Written Answers of 11 March 1988

ENVIRONMENT

  Atmospheric Pollution
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what contributions are being made by his Department to research into damage to the meteorological stability of the atmosphere by atmospheric pollution; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The Department has recently started a new programme of research in climate change to improve assessments of the effect pollution (in the form of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases) may have on the earth's climate. This is in close co-operation with the programme being carried out at the Meteorological Office and the Natural Environment Research Council, which contribute to the UN world climate programme.

  Greenwich Park
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps are being taken to protect visitors to Greenwich park from skateboarders.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The Royal parks constabulary has been directed to give special attention to this matter and to take action against any use of skateboards which is likely to affect the comfort or safety of park users.

  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many accidents have taken place as a result of the use of skateboards in Greenwich park during each of the past 10 years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The figures are as follows. Between 1977 and 1985 a special skateboarding area was provided in Greenwich park.

  Pedestrians

  Skate-boarders

  Skate-boarders in the special area

  Total

  1977

  1

  30

  3

  34

  1978

  7

  26

  4

  37

  1979

  5

  7

  1

  13

  1980

  3

  9

  1

  13

  1981

  1

  3

  0

  4

  1982

  0

  2

  0

  2

  1983

  0

  1

  1

  2

  1984

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1985

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1986

  0

  1

  2—

  1

  1987

  1

  7

  —

  8

  19881

  1

  2

  —

  3

  1 To date.

  2 Special area discontinued.

  "Radioactive Britain" (TV Programme)
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to obtain for his departmental 354
  library a copy of the transcript of the Channel 4 Dispatches programme, "Radioactive Britain," broadcast on 4 March.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The press office has a video of the programme which has been studied by several of the Department's administrative and scientific staff. There are no plans to obtain the transcript for the Library.

  Landlord and Tenant Act 1987
  Mr. Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is now in a position to state when he expects to bring further parts of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 into force.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  My right hon. Friend and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales have now made the second commencement order for the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 which brings into force on 18 April 1988 the whole of parts II, III and IV, dealing respectively with the appointment by the court of managers; the acquisition of leasehold blocks in certain circumstances; and the variation of leases. We aim to bring the remaining provisions of the 1987 Act into force by the summer recess.

  Docklands (Compulsory Purchase Order)
  Mr. Heddle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will issue his decision on the London Docklands (East Docklands) Compulsory Purchase Order 1985.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The Department has issued today the letter announcing my right hon. Friend's decisions, taken jointly with my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Transport and for Energy, confirming (with modifications) the London Docklands (East Docklands) Compulsory Purchase Order 1985. A copy of the decision letter has been placed in the Library. Because objections by a local authority and by a statutory undertaker remain outstanding, the order is subject to special parliamentary procedure and will not become operative until the relevant processes have been completed.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Local Authorities (Education Expenditure)
  Mr. Raison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how the share of local authority expenditure taken by education has changed since the passing of the Local Government Act 1958.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  In 1958, education's share of total authority spending in the United Kingdom was 41·4 per cent. In 1986, it was 41·8 per cent. The comparison is based on calendar year figures representing recurrent and capital spending excluding debt interest and an imputed charge for capital consumption.

  Gaelic
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has as to how many Gaelic-orientated courses currently exist in(a) Scottish and (b) Welsh universities.

  Mr. Jackson
  According to the handbook of the Universities Central Council on Admissions, the number
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  of university institutions in Scotland and Wales offering Celtic languages as subjects in degree courses in October 1988 is as follows:

  Scotland

  Wales

  Celtic or Celtic studies

  3

  1

  Gaelic studies

  1

  —

  Irish

  —

  1

  Wesh

  —

  5

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prisoners (Costs)
  Mrs. Maureen Hicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what he expects the projected cost to be for accommodating a convicted murderer for a minimum life sentence of 20 years.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  It is not possible to distinguish the cost of keeping particular types of offender in custody. The average annual cost of keeping a person in a penal establishment in 1986–87 was £13,104. Projections are not made of the average costs of keeping persons in custody in future years.

  Firearms
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the firearms working party will report: and when the report will be available to hon. Members.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I believe that the hon. Member has in mind the working party on firearm fees and shotgun security, which was set up in early 1987. Its recommendations on shotgun security were taken into account in formulating the proposals in the White Paper on reform of firearms legislation (Cm. 261). The Firearms (Amendment) Bill has implications for fees, and consideration of this matter will resume once the Bill is enacted.

  Association of Chief Police Officers
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what subjects he expects to discuss at the next meeting with the Association of Chief Police Officers.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  No arrangements have yet been made for my right hon. Friend's next meeting with representatives of the Association of Chief Police Officers.

  Prison Visits
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how much was spent during the financial year 1986–87 on assisted prison visits in England and Wales;

  (2) how much it is anticipated will be spent on assisted prison visits in England and Wales during the financial year 1987– 88;

  (3) how much it is anticipated will be spent on assisted prison visits in England and Wales during the financial year 1988–89.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The sums in question, which do not include administration costs, are as follows:356

  £

  1986–87

  925,629

  1987–88

  1870,000

  1988–89

  2978,000

  1 Most recent forecast outturn.

  2 Planned expenditure, subject to agreement of the Supply Estimates.

  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he anticipates any delays or a fall in applications as a result of the changes in the assisted prison visits scheme which will be introduced on 11 April.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  No.

  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications his Department expects the assisted prison visits unit to receive during its first year of operation.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We expect the unit to receive over 50,000 applications in its first year.

  Police
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers were in post in England and Wales as at 31 December 1983.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  There were 121,003 police officers in England and Wales as at 31 December 1983.

  Television Licence Fee
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy with regard to the reimbursement of the balance of unexpired television licence fee to individuals who gave up their televisions on admittance to residential homes for the elderly.

  Mr. Renton
  They will be eligible for a refund of the balance if they cease to need a licence within 28 days of having obtained one.

  Traffic Wardens
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many traffic wardens have been deployed in the London borough of Newham on average in each day during the most recent period for which figures are available.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that 14 traffic wardens are deployed in the London borough of Newham, working in two shifts of seven. Sickness and other abstractions may reduce the numbers slightly on particular days.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many traffic wardens have been deployed in London in each of the past five years.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The number of traffic wardens varies throughout the year but I understand from the Metropolitan police and the City of London police that the strength of the traffic warden service at the end of each of the past five years was as follows:
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  31 December

  Metropolitan police district

  City

  1983

  1,789

  57

  1984

  1,829

  79

  1985

  1,698

  79

  1986

  1,668

  65

  1987

  1,527

  71

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received concerning the transfer of London traffic wardens from his Department to local authorities.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Traffic wardens in London are employed by the Metropolitan police and by the corporation of the City of London. We have received representations from the community and police consultative groups for Hillingdon and for Paddington and Marylebone that Metropolitan police wardens should he transferred to local authority control. The Association of London Authorities and the London Boroughs Association have also presented proposals under which local authorities would employ parking control officers to perform the functions currently undertaken by Metropolitan police traffic wardens. These proposals are being considered by a working party on which the Home Office, Department of Transport, the police and the local authority associations are represented.

PRIME MINISTER

  NATO Meeting
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Prime Minister if any specific decision was taken on a collective North Atlantic Treaty Organisation view on(a) the future of the anti-ballistic missile treaty and (b) the benefits to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation of the United States strategic defence initiative, at the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Ministers and Heads of State meeting on 2 and 3 March.

  The Prime Minister
  No.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Social Security Commissioners
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Attorney-General during 1987 how many visiting social security commissioners sat in Wales; at what centres they sat; and in each case, what facilities were available at these centres for handicapped claimants and those suffering from industrial injuries.

  The Attorney-General
  In 1987 10 commissioners sat on a total of 10 occasions in Cardiff to deal with 49 oral hearings of appeals. On nine of those occasions oral hearings were held in the Crown court, where all public facilities are concentrated on the ground floor; these include a waiting area, cafeteria and a toilet for the use of disabled persons. On the remaining occasion, hearings took place in Cardiff county court, where there are no facilities specifically for disabled persons.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Attorney-General how many(a) full-time and (b) part-time social security commissioners there are in (i) London, (ii) Edinburgh, (iii) Cardiff and (iv) Northern Ireland; and whether there are plans to increase the numbers of part-time or full-time commissioners in any of these centres.
  358
  Attorney-General
  The information is given in the table:

  Location

  Full-Time Commissioners

  Part-Time Commissioners

  London

  13

  1

  Edinburgh

  2

  —

  Cardiff

  —

  —

  Northern Ireland

  2

  —

  A commissioner travels to Cardiff to deal with individual cases as required.

  In view of the work load in Scotland, the Lord Chancellor has authorised the appointment of an additional full-time commissioner in Scotland who will be based in Edinburgh. He has no plans to make further appointments at the present time.

ENERGY

  Nuclear Power Stations
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what statistical and demographic criteria, for each type of nuclear reactor, are used in Her Majesty's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate's assessment of the safety of sites for nuclear power stations; if he will publish a list showing for each existing nuclear power station(a) the relevant limiting criteria compared with (b) the actual population figures in each case; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I am advised by the HSE's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate that the current demographic criteria for assessing potential AGR sites were developed in the late 1960s. These and more restrictive criteria of a similar type are used as guidelines for controlling development in the vicinity of existing AGR and Magnox stations respectively. Once a site has been accepted for a nuclear station arrangements are made to ensure that residential and industrial developments are so controlled that the general characteristics of the site are preserved, and therefore local authorities consult the inspectorate with regard to any proposed development which might lead to an increase in population close to the site and on larger developments further from the site. Limiting criteria based upon population distribution are used only for guidance and the inspectorate would not necessarily insist on rigid adherence to them. Other unquantifiable factors are also taken into account.

  The limiting criteria are in the form of cumulative weighted population out to various distances all around the site and in any 30 deg. sector. To assess a site against the criteria at a certain distance, the population for a given distance band is multiplied by the appropriate weighting factor and the values up to the distance being evaluated are added together. The weighting factors and limiting criteria for Magnox and AGR sites are:

  Distance (Km)

  Weighting factors

  Cumulative population Magnox

  Weighted criteria AGR

  Population all around site

  0–2

  32·0

  45,000

  290,000

  2–3

  15·0

  69,000

  520,000

  3–5

  7·7

  120,000

  870,000

  5–8

  4·0

  180,000

  1,300,000

  Population in 30 deg. sector

  0–

  26·0

  23,000

  96,000

  359

  Distance (km)

  Weighting factors

  Cumulative population Magnox

  Weighted criteria AGR

  2–3

  12·0

  37,000

  170,000

  3–5

  5·6

  48,000

  290,000

  5–8

  2·8

  56,000

  430,000

  Magnox reactors in concrete pressure vessels such as Oldbury and Wylfa would be allowed some relaxation of the general Magnox criteria if necessary.

  The total populations around Magnox and AGR stations and the populations in the most restrictive 30 deg. sector are:

  Population around Magnox power stations (1981 Census data)

  Distance (km)

  Total

  30° sector

  Hinkley Point

  0 to 2

  120

  40

  2 to 3

  300

  110

  3 to 5

  1,200

  650

  5 to 8

  2,800

  670

  Berkeley

  0 to 2

  320

  260

  2 to 3

  2,000

  1,400

  3 to 5

  7,900

  190

  5 to 8

  8,300

  730

  Trawsfynydd

  0 to 2

  320

  60

  2 to 3

  290

  20

  3 to 5

  1,500

  640

  5 to 8

  5,400

  4,000

  Calder Hall

  0 to 2

  140

  20

  2 to 3

  2,100

  1,500

  3 to 5

  2,300

  300

  5 to 8

  8,100

  270

  Sizewell

  0 to 2

  140

  30

  2 to 3

  3,200

  3,100

  3 to 5

  3,600

  2,000

  5 to 8

  4,200

  400

  Bradwell

  0 to 2

  460

  340

  2 to 3

  190

  60

  3 to 5

  7,200

  30

  5 to 8

  3,900

  30

  Dungeness

  0 to 2

  60

  40

  2 to 3

  140

  140

  3 to 5

  590

  230

  5 to 8

  6,000

  140

  Oldbury

  0 to 2

  250

  50

  2 to 3

  260

  60

  3 to 5

  1,800

  1,100

  5 to 8

  30,000

  11,000

  Wylfa

  0 to 2

  460

  290

  2 to 3

  730

  570

  3 to 5

  1,100

  60

  5 to 8

  1,600

  240

  Hunterston

  0 to 2

  50

  30

  2 to 3

  100

  10

  3 to 5

  6,400

  4,200

  5 to 8

  1,400

  70

  360

  Distance (km)

  Total

  30° sector

  Chapelcross

  0 to 2

  250

  10

  2 to 3

  410

  230

  3 to 5

  11,000

  8,200

  5 to 8

  3,100

  220

  Population around AGR stations (1981 census data)

  Distance (Km)

  Total

  30° sector

  Heysham 'A'

  0 to 2

  2,400

  2,100

  2 to 3

  3,900

  2,900

  3 to 5

  13,000

  4,300

  5 to 8

  38,000

  26,000

  Heysham 'B'

  0 to 2

  2,200

  2,100

  2 to 3

  3,700

  3,100

  3 to 5

  13,000

  11,000

  5 to 8

  40,000

  24,000

  Hartlepool

  0 to 2

  200

  0

  2 to 3

  2,900

  1,900

  3 to 5

  27,000

  13,000

  5 to 8

  130,000

  37,000

  Torness

  0 to 2

  140

  50

  2 to 3

  210

  5

  3 to 5

  510

  70

  5 to 8

  3,000

  0

  Population data for other AGRs at Hinkley Point, Dungeness and Hunterston are not given separately since control is exercised using the more restrictive Magnox criteria.

  Nuclear Plant (Decommissioning)
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what information he has on opportunities for the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority to sell its expertise in nuclear power plant decommissioning to Sweden, in the light of the announcement by the Swedish Energy Minister on 2 March that Sweden is to begin its closure programme for its nuclear plants in 1995.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I understand that the UKAEA has regular discussions with its Swedish counterparts and keeps commercial opportunities under review.

  "Radioactive Britain" (TV Programme)
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will seek to obtain for his departmental library a copy of the transcript of the Channel 4 Dispatches programme, "Radioactive Britain", broadcast on 4 March.

  Mr. Parkinson
  No.

  Power Plant Safety
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has received any correspondence from Mr. R. W. Marshall of Cymerau, Dolwen, Blaenau Ffestiniog on the subject of power plant safety and radiation fog, since May 1979.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Mr. Marshall has corresponded frequently with this Department.

  Renewable Sources
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what has been the annual gross and net expenditure by the Government on research into renewable sources from 1973 until 1987 –88, in both actual prices and 1986 –87 prices.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Expenditure by my Department on research into renewable sources of energy since the mid-1970s is set out in both actual prices and 1986 –87 prices.

  £ million

  Actual Outturn

  Outturn 1986–87 prices

  1975–761

  0·5

  1·39

  1976–771

  1·0

  2·45

  1977–781

  2·5

  5·38

  1978–79

  3·6

  7·00

  1979–802

  8·2

  13·65

  1980–812

  11·3

  15·87

  1981–822

  17·3

  22·12

  1982–832

  14·7

  17·54

  1983–842

  11·7

  13·34

  1984–852

  14·9

  16·28

  1985–862

  13·2

  13·60

  1986–872

  12·0

  12·00

  1987–88

  313·7

  313·14

  1 Includes energy conservation research and development.

  2 Includes expenditure on "waste as a fuel" projects under the Energy Efficiency Office demonstration scheme.

  3 Estimated.

  Nuclear Fusion (Research)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what has been the annual expenditure by Euratom on research into nuclear fusion, including the JET programme, from its inception until 1987–88, in actual costs and 1986–87 prices, indicating the United Kingdom Government's financial contribution to this programme.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The payment appropriations for Euratom are contained in the Official Journal of the European Communities (L series), copies of which are available in the Library of the House. The United Kingdom contribution is not separately identified, but information on our share of the Community own resources is contained in volume 2, chapter III, paragraph 7, of the 1987 public expenditure White Paper.

  Agencies (Government Contributions)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will publish a table indicating the Government's annual contributions to (i) Euratom, (ii) the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency, (iii) the International Energy Agency and (iv) the International Atomic Energy Agency since they were set up, until 1987–88, in both actual costs and 1986–87 prices.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Details of the Government's subscriptions to the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency, to the International Energy Agency and to the International Atomic Energy Agency are published annually in the Supply Estimates, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. The Government's contribution to Euratom is not separately identifiable as it forms part of the United Kingdom's general contribution to the European Community budget.

  Spent Magnox Fuel
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy under what system nuclear materials have been deemed to be civil or military after the co-processing of safeguarded and unsafeguarded spent Magnox nuclear fuel at BNF'L Sellafield since May 1979.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  [holding answer 29 February 1988]: The products of co-processing were allocated by dividing the total pro rata to the quantities of uranium arid plutonium in the incoming safeguarded and unsafeguarded fuel. From 1987, separate civil and non-civil reprocessing operations have been carried out.

  Plutonium
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if any plutonium from(a) unsafeguarded British Nuclear Fuels Limited reactors or (b) safeguarded Electricity board Magnox reactors has been exported to the United States since May 1979 under bilateral or International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  [holding answer 29 February 1988]: Safeguarded plutonium exports to the United States since May 1979 have been made only by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority.

DEFENCE

  RAF Stornoway
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if the standard operating procedures for all military aircraft taking off from RAF Stornoway include a mandatory instruction to turn right in order to avoid overflying the townships of Tong and Upper Coll;

  (2) if the standard operating procedures for all military aircraft performing practice approaches at RAF Stornoway include a mandatory instruction to turn right in order to avoid overflying the townships of Tong and Upper Coll;

  (3) if the standard operating procedures for all civilian jet aircraft operating under contract to his Department taking off from RAF Stornoway include a mandatory instruction to turn right in order to avoid overflying the townships of Tong and Upper Coll;

  (4) if the standard operating procedures for all civilian jet aircraft operating under contract to his Department performing practice approaches at RAF Stornoway include a mandatory instruction to turn right in order to avoid overflying the townships of Tong and Upper Coll;

  (5) if the 70 dbA noise contour for RAF Stornoway incorporates the noise made by aircraft making straight-in approaches in a southerly direction.

  Mr. Freeman
  Yes.

  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what account was taken of military jet aircraft carrying out practice approaches, overshoots and practice diversions at RAF Stornoway in the calculation of the 70 dbA noice contour around the airfield.

  Mr. Freeman
  Full account was taken of military jet aircraft approaching to land in the calculation of the computer—predicted 70 dbA noise contour for RAF
  363
  Stornoway. Other manoeuvres, including overshoots, were not included in the calculation but will be measured during the forthcoming noise survey.

  Stand-off Nuclear Missile
  Mr. Kirkhope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what work his Department has carried out on the development of a stand-off nuclear missile for the RAF; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  I cannot add to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence gave to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Hillsborough (Mr. Flannery) on 26 January 1988 at column 167.

  Nuclear Short-Range Missile
  Mr. Kirkhope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what work his Department has carried out on the choice of a new nuclear short-range missile.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  None. In the first instance this is a matter for the United States Government who are currently considering SACEUR's requirement for a follow-on to the Lance surface-to-surface missile system. No decisions on modernisation as it affects British forces have yet been taken.

  Gibraltar Shooting
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what specific branches of the armed services were involved in the shooting of three people in Gibraltar on Sunday 6 March.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  I have nothing further to add to the statement made by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 7 March at columns 21–22.

  Special Air Service
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many prisoners have been taken by personnel of the Special Air Service in their operations in the last 10 years; who those people were; and what was their subsequent fate;

  (2) in how many incidents people have been killed in operations by the Special Air Service in the last 10 years; who those people were; and where and in what circumstances they were killed;

  (3) what instructions, beyond those applying to other units of the armed forces, govern the use of lethal force by the Special Air Service.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  It has been the policy of successive Governments not to comment on the operations or activities of special forces.

  NATO/Warsaw Pact (Tactical Aircraft Capacity)
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing (a) the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's total tactical aircraft capacity and that of the Warsaw pact and (b) the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's tactical aircraft capability devoted to the European theatre and that of the Warsaw pact.
  364
  Mr. Ian Stewart
  The Statement on the Defence Estimates 1987 (figure 13 of annex A) shows the balance of NATO and Warsaw pact tactical aircraft in Europe from the Atlantic to the Urals. For these purposes, tactical aircraft are defined as including reconnaissance aircraft, fighters, fighter bombers, light bombers and air defence aircraft. It is the imbalance of NATO and Warsaw pact conventional forces in Europe that is of direct concern to NATO, and it is not our practice to publish figures for these forces deployed worldwide.

  NATO Summit (Radio Interview)
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will seek to obtain for his departmental library a copy of the transcript of the interview given by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation General Secretary, Lord Carrington, to the BBC Radio Four "World Tonight" programme concerning the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation summit on 3 March.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  The library of the Ministry of Defence seeks to obtain all publications relevant to the working needs and interests of the Department where such material can be satisfactorily published on the open market. Transcripts of programmes transmitted by the BBC are deposited with the BBC written archives centre and are not normally available on the open market.

  Hong Kong
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy with regard to the amount of defence costs in Hong Kong to be borne by the United Kingdom; and what are the implications of the Sino-British joint declaration for those costs.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  Negotiations on a successor agreement to the current defence costs agreement with Hong Kong are in hand. Under the provisions of the joint declaration we remain responsible for the defence of Hong Kong until 1997.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Living Standards
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what level of pay rise would be required by the average employee paying tax in order to compensate for price increases over the past year.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what level of pay rise would be required by the average employee paying tax in order to compensate for price increases over the past year.

  Mr. Lilley
  In the year to January 1988 the living standards of the average employee paying tax would have been maintained by an increase in gross taxable income of about 1½ per cent.

  Retail Prices Index (Error)
  Mr. Gregory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the level of underfunding in total, and expressed per public service pensioner, of the public sector pension bill as a result of the miscalculation of the retail prices index; what is the number of public service pensioners
  365
  involved; what estimate has been made of the administration costs if the underfunding were to be distributed to each pensioner; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  The underestimation of the retail prices index led to payments to public service pensioners in the main superannuation schemes which the Government administer centrally (teachers, National Health Service, Civil Service, armed forces, and colonial pension schemes) being £7·2 million lower in total than they would otherwise have been, an average of £5·70 for each of the 1,263,000 pensioners in these schemes. The administrative cost of compensating each pensioner would have amounted to over £2·6 million, or more than a third of the total amount of compensation to be disbursed. These estimates underly the decision, announced in my answer of 18 December 1987, at columns 845–46, to make donations to charities, including those active in support of retired or needy public service pensioners, instead of compensating pensioners individually.

  Government Publications (Braille Copies)
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will authorise Her Majesty's Stationery Office to release, without charge, or at printed publication price only, computer disks of Government publications, to enable the Royal National Institute for the Blind, or its subcontractors, to produce braille copies of those publications; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  Her Majesty's Stationery Office is ready and willing to enter into negotiations with the Royal Institute for the Blind, or its subcontractors, for the supply to it of those Government publications which are readily available in machine-readable form. Given HMSO's statutory obligations as a trading fund, however, it would be inappropriate for it to supply this material on an ongoing basis at less than the extra cost of providing it, though it would be able to supply sample disks or tapes without charge to assist any initial research and development.

  Rating Reform
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when and in what form he plans to make announcements about future levels of the national non-domestic rate; and when he proposes to exercise his power, or indicate that he will not exercise his power, to set the national non-domestic rate multiplier under the proposed amendments to the Local Government Finance Bill.

  Mr. Major
  [holding answer 10 March 1988]: Under provisions of the Local Government Finance Bill now before Parliament, the Government will, in 1990, set NNDR multipliers in England and Wales so as to produce the same yield of business rates in each country as if the rate poundages set by local authorities in 1989 had been indexed to the retail prices index and there had been no revaluation. In subsequent years, the presumption will be that indexation of the NNDR multipliers to the RPI provided for in the Bill will take place. Equivalent provisions are already in the Abolition of Domestic Rates Etc. (Scotland) Act. If, however, I decide to use powers in the proposed amendments to increase the NNDR
  366
  multipliers by less than the RPI in any year, an announcement would be made before the RSG reports for that year had been approved by Parliament.

  NHS (Expenditure)
  Sir Barney Hayhoe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimated outturn for expenditure on the National Health Service in 1987–88; what increase is planned for 1988–89; and what change this represents over that indicated in the Autumn Statement 1987 and the public expenditure White Paper (Cm. 288–1).

  Mr. Lawson
  I holding answer 4 March 1988]: The estimated outturn for expenditure on the NHS in the United Kingdom in 1987–88 contained in the public expenditure White Paper was £20,569 million. However, this did not include the additional £102 million in health authorities' cash limits announced on 16 December. Expenditure in 1988–89 is planned to rise to £21,818 million, an increase of £1,147 million or 5·5 per cent. over 1987–88 when the additional £102 million for this financial year is taken into account. Revised estimates of the 1987–88 outturn for voted expenditure will be published in the main Estimates on Budget day.

  Housing Benefit and Family Credit
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households are in receipt of housing benefit or family credit; if he will give for 1988–89 for these households the total reduction in the income tax payments resulting from a reduction in the basic rate of tax to 25 per cent.; and if he will estimate the annual saving to the Exchequer in payment of housing benefit and family credit resulting from a reduction in the basic rate of tax to 25p.

  Mr. Portal
  [holding answer 23 February 1988]: I have been asked to reply.

  Approximately 6·.6 million people are expected to receive housing benefit and or family credit in 1988–89. For those within this group who pay income tax, the reduction in tax payments from a 2p reduction in the basic rate would be £36 million in a full year. The savings; in family credit and housing benefit might approach £20 million. Over two thirds of this saving would arise on family credit.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the net change in the annual income of a married couple with one earner and two school age children living in rented accommodation, for which they pay the average council house rent and average rates, of a cut in the basic rate of tax to 25p(a) before taking account of any change in their entitlement to housing benefit and family credit and (b) after taking account of any change in their housing benefit entitlement assuming the earner is on (i) half average earnings, (ii) average earnings and (iii) one and a half times average earnings.

  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 23 February 1988]: I have been asked to reply.

  The information, for a married couple with two children aged 8 and 11, is shown in the table:

  367

  Net change in annual income with 25p basic rate of tax

  Earnings (£pw)

  Before Entitlement to Housing Benefit Housing Benefit and Family Credit

  After Change in Housing Benefit and Family Credit Entitlement

  £pw

  £pa

  £pa

  122

  48·36

  14·56

  245

  176·28

  176·28

  367

  303·16

  303·16

  All other basic assumptions are consistent with "Impact of the Reformed Structure of Income Related Benefits", October 1987, copies of which are held in the Library.

WALES

  Welsh Language
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those persons, bodies and associations which submitted unsolicited evidence to his Department on the desirability of new Welsh language legislation during the consultation exercise carried out in 1986 and 1987.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which primary schools in each local education authority in Wales(a) use the Welsh language as the main language of instruction, (b) use some Welsh as a medium of instruction and (c) undertake little or no instruction through the medium of Welsh.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The following table shows the numbers of primary schools in each local education authority in Wales which, in September 1986, fell into the categories:

  (a) schools having classes where Welsh is the sole or main medium of instruction of first or second language pupils;

  (b) schools having classes of first or second language pupils where some of the teaching is through the medium of Welsh; and

  (c) schools where either no Welsh is taught, or where there are classes where Welsh is taught as a second language but is not used as a teaching medium.

  The names of schools falling into each of the categories could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Category

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  Total

  Clwyd

  36

  33

  182

  251

  Dyfed

  110

  118

  95

  323

  Gwent

  6

  —

  232

  238

  Gwynedd

  136

  53

  9

  198

  Mid Glamorgan

  28

  5

  279

  312

  Powys

  17

  6

  92

  115

  South Glamorgan

  9

  5

  142

  156

  West Glamorgan

  16

  7

  146

  169

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which of the secondary schools in each of the local education authorities in Wales teach five or more of the foundation subjects outlined in the Education Reform Bill at present before Parliament through the medium of the Welsh language.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  Until the national curriculum is implemented it will not be possible to collect information in the form requested. However, on the basis of the statistical returns made by schools in September 1987, the 368
  Welsh Office's best estimates are that more than half of the foundation subjects specified in the Education Reform Bill were taught wholly or partly in Welsh in the following secondary schools:

  Clwyd

  Brynhyfryd School

  Ysgol Maes Garmon

  Ysgol Glan Clwyd

  Ysgol Morgan Llwyd

  Dyfed

  Ysgol Uwchradd Tregaron

  Ysgol Gyfun Maes yr Yrfa

  Ysgol y Preselli

  Ysgol Bro Myrddin

  Ysgol Dyffryn Teifi

  Ysgol Penweddig

  Ysgol y Strade

  Gwynedd

  Ysgol Syr Thomas Jones

  Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni

  Ysgol David Hughes

  Ysgol y Gader

  Ysgol y Moelwyn

  Ysgol y Berwyn

  Ysgol Ardudwy

  Ysgol Glan y Mor

  Ysgol Dyffryn Ogwen

  Ysgol Botwnnog

  Ysgol Brynrefail

  Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle

  Ysgol Uwchradd Bodedern

  Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy

  Ysgol Tryfan

  Ysgol y Creuddyn

  Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen

  Mid Glamorgan

  Ysgol Rhydfelen

  Ysgol Llanhari

  Ysgol Cwm Rhymni

  Powys

  Caereinion High School

  Llanfyllin High School

  Ysgol Bro Ddyfi

  South Glamorgan
  Ysgol Glantaf

  West Glamorgan

  Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera

  Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list all the institutions of(a) higher and (b) further education in Wales, showing what funds were allocated at each of these institutions during the academic year 1986/87 specifically for the promotion of teaching through the medium of the Welsh language.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to him on Thursday 10 March.

  Graham Sutherland Art Gallery
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received concerning the funding of the Graham Sutherland art gallery, Picton castle, The Rhos, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Representations have been received from the owner of Picton castle suggesting that the
  369
  National Museum of Wales should assume responsibility for running the Graham Sutherland art gallery. The matter is receiving attention.

  National Museum of Wales
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what financial assistance is to be provided to the National Museum of Wales for the financial year 1988–89 by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Subject to the agreement of Parliament, grant-in-aid to the National Museum of Wales in 1988–89 will be £11,354,000.

  Loans and Grants
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the amount received in Wales in the form of the various loans and grants by the European Economic Community for each of the years of the United Kingdom's membership, in the manner of his reply to the hon. Member for Wrexham of 27 March 1987,Official Report,column 280, updated to the latest available date.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Further to the reply of 27 March 1987, at columns 279–80, assistance granted to Wales from the European regional development fund in 1987 was £53·9 million (quota). Details of other indentifiable loans and grants to Wales in 1987 are not readily available.

  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the amount received in Clwyd in the form of various loans and grants by the European Economic Community for each of the years of United Kingdom membership, in the manner of his reply to the hon. Member for Wrexham of 9 April 1987,Official Report, columns 369–70, updated to the latest available date.

  North East

  North West

  Scotland

  Wales

  New Jobs

  Safeguarded Jobs

  New Jobs

  Safeguarded Jobs

  New Jobs

  Safeguarded Jobs

  New Jobs

  Safeguarded Jobs

  1979

  1,466

  n/a

  379

  n/a

  2,757

  n/a

  854

  n/a

  1980

  2,923

  n/a

  913

  n/a

  4,474

  n/a

  3,332

  n/a

  1981

  1,021

  n/a

  1,177

  n/a

  5,756

  n/a

  1,986

  n/a

  1982

  539

  n/a

  1,291

  n/a

  2,258

  n/a

  901

  n/a

  1983

  1,066

  720

  709

  1,114

  5,135

  3,432

  2,116

  1,913

  1984

  4,589

  230

  1,135

  1,911

  8,761

  1,463

  3,958

  5,015

  1985

  1,987

  1,572

  2,271

  1,378

  4,971

  2,922

  2,416

  1,350

  1986

  1,581

  1,158

  1,400

  1,389

  1,881

  607

  2,364

  2,232

  1987 (Provisional)

  3,491

  852

  356

  1,946

  3,704

  2,061

  3,954

  877

  n/a = not available.

  Regional Development
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what financial support he is offering to the regional development organisations in England in 1988–89.

  Mr. Atkins
  I have offered the five English regional development organisations nearly £2·8 million in grant-aid for inward investment promotion programmes for 1988–89, over £280,000 more than in 1987–88. I have allocated the grant-aid as
  370
  Mr. Peter Walker
  Futher to the reply of 9 April 1987, at columns 369–70, total European regional development fund granted to Clwyd during the calendar year 1987 was £7·5 million (quota). Details of other EC grants and loans to Clwyd in 1987 are not readily available.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  British Steel (Advertising)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether the cost of the current British Steel advertising campaign(a) on television and (b) in other media is charged to privatisation publicity costs.

  Mr. Atkins
  No. The costs of BSC's current advertising campaign are being met entirely by the corporation.

  Job Creation
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many jobs have been created by inward investment in the north of England, Scotland and Wales in each year since 1978; and how many are in prospect in each of these regions.

  Mr. Atkins
  The following are Invest in Britain Bureau figures for the numbers of jobs expected to be created or safeguarded, long term, by inward investment projects announced in each year since 1979 (the earliest for which formal records are available) in the areas specified. The figures are based upon information provided by the companies themselves: not every decision is accompanied by an employment estimate.

  Up to £

  Northern Development Company (in the north-east)

  935,000

  Yorkshire and Humberside Development Association

  630,000

  Inward Ltd. (in the north-east)

  450,000

  West Midlands Industrial Development Association

  400,000

  Devon and Cornwall Development Bureau

  375,000

  I have also offered the Northern Development Company grant-aid of up to £200,000 for its wider activities aimed at the regeneration of the region (This compares with £180,000 for 1987 –88). In addition, given

  371
  the NDC's support to the small business sector, a further £30,000 will be offered by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment.

  Consistent with the thrust of the enterprise initiative, with its strong emphasis on self-help and professionalism, I have been reviewing the Government's future funding policy for the regional development organisations. In future years I shall be looking to the regions' private sector organisations and local authorities to become much more closely involved in both the management and the funding of these bodies.

EMPLOYMENT

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list in rank order the parliamentary constituencies in Great Britain according to their ratio of female to male unemployment at the latest convenient date.

  Mr. Lee
  The following information is available from the Library. The table shows the numbers of male and female unemployed claimants in each parliamentary constituency in Great Britain ranked according to the ratio of female to male claimants, on 14 January 1988.

  Males

  Females

  Ratio Females-Males

  Bethnal Green and Stepney

  5,811

  1,386

  0·24

  Tyne Bridge

  6,543

  1,846

  0·28

  Sunderland North

  7,052

  2,056

  0·29

  Cardiff South and Penarth

  3,653

  1,054

  0·29

  Glasgow Garscadden

  4,321

  1,235

  0·29

  Glasgow Provan

  6,022

  1,723

  0·29

  Ashfield

  3,489

  1,032

  0·30

  Kingston-upon-Hull East

  4,801

  1,441

  0·30

  Barnsley Central

  4,142

  1,260

  0·30

  Manchester Central

  7,709

  2,332

  0·30

  Salford East

  5,436

  1,622

  0·30

  Middlesbrough

  7,018

  2,083

  0·30

  Redcar

  5,755

  1,755

  0·30

  Blaenau Gwent

  3,335

  1,015

  0·30

  Ogmore

  2,922

  864

  0·30

  Aberavon

  2,729

  816

  0·30

  Glasgow Pollock

  5,375

  1,617

  0·30

  Greenock and Port Glasgow

  6,310

  1,917

  0·30

  Bow and Poplar

  5,168

  1,622

  0·31

  Birmingham Small Heath

  6,802

  2,116

  0·31

  Birmingham Sparkbrook

  5,998

  1,837

  0·31

  Sheffield Brightside

  5,344

  1,679

  0·31

  Manchester Wythenshawe

  4,466

  1,398

  0·31

  Birkenhead

  6,451

  1,971

  0·31

  Hartlepool

  5,969

  1,831

  0·31

  Jarrow

  5,035

  1,547

  0·31

  Cardiff West

  4,015

  1,236

  0·31

  Glasgow Shettleston

  4,807

  1,471

  0·31

  Southwark and Bermondsey

  5,026

  1,603

  0·32

  Nottingham North

  4,792

  1,523

  0·32

  Great Grimsby

  5,061

  1,609

  0·32

  Bootle

  7,128

  2,294

  0·32

  Wansbeck

  3,753

  1,189

  0·32

  Caerphilly

  3,475

  1,114

  0·32

  Swansea East

  3,577

  1,142

  0·32

  Glasgow Govan

  4,321

  1,394

  0·32

  Glasgow Springburn

  6,021

  1,922

  0·32

  Newham South

  3,511

  1,168

  0·33

  Walsall North

  4,804

  1,564

  0·33

  Sheffield Central

  6,966

  2,317

  0·33

  Bradford North

  4,856

  1,605

  0·33

  Bradford West

  5,458

  1,789

  0·33

  Leeds East

  4,819

  1,586

  0·33

  372

  Males

  Females

  Ratio Females-Males

  Liverpool Riverside

  7,681

  2,505

  0·33

  Liverpool West Derby

  6,206

  2,078

  0·33

  Stockton North

  5,723

  1,865

  0·33

  Cynon Valley

  2,978

  996

  0·33

  Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney

  3,434

  1,131

  0·33

  Rhondda

  3,285

  1,072

  0·33

  Swansea West

  3,801

  1,263

  0·33

  Barking

  2,205

  760

  0·34

  Hammersmith

  4,247

  1,463

  0·34

  Wolverhampton North East

  5,296

  1,799

  0·34

  Wolverhampton South East

  4,311

  1,460

  0·34

  Mansfield

  3,758

  1,259

  0·34

  Nottingham South

  4,131

  1,399

  0·34

  Kingston-upon-Hull North

  5,678

  1,911

  0·34

  Barnsley East

  3,726

  1,262

  0·34

  Rotherham

  4,387

  1,501

  0·34

  Blackburn

  4,585

  1,547

  0·34

  Knowsley North

  6,120

  2,057

  0·34

  Easington

  4,033

  1,359

  0·34

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne East

  4,820

  1,659

  0·34

  South Shields

  4,863

  1,664

  0·34

  Clydebank and Milngavie

  3,344

  1,142

  0·34

  Glasgow Central

  5,403

  1,838

  0·34

  Glasgow Rutherglen

  4,517

  1,545

  0·34

  Peckham

  5,625

  1,954

  0·35

  Walsall South

  4,309

  1,504

  0·35

  Derby South

  5,169

  1,812

  0·35

  Nottingham East

  6,210

  2,148

  0·35

  Sherwood

  3,416

  1,196

  0·35

  Hemsworth

  3,786

  1,329

  0·35

  Leeds Central

  4,964

  1,724

  0·35

  Manchester Gorton

  4,820

  1,677

  0·35

  Liverpool Garston

  5,100

  1,799

  0·35

  Liverpool Walton

  7,522

  2,610

  0·35

  Langbaurgh

  5,031

  1,753

  0·35

  Glasgow Maryhill

  5,602

  1,952

  0·35

  Western Isles

  1,595

  554

  0·35

  Hackney South and Shoreditch

  6,922

  2,471

  0·36

  Lewisham Deptford

  5,114

  1,865

  0·36

  Newham North West

  3,418

  1,234

  0·36

  Vauxhall

  6,408

  2,330

  0·36

  Leicester West

  4,041

  1,465

  0·36

  Pontefract and Castleford

  4,053

  1,455

  0·36

  Preston

  4,636

  1,660

  0·36

  North Durham

  4,196

  1,494

  0·36

  Gateshead East

  4,386

  1,573

  0·36

  Houghton and Washington

  5,309

  1,925

  0·36

  Sunderland South

  5,612

  2,030

  0·36

  Pontypridd

  2,891

  1,049

  0·36

  Motherwell South

  3,505

  1,248

  0·36

  Reading East

  1,885

  697

  0·37

  Southampton Test

  3,446

  1,279

  0·37

  Norwood

  5,026

  1,836

  0·37

  The City of London and Westminster

  2,947

  1,096

  0·37

  Birmingham Ladywood

  6,042

  2,253

  0·37

  West Bromwich West

  4,128

  1,527

  0·37

  Barnsley West and Penistone

  3,734

  1,393

  0·37

  Wentworth

  4·115

  1,531

  0·37

  Manchester Blackley

  4,362

  1,596

  0·37

  Stretford

  5,664

  2,072

  0·37

  Knowsley South

  5,899

  2,171

  0·37

  St. Helens South

  4,775

  1,781

  0·37

  North West Durham

  3,641

  1,333

  0·37

  Sedgefield

  3,121

  1,159

  0·37

  Newport West

  3,285

  1,220

  0·37

  Aberdeen North

  3,184

  1,183

  0·37

  Edinburgh Leith

  4,839

  1,812

  0·37

  Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley

  4,637

  1,731

  0·37

  Luton South

  3,980

  1,497

  0·38

  Hackney North and Stoke Newington

  6,145

  2,345

  0·38

  Lewisham East

  2,643

  1,014

  0·38

  Birmingham Erdington

  4,897

  1,872

  0·38

  373

  Males

  Females

  Ratio Females-Males

  Birmingham Hodge Hill

  4,782

  1,801

  0·38

  Birmingham Northfield

  5,187

  1,987

  0·38

  Coventry South East

  4,069

  1,557

  0·38

  Bolsover

  3,552

  1,334

  0·38

  Glanford and Scunthorpe

  3,982

  1,530

  0·38

  Don Valley

  4,595

  1,758

  0·38

  Doncaster North

  5,464

  2,094

  0·38

  Bradford South

  3,569

  1,373

  0·38

  Bolton South East

  3,940

  1,501

  0·38

  St. Helens North

  4,084

  1,559

  0·38

  Wallasey

  4,868

  1,834

  0·38

  Blyth Valley

  3,356

  1,262

  0·38

  Blaydon

  3,201

  1,227

  0·38

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne North

  3,980

  1,520

  0·38

  Islwyn

  2,348

  892

  0·38

  Edinburgh East

  3,230

  1,222

  0·38

  Cunninghame South

  4,181

  1,577

  0·38

  Reading West

  1,588

  618

  0·39

  Southend East

  2,468

  967

  0·39

  Southampton Itchen

  3,945

  1,538

  0·39

  Brent East

  4,527

  1,754

  0·39

  Brent South

  4,107

  1,596

  0·39

  Holborn and St. Pancras

  5,558

  2,176

  0·39

  Newham North East

  3,495

  1,361

  0·39

  Streatham

  3,823

  1,472

  0·39

  Tottenham

  6,068

  2,393

  0·39

  Bristol South

  4,130

  1,606

  0·39

  Chesterfield

  3,844

  1,514

  0·39

  Leicester South

  4,052

  1,562

  0·39

  Doncaster Central

  5,182

  2,023

  0·39

  Warrington South

  3,720

  1,462

  0·39

  Bolton North East

  3,306

  1,286

  0·39

  Liverpool Broadgreen

  5,663

  2,195

  0·39

  Bishop Auckland

  3,999

  1,559

  0·39

  Tynemouth

  3,895

  1,512

  0·39

  Wallsend

  4,951

  1,921

  0·39

  Glasgow Cathcart

  2,853

  1,106

  0·39

  Battersea

  3,642

  1,440

  0·40

  Croydon Central

  1,820

  721

  0·40

  Islington North

  5,662

  2,270

  0·40

  Leyton

  3,287

  1,317

  0·40

  Birmingham Edgbaston

  3,270

  1,318

  0·40

  Birmingham Perry Barr

  4,847

  1,947

  0·40

  West Bromwich East

  3,448

  1,387

  0·40

  Derby North

  3,351

  1,327

  0·40

  Bassetlaw

  3,640

  1,472

  0·40

  Kingston-upon-Hull West

  4,681

  1,888

  0·40

  Sheffield Heeley

  4,599

  1,835

  0·40

  Blackpool North

  3,818

  1,536

  0·40

  Liverpool Mossley Hill

  4,875

  1,926

  0·40

  Stockton South

  4,651

  1,863

  0·40

  Caernarfon

  2,515

  1,012

  0·40

  Cardiff Central

  3,788

  1,508

  0·40

  Midlothian

  3,041

  1,231

  0·40

  Hamilton

  4,184

  1,685

  0·40

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  3,707

  1,480

  0·40

  Monklands East

  4,003

  1,602

  0·40

  Paisley South

  3,519

  1,416

  0·40

  Havant

  2,889

  1,193

  0·41

  Peterborough

  4,584

  1,902

  0·41

  Dulwich

  2,822

  1,168

  0·41

  Lewisham West

  3,100

  1,275

  0·41

  Stoke-on-Trent Central

  3,230

  1,331

  0·41

  Birmingham Hail Green

  3,478

  1,424

  0·41

  Coventry North East

  5,018

  2,077

  0·41

  Dudley East

  4,604

  1,883

  0·41

  Warley East

  3,760

  1,544

  0·41

  Morley and Leeds South

  2,662

  1,081

  0·41

  Wakefield

  3,205

  1,317

  0·41

  Manchester Withington

  4,550

  1,845

  0·41

  City of Durham

  2,927

  1,209

  0·41

  Darlington

  3,775

  1,539

  0·41

  Pembroke

  4,411

  1,821

  0·41

  Neath

  2,629

  1,089

  0·41

  Aberdeen South

  2,587

  1,061

  0·41

  374

  Males

  Females

  Ratio Females-Males

  Motherwell North

  4,118

  1,699

  0·41

  Dundee East

  4,997

  2,062

  0·41

  Portsmouth South

  4,338

  1,817

  0·42

  Norwich South

  3,543

  1,480

  0·42

  Greenwich

  2,774

  1,153

  0·42

  Islington South and Finsbury

  4,481

  1,869

  0·42

  Walthamstow

  2,337

  979

  0·42

  Bournemouth East

  2,909

  1,213

  0·42

  The Wrekin

  5,208

  2,183

  0·42

  Warley West

  3,214

  1,334

  0·42

  Rother Valley

  3,754

  1,577

  0·42

  Sheffield Attercliffe

  3,835

  1,606

  0·42

  City of Chester

  3,385

  1,426

  0·42

  Halton

  4,615

  1,954

  0·42

  Warrington North

  3,761

  1,597

  0·42

  Davyhulme

  2,502

  1,048

  0·42

  Eccles

  3,275

  1,389

  0·42

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne Central

  3,646

  1,517

  0·42

  Newport East

  2,919

  1,231

  0·42

  Edinburgh South

  2,961

  1,250

  0·42

  Paisley North

  3,619

  1,512

  0·42

  Brighton Kemptown

  2,711

  1,176

  0·43

  Hastings and Rye

  2,592

  1,113

  0·43

  Oxford East

  2,021

  871

  0·43

  Guildford

  922

  399

  0·43

  Cambridge

  1,719

  736

  0·43

  Beckenham

  1,651

  706

  0·43

  Tooting

  3,117

  1,331

  0·43

  Westminster North

  4,779

  2,052

  0·43

  Bristol North West

  2,752

  1,197

  0·43

  Birmingham Selly Oak

  3,752

  1,596

  0·43

  North West Leicestershire

  2,362

  1,004

  0·43

  Lincoln

  4,253

  1,850

  0·43

  Leeds West

  3,417

  1,455

  0·43

  Rochdale

  3,779

  1,616

  0·43

  Burnley

  3,147

  1,368

  0·43

  West Lancashire

  4,085

  1,755

  0·43

  Bridgend

  2,268

  971

  0·43

  Dunfermline East

  3,194

  1,360

  0·43

  Ayr

  3,222

  1,400

  0·43

  Thurrock

  3,071

  1,352

  0·44

  Folkestone and Hythe

  2,684

  1,184

  0·44

  South West Surrey

  696

  307

  0·44

  Chelsea

  2,392

  1,054

  0·44

  Ealing Acton

  2,749

  1,212

  0·44

  Edmonton

  2,347

  1,029

  0·44

  Eltham

  1,958

  868

  0·44

  Kensington

  2,992

  1,314

  0·44

  Orpington

  1,206

  536

  0·44

  Upminster

  1,549

  683

  0·44

  Bristol West

  3,927

  1,721

  0·44

  Birmingham Yardley

  3,021

  1,339

  0·44

  Erewash

  2,859

  1,266

  0·44

  Brigg and Cleethorpes

  3,899

  1,697

  0·44

  Ellesmere Port and Neston

  3,604

  1,571

  0·44

  Oldham Central and Royton

  3,595

  1,595

  0·44

  Stockport

  2,547

  1,128

  0·44

  Wigan

  4,323

  1,888

  0 44

  Worsley

  3,499

  1,550

  0·44

  Lancaster

  2,031

  893

  0·44

  Berwick-upon-Tweed

  2,575

  1,138

  0 44

  Delyn

  2,720

  1,189

  0·44

  Llanelli

  2,714

  1,194

  0 44

  Cardiff North

  1,537

  682

  0·44

  Vale of Glamorgan

  3,011

  1,333

  0·44

  Clackmannan

  3,027

  1,340

  0·44

  Kirkcaldy

  3,296

  1,440

  0·44

  Caithness and Sutherland

  1,733

  771

  0·44

  Edinburgh Central

  3,551

  1,562

  0·44

  Monklands West

  3,202

  1,422

  0·44

  Brentwood and Ongar

  1,082

  483

  0·45

  Harwich

  2,689

  1,207

  0·45

  Dover

  2,379

  1,080

  0·45

  Dagenham

  2,101

  953

  0·45

  Enfield North

  2,074

  930

  0·45

  375

  Males

  Females

  Ratio Females-Males

  Ilford South

  2,434

  1,084

  0·45

  Mitcham and Morden

  1,970

  883

  0·45

  Woolwich

  3,626

  1,644

  0·45

  Bournemouth West

  2,246

  1,015

  0·45

  Gloucester

  2,664

  1,201

  0·45

  Amber Valley

  2,453

  1,094

  0·45

  Denton and Reddish

  3,301

  1,484

  0·45

  Leigh

  3,677

  1,656

  0·45

  Clwyd North West

  3,443

  1,547

  0·45

  Wrexham

  2,605

  1,178

  0·45

  Ceredigion and Pembroke North

  2,674

  1,205

  0·45

  Torfaen

  3,090

  1,397

  0·45

  Conwy

  2,529

  1,147

  0·45

  Ross, Cromarty and Skye

  3,606

  1,608

  0·45

  East Lothian

  2,761

  1,248

  0·45

  Clydesdale

  3,140

  1,424

  0·45

  Cunninghame North

  3,596

  1,613

  0·45

  Dundee West

  3,994

  1,810

  0·45

  North Luton

  2,356

  1,077

  0·46

  Portsmouth North

  2,539

  1,171

  0·46

  South Thanet

  2,519

  1,168

  0·46

  Fulham

  3,340

  1,553

  0·46

  Hendon South

  1,599

  732

  0·46

  Putney

  2,133

  972

  0·46

  Bristol East

  2,803

  1,298

  0·46

  Exeter

  2,696

  1,250

  0·46

  North East Derbyshire

  3,269

  1,510

  0·46

  York

  3,374

  1,559

  0·46

  Batley and Spen

  2,929

  1,346

  0·46

  Falkirk East

  3,195

  1,473

  0·46

  Central Fife

  3,702

  1,721

  0·46

  Slough

  2,323

  1,090

  0·47

  Woking

  1,096

  513

  0·47

  Great Yarmouth

  4,258

  2,005

  0·47

  Norwich North

  2,088

  986

  0·47

  Ealing North

  2,089

  983

  0·47

  Hornsey and Wood Green

  4,357

  2,061

  0·47

  Wimbledon

  1,364

  637

  0·47

  Falmouth and Camborne

  3,650

  1,700

  0·47

  Plymouth Devonport

  3,217

  1,514

  0·47

  Plymouth Drake

  3,755

  1,749

  0·47

  Aldridge-Brownhills

  2,345

  1,096

  0·47

  Meriden

  4,107

  1,945

  0·47

  Wolverhampton South West

  3,719

  1,751

  0·47

  Leicester East

  2,967

  1,391

  0·47

  East Lindsey

  3,918

  1,823

  0·47

  Elmet

  2,093

  989

  0·47

  Leeds North East

  2,704

  1,264

  0·47

  Ashton-under-Lyne

  2,902

  1,372

  0·47

  Blackpool South

  3,887

  1,840

  0·47

  Morecambe and Lunesdale

  2,850

  1,338

  0·47

  Wirral West

  2,660

  1,238

  0·47

  Ynys Mon

  3,013

  1,408

  0·47

  Edinburgh West

  1,576

  737

  0·47

  Linlithgow

  3,331

  1,557

  0·47

  Oxford West and Abingdon

  1,329

  636

  0·48

  Ipswich

  2,201

  1,055

  0·48

  Croydon North West

  2,169

  1,035

  0·48

  Ealing Southall

  3,050

  1,466

  0·48

  Hendon North

  1,610

  769

  0·48

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  1,167

  560

  0·48

  Stoke-on-Trent North

  2,956

  1,407

  0·48

  Northampton North

  2,399

  1,149

  0·48

  Halifax

  3,274

  1,568

  0·48

  Huddersfield

  3,107

  1,485

  0·48

  Heywood and Middleton

  3,167

  1,520

  0·48

  Wyre

  2,280

  1,100

  0·48

  Carmarthen

  2,569

  1,225

  0·48

  Dunfermline West

  2,354

  1,128

  0·48

  Banff and Buchan

  2,422

  1,174

  0·48

  Edinburgh Pentlands

  2,266

  1,081

  0·48

  Livingston

  3,119

  1,497

  0·48

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  2,783

  1,336

  0·48

  Glasgow Hillhead

  3,572

  1,722

  0·48

  376

  Males

  Females

  Ratio Females-Males

  North Bedfordshire

  2,306

  1,141

  0·49

  Brighton Pavilion

  2,613

  1,281

  0·49

  Basildon

  3,163

  1,563

  0·49

  Southend West

  1,690

  828

  0·49

  Mole Valley

  701

  341

  0·49

  Brentford and Isleworth

  2,151

  1,053

  0·49

  Chingford

  1,389

  675

  0·49

  Chislehurst

  1,236

  604

  0·49

  Hampstead and Highgate

  3,353

  1,651

  0·49

  Bath

  1,957

  958

  0·49

  Coventry North West

  2,801

  1,381

  0·49

  South Derbyshire

  2,467

  1,210

  0·49

  Leeds North West

  2,255

  1,110

  0·49

  Clwyd South West

  2,212

  1,076

  0·49

  Gower

  1,966

  957

  0·49

  Falkirk West

  2,639

  1,295

  0·49

  Hove

  2,232

  1,126

  0·50

  New Forest

  1,268

  636

  0·50

  Romsey and Waterside

  1,845

  914

  0·50

  St. Albans

  1,170

  584

  0·50

  North Thanet

  3,009

  1,490

  0·50

  Chertsey and Walton

  973

  491

  0·50

  Epsom and Ewell

  931

  470

  0·50

  Enfleld Southgate

  1,546

  772

  0·50

  Erith and Crayford

  2,089

  1,049

  0·50

  Ilford north

  1,408

  707

  0·50

  Romford

  1,415

  704

  0·50

  Twickenham

  1,121

  563

  0·50

  Wanstead and Woodford

  1,110

  551

  0·50

  Cheltenham

  2,249

  1,121

  0·50

  Worcester

  2,480

  1,228

  0·50

  Newcastle-under-Lyme

  2,274

  1,148

  0·50

  Dudley West

  3,337

  1,681

  0·50

  Broxtowe

  2,098

  1,047

  0·50

  Newark

  2,579

  1,297

  0·50

  Dewsbury

  2,837

  1,417

  0·50

  Eddisbury

  2,517

  1,251

  0·50

  Oldham West

  2,492

  1,243

  0·50

  Stalybridge and Hyde

  3,253

  1,614

  0·50

  Hyndburn

  2,108

  1,058

  0·50

  Crosby

  3,132

  1,562

  0·50

  Wirral South

  2,287

  1,153

  0·50

  Alyn and Deeside

  2,263

  1,121

  0·50

  Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale

  1,046

  525

  0·50

  Inverness, Nairn and Lochaber

  4,200

  2,093

  0·50

  Renfrew West and Inverclyde

  2,365

  1,188

  0·50

  Strathkelvin and Bearsden

  2,172

  1,089

  0·50

  Basingstoke

  1,269

  643

  0·51

  South West Hertfordshire

  1,057

  540

  0·51

  Canterbury

  2,114

  1,070

  0·51

  Esher

  661

  338

  0·51

  Croydon North East

  1,999

  1,018

  0·51

  Nuneaton

  2,755

  1,409

  0·51

  Coventry South West

  2,475

  1,273

  0·51

  Halesowen and Stourbridge

  2,661

  1,349

  0·51

  Scarborough

  3,097

  1,584

  0·51

  Keighley

  2,235

  1,131

  0·51

  Normanton

  2,226

  1,140

  0·51

  Altringham and Sale

  1,694

  858

  0·51

  Boton West

  2,801

  1,439

  0·51

  Bury North

  2,294

  1,171

  0·51

  Makerfield

  3,584

  1,834

  0·51

  Southport

  2,756

  1,415

  0·51

  Copeland

  2,185

  1,116

  0·51

  Perth and Kinross

  2,415

  1,227

  0·51

  Milton Keynes

  3,121

  1,617

  0·52

  Wycombe

  1,345

  699

  0·52

  Medway

  2,236

  1,162

  0·52

  Waveney

  3,406

  1,758

  0·52

  Brent North

  1,845

  954

  0·52

  Carshalton and Wallington

  1,358

  708

  0·52

  Uxbridge

  1,282

  665

  0·52

  Burton

  2,700

  1,411

  0·52

  Stoke-on-Trent South

  2,519

  1,321

  0·52

  377

  Males

  Females

  Ratio Females-Males

  Gainsborough and Horncastle

  2,385

  1,233

  0·52

  Fylde

  1,648

  861

  0·52

  Roxburgh and Berwickshire

  1,242

  647

  0·52

  Eastbourne

  1,755

  930

  0·53

  Winchester

  991

  524

  0·53

  Henley

  715

  377

  0·53

  East Surrey

  694

  369

  0·53

  Reigate

  817

  437

  0·53

  Torbay

  3,707

  1,964

  0·53

  Christchurch

  1,156

  608

  0·53

  Poole

  1,982

  1,050

  0·53

  Holland with Boston

  2,163

  1,138

  0·53

  Gedling

  2,185

  1,153

  0·53

  RushclifTe

  1,949

  1,031

  0·53

  Sheffield Hillsborough

  3,339

  1,770

  0·53

  Crewe and Nantwich

  2,558

  1,368

  0·53

  Stirling

  2,444

  1,301

  0·53

  Kincardine and Deeside

  1,686

  890

  0·53

  Eastwood

  1,970

  1,038

  0·53

  Buckingham

  1,151

  623

  0·54

  Broxbourne

  1,476

  793

  0·54

  Watford

  1,576

  844

  0·54

  Tunbridge Wells

  973

  527

  0·54

  Wantage

  812

  435

  0·54

  North Norfolk

  1,881

  1,008

  0·54

  North West Norfolk

  2,517

  1,361

  0·54

  Croydon South

  857

  466

  0·54

  Hornchurch

  1,381

  749

  0·54

  St. Ives

  3,598

  1,933

  0·54

  Swindon

  3,203

  1,737

  0·54

  Leominster

  1,661

  890

  0·54

  Cannock and Burntwood

  2,822

  1,524

  0·54

  South East Staffordshire

  3,025

  1,631

  0·54

  Northampton South

  2,009

  1,083

  0·54

  Bury South

  2,305

  1,244

  0·54

  Carlisle

  2,380

  1,295

  0·54

  Workington

  2,351

  1,271

  0·54

  Castle Point

  1,605

  887

  0·55

  Hertsmere

  1,240

  677

  0·55

  Welwyn Hatfield

  1,265

  695

  0·55

  Dartford

  1,655

  917

  0·55

  Gravesham

  2,466

  1,363

  0·55

  Maidstone

  1,448

  790

  0·55

  Arundel

  1,461

  805

  0·55

  North East Cambridgeshire

  2,235

  1,221

  0·55

  Harrow East

  1,907

  1·042

  0·55

  Harrow West

  1,355

  751

  0·55

  Weston-super-Mare

  2,459

  1,349

  0·55

  South Staffordshire

  2,812

  1,535

  0·55

  Bridlington

  2,861

  1,587

  0·55

  Harrogate

  1,576

  874

  0·55

  Sheffield Hallam

  2,642

  1,442

  0·55

  Shipley

  1,754

  967

  0·55

  Pendle

  2,195

  1,218

  0·55

  Monmouth

  1,759

  960

  0·55

  Dumbarton

  3,571

  1,972

  0·55

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  1,115

  623

  0·56

  Harlow

  1,931

  1,087

  0·56

  Eastleigh

  2,065

  1,162

  0·56

  Sevenoaks

  1,008

  565

  0·56

  Chichester

  1,159

  649

  0·56

  Chipping Barnet

  1,071

  603

  0·56

  Feltham and Heston

  2,329

  1,313

  0·56

  Finchley

  1,472

  829

  0·56

  Hayes and Harlington

  1,363

  766

  0·56

  Taunton

  1,852

  1,041

  0·56

  Bromsgrove

  2,161

  1,212

  0·56

  South Worcestershire

  1,711

  954

  0·56

  Shrewsbury and Atcham

  2,169

  1,207

  0·56

  North Warwickshire

  2,784

  1,547

  0·56

  Loughborough

  1,700

  945

  0·56

  Rossendale and Darwen

  2,252

  1,260

  0·56

  Galloway and Upper Nithsdale

  2,461

  1,370

  0·56

  Orkney and Shetland

  1,054

  592

  0·56

  Bexhill and Battle

  932

  528

  0·57

  378

  Males

  Females

  Ratio Females-Males

  Epping Forest

  1,361

  770

  0·57

  Hertford and Stortford

  910

  520

  0·57

  Stevenage

  1,853

  1,064

  0·57

  Shoreham

  1,027

  581

  0·57

  Worthing

  1,258

  717

  0·57

  Ravensbourne

  988

  567

  0·57

  Sutton and Cheam

  967

  554

  0·57

  Kingswood

  2,023

  1,158

  0·57

  Truro

  2,771

  1,592

  0·57

  Honiton

  1,818

  1,038

  0·57

  Stafford

  2,087

  1,190

  0·57

  Wellingborough

  1,798

  1,030

  0·57

  Booth Ferry

  2,594

  1,472

  0·57

  Colne Valley

  2,060

  1,174

  0·57

  East Kilbride

  2,861

  1,627

  0·57

  Beaconsfield

  752

  437

  0·58

  North West Hampshire

  975

  569

  0·58

  North Hertfordshire

  1,489

  867

  0·58

  Torridge and West Devon

  2,342

  1,357

  0·58

  Grantham

  2,382

  1,380

  0·58

  Tatton

  1,868

  1,082

  0·58

  Meirionnydd nant Conwy

  1,282

  741

  0·58

  Brecon and Radnor

  1,374

  793

  0·58

  Dumfries

  2,335

  1,350

  0·58

  North Tayside

  1,844

  1,071

  0·58

  Newbury

  916

  543

  0·59

  Isle of Wight

  4,101

  2,422

  0·59

  West Hertfordshire

  1,460

  856

  0·59

  Faversham

  2,664

  1,582

  0·59

  Old Bexley and Sidcup

  894

  530

  0·59

  Richmond-upon-Thames and Barnes

  1,202

  711

  0·59

  Surbiton

  644

  379

  0·59

  South Hams

  2,463

  1,462

  0·59

  Teignbridge

  2,065

  1,223

  0·59

  Bridgwater

  2,200

  1,290

  0·59

  Hazel Grove

  1,736

  1,020

  0·59

  Chorley

  2,247

  1,332

  0·59

  Angus East

  2,499

  1,462

  0·59

  South West Bedfordshire

  1,687

  1,005

  0·60

  Ashford

  1,629

  975

  0·60

  Mid Kent

  1,989

  1,186

  0·60

  Central Suffolk

  1,449

  874

  0·60

  Bexley Heath

  1,113

  673

  0·60

  Hereford

  2,072

  1,246

  0·60

  North Shropshire

  2,131

  1,269

  0·60

  Warwick and Leamington

  2,185

  1,311

  0·60

  Pudsey

  1,563

  933

  0·60

  Barrow and Furness

  2,446

  1,478

  0·60

  East Berkshire

  1,392

  850

  0·61

  Tonbridge and Mailing

  1,180

  714

  0·61

  Ruislip—Northwood

  725

  441

  0·61

  South East Cornwall

  2,288

  1,401

  0·61

  North Devon

  2,314

  1,418

  0·61

  Plymouth Sutton

  2,130

  1,308

  0·61

  Mid Worcestershire

  2,761

  1,697

  0·61

  Bosworth

  1,621

  991

  0·61

  Corby

  2,265

  1,375

  0·61

  Kettering

  1,435

  882

  0·61

  Beverley

  1,792

  1,086

  0·61

  Billericay

  1,645

  1,026

  0·62

  Gillingham

  2,072

  1,275

  0·62

  Banbury

  1,348

  842

  0·62

  South Dorset

  2,163

  1,333

  0·62

  West Dorset

  1,030

  636

  0·62

  Ludlow

  1,790

  1,107

  0·62

  West Derbyshire

  1,549

  955

  0·62

  Calder Valley

  2,111

  1,308

  0·62

  South Ribble

  2,127

  1,309

  0·62

  Montgomery

  1,114

  695

  0·62

  Argyll and Bute

  2,418

  1,500

  0·62

  Chesham and Amersham

  643

  407

  0·63

  Chelmsford

  1,422

  902

  0·63

  North Colchester

  1,895

  1,193

  0·63

  North West Surrey

  918

  582

  0·63

  379

  Males

  Females

  Ratio Females-Males

  Crawley

  1,089

  689

  0·63

  South West Norfolk

  1,894

  1,188

  0·63

  Sutton Coldfield

  1,849

  1,157

  0·63

  North East Fife

  1,515

  956

  0·63

  Gordon

  1,704

  1,082

  0·63

  Rochford

  1,185

  755

  0·64

  Horsham

  754

  484

  0·64

  Mid Sussex

  801

  509

  0·64

  Suffolk Coastal

  1,255

  808

  0·64

  Cirencester and Tewkesbury

  1,319

  845

  0·64

  West Gloucestershire

  2,081

  1,325

  0·64

  Mid Staffordshire

  2,155

  1,374

  0·64

  High Peak

  2,024

  1,300

  0·64

  Macclesfield

  1,576

  1,007

  0·64

  Littleborough and Saddleworth

  1,875

  1,201

  0·64

  Fareham

  1,636

  1,065

  0·65

  Mid Norfolk

  1,489

  973

  0·65

  Tiverton

  1,412

  918

  0·65

  Wells

  1,503

  970

  0·65

  Wyre Forest

  2,303

  1,507

  0·65

  Rydale

  1,562

  1,010

  0·65

  East Hampshire

  1,083

  718

  0·66

  Moray

  2,377

  1,558

  0·66

  Saffron Walden

  920

  612

  0·67

  Gosport

  1,815

  1,219

  0·67

  Spelthorne

  926

  618

  0·67

  North Cornwall

  3,114

  2,082

  0·67

  North Dorset

  983

  656

  0·67

  Selby

  1,820

  1,221

  0·67

  Hexham

  1,229

  823

  0·67

  Aylesbury

  1,050

  716

  0·68

  Lewes

  1,141

  773

  0·68

  Braintree

  1,328

  908

  0·68

  South Colchester and Maldon

  1,787

  1,210

  0·68

  Witney

  899

  612

  0·68

  South Norfolk

  1,362

  928

  0·68

  Yeovil

  1,474

  998

  0·68

  Cheadle

  1,228

  838

  0·68

  Westmorland and Lonsdale

  1,325

  905

  0·68

  Stroud

  1,652

  1,147

  0·69

  Devizes

  1,560

  1,072

  0·69

  Salisbury

  1,410

  976

  0·69

  Stratford-on-Avon

  1,496

  1,027

  0·69

  Richmond

  1,951

  1,345

  0·69

  Wokingham

  802

  561

  0·70

  Wealden

  754

  529

  0·70

  Blaby

  1,263

  887

  0·70

  Skipton and Ripon

  1,257

  876

  0·70

  South Suffolk

  1,435

  1,013

  0·71

  North Wiltshire

  1,569

  1,115

  0·71

  Rugby and Kenilworth

  1,922

  1,370

  0·71

  Wansdyke

  1,349

  973

  0·72

  Staffordshire Moorlands

  1,615

  1,183

  0·73

  Solihull

  1,702

  1,239

  0·73

  Aldershot

  1,211

  895

  0·74

  South West Cambridgeshire

  1,058

  793

  0·75

  Woodspring

  1,337

  1,000

  0·75

  Ribble Valley

  944

  708

  0·75

  Somerton and Frome

  1,244

  950

  0·76

  Harborough

  1,017

  772

  0·76

  Percentages of consumers' expenditure

  Germany

  France

  Italy

  United Kingdom

  Netherlands

  Belgium

  Ireland

  Denmark

  Spain

  per cent.

  per cent.

  per cent.

  per cent.

  per cent.

  per cent.

  per cent.

  per cent.

  per cent.

  Bread and cereals

  —

  —

  4·1

  —

  2·7

  2·9

  3·8

  —

  3·3

  Meat

  4·9

  8·4

  10·9

  5·6

  4·6

  6·4

  8·2

  4·3

  8·8

  Milk, cheese and eggs

  —

  —

  4·6

  3·0

  —

  —

  3·5

  2·5

  4·4

  Fresh vegetables1

  —

  3·7

  4·6

  —

  2·9

  —

  2·7

  —

  4·6

  Alcoholic drink2

  —

  —

  —

  4·6

  —

  —

  —

  2·4

  —

  Clothing

  6·7

  6·8

  8·5

  6·3

  6·7

  6·3

  6·3

  4·3

  6·4

  Rent

  6·3

  6·7

  3·2

  3·7

  6·2

  4·0

  —

  4·6

  —

  380

  Males

  Females

  Ratio Females-Males

  Congleton

  1,263

  957

  0·76

  Penrith and the Borders

  1,633

  1,235

  0·76

  Rutland and Melton

  1,354

  1,038

  0·77

  South East Cambridgeshire

  741

  577

  0·78

  Northavon

  1,531

  1,195

  0·78

  Westbury

  1,631

  1,269

  0·78

  Mid Bedfordshire

  1,232

  971

  0·79

  Huntingdon

  1,438

  1,138

  0·79

  Bury St. Edmunds

  1,250

  992

  0·79

  Stamford and Spalding

  1,486

  1,175

  0·79

  Daventry

  1,111

  1,014

  0 91

  Mr. Allen McKay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give for each year from 1979 to date the numbers unemployed, by categories for(a) the United Kingdom, as a whole, (b) Yorkshire and Humberside, (c) Barnsley metropolitan council area and (d) Barnsley West and Penistone constituency.

  Mr. Lee
  [holding answer 22 January]: I am sending the hon. Member a computer printout showing the numbers of unemployed claimants analysed by sex, age and duration of employment in each of the areas requested and Great Britain at January of each year from 1984 to 1988, the numbers of unemployed claimants in Yorkshire and Humberside and Great Britain at January 1983, and the numbers of unemployed registrants in Yorkshire and Humberside and Great Britain at January of each year from 1979 to 1982. Figures for the United Kingdom are not available as comparable figures for Northern Ireland are not available over the time period requested. Unemployment figures for constituencies and local authority areas are derived from the ward-based system and are available only from June 1983. The information is also available in the Library.

  Retail Price Index Items (International Comparisons)
  Mr. Higgins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has as to the 10 most important items in the retail price index of each European Economic Community country and the percentage of consumers' expenditure on each of them.

  Mr. Lee
  Comparative information is not available from national price indices but the statistical office of the European Communities has compiled the following figures on the basis of budget surveys dating from around 1979. Like all international comparisons of consumers' expenditure they should be treated with caution as it is difficult to obtain data for different countries on a consistent basis.
  381

  Germany

  France

  Italy

  United Kingdom

  Netherlands

  Belgium

  Ireland

  Denmark

  Spain

  per cent.

  per cent.

  per cent.

  per cent.

  per cent.

  per cent.

  per cent.

  per cent.

  per cent.

  Electricity

  3·0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2·3

  —

  Furniture and furnishings

  3·7

  3·2

  —

  —

  3·9

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Medical care and health

  4·6

  5·6

  —

  —

  9·0

  3·2

  —

  —

  2·4

  Motor vehicle purchase

  5·7

  5·5

  3·7

  3·8

  3·9

  3·5

  4·7

  —

  3·3

  Car spares and repairs

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2·5

  —

  Motor fuel and oil

  —

  4·8

  5·5

  3·2

  —

  2·9

  5·2

  3·5

  4·1

  Recreational goods

  3·9

  3·4

  3·0

  3·7

  5·0

  3·0

  —

  3·6

  2·2

  Recreational services3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3·5

  —

  —

  Restaurants and cafes

  4·4

  3·7

  4·6

  3·3

  3·2

  3·7

  6·9

  —

  5·7

  Insurance premiums

  7·3

  —

  —

  6·3

  —

  3·2

  4·0

  4·8

  —

  1 Excluding potatoes.

  2 Such expenditure is generally under-recorded in budget surveys.

  3 Excluding hotels, restaurants and cafes.

  Source: Eurostat: Family budgets—comparative tables (2 volumes, 1985 and 1986)

TRANSPORT

  Motorways (Surface Water)
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department has recently assessed the effect of surface water on motorways; and if he has any proposals to improve motorway water drainage.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Yes. The Department has recently assessed the effect of surface water on motorways. We are content that the present systems for dealing with it are generally effective. Improved methods of drainage are one of the many aspects of motorways that the Department keeps under constant review. If the hon. Member has information about a particular problem perhaps he would write to me.

  Motorways (Pollution)
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what evidence he has of the extent of airborne pollution from motorways and of what contribution this makes towards the build-up of toxic heavy metals in the soil; and what action he proposes to take to ameliorate the position.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The Department has collected evidence of the levels of airborne pollution at sites on the M4, M11, M25 and M40 motorways and continues to monitor levels at a site on the M4.

  A report prepared in 1974 by the Transport and Road Research Laboratory, "Measurements of Particulate Lead on the M4 Motorway at Harlington", found that lead from vehicle emissions did not significantly affect the composition of the soil at distances in excess of 15 m from the edge of the road. This finding has recently been confirmed by other workers in the field. A copy of this report has been deposited in the Library.

  We are beginning to see the beneficial effects of the phased reductions of over 60 per cent. in recent years of the permitted lead content of fuel. The Government have already announced that the vast majority of new cars produced in the United Kingdom after 1990 must be capable of running on lead-free fuel. We expect this action to result in a further substantial reduction of air pollution from vehicles.

  M11 (Service Station)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans there are to build a service station on the M11 motorway; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The Department has outline planning clearance for a motorway service area at the M11/Al20 junction at Birch anger, near Stansted.

  A public inquiry is to be held in May into the acquisition of land, local road diversions and improvements. The inquiry will also consider an appeal covering a private proposal for a service station at the same junction.

  Second Severn Crossing
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when, pursuant to his answer of 7 March, he expects to make a decision or whether forecast traffic growth warrants the construction of the second Severn bridge; and, if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  My right hon. Friend announced on 21 October 1987 that we had commissioned consultants to undertake detailed engineering and environmental surveys along the recommended route, and to assist in the investigation of the funding, contracting and procedural options. As part of that work the traffic forecasts used in the previous study will be reviewed and revised to take account of the higher traffic levels actually experienced since they were prepared. Their effect on the economic benefits will also be reassessed. When that has been done I hope we shall be able to decide on the timing of its construction.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  "Radioactive Britain" (TV Programme)
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will seek to obtain for his departmental library a copy of the transcript of the Channel 4 Dispatches programme, "Radioactive Britain", broadcast on 4 March.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  No, but my officials are aware of the contents of this programme.

  Sheep (Radioactivity)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether restrictions on the movement
  383
  and slaughter of sheep were placed on any farms at Charlesworth, near Glossop after the Chernobyl accident; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  [holding answer 10 March 1988]: No.

SCOTLAND

  Homeless People (Mortgage Default)
  Mr. McTaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the number of people who are homeless in Scotland as a result of mortgage default; and what was this figure in 1983.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The number of people homeless as a result of mortgage default is not held centrally. The number of applicant households, considered by local authorities to be homeless, who quoted a court order for mortgage default as the reason for their application so far recorded for 1986–87 is about 300. This category was not separately identified prior to March 1984.

  Blood
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has of the percentage of blood donated in the west of Scotland which will be going to private patients in five years' time.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  It is too soon to produce accurate estimates of the amount of blood which will be made available to the private sector in five years time, from whatever part of Scotland it is donated.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any proposals to privatise the blood transfusion service; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  My right hon. and learned Friend has no proposals to privatise the Scottish national blood transfusion service.

  Technical Education
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to improve the technical curriculum of secondary schools in Scotland and, in particular the techniques and technology of graphics communication.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  A standard grade course in craft and design has been introduced and standard grade technological studies will be available from autumn 1988. Both courses embody a modern approach to design and technology.

  The consultative committee on the curriculum is also reviewing the technological activities area of the curriculum, and the need for further courses in graphical communication.

  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the specific terms of reference for the review of technical education in secondary schools in Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The purpose of the review is to consider subjects, in particular technical drawing and engineering, for which there are currently ordinary grade examinations but for which there is no provision at present 384
  in the standard grade development programme; and, is view of the relationship of these subjects to standard grade craft and design and standard grade technological studies, to make recommendations about further courses which might be needed to meet modern requirements.

  Grant Thornton
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) whether tenders were invited for the supply of services now provided by Messrs. Grant Thornton to the health services unit in the Common Services Agency headed by Dr. David Steel;

  (2) what steps he took to satisfy himself that Grant Thornton does not act as adviser to any person or organisation concerned in the provision or promotion of private health care or services to any part of the National Health Service in the United Kingdom;

  (3) what services are provided by Grant Thornton to the health service unit of the Common Services Agency headed by Dr. David Steel; when it was engaged and on whose authority; and what is the amount of its fees rendered to date.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  My right hon. and learned Friend was not involved in the appointment of Grant Thornton by health boards jointly.

  Technical and Vocational Education Initiative
  Mr. McTaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to expand technical and vocational education initiative centres in secondary schools.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The extension of the technical and vocational education initiative to all secondary schools and further education colleges is now under way, with Dumfries and Galloway already participating, and Lothian, Borders, Fife and the Renfrew division of Strathclyde having received MSC approval to do so from autumn 1988. Preparatory projects will also start in Orkney and Shetland on that date, with the result that every education authority in Scotland will then be participating in TVEI either at pilot, preparatory or extension stage.

  Scottish Bus Group
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what time scale he has given his merchant bank advisors to report on the privatisation of the Scottish Bus Group; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Rifkind
  I have asked Quayle Munro Ltd. to provide me with advice by mid-April on the full range of options for privatisation of the Scottish Bus Group. Once I have that advice I will be able to decide upon the best form of privatisation and what legislative provisions will be required.

  Caesarian Section Deliveries
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many babies were delivered by caesarian section on a Friday in each health board area in each of the last 10 years;

  (2) how many babies were delivered by caesarian section in each health board area in each of the last 10 years.
  385
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 8 March 1988]: The number of caesarian sections from 1976 to 1985 (the latest year for which information is held centrally) is given in the following table:

  Number of Caesarian sections performed

  1976

  1977

  1978

  1979

  1980

  Health board

  FRI

  Total

  FRI

  Total

  FRI

  Total

  FRI

  Total

  FRI

  Total

  Argyll and Clyde

  38

  228

  41

  243

  43

  289

  43

  306

  45

  341

  Ayrshire and Arran

  45

  239

  31

  190

  33

  220

  43

  253

  58

  295

  Borders

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dumfries and Galloway

  8

  38

  4

  47

  7

  69

  18

  76

  12

  72

  Fife

  17

  102

  8

  97

  17

  142

  16

  129

  26

  156

  Forth Valley

  38

  205

  34

  178

  49

  166

  74

  236

  48

  185

  Grampian

  26

  202

  23

  148

  43

  223

  52

  250

  54

  291

  Greater Glasgow

  142

  768

  118

  632

  127

  790

  154

  923

  175

  941

  Highland

  20

  113

  24

  108

  23

  129

  30

  108

  30

  141

  Lanarkshire

  26

  216

  47

  216

  57

  343

  74

  419

  103

  442

  Lothian

  92

  442

  92

  399

  102

  522

  111

  569

  88

  570

  Orkney

  —

  3

  1

  4

  1

  5

  —

  5

  —

  4

  Shetland

  1

  8

  1

  9

  —

  4

  —

  6

  —

  5

  Tayside

  35

  203

  40

  211

  60

  269

  51

  293

  53

  293

  Western Isles

  3

  13

  1

  8

  3

  22

  3

  9

  3

  15

  Scotland

  491

  2,780

  465

  2,490

  565

  3,193

  669

  3,582

  695

  3,751

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  Health board

  FRI

  Total

  FRI

  Total

  FRI

  Total

  FRI

  Total

  FRI

  Total

  Argyll and Clyde

  49

  410

  64

  455

  48

  372

  47

  395

  57

  343

  Ayrshire and Arran

  57

  276

  53

  307

  52

  371

  46

  351

  41

  350

  Borders

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2

  —

  —

  Dumfries and Galloway

  14

  82

  23

  79

  15

  68

  13

  81

  29

  109

  Fife

  15

  138

  27

  147

  32

  152

  28

  142

  24

  157

  Forth Valley

  46

  202

  56

  220

  45

  172

  52

  173

  51

  192

  Grampian

  59

  309

  32

  189

  46

  309

  47

  338

  60

  340

  Greater Glasgow

  186

  1,047

  178

  1,013

  204

  1,094

  193

  1,120

  216

  1,137

  Highland

  26

  123

  25

  132

  17

  133

  41

  162

  22

  176

  Lanarkshire

  97

  443

  88

  441

  95

  470

  83

  408

  66

  411

  Lothian

  69

  594

  86

  576

  67

  528

  82

  608

  88

  670

  Orkney

  2

  7

  3

  10

  8

  15

  2

  9

  3

  8

  Shetland

  1

  6

  —

  8

  1

  3

  —

  5

  2

  2

  Tayside

  57

  344

  45

  295

  38

  299

  42

  321

  29

  320

  Western Isles

  5

  22

  3

  20

  8

  19

  —

  21

  4

  25

  Scotland

  683

  4,004

  683

  3,892

  676

  4,005

  677

  4,136

  692

  4,240

  Attraction of Industry
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the overseas firms attracted to Scotland by his Department or agencies responsible to his Department in each of the last 10 years, the number of jobs created and the country of origin of each application.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 10 March 1988]: Comprehensive information in the form requested is not

  Year of initial offer

  Number of RSA offers made

  Associated new and safeguarded jobs

  USA

  Rest of World

  USA

  Rest of world

  1978

  17

  7

  3,490

  520

  1979

  16

  16

  6,310

  1,370

  1980

  24

  16

  5,000

  1·700

  1981

  21

  10

  8,200

  630

  1982

  25

  18

  2,990

  1,930

  1983

  37

  12

  7,940

  2,050

  1984

  37

  19

  7,130

  1,930

  386
  available. However, information on the numbers of offers of regional selective assistance (RSA) made in Scotland to overseas-owned firms since 1978 grouped by country of ownership, together with associated jobs is as set out. This table excludes those overseas-owned firms attracted to Scotland by, for example, Locate in Scotland which did not receive offers of RSA.
  387

  Year of initial offer

  Number of RSA offers made

  Associated new and safeguarded jobs

  USA

  Rest of World

  USA

  Rest of world

  1985

  27

  10

  6,730

  2,240

  1986

  15

  6

  4,050

  420

  1987

  11

  8

  2,800

  3,110

  Note: A firm is defined to be overseas-owned where more than 50 per cent. of its share capital is overseas-owned. Some overseas-owned firms will already have plant(s) in Scotland when receiving an offer of RSA.

  Regional Aid
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary for State of Scotland if he will give the total amount of money spent in Scotland on regional development grants and regional selective assistance to indigenous firms and inward investing firms for each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 10 March 1988]: The information requested on regional development grants is not available. Expenditure since 1978 on regional selective assistance to indigenous firms and overseas-owned firms is set out by calendar year.

  Indigenous Firms (£ million)

  Overseas-owned Firms (£ million)

  1978

  9·0

  5·3

  1979

  8·9

  4·7

  1980

  10·6

  9·4

  1981

  13·2

  8·2

  1982

  10·2

  9·4

  1983

  15·2

  9·3

  1984

  13·1

  14·7

  1985

  18·5

  22·6

  1986

  17·6

  20·0

  1987

  17·9

  19·1

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications for regional selective assistance were made in Scotland in each year from 1979–80 to 1986–87; how many were successful; and how many applications are forecast for 1987–88, 1988–89, 1989–90, and 1990–91.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 10 March 1988]: Information on applications for regional selective assistance (RSA) for the years 1979–80 to 1987–88 (to end February 1988) is as set out.

  The number of applications of RSA in future years will depend on the number and quality of projects put forward by firms. It is not possible to provide a forecast for future years with any degree of confidence. But the number is expected to increase following the termination of the revised regional development grant scheme, and additional provision has been set aside in my right hon. and learned Friend's industry, energy, trade and employment programme to allow for this.

  Number of applications

  1Number of successful applications

  1979–80

  324

  273

  1980–81

  103

  88

  1981–82

  197

  162

  1982–83

  291

  242

  1983–84

  291

  231

  1984–85

  282

  211

  388

  Number of applications

  1Number of successful applications

  1985–86

  154

  121

  1986–87

  179

  155

  1987–882

  214

  170

  1 Successful applications are defined to be those which resulted in an offer.

  2 Includes applications and offers linked to these applications in the period 1 April 1987 to 29 February 1988. The number of associated offers for this period undercounts the final total because of applications still being processed.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications for regional development grant were made in Scotland in each year from 1979–80 to 1986–7; how many were successful; and how many applications are forecast for 1987–88, 1988–89, 1989–90 and 1990–91.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 10 March 1988]: Information for the period 1979–80 to 1983–84 is not available. Figures of claims under the old regional development grant (RDG) scheme and of applications under the revised RDG scheme in the years 1984–85 to 1987–88 (to end February 1988) are set out in the table.

  Claims under the old RDG scheme continued to be made up to December 1987 against assets provided before 29 November 1985 and will continue into 1988–89 for a small number of projects in respect of assets provided as part of a project on which an associated offer of regional selective assistance was made before 29 November 1984. The revised RDG scheme is shortly to be terminated. No new applications will be accepted after 31 March 1988.

  Revised RDG scheme

  Old RDG Scheme Number of claims

  Number of applications

  Number of successful applications1

  1984–85

  7,863

  157

  121

  1985–86

  7,776

  2,371

  1,925

  1986–87

  2,229

  4,102

  3,320

  1987–882

  400

  4,467

  2,244

  1 Successful applications are defined to be those which resulted in an approval.

  2 Includes claims, applications and approvals up to 29 February 1988. The number of approvals in this period undercounts the final total because of applications still being processed.

  PULSE
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he or any of his minsterial colleagues or officials have met representatives of the privatisation company PULSE; and if he will make a statement.
  389
  Mr. Rifkind
  [holding answer 7 March 1988]: Neither I nor any of my ministerial colleagues or officials have had any official meetings with representatives of PULSE.

  Departmental Programmes (Costs)
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the expenditure on his industry, energy, training and employment programmes for each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 10 March 1988]: Gross expenditure on the items now forming part of my right hon. and learned Friend's industry, energy, trade and employment programme for the last 10 years is as follows:

  £ million

  1977–78

  187·0

  1978–79

  209·8

  1979–80

  191·6

  1980–81

  260·6

  1981–82

  295·9

  1982–83

  474·9

  1983–84

  339·3

  1984–85

  319·5

  1985–86

  341·8

  1986–87

  393·9

  The figures include throughout expenditure on items, particularly regional development grant, which are now the responsibility of my right hon. and learned Friend, but have not been for all of the period.

  Business Investment Grant Scheme
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the amount of expenditure on the business investment grant scheme to be paid out in Scotland for each of the years 1988–89, 1989–90 and 1990–91.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 10 March 1988]: Responsibility for the new grants scheme for investment projects for small firms located within development areas in Scotland lies with the Industry Department for Scotland under section 8 of the Industrial Development Act 1982. Expenditure on the new grant will depend on demand from companies with suitable projects. But present expectation is that regional selective assistance (RSA) and related schemes, including the new investment grant, will account for some £60 million, £60 million and £80 million in 1988–89, 1989–90 and 1990–91, respectively.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Kampuchea
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what information he has about the role of the Pol Pot faction of the Khmer Rouge in the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea;

  (2) what information he has about the contribution of the Pol Pot faction of the Khmer Rouge to the military force available to the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Khmer Rouge has the strongest military forces of the three constituent groups of the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea. Its forces operate independently from those of the other two groups.
  390
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has as to which portfolios within the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea are held by the Pol Pot faction of the Khmer Rouge.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea (CGDK) has a Cabinet comprising one leader from each of its three constituent groups, of which the Khmer Rouge is one. No distinction is made between different Khmer Rouge factions. The CGDK is administered by four co-ordinating committees, responsible for national defence, economy and finance, culture and education and public health and social affairs. Each constituent group provides one representative to each of these committees. However, the declaration issued when the CGDK was formed states that each constituent group should maintain an independent organisational structure and political identity, and retain freedom of action.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what occasions in the last five years he has met Prince Sihanouk or his representatives, Son Sann or his representatives, or representatives of the Khmer Rouge faction of the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea what matters were discussed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  My right hon. and learned Friend has met Son Sann, in his capacity as President of the Khmer People's National Liberation Front (KPNLF), on three occasions in the last five years, most recently in November 1986. He has not met Prince Sihanouk, but officials maintain contact with the prince's representatives and those of Son Sann. The maul purpose of such meetings is to discuss the prospects for reaching a peaceful settlement in Cambodia. We have no dealings with the Khmer Rouge.

  Iraq
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the Iraqi authorities about their brutality towards Kurds; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  We regret the denial of basic human rights in Iraq, and the harsh treatment meted out to the Kurds causes particular concern. We take every opportunity to express our concern to the Iraqis about abuses of human rights in their country, and did so most recently during my visit to Iraq from 23 to 26 February.

  Gibraltar Shooting
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many bullets were fired at the three Irish Republican Army terrorists killed in Gibraltar on Sunday 6 March; what were the points of entry into the bodies; and at what range the shots were fired in each case.

  Mr. Mellor
  A coroner's inquest will be held on those killed. It would not be appropriate for me to comment further.

  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he intends to hold an inquiry into the shooting incident in Gibraltar on 6 March.
  391
  Mr. Mellor
  No. An inquest will be held by the Gibraltar coroner. In accordance with local law, this will be held with a jury.

  UN Session on Disarmament
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to make support funding available to non-governmental organisations to attend the United Nation's third special session on disarmament 31 May to 25 June, in New York.

  Mr. Mellor
  We have not provided funding for this purpose at previous special sessions and do not intend to change our policy on this occasion. We do, however, hope that as many non-governmental organisations as possible will be able to attend the special session as they have a significant role to play. In recognition of this we have appointed Mr. David Summerhayes, the FCO disarmament adviser, to act as liaison officer between our delegation and those non-governmental organisations attending the special session.

  Arms Control and Disarmament
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the Official Report the texts of the three resolutions on arms control and disarmament tabled by the United Kingdom at the 42nd session of the United Nations General Assembly.

  Mr. Mellor
  The texts as adopted by the General Assembly of the three resolutions on arms control and disarmament tabled by the United Kingdom at the 42nd session of the United Nations General Assembly are as follows:

  Arms Control and Disarmament

    Bilateral nuclear-arms negotiations
    The General Assembly,
    Recalling that at their meeting at Geneva in November 1985 the leaders of the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics committed themselves to the objective of working out effective agreements aimed at preventing an arms race in space and terminating it on Earth,
    Noting that in their joint statement of 8 January 1985 the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics agreed that the subject of the negotiations was a complex of questions concerning space and nuclear arms, both strategic and intermediate-range, with all these questions considered and resolved in their interrelationship,
    Noting with satisfaction that the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics have reached an agreement on the total elimination of their intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles,
    Noting with satisfaction the agreement of the two Governments that a similarly intensive effort will be made to achieve a treaty on a 50 per cent. reduction in their strategic offensive arms within the framework of the Geneva nuclear and space talks,
    Noting further with satisfaction that, at their forthcoming meeting, the leaders of the two countries will consider thoroughly the development of instructions to delegations on a future treaty on a 50 per cent. reduction in United States and Soviet strategic offensive arms and on the observance of and non-withdrawal from the ABM Treaty for an agreed period,
    Believing that, through negotiations pursued in a spirit of flexibility and with full account taken of the security interests of all States, it is possible to achieve far-reaching and effectively verifiable agreements.
    Firmly convinced that an early agreement in these negotiations, in accordance with the principle of undiminished security at the lowest possible level of armaments, would be of crucial importance for the strengthening of international peace and security.
    Further convinced that the international community should encourage the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in their endeavours, taking into account both the importance and complexity of their negotiations.
    Welcomes the agreement between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to conclude a treaty eliminating their intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles;
    Notes with satisfaction that President Reagan and General Secretary Gorbachev have agreed to meet in the United States beginning on 7 December 1987, and that a further meeting in the Soviet Union is envisioned between them in the first half of 1988;
    Calls upon the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to spare no effort in seeking the attainment of all their agreed objectives in the negotiations, in accordance with the security interests of all States and the universal desire for progress towards disarmament, in particular early achievement of a treaty implementing the agreement to reduce their strategic offensive arms by 50 per cent. which could be signed during President Reagan's visit to Moscow;
    Invites the two Governments concerned to keep other States Members of the United Nations duly informed of progress in those negotiations between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, in accordance with paragraph 114 of the Final Document of the Tenth Special Session of the General Assembly, the first special session devoted to disarmament;
    Expresses its firmest possible encouragement and support for the bilateral negotiations and their successful conclusion.

    Objective information on military matters
    The General Assembly
    Recalling paragraph 105 of the Final Document of the Tenth Special Session of the General Assembly, the first special session devoted to disarmament, which encourages Member States to ensure a better flow of information with regard to the various aspects of disarmament to avoid dissemination of false and tendentious information concerning armaments and to concentrate on the danger of escalation of the arms race and on the need for general and complete disarmament under effective international control.
    Recalling its previous resolutions on the subject.
    Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General prepared in conformity with resolution 41/59 B of 3 December 1986.
    Recognising that the adoption of concrete, confidence-building measures on a global, regional or subregional level would greatly contribute to a reduction in international tension.
    Believing that the adoption of such measures would contribute to greater openness and transparency, thus helping to prevent misperceptions of military capabilities and intentions, which could induce States to undertake armaments programmes leading to the acceleration of the arms race, in particular the nuclear-arms race, and to heightened international tensions.
    Believing that objective information on military capabilities, in particular of nuclear weapons States and other militarily significant States, could contribute to the building of confidence among States and to the conclusion of concrete disarmament agreements and thereby help to halt and reverse the arms race.
    Convinced that greater openness on military activities, inter alia, through transmittal of relevant information on these activities, including on the levels of military budgets, would contribute to increased confidence among States.
    Taking into account the work undertaken in the Disarmament Commission on the reduction of military budgets.
    Noting that an increased number of States have provided annual reports on military expenditure in conformity with the international system for the standardised reporting of military expenditures under the auspices of the United Nations.
    1. Reaffirms its firm conviction that a better flow of objective information on military capabilities would help relieve international tension and contribute to the building of

    393
    confidence among States on a global, regional or subregional level and to the conclusion of concrete disarmament agreements:
    Recommends that those global, regional and subregional organizations that have already expressed support for the principle of practical and concrete confidence-building measures of a military nature on a global, regional or subregional level should intensify their efforts with a view to adopting such measures;
    Recommends that all States, in particular nuclear-weapon States and other militarily significant States, should consider implementing additional measures based on the principles of openness and transparency, such as, for example, the international system for the standardized reporting of military expenditures, with the aim of achieving a realistic comparison of military budgets, facilitating the availability of objective information on, as well as objective assessment of, military capabilities and contributing towards the process of disarmament;
    Invites all Member States to transmit to the Secretary-General, not later than 15 April 1988, their views concerning ways and means of ensuring confidence and further oppenness and transparency in military matters for submission to the General Assembly at its third special session devoted to disarmament;
    Requests the General Assembly at its third special session devoted to disarmament to take into account all the provisions of the present resolution in its deliberations;
    Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its third special session devoted to disarmament on the implementation of all the provisions of the resolutions on the subject;
    Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its forty-third session the item entitled "Objective information on military matters".

    United Nations disarmament studies
    The General Assembly,
    Recalling its resolutions 40/152 K of 16 December 1985 and 41/86 C of 4 December 1986,
    Reaffirming the valuable contribution that United Nations studies can make to the discussion and consideration of disarmament issues,
    Noting with appreciation the views of Member States contained in the reports of the Secretary-General.
    Taking into consideration that the Advisory Board on Disarmament Studies also functions as the Board of Trustees of the United Nations for Disarmament Research.
    Noting that the establishment of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research offers new opportunities regarding research in the field of disarmament,
    Takes note with appreciation of the report of the Advisory Board on Disarmament Studies;
    Affirms that the final decision on how United Nations disarmament studies should be prepared rests with the General Assembly;
    Takes note of the conclusion of the Advisory Board that consensus should be the normal practice in study groups, but that the expression of differing opinions where views cannot be reconciled should be permitted;
    Invites Member States to take note of the conclusions and recommendations of the Advisory Board in presenting proposals for disarmament studies or research.

    Hong Kong
    Dr. Marek
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has for the resettlement of Vietnamese refugees in Hong Kong in the years up to 1997.

    Mr. Eggar
    In May last year we decided to accept into the United Kingdom over the next two years a further 468 Vietnamese refugees from Hong Kong. In parallel with our own and other countries' resettlement efforts we are pursuing, in consultation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and countries concerned, durable solutions to the Indo-Chinese refugee problems.

    Panamanian Consulate Offices
    Mr. Tony Banks
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on the current situation in respect of the Panamanian consulate offices; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr. Eggar
    An incident at the consulate offices on 7 March is the subject of police inquiries.

SOCIAL SERVICES

  School Nurses
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list in the Official Report (a) the number of school nurses, given as whole-time, part-time and whole-time equivalent, (b) the establishment figure and (c) the number of vacant posts in each English regional health authority, for each year over the last five years up to the latest for which figures are availble.

  Mr. Newton
  I regret that information on establishments and vacant posts is not collected centrally.

  The number of nursing staff employed in the schools health service, including special schools, at September 1983 to September 1986, is given in the table. Similar information for September 1987 is not yet available.

  Although the table shows a 2·7 per cent. reduction in nursing staff, a decline of approximately 5 per cent. in the school population has also occurred over the same period.

  National Health Service school nursing staff1 3 in post at 30 September each year by Regional Health Authority in England—number and whole-time equivalent2

  Regional Health Authority

  Whole-time number

  Part-time number

  Total whole-time equivalent

  1983

  Northern

  116

  187

  251

  Yorkshire

  106

  218

  245

  Trent

  104

  374

  369

  East Anglia

  76

  96

  142

  North West Thames

  102

  122

  178

  North East Thames

  126

  67

  166

  South East Thames

  122

  144

  223

  South West Thames

  58

  150

  154

  Wessex

  66

  86

  119

  Oxford

  35

  140

  122

  South Western

  20

  252

  162

  West Midlands

  215

  196

  340

  Mersey

  163

  140

  247

  North Western

  169

  303

  347

  London Special Health Authorities

  9

  —

  9

  England

  1,487

  2,475

  3,074

  1984

  Northern

  113

  185

  248

  Yorkshire

  107

  211

  243

  Trent

  102

  397

  382

  East Anglia

  69

  102

  138

  North West Thames

  115

  143

  205

  North East Thames

  128

  83

  177

  South East Thames

  113

  159

  226

  South West Thames

  52

  177

  164

  Wessex

  70

  91

  128

  Oxford

  26

  146

  118

  South Western

  21

  246

  158

  West Midlands

  215

  196

  342

  Mersey

  147

  143

  232

  North Western

  156

  299

  335

  395

  Regional Health Authority

  Whole-time number

  Part-time number

  Total whole-time equivalent

  London Special Health Authorities

  —

  —

  —

  England

  1,434

  2,578

  3,095

  1985

  Northern

  107

  188

  244

  Yorkshire

  95

  197

  224

  Trent

  89

  380

  361

  East Anglia

  67

  94

  131

  North West Thames

  111

  159

  208

  North East Thames

  136

  97

  197

  South East Thames

  112

  162

  225

  South West Thames

  52

  186

  171

  Wessex

  63

  106

  131

  Oxford

  24

  156

  121

  South Western

  28

  258

  172

  West Midlands

  204

  209

  342

  Mersey

  139

  152

  232

  North Western

  154

  313

  347

  London Special Health Authorities

  —

  —

  —

  England

  1,381

  2,657

  3,106

  1986

  Northern

  102

  187

  241

  Yorkshire

  105

  196

  232

  Trent

  79

  383

  350

  East Anglia

  12

  86

  72

  North West Thames

  116

  159

  217

  North East Thames

  120

  83

  175

  South East Thames

  105

  165

  220

  South West Thames

  41

  189

  162

  Wessex

  60

  113

  134

  Oxford

  18

  160

  118

  South Western

  27

  267

  174

  West Midlands

  168

  247

  336

  Mersey

  132

  179

  242

  North Western

  139

  287

  318

  London Special Health Authorities

  —

  —

  —

  England

  1,224

  2,701

  2,990

  Source: DHSS annual census of NHS non-medical manpower.

  1 Includes School Health Visitors and nursing staff of special schools.

  2 Figures are independently rounded to nearest whole time equivalent.

  3 Includes qualified and unqualified nursing staff.

  Hospital Closures
  Mr. Biffen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many letters he has received concerning the proposals for hospital closures tabled by the Shropshire health authority; and how many of these supported the proposals.

  Mrs. Currie
  We have received over 1,000 letters in recent months from hon. Members, local organisations and members of the public about health services in Shropshire. A high proportion of these were received prior to the commencement of the formal consultation on Shropshire health authority's proposals but no letters have expressed support for hospital closures in the district. All views will be taken into account.

  Claybury Hospital
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Sevices why the pest control contract relating to Claybury 396
  hospital has not been renewed, from which date it expired; whether he proposes to offer advice to the district health authority on this matter; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Currie
  Health authorities are responsible for the management of pest control contracts within their districts. Details on local contracts are not collected centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact Waltham Forest health authority to establish the current position on pest control at Claybury hospital.

  Health circular, HC(86)14, issued in November 1986, sets out the requirements for hygiene and pest control in all health authority premises.

  Expectant Mothers
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his policy in connection with expectant mothers being asked to take in their own nappies and vaseline when they enter National Health Service hospitals to be delivered.

  Mrs. Currie
  Responsibility for determining which articles expectant mothers are required to bring with them to hospital rests with individual health authorities. Among these are very often nappies and vaseline. Many expectant mothers welcome this opportunity to use their own belongings during this particular period. It is right that they should do so.

  NHS (Review)
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will set out details of the consultation process which will take place within the National Health Service in connection with the proposed review of the future of the National Health Service.

  Mr. Moore
  I shall consider carefully any proposals put to me by bodies representing National Health Service interests.

  Tax and Benefits System
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish tables, similar to those in hisDepartment's tax/benefit model table, showing net weekly spending power for a single childless person aged 18 to 24 years, earning (1) £40, (2) £50, (3) £60, (4) £70, (5) £80, (6) £90, and (7) £100(a) under the existing tax and benefits system and (b) under the benefit system which will be implemented in April, in both cases assuming that the person is paying average local authority rent and rates.

  Mr. Scott
  The information requested is set out in the tables. It should be noted that the results are hypothetical in two senses. First, the results are based on average local authority rents and rates and do not present a balanced picture reflecting people's actual housing arrangements. Second, the other assumptions used are those set out in "Impact of the Reformed Structure of Income-Related Benefits" October 1987. However, this document, a copy of which is in the Library, suggests that about 20,000 under 25-year-olds will have lower disposable incomes after the payment of housing costs once the reformed structure of income-related benefits is in place. A half of these young people are expected to receive transitional protection so they will not get any less by way of weekly cash benefit.
  397

  Existing tax and benefit system Single person aged 18 to 24 years Income and means-tested benefits—family head in full time work

  Tax threshold = £48·17

  Earnings head

  40·00

  50·00

  60·00

  70·00

  80·00

  90·00

  100·00

  Tax

  0·00

  0·49

  3·19

  5·89

  8·59

  11·29

  13·99

  National Insurance

  0·00

  2·50

  3·00

  4·90

  5·60

  6·30

  7·00

  FIS

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  Child benefit

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  Rent

  15·94

  15·94

  15·94

  15·94

  15·94

  15·94

  15·94

  Rent rebate

  15·94

  14·49

  11·99

  9·47

  6·17

  2·87

  0·00

  Rates

  8·45

  8·45

  8·45

  8·45

  8·45

  8·45

  8·45

  Rate rebate

  6·38

  5·58

  4·78

  3·96

  2·66

  1·36

  0·00

  Fares to work

  5·85

  5·85

  5·85

  5·85

  5·85

  5·85

  5·85

  Free school meals

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  Free welfare milk

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  Net weekly spending power

  32·08

  36·84

  40·34

  42·40

  44·40

  46·40

  48·77

  New System from April 1988 Single person aged 18 to 24 years Income and means-tested benefits—family head in full lime work

  Tax threshold = £48·17

  Earnings head

  40·00

  50·00

  60·00

  70·00

  80·00

  90·00

  100·00

  Tax

  0·00

  0·49

  3·19

  5·89

  8·59

  11·29

  13·99

  National Insurance

  0·00

  2·50

  3·00

  4·90

  5·60

  6·30

  7·00

  FIS

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  Child benefit

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  Rent

  15·94

  15·94

  15·94

  15·94

  15·94

  15·94

  15·94

  Rent rebate

  14·90

  10·35

  5·93

  2·42

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  Rates

  8·45

  8·45

  8·45

  8·45

  8·45

  8·45

  8·45

  Rate rebate

  5·02

  3·61

  2·25

  1·17

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  Fares to work

  5·85

  5·85

  5·85

  5·85

  5·85

  5·85

  5·85

  Net weekly spending power

  29·68

  30·73

  31·75

  32·56

  35·57

  42·17

  48·77

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate what level child benefit would have been in April had it been uprated this year in line with the retail price index, taking into account the error made in the retail price index between February 1986 and October 1987 inclusive.

  Mr Scott
  The general uprating of benefits is calculated from the published retail prices index. Had child benefit been uprated on this basis, the rate from April 1988 would have been £7·55 a week. The rate would have been the same if the error in the retail price index had been taken into account.

  District Health Authority

  Revenue Expenditure

  Capital Expenditure

  1982–83 £ thousands

  1986–87 £ thousands

  Cash terms increase per cent.

  1982–83 £ thousands

  1986–87 £ thousands

  Cash terms increase/(decrease) per cent.

  Brighton

  45,102

  59,102

  31

  1,598

  3,030

  89

  Eastbourne

  34,657

  43,660

  26

  2,471

  5,445

  120

  Hastings

  23,460

  29,745

  27

  1,214

  3,206

  164

  South East Kent

  28,198

  37,647

  33

  1,767

  3,884

  119

  Canterbury and Thanet

  49,788

  60,072

  20

  1,863

  6,498

  248

  Dartford and Gravesham

  39,710

  46,850

  17

  2,437

  1,835

  (24)

  Maidstone

  29,481

  37,401

  26

  7,539

  2,445

  (67)

  Medway

  36,447

  49,751

  36

  2,549

  5,625

  120

  Tunbridge Wells

  38,849

  47,567

  22

  3,643

  4,063

  11

  Bexley

  30,536

  38,012

  24

  1,612

  2,190

  35

  Greenwich

  54,159

  61,441

  13

  1,405

  3,886

  176

  South-East Region District Health Authorities
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services, what amount of(a) capital and (b) revenue was made available to each of the south-east region district health authorities in (a) 1982–83 and (b) 1986–87; and what is the percentage change.

  Mrs. Currie
  Allocations to particular district health authorities are a matter for the relevant regional health authority.

  Following is expenditure information derived from the annual accounts of the district health authorities within the South-East Thames region:
  399

  District Health Authority

  Revenue Expenditure

  Capital Expenditure

  1982–83 £ thousands

  1986–87 £ thousands

  Cash terms increase per cent.

  1982–83 £ thousands

  1986–87 £ thousands

  Cash terms increase / (decrease) per cent.

  Bromley

  47,948

  54,164

  12

  4,579

  4,485

  (2)

  West Lambeth

  70,520

  84,682

  20

  3,360

  4,662

  38

  Camberwell

  57,456

  70,640

  22

  2,323

  6,592

  183

  Lewisham and North Southwark

  94,967

  112,541

  18

  4,876

  6,391

  31

  Notes:

  1. The figures for capital expenditure include sums in respect of schemes within the districts recorded in the annual accounts of the South East Thames regional health authority. Revenue and capital expenditure incurred by the latter authority for the region as a whole is excluded.

  2. Prior to 1 April 1985 the Brighton, Maidstone, Bexley, Bromley and West Lambeth district health authorities each had an associated family practitioner committee (FPC). Those authorities expenditure figures for 1982–83 include small elements relating to FPC's administrative expenses which are not separately identifiable.

  Patients (Re-admissions)
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list, for each health authority region in England, the number of patients re-admitted to hospital in the last five years.

  Mrs. Currie
  I regret that this information is not held centrally.

  Invalidity Benefit
  Mr. Ken Hargreaves
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will compensate those people in receipt of invalidity benefit who will not be eligible for transitional addition as a result of the April uprating of national insurance benefits lifting them above the supplementary benefit income support level and thus making them liable to housing benefit tapers which will mean an actual loss to low income claimants.

  Mr. Scott
  We have no plans to do so.

  Health Authorities (Land Sales)
  Mr. David Martin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, when surplus land or building is disposed of, the capital proceeds of sale go direct into the budget of the district health authority within whose boundaries the surplus land or building is situated or into the budget of the regional health authority concerned for subsequent distribution in the region at the discretion of the regional health authority.

  Mrs. Currie
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Norwich, South (Mr. Garrett) on 26 November 1987 at column 330.

  RAWP Formula
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make it his policy to seek parliamentary approval before making any significant change to the resource allocation working party formula.

  Mr. Newton
  I do not think this would be appropriate, but we will, of course, follow the practice of our predecessors in informing the House of any changes we may decide to make in the light of the outcome of the current review of the resource allocation working party formula.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the factors now used in calculating the resource allocation working party formula and the new ones that have been proposed to him for inclusion; and if he will indicate in each case whether the factor is related to the demand for health care or to the supply of existing provision.

  Mr. Newton
  The resource allocation working party formula measures the relative needs of each region by taking account of population (and the use made of health services by people of different age groups and sexes);402
  morbidity as indicated by standardised mortality ratios; patient flows between regions; and higher staff costs in London and the south-east. Separate allocations are made to take account of the costs associated with medical teaching.

  The National Health Service management board's review of the national RAWP formula is exploring the scope for improving the way in which the formula measures relative need. Aspects of the formula where the NHS management board identified scope for improvement were listed in the summary of recommendations for further analysis and research set out in the interim report on the review published in December 1986. A copy is in the Library.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the individuals and organisations which have made representations regarding changes in the resource allocation working party formula; and if he will indicate in each case whether the changes proposed by each would result in an overall faster or slower movement of resources towards the regions considered to be deprived by the present formula.

  Mr. Newton
  A list of respondents to the formal consultation on the review of the resource allocation working party formula is set out at annex D of the National Health Service management board's interim report on the review, published in December 1986. A copy is in the Library.

  The overall aim of the review is to improve the sensitivity with which the formula measures relative need, and hence to refine the targets on which allocations to regions are based. Ministers take decisions each year on the pace of movement towards each region's target share of available resources. This process is not determined by the formula and is, therefore, not within the remit of the review.

  Regional Health Authorities
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what monitoring there is by his Department of the equity of the criteria used by the regional health authorities to distribute resources to the districts.

  Mr. Newton
  The Department monitors regional health authorities' resource allocation methodologies and plans through the regions' long-term strategic plans and annual short-term programmes. As one of the central issues in these plans and programmes, resource distribution may also be discussed in regions' annual accountability reviews with Ministers and the National Health Service management board.

  Blood
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the level of blood donations in each of the blood transfusion areas of England and Wales for each of the past 10 years.

  Mrs. Currie
  The information requested is given in the table.
  403

  Number of donors bled in each of the blood transfusion areas of England and Wales for years 1977 to 1986

  11977

  11978

  11979

  11980

  11981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  Northern

  137,257

  138,642

  139,797

  145,938

  144,880

  134,392

  133,039

  131,947

  133,544

  128,321

  Yorkshire

  147,896

  147,455

  147,875

  157,078

  155,653

  143,626

  152,874

  154,905

  149,128

  146,119

  Trent

  141,733

  141,366

  146,554

  153,587

  163,187

  162,229

  166,362

  174,425

  169,680

  174,976

  East Anglia

  86,250

  88,701

  90,954

  93,350

  93,406

  84,629

  86,275

  87,650

  86,393

  90,012

  North West Thames

  182,363

  184,484

  184,273

  187,042

  197,504

  180,644

  183,033

  189,246

  190,048

  199,731

  North East Thames

  163,098

  164,770

  169,066

  169,238

  170,966

  145,472

  145,241

  136,647

  138,875

  136,722

  South East and South West Thames

  271,170

  272,109

  268,240

  277,720

  285,737

  256,589

  301,029

  302,097

  282,738

  277,696

  Wessex

  86,664

  88,319

  89,376

  95,584

  96,902

  90,030

  93,889

  95,719

  94,088

  93,990

  Oxford

  116,226

  123,502

  123,565

  125,859

  128,299

  115,997

  118,822

  119,689

  111,129

  104,609

  South Western

  178,493

  176,083

  182,513

  186,274

  186,808

  172,462

  171,678

  170,859

  168,169

  175,570

  West Midlands

  194,370

  194,109

  194,823

  199,051

  201,019

  195,332

  193,048

  200,128

  199,389

  199,290

  Mersey

  122,210

  123,848

  123,059

  129,680

  123,433

  115,478

  119,604

  117,589

  121,642

  123,190

  North Western

  182,181

  186,156

  190,029

  202,523

  209,886

  179,351

  179,844

  181,638

  180,133

  181,587

  Wales

  92,506

  94,063

  94,360

  97,112

  98,051

  82,763

  91,102

  96,087

  94,104

  96,637

  England and Wales

  2,102,417

  2,123,607

  2,144,484

  2,220,036

  2,255,731

  2,058,994

  2,135,840

  2,158,626

  2,119,060

  2,128,450

  1 For years 1977 to 1981 figures relate to the number of donors at blood transfusion centres.

  Blind People
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has any plans to give special consideration to the needs of elderly blind people with regard to the new income support scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  Claimants who, or whose partners, are blind will qualify for the higher pensioner premium at age 60 rather than 80. Those claimants whose benefit entitlement under income support is lower than under supplementary benefit will receive transitional protection.

  I have no plans for any other provisions.

  "Radioactive Britain" (TV Programme)
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will seek to obtain for his departmental library a copy of the transcript of the Channel 4 Dispatches programme, "Radioactive Britain", broadcast on 4 March.

  Mrs. Currie
  No, but officials have viewed the programme and are apprised of its contents.

  Income Support
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what transitional protection there will be for most 16 and 17-year-olds currently in receipt of income support, in particular young householders, when the Social Security Act 1988 comes into effect.

  Mr. Scott
  It is intended that clause 4 of the current Social Security Bill will come into effect in September. Those 16 and 17-year-olds not entitled to income support will receive a bridging allowance from the Department of Employment provided they have registered for a YTS place. Housing benefit will also be available in appropriate cases.

  The 16 and 17-year-olds who will he able to continue to receive income support will include those not required to be available for work, such as the severely disabled, those receiving a Government training allowance and lone parents. These situations will be prescribed in regulations.

  Abortion
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if, pursuant to his answer of 8 February,Official
  404
  Report, column 1115, the one case of mention of rape on a notification form for an abortion after 18 weeks concerns a woman under the age of majority.

  Mr. Newton
  The statistic referred to in my previous answer was provisional, and it related to gestation of 18 completed weeks and over. The age of the woman concerned was under the age of majority (that is, under 18 years old).

  Generic Medicines
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has any plans to examine the cost and method of supply of generic medicines to the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moore
  The White Paper "Promoting Better Health" commended voluntary generic prescribing by doctors as good professional practice and noted the expectation of its continued use in the future. It is important therefore that there should be wide availability of generic medicines throughout the country and that the market should operate efficiently. Together with my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales, I am appointing Touche Ross Management Consultants to study the market for generic medicines in Great Britain. They are being asked to examine the extent of competition in supplies to NHS hospitals and to family practitioner service contractors, the prices paid, the effectiveness of the systems for setting the prices of these medicines and the extent to which United Kingdom and other manufacturers can enter and remain in the market.

  I am asking the consultants to report within six months. The contents of their report will necessarily be confidential because of the commercial information which it will contain. The terms of reference for the study are:

  1. To study the market for generic medicines in Great Britain with particular reference to:

  (a) the extent of competition in the supply of generic medicines;

  (b) the similarities and differences between the ways in which generic medicines are procured by and distributed to:

  (i) NHS hospitals;

  (ii) FPS contractors (retail pharmacists and dispensing doctors);

  (c) the prices paid for generic medicines by:

  (i) NHS hospitals;

  405

  (ii) FPS contractors;

  and the reasons for any differences in those prices;

  (d) the effectiveness of the systems for setting prices for generic medicines in the Drug Tariffs and recovery of any difference between the Drug Tariff price and the price actually paid, noting that the system in Scotland differs in certain respects from that in England and Wales;

  (e) the relationship between the prices of generic medicines and the extent to which United Kingdom and other manufacturers can enter and remain in the market.

  2. In the light of the above:

  (a) to put forward if possible proposals for improving the arrangements for the procurement, distribution and pricing of generic medicines, with particular reference to FPS contractors, which:

  (i) are compatible with our international trading obligations (including EEC and GATT) and the independent contractor status of retail pharmacists and dispensing doctors;

  (ii) take account of the range of ownership and management in retail pharmacy and the nature and level of involvement of wholesalers;

  (iii) would stimulate further competition;

  (iv) would ensure the availability of generic medicines at reimbursable prices throughout Great Britain;

  (v) would lead to reductions in the cost of medicines to the NHS as a whole;

  (vi) would ideally also further encourage the prescribing of generic medicines, where appropriate;

  (b) to assess the effect of any proposals on United Kingdom and other manufacturers of generic medicines;

  (c) to report within six months.

  Net Weekly Spending Power1 April 1988 Illustrative Income Support Cases2

  Supplementary Benefit3 £

  Income Support £

  Change £

  (i) Rent-paying lone parent, 2 children aged 4 and 11, claiming 3 months.

  62·02

  70·10

  +8·08

  (ii) Lone parent with mortgage, 3 children under 10, claiming 6 months. Attendance allowance, heating and laundry additions for 1 child.

  97·78

  103·65

  +5·87

  (iii) Rent-paying lone parent, 1 child aged 12, part-time earnings £25, claiming under 1 year.

  34·06

  49·35

  +15·29

  (iv) Single unemployed man aged 30, non-householder.

  29·31

  33·40

  +4·09

  (v) Pensioner aged 76, diet and heating additions, non-householder receiving attendance allowance.

  62·33

  66·45

  +4·12

  (vi) Single woman aged 26, severe disability allowance and heating addition, non-householder.

  33·18

  46·45

  +13·27

  (vii) Unemployed man, wife and a child aged 3, rent-payer.

  66·00

  68·35

  +2·35

  (viii) Single man, sick, new claim, rented accommodation.

  31·37

  33·40

  +2·03

  1 Net weekly spending power is defined as income after payment of housing costs (rent or mortgage and local authority rates—where appropriate).

  2 All other main assumptions as in "Impact of the Reformed Structure of Income Related Benefits", October 1987, except where detailed assumptions have been specified elsewhere.

  3 April 1987 net spending power on supplemantary benefit has been uprated to April 1988 hypothetical levels by the retail price index excluding housing.

  Mr. Favell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will provide estimates of net weekly spending power, both under the present system of supplementary benefit and under the new system of income support, for each of the following illustrative cases: (i) a sick man claiming less than a year with a wife and two children aged three years, paying a mortgage, (ii) an unemployed man with a wife and three children aged three, 11 and 12 years who live in local authority accommodation, (iii) a single

  Income Support (Spending Power)
  Mr. Gregory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will provide estimates of net weekly spending power, both under the present system of supplementary benefit and under the new system of income support, for each of the following illustrative cases: (i) a lone parent, living in rented acommodation, who has been claiming benefit for herself and two dependent children aged four and 11 for three months, (ii) a lone parent, living in mortgaged accommodation, who has been claiming benefit for herself and three children aged under 10 years for a period of six months, one of the children is disabled and receives attendance allowance and help with heating and laundry, (iii) a lone parent, living in rented accommodation, who has been claiming benefit for herself and one child aged 12 for less than a year and who has part-time earnings of £25 a week, (iv) a single unemployed man aged 30 years living with parents, (v) a pensioner aged 76 years, living in her daughter's household and receiving additional supplemantary requirements for diet and heating, (vi) a single woman aged 26 years, living in her parents' home, who receives a severe disability allowance and who needs extra heating, (vii) an unemployed householder with a wife and a child aged three years living in rented accommodation and (viii) a single man aged over 25 years who is sick, entering a new claim and living in rented accommodation, with a net weekly spending power defined as income after payment, where appropriate, of any housing costs, and assuming that householders have average local authority rents and rates representative of the income support client groups.

  Mr. Portillo
  The answers are as follows:

  man aged 28 years, sick for seven months needing an extra allowance for laundry and diet and who lives in his own house, (iv) a single man, living alone in rented accommodation, who has been disabled for over a year and who has an attendance allowance and additional assistance with heating and diet, (v) an unemployed man whose wife is sick and receives a severe disablement allowance and help with heating and laundry, (vi) a pensioner aged 82 years living in rented accommodation,
  407
  (vii) a pensioner aged 82 years with a wife aged 77 years who is an owner-occupier, with net weekly spending power defined as income after payment, where appropriate, of

  Net Weekly Spending Power1 April 1988 Illustrative Income Support Cases2

  Supplementary Benefit3 £

  Income Support £

  Change £

  (l) Sick man paying a mortgage, non-working wife, 2 children aged 3, claiming 8 months

  78·23

  97·70

  +19·47

  (ii) Unemployed man, non-working wife, 3 children aged 3, 11 and 12, local authority accommodation

  96·13

  100·55

  +4·42

  (iii) Single man aged 28, sick 7 months, additional requirements for laundry and diet, owner-occupier

  40·61

  46·45

  +5·84

  (iv) Single man, living alone, rented accommodation, attendance allowance and additional requirements for heating and diet, disabled over a year

  71·83

  93·20

  +21·37

  (v) Unemployed man, wife sick, receiving a severe disability allowance with additional requirements for heating and laundry

  61·25

  70·05

  +8·80

  (vi) Pensioner aged 82, rented accommodation

  42·93

  46·45

  +3·52

  (vii) Pensioner aged 82, wife aged 77, owner-occupier

  69·40

  70·05

  +0·65

  1 Net weekly spending power is defined as income after payment of housing costs (rent or mortgage and local authority rates—where appropriate).

  2 All other main assumptions as in "Impact of the Reformed Structure of Income Related Benefits", October 1987, except where detailed assumptions have been specified elsewhere.

  3 April 1987 net spending power on supplementary benefit has been uprated to April 1988 hypothetical levels by the retail price index excluding housing.

  Hospitals (Maintenance Costs)
  Mr. Conway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average cost per 24 hours for maintaining an in-patient in a cottage hospital; and what is the equivalent figure for a district general hospital within the area of the Shropshire district health authority.

  Mr. Newton
  [holding answer 23 February 1988]: For costing purposes, all hospitals are classified into a series of standard types which reflect the principal use to which their beds are allocated. Cottage hospitals and district general hospitals do not feature in this classification as such. However, for 1986–87 the average cost per in-patient day (England) for acute hospitals (1–50 beds) was £58·40; the equivalent figure for the Royal Shrewsbury hospital (739 beds) was £87·75.

  Low Income Families
  Sir Brandon Rhys Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish a table using the assumptions in his answer to the hon. Member for Kensington of 4 February,Official Report, column 737, showing the current net weekly spending power of families in the same range of examples and that which will result from the changes in benefits intended from April, with an

  Private non-resident charges 1988–89

  Item of service

  1987–88

  Class A to E 1988–89

  Percentage change

  1987–88

  Class F + G 1988–89

  Percentage change

  1. Consultation

  6·50

  7·00

  +7·7

  12·00

  13·00

  +8·3

  2. i. Day cases

  26·50

  38·50

  +7·5

  27·50

  29·50

  +7·3

  ii. Day patients

  31·00

  34·00

  +9·7

  32·00

  35·00

  +9·4

  3. Pathology

  7·00

  7·50

  +7·1

  13·50

  15·00

  +11·1

  4. Radiography

  408
  any housing costs, and assuming that householders have average local authority rents and rates representative of the income support client groups.

  Mr. Portillo
  The answers are as follows:

  additional column showing the extent of the differences; and if he will publish a comparable table using expenditure and benefit figures likely to be appropriate for families in inner London in the same income ranges.

  Mr. Scott
  [holding answer 2 March 1988]: The additional information requested can be obtained by simple subtraction using the information provided to my hon. Friend on 4 February at columns 737–38.

  It is not possible to produce comparable tables for families in inner London. Insufficient inner London local authorities have made returns recording their local authority rent and rates in sufficient detail to allow the estimation of statistically sound average figures for specific family types.

  NHS (Private Patients)
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if decisions have been taken on the central reference lists of model charges for National Health Service private patients for the year from 1 April.

  Mr. Newton
  [pursuant to his reply, 15 February 1988, c. 500–2]: I am sorry that there was an error in the table setting out the central reference list of private out-patient charges for the year from 1 April 1988. The table gives the correct charges.
  409

  Item of service

  1987–88

  Class A to E 1988–89

  Percentage change

  1987–88

  Class F + G 1988–89

  Percentage change

  i. Per unit value

  0·78

  n.a.

  n.a.

  1·00

  n.a

  n.a.

  ii. Minimum charge

  12·50

  n.a.

  n.a.

  16·00

  n.a

  n.a.

  iii. Per Korner unit value

  n.a.

  16·50

  n.a.

  n.a.

  19·00

  n.a.

  2l·00

  21·25

  iv. CT scanning

  96·00

  96·00

  No change

  11·50

  115·00

  No change

  5. Radiotherapy

  18·00

  18·00

  No change

  44·50

  44·50

  No change

  6. Physiotherapy

  5·00

  5·50

  +10·0

  9·00

  11·50

  +27·8

  7. Occupational Therapy

  7·00

  8·50

  +21·4

  10·00

  10·00

  No change

  8. Other Diagnostic procedures

  i. Audiometry

  5·00

  5·00

  No change

  5·00

  5·00

  No change

  ii. ECG

  9·00

  9·50

  +5·6

  16·50

  17·50

  +6·1

  iii. EEG

  37·00

  38·50

  +4·1

  72·50

  83·50

  +15·2

  iv. EMG

  23·00

  24·00

  +4·3

  44·50

  50·50

  +13·5

  9. Use of Operating theatres

  i. Less than 10 minutes

  22·00

  22·50

  +2·3

  27·00

  28·00

  +3·7

  ii. 10–30 minutes

  42·50

  44·00

  +3·5

  54·00

  56·00

  +3·7

  iii. More than 30 minutes

  64·50

  67·00

  +3·9

  81·00

  84·00

  +3·7

  1 Price per unit for first 6 units.

  2 Price for each additional unit (over 6).

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  United Nations (United Kingdom Voting Record)
  Mr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the 14 resolutions on which the United Kingdom abstained and the 14 on

  Resolution number

  Topic

  United Kingdom position

  Resolution 31

  Negative Security Assurances

  Because they contained language that conflicted with our strategy of nuclear deterrence.

  Resolution 39b

  Nuclear Weapons Freeze

  Resolution 39c

  Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons

  Resolution 39h

  Nuclear Arms Freeze

  Resolution 42a

  Non-use of Nuclear Weapons

  Resolution 42c

  Cessation of Nucler Arms Race

  Resolution 42e

  International Cooperation for Disarmament

  Resolution 42m

  Follow-up to the First Special Session on Disarmament

  Resolution 26a

  Test ban

  Because we believe a nuclear test ban to be in present circumstances unverifiable.

  Resolution 26b

  Test ban

  Resolution 421

  Report of the Conference on Disarmament (CD)

  Resolution 34b

  Denuclearisation of Africa

  Because it contained unacceptable language in connection with South Africa and the presumption that a South African nuclear weapons capability is an established fact.

  Resolution 42d

  Prevention of Nuclear War

  Because it contained unrealistic and unnecessary proposals for work at the Conference on Disarmament.

  Abstentions

  Resolution 93

  Comprehensive System of International Peace and Security

  Because it tended to duplicate and undermine the UN Charter.

  Resolution 27

  Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and Monitoring

  Because they did not provide a practical way of making progress on the issues of nuclear testing.

  Resolution 38c

  Notification of Tests

  Resolution 34a

  Denuclearisation of Africa

  Because of the presumption that a South African nuclear weapons capability is an established fact.

  Resolution 35

  New Weapons of Mass Destruction

  Because it contained a proposal for an unverifiable and limitless ban on new weapons systems.

  410
  which the United Kingdom voted against, in each case giving the reason for such decisions, at the 42nd sessions of the United Nations General Assembly (1987) First Committee.

  Mr. Eggar
  At the first committee of the 42nd General Assembly, the United Kingdom voted against the following resolutions:
  411

  Resolution number

  Topic

  United Kingdom position

  Resolution 38d

  Bilateral Nuclear Arms Negotiations

  Because it covered the same ground as a resolution the United Kingdom had sponsored.

  Resolution 38f

  Israeli attack on Iraqi reactor

  Because we do not consider the First Committee to be the appropriate forum for discussion of the Israeli attack on an Iraqi nuclear reactor.

  Resolution 38j

  Implementation of UN Disarmament Resolutions

  Because it calls on all member states of the UN to facilitate the implementation of disarmament resolutions, some of which we oppose.

  Resolution 381

  Cut-off

  Because the prohibition of production of fissionable material for weapons purposes remains in practice an unverifiable measure.

  Resolution 39a

  Role of Security Council

  Because of reservations about both the principle and the practicalities of the suggested role for the Security Council.

  Resolution 39g

  World Disarmament Campaign

  Because it criticises those states that do not make contributions to the World Disarmament Campaign in addition to those made through regular contributions to the UN budget.

  Resolution 42b

  Participation in the Conference on Disarmament

  Because we consider that it is for the Conference on Disarmament to decide its own membership.

  Resolution 44

  Israeli Nuclear Capability

  Because we consider it invidious and counter-productive to single out specific nations for criticism.

  Resolution 91

  Implementation of Declaration on the Preparation of Societies for Life in Peace

  Because it was a purely declaratory resolution designed to serve Warsaw Pact propaganda interests.

  Resolution 92

  Implementation of Declaration on the Strengthening of International Security

  Because it contained unrealistic and outdated references to comprehensive disarmament and colonial domination.

  Resolution 42h

  Disarmament Week

  Mistakenly recorded as having been passed by consensus in the First Committee; we abstained during the vote in Plenary because the resolution encourages UN specialised agencies to engage in activities likely to detract from the task with which they have been mandated.

  Explanations of Vote

  We gave national explanations of vote on:

  Resolution 34b - Denuclearisation of Africa

  Resolution 35 - New Weapons of Mass Destruction

  Resolution 38j - Implementation on UN Disarmament Resolutions

  Resolution 39a - Role of Security Council

  Resolution 39g - World Disarmament Campaign

  Resolution 42b - Participation in the CD
  412