques that would be required to create a commercial system in a new reservoir approximately 6 m deep;
  an initial design study for a 6km deep system in collaboration with interested industrial companies; supporting technical and economic studies.
  649
  Reports of the review are being published and I will arrange for copies to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

TRANSPORT

  Ferry Safety
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures he has taken to improve the safety of roll-on/roll-off ferries since the Herald of Free Enterprise disaster of 6 March 1987; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Channon
  Since the tragedy at Zeebrugge, I have been giving top priority to improving the safety of the travelling public on roll-on/roll-off ferries. I have therefore been bringing in a wide range of measures, based largely on the recommendations of the Sheen report, which are aimed at achieving this objective. The action I and my Department have taken since 6 March 1987 is as follows.

  First, primary legislation. The Merchant Shipping Bill, which has completed its Committee stage in the House of Commons today, contains several important safety provisions. A ship can be classified as unfit to go to sea for a wider range of reasons. Penalties for an offence will include up to two years imprisonment or an unlimited fine, or both. Charterers and managers will be made responsible for their ships. There will be a totally new requirement that shipowners and managers must take all reasonable steps to secure the safe operation of their ships. The Bill stipulates that masters and other seafarers must exercise all due diligence so that they can carry out their duties without endangering the ship and its passengers; and it explicitly lays down that the duties of a master must include responsibility for the good management and safe operation of the ship.

  I also decided to use the Bill to set up an independent marine accidents investigation branch, modelled on the existing air accident investigation branch. It will be headed by a Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents, who will report directly to me. I intend to set up the new branch as soon as possible after Royal Assent.

  Second, I have made, or am preparing to make, a number of regulations. From 1 January all United Kingdom roll-on/roll-off passenger ships have had to be equipped with indicator lights and closed-circuit television on the bridge to show the condition of the loading doors, and vehicle spaces must be continuously monitored. From 31 July, these ships will also have to be fitted with self-contained supplementary emergency lighting. From 1 March, these measures have also been extended to foreign ships when they are in United Kingdom ports.

  From 29 February, all major United Kingdom passenger ships have had to operate boarding card systems to check and control the numbers of passengers. From 1 April, subject to parliamentary approval, these measures will be applied to foreign ships sailing from United Kingdom ports.

  From 9 March, new provisions covering the berthing of ferries and the closing of loading doors will apply to United Kingdom roll-on/roll-off passenger ships. Main loading doors and other weathertight or watertight doors above the water level will have to be closed either at the berth or as soon after leaving as is physically possible. Each operation will have to be reported and logged.
  650
  Subject to parliamentary approval, these measures will be extended to foreign ships sailing from United Kingdom ports by 1 April.

  On 31 July 1987, my Department issued a consultative document porposing that roll-on/roll-off passenger ships should be required to calculate and record draughts and stability before sailing, and that larger ships should be equipped with draught gauges and loading computers. This was followed up on 11 February by the issue, for consultation, of draft statutory instruments which would take effect from 1 November this year.

  On 2 September last, my Department issued a consultative document proposing regular checks of the stability of United Kingdom roll-on/roll-off passenger ships, and for the compilation of more comprehensive stability data. Draft statutory instruments, which will take effect from 1 November this year, will be issued shortly.

  On 23 December last, my Department circulated, for consultation, draft statutory instruments which would require every lorry to be weighed individually before being loaded on to a roll-on/roll-off passenger ferry, from 1 December this year.

  On 22 January, my Department issued a consultative document proposing that special emergency equipment should always be carried, and that equipment should be available and fittings installed to make it easier to move around in a badly-listing ship. These measures will be taken forward together with earlier proposals for the fitting of emergency windows to make escape easier.

  On 12 November, a consultative document was issued which proposed that all ships should carry comprehensive operating manuals, and that operators should name an individual in their shore management to be responsible for safety and for ensuring that the manuals are complied with. This document also proposed that log books should be more comprehensive, and that potentially hazardous occurrences should be reported. Draft statutory instruments and a merchant shipping notice, bringing these proposals into effect, will be issued shortly.

  I have also asked for draft instruments to be prepared which will cover the loading of roll-on/roll-off passenger ferries and lay down requirements on the securing of lorries and their loads.

  Third, we have introduced various measures which have not required legislation. Marine surveyors are stepping up their spot checks of passenger ships, including icognito checks. We have also decided that in future, counsel to the formal investigations into marine accidents will be appointed and instructed by the Attorney-General. In the past, my predecessors have appointed counsel both to the formal investigation and to represent my Department.

  Fourth, we have taken steps on the international front. On 9 November the United Kingdom secured the adoption of a resolution at the International Maritime Organisation to give urgent consideration to the safety of roll-on roll-off ferries. The IMO is now considering specific proposals we have made for international measures equivalent to those adopted in this country.

  Last October I wrote to the Shipping Ministers of 10 other European countries, proposing co-operation on ferry safety. Officials are discussing co-operative enforcement of our own measures, as well as parallel measures by the other Governments which will affect their own ports and ships.
  651
  Fifth, we have done a great deal of work on ship design. On 31 July last my Department called for full data on all roll-on roll-off ferries built before 1980 to be sent in by this April, so that assessments could be made of how these ships stand up to current tests of survivability in collisions. We will analyse this information fully, and intend to reach conclusions by the end of September.

  On 30 October my noble Friend the Minister with responsibility for shipping set up a steering committee, under the Surveyor General, to administer a research programme into the stability and related safety aspects of roll-on roll-off passenger vessels.

  We have awarded a research contract to examine the stability of existing roll-on roll-off ships, following collision damage, against new standards which are now before the International Maritime Organisation for adoption in April.

  We will shortly be inviting tenders for research into the likelihood that a ship on a cross-channel route would be in shallow water if it capsized, and into the means of escape from a ferry on its beam ends.

  We will also shortly be inviting tenders for a comprehensive programme of research to examine ways of reducing the risk of large volumes of water reaching the vehicle deck of a roll-on roll-off ferry, and to prevent such an event leading to a catastrophe. It is my intention that this work will be completed by the end of this year. Model tests will start at the same time, but will take somewhat longer.

  We have invited further tenders for the application of risk analysis techniques to the safe design and operation of roll-on roll-off ferries, and we will be placing a contract shortly. I intend that this work should be completed by February 1989.

  Sixth, there has been some further miscellaneous work. On 1 December my Department issued an advisory note proposing research into lifejackets that are simpler and esier to put on. We will issue a contract shortly.

  On the same day, my Department issued another advisory note on the clear labelling of decks, exits, lifejacket stows and muster stations, as well as on emergency procedure information for passengers. We will be issuing merchant shipping notices shortly.

  Last month, my Department issued a consultative document on the Sheen report's recommendation that the criteria for carrying lifeboats on ships that are never far from land should be reviewed.

  We have also prepared a paper for the International Maritime Organisation, which includes proposals for improving communications between ships and helicopters used for search and rescue.

  This long catalogue of follow-up action which we have already taken testifies both to the thoroughness of the Sheen report and to our commitment to implementing it. Since the report was published, we have been systematically working through its proposals and taking whatever action appears to be necessary. I am glad to say there has been widespread recognition of what we have already done.

  There have been steady improvements in ship safety, including ship stability, over the past decades; and the Sheen report made various further recommendations for work in this area. Last year I announced that I was making a further £1 million available for a research programme. This work is now being put out to contract, and I am
  652
  determined that any results which would allow real improvements in passenger safety will be obtained as quickly as possible.

  Finally, we have to remember the facts. Roll-on/roll-off ferries in the United Kingdom have an outstandingly good safety record. Until the loss of the European Gateway in 1982, there had been no major loss of life on a British roll-on/roll-off ferry since the Princess Victoria in 1953. They carry upwards of 20 million passengers a year, and their record compares well with other modes of passengr transport.

  But that is no excuse for complacency. I am determined to try to do even better.

  Near Misses
  Mr. McCrindle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority about procedures for the reporting and investigation of air misses; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Channon
  I have discussed the present arrangements for reporting and investigating air misses with the chairman of the CAA, and I have asked him to review them. We both agree that the purpose of the procedures must be first to enhance flight safety by encouraging reporting so that lessons can be learnt from each incident; and, secondly, so far as is consistent with that, to strengthen public confidence in the air traffic control system through maximum openness and impartiality in the reporting and investigation of air misses. The chairman has now written to me with proposals that I warmly welcome as going a long way to meet our joint objectives. The text of the chairman's letter is as follows:We have discussed the recent reports of airmisses and the procedure for reporting and investigating them. You asked me urgently to review these arrangements. I am now in a position to make a preliminary report.
  We are in agreement that the procedures for handling information about airmisses and for investigating them should meet two objectives:—

  (i) Primarily, they should be designed to enhance flight safety by providing lessons from which all involved in aviation can benefit. This means that they should encourage the reporting of incidents by pilots and air traffic controllers, make for the speedy, accurate and impartial investigation of airmisses and draw on all relevant expertise in identifying causes and remedies.

  (ii) Secondly, they should give the public confidence in the air traffic control system by making available, wherever reasonably possible, prompt and accurate information about airmisses and their causes and provide for investigations that are not only expert and impartial but are seen to be so.

  As you know, the present procedure is that all reported airmisses, military and civil, are brought to the attention of the Joint Airmiss Working Group (JAWG) by the Joint Airmiss Section (JAS) of the NATS. JAS provides the Chairman and Secretariat of the JAWG, but otherwise the Working Group consists entirely of independent members from outside NATS, including representatives from the armed services, civil airlines and pilots and other airspace users. JAWG, having had all airmisses investigated, analyses them and three times a year circulates the results of its analyses in confidence to the aviation community in a volume known as the "Blue Book". We agree that these arrangements for providing information about airmisses, for investigating them and for reporting the outcome are entirely satisfactory for operational purposes.
  The CAA publishes statistics for airmisses three times a year based on the results of the JAWG's investigations. These show that there has been no deterioration in safety in the air

  653
  over the United Kingdom. Indeed the figures for risk-bearing airmisses involving commercial aircraft in recent years show a downward trend.
  In my view, this present system meets the primary objective well. I am most grateful to the NATS Staff in JAS and to the whole membership of the JAWG for the important work they have carried out so painstakingly and effectively over the years.
  However, the system was not designed with the secondary objective in mind. I have therefore considered particularly how the procedures might be modified so as to meet the second objective without impairing achievement of the first.
  My proposals are set out below.

  Initial CAA Reaction to an Airmiss
  It has been our practice, in line with the well-established principle of confidentiality, neither to confirm nor to deny the occurrence of an airmiss. Nevertheless, airmisses do become public knowledge and, as recent incidents clearly show, the ensuing publicity without any official information, can present a misleading impression. I have therefore decided that as soon as we know an airmiss has occurred involving an aircraft on a commercial air transport flight, we will from now on announce it with whatever reliable information is immediately available.

  Joint Airmiss Working Group
  One of the criticisms of the present arrangements for investigating airmisses has been that JAWG is within NATS and may thus appear to be insufficiently independent of the organisation providing most of the UK's air traffic control services. I am entirely satisfied that JAWG (with its outside membership) has always in practice functioned quite indepndently of NATS in carrying out its investigations. It should in any case be borne in mind that an airmiss may result from a failure in the aircraft as well as on the ground.
  However, in order to establish the JAWG's independent status still more clearly, I propose to have the Chairman of JAWG submit its reports in future directly to me and the Chief of the Air Staff as the Joint Chairmen of the Air Traffic Control Board. Moreover, I intend to consider with JAWG some enlargement of its membership, with a view for example to including on it one or two members currently active in air traffic control operations.

  Publication of .J A W G Airmiss Investigations
  At present the results of airmiss investigations are circulated widely within the aviation community but are not made public. This policy is designed to maintain the confidence of pilots and airspace users so as to encourage the full and frank reporting which is essential to ensure that airmisses are fully analysed and essential flight safety lessons drawn from them. It has served the cause of flight safety well over many years. Recently, however, it has been undermined by the frequency with which incomplete information has been unofficially disclosed.
  I accept that there is a legitimate public interest in the outcome of investigations of airmisses involving commercial air transport aircraft in U K airspace. I have decided therefore that the outcome of these investigations should be published. It is important that this is done in a way that not only satisfies public interest but also avoids jeopardising confidence in the objectivity and impartiality of the investigation system. I intend therefore to seek the advice of aircraft operators and pilots on the manner of publication as well as taking into account other comments that I receive. I shall reach a decision without undue delay.

  Reporting of Incidents by Air Traffic Controllers
  Recently, it has been alleged that the reporting procedures for controllers are inferior to those for pilots and that controllers' reports, being submitted via their line managers, are sometimes delayed or suppressed. I do not accept these allegations. Nevertheless, we are now in the process of devising improved reporting procedures which will be better designed for recording potentially serious incidents between aircraft and will provide for controllers to send reports direct to the Authority's Safety Data Analysis Unit. We will be consulting controllers' representatives on these procedures
  654
  before introducing them. Our objective is to ensure that any incidents observed by controllers but not by pilots will be reported.

  Conclusion
  I believe that the procedural changes described above will go a very long way to meet both the objectives I set out at the beginning of this letter. Not only should they maintain the already-proven effectiveness of the system in analysing the causes of airmisses and distributing information about them within the aviation community; they should also enhance its openness and the visibility of its independence and in doing so help reassure the public about the safety of our airspace.

  Cheap Bus Fares
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will consider seeking to amend legislation to allow the provision of cheap bus fares for retired males between the ages of 60 and 65 years, along the lines of provision presently available for other pensioners.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  We have no plans to change the present arrangements which effectively link eligibility for concessionary travel for the elderly to state pension age. It is open to all transport operators to give additional concessions; British Rail operates a scheme on a commercial basis which provides cheap fares for the elderly of both sexes from the age of 60.

  M11 Link Road
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps have been taken to promote and publicise development opportunities along the route of the M11 link road between Hackney and central London.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The A12 Hackney Wick to M11 link road will run from the A102(M) at Hackney to a point just west of the M11 at Redbridge roundabout. Possible development along this route is a matter for the relevant local authorities.

  "The Nuclear Trains"
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will seek to obtain for his departmental library the recent research report entitled, "The Nuclear Trains" by Large and Associates for the London nuclear information unit.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  The report has now been examined by the Department. The issues raised have been considered before, particularly at the Sizewell inquiry, where Sir Frank Layfield considered that the adequacy of the IAEA tests for ensuring flask integrity in an accident had not been effectively challenged.

  London Regional Transport
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give the dates and methods by which he published the current financial and other objectives on determinations applicable to London Regional Transport under the terms of section 16 of the London Regional Transport Act 1984; and what period of time elapsed between publishing those objectives and the closing of public comment on the first draft of the first strategic plan of London Regional Transport.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  The only objectives hitherto set under section 16 of the London Regional Transport Act
  655
  1984 are those set in the then Secretary of State's letter to the chairman of London Regional Transport of 20 July 1984. The text of that letter was reproduced in Hansard, on 20 July 1984 at columns 373–74, and in a departmental press notice of the same date. London Regional Transport conducted a public consultation on its first statement of strategy the following spring. The closing date for comments was 10 May 1985.

  Motorway Works (Speed Limits)
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans to introduce a mandatory 50 mph speed limit in areas of motorways which are subject to roadworks.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  We are considering, with the police, the question of speed limits at motorway roadworks, as part of our current wider review of motorway safety. We hope to announce the conclusions of that review before long.

  Heavy Lorries
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on his policy towards lorry regulation, in the light of the National Audit Office report entitled "Regulation of Heavy Lorries", particularly in relation to the number of bridges which are not considered strong enough to cope with the level of freight they are carrying.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  As the NAO report noted, the Department's policy is to maximise the net benefits of road transport by lorry while taking full account of the effect of heavy lorries on people and the environment. The Committee of Public Accounts published its own report on the regulation of heavy lorries on 2 March and the Government will respond to that shortly.

  On bridge strengthening, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my right hon. Friend the Member for Worthing (Mr. Higgins) on 24 November 1987 at column 110.

  Compressed Cases (Transport)
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what account has been taken of the degree of hazard posed during road transportation of compressed gases in specifying the safety requirements placed upon the transport of compressed gases;

  (2) if he will review the specification for the design and construction of vehicles used for the transport of compressed gases requiring that the structures are strong enough to withstand a collision with other vehicles;

  (3) if he will take steps to require the owners of dangerous materials being transported in or around Britain to hold third party insurance capable of covering claims that could arise from any accident;

  (4) what requirement is placed upon the owners of cargoes to consult or obtain approval from the police authority in the transportation of compressed gases; and if there is any requirement to obtain or secure approval from each police area through which compressed gases are being transported.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Compressed gases carried in bulk in a road tanker or tank container are subject to the 656
  Dangerous Substances (Conveyance by Road in Road Tankers and Tank Containers) Regulations 1981 These regulations, which take account of the hazards involved, require tankers and containers to be properly designed, of adequate strength, of good construction and suitable for the purpose. A tanker or tank container cannot be used for the carriage of a dangerous substance unless it has been initially examined and tested by a competent person and is periodically re-examined and tested thereafter.

  Consignors of dangerous substances are required to ensure that vehicle operators are provided with accurate information about the hazards of such substances. Vehicle operators are required to hold third-party insurance, including cover for the additional risks from any dangerous substances carried.

  There is no requirement on owners to consult or obtain approval from police authorities.

  There are no plans to change these statutory requirements.

WALES

  Community Programme
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the impact of proposed changes in the community programme on voluntary organisations in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  Manpower Services Commission officials will shortly be discussing with individual community programme scheme managers their plans in relation to the new adult training programme. I hope that as many projcects as possible will continue into the new programme.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will establish a community fund in Wales to continue financial support for those schemes presently funded through the community programme, which will not be eligible for support under Her Majesty's Government's proposalss for a reformed community programme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  As the Manpower Services Commission said in its response on the new adult training programme, it hopes to explore with appropriate Government Departments the possibility of making financial provision for some community programme projects which are of particular benefit to the community but which will not have the training content needed for inclusion in the new programme.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of places currently offered under the community programme in Wales are provided by voluntary sector sponsors.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The proportion of filled community programme places in Wales provided by the voluntary sector was 44 per cent. at 29 January 1988.

  Sports Centres (Rates)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what exemptions from the payment of rates local authorities offer to(a) privately run and (b) community run sports centres in Wales; and what information he has as to the extent to which local authorities encourage applications for such exemptions.
  657
  Mr. Peter Walker
  This information is not held centrally.

  Community Care
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he has taken to consult the voluntary sector in Wales concerning his Department's policy towards community care; and what specific plans he has for consultations in the future.

  Mr. Grist
  The Department is in regular contact with voluntary organisatons on a range of issues, including community care. We would normally expect to consult such organisations on significant developments of policy and we are always eager to have their views.

  Debt
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures are being undertaken by his Department to assist people to deal with the problems associated with indebtedness in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has responsibility for consumer credit matters and consumer protection generally. However funding from my Department is provided under the urban programme to a number of organisations, including for example some citizens' advice bureaux, which offer advisory services which include assistance on money-related problems.

  Community Facilities
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what specific financial assistance is available from his Department, from other agencies working through his

  Total pensioner households

  Shared WC

  Shared Bath-Shower

  No Bath-Shower

  No inside WC

  per cent.

  per cent.

  per cent.

  per cent.

  Alyn and Deeside

  8,600

  0·0

  0·0

  3·2

  2·9

  Colwyn

  10,700

  0·5

  0·5

  0·7

  0·7

  Delyn

  8,700

  0·3

  0·3

  1·1

  2·2

  Glyndwr

  5,700

  0·0

  0·0

  3·2

  3·7

  Rhuddlan

  8,700

  0·3

  0·3

  0·3

  0·3

  Wrexham Maelor

  14,300

  0·0

  0·0

  1·6

  2·6

  Carmarthen

  7,600

  0·0

  0·0

  4·1

  4·9

  Ceredigion

  10,500

  0·2

  0·2

  5·7

  4·7

  Dinefwr

  6,300

  0·2

  0·4

  3·3

  5·8

  Llanelli

  12,100

  0·2

  0·4

  3·3

  6·0

  Preseli

  9,500

  0·6

  0·9

  2·6

  1·2

  South Pembroke

  5,400

  0·0

  0·0

  3·0

  2·3

  Blaenau Gwent

  10,900

  0·0·

  0·0

  3·1

  5·0

  Islwyn

  7,900

  0·0

  0·0

  2·4

  10·0

  Monmouth

  9,800

  0·0

  1·1

  1·4

  1·4

  Newport

  15,900

  0·7

  0·8

  2·3

  2·8

  Torfaen

  10,800

  0·0

  0·0

  2·4

  3·1

  Aberconwy

  9,600

  0·5

  1·0

  1·0

  1·5

  Arfon

  7,800

  0·3

  0·3

  4·8

  6·0

  Dwyfor

  5,200

  0·0

  0·0

  8·4

  7·3

  Meirionnydd

  5,200

  0·0

  0·0

  2·5

  3·8

  Ynys Mon

  9,400

  0·0

  0·0

  4·4

  3·1

  Cynon Valley

  8,700

  1·1

  1·1

  9·8

  13·6

  Merthyr Tydfil

  8,000

  0·0

  0·0

  7·7

  11·3

  Ogwr

  16,100

  0·3

  0·3

  2·0

  3·2

  Rhondda

  12,000

  0·2

  0·6

  12·8

  14·7

  Rhymney Valley

  12,500

  0·2

  0·2

  3·7

  5·3

  Taff-Ely

  10,700

  0·2

  0·2

  3·1

  5·5

  Brecknock

  5,700

  0·0

  0·0

  2·1

  4·3

  Montgomeryshire

  7,700

  0·5

  0·5

  5·5

  4·7

  658
  Department, from agencies of his Department and from other Government agencies in Wales, to community halls, centres and community sports facilities in Wales.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Assistance may be available from the Department under the urban programme and the voluntary youth service village hall and community centre project. The Sports Council for Wales can provide assistance and the Manpower Services Commission can help through its community project scheme. Local authorities may also provide assistance under their various powers.

  In addition, other agencies in Wales may also provide specific financial assistance if the criteria of their individual grant regimes are met; in particular the Development Board for Rural Wales can provide assistance under the Development of Rural Wales Act 1976, the Wales tourist board can assist projects which will improve tourist amenities and facilities under the Development of Tourism Act 1969 and assistance may be available in the South Cardiff urban development area from the Cardiff Bay development corporation. Also, European regional development fund grant aid is available for leisure and sports facilities if they are linked to the promotion of tourism.

  Pensioners (Housing)
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many households in each district authority area in Wales include at least one pensioner; and what proportion of those households(a) share a lavatory with another household, (b) share a bath with another household, (c) have no bath and (d) have no inside lavatory.

  Mr. Ian Grist
  Estimates from the Welsh intercensal survey 1986 are given in the table:
  659

  Total pensioner households

  Shared WC

  Shared Bath-Shower

  No Bath-Shower

  No inside WC

  per cent.

  per cent.

  per cent.

  per cent.

  Radnor

  3,500

  0·0

  0·3

  5·4

  6·2

  Cardiff

  35,000

  0·4

  0·8

  1·5

  2·8

  Vale of Glamorgan

  13,500

  0·4

  0·4

  0·2

  1·2

  Port Talbot

  7,000

  0·0

  2·0

  2·0

  5·1

  Lliw valley

  8,400

  0·0

  0·0

  1·6

  6·4

  Neath

  9,100

  0·0

  1·9

  0·6

  3·6

  Swansea

  25,100

  0·4

  0·4

  2·1

  3·5

  Total

  383,400

  0·2

  0·4

  3·1

  4·4

  Pensioners (Housing)
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of pensioners in each district authority area in Wales live in(a) sheltered housing and (b) residential care.

  Mr. Grist
  The estimated proportion of pensioner households living in sheltered housing at 1 April 1986 in each district authority in Wales is given in the table:

  Percentage of pensioner households in sheltered accommodation

  Welsh districts

  Percentage

  Aberconwy

  5·6

  Alyn and Deeside

  8·5

  Arfon

  3·7

  Blaenau Gwent

  2·7

  Brecknock

  10·7

  Cardiff

  1·4

  Carmarthen

  2·5

  Ceredigion

  2·4

  Colwyn

  6·6

  Cynon Valley

  1·1

  Delyn

  14·2

  Dinefwr

  1·4

  Dwyfor

  1·7

  Glyndwr

  5·8

  Islwyn

  6·7

  Llanelli

  4·1

  Lliw Valley

  4·4

  Meirionnydd

  2·7

  Merthyr Tydfil

  4·4

  Monmouth

  7·6

  Montgomeryshire

  6·4

  Neath

  3·4

  Newport

  6·7

  Ogwr

  1·7

  Port Talbot-Afan

  1·2

  Preseli

  3·9

  Radnor

  8·1

  Rhondda

  1·9

  Rhuddlan

  4·6

  Rhymney Valley

  6·8

  South Pembrokeshire

  4·3

  Swansea

  1·7

  Taff-Ely

  3·1

  Torfaen

  8·4

  Vale of Glamorgan

  2·9

  Wrexham Maelor

  3·5

  Ynys Mon

  6·3

  Information concerning the proportions in residential accommodation is not available specifically for pensioners, but numbers of men and women aged 65 and over in residential accommodation are shown in the table:
  660

  Number of residents aged 65 and above accommodated in local authority private and voluntary residential homes at 31 March 19871

  County council

  Number of residents

  Percentage of population3

  Clwyd

  2,828

  4·2

  Dyfed

  1,709

  2·9

  Gwent

  1,303

  2·0

  Gwynedd

  1,598

  3·6

  Mid Glamorgan

  1,656

  2·1

  Powys

  603

  3·0

  South Glamorgan2

  1,958

  3·3

  West Glamorgan

  1,243

  2·0

  1 Including homes for the elderly, younger physically handicapped, blind, mentally ill and mentally handicapped.

  2 Includes two residents accommodated in a voluntary home for alcoholics.

  3 Aged 65 and above.

  Cardiff Bay Barrage
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether, as part of his Department's submissions for regional development funding from the EEC, he is seeking funds for the proposed Cardiff bay barrage; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The European Commission has awarded ERDF aid to my Department towards the cost of the initial feasibility studies for the Cardiff bay barrage. The Government have yet to reach a view on the barrage proposal and further applications for ERDF support will be considered in the context of that decision.

  Hospital and Community Health Services
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a table showing the relevant figures in tables 17.25 and 17.27 of Cm. 288-II adjusted by the hospital and community health services pay and prices deflator; and what were the equivalent figures in 1978–79.

  Mr. Grist
  [holding answer 29 February 1988]: The table sets out the information requested.

  Total net expenditure on hospital and community health services

  £ million

  Year

  Actual

  1Adjusted

  1978–79

  299·8

  710·8

  1983–84

  596·2

  764·6

  1984–85

  639·6

  775·9

  1985–86

  690·9

  785·0

  1986–87

  726·9

  784·3

  1987–88

  2803·0

  803·0

  1 1987–88 prices using the hospital and community health services pay and prices indices. Figures relating to the hospital and

  661
  community health services pay and prices terms have been constructed by reference to indices maintained by the Department of Health and Social Security from English data: no separate pay and prices indices for Wales are available. The figures for 1987–88 are provisional.

  2 The estimated outturn for 1987–88 excludes the additional £3·8 million announced on 16 December 1987.

  Note: The totals include expenditure on the services for the disabled and the administrative costs of the artificial limb and appliance service which will from 1 April 1988 be transferred to the Welsh Health Common Services Authority.

SCOTLAND

  Scottish Bus Group
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he intends to privatise the Scottish Bus Group as a single entity or in its individual company units; on what date he expects to publish his legislation in respect of this; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  No decisions have yet been taken on the form of the privatisation of the Scottish Bus Group or on the timing of the necessary legislation. Financial advisers are being appointed to advise on whether the group should be privatised as it stands or in a number of companies.

  Labour Statistics (Motherwell)
  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the latest unemployment figures in the agriculture and food sectors of the economy in the Motherwell, North constituency.

  Mr. Lang
  Information on unemployment by industry grouping is not available. However the total number unemployed in the Motherwell, North constituency in January 1988 was 5,817. This represents a fall of 1,135 or 16 per cent. since January 1987.

  Private Forestry
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received about his policy towards the promotion of private forestry.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. and learned Friend has received many representations in recent months, particularly with regard to planting in Caithness and Sutherland.

  Strathclyde Regional Council
  Mr. Millan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report the reply by his Department to the letter dated 4 February from the Strathclyde regional council requesting a meeting with Ministers to discuss the level of capital allocations to the region; and if he will now arrange for such a meeting to take place.

  Mr. Rifkind
  My Department responded to the council's letter on 1 March. I am arranging to publish the reply in the Official Report. It is not the normal practice for Ministers to meet individual authorities to discuss their capital allocations, but on this occasion, my hon. Friend the Minister of State hopes to meet the council later in the year.

  Following is the letter:
  Dear Mr. McFarlane,

  662
  STRATHCLYDE REGIONAL COUNCIL: FINANCIAL PLAN 1988–89 TO 1991–92
  I refer to your letters dated 4 and 10 February addressed to Joan Fraser in which you restate the Council's request for a Ministerial meeting to discuss the Council's non-housing capital allocations.
  Your Council's representations were partly founded on the premise that its capital allocations do not equate directly with the level of population of the region. In previous correspondence with your Council at both official and Ministerial level, we have emphasised that population factors are not the main determinant of the level of capital allocations: and we have set out the main elements which are taken into account. I do not think that there is anything I can usefully add to the exchanges between the Scottish Office and your Council on this aspect. More generally Strathclyde is certainly not alone in receiving capital allocations which fall short of its aspirations. The resources available for distribution in the form of capital allocations are finite and for 1988–89, the pressure on the Scottish Block is especially severe as a consequence for the local authority current expenditure settlement for that year. An extra £71 million had to be found from within the Block to finance that settlement and local authority capital expenditure provision could not be exempted from meeting its share of these additional costs.
  Your Council will, I hope, by now have received Mr. Cameron's letter of 22 February notifying final capital allocations for 1988–89 and provisional figures for the following 2 years. Mr. Lang carefully considered your Council's renewed request for a meeting but he concluded that the representations were not such that he would merit departing from his and his predecessor's normal policy of not meeting individual Councils about their capital allocations. I can assure your Council, however, that the representations you made were fully taken into account before final decisions were made by him and the Secretary of State.
  Notwithstanding this policy, I am however pleased to inform you that when he is visiting the area later this year, (at a time yet to be determined), Mr. Lang has agreed to pay a visit to your Council when he will be prepared to hear at first hand, your Council's representations on such issues. The Council will then have a full opportunity to put before him your views on the capital expenditure programmes.
  Yours sincerely
  J. Stephen

  Capital Programmes
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which capital programmes of his Department resulted in an underspend in the year 1986–87; and what was the underspend in each case.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The underspend on central Government capital programmes within my responsibility for the year to March 1987 was as follows:

  Programme

  Net underspend

  £000

  Agriculture

  3,885

  Industry

  4,983

  Tourism

  149

  Roads and Transport

  7,030

  Housing

  2,431

  Other Environmental Services

  80

  Law, Order and Protective Services

  209

  Health

  7,296

  Social Work

  216

  Fife Health Board (Ministerial Meeting)
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the meeting of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health with the Fife health board chairman; and what agreements were reached.
  663
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I met the chairman of Fife health board on Monday 1 February 1988 to discuss health matters in Fife. The question of reaching agreements did not arise.

  Correspondence (Costs)
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the costs to public funds of the letter from the Minister with responsibility for home affairs and the environment at the Scottish Office, the hon. Member for Edinburgh, West (Lord James Douglas-Hamilton), delivered to the home of the hon. Member for East Kilbride at 1 am on Saturday 27 February; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Rifkind
  There is no identifiable cost to public funds. The letter was considered urgent and a driver who had been engaged in other duties on the evening of 26 February delivered it without any significant deviation from his route.

  Tobacco Products (Oral Use)
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if it is his intention to offer any compensation to the United States Tobacco Company and its work force for the consequences of the announcement made by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Health, the hon. Member for Derbyshire, South (Mrs. Currie) on 26 February,Official Report, column 362, concerning a prohibition on tobacco products for oral use.

  Mr. Lang
  My hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire, South has invited representations from interested bodies and until these have been received and considered no final decision on the prohibition on tobacco products for oral use will be taken. The question of possible consequences of any prohibition does not therefore arise at this stage.

  Civil Scientific Research
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the funds allocated for civil scientific research in Scotland, in 1986 money, for each year since 1977.

  Mr. Lang
  The annual review of Government — funded R and D, published by the Cabinet Office since 1983, gives details of the R and D spending of Scottish Departments. Copies of the annual reviews are available in the Library. Information in the form requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  M8 (Baillieston and Newhouse)
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects work to commence on the extension to the M8 between Baillieston and Newhouse; what is the projected expenditure; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The proposed extension of the M8 between Baillieston and Newhouse is currently planned to be carried out in two phases. I expect the necessary preparatory work for both phases, the first between Baillieston and Shawhead and the second between Shawhead and Newhouse, to be completed in time to allow construction starts in late summer 1991 and early summer 1994 respectively. The actual timing of starts 664
  will depend upon priorities within, and the finance available for, the trunk road programme at those dates. The current estimate of cost for the whole works between Baillieston and Newhouse is £29 million.

  Operations
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the mean number, plus or minus two standard deviations, of operations performed in Scottish hospitals for each day, Monday to Friday inclusive.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  In the time available the information cannot be provided in the form requested. In 1985 a total of 443,365 operations were performed.

  Scottish Special Housing Association (Loan)
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland pursuant to his reply on 25 February to the hon. Member for East, Kilbride,Official Report, column 286, if he will give an estimate of the effect on the average rent charged to Scottish Special Housing Association tenants arising from the loss of £742,000 on the short-term loan from the national loans fund.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  There was no effect on the average rent levels.

  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will write off the loss of £742,000 in the short-term loan on £16 million advanced to the Scottish Special Housing Association from the national loans fund on 30 June 1987; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The SSHA repaid on 31 December 1987, the £16 million loan advanced from the national loans fund at the association's request on 30 June 1987 together with interest of £742,000. The question of write-off does not therefore arise.

  Pupils (Qualifications)
  Mr. McTaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many pupils left Scottish schools with no formal qualifications in each of the last five years; and what percentage of the total that figure represents.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  the table gives information on school leavers who did not hold a Scottish Certificate of Education (SCE) qualification. Some of these school leavers would have held other qualifications such as the Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE), the Scotvec National Certificate or other vocational qualifications, but the numbers involved in this category are not available.

  Scottish school leavers with no SCE qualification

  Number

  Percentage of all leavers

  1981–82

  24,800

  28

  1982–83

  23,800

  26

  1983–84

  23,500

  26

  1984–85

  21,600

  25

  1985–861

  19,800

  24

  1 Provisional.

  Glaucoma
  Mr. McTaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases of glaucoma have been diagnosed in the Greater Glasgow health board area in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  This information is not available centrally.

  Hospital and Community Health Services Capital
  Sir Hector Monro
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the proposed distribution of the hospital and community health services capital for 1988–89.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  My right hon. and learned Friend has allocated £110·05 million to health boards to meet their gross capital expenditure commitments on hospital and community health services in 1988–89. This includes £21 million specifically for the improvement and upgrading of the NHS estate.

  The allocations to individual health boards are as follows:

  Health boards

  Capital allocation

  (£ million)

  Argyll and Clyde

  7·450

  Ayrshire and Arran

  10·900

  Borders

  3·550

  Dumfries and Galloway

  2·235

  Fife

  4·000

  Forth Valley

  9·932

  Grampian

  8·808

  Greater Glasgow

  21·365

  Highland

  4·787

  Lanarkshire

  7·790

  Lothian

  17·900

  Orkney

  1·642

  Shetland

  1·642

  Tayside

  7·184

  Western Isles

  0·865

  Total

  110·050

  In addition, a further £4·55 million will be made available for projects not specifically allocated to individual health boards. Also £13·4 million has been allocated to the Common Services Agency and £0·9 million has been allocated for the state hospital. In total, this amounts to £128·90 million.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Church Land
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from tenants of the Church Commissioners on his proposals for diversification from agriculture.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from tenants of the Church Commissioners on his proposals for diversification from agriculture.

  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from tenants of the Church Commissioners on his proposals for diversification from agriculture.
  666
  Mr. Gummer
  I have received no representations from the Church Commissioners nor has my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland from the Church of Scotland.

  Mr. Wall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has as to the proportion of land used for agricultural purposes in the United Kingdom which is owned by the Church Commissioners.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has as to the proportion of land used for agricultural purposes in the United Kingdom which is owned by the Church Commissioners.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has as to the proportion of land used for agricultural purposes in the United Kingdom which is owned by the Church Commissioners.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has as to the proportion of land used for agricultural purposes in the United Kingdom which is owned by the Church Commissioners.

  Mr. Gummer
  According to the latest available Church Commissioners' annual report the Church Commissioners' agricultural estimates at 31 December 1986 were some 165,938 acres which was equivalent to 67,154 hectares.

  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has as to the proportion of agricultural produce which is produced in England and Wales on land which is owned by churches.

  Mr. Lofthouse
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has as to the proportion of produce which is produced in England and Wales on land which is owned by the Churches.

  Mr. Buckley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has as to the proportion of agricultural produce which is produced in England and Wales on land which is owned by Churches.

  Mr. Heffer
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has as to the proportion of agricultural produce which is produced in England and Wales on land which is owned by Churches.

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

  Mr. Duffy
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from the secretary general of the General Synod on his policy on the use of agricultural land.

  Mr. Gummer
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Carmarthen (Mr. Williams).

  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will meet representatives of the Church of England to discuss the implications for rural areas of Her Majesty's Government's agricultural policy.
  667
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will meet representatives of the Church of England to discuss the implications for the standard of living of rural people of Her Majesty's Government's agricultural policy.

  Mr. Gummer
  I refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Members for Liverpool, West Derby (Mr. Wareing) and for Leyton (Mr. Cohen).

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will meet representatives of the General Synod of the Church of England to discuss the social and economic prospects for agricultural tenants.

  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will meet representatives of the General Synod of the Church of England to discuss the social and economic prospects for agricultural tenants.

  Mr. Gummer
  No such meeting has been requested by the General Synod, but I frequently meet representatives of landlords and tenants to discuss matters of mutual interest.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will meet representatives of the General Synod of the Church of England to discuss the social and economic prospects for agricultural tenants.

  Mr. Gummer
  No such meeting has been requested by the General Synod, nor from the Synod of the Church in Wales. However, I frequently meet landlords and tenants to discuss matters of mutual interest.

  Mr. Jim Marshall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will meet the Church Commissioners to discuss the impact of Government policy on the use of their agricultural land.

  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will meet the Church Commissioners to discuss the impact of Government policy on the use of their agricultural land.

  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will meet the Church Commissioners to discuss the impact of Government policy on the use of their agricultural land.

  Mr. Gummer
  No such meeting has been requested by the Church Commissioners.

  Mr. Griffiths
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from clergymen in rural areas about the effects of Her Majesty's Government's agricultural policy on the rural areas.

  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from clergymen in rural areas about the effects of Her Majesty's Government's agricultural policy on the rural areas.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representation he has received from clergymen in rural areas about the effect of Her Majesty's Government's agricultural policy on the rural areas.
  668
  Mr. Gummer
  I refer the hon. Members to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Worsley (Mr. Lewis) on 25 February at column 313.

  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from the secretary general of the General Synod on his policy on use of agricultural land.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representation he has received from the secretary general of the General Synod of the Church of England on his policy on the use of agricultural land.

  Mr. Gummer
  I refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Carmarthen (Mr. Williams).

  Mr. Benn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will meet the Church Commissioners to discuss the impact of Government policy on the use of their agricultural land.

  Mr. Gummer
  No such meeting has been requested by the Church Commissioners, nor have there been any requests from the URC or Continuing Congregationalists.

  Pig Industry
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received about problems facing pig producers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier today to my hon. Friends the Members for Dorset, South (Mr. Bruce) and for Saffron Walden (Mr. Haselhurst).

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has taken to deal with the problems in the pig sector; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met representatives of the pig industry to discuss the state of the industry.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I refer the hon. Members to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Dorset, South (Mr. Bruce) earlier today.

  Green Pound
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received concerning the devaluation of the green pound.

  Mr. Latham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received on the level of the green pound, and its effect on British producers.

  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many representations he has received about the case for adjusting the value of the green pound.

  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many representations he has received about the level of the green pound; and if he will make a statement.
  669
  Mr. MacGregor
  I refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Ynys Môn (Mr. Jones).

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further steps he proposes to take to alleviate the adverse financial effects of current green pound rates on the agricultural industry in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. MacGregor
  Decisions on the green pound rates are best taken during the price fixing. The Government are fully aware of the real concern of United Kingdom producers about current rates and are considering the best approach to adopt in negotiations taking this and the other economic factors into account.

  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about recent changes in the level of the green pound.

  Mr. MacGregor
  Green pound changes are best made at the time of the price fixing. At the last price fixing in June 1987, devaluations were agreed of 7 percentage points for beef and 5·5 percentage points for most other products. This gave us a better outcome than any of our major EC competitors.

  Horse Sales
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent assessment he has made of the likely level of compliance with his proposed voluntary code of practice to implement the Farm Animal Welfare Council's recommendations relating to conditions at horse sales and markets; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  It is not possible to estimate the likely level of compliance with a code of practice which is still being drafted.

  Commodity

  Date

  Quantity (tonnes)

  Country of destination

  Sale price p/lb equivalent

  Wheat

  November-December 1987

  1,012,000

  USSR

  12·1

  Butter

  February 1987

  35,000

  USSR

  26·5

  Butter

  February 1987

  65,000

  USSR

  26·5

  Butter

  March 1987

  181,500

  USSR

  26·0

  Butter

  April 1987

  18,500

  USSR

  26·0

  Butter

  November 1987

  200,000

  USSR

  26·0

  Beef

  August-November 1987

  8,000

  Peru

  323.0–23.3

  1 The price is calculated from the dollar equivalent of the price actually paid by the purchaser (including MCAs), converted into sterling at the spot rate at the time of the sale. None of the wheat was exported from the United Kingdom.

  2 The price is the actual sale price out of intervention (exclusive of MCAs) and converted into sterling at the green rate, None of the butter was exported from the United Kingdom.

  3 The price is the sale price (including MCAs) that would have obtained if the beef had been exported from the United Kingdom, which it was not.

  I regret that the prices quoted for beef sales in reply to my hon. Friend's previous question on this subject on 4 December 1987, at columns 775–78, were incorrect. Instead of 28·2 to 36·4 p/lb equivalent, the prices should have been recorded as 23·0 to 31·2 p/lb equivalent.

  Surplus Food and Wine
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total volume and value in pound sterling of surplus food and drink in the EEC.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  A note setting out the volume of EC intervention stocks of agricultural commodities is deposited in the Library of the House and updated monthly. The estimated book value of the EC stocks set out in the most recently deposited note is £5·7 billion.

  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on recent developments in the control of surpluses of agricultural commodities in the European Community.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 15 February about the outcome of the recent meeting of the European Council at which major decisions were taken involving substantial CAP reforms.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the present annual cost of storing surplus food stocks in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The cost of storage of intervention stocks in 1986–87 was £129 million. The cost of financing intervention stocks in 1985, the latest year for which information is available, was £86 million.

  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what special sales of surplus stocks of food and wine have been approved by the management committee of the EEC over the past 12 months; and what was the price, in pence per pound weight, of each such sale.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  At any one time CAP arrangements provide for a number of sales schemes. These tend to follow established patterns, but the following sales from EC intervention stocks to non-EC countries, agreed over the past 12 months, have distinguishing features:

  Alternative Land Use
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent discussions he has had with other European Economic Community Ministers regarding the proposed set-aside scheme; and if he will make a statement.
  671
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a further statement about the operation of the European Community set-aside scheme in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Lord
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he now expects a set-aside scheme for arable land to be introduced in Great Britain.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will introduce a cereals set-aside scheme for Great Britain.

  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will implement a scheme to enable farmers to set-aside cereals land in Great Britain.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a cereals set-aside scheme will be implemented in Great Britain.

  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent progress has been made in developing a set-aside scheme for arable land.

  Mr. MacGregor
  As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister reported to the House on 15 February, the general principles of a new set-aside scheme were agreed at the European Council on 11 to 13 February. This scheme goes wider than the extensification measure agreed in June 1987, and will supersede it. Discussions are proceeding in Brussels on the legal texts required to implement the agreement, and the Agriculture Council will be considering the matter next week. The Government will be making decisions about the implementation of the scheme in the United Kingdom, including the date on which the scheme will start, when the exact terms of the Community legislation are clear and we have completed consideration of the views expressed earlier in response to the consultation document issued in December.

  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he next intends meeting representatives of conservation groups to discuss the operation of the European Community set-aside scheme in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Gummer
  Ministers and officials of my Department are in regular contact with conservation bodies on this subject. A wide range of such bodies sent us views on the consultation document issued in December.

  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received concerning his proposals to encourage tree-planting on surplus agricultural land.

  Mr. Gummer
  We announced revised proposals for the farm woodland scheme in November following a consultation exercise last year. Since then I have discussed the revised scheme with representatives of the main interested organisations. Most of the changes we made have been welcomed on all sides.

  Research and Development
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the future of employment for staff employed in research and development in fisheries.
  672
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the future of employment for staff employed in research and development in agriculture.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the future of employment for staff employed in research and development on food.

  Mr. Gummer
  We are currently reviewing all our R and D programmes against the background of the Government's more general reappraisal of science and technology priorities and our policy that industry should fund more of the work of benefit to it. Future staffing levels will, as now, be designed to meet our objectives in the most efficient and cost effective way.

  Mr. Harry Ewing
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received concerning his review of agricultural research and development.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The review is an internal exercise which does not involve formal consultation outside Government. But we are receiving views from a number of bodies in the course of the study.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to be able to make an announcement about the future of research and development in agriculture, fisheries and food.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Minister of State gave to the hon. Member for Knowsley, North (Mr. Howarth) on 4 February at column 734.

  Forestry
  Mr. Turner
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he is having with local authorities on the future of forestry in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. MacGregor
  My right hon. Friend the Minister of State has had discussions recently with local authority representatives about the proposed farm woodland scheme.

  Upland Farming
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the future of upland farming in Britain.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I remain committed to ensuring a secure future for upland farming. The recent decisions of the European Council will provide farmers throughout the United Kingdom with a more stable framework within which they can now plan for the future.

  Free Food Scheme
  Mr. James Lamond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the progress made in organising the European Economic Community free food scheme in the United Kingdom.
  673
  Mr. Clelland
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the latest position in the United Kingdom for the European Economic Community's free food scheme.

  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a further statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy towards British participation in the EEC's scheme to provide free food for the needy from EEC intervention stocks.

  Mr. Haynes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the progress of the operation of the European Commission free food scheme in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Gummer
  The period for receipt of application from organisations wishing to distribute under the arrangements ended on 29 February. The Government are examining these applications to establish what amounts the Commission should be asked to authorise for distribution in the United Kingdom. I shall make a further announcement in due course.

  Mr. Sean Hughes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he is having with organisations eligible to operate the European Community free food scheme.

  Mr. Gummer
  Officials of my Department last met charitable organisations on 12 February, and we are in contact also with the local authority representative bodies.

  Sheepmeat
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he anticipates the European Community review of the European sheepmeat regime will be completed.

  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on current progress on reform of the sheepmeat regime.

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he is having in the European Community about the sheepmeat regime.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The recent focus of discussions in the Council on the review has been upon stabilisers for sheepmeat and other CAP regimes. Now that these have been agreed, I expect that further work will resume on the basis of the Commission's proposals of October 1987. The issues at stake are undoubtedly difficult and complex, and so it is not possible at this stage to say what conclusions will be reached.

  Fishing Industry
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has for reducing the costs and other burdens borne by the fishing industry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  These matters are subject to frequent review and I would be happy to respond to any specific point which the hon. Member may have in mind. At a time of increasing prosperity in the industry with low fuel costs 674
  and value of landings at record levels, it is appropriate for fishermen to continue to make a contribution towards the cost of the services provided for it.

  Spirit Drinks
  Mr. Colin Shepherd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current position of negotiations in respect of the draft European regulations concerning the nomenclature of spirit drinks in the European Community and the use of the term cider brandy.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Negotiations on the draft EC Council regulation defining the major spirit drinks are continuing. Provision for spirit drinks which traditionally use the term "brandy" but which are not made from a distillate of wine, such as "cider brandy", is likely to be dealt with later, during consideration of the detailed, implementing rules.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he is having with his European colleagues about the future of the common agriculture policy.

  Mr. MacGregor
  Forthcoming meetings of the Council of Agriculture Ministers will be concerned with the implementation of the agricultural elements of decisions reached at the recent European Council, and with the proposals the Commission will be making for the 1988–89 price fixing.

  Agriculture Industry
  Mr. Geraint Howells
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received about the present state of the agriculture industry.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I have received a number of representations on this subject.

  Sea Defences
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has had from coastal local authorities regarding grant-aid for sea defence and coastal protection schemes in the current year and for 1989; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  A number of coastal local authorities have expressed concern as to whether sufficient capital allocation can be made available to them to enable them to undertake the coast protection schemes they consider necessary. I have advised them that the overall sum available will be allocated amongst the authorities concerned in a way that takes full account of the priority of the work.

  Agricultural Support Costs
  Mr. Stevens
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current cost of agricultural support in the United Kingdom; and what will the cost be in 1988–89 expressed in 1988 prices.
  675
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the cost of supporting agriculture in the United Kingdom in 1978–79; what is the most recent cost; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ken Hargreaves
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current cost of agricultural support in the United Kingdom; and what was the cost in 1978–79.

  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current annual cost of agricultural support in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. MacGregor
  Public expenditure on agricultural grants and subsidies for the years requested is as follows;

  £ million

  1978–79 (outturn)

  537

  1988–89 (estimate)

  1 1,783

  1 Source: 1988 Public Expenditure White Paper (figure for 1978–79 from Annual Review of Agriculture).

  The Government also support the industry in a number of other ways such as research and development, advisory veterinary and administrative services.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the cost of supporting British agriculture each year since 1979.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark) on 9 February 1988 at column 156.

  Food Prices
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the average annual rate of increase in food prices since 1979.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The average annual rate of increase in the food component of the retail prices index was 5·8 per cent. during the period May 1979 to January 1988 and recent figures indicate that the rate has now fallen to 2·9 per cent. These figures reflect the success of the Government's food policies and can be compared with the rate of increase in food prices of 16·7 per cent. per annum between October 1974 and May 1979, the period in office of the last Labour Administration.

  Mr. Marland
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the increase in food prices in 1977 and 1987.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The average annual increase in food prices in 1977, when the last Labour Administration was in office, was 19 per cent. By contrast, the increase in 1987 was 3·1 per cent. This indicates the success of the Government's food policies.

  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the annual rate of increase in food prices in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The annual rate of increase in food prices since 1979 is given in the table.

  Increase in food component of the retail prices index

  per cent.

  1979

  12·0

  1980

  12·1

  1981

  8·4

  676

  per cent.

  1982

  7·9

  1983

  3·2

  1984

  5·6

  1985

  3·1

  1986

  3·3

  1987

  3·1

  11988

  2·9

  1 January.

  Source: Department of Employment.

  Animal Welfare
  Mr. Greg Knight
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations have been made to him about farm animal welfare.

  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has recently received about farm animal welfare.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  My Department is in regular contact with all the main organisations interested in farm animal welfare, and they have made representations on a wide variety of topics.

  Miss Fookes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received concerning the promotion of animal welfare.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I am not aware of any recent representations on this. However, the Farm Animal Welfare Council is just setting up a group to look into the subject, and I expect that it will report in due course.

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ensure that full information is made available about improvements in farm animal welfare.

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he takes to ensure that the public is fully informed about improvements in animal welfare.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The welfare codes, which embody the latest scientific advice and the best current husbandry practice, are sent to all known livestock keepers and my staff visit farms to make information available about improvements in welfare. My Department also makes regular announcements to the media about the steps it is taking to improve animal welfare.

  Agricultural Advisory Services
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the future work of the agricultural advisory services.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The advisory and R and D work undertaken by the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service (ADAS) is described under programmes 46 to 48 of the annual publication "Ministerial Information in MAFF (MINIM) which also gives details of ADAS contributions to other MAFF programmes. A copy of the most recent publication covering the period 1986–87 to 1988–89 is in the Library of the House.

  Dairy Industry
  Mr. Knox
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he next intends to have discussions with the National Farmers Union about the dairy industry.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I plan to meet representatives of the National Farmers Union on 13 April 1988 to discuss the future operation of the milk quota system.

  New Zealand Butter
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will next review the quota of New Zealand butter imported into the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The Council of Ministers is due to take a decision by 1 August 1988 on quotas for the import of New Zealand butter from 1 January 1989. That decision will be based on a proposal and report from the Commission.

  Intervention Stocks (Costs)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the total cumulative cost to date of EEC intervention storage in(a) Stratford and (b) east London as a whole.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I regret that records are not kept in a form which enables this information to be readily extracted.

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the uptake of grant in the environmentally sensitive areas.

  Mr. Gummer
  We estimate that grant payments to farmers for the first year of operation in the first five English ESAs will amount to some £3 million.

  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the effects of the introduction of environtally sensitive areas.

  Mr. Gummer
  We are in the process of establishing a monitoring programme to assess the effects of environmentally sensitive areas. This will collect and analyse data on landscape, wildlife, historic features, farming practices and socio-economic developments. Our objective will be to assess the scheme's effects on those inter-related items. I hope to publish a first report, as required by section 18(8) of the Agriculture Act 1986, during the course of 1988.

  Mr. Chapman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what impact the environmentally sensitive areas scheme has had on conservation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  Farmers who applied to join the ESA scheme in the first year have been following the scheme conditions for 10 months. The impact of ESAs on conservation will be a gradual process, and to take account of that we will be monitoring its effects over the next five years. In the first year we have established a baseline of information on the land use, landscape, ecology and historic features of each area against which we will be able to monitor future trends.

  Animal Feedingstuffs (Cereals)
  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to receive proposals from the Brussels Commission concerning an allowance to incorporate cereals in animal feedingstuffs; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The European Council has requested the Commission to examine what measures could be introduced for the utilisation of cereals in compound feedingstuffs and to submit appropriate proposals in the context of the 1988–89 price fixing. I continue to have reservations about the cost-effectiveness of schemes intended to increase the usage of cereals in animal feedingstuffs.

  Tree Planting (Essex)
  Dr. Michael Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received about tree planting in Essex; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  My right hon. Friend has received a number of representations about the replanting of woodlands in south-east England, including those in Essex, damaged in last October's storm.

  Food Exports
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food what are the latest figures for British exports of food.

  Mr. Brandon-Bravo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the current level of British food exports.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the progress of British food exports over the last 12 months.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the level of British food exports over the past year.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  In 1987, United Kingdom food exports reached a record level of £3,063 million. This is 14·8 per cent. higher than in 1986. Over the same period food imports increased by only 2·1 per cent. This indicates the success of Government policies in supporting the British food industry.

  Small Farmers Association
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met the president of the Small Farmers Association; and what subjects he discussed.

  Mr. Gummer
  Sir Richard Body has taken a number of opportunities to put his views to me on issues of agricultural policy. I am always ready to meet him.

  Agriculture Ministers (Talks)
  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his latest discussions with the Agriculture Ministers of the EEC.
  679
  Mr. MacGregor
  The Agriculture Council last met on 8 February, and I reported the outcome to the House on 9 February in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Dorset, North (Mr. Baker). Agreement on a number of key issues of agricultural policy was reached at the European Council on 11 to 13 February, which was the subject of the statement by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in the House on 15 February.

  Family Farms
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what specific measures he hopes to take to protect the future of family farms, and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  All farmers need a stable framework of policy against which to plan their business decisions. This was lacking while CAP spending was not subject to proper budgetary control and while exhaustion of CAP funds threatened the collapse of the system. The decisions reached, notably on CAP reform, at the recent European Council have averted that threat and provided the clear framework farmers need.

  Forestry Training
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what forestry training is received by Agricultural Development and Advisory service advisers.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The Agricultural Development and Advisory Service employs 180 chartered surveyors who have a sound basic training in forestry and the related questions of conservation and amenity in woodlands. This training will continue to be kept up to date in co-operation with the Forestry Commission. Twenty-four of these officers have already also received further specialist training under Agricultural Development and Advisory Service policy of continuing professional development.

  Departmental Purchasing
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to announce the results of his Department's review of its purchasing procedures; and what priority he attaches to improving access for smaller firms.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  As part of the purchasing initiative to seek value for money improvements in Government spending, my Department has carried out a review of its purchasing procedures for internal control purposes and has issued revised guidelines intended to assist all purchasing staff in achieving this aim. These guidelines cover advice on purchasing from small firms, and it is now this Ministry's policy to include at least one small firm wherever practical within each product group reviewed.

  In addition, as part of this Ministry's developing purchasing strategy, closer relationships with suppliers are being developed through regular purchasing seminars, and detailed guidance has been drawn up for issue to potential suppliers, including small firms, on how to gain access to the Ministry's major contracts. All main purchasing points have also been issued with a guidance booklet entitled "Payment on Time" intended particularly to assist small suppliers.

  Cereal Production
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many organisations responded to his consultation document "An Extensification Scheme"; which organisations supported the principle of reducing cereal production by set aside; which organisations supported the principle of reducing production by promoting less intensive farming methods; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. MacGregor
  More than 260 responses have been received, expressing a wide range of views on these matters. The conclusions I and my colleagues draw from these will condition our decisions on the United Kingdom scheme, on which I will be making a statement in due course.

  Cereals
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the total cereal crop for 1987 and give for each cereal and for each grade an estimate of production, consumption and amount sold into intervention.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  My Department's present estimates of United Kingdom production of cereal in 1987 and domestic consumption of home-grown cereals in the 1987–88 marketing year are set out in the following table:

  '000 tonnes1

  '000 tonnes2

  '000 tonnes3

  Wheat

  11,874

  10,144

  1,730

  Barley

  9,130

  6,170

  2,960

  Oats

  441

  441

  —

  Other cereals

  59

  59

  —

  21,504

  16,814

  4,690

  1 Estimated production.

  2 Estimated domestic consumption of home-grown cereals.

  3 Tonnages surplus to domestic demand in 1987–88.

  A breakdown of grades of cereals is not available. The volume of sales of wheat and barley into intervention this season will depend largely on the industry's success in finding export markets for the surplus tonnages. Only 1,429 tonnes of barley had been delivered into intervention in the period to 29 February, and total offers of cereal this season are expected to be less than 1 million tonnes.

ENVIRONMENT

  Sporting Events (Attendances)
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on total annual attendance figures in the following sports(a) football, (b) cricket, (c) athletics, (d) swimming, (e) speedway, (f) ice-hockey and (g) motor-racing.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Information held by the relevent governing bodies shows the following attendance at sporting events:

  (i) Football: League matches and the four major Cup competitions in 1986–87—21·4 million.

  (ii) Cricket First class matches in 1986—0·82 million.

  (iii) Athletics: The 18 televised events—0·11 million.

  (iv) Ice Hockey: Premier and 1st divisions, Autumn cup and Wembley Championships—0·59 million.

  Attendance figures for swimming, speedway and motor racing events are not collected centrally.

  EC (Internal Market)
  Mr. Heddle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the extent and impact of the proposals contained in the European Commission's White Paper, "Europe without frontiers; towards a large internal market", in so far as his Department is concerned.

  Mr. Ridley
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster today. My Department has a particular interest in proposals covering free trade in construction products, as removal of barriers created by national standards will open up Community markets to United Kingdom exporters. PSA will welcome equality of opportunity for contractors competing for public works and supplies contracts.

  Housing Associations (Tenants)
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many tenants of housing associations(a) in England and Wales and (b) in Greater London, have bought their homes in each of the past five years; how many have bought under the transferable discount scheme; and what proportion in each case these figures are of the total number of tenancies with housing associations.

  Mrs. Roe
  The available information for England and for London for the years 1982–83 to 1986–87 is as follows. For Welsh figures, I refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Sales of housing association dwellings to sitting tenants

  Number (percentage of dwelling stock)

  Financial year

  England

  Greater London

  1982–83

  13,890 (3·2)

  3,270 (2·6)

  1983–84

  7,870 (1·7)

  1,670 (1·3)

  1984–85

  4,080 (0·9)

  820 (0·6)

  1985–86

  3,700 (0·8)

  900 (0·7)

  1986–87

  3,100 (0·6)

  670 (0·5)

  In addition to those sales, the following numbers of housing association tenants in England bought dwellings through the transferable discount scheme of home ownership for tenants of charitable housing associations:

  Number

  Per cent. of dwelling stock

  1984–85

  160

  less than 0·1

  1985–86

  2,570

  0·5

  1986–87

  1,240

  0·3

  Figures for London are not readily available.

  Departmental Buildings
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Billericay (Mrs. Gorman) of 8 December,Official Report, column 97, he is now able to give the final cost of the refurbishment and building work at Richmond terrace, Whitehall; if he will identify separately (a) the cost of carpets and (b) the cost of gold leaf; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  On the total cost of construction and fitting out of Richmond House, I have nothing to add to my 682
  answer of 8 December. The final cost will depend on settlement of the final account including claims still being negotiated.

  The cost of carpets for the entire building was £202,760 including VAT. There was no expenditure on gold leaf.

  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the annual cost to the Exchequer of rents, rates and maintenance of all Government buildings and agencies within London; what has been the percentage increase over the past 10 years; and what has been the increase in the annual rate of inflation over the same period.

  Mr. Christopher Chope
  I refer my hon. Friend to my answer to his question concerning accommodation in London for the Department of the Environment, on Wednesday 2 March. The percentage increases in expenditure by the Property Services Agency on rents and maintenance over the 10 years period to March 1987 for buildings occupied by Government Departments in London are 110 and 42 per cent. respectively. The percentage increase for contributions in lieu of rates is not available. Equivalent figures for Government-funded agencies are not held centrally and could be produced only at disproportionate cost. Over the same period inflation, as measured by the GDP deflator, was 116 per cent.—representing an average annual increase of 9 per cent.

  Radiation Monitoring
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to include local authority schemes for monitoring radiation, including Radmoss in Somerset and Radmil in Lancashire, in his national response plan for any future radiation emergency.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Local authorities will be able to contribute data to the national radiation monitoring system provided they have been collected and supplied according to agreed procedures. Further details of the arrangements are given in the Government's statement of "National Response Plan" proposals published earlier this year. Copies of the publication have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Mrs. Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if the Rimnet monitoring equipment will be used to provide the public with information about a domestic nuclear accident.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Yes.

  Rural Deprivation
  Mrs. Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his policy on rural deprivation, in the light of the report submitted to him by Mr. Brian McLaughlin on the subject of deprivation in rural areas.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The rural enterprise package, published in March last year, set out the Government's policy on the rural economy. The Development Commission is the principal agency for carrying forward that policy in England, and we are encouraging it to develop and implement a range of initiatives for improving economic and social conditions in the countryside.

  Nuclear Waste
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to submit a memorandum to the European Parliament committee of inquiry on current United Kingdom practices for managing and packaging nuclear materials and wastes sent from the United Kingdom to Mol in Belgium and Hanau in the Federal Republic of Germany.

  Mr. Moynihan
  [holding answer 1 March 1988]: No transfer of nuclear wastes from the United Kingdom to Mol or Hanau has been authorised by the Department and no request for a memorandum has been received from the European Parliament Committee referred to. Questions involving the managing and packaging of nuclear materials are for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy.

DEFENCE

  Belize
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what request he has received from the Government of Belize for additional military assistance to make good the sudden loss of support through the United States military aid programme; and what reply he has given.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  Any such requests would remain confidential between the Government of Belize and Her Majesty's Government.

  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration is being given to the more extensive use of facilities in Belize for the training of British forces.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  Regular consideration is given to ways in which training for British forces can be carried out more effectively within the limits of the facilities and resources available both in the United Kingdom and overseas. There are no plans at present to extend the use of facilities in Belize for the training of British forces.

  AWRE (Contracts and Agreements)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with how many universities or other institutions of higher education the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment has research contracts or agreements currently placed.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Bow and Poplar (Ms. Gordon) on 24 February 1988, at column 197.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 16 February,Official Report, column 540, whether the definition there used of an enhanced radiation-capable shell includes those which can function as an enhanced radiation shell with the addition of a separate module.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  It would not be appropriate for me to comment on the detailed technical questions concerning United States nuclear artillery shells. However, I can 684
  assure the hon. Member that the deployment to Europe of enhanced radiation nuclear artillery shells plays no part in NATO's plans.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the W-79 nuclear warhead, or any variation of it, is enhanced radiation-capable.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  Some W79 nuclear artillery shells produced by the United States before the fiscal year 1985 are of the enhanced radiation (ER) type. However, as the United States Department of Defence's "Annual Report to the Congress, Fiscal Year 1984", page 234, makes clear, all United States ER weapons are being stockpiled solely on United States territory. NATO has no plans to deploy such weapons to Europe.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the W-82 nuclear warhead, or any variation of it, is enhanced radiation-capable.

  Mr. Stewart
  As the United States Department of Defence's "Annual Report to Congress, Fiscal Year 1987", page 227, makes clear, the United States is not planning to produce any W82 nuclear artillery shells of the enhanced radiation type.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many W-79 nuclear warheads there are in Europe; and how many he expects to be in Europe by 1995;

  (2) how many W-82 nuclear warheads there are in Europe; and how many he expects to be in Europe in 1995.

  Mr. Stewart
  The number of nuclear artillery shells deployed in Europe by NATO now, or in the future, is classified.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to the extent to which the new generation of nuclear weapons are likely to be used.

  Mr. Stewart
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Kirkcaldy (Dr. Moonie) and the hon. Member for Liverpool, Broadgreen (Mr. Fields) on 23 February, at column 161.

  Parachute Regiment (Incident)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of Defence whether he proposes to undertake an inquiry with a view to disciplinary action in respect of the incident on 17 February in which members of the Parachute Regiment in a Land Rover, registration No. 94 AV 45, damaged a caravan and interfered with another vehicle; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  There were two separate incidents on 17 February. The first involved two soldiers of the Parachute Regiment, who were guarding an operational "out of bounds" area on Salisbury Plain. The two soldiers were in a Land Rover vehicle, registration No. 94 AV 45. They stopped a civilian driving a car through the prohibited area, and began to question him. The driver quite rightly told them that only MOD police had the right to question a civilian in such circumstances. He subsequently reported the matter to 3 PARA HQ, but made no formal complaint, nor did he wish for any further action to be taken. The soldiers concerned were reminded of the extent of their powers.

  The second incident, during the night of 17 February involved civilian occupants of a caravan on Salisbury Plain

  685
  reporting to the MOD police that soldiers had picked up the caravan, moved it 10 yds, and cut a CB radio cable. The MOD police promptly investigated the incident, but the occupants of the caravan were unable to identify those concerned, and the investigation produced no evidence that soldiers had been involved. No further action was thus possible.

  As both incidents were followed up at the time, I do not consider any further inquiry to be necessary.

  Trident Base (Clyde)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what road developments in connection with the Trident base on the Clyde have been undertaken; and at what total cost.

  Mr. Freeman
  An external network of new roads to relieve local communities of construction traffic from the Clyde submarine base development has been completed at a cost of some £20 million. Within the Clyde submarine base other roadworks are included in the various construction projects of the development programme.

  Greenham Common
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the implications for (i) military presence at the Greenham common base, (ii) access to the base and (iii) any other matters of the decision on 25 February at Reading Crown court in the cases of Georgia Smith and Jean Hutchinson that the Greenham common bylaws were not applicable; what action he proposes in consequence of this ruling; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The implications of the judgment will be considered in the light of the legal advice that I have requested.

  Tactical Nuclear Capacity
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any sum has been included in his Department's long-term costings in respect of the modernisation and development of Britain's tactical nuclear capacity; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  It is not the practice of this or previous Administrations to provide details of the content of the long-term costings. No decisions have yet been taken on the modernisation of British tactical nuclear weapons.

  HMS Valiant
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the refitting of HMS Valiant to be completed.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The refitting of HMS Valiant is currently expected to be completed in the latter half of this year.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the incident involving the repair of pipes leading from the nuclear reactor in HMS Valiant.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I am glad to say that there has been no incident affecting nuclear safety on board HMS Valiant during her refit.
  686
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has renegotiated the price for the refitting of HMS Valiant.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Because the refit of HMS Valiant commenced before the introduction of commercial management, it was not practicable to negotiate a fixed price contract at the outset. It has since been agreed that labour costs will be covered by incentive arrangements. Other elements, for example, materials and sub-contract costs, will be priced on the basis of actual ascertained costs. Any extra work under the contract will be covered by these arrangements.

  Indonesia (Rapier Missiles)
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of Her Majesty's armed forces are currently visiting Indonesia in connection with the sale of Rapier missiles, how long they are expected to remain there; and at what cost.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  A small British military advisory team is currently on a loan service posting in Indonesia in connection with the sale of Rapier missiles. It is currently planned for the team to return to the United Kingdom in January 1989. The cost is in confidence between the parties concerned.

  RN Helicopter Flight (Lee-on-Solent)
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total number of rescue sorties carried out by the Royal Navy helicopter flight at Lee-on-Solent in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Freeman
  The total number of rescue sorties carried out by the Royal Navy helicopter flight at Lee-on-Solent since 1983 is as follows:1983 155, 1984 121, 1985 125, 1986 119, 1987 136
  Information on sorties prior to 1983 could be provided only with disproportionate effort.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many rescue sorties were carried out by the Royal Navy helicopter flight at Lee-on-Solent in order to assist military personnel or ships in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Freeman
  The following rescue sorties were carried out by the Royal Navy helicopter flight at Lee-on-Solent in order to assist military personnel or ships since 1983.1983 nil, 1984 nine, 1985 one, 1986 five, 1987 five.

  Information on sorties prior to 1983 could be provided only with disproportionate effort.

  Radioactive Incidents (Monitoring)
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the meteorologists on the 45 sites to be part of the radioactive incident monitoring network will be required to sign a declaration under the Official Secrets Act.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  All staff of the Meteorological Office, including those working at sites involved in the radioactive incident monitoring network, would be bound by the Official Secrets Act as a matter of course.

  Submarine Hull-Mounted Sonar System
  Sir Geoffrey Pattie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the outcome of the recent competition on the submarine hull-mounted sonar system.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  My Department has today announced the placing of a contract worth about £10 million with Plessey Naval Systems Limited for the development and manufacture of a new sonar for Royal Navy hunter-killer submarines. The equipment is to be known as Sonar2074 and will include new arrays and associated processing and display equipment.

  The contract, which is firm-priced, was awarded to Plessey following a competition. The work will last about five years and will be carried out at the company's factories at Templecombe in Somerset and Newport, Gwent.

  Sonar2074 will be retrofitted in three Trafalgar and Swiftsure class submarines and is being procured at around one third of the cost of the equipment which it replaces. The new processing and display equipment will also be considerably more compact than the existing systems, a major advantage in the confined space of a submarine.

  The reduction in the cost of this sonar and its much smaller size owes much to the research work on computer technology and signal processing carried out at the Admiralty Research Establishment at Portland. This work is also being applied in the development of other new sonar systems for RN submarines and surface ships.

  Good sales potential is envisaged for a suitably modified version of Sonar2074, particularly the compact processing and display sub-systems.

SOCIAL SERVICES

  Medicines
  Mrs. Peacock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services why applications made under article 3 of the Medicines (Exemption from Licences) (Special and Transitional Cases) Order 1971, as extended by article 3 of the Medicines (Exemption from Licences) Manufacture and Assembly Temporary Provisions Order 1972, are no longer being processed.

  Mr. Newton
  The Licensing Authority has for some time been increasingly concerned at certain problems created by the article 3 exemption system, mainly in relation to identifying the source of the products concerned. A review of the position has revealed serious legal doubts about the validity of these exemptions and as a result it is proposed to revoke article 3.

  The views of interested parties on this proposal are being sought as required by section 129(b) of the Medicines Act 1968. In the meantime no further exemptions are currently being allowed. I have today placed in the Library a copy of a consultation letter which is being issued to all known holders of article 3 exemptions, to applicants for such exemptions and to professional and industrial organisations.

  Cervical Cytology Laboratories
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what was (i) the annual running cost, (ii) the staff complement and (iii) the number of cervical cytology 688
  smear results processed in the cervical cytology laboratories in (a) Warrington and (b) Macclesfield in the latest available year.

  Mrs. Currie
  Such information as is available is set out in the table. Details of the annual running costs of laboratories are not held centrally and my hon. Friend may care to contact the district health authority chairmen for the information.

  1986

  Macclesfield

  Warrington

  Number of cases examined

  15,909

  10,600

  Of those examined number diagnosed as positive

  172

  98

  Trained staff in post at 31 December 1986 (whole-time equivalent)

  3·2

  4·0

  Source: DHSS form SBH140.

  Notes:

  1. A woman who was tested more than once was counted on each occasion, but where more than one smear was taken from the same patient at the same session, they were counted as one test.

  2. Staffing levels relate to fully trained staff with a whole-time equivalent being calculated for staff employed part-time. The following staff are included in the figures: Pathologists and other medically qualified staff, medical laboratory scientific officers, scientific officers and laboratory cythology screeners. We do not hold details of staff complement.

  London School of Prosthetics
  Mr. Hanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what would be the estimated cost of modernisation if the London school of prosthetics were to remain at Roehamption and Paddington;

  (2) what would be the estimated cost involved in transferring the London school of prosthetics from Roehampton and Paddington to Salford.

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

  Benefit Payments
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the identifiable cost to public funds of his campaign to persuade benefit recipients to take payments through bank accounts.

  Mr. Portillo
  About £2 million.

  Heating Allowances
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the number of recipients of supplementary benefit heating allowances prior to April; and if he will list them by category of claim.

  Mr. Portillo
  The latest information from which the number of supplementary benefit claimants receiving weekly heating additions can be extracted shows that 2,829,000 claimants are receiving a heating addition. The number of heating additions in payments broken down by category of heating addition is as follows:

  Numbers (000s) Feb' 86 figures

  Rate from July 1986 (£)

  Basic rate (including age related)

  1,189

  2·20

  689

  Numbers (000s) Feb' 86 figures

  Rate from July 1986 (£)

  Higher rate (including disabled persons heating addition)

  681

  5·55

  Central heating addition—

  1–4 rooms

  401

  2·20

  5 or more rooms

  571

  4·40

  Estate rate heating addition—

  1–4 rooms

  51

  4·40

  5 or more rooms

  13

  8·80

  Others (amenity charges etc)

  21

  —

  TOTAL

  12,927

  Source: 1986 Annual Statistical Enquiry.

  1 In certain cases more than one heating addition may be payable to the claimant.

  Social Fund
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will amend the social fund manual to give effect to the undertaking given by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Social Security on 15 December 1987, Standing Committee E,Official Report, column 638, that, when a social fund officer arranges for an applicant to be interviewed following an application for a review, the applicant will be given a written explanation of the reasons for the social fund officer's decision before he attends the interview.

  Mr. Portillo
  Social fund officers' decisions will be notified by letter. Where payment is refused, or is awarded to a lesser extent than that claimed, the letter will always include the reasons for the decision. Applicants will therefore be aware of the reasons for the decision before the interview, and no amendment to the social fund manual is required to accomplish this.

  Benefits
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many young people had their benefit reduced or suspended between April 1987 and February 1988 for either(a) refusing a youth training scheme place or (b) leaving a scheme early in (i) the Leeds, West constituency, (ii) the Leeds metropolitan district council area and (iii) Britain; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  The information requested is not available in the precise form requested since the boundaries of the Leeds, West constituency and the Leeds metropolitan district council area are not conterminous with the areas covered by the Department's local offices. However, the following information which is provisional, and therefore subject to amendment, may be of interest.

  Number of cases in which Supplementary Benefit was reduced for refusal of or premature termination of a youth training scheme place: 8 April 1987 to 9 February 1988

  Refusal

  Premature Termination

  The Department's offices at1

  Leeds (North)

  Leeds (North West

  Leeds (West)

  Nil

  1

  690

  Refusal

  Premature Termination

  The Department's offices at2

  Leeds (North)

  Leeds (North West

  Leeds (West)

  Leeds (East)

  Leeds (South)

  Nil

  2

  Great Britain

  58

  815

  Notes:

  1 An area roughly approximating to the Leeds (West) constituency.

  2 An area roughly approximating to the Leeds Metropolitan District Council area.

  Incapacity for Work
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will place in the Library a copy of the instructions and guidance issued to his officials, including adjudication officers, regarding the circumstances in which the question of a person's incapacity for work is to be referred to a medical practitioner under regulation 8 of the Social Security (Adjudication) Regulations 1986.

  Mr. Portillo
  Current advice to adjudication officers on this is covered in part V of the insurance officer's guide and in IOG memos 462 and 463, copies of which are in the Library. From April 1988, this guidance will be in volume 8 of the adjudication officer's guide and copies will be placed in the Library.

  Adjudication Officers' Guide
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will deposit additional copies of the available parts of the adjudication officers' guide in the Library for the use of hon. Members.

  Mr. Portillo
  The complete 10 volumes of the adjudication officer's guide will be published by HMSO before 11 April 1988. Three copies will then be placed in the Library in accordance with the usual practice.

  Sickle Cell Anaemia and Thalassaemia
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list by district the screening and counselling centres for sickle cell anaemia and thalassaemia; how many counsellors work from each centre; and whether they are engaged full-time or part-time.

  Mrs. Currie
  It is for district health authorities to decide the resources to be devoted locally to these inherited blood disorders in the light of local needs and competing priorities. Detailed information about screening and counselling centres is not held centrally but I understand that there are counselling centres in the following districts:

  Brent

  Birmingham

  City and Hackney

  Haringey

  Islington

  Lambeth

  Liverpool

  Manchester

  Newham

  Nottingham

  Southwark

  Waltham Forest

  Children in Care
  Dr. Owen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many children are currently in institutional care.

  Mrs. Currie
  Information is not available centrally in exactly the form requested. It is estimated that there were 16,900 children in care of local authorities in England who were in residential care at 31 March 1986.

  Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer
  Dr. Owen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average cost per head of breast cancer screening and cervical cancer screening.

  Mrs. Currie
  Expenditure on cervical cancer screening is not separately identified in health authority accounts. It has been estimated that the average cost of taking and examining a cervical smear is about £10. It is estimated that, based on the economic appraisal in the Forrest report, the average revenue cost per woman screened by mammography for breast cancer is about £14 including, where necessary, the cost of assessment and diagnosis.

  Measles
  Dr. Owen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the latest figures for the number of cases of measles recorded in England and Wales and the percentage of children vaccinated.

  Mrs. Currie
  The information is as follows:

  11986

  Notifications of measles2

  82,061

  Percentage of children3 born in 1984 and immunised by the end of the second year after birth (measles)

  71

  1 England and Wales.

  2 Source: OPCS Monitor MB2 87/4.

  3 Source: DHSS form SBL607.

  Elderly People
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has as to what percentage of people(a) over 70 years and (b) over 80 years are able to do their own shopping, cooking, housework and personal care.

  Mrs. Currie
  The 1985 general household survey shows the following percentages of people aged 70 and over and 80 and over who can perform the tasks listed on their own:

  Aged 70 and over

  Aged 80 and over

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Cook a main meal

  90

  81

  Do the household shopping

  81

  61

  Wash small amount of clothing by hand

  90

  80

  Brush hair or shave

  98

  96

  Cut own toenails

  65

  46

  Bath, shower or wash all over

  89

  78

  Clean windows

  76

  55

  Sweep floors

  85

  71

  Do jobs involving climbing a stepladder or steps

  62

  39

  Wash face and hands

  99

  98

  The 1985 general household survey interviewed nearly 20,000 people aged 16 and over living in private households in Great Britain.
  692
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of people over the age of 70 years and over the age of 80 years (i) live at home, (ii) live with members of their family, (iii) live in sheltered accommodation and (iv) live in residential homes, institutions or hospitals.

  Mrs. Currie
  The information is not available precisely as requested but in the 1981 census the percentage of people in Great Britain who were not resident in private households (that is lived in hospitals, homes, communal establishments or other institutions) was 5·2 per cent. of those aged 70 and over and 12·2 per cent. of those aged 80 and over. The general household survey does not cover institutional populations but provides the following information about people resident in private households:

  Great Britain, 1985

  Percentages

  Household type

  Aged 70 and over

  Aged 80 and over

  Living alone or with spouse only

  82

  75

  Living with spouse and others

  5

  4

  Living with siblings or children

  11

  19

  Other

  2

  2

  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has as to what percentage of people over the age of(a) 70 years and (b) 80 years are (i) mentally fit and (ii) physically fit.

  Mrs. Currie
  I regret that we do not hold this information.

  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the projection for numbers of people who will be(a) over 80 years, (b) over 90 years and (c) over 100 years in five, 10, 20 and 25 years, respectively.

  Mrs. Currie
  The information available is shown in the table for the United Kingdom, using 1986 as the reference year.

  United Kingdom

  Projected resident population at mid year1 (in thousands)

  Age

  1986

  1991

  1996

  2006

  2011

  80 years and over

  1,841

  2,150

  2,365

  2,637

  2,678

  90 years and over

  201

  254

  329

  452

  492

  100 years and over

  ..

  ..

  ..

  ..

  ..

  1 Source: Mid 1985-based principal population projections prepared by the Government Actuary.

  .. denotes not available.

  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the figures for 1987, 1977, 1967 and 1958 of the number of people living in the United Kingdom aged over 100 years, aged over 90 years and aged over 80 years.

  Mrs. Currie
  The information available for the years and age bands requested is shown in the table. Figures for mid-1986 are the latest available.
  693

  United Kingdom

  Estimated resident population at mid-year (in thousands)

  Age

  1986

  1977

  1967

  1958

  80 years and over

  1,841

  1,414

  1,180

  945

  90 years and over

  201

  152

  ..

  ..

  100 years and over

  ..

  ..

  ..

  ..

  ..denotes not available.

  Under-fives Initiative
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to receive the evaluation report by Willem van der Eyken on the under-fives initiative; when he expects to publish it; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Newton
  We expect to receive the final document shortly, and will make an announcement about publication and circulation when we have studied it.

  Social Security Reform
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has discussed the administration of the new benefit system with the Data Protection Registrar; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  There has been discussion with the Data Protection Registrar to clarify the data protection requirements in connection with personal data systems administered by the Department, but the administration of the new benefit system has not been discussed specifically. The housing benefit scheme is administered by local authorities who are responsible for the confidentiality of personal data. I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on Thursday 18 February at columns 695–96.

  Pensioners (Benefits)
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of the population of pensionable age in Wales is dependent on means-tested benefits.

  Mr. Portillo
  It is estimated that some 20 per cent. of the population of pensionable age in Wales receive supplementary benefit. This carries with it entitlement to certificated housing benefit. Similar figures for standard housing benefit are not available.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many pensioners in Wales are entitled to supplementary benefit but do not claim it; and what measures his Department is taking to eliminate such underclaiming.

  Mr. Portillo
  We will continue to promote take-up of supplementary benefit by issuing claim forms to all retirement pensioners, and by a range of other measures.

  Take-up estimates are available only for Great Britain as a whole. A convenient summary of the overall position is provided on pages 272 and 273 of Cm. 288 (the 1988 public expenditure White Paper). These suggest that in 1983, 79 per cent. of available benefit was claimed by eligible pensioners. The indications are that the average amount unclaimed by pensioners is small, £3.40 per week, including some 60 per cent. entitled to less than £3. The 1983 take-up estimates are uncertain because of apparent deficiencies in the information obtained by the family expenditure survey from pensioner respondents.
  694
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many pensioner households in wales will receive a reduced amount of housing benefit with the implementation of the Social Security Act 1986 in April; and how many such households will lose their entitlement to housing benefit entirely.

  Mr. Portillo
  I regret that the information is not available for Wales alone.

  Committee on Safety of Medicines
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the names of the members of the Committee on Safety of Medicines, giving the professional and business background of each member.

  Mr. Newton
  The names of members of the committee, their professional qualifications and the employment positions they currently hold are as follows:Professor A. W. Asscher, BSc, MD, FRCP (Chairman), Dean, St. George's Hospital Medical School.
  Dr. G. Booth, B. Pharm, PhD, FPS, MCPP, Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice, University of Bradford and ex-President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.
  Professor A. M. Breckenridge, MD, MSC, FRCP, Professor of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Liverpool.
  Professor J. G. Collee, MD, FRCP, FRCPath, Professor of Bacteriology, University of Edinburgh.
  Professor P. H. Elworthy, B Pharm, PhD, DSc, MSC, CChem, MRSC, FPS, MCPP, Emeritus, Professor of Pharmacy, University of Manchester, Visiting Professor in Pharmaceutics at King's College, London and School of Pharmacy, London.
  Professor A. T. Florence, PhD, DSc, CChem, FRSC, MPS, MCPP, Professor of Pharmaceutics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow.
  Professor M. W. Greaves, MD. PhD, FRCP, Professor of Clinical Dermatology, University of London.
  Professor H. S. Jacobs, BA, MD, FRCP, Professor of Reproductive Endocrinology, Middlesex Hospital Medical School, London.
  Dr. W. A. Jerrett, MB, BCh, FRCGP, General Practitioner, Glamorgan.
  Professor M. J. S. Langman, BSc, MD, MBBS, FRCP, Professor of Internal Medicine, University of Birmingham.
  Professor D. H. Lawson, MD, MB, ChB, FRCP(Ed), Consultant Physician in Clinical Pharmacology, Glasgow.
  Mr. F. E. Loeffler, FRCS, FRCOG, Gynaecologist, London.
  Professor J. O'D McGee, MD, PhD, FRCPath, MA, Professor of Morbid Anatomy, Oxford.
  Professor A. E. M. McLean, BM, PhD, FRCPath, Professor of Toxicology, University College Hospital, London.
  Dr. Elizabeth Mayne, MB, BCh, BAO, MRCP, FRCPath, Department of Haematology, University of Belfast.
  Professor S. R. Meadow, MA, FRCP, DCh, Professor of Paediatrics and Child Health, Leeds University.
  Professor S. A. Montgomery, MD, BSc, MB, BS, FRCPsych, DPM Eng, Professor of Psychiatry, St. Mary's Medical School, London.
  Professor G. Nuki, MB, BS, FRCP(Ed), FRCP(Lond), MRCS, Professor of Rheumatology, University of Edinburgh.
  Dr. B. L. Pentecost. MD, FRCP. Consultant Physician, Birmingham.
  Professor M. D. Rawlins, MD, FRCP, BSc, Professor of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
  Professor M. P. Vessey, MB, MD, FFCM, Professor of Social and Community Medicine, University of Oxford.

  695
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what guidelines he lays down for the working of the Committee on Safety of Medicines.

  Mr. Newton
  The Committee on Safety of Medicines works within the statutory framework set out in the Medicines (Committee on Safety of Medicines) Order 1970 (SI 1970, No. 1257), made under section 4 of the Medicines Act 1968. The committee's statutory purposes are giving advice with respect to safety, quality and efficacy, in relation to human use, of any substance or article (not being an instrument, apparatus or appliance) to which any provision of that Act is applicable; and to promoting the collection and investigation of information relating to adverse reactions, for the purpose of enabling such advice to be given.

  Under paragraph 4 of schedule 1 to the Medicines Act 1968, the committee has power to regulate its own procedure. Committee members are appointed for their medical, scientific and pharmaceutical experience and expertise. Guidelines on safety, quality and efficacy are published by the United Kingdom licensing authority and the European Community for use by applicants for product licences; the resulting applications may be put to the committee for its advice. Members are bound both by section 118 of the 1968 Act, which broadly restricts the disclosures of information furnished to a person in pursuance of the Act, and also by the law on confidentiality. Members are required to follow guidelines on declaration of interests as such interests may preclude members from participating in committee proceedings in relation to a particular product.

  Millions

  Number of prescriptions

  1978

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  All benzodiazepines

  30·6

  30·7

  29·1

  29·5

  29·7

  28·7

  28·0

  25·7

  25·3

  Lorazepam

  1·8

  2·1

  2·4

  2·9

  3·5

  3·5

  3·2

  3·1

  3·1

  The figures for 1987 are not yet available. Figures in this format for England alone are not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Figures for hospital and community health services are not collected centrally. Figures are based on a sample of prescriptions of approximately 1 in 200 in England and Wales and 1 in 100 in Scotland.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many yellow card reports of suspected adverse reactions to medicines were submitted to the Committee on Safety of Medicines in each of the years 1978 to 1987 inclusive; and how many in each of these years were in respect of(a) benzodiazepines in general and (b) lorazepam in particular.

  Mr. Newton
  The table gives the figures requested. Reports of suspected adverse drug reactions do not necessarily imply a causal relationship.

  Tranquillisers
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has to ensure that general practitioners take action on the Committee on Safety of Medicine's advice in its "Current Problems" No. 21, on the danger of overprescribing benzodiazepines.

  Mr. Newton
  Doctors must exercise their professional judgment based on current knowledge in deciding how best to treat their patients. The problems of benzodiazepine therapy have been known for some time and the number of prescriptions for these drugs is falling. The advice contained in "Current Problems" No. 21 supported and added to advice doctors already had available from a variety of sources such as manufacturers' data sheets and articles in professional journals. In addition, the Department funds the distribution to doctors of independent publications including the British National Formulary, Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin and Prescribers' Journal which have all provided guidance on the prescribing and use of benzodiazepines. Doctors of the Department's regional medical service which monitors general practitioner prescribing will continue to take a specific interest in the prescribing of benzodiazepines.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many prescriptions for the tranquilliser lorazepam were issued in each of the years 1978 to 1987;

  (2) how many prescriptions were made out for (a) all benzodiazepines, and (b) lorazepam in each of the years 1978 to 1987 inclusive.

  Mr. Newton
  The number of prescriptions for(a) all benzodiazepines and (b) lorazepam dispensed by community pharmacists in Great Britain in each of the years 1978–1986 inclusive was as follows:

  Year

  Total yellow card reports received

  Total where suspected drug is a benzodiazepine including lorazepam

  Total where suspected drug is lorazepam

  1978

  11,873

  201

  36

  1979

  10,840

  218

  29

  1980

  10,179

  232

  31

  1981

  13,032

  166

  24

  1982

  10,922

  226

  24

  1983

  12,689

  274

  35

  1984

  12,163

  243

  20

  1985

  12,652

  179

  29

  1986

  15,527

  143

  21

  1987

  16,431

  100

  16

  Notes:

  The second column gives the actual number of reports received by the CSM in the calendar year. The third and fourth columns are taken from computer records.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the cost to the National Health Service of the prescribing of(a) benzodiazepines, and (b) lorazepam in each of the year 1978 to 1988 inclusive.
  697
  Mr. Newton
  The cost to the family practitioner services1 in England of benzodiazepines and lorazepam for the calendar years 1985 and 19862 were as follows:

  £ million

  Benzodiazepines

  Lorazepam

  1985

  27·3

  3·4

  1986

  28·2

  2·7

  Notes:

  1 Figures are not available for costs in the Hospital and Community Health Services, as Health Authority accounts only record total expenditure on drugs.

  2 The information requested is not available in the form requested prior to 1985, and is not yet available for 1987.

  Long-Stay Patients
  Dr. Owen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how much of the cost of all long-stay patients, respectively, for geriatric, mentally handicapped, mentally ill, and psychiatric patients, the National Health Service can claim back from social security;

  (2) how much the National Health Service could claim back annually from social security if the same arrangements applied for claiming the cost of residence as apply in local authority residential homes and private residential homes;

  (3) what would be the additional annual revenue to the National Health Service if patients whose incomes make them ineligible for social security payments were charged the cost of residence in long-stay hospitals.

  Mr. Portillo
  None. Social security is available only to individual claimants. The National Health Service, local authorities and independent residential care and nursing homes cannot claim any costs from social security. However, people in local authority and independent homes may be able to get help with charges from supplementary benefit. No data are available on which to base estimates of the amount of supplementary benefit which would be payable if health authorities were able to charge on the same basis as either local authorities or the independent sector.

  I regret that no information is available centrally to identify the number of National Health Service patients in long-stay hospitals whose income would make them ineligible for income-related social security benefits.

  Benefits (Disqualification)
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will reconsider his proposals to extend the maximum disqualification period for benefits to six months.

  Mr. Portillo
  An order to amend section 20(1) of the Social Security Act 1985 (which gives the power to disqualify a person for unemployment benefit) increasing the maximum period of disqualification from 13 to 26 weeks, was debated and approved by the House on 1 March.

  Terrorism, Jerusalem (Compensation)
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many dependants of the victims of the terrorist outrage in Jerusalem, perpetrated on 22 July 1946 698
  by the Irgun Zvai Leumi, are still in receipt of compensation from his Department; and what levels of compensation are paid.

  Mr. Portillo
  I am not aware of any.

  Meningitis
  Mr. Stevens
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement about the recent increase in the incidence of meningitis.

  Mrs. Currie
  The country has been experiencing an upsurge in the number of cases of meningococcal infection similar to one which occurred in the mid-1970s. Notifications have been rising since 1984 and the indication are that there will be some increase this year over last year's figure of 1,090 cases of meningococcal meningitis and 158 deaths from meningococcal infection.

  To ensure that doctors and health authorities were fully informed about the situation and were prepared to deal effectively with local outbreaks, Sir Donald Acheson the Government's Chief Medical Officer, wrote to all doctors last year and again early last month when he enclosed a copy of a leaflet produced for parents by Gloucester district health authority. He also sent regional medical officers a check list for management purposes and asked them to inform him of their regional plans to deal with the disease. These were discussed at a meeting held later in the month.

  I have arranged for a copy of the letter to all doctors to be placed in the Library.

  Young Persons (Housing)
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what advice he intends to give 16 and 17-yearolds who have left home but receive no income support about housing themselves from September onwards;

  (2) how he proposes to determine the circumstances under which a 16 or 17-year-old may be justified in leaving home once income support has been withdrawn from under 18 year-olds.

  Mr. Scott
  [holding answer 25 February 1988]: Regulations have yet to be prepared, but it is the Government's intention that 16 and 17-year-olds who are not required to be available for work—for example, the lone parent and the severely disabled—will be entitled to income support at all times. School leavers who have good reason for being away from home and who have registered for a job or a YTS place will be entitled to income support during the child benefit extension period—up to the end of the calendar year for summer school leavers and up to three months for others—whilst they are considering the job or youth training scheme opportunities that are available. The regulations will include those young people with no living parent or guardian, those who have recently been in local authority care, those placed away from home by a probation officer of social worker and those who cannot live at home because they would be threatened with physical or sexual abuse.

  Those unemployed young people who wish to live away from home and who are not covered by the regulations will have no entitlement to income support unless the Secretary of State directs that, exceptionally, benefits should he paid on the ground of severe hardship. Someone who joins the

  699
  young training scheme will be able to receive income support, if appropriate, to supplement his training allowance.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether he proposes to make any exceptions to the withdrawal of income support for under 18-year-olds so that income support could be given to those resident in an approved scheme of rehabilitation, such as that provided by the Young Men's Christian Association; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) how many 16 and 17-year-olds he expects to be both living away from home and unable to pay rental and accommodation charges in September; what that number will be for the constituency of Stoke-on-Trent, North; and what advice he will give to the Young Men's Christian Association to enable it to continue to accommodate 16 and 17-year-olds until September in the knowledge that they will no longer be able to pay the charges when income supplement is withdrawn in September.

  Mr. Scott
  [holding answer 25 February 1988]: The Government do not intend to make any exceptions to its general rules on income support to cater specifically for 16 and 17-year-old residents of accommodation provided by the Young Men's Christian Association.

  Some will be entitled to income support without time limit because they are incapable of work, whilst those who are fit for work, who are living away from home with good cause—for example, orphans and those who would be threatened with physical or sexual abuse—and who have

  In-patients

  Out-patients

  Accident and emergency patients

  Day patients

  Day cases

  Hospital name and type

  Cost per in-patient per day

  Cost per case

  Cost per attendance

  Cost per new case

  Cost per attendance

  Cost per new case

  Cost per attendance

  Cost per new case

  Cost per attendance

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  Yorkshire region

  Acute (51 to 100 beds)

  81·03

  566·46

  25·92

  114·56

  1n/a

  n/a

  1n/a

  n/a

  75·33

  Mainly acute

  79·98

  710·46

  27·04

  122·46

  20·03

  28·50

  37·21

  1,314·36

  38·72

  Mainly long-stay

  62·15

  2—

  33·34

  175·80

  10·50

  21·87

  19·21

  535·68

  63·25

  Geriatric

  41·85

  2—

  22·19

  78·71

  10·19

  19·98

  22·93

  728·84

  1n/a

  Mental illness

  41·23

  2—

  27·24

  182·85

  8·36

  17·24

  17·90

  1,713·48

  1n/a

  Pontefract district

  Ackton Acute (51 to 100 beds)

  55·79

  1,498·89

  20·98

  130·84

  1n/a

  n/a

  1n/a

  n/a

  1n/a

  Pentefract general infirmary Mainly acute

  85·05

  581·74

  26·01

  114·24

  20·81

  30·60

  18·76

  751·23

  44·15

  Castleford, Normanton and district Mainly long-stay

  59·62

  2—

  19·89

  82·36

  8·68

  18·60

  16·54

  353·74

  36·00

  Southmoor Geriatric

  41·31

  2—

  1n/a

  n/a

  1n/a

  n/a

  31·01

  854·56

  1n/a

  Warde Aldam Mental illness

  58·34

  2—

  9·29

  33·66

  8·36

  17·24

  1n/a

  n/a

  1n/a

  1 No patients of this type were treated during the year.

  2 Average costs per in-patient case in respect of hospitals providing long-stay treatment are not routinely calculated.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Banbridge District Council
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he intends to take in view at Banbridge district council's decision to prevent further 700
  registered for a job or a youth training scheme place will be entitled to benefit for a short period whilst they consider the job and youth training scheme opportunities that are available.

  The guarantee of a youth training scheme place to all 16 and 17-year-olds who want one will be seen by the majority of young people as an opportunity to make a good start in life. Someone who joins the youth training scheme will be able to receive income support, if appropriate, to supplement his training allowance.

  No estimates are available of the number of 16 and 17-year-olds who will be living away from home in September and who will be unable to pay rental or accommodation charges. We estimate, however, there are some 21,000 in the age group in Great Britain who are either boarders or householders; there are no comparable figures for the Stoke area.

  Patient Expenditure
  Mr. Lofthouse
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the average annual expenditure per patient in 1986–87 by the Pontefract district health authority.

  Mrs. Currie
  [holding answer 1 March 1988]: For 1986–87, hospital costing returns submitted by the Pontefract district health authority show average costs per patient treated as follows (average costs for the Yorkshire region are also included for comparative purposes).

  consultation between the town and country planning department and the district council; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  The Department of the Environment (Northern Ireland) will continue to consult the Banbridge district council on all planning applications involving land within its administrative area. This will take the form of the presentation on a regular basis of a schedule of applications received. Schedules will indicate the
  701
  preliminary opinion of the Department as to how each application should be determined. In accordance with established practice, if the Department does not receive the comments of the council within two weeks, a decision will be issued in accordance with the provisional opinion.

EMPLOYMENT

  Job Training Scheme
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how much has been spent on advertising the job training scheme; and how much that was per filled place since its inception.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Expenditure on advertising up to the end of January was some £8,370,000. This represents a cost of £115 per place filled since the start of the scheme in November 1986 up to December 1987, the latest date for which information is available.

  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of entrants to the job training scheme in Barnsley have obtained a credit or qualification as a direct result of their time on the scheme since its inception.

  Mr. Nicholls
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given him by my hon. Friend the Minister of State,Official Report, Tuesday 23 February, at column 127.

  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many applications there have been for the child care allowance on the new job training scheme.

  Mr. Nicholls
  At the end of January 1988, the latest date for which figures are available, there had been 13 applications for child care allowance on the new Job Training Scheme in the 10 pilot areas where this allowance is available.

  Jobcentres (Docklands)
  Mr. Leyton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans the Manpower Services Commission has for setting up jobcentre facilities in London docklands.

  Mr. Lee
  Responsibility for jobcentres now rests with Department of Employment's employment service. It has a network of 23 local offices in the docklands boroughs of which 11 offer jobcentre facilities. It is currently reviewing this network with a view to helping the largest possible number of local unemployed people find work.

  Industrial Tribunals
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received from the Justice group on the industrial tribunal system; and if he will make a statement on any response he proposes to make.

  Mr. Nicholls
  I am considering, in conjunction with the presidents of the industrial tribunals, the recommendations made by Justice in its report on industrial tribunals published in December 1987.

  Data Protection
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many subject access requests under the 702
  terms of the Data Protection Act his Department has received; what was his estimate of this number; whether he is reconsidering the subject access fee charged by his Department as a result; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lee
  The Department of Employment group, comprising the Department of Employment, the Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service, the Health and Safety Executive, and the Manpower Services Commission has received a total of 102 subject access requests under the Data Protection Act. Prior to the subject access data of 11 November 1987, it was not possible to make any firm estimate of the number of requests which would be received. We have no plans at present to reconsider the subject access fees charged by the Department of Employment Group.

  Community Programme
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what specific provisions are being made to ensure that smaller voluntary organisations will be able to continue to sponsor places on the revised community programme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Following publication of the White Paper "Training for Employment" on 16 February 1988 the Manpower Services Commission is developing the detailed rules for the new adult training programme. There will be a variety of opportunities for voluntary organisations to participate and I refer the hon. Member to para 5.13 of the White Paper which states:"The Government are very concerned that voluntary organisations and others which have an established role in the Community Programme should have the opportunity to make a major contribution to the new programme".

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what specific proposals he is considering to ensure a smooth transition in funding to the proposed new community programme for voluntary sector projects and organisations.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Existing providers who become training managers in the new adult training programme will be funded for all their filled places under the arrangements set out in the White Paper "Training for Employment" published on 16 February 1988. To ensure a smooth transition the Manpower Services Commission's area managers will be talking in detail with their agents and independent sponsors about these arrangements, and the positive role we hope they will play in the new programme.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what specific consideration he gives to regional variations in needs and opportunities in making allocations for project-based schemes under the community programme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Community programme places are allocated to regions and areas in the light of both national priorities set out in planning guidance issued on an annual basis, and local priorities determined in consultation with area manpower boards. The following factors are taken into account when deciding on regional allocations:

  1. The distribution of eligible unemployed people.

  2. Current and past performance in achieving filled place targets.

  3. The relative buoyancy of labour markets.

  4. Flexibility to meet special needs which may arise during the year.

  703
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make an estimate of the proportion of those current community programme schemes which will not fall within the guidelines for eligibility under the proposals for the programme's reform.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The Manpower Services Commission are currently developing the detailed guidelines and criteria for the new adult training programme. It is not possible, therefore, to estimate the number of current community programme schemes that will not meet the guidelines for the new programme. However, the new programme will provide at least 170,000 places for project-based training, and this should ensure that the experience of existing community programme agents and sponsors can continue to be harnessed.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what consultations he will be undertaking with organisations running existing community programmes and adult training schemes concerning the implementation of the new adult training scheme and other proposals contained in the recent White Paper from his Department.

  Mr. Cope
  The Manpower Services Commission has decided to establish a task group representing employers, trade unions, local authorities, voluntary bodies and other organisations running existing community programme and adult training schemes to advise on the implementation of the new adult training programme. In the course of local planning, the Manpower Services Commission will also be consulting area manpower boards and potential providers of the new programme.

  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of the entrants to the community programme on the 12 months to December 1987 were(a) to full-time places, (b) men, (c) single, (d) aged over 25 years, (e) unemployed for over 12 months and (f) were formerly benefit claimants.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The latest information available is that relating to the 12 months to the end of November 1987. This is given in the table.

  Number

  per cent.

  Total entrants of whom

  272,697

  (a) Full-time

  31,633

  11·6

  (b) Male

  202,342

  74·2

  (c) Single

  203,977

  74·8

  (d) Aged over 25 years

  115,351

  42·3

  (e) Unemployed for over 12 months

  216,794

  79·5

  (f) Formerly benefit claimants in direct receipt of benefit

  263,153

  96·5

  (g) Formerly benefit claimants indirectly in receipt of benefit

  5,858

  2·1

  Major Hazards
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the members of the Health and Safety Commission sub-committee on major hazards; and if he has set a timetable for its work.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The Health and Safety Commission's advisory committee on major hazards completed its work in 1984. The commission's standing advisory committee 704
  on dangerous substances subsequently set up a sub-committee on the major hazard aspects of the transport of dangerous substances. The current members of the sub-committee are:
  Mr. A. J. Williams, Health and Safety Executive (Chairman);
  Dr. D. Plester, Dr. I. Canadine, Mr. S. Hope and Mr. J. Middlemas (appointed after consultation with the Confederation of British Industry);
  Mr. R. Coyle and Mr. D. Matthews (appointed after consultation with the Trades Union Congress);
  Mr. W. Cooney and Mr. E. Johnson (appointed after consultation with local authority associations), Mr. P. Abbott, British Rail;
  Dr. V. Marshall, an independent expert.

  There is no set timetable for the work of the sub-committee. It will report as soon as possible, but the timing of final conclusions will depend upon the complexity of the problems revealed.

  Work Accidents
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people have suffered injuries or death in work accidents in(a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Northern Ireland and (d) Scotland for each year since 1974.

  Mr. Nicholls
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher)Official Report 16 December 1987, at column 578 in which I gave the available information for Great Britain. A breakdown of these figures for England, Wales and Scotland could only be provided at disproportionate cost. The position in Northern Ireland is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many prosecutions have been brought in respect of work accidents for each year since 1974.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The available information is set out in the table. Not all these cases arose from accidents at work.

  Year

  Number of prosecutions: information laid

  All1

  LAs2

  Fact & Agric. Insp.3

  Fact. Insp.4

  1975

  —

  —

  —

  2,956

  1976

  —

  —

  —

  2,174

  1977

  —

  —

  —

  2,814

  1978

  —

  —

  —

  2,603

  1979

  —

  —

  2,427

  —

  1980

  3,169

  545

  —

  —

  1981

  2,408

  516

  —

  —

  1982

  2,810

  468

  —

  —

  1983

  2,749

  511

  —

  —

  1984

  2,792

  585

  —

  —

  1985

  2,764

  451

  —

  —

  1986–875

  2,628

  453

  —

  —

  1 Data include prosecutions taken by HM Factory and Agricultural Inspectorates, Local Authorities (where known), Explosives Inspecorate, HM Mines and Quarries Inspectorate, Railway Inspectorate and the Petroleum Engineering Division of the Department of Energy, from 1983 but exclude the Pollution Inspectorate (formerly the Industrial Air Pollution Inspectorate). From 1980 to 1982 figures are for HM Factory Inspectorate, HM Agricultural Inspectorate and Local Authorities only.

  2 Local Authorities.

  3 HM Factory and Agricultural Inspecorate only.

  4 HM Factory Inspectorate only.

  5 Provisional data for the 12 month period April 1986 to March 1987.

  Benefit
  Mr. McTaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the number of people disqualified from unemployment benefit for each area office in the Glasgow area within the last year, giving the reasons for disqualification and the length of the period of disqualification.

  Mr. Lee
  The number of adjudication officers' decisions that disqualified claimants for receipt of unemployment benefit during the latest period for which figures are available (year ending 30 June 1987) are detailed in the table, broken down by reasons for disqualification. Figures are not available on an individual office basis and those given therefore represent the total number of disqualifications by adjudication officers in Glasgow. The figures do not cover disallowances of benefit, nor disqualification of those absent from Great Britain. No analysis is made of the length of the disqualification imposed, and this information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Year ending 30 June 1987

  Leaving Voluntarily

  8,716

  Misconduct

  3,113

  Refusal of Suitable Employment

  24

  Neglect of a Reasonable Opportunity of Suitable Work

  1

  Refusal to Carry Out Written Recommendations

  1

  Refusal or Failure to Take a Reasonable Opportunity of Approved Training

  22

  Trade Dispute

  4

  Mr. McTaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what proportion of people disqualified from receiving unemployment benefit within the last year have appealed against that disqualification in(a) Glasgow, (b) Scotland and (c) Britain as a whole;

  (2) how many people disqualified from receiving unemployment benefit have appealed the decision; and what percentages of disqualifications this represents.

  Mr. Lee
  Separate records of the number of appeals against disqualifications of unemployment benefit are not kept, and such information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The table shows the numbers of appeals against all adverse decisions, including both disqualifications and disallowances within(a) Scotland and (b) Britain as a whole for the year ending December 1986. The Department has no figures for other areas available.

  Great Britain

  Total of disallowances and disqualifications

  1,081,394

  Total appeals

  44,874=4·15 per cent.

  Scotland

  Total of disallowances and disqualifications

  116,109

  Total appeals

  6,272–5·4 per cent.

  Training Schemes
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment for each of the Manpower Services 706
  Commission's areas in Greater London, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, the Birmingham and Solihull Manpower Services Commission area and for Great Britain as a whole, what are the most recent monthly statistics for new job training schemes, for all those trainees who have left the scheme, how many (i) found work, (ii) failed to attend, (iii) went on to another course of training or education, (iv) completed the course, (v) left for sickness or (vi) went back on to unemployment and showing the total number of currently filled places.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [holding answer 22 February 1988]: At 29 January 1988, the latest date for which figures are available, some 26,249 formerly unemployed people were participating in the new job training scheme. The area breakdown is set out in the table.

  As for leavers from the scheme, a return from managing agents seeking information on the reasons for leaving was first requested in October 1987. Data from this return is known to be incomplete so far and will not be comparable between areas and managing agents in all places. The data does not provide reliable information about job entry rates or other trainee destinations. This information will be gathered by an independent follow-up survey of all trainees which has now started. Early results are expected in the spring. Managing agents' returns will be considered in the light of that information.

  Number of participants in training on 29 January 1988

  Number

  MSC—London areas

  North London

  386

  East London

  438

  South London

  308

  West London

  176

  Inner London North

  512

  Inner London South

  910

  MSC—Merseyside and Manchester areas

  Mcr Central

  815

  Mcr East

  389

  Mcr North

  410

  Merseyside

  625

  MSC Birmingham and Solihull

  823

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, for each of the Manpower Services Commission's areas in Greater London, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, the Birmingham and Solihull Manpower Services Commission area and for Great Britain as a whole, what are the most recent monthly statistics for new job training schemes, showing(a) entrants in the latest available period, (b) the number of cumulative entrants since the scheme started, (c) a breakdown of entrants, showing how many were (i) male and (ii) female, the length of time they had been out of work, their ethnic backgrounds and whether or not they had any disability.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [holding answer 22 February 1988]: The tables give the requested information about entrants to the new job training scheme.
  707

  Table 1

  Manpower Services Commission—London areas

  North London

  East London

  South London

  West London

  Inner London north

  Inner London south

  Number of entrants in latest available period (January)

  177

  180

  51

  109

  172

  194

  Cumulative entrants since scheme started (April to January)

  1,482

  990

  882

  838

  1,327

  1,923

  Cumulative

  (a)Male

  983

  625

  580

  489

  532

  1,346

  (b)Female

  499

  365

  302

  349

  795

  577

  (c)Length of time out of work

  (1) 6 to 12 months

  689

  435

  421

  398

  656

  836

  (2) Over 12 months

  367

  216

  226

  226

  380

  484

  (3) Over 24 months

  426

  339

  235

  214

  291

  603

  (d)Ethnic background

  (1) White

  682

  519

  531

  374

  638

  786

  (2) Black/African Caribbean descent

  400

  196

  153

  150

  412

  663

  (3) Indian Sub-Continent descent

  177

  158

  69

  162

  94

  98

  (4) None of these

  155

  85

  94

  97

  112

  190

  (5) I prefer not to say

  68

  32

  35

  55

  71

  186

  (e)Disabled persons

  23

  37

  41

  19

  29

  59

  Note: Due to difficulties in data collection some of the information given above is incomplete.

  Table 2

  MSC—Merseyside and Manchester Areas

  Mcr Central

  Mcr East

  Mcr North

  Merseyside

  Number of entrants in latest available period (January)

  317

  203

  145

  253

  Cumulative entrants since scheme started (April to January)

  2,437

  1,341

  1,358

  2,429

  Cumulative

  (a)Male

  1,912

  1,074

  1,063

  1,774

  (b)Female

  524

  267

  295

  655

  (c)Length of time out of work

  (1) 6–12 months

  901

  571

  960

  747

  (2) Over 12 months

  526

  351

  464

  599

  (3) Over 24 months

  514

  335

  509

  1,083

  (d)Ethnic background

  (1) White

  1,783

  1,126

  1,084

  2,118

  (2) Black-African Caribbean descent

  158

  30

  15

  16

  (3) Indian sub-continent descent

  85

  44

  56

  8

  (4) None of those

  348

  115

  158

  252

  (5) I prefer not to say

  62

  26

  45

  35

  (e)Disabled persons

  122

  35

  76

  47

  Note: Due to difficulties in data collection some of the information given above is incomplete.

  Table 3

  MSC—Birmingham, Solihull and Great Britain

  Birmingham and Solihull

  Great Britain

  Number of entrants in latest available period (January)

  789

  9,662

  Cumulative entrants since scheme started (April to January)

  2,461

  79,779

  Cumulative

  (a)Male

  1,721

  56,113

  (b)Female

  740

  18,966

  (c)Length of time out of work

  (1)6–12 months

  915

  31,547

  (2) Over 12 months

  580

  18,009

  (3) Over 24 months

  966

  25,170

  (d)Ethnic background

  (1) White

  1,446

  60,492

  (2) Black/African, Caribbean descent

  416

  3,968

  (3) Indian sub-continent descent

  331

  2,956

  (4) None of those

  219

  5,727

  (5) I prefer not to say

  49

  2,015

  (e)Disabled persons

  46

  2,785

  Note: Due to difficulties in data collection some of the information given above is incomplete.
  708 709
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment for each of the Manpower Services Commission's areas in Greater London, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, the Birmingham and Solihull Manpower Services Commission area and for Great Britain as a whole, what are the most recent monthly statistics for new job schemes on(a) the number of trainees in the latest available period who entered work placements, (b) the cumulative total of how many are in

  Manpower Services Commission—London areas

  North London

  East London

  South London

  West London

  Inner London North

  Inner London South

  Entered first practical experience placements in January

  48

  not known

  5

  4

  34

  26

  In practical experience placement at latest date (end January)

  246

  not known

  87

  26

  473

  293

  Number of leavers in latest available period (January)

  163

  186

  69

  93

  118

  226

  Cumulative leavers since scheme started (April-January)

  1,096

  552

  574

  735

  815

  1,013

  MSC—Merseyside and Manchester areas

  Mcr Central

  Mcr East

  Mcr North

  Merseyside

  Entered first practical experience placements in January

  110

  67

  75

  84

  In practical experience placements at latest date (end January)

  450

  248

  294

  434

  Number of leavers in latest available period (January)

  260

  152

  134

  289

  Cumulative leavers since scheme started (April to January)

  1,625

  953

  949

  1,745

  MSC—Birmingham, Solihull and Great Britain

  Birmingham and Solihull

  Great Britain

  Entered first practical experience placements in January

  102

  3,392

  In practical experience placements at latest date (end January)

  457

  15,389

  Number of leavers in latest available period (January)

  243

  7,175

  Cumulative leavers since scheme started (April-January)

  1,638

  52,029

  Note: Due to difficulties in data collection some of the information given above is incomplete.
  710
  work places at the latest available dates, (c) the numbers of trainees who left the scheme in the latest available period, and (d) the number of cumulative leavers since the scheme started.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [holding answer 22 February 1988]: The table gives the requested information on practical experience placements and leavers to the new job training scheme.