Written Answers of 31 March 1988

PRIME MINISTER

  Unused Land
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will pay an official visit to a publicly owned site of unused land.

  The Prime Minister
  I have at present no plans to do so.

  Community Care
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister what proposals she has arising from the publication of the Griffiths report for improving the co-ordination of Her Majesty's Government's policies on community care.

  The Prime Minister
  We are considering Sir Roy Griffiths' recommendations and will bring forward our own proposals in due course.

  Terrorists (Surveillance)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Prime Minister if, in the light of the killings in Gibraltar, she will make it her policy that future surveillance and apprehension of suspected terrorists be carried out by police officers.

  The Prime Minister
  It will remain the Government's policy that military assistance may be requested by a chief constable in the United Kingdom or the competent authority in a dependent territory, where this is appropriate.

  Health Insurance
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister if the views expressed by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health, the hon. Member for Derbyshire, South (Mrs. Currie) on the ITV "This Week" programme, regarding elderly people remortgaging their houses in order to pay for private health insurance, represent Government policy.

  The Prime Minister
  My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Security pointed out that many elderly people have substantial capital assets. They have the option, if they choose to pursue it, of considering private health care.

  Agricultural Stabilisers
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister what progress has been made on the details of the agricultural stabilisers following the recent European Council provisional agreement on extra funding; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  I refer my hon. Friend to the replies which my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Ministry of Argriculture, Fisheries and Food gave to my hon. Friend the Member for York (Mr. Gregory) on 10 March, at columns 323–24, and to my hon. Friend the Member for Cambridgeshire, North-East (Mr. Moss) on 30 March.

  European Council
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister what proposals have been tabled for discussion at the next meeting of the European Council.

  The Prime Minister
  The agenda for the European Council will be established by the German presidency. No formal proposals have yet been made. Completion of the single market is expected to be the main item of discussion.

  EC Expenditure
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister what is her latest estimate of the amount to be spent by the EEC in the current year, in the light of currency movements since the meeting of the European Council; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  The draft budget for 1988 established by the Council of Ministers on 7 March for total expenditure of 44·7 billion ecu (£31·0 billion) in commitments and 43·4 billion ecu (£30·1 billion) in payments. Both sums include 1 billion ecu (£693·6 million) for a monetary reserve to cover the effects on agricultural guarantee expenditure of substantial unforeseen movements in the ecu/dollar exchange rate. The European Parliament has the right under the treaty to add a further 380 million ecu (£263·6 million) in commitments and 341 million ecu (£236·5 million) in payments to the Council's figures.

  Scottish Electricity Boards
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Prime Minister whether the speech of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of Stale for Energy, the hon. Member for Worcestershire, South (Mr. Spicer), in Miami on 28 March represents Government policy in respect of the privatisation of the two Scottish electricity boards; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  The Government's policy on the privatisation of the Scottish electricity industry is set out in the White Paper (Cm. 327) presented to Parliament by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland on 2 March 1988.

  Companies (Names)
  Mr. Harry Ewing
  To ask the Prime Minister what guidelines are in force concerning contracts or dealings between Departments and companies trading under the name of serving Ministers of the Crown.

  The Prime Minister
  There is no guidance on dealings with companies on the basis of how they are named.

  Engagements
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 31 March.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 31 March.

  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 31 March.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 31 March.

  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 31 March.
  573
  The Prime Minister
  In addition to my duties in the House I shall be having further meetings later today, including one with the President of Cyprus.

THE ARTS

  China
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Minister for the Arts whether he will list the British arts companies who have performed in China in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Luce
  [holding answer 29 March 1988]: The following list comprises only those British arts companies which have visited China with British Council assistance. Other companies may have made their own arrangements. There are no centrally kept comprehensive records.

  British Council visitors to China—Arts, 1983–87

  Companies

  1983–84

  Royal Ballet

  19 Performances, Beijing, Shanghai Guangzhou

  Sir Anton Dolin

  Ballet

  John Alldis

  Master classes, Beijing and Shanghai

  Music Group of London

  Master classes and concerts

  Jane Glover and Martin Isepp

  Master classes

  Sir Michael Tippett and Meirion Bowen

  Simone Michelle

  Dance workshop

  Poster Art Exhibition

  Tuckwell Wind Quintet

  1984–85

  Belinda Wright and Jelko

  Production of "Giselle" with

  Yuresha

  Central Ballet

  Photographic Exhibition

  "The Petroleum Story" (five cities tour)

  Rodney Slatford

  Double bass player

  Royal Ballet School

  Exchange with Central Dance Academy, Beijing

  European Community Youth

  Orchestra

  1985–86

  Albion Wind Quintet

  Music Group of London

  John Alldis

  Choral conductor

  David Glass

  Mime

  Noelle Barker

  Voice specialist

  Royal Ballet School

  Continued exchanges

  John Giorgiardis

  Master classes with the China Youth Orchestra

  1986–87

  Gabrieli Brass Ensemble

  Alberni String Quartet

  Graphics UK Exhibition

  Jane Glover

  Master classes

  Shakespeare Display

  At Shakespeare Festival, Shanghai

  Little Angel Marionette Theatre

  Norman Morrice

  Choreographic workshop

  David Glass

  Mime

  British History Exhibition

  Figures for 1987–88 are not yet available.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Minister for the Arts whether he will list the Chinese arts companies who have performed in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Luce
  [holding answer 29 March 1988]: The following list comprises only those Chinese arts companies which have visited the United Kingdom with grants from
  574
  Visiting Arts. Other companies may have visited under their own funding arrangements. There are no centrally kept comprehensive records.

  Visiting Arts

  Visits to Britain by Chinese arts companies (in receipt of V A grants)

  Year

  Arts group

  Venue

  1983–84

  —

  —

  1984–85

  Chinese National Dance Company

  Billingham Festival

  1985–86

  Two Chinese Musicians

  Appearance with BBC

  Welsh Symphony

  Orchestra at Cardiff

  Festival of Music

  "Theatre du Petit Miroir"

  Prema Project

  Chinese Puppet Theatre

  The Emperors Warriors

  Edinburgh

  Chinese Terracottas

  Exhibition

  1986–87

  Peking Opera

  10 City tour

  Fujian Hand Puppet Co

  Various venues

  A Pictorial History of

  Colchester—Royal

  Chinese Dance—Lecture

  Festival Hall London

  Demonstration and Exhibition

  1987–88

  Zigong Sichwan Opera

  Troupe

  Chinese Picture Stories

  Museum of Modern Art

  Shanghai Kunju Theatre

  Cardiff

  Company

  Rylands Library (Manchester)
  Mr. Robert Sheldon
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what action he proposes to take to ensure that books from the Rylands library in Manchester are retained in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Luce
  I do not control sales from individual libraries. However, any book which has been in this country more than 50 years and which is valued at over £16,000 requires an individual export licence. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has statutory responsibility for export licensing.

  Library Subscription Services
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Minister for the Arts, pursuant to his oral answer to the hon. Member for Hackney, South and Shoreditch (Mr. Sedgemore) of 28 March,Official Report, column 722, how many letters he has received from members of the public saying that they would like libraries to provide subscription services.

  Mr. Luce
  I receive many letters from the public about the public library service either directly or through hon. Members. I regret it is not possible to count and analyse all of them. A significant proportion however recommend the replacement of the present free book loan service by a system of charging, often involving an annual subscription. Some letters, recognising the educational role of the service, have suggested that charges are limited to novels.

  Libraries (Premium Lending Service)
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Minister for the Arts, pursuant to his oral answer to the hon. Member for Hackney, South and Shoreditch (Mr. Sedgemore) of 28 March,Official

  575
  Report, column 722, which library authority recently drew up proposals to set up a premium lending service for newly published novels and biographies.

  Mr. Luce
  It is not my practice to disclose the identity of library authorities that seek my advice in confidence.

  South Bank Arts Estate
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what arrangements are being made for the future of the South Bank arts estate.

  Mr. Luce
  The Chairmen of the Arts Council and of the South Bank board have asked my consent to the setting up of an independent charitable trust to administer the south bank. With the agreement of the Lord President of the Council I have given my consent, to be effective from 1 April 1988. The charitable trust to be known as the South Bank Centre will assume the powers hitherto exercised by the South Bank board as a committee of the Arts Council. The sole trustee of the South Bank Centre will be a public limited company to be called the South Bank Board Limited, and the Arts Council will grant a lease of the south bank estate to that company, in its capacity as trustee, at a nominal rent.

  A report on the discharge of the responsibilities of the South Bank Centre, and its accounts, will be laid before Parliament annually, as provided by section 47 of the Local Government Act, 1985. The Accounts will of course continue to be certified by the Comptroller and Auditor General.

  I have appointed Mr. Ronald Grierson, who is at present chairman of the South Bank board, to be the chairman of the South Bank Centre for three years from 1 April 1988. The other members of the South Bank board have been appointed, with my approval, to be members of the South Bank Board Limited.

  As I undertook in an answer to a question by the hon. Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Banks) on 14 March, at column 432, I shall be placing a copy of the trust deed setting up the South Bank Centre in the Library as soon as it has been executed.

WALES

  Education Maintenance Allowance
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many households are in receipt of an education maintenance allowance for 16 to 19-year-olds in full-time school or further education; what is the average payment; which local education authorities are making such payments; and how many each authority has made in the last financial year.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  Not all of this information is held centrally in the form requested. The only authorities which have reported expenditure on such payments in 1986–87 are Clwyd, Gwent, Mid Glamorgan and Powys.

  Inner Cities
  Mr. Gould
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of his Department's budget is spent in the inner cities.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Separate figures are not readily available for spending in inner city and other urban areas 576
  in Wales. However, the budget or allocations for specific bodies and programmes which concentrate on urban areas for 1987–88 include; the Welsh Development Agency, £77 million; Cardiff Bay Development Corporation, £11·5 million; the urban programme, urban development grant (including URG) and special measures for the South Wales valleys, £32·4 million.

  In addition, expenditure provision for main local authority programmes in Wales makes a significant contribution to spending in urban areas.

  Export Breakfasts
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much of the £29,488 spent on his two Welsh export breakfasts was spent, respectively, on(a) the equipment, (b) the road crews, (c) the speakers and (d) the presenter.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Following the competitive tender, the contract for the two breakfast time export seminars was given to the Central Office of Information and much of the work was subcontracted. Details of the costs of the various elements of the work are commercially confidential.

  Press Office
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the annual cost, at constant prices, since 1985 of his Department's press office; and what is the planned future budget provision for 1988–89.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Expressed in real terms as measured by the GDP deflator at market prices using 1986–87 as the base year. the information requested is as follows:

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  £ Thousands

  £ Thousands

  £ Thousands

  £ Thousands

  145

  147

  154

  156

  Forestry
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy that grant money will not be paid by his Department, or through the Forestry Commission, in respect of its activities in Wales, for schemes whereby broadleaf forests are replaced by confier forests.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  There is already a strong presumption in operation against the payment of grants for the conversion of broadleaved forests to conifer forests.

  House Condition Survey
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to publish the Welsh house condition survey.

  Mr. Grist
  On 6 May.

  Local Authority Services (Competition)
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the results of the consultation exercise undertaken in November 1987 on competition in the provision of local authority services.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  All responses to the consultation exercise have now been carefully considered. As a result I
  577
  propose to make the following changes to the initial proposals circulated in the consultation document. These take account of the fact that a decision on the possibility of adding sport and leisure management to the list of defined activities has not yet been taken, and therefore, if this activity is added by order, some delay in implementing competition for it is inevitable.

  1. The initial implementation date will be deferred from 1 April to 1 August 1989, with the second phase of implementation starting on 1 January 1990 and so on thereafter.

  2. The implementation of ground maintenance competition will be by five annual tranches of 20 per cent. instead of six monthly tranches of 10 per cent. as originally proposed. The initial implementation date for ground maintenance will be 1 January 1990.

  3. Refuse collection has been separated from other cleaning such as street cleaning, thus enabling authorities to let these activities on a different time scale from each other.

  4. The implementation of school and welfare catering and building cleaning will be separated by at least one year. This will reduce the burden on education authorities in the implementation of school catering and school building cleaning competition.

  Those local authorities which responded to the consultation exercise were content with the grouping of local authorities for implementation purposes detailed in the consultation document. As a result, I do not intend to make any changes. Nor do I intend to change the £100,000 "de minimis" level suggested in the document, below which work carried out by authorities is exempt from competition.

  I have arranged for copies of a revised schedule arising from the proposed changes, giving details of phasing in of competition by authority, date and activitiy, to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Foreign Investment
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the number of foreign-owned plants established each year in Wales since 1983, and the number in each zone which have been closed down since 1983;

  Manufacturing units in Wales 1986

  Gross Value Added as a percentage of gross output

  Payments to ATC's as a percentage of gross output

  Payments to Operatives as a percentage of gross output

  Payments to ATC's in pounds per head

  Payments to Operatives in pounds per head pounds per head

  (per cent.)

  (per cent.)

  (per cent.)

  (pounds)

  (pounds)

  All units

  31·0

  5·0

  9·9

  10,960

  8,181

  Japanese-owned units

  18·8

  3·0

  6·0

  8,979

  6,659

  All United Kingdom units classified:

  "Electronic consumer goods and other electronic equipment not elsewhere specified"·

  16·6

  4·6

  5·3

  10,304

  6,527

  Source: Annual Census of Production, 1986.

  Notes:

  ATC = Administrative, technical and clerical staff. These payments have been used to indicate salaries, and payments to operatives to indicate wages.

  The third line of figures is a more appropriate comparison for Japanese-owned units in Wales since the category is the dominant one for these units.
  578
  (2) if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for each year since 1983 the number of new plants established in Wales by foreign-owned firms which were not already manufacturing in other countries in the United Kingdom and the total numbers now employed in such plants compared to the numbers employed in 1983.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  [holding answer 29 March 1988]: The number of new plants and major new developments and expansions by overseas companies commenced during the period 1983 to 1987 were as follows:

  Number

  1983

  21

  1984

  45

  1985

  43

  1986

  36

  1987

  52

  TOTAL

  197

  In addition to this investment, a further 17 companies were acquired by overseas investors during the period.

  Of the six plants which subsequently closed, three were located in Gwent, and one each in the counties of Gwynedd, Mid Glamorgan and South Glamorgan. In 1987 plants established by foreign firms since 1983, and still open, employed 3,500 as compared with 100 in 1983. However, it is not possible to say which of these firms were already manufacturing elsewhere in the United Kingdom without incurring disproportionate costs.

  Manufacturing
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for manufacturing plants in Wales generally and for those which are owned by Japanese firms(a) the gross value added as a percentage of gross output, (b) wages and salaries, respectively, as a percentage of gross output, and (c) average wages and salaries, respectively, per head.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  [holding answer 29 March 1988]: The information is given in the following table:

  Consultancy Contracts
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by his Department in 1987, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  [holding answer 30 March 1988]: The following centrally managed contracts were awarded by my Department in 1987.

  Firm

  Subject of assignment

  Inbucon Management Consultants Ltd.

  Financial, management and policy review of the National Museum of Wales

  Frank Griffiths Associates

  Review of Departmental Purchasing

  R. A. Pengclly

  Review of Welsh Dental Advisory Committee

  Burgoynes Consultants

  Atlantic Trading Estate and Barry Dock Public Inquiry

  It is not possible to identify without disproportionate costs management or computer consultancy contracts awarded in respect of projects not centrally managed.

  Nurses
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a table showing(a) the establishment figures, (b) the funded establishment figures and (c) the in-post figures of each health authority in Wales for the following nursing grades: regional nursing officer 1 and 2, regional nurse 1 and 2, district nursing officer grades 1 to 7, director of nursing services grades 1 + to 6, senior nurse grades 1 + to 8, sister I, sister II, health visitor, deputy nursing sister, staff nurse, senior enrolled nurse, enrolled nurse and nursing auxiliary/assistant; and if he will publish, for each grade category, the number of employees in full-time posts, the number of part-time employees and the whole-time equivalent of those part-time employees.

  Mr. Grist
  [holding answer 30 March 1988]: Only information regarding staff in post is available centrally and is given in the following table (as at 30 September 1987).

  Part-time

  Health authority/Grade

  Whole-time number

  Number

  Whole-time equivalent

  Clwyd

  Chief administrative nursing officer1

  1

  —

  —

  Director of nursing services grades 1+ to 6

  5

  —

  —

  Senior nurses grades 1+ to 8

  133

  2

  0·9

  Sister I

  17

  1

  0·8

  Sister II

  480

  45

  29·4

  Health visitor

  59

  15

  8·3

  Deputy nursing sister

  3

  37

  28·6

  Staff nurse2

  547

  390

  245·6

  Senior enrolled nurse2

  Enrolled nurse

  494

  316

  208·8

  Nursing auxiliary/assistant and NNEB's3

  443

  584

  412·5

  East Dyfed

  580

  Part-time

  Health authority/Grade

  Whole-time number

  Number

  Whole-time equivalent

  Chief administrative nursing officer1

  —

  —

  —

  Director of nursing services grades 1+ to 6

  4

  —

  —

  Senior nurses grades 1+ to 8

  53

  —

  —

  Sister I

  19

  —

  —

  Sister II

  324

  40

  27·1

  Health visitor

  46

  10

  5·0

  Deputy nursing sister

  —

  —

  —

  Staff nurse 2

  271

  273

  150·4

  Senior enrolled nurse2

  Enrolled nurse

  276

  268

  155·3

  Nursing auxiliary/assistant and NNEB's3

  383

  333

  213·3

  Pembrokeshire

  Chief administrative nursing officer1

  1

  —

  —

  Director of nursing services grades 1+ to 6

  —

  —

  —

  Senior nurses grades 1+ to 8

  17

  —

  —

  Sister I

  3

  —

  —

  Sister II

  103

  27

  20·2

  581

  Part-time

  Health authority/Grade

  Whole-time number

  Number

  Whole-time equivalent

  Enrolled nurse

  663

  658

  413·0

  Nursing auxiliary/assistant and NNEB's3

  850

  820

  537·8

  Powys

  Chief administrative nursing officer1

  1

  —

  —

  Director of nursing services grades 1+ to 6

  3

  —

  —

  Senior nurse grades 1+ to 8

  23

  —

  —

  Sister I

  10

  —

  —

  Sister II

  179

  70

  40·0

  Health visitor

  22

  9

  5·2

  Deputy nursing sister

  2

  —

  —

  Staff nurse2

  70

  101

  43·3

  Senior enrolled nurse2

  70

  101

  43·3

  Enrolled nurse

  163

  122

  64·5

  Nursing auxiliary/assistant and NNEB's3

  174

  355

  228·3

  South Glamorgan

  Chief administrative nursing officer1

  1

  —

  —

  Director of nursing services grades 1 + to 6

  5

  —

  —

  Senior nurse grades 1+ to 8

  114

  2

  1·3

  Sister I

  5

  —

  —

  Sister II

  571

  171

  105·3

  Health visitor

  66

  44

  23·7

  Deputy nursing sister

  1

  25

  18·4

  Staff nurse2

  738

  493

  260·3

  Senior enrolled nurse2

  Enrolled nurse

  531

  356

  210·3

  Nursing auxiliary/assistant and NNEB's3

  689

  1,018

  641·3

  West Glamorgan

  Chief administrative nursing officer1

  1

  —

  —

  Director of nursing services grades 1+ to 6

  5

  —

  —

  Senior nurse grades 1 + to 8

  77

  —

  —

  Sister I

  9

  —

  —

  Sister II

  511

  34

  20·9

  Health visitor

  67

  18

  8·7

  Deputy nursing sister

  3

  —

  —

  Staff nurse2

  610

  580

  333·5

  Senior enrolled nurse2

  Enrolled nurse

  429

  423

  260·4

  Nursing auxiliary/asssistant and NNEB's3

  301

  476

  331·4

  1 This is the highest in Welsh Health Authorities and is equivalent to a district nursing officer in England·

  2 It is not possible to give a reliable split between these two grades·

  3 NNEB's are staff holding the Certificate of the National Nursery Examination Board·

  Hospital Beds
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the number of beds available in Wales in each specialty in(a) 1979 and (b) for the last year for which figures are available; and if he will give the percentage increase or decrease.

  Mr. Grist
  [holding answer 30 March 1988]: The information is given in the following table:
  582

  Average daily available beds

  Specialty

  1979

  1986

  Percentage2

  General medicine

  1,620·6

  1,697·0

  + 4·7

  Paediatrics

  513·8

  473·1

  - 7·9

  Infectious diseases

  92·6

  19·3

  -79·2

  Diseases of the chest

  725·8

  231·2

  -68·1

  Dermatology

  135·3

  131·6

  - 2·7

  Neurology

  79·1

  72·7

  - 8·1

  Cardiology

  53·7

  50·6

  - 5·8

  Physical medicine/Rehabilitation

  76·0

  66·8

  -12·1

  Sexually transmitted diseases

  4·0

  1·5

  -62·5

  Rheumatology

  69·7

  91·4

  +31·1

  Geriatrics

  4,090·2

  4,164·8

  +1·8

  Younger disabled

  37·2

  33·5

  - 9·9

  General surgery

  1,873·0

  1,768·7

  - 5·6

  Ear, nose and throat

  360·5

  340·1

  - 5·7

  Traumatic & orthopaedic surgery

  1,379·4

  1,281·5

  - 7·1

  Ophthalmology

  266·9

  240·0

  -10·1

  Radiotherapy

  140·1

  166·2

  +18·6

  Urology

  98·9

  158·9

  +60·7

  Plastic surgery

  78·4

  90·3

  +15·2

  Thoracic surgery

  36·5

  19·0

  -47·9

  Dental surgery

  63·2

  74·0

  +17·1

  Neurosurgery

  66·2

  83·5

  +26·1

  Gynaecology

  686·2

  654·2

  - 4·7

  Obstetrics

  981·9

  9110

  - 7·2

  Special care baby unit

  237·3

  220·7

  - 7·0

  Mental illness children

  37·0

  30·1

  -18·6

  Mental handicap

  2,484·9

  2,089·4

  -15·9

  Mental illness

  5,263·9

  4,210·4

  -20·0

  Adolescent psychiatry

  45·5

  32·0

  -29·7

  Pre-convalsecent

  303·9

  168·0

  - 44·7

  General practitioner—maternity

  187·4

  117·2

  -37·5

  General practitioner—medical

  9085

  1,019·4

  +12·2

  General practitioner—dental

  0·1

  0·1

  0·0

  Unclassified

  52·0

  27·5

  -47·1

  Staff wards

  11·4

  1·3

  -88·6

  Intensive therapy units

  17·3

  81·1

  +368·8

  Renal dialysis

  4·0

  21·1

  -427·5

  Burns surgery

  36·0

  34·7

  -3·6

  Short stay unit

  11·2

  38·9

  -247·3

  Cardiac surgery

  15·9

  23·3

  -46·5

  Psycho-geriatric

  184·7

  458·2

  +148·1

  Chronic sick

  4·3

  8·0

  +86·0

  Haematology

  17·7

  58·9

  +232·8

  Continuing care (cancer)

  8·3

  34·3

  +313·3

  Medical Research Council

  9·8

  8·1

  -17·3

  Spina bifida unit

  11·5

  11·6

  +0·9

  Polish patients

  —

  74·0

  n·a·

  Elderly mentally infirm

  10·0

  10-0

  0·0

  Pain clinic

  —

  2·2

  n·a·

  Programmed investigation unit

  —

  3·1

  n·a·

  Coronary care

  —

  13·2

  n·a·

  War pensioners

  56·7

  19·8

  -65·1

  High dependency unit

  —

  10·0

  n·a·

  Spinal injuries

  —

  39·1

  n·a·

  Miners treatment centre

  7·3

  —

  -100·0

  Total1

  23,456·1

  21,686·2

  -7·5

  1 Individual specialty figures may not add to total due to rounding·

  2 Increase/decrease·

  n.a. Not applicable.

  Mink Farms
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to ensure that all mink farms in Wales comply with the terms of the Mink Keeping Order 1987; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  [holding answer 30 March 1988]: The Mink (Keeping) Order 1987, prohibits the keeping of mink on certain offshore islands of Great Britain and in certain areas of Scotland and prohibits the keeping of mink in the rest of Great Britain except under licence. Any new premises to he used as a mink farm are inspected after an application for a licence is received or if it becomes known that mink are being kept in captivity. In considering an application for a licence my officials would wish to be satisfied that the mink are to be kept in the manner prescribed in the Mink (Keeping) Regulations, 1975, as amended. Any other relevant factors would also be taken into account including the likely impact on farming and wildlife if mink were to escape from captivity. Licences are valid for a period of up to 12 months. There are powers of revocation.

ENERGY

  Inner Cities
  Mr. Gould
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what proportion of the energy programme is spent in the inner cities.

  Mr. Parkinson
  This information is not available in the form required.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if, in the light of the new £250 limit on resourcing the answers to parliamentary questions, he will review all replies given since June 1987 that gave no substantive answer on the grounds that such were only possible at disproportionate cost, to ascertain whether substantive replies may now be given following the resource increase.

  Mr. Parkinson
  No.

  Ministerial Interview
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will seek to obtain from the BBC copyright permission to place in his departmental library a copy of the interview on the Radio Four "Today" programme broadcast on 28 March, with the hon. Member for Worcestershire, South (Mr. Spicer) the Under-Secretary of State, on opportunities for United States commercial investment in the privatised United Kingdom nuclear programme.

  Mr. Parkinson
  No. I understand that the Library of the House does obtain transcripts from the broadcasters on behalf of hon. Members.

  Power Station Statistics
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the uranium charge of each operating Magnox and advanced gas-cooled reactor in the United Kingdom; what will be the expected figure for the pressurised water reactor 584
  plants to be constructed; and how much plutonium he estimates will be produced by each during the effective life of the stations.

  Mr. Parkinson
  For the uranium charges for Magnox and advanced gas-cooled reactors, I refer the hon. Member to the reply by the hon. Member for Midlothian (Mr. Eadie) to my hon. Friend the Member for Bedfordshire, North (Sir T. Skeet) on 14 December 1977 at column 218. I understand that the core of a pressurised water reactor of the type under construction at Sizewell B requires approximately 500 tonnes of natural uranium in its manufacture.

  The lifetime production of plutonium during the life of any nuclear station is dependent on its load factor and assumed lifetime. In evidence to the Sizewell inquiry, a copy of which has been placed in the House Library, British Nuclear Fuels plc estimated that the total lifetime production of plutonium from the United Kingdom's civil Magnox and advanced gas-cooled stations will amount to some 78 tonnes. The amount of plutonium produced by a PWR station similar to Sizewell B during its lifetime was estimated to be about 8 tonnes.

  Nuclear Waste
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, assuming that no fuel elements were reprocessed in the United Kingdom, what accumulated tonnage of untreated nuclear fuel elements would have to be stored; and on the basis of reprocessing, what tonnage of waste will have accumulated in the United Kingdom by 1991, taking into account all types of operating nuclear power plants.

  Mr. Parkinson
  Spent fuel currently stored under water in the United Kingdom will have to be reprocessed for safety reasons. Details on the volumes of raw wastes arising from reprocessing to the year 2029 were published in the eighth annual report of the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee. This is available in the House Library. The relevant table is table 5, appendix F.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what was the total throughput of spent Magnox fuel, expressed in terms of uranium content, which was reprocessed at BNFL Sellafield in each year from 1979 to 1987, by financial year;

  (2) what was the total throughput of spent Magnox fuel, expressed in terms of uranium content, which was reprocessed at the Windscale reprocessing works in each financial year from 1963–64 to 1969–70;

  (3) what was the total throughput of spent Magnox fuel, expressed in terms of uranium content, which was reprocessed at the BNFL Sellafield in each of the financial years 1977–78 and 1978–79.

  Mr. Parkinson
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Member for Eddisbury (Mr. Goodlad) to the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Mr. Smith) on 11 December 1985 at columns 638–39, to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Member for Worcestershire, South (Mr. Spicer) to the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) on 1 February 1988 at columns 473—74, and the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Colne Valley (Mr. Riddick) on 16 December 1987 at column 516.
  585
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, what is his estimate of the likely stockpiling of plutonium resulting from reprocessing spent nuclear fuel from United Kingdom reactors over the next 10 years.

  Mr. Parkinson
  Production of plutonium from reprocessing of irradiated fuel from United Kingdom civil magnox reactors is expected to continue at a rate of 1·5 to 2 tonnes per year for the next 10 years. Reprocessing of irradiated fuel from United Kingdom AGR reactors, which is expected to commence in the 1990s is expected to produce up to 5 tonnes of plutonium over the next 10 years.

  Bradwell Reactor
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what are the implications for other electricity board Magnox reactors on the grid of the decision to close the Central Electricity Generating Board Magnox reactor at Bradwell; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Parkinson
  The Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate has listed a number of measures that the Central Electricity Generating Board will need to take to allow continued operation of the Bradwell reactors after certain dates. I understand that the CEGB is considering what action to take: no decision to close Bradwell has been taken. Work on long-term safety reviews of other Magnox reactors is in hand and the NII's decisions on these will be announced in due course.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Industry Regeneration (Lewisham)
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will put forward proposals to regenerate industry in Lewisham.

  Mr. Atkins
  Industry in Lewisham, as elsewhere, stands to benefit from all we are doing to create a climate that stimulates enterprise, cuts red tape, encourages healthy competition and expands markets for British products and services. The business consultancy scheme which we launched earlier this year, under the enterprise initiative, can help small and medium-sized firms improved their performance and profitability. Lewisham is an urban programme area with a programme of £1·95 million proposed for 1988–89. As a result of this status, eligible companies there qualify for the higher rate of assistance under the enterprise initiative and may also submit projects for city grant. The borough was also the finishing point this year for our national US roadshow, offering detailed guidance on the United States' market to local exporters.

  British Steel (Privatisation)
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what progress has been made in the preparations for the privatisation of British Steel.

  Mr. Atkins
  The British Steel Bill is currently in Committee. Other preparations for privatisation are also proceeding, and a number of Government advisers have been appointed.

  Manufacturing Industry (Exchange Rate)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what assessment he has made of the effects of a high exchange rate on British manufacturing industry; and what is his expectation of the effect on Anglo-German trade in manufactured goods of a sustained exchange rate of the pound sterling equalling over 3 deutschmarks.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The exchange rate is only one of many factors affecting performance in manufacturing, as Germany's experience confirms. The outlook for United Kingdom manufacturing output, investment and exports generally is one of continuing growth. Our improved performance in areas such as quality, design, and reliability is particularly relevant to the demands of the German market.

  Inner Cities
  Mr. Gould
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what proportion of the trade and industry programme is spent in the inner cities.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  My Department plans to spend £1,250 million in 1988–89. All its programmes take account as appropriate of the needs of the inner cities. Inner cities will in particular benefit from the enhanced rate of support for business development consultancies under the enterprise initiative. But it is not possible in every case to identify that proportion of the budget which is spent in the inner cities. However expenditure by the inner cities unit and grant in aid for English Estates new managed workshop programme are solely directed at inner city areas and this will amount to £27 million in 1988–89.

  Mr. Gould
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) if he will list in the Official Report which wards of which local authorities he treats as part of the inner cities;

  (2) which local authorities, or parts of local authorities, are covered by the inner cities;

  (3) which areas of the United Kingdom are not eligible for assistance under the action for cities programme.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The areas for action for most of the cities programmes are shown in the map in the "Action for Cities" document, copies of which have been placed in the Library and Vote Office, and distributed to Members of the House with urban constituencies. Some programmes or initiatives, such as the urban development corporations, urban programme, enterprise zones, and inner city task forces, operate within precisely defined boundaries. For urban programme purposes, priority areas are either formally defined, in the case of partnership areas, or agreed with local authorities in order to target resources through inner area programmes. Urban programme areas are also used to target some other forms of support including special assistance under the enterprise initiative. Support through other programmes, such as housing association grant and estate action is available more widely, but is concentrated in inner cities.

  Mr. Gould
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will give for each inner city area, and for inner cities in total, the population, employment, unemployment, child population, school population and pensioner population.
  587
  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Figures are available only for urban programme areas and not for any other definition of inner city areas. Those figures are shown in the tables. Table 1 gives the latest available estimates of numbers of employees, taken from the September 1984 census of employment. The results of the September 1987 census are expected to become available next year. Table 2 gives estimated district level unemployment percentage rates for November 1987, using 1981 census data on population as the denominator. Table 3 gives the usually resident self-employed population aged over 16, drawn from the 1981 census. Table 4 gives OPCS population estimates for mid 1986, broken down (i) for under 15s, (ii) for those of pensionable age.

  Employees in employment:1 September 1984

  Local authority district2

  Number (thousands)

  Birmingham

  473·9

  Hackney

  79·9

  Islington

  114·5

  Lambeth

  129·1

  Liverpool

  219·7

  Manchester

  270·0

  Salford

  89·1

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  152·1

  Gateshead

  67·5

  Barnsley

  73·0

  Blackburn

  55·4

  Bolton

  87·9

  Bradford

  173·6

  Brent

  97·4

  Bristol

  197·6

  Burnley

  33·1

  Coventry

  124·7

  Derby

  106·2

  Doncaster

  94·8

  Dudley

  92·9

  Greenwich

  64·8

  Halton

  41·8

  Hammersmith

  77·2

  Haringey

  58·4

  Hartlepool

  29·0

  Kensington and Chelsea

  83·6

  Kingston upon Hull

  105·4

  Kirklees

  121·5

  Knowsley

  53·5

  Langhaurgh

  44·2

  Leeds

  294·7

  Leicester

  159·5

  Lewisham

  59·6

  Middlesbrough

  50·0

  Newham

  68·3

  North Tyneside

  63·7

  Nottingham

  156·2

  Oldham

  69·4

  Plymouth

  94·8

  Preston

  66·6

  Rochdale

  68·9

  Rotherham

  77·1

  St· Helens

  59·4

  Sandwell

  129·1

  Sefton

  79·7

  Sheffield

  218·0

  South Tyneside

  42·6

  Southwark

  130·7

  Stockton-on-Tees

  60·4

  Sunderland

  94·4

  The Wrekin

  42·6

  Tower Hamlets

  81·1

  Walsall

  102·5

  Wandsworth

  83·3

  Wigan

  85·7

  Wirral

  88·1

  588

  Local authority district2

  Number (thousands)

  Wolverhampton

  101·6

  Total all 57 districts

  6,040,100

  1 The figures exclude the self employed and members of Her Majesty's forces·

  2 The districts are defined in terms of ward boundaries as at 1984

  District level unemployment: percentage rates

  per cent.

  Birmingham

  15·85

  Hackney

  21·06

  Islington

  17·57

  Lambeth

  16·65

  Liverpool

  20·98

  Manchester

  19·01

  Salford

  13·44

  Newcastle

  16·87

  Gateshead

  13·61

  Barnsley

  15·01

  Blackburn

  11·46

  Bolton

  11·39

  Bradford

  11·61

  Brent

  11·63

  Bristol

  10·95

  Burnley

  94·8

  Coventry

  13·85

  Derby

  12·46

  Doncaster

  15·86

  Dudley

  10·49

  Greenwich

  11·57

  Halton

  16·05

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  13·80

  Haringey

  14·35

  Hartlepool

  17·35

  Kensington and Chelsea

  11·20

  Kingston upon Hull

  16·74

  Kirklees

  9·36

  Knowsley

  19·71

  Langbaurgh

  16·28

  Leeds

  10·50

  Leicester

  11·47

  Lewisham

  13·00

  Middlesbrough

  19·44

  Newham

  14·27

  North Tyneside

  13·46

  Nottingham

  15·56

  Oldham

  10·10

  Plymouth

  12·09

  Preston

  10·96

  Rochdale

  10·92

  Rotherham

  14·65

  St. Helens

  13·87

  Sandwell

  14·00

  Sefton

  12·88

  Sheffield

  14·82

  South Tyneside

  17·54

  Southwark

  17·26

  Stockton on Tees

  15·38

  Sunderland

  17·67

  The Wrekin

  14·25

  Tower Hamlets

  20·28

  Walsall

  12·16

  Wandsworth

  9·90

  Wigan

  12·34

  Wirral

  14·38

  Wolverhampton

  15·50

  Usually resident population aged 16+

  Self-employed

  District

  Number

  Birmingham

  25,035

  Hackney

  6,438

  589

  District

  Number

  Islington

  6,740

  Lambeth

  9,078

  Liverpool

  10,543

  Manchester

  11,341

  Salford

  6,637

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  6,147

  Gateshead

  4,207

  Barnsley

  5,521

  Blackburn

  4,969

  Bolton

  9,483

  Bradford

  15,901

  Brent

  12,061

  Bristol

  12,163

  Burnley

  3,324

  Coventry

  7,288

  Derby

  5,141

  Doncaster

  7,615

  Dudley

  9,355

  Greenwich

  6,371

  Halton

  2,197

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  6,933

  Haringey

  9,503

  Hartlepool

  1,877

  Kensington and Chelsea

  9,433

  Kingston upon Hull

  4,763

  Kirklees

  13,401

  Knowsley

  2,755

  Langbaurgh

  2,979

  Leeds

  23,026

  Leicester

  8,175

  Lewisham

  7,781

  Middlesbrough

  2,582

  Newham

  5,744

  North Tyneside

  4,613

  Nottingham

  6,373

  Oldham

  8,007

  Plymouth

  6,868

  Preston

  4,334

  Rochdale

  7,534

  Rotherham

  5,892

  St. Helens

  4,265

  Sandwell

  6,381

  Sefton

  10,295

  Sheffield

  14,222

  South Tyneside

  3,060

  Southwark

  6,510

  Stockton-on-Tees

  3,508

  Sunderland

  5,587

  The Wrekin

  3,569

  Tower Hamlets

  4,853

  Walsall

  7,883

  Wandsworth

  10,631

  Wigan

  9,028

  Wirral

  9,882

  Wolverhampton

  6,318

  Total

  436,120

  Source: 1981 Census of Population.

  Mid-1986 Population Estimates (OPCS)

  (Thousands)

  Local Authority Area

  Total Population

  Age Group

  0–15

  60–65+

  Birmingham

  1,004·1

  219·4

  177·0

  Hackney

  187·1

  41·6

  30·0

  Islington

  168·0

  30·9

  28·1

  Lambeth

  245·0

  47·1

  40·1

  Liverpool

  483·0

  99·0

  92·1

  Manchester

  451·4

  92·6

  81·7

  Salford

  239·3

  48·7

  46·1

  Newcastle

  281·4

  54·2

  54·9

  Gateshead

  207·3

  40·7

  38·9

  Barnsley

  222·2

  46·4

  39·4

  Blackburn

  139·1

  33·5

  24·0

  590

  Local Authority Area

  Total Population

  Age Group

  0–15

  60–65 +

  Bolton

  261·6

  58·8

  45·1

  Bradford

  463·1

  108·5

  78·9

  Brent

  255·7

  51·8

  39·9

  Bristol

  391·5

  74·7

  76·9

  Burnley

  88·2

  19·5

  16·3

  Coventry

  310·4

  66·2

  54·4

  Derby

  216·2

  46·5

  38·9

  Doncaster

  289·3

  61·7

  47·8

  Dudley

  300·9

  60·2

  50·8

  Greenwich

  217·8

  46·3

  38·5

  Halton

  123·2

  30·1

  17·6

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  150·8

  25·6

  26·8

  Haringey

  196·1

  38·8

  30·8

  Hartlepool

  90·7

  19·6

  15·2

  Kensington and Chelsea

  137·4

  19·7

  21·7

  Kingston upon Hull

  258·0

  56·6

  47·0

  Kirklees

  376·6

  82·3

  65·6

  Knowsley

  163·8

  39·6

  23·1

  Langbaurgh

  146·8

  32·6

  22·9

  Leeds

  710·9

  142·7

  131·4

  Leicester

  281·1

  63·9

  49·4

  Lewisham

  232·0

  45·6

  43·6

  Middlesbrough

  144·3

  43·8

  22·5

  Newham

  205·2

  46·6

  32·9

  North Tyneside

  192·3

  37·8

  38·2

  Nottingham

  277·8

  57·1

  50·4

  Oldham

  220·0

  48·7

  38·4

  Plymouth

  256·0

  52·4

  44·4

  Preston

  125·0

  26·8

  23·5

  Rochdale

  206·6

  47·6

  33·8

  Rotherham

  2521

  54·8

  40·9

  St· Helens

  187·9

  39·9

  31·0

  Sandwell

  301·1

  63·5

  55·9

  Sefton

  298·0

  59·8

  57·9

  Sheffield

  534·3

  97·9

  1079

  South Tyneside

  156·9

  30·7

  30·7

  Southwark

  216·0

  42·5

  40·6

  Stockton on Tees

  175·8

  39·5

  25·3

  Sunderland

  297·7

  65·6

  48·0

  The Wrekin

  130·2

  30·8

  18·4

  Tower Hamlets

  152·8

  33·6

  25·3

  Walsall

  261·8

  55·6

  42·5

  Wandsworth

  257·1

  47·0

  45·9

  Wigan

  306·6

  66·2

  50·1

  Wirral

  334·8

  69·7

  65·1

  Wolverhampton

  251·9

  54·0

  44·8

  Mr. Gould
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) what was the expenditure of each Department in the inner cities in each year since 1978–79;

  (2) what was the expenditure of each Department on the inner cities planned for 1988–89; and what is the estimated outcome for 1986–87 and 1987–88;

  (3) if he will state the expenditure for 1988–89 and all the years of the public expenditure White Paper spent by each Department as part of the inner cities programme.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Information on inner city expenditure by Departments is not available on a consistent basis before 1988–89. Final decisions have not been taken on the proportion of planned expenditure which will be directed to inner cities for later years of the public expenditure survey. My right hon. Friends are responding individually to the hon. Member on the proportion of their Department's expenditure directed at inner cities. We estimate that some £3,000 million will be directed to the inner cities through the programme and initiatives described in the "Action for Cities" document, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Peter Luff
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will specify what steps he has taken to ensure that the departmental duties of the special adviser, Mr. Peter Luff, are not compromised by the investigation of his former employers by his Department into possible illegal takeover conduct; and when these steps were taken.

  Mr. Butcher
  It has been established practice, followed in Mr. Luff's case, that special advisers should not at any time have access to information about companies for whom they worked.

  Export Credits Guarantee Department
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will reinstate Export Credits Guarantee Department cover to Nicaragua; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Cover is available for short term business (up to 180 days credit) subject to the security of confirmed irrevocable letters of credit. The position on cover for medium-term business is kept under review.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which Central and South American countries are currently covered by the Export Credits Guarantee Department.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Some cover is currently available, subject in some cases to payment security, for all Central and South American countries except Argentina.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when Nicaragua ceased to be covered by the Export Credits Guarantee Department; and how long cover had been provided prior to its cessation.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Medium-term cover for Nicaragua was withdrawn in October 1978 because of the economic problems caused by the war and the acute shortage of foreign exchange. Prior to that date such cover had been available over a continuous period. Short-term cover (up to 80 days) remain available subject to the security of confirmed irrevocable letters of credit.

  Fida 88 Exhibition, Chile
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what level of support was given to British companies exhibiting at Fida 88 in Chile; and what companies were involved.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The Government provided no financial support for companies exhibiting at the Fida trade fair.

  Action for Cities Initiative
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he expects to hold the first working breakfast in his action for cities initiative; and what is the location.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The first working breakfast following the announcement of the Government's action for cities initiative will be held at Newcastle on Wednesday 13 April 1988.

  EC Countries
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many committees have been established under the process of unifying standards throughout the European Community, on which subjects and how many of the chairmen are British.

  Mr. Butcher
  Standardisation in Europe is carried out by two bodies — the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) for non-electrical products, and the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation (CENELEC) for electrical products.

  According to our latest information, CEN has 90 technical committees, of which 11 are chaired by the United Kingdom, while CENELEC has 44 technical committees of which 11 are chaired by the United Kingdom.

  Letter Post
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what progress has been made by the Post Office in the implementation of the recommendations made in the Monopolies and Mergers Commission's report on the letter post service; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The Monopolies and Mergers Commission's report on the letter post service of the Post Office in the head post office areas of Glasgow, Belfast and Cardiff and in the numbered London postal districts (Cmnd. 9332) was published in September 1984. The report made 78 recommendations covering quality of service, financial control, costing and forecasting, mechanisation and manpower and industrial relations. Of the 78 recommendations, 76 were accepted by the Post Office. The Commission was also asked to include in its report a view on whether the Post Office was pursuing a course of conduct which operated against the public interest. It concluded that it must suspend judgment on this since so much depended on what was achieved in the following years.

  The Post Office has now produced its three-year report on progress in implementing the MMC's recommendations and I am placing copies in the Library of the House. The Post Office reports that it has implemented the great majority of the 76 recommendations it accepted.

  There are still certain recommendations where further work is required, several of which the Post Office declared at the outset would take longer to implement, and my Department will continue to monitor progress. The Post Office reports eight recommendations as still undischarged. One of these recommendations, that the Post Office should seek to increase post code usage to 70 per cent. of all mail, has been accomplished since the Post Office reported on progress in September. Of the remainder, three concern the establishment of standard times and costs and a productivity scheme based on standard times. This is an area in which the Post Office has experienced many industrial relations problems, but I am glad to say the work measurement scheme is now proceeding well and I understand that the new bonus scheme introduced as part of the agreement concluded between the Post Office and its unions in December on a shorter working week will form a better basis for the introduction of a full standard-based scheme.

  The other recommendations which remain undischar-ged concern quality of service, the introduction of a

  593
  computerised system for manpower statistics, the computerisation of the system for recording and notifying weights of airmail bags and the replacement of sorting machines at the Post Office's foreign section with modern equipment. While there has been an improvement in quality of service since the report was made, both in the intra-London service and nationally, it is disappointing that the Post Office has continued to fail to meet its targets. As the Post Office comments in its progress report, a factor in this has undoubtedly been the high level of unofficial industrial disputes in recent years. On the other recommendations, although there are plans for their implementation, it is disappointing that the introduction of the new systems and machinery required has been so long delayed.

  There are also several recommendations recorded as discharged, particularly those relating to the introduction of better costing information for management, on which, while I acknowledge that the Post Office has done much towards carrying out the MMC's recommendations, further long-term work remains to be done. I shall continue to monitor progress in all these areas.

  I do, however, acknowledge and welcome the significant progress that has been made over the three years since the MMC reported, particularly in the introduction of mechanisation and improved working methods. It was largely because of failure to implement recommendations in these areas made in its 1980 report on the inner London letter post that the MMC was led to conclude that it should suspend judgment on the question whether the Post Office was operating against the public interest. I also acknowledge the Post Office's creditable track record over the period in terms of price control, growth in business, profitability and employment creation.

  Consultancy Contracts
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by his Department in 1987, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment.

  Mr. Butcher
  [holding answer 30 March 1988]: The following is the list for the 1987 calendar year:
  Human Resource Development Ltd.— Footwear Industry Study.
  Technical Change Centre—The success of R & D projects.
  Admiral Management Services Ltd., Software Sciences Ltd. —Commercial Computer Security work.
  Patrick Associates—Vanguard Awareness.
  Computer Sciences Co. Ltd. — Patent Office Computer project.
  General Technology Systems Ltd. — Co-ord of IT programmes.
  Metron Technology Ltd.—Computer Capacity Planning.
  PA Technology (Cambridge)—Study of Industrial Growth Industry.
  GEC Transportation Projects Ltd.—Transport study.
  Software Sciences Ltd.—Computer study.
  Coopers & Lybrand Associates — Effectiveness of Innovation centres.
  National Computing Centre Ltd.—Starts Programme.
  Expertech Ltd.—Expert Systems Feasibility.
  C. M. I. (UK) Ltd.—Study of management, education and training.
  A. S. I. UK Ltd.
  National Computing Centre Ltd.—Information Systems.
  John Drew Tucker Associates—High Definition Television.
  P A Technology (Cambridge) — Advice on Inner Cities initiative.
  Price Waterhouse Associates—Organisational studies.
  594
  Agriconsult—Safety study: Fire resistance.
  Best Grange Ltd.—Efficient Ship programme.
  Admiral Computing Group — Software Standards & Quality advice.
  Organisation and System Innovation Ltd. — Application Study
  FRH Associates—Intelligent Knowledge based systems
  Taylor Nelson Applied Futures — Home of the future project
  AMP Systems Ltd.—Company Information Database
  Sherington Software Ltd.—Trade Fairs Computer Schemes
  Concurrent Computer Corporation Ltd. — Capacity plan-ning study
  PA Computers and Telecommunications — Evaluation of UK Communications
  Technical Change Centre—Engineering Research in EEC
  Logica UK Limited—Computer Project for Fixed Services
  Technical Change Centre — Study of UK Science in key areas of research
  Logica UK Limited—Satellite Communications Study
  T. William Olle Associates—Database Standards
  PA Technology—Sets Study
  Cap Industries Ltd.—OSI Upper Layer Architecture
  British Telconsult—Advisory Services
  Segal, Quince Wickstead—Support for Design Scheme
  Prognosis Ltd.—Semi-conductor study
  Ewbank Preece Group Ltd.—Overseas Project Monitoring Advice
  Patrick Consulting Associates—Quality Assurance Study
  Neotech Associates—Large Scale Demonstrator project
  The Institute of Mechanical Engineers — Demonstrator project
  Prognosis Ltd—Semi-conductor layers on silicon study
  Scientific Generics Ltd.—Nanotechnology Project
  National Computing Centre Ltd. — Computer graphics study
  KPMG Peat Marwick McLintock — OSI Demonstration project
  Kennedy and Donkin Power Systems Ltd. — Overseas project evaluation
  Hollobone Hibbert and Associates—Computing Database preparation
  General Technology Systems Ltd.—Space Cost Study
  Mott, Hay and Henderson International—Overseas project study
  Computer Market Communications — Super Computer Research
  British Telecom Research Laboratories — Cellular Radio consultancy
  Spicer and Pegler Associates—Strategy study
  Metron Technology Ltd.—Computer Capacity Study
  Xionics Limited—Internal Network
  Inbucon Management Consultants Ltd. — Awareness Statistical Survey
  March Consulting Group—Maintenance UK Study
  Brown and Root Vickers Ltd.—Purchasing Consultancy
  Met Ocean Consultancy Ltd. — Resources from the Sea Study
  PA Technology—Programme advice
  CAP Ltd.—Advice on use of RPCTE implementation
  WS Atkins and Partners—Advice on EC Public Purchasing procedures
  Alpha Industrial Electronics Consultants Ltd. — Large demonstrator programme
  British Telecom Research Laboratories—OSI Opportunity Study
  Organisation and System Innovations Ltd.—Strategy for Expert EC Systems
  Human Resource Development Ltd.—Footwear Industry project
  Further Education Unit—CNC Machine Tools in Further Education Study
  Price Waterhouse Associates — Software Standards and certification study
  HR International — Top management programme and advice on deregulation assistance
  Coopers & Lybrand Associates — Organisation of DTI Surface Mount Club

  595
  March Consulting Ltd. — Managed Workshop Feasibility Study
  Logica Ltd.—Quality Management Systems study
  Laser-Scan Labs Ltd.—Advice on computer graphics
  Telecomputing PLC—Interface Standard
  Coopers & Lybrand Associates — UK Electronic Components Industry Survey
  Communications Complex Design Ltd. — Product Design Trends & Accidents Study
  Collins Oil & Gas Consultancy Ltd. — Purchasing consultancy
  Touche Ross & Co.—Feasibility Study
  Technical Audit Ltd. — Register of UK Quality Assessed Companies Study
  Organisation and System Innovations Ltd. — VADS Training Study
  London Transport International — Overseas Transport Study
  Data Dictionary Systems Ltd.—Draft ISO Standard
  Organisation and System Innovations Ltd.—Guidelines for Selection of expert Systems Applications
  Logica UK Ltd—Vanguard-computer studies
  ISC Electronic Systems Ltd.—Vanguard-UK Construction Industry Study
  Plessey Telecommunications & Office Systems Ltd. —Cellular Radio Study
  Coopers & Lybrand Associates; Ernst & Whinney Management Consultants—Enterprise initiative services
  KPMG Peat Marwick McLintock — Review of Foreign Inward Investment Agencies
  International Computers Ltd. (UK)—ICL advice on MAIL Network
  Wallace Ltd.—Radio Spectrum Review
  Organisation & System Innovations Ltd. — VanguardVADS Communities
  Arthur D. Little Ltd.—Vanguard-VADS Communities
  KPMG Peat Marwick McLintock — Vanguard-VADS Communities
  Langton Ltd.—Vanguard-VADS Communities
  Hoskyns Group Plc—Vanguard-VADS Communities
  PA Computers & Telecommunications Ltd. — VanguardVADS Communities
  CAP Ltd.—Vanguard-VADS Communities
  SCICON Ltd.—Vanguard-VADS Communities
  Price Waterhouse Associates — Vanguard-VADS Communities
  Coopers & Lybrand Associates — Vanguard-VADS inter-working study
  Baker & Smith Ltd.—Vanguard Community Development Programme

  Regional Aid
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what has been the total spending, and the number of cases assisted in Houghton and Washington, through(a) regional selective assistance and (b) regional development grant from 1984 to 1987, broken down into manufacturing and service industries.

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 29 March 1988]: The information requested on regional selective assistance and regional development grant in Houghton and Washington' from 1984 to 1987 is as follows:

  Manufacture

  Service

  Regional Selective Assistance2

  Expenditure (£ million)

  3·6

  0·5

  Number of cases assisted

  Regional Development Grant3

  40

  3

  Expenditure (£ million)

  3·7

  0·8

  Number of cases assisted

  215

  41

  1 Interpreted as the parliamentary constituency of Houghton and Washington.

  2 Project and training grants only. Information on the Business

  596

  Improvement Services and Exchange Risk Guarantee Schemes is not available at the local level.

  3 Detailed data are available only for the revised scheme, introduced in November 1984. However, £15·7 million was paid under the original scheme to companies in the Houghton and Washington employment office areas during the period in question.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Capitation Payments
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has as to capitation paid to(a) primary and (b) secondary schools in (i) the Inner London education authority and (ii) outer London boroughs in each of the last five years; what information he has as to such payments to be made in the coming year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Authorities have submitted some details of their per capita allowances for 1985–86 and 1986–87 as part of Her Majesty's inspectorate's 1986 review of LEA provision for education. However, it is not possible to set out accurate comparable data for individual LEAs because each authority has its own type of scheme. Comparisons can be misleading because the allowances do not always cover the same area of expenditure or class of pupils and they are often combined with additional amounts for certain subjects or departments.

  ILEA (Abolition)
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received about the proposed abolition of the Inner London education authority; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dunn
  We have received some 1,650 letters from hon. Members, organisations and individual members of the public about the proposals announced by my right hon. Friend on 4 February.

  Testing
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much the introduction of testing for seven, 11, 14 and 16-year-olds will cost; what is the estimated annual cost; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The costs will depend on the nature of the tests and assessment arrangements required for various national curriculum subjects. My right hon. Friend will be reaching decisions on these matters, in the light of advice from subject working groups and the task group on assessment and testing. Overall, the Government expect the implementation of the national curriculum and assessment to be contained within its planned level of provision for education, where necessary by redeploying and using resources more effectively.

  School Meals
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the results of the October 1987 census of school meals; arid what are the comparable figures for the previous census.

  Mr. Dunn
  The information is as follows:
  597

  Maintained Schools (Including Nursery and Special): England

  October 1987

  October 1986

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Pupils in attendance

  6,210,640

  1000

  6,351,870

  100·0

  Pupils taking meals on payment

  1,989,746

  32·0

  1,956,310

  30·8

  Free

  1,101,132

  17·7

  1,143,817

  18·0

  Total

  3,090,878

  49·8

  3,100,127

  48·8

  Pupils bringing own food

  2,008,172

  32·3

  1,937,151

  30·5

  Pupils having other arrangements

  1,111,590

  17·9

  1,314,592

  20·7

  An analysis of the returns shows the following proportions for primary and secondary pupils, as percentages of pupils in attendance:

  Primary

  Secondary

  1987

  1986

  1987

  1986

  Pupils taking school meals

  51·9

  51·8

  46·2

  44·5

  Pupils bring own food

  39·4

  37·3

  24·4

  23·3

  Pupils having other arrangements

  8·7

  11·0

  29·4

  32·1

  Detailed tabulations on the returns from local education authorities in England, from which these national totals were derived, are being placed in the Library.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Official and Library Corridors
  Mr. Onslow
  To ask the Lord President of the Council under what circumstances access to the Official Corridor and the Library Corridor is permitted to anyone other than right hon. and hon. Members.

  Use of guillotine since 1979

  Bills guillotined in standing committee

  Bills guillotined in committee of whole House

  Session/Bill

  Hours for 2nd Reading

  Hours in committee before guillotine

  Hours in committee after guillotine

  Hours in committee before guillotine

  Hours in committee after guillotine

  Time allotted for report and 3rd Reading

  Number of hours allotted for Lords Amendments1

  1979–80

  Education (No. 2)

  7

  82

  21

  —

  —

  2 days until midnight

  4 hours

  Social Security

  6

  60

  32

  —

  —

  2 days until midnight

  3 hours

  Housing

  6

  110

  34

  —

  —

  2 days until midnight

  1 day until midnight

  Social Security (No. 2)

  6

  44

  20

  —

  —

  1 day until midnight

  —

  1980–81

  Transport

  7

  55

  41

  —

  —

  1 day until 1 am

  1 day until 10 pm

  British Nationality

  8

  90

  46

  —

  —

  3 days until midnight

  1 day until 10 pm

  1981–82

  Oil and Gas (Enterprise)

  6

  70

  29

  —

  —

  1 day until midnight and 1/2 day until 7 pm

  1 day until 10 pm

  Employment

  7

  91

  19

  —

  —

  1 day until midnight

  1 day until 10 pm

  Northern Ireland

  7

  —

  —

  54

  10

  1 day until midnight

  —

  1982–83

  598
  Mr. Wakeham
  I shall write to my right hon. Friend.

  Guillotined Measures
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Lord President of the Council whether he will list the Bills guillotined since 1979; at what stage each Bill was guillotined; for how many hours such Bills had been debated(a) on Second Reading and (b) in Committee; and how many hours were subsequently allowed for each of the remaining stages.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The information is as follows:
  599

  Bills guillotined in standing committee

  Bills guillotined in committee of whole House

  Session/Bill

  Hours for 2nd Reading

  Hours in committee before guillotine

  Hours in committee after guillotine

  Hours in committee before guillotine

  Hours in committee after guillotine

  Time allotted for report and 3rd Reading

  Number of hours allotted for Lords Amendments1

  Transport

  6

  80

  16

  —

  —

  1 day until

  —

  Telecommunications

  6

  110

  39

  —

  —

  1 day until midnight

  —

  Housing and Building Control

  6

  90

  18

  —

  —

  1 day until 1 am

  —

  1983–84

  Telecommunications

  6

  80

  26

  —

  —

  1 day until midnight

  —

  Rates

  7

  80

  29

  —

  —

  1 day until midnight

  —

  Rating and Valuation (Amendment) (Scotland)

  6

  82

  18

  —

  —

  1 day until midnight

  —

  1984–85

  Local Government

  15

  86

  59

  —

  —

  1 day until midnight and 1 day until 10 pm

  1 day until midnight

  Transport

  5

  76

  53

  —

  —

  1 day until midnight and 1 day until 10 pm

  1 day until 11 pm

  1985–86

  Gas

  7

  75

  39

  —

  —

  1 day until midnight and 1/2 day until 7pm

  2 hours

  Social Security

  5

  100

  41

  —

  —

  1 day until midnight and 1 day until 10 pm

  4 hours

  European Communities (Amendment)

  3

  —

  —

  18

  4

  1 hour

  —

  1986–87

  Abolition of Domestic Rates Etc (Scotland)

  6

  101

  18

  —

  —

  1 day until midnight and 1 day until 10 pm

  3 hours

  Local Government Finance

  6

  —

  —

  15

  6

  1 day until midnight

  —

  1987–88

  Education Reform

  7

  88

  75

  —

  —

  4 days until 10 pm

  —

  Local Government Finance

  12

  72

  64

  —

  —

  4 days2, last day until 10 pm

  —

  Social Security3

  7

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  6

  [Hours rounded to nearest whole.]

  1 Including debate on supplementary order.

  2 To be confirmed.

  3 Allocation of time moved on Lords Amendments.

  "The House Magazine"
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what forms of access to the precincts are given to employees of Parliamentary Communications Ltd. for the purposes of the operation of "The House Magazine"; if any advance information is given to the magazine by staff of the House; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wakeham
  Three representatives of "The House Magazine" have access to the Press Gallery. In addition, two research assistants have registered an interest in connection with that magazine, as required by the
  600
  Resolution of the House of 17 December 1985. The only advance information provided to the magazine, m common with that provided generally to the Press Gallery, is on the future activities of Select and Standing Committees.

  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Lord President of the Council when "The House Magazine" was granted permission by the House of Commons (Services) Committee to use the portcullis associated with the House as its insignia.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I am advised that a record of the information requested cannot be traced.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Non-military Aid
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the change in the total value of Her Majesty's Government's overseas nonmilitary aid between 1979 and 1987 in real terms; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  Figures for gross public expenditure on overseas aid for 1987 are not yet available. Between 1979 and 1986, expenditure in real terms fell by 16 per cent. In the period since 1982, however, it has been more than maintained and, as the recent public expenditure White Paper made clear, the aid programme is now planned to grow in real terms.

  Biwaters Project (Malaysia)
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who carried out the independent check that established value for money in the Biwaters Malaysian project.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The value-for-money check was carried out by consultants Coopers and Lybrand, in association with Sir William Halcrow and Partners.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Overseas Development Agency appraisal mission to Malaysia reviewed the performance of Biwater projects elsewhere, particularly in Nigeria; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The appraisal mission was concerned specifically with the project in Malaysia. In the light of its findings, and other investigations carried out, the Government were content both with the viability of the project and with the capability of Biwater to implement it. A review of other projects carried out by the same contractor is not normally practicable, particularly where the Overseas Development Agency is not involved in funding them.

  Aid Projects (Single Contractors)
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Governments of Cameroon, Chile and Thailand have insisted on negotiating a contract with a single contractor for United Kingdom aid projects; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  No. Where assistance is sought from the aid and trade provision, the nature of contracts is primarily a matter for the contractual parties concerned in the light of the circumstances of each case.

  Ethiopia
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a further statement on aid by the United Kingdom to Ethiopia.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  British commitments for famine relief in Ethiopia, through bilateral and European Community channels, total over £45 million since the beginning of 1987. This includes the cost of 94,500 tonnes of bilateral food aid to help in meeting needs during 1988 and £3602
  million to support airlift operations by the office of the United Nations disaster relief co-ordinator. It also includes assistance with transport, port handling equipment, medicines and grain storage.

  The United Kingdom also maintains a technical cooperation and training programme for Ethiopia and is assisting with famine rehabilitation including a £1.2 million well rehabilitation project in Welo region.

  Khmer Rouge
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to prevent aid provided by Her Majesty's Government for refugees at the Thai-Cambodia border from being diverted for use by the Khmer Rouge.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  Our assistance, which is provided through the relevant United Nations agencies, is subject to the stipulation that it should go only to the occupants of those camps controlled by the non-communist elements of the Cambodian resistance. We have received assurances that this stipulation is observed.

  Nicaragua
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the last technical assistance training award was made to Nicaragua; how many were made in the previous five years; and why they have ceased.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The last technical co-operation training award was made to Nicaragua in 1982. We have no separate statistics of new awards made to Nicaragua in the five years previous to 1982. After 1982, we provided assistance to Nicaragua only for disaster relief or through voluntary agencies or international relief organisations; the European Community has provided substantial aid of which Britain's share is around 20 per cent.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will resume technical assistance training awards to Nicaragua; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  We have no plans to do so.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Tax Revenue
  Mr. Gould
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been raised under the main heads of tax in 1986–87 and 1987–88.

  Mr. Brooke
  Following is the information :

  £ million

  1986–87

  1987–88 latest estimate

  Income tax

  38,500

  41,400

  Corporation tax1

  13,500

  15,600

  Petroleum revenue tax2

  1,190

  2,330

  Capital gains tax

  1,060

  1,350

  Development land tax

  55

  25

  Inheritance tax

  990

  1,070

  Stamp duties

  1,860

  2,440

  603

  1986–87

  1987–88 latest estimate

  Total inland revenue

  57,200

  64,200

  Value added tax

  21,400

  24,100

  Petrol, derv, etc.

  7,500

  7.800

  Cigarettes and other tabacco

  4,800

  4.800

  Spirits, beer, wine, cider and perry

  4,200

  4,400

  Betting and gaming

  780

  810

  Car tax

  960

  1,150

  Other excise duties

  20

  20

  EC own resources customs duties etc.

  1,300

  1,470

  agricultural levies

  250

  190

  Total customs and excise

  41,100

  44,700

  Vehicle excise duties3

  2,580

  2.700

  Gas levy

  520

  500

  1 Includes net ACT.

  2 Includes advance petroleum revenue tax.

  3 Includes driving licence receipts.

  Special Advisers (Payments)
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what rules govern the receipt of payments by special advisers from former employers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  All special advisers, including those on secondment from outside employers, are subject to the provisions of the Civil Service Pay and Conditions of Service Code—except for the rules governing acceptance of outside appointments after resignation or retirement, and certain aspects of the rules on political activities.

  EC Budget (United Kingdom Contribution)
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total net contribution made by the United Kingdom to the European Economic Community in the financial year 1987–88; and by what amount this total had to be reviewed in light of the recent European Council agreement.

  Mr. Brooke
  Final information on the outturn of our net payments to European Community institutions in 1987–88 is not yet available. An estimate was contained in table 3.1 of the latest public expenditure White Paper. On the question of revisions to that estimate, I refer my hon. Friend to the information given by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary in the debate on the White Paper on 24 February, at columns 316–17.

  Inheritance Tax
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list all those representations he has received to amend the exemption limit for inheritance tax on donations to political parties; and if he will place the submissions in the Library;

  (2) what was the basis on which he calculated that there will be no loss in revenue from his decision to amend the exemption limit for inheritance tax on donations to political parties;

  (3) how many estates in which donations were made to political parties in each year since 1979 have been subject to inheritance tax liability or capital transfer tax;
  604
  (4) how much (a) inheritance tax or (b) capital transfer tax has been paid in each year since 1979 on donations to political parties.

  Mr. Major
  Information is not kept of the number of estates paying inheritance tax or capital transfer tax on gifts to political parties or of the amount of tax paid, but it is not thought that under present rules gifts of £100,000 or more are normally made, so the loss in revenue from abolishing the limit is likely to be negligible. No representations have been received to amend the exemption limit.

  Loans (Tax Relief)
  Mr. Butterfill
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer under what circumstances any interest on loans qualifying for tax relief during a lifetime has obtained tax relief for any interest paid after death in any of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  Generally speaking, relief for interest paid ceases to be available when the borrower dies. However, in certain circumstances, interest on a loan to buy a borrower's main residence may continue to be eligible for relief where paid after the borrower's death by his personal representatives or the trustees of his will settlement, provided the home continues to be the main residence of the deceased's spouse or dependent relative. No figures are available of the claims made under this provision.

  Elderly Home Owners
  Mr. Butterfill
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has regarding the number of elderly home owners who have raised money by means of(a) home reversionary schemes, (b) mortgage annuity schemes and (c) building society maturity loans in each of the last five years; and what total sums are involved in each case.

  Mr. Lilley
  The information requested is not readily available in the form requested.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list, for each privatisation measure since 1983, the Government's merchant bank advisers, brokers and reporting accountants, and details of any advertising agency involved; and if he will state whether any form of competitive tendering was undertaken in each case for each service.

  Mr. Brooke
  The Government's merchant bank advisers and brokers in each of the privatisation sales since 1983 are as follows. Reporting accountants and advertising agencies employed in the sales were usually joint appointments with the company, and are also listed. In addition, a number of sales of subsidiaries were carried out by nationalised industries. Details of the advisers for these sales are not held centrally.

  In each of the privatisation sales, except for British Airways, the appointment of merchant bank advisers, brokers and advertising agencies was subject to competition. In the case of British Airways, Hill Samuel (the merchant bank advisers) had advised when privatisation was first considered in 1980 and were retained for the sale because of their knowledge of the company—a competitive rate having been negotiated.
  605
  The appointment of reporting accountants was subject to competition in the case of Enterprise Oil, British Telecom and the Plant Breeding Institute/National Seed Development Organisation. In the other privatisation sales the companies' auditors were appointed without

  Company

  Date of Sale

  Government Merchant bank Adviser

  Government Brokers

  Reporting Accountant

  Advertising Agency

  (Joint appointment unless otherwise stated)

  Associated British Ports

  1983

  J. Henry Schroder Wagg

  W. Greenwell & Co.

  Price Waterhouse

  —

  Enterprise Oil

  1984

  Kleinwort Benson

  Cazenove De Zoete and Bevan

  Peat, Marwick, Mitchell

  —

  British Telecom

  1984

  Kleinwort Benson

  Hoare Govett De Zoete and Bevan

  Coopers and Lybrand

  Dorlands

  British Gas

  1986

  N. M. Rothschild

  Cazenove Wood MacKenzie James Capel

  Price Waterhouse

  Young & Rubicam1

  British Airways

  1987

  Hill Samuel

  Cazenove Wood MacKenzie

  Ernst and Whinney

  Allen Brady & Marsh2

  Royal Ordnance

  1987

  N. M. Rothschild

  Hoare Govett

  Coopers and Lybrand

  —

  Rolls Royce

  1987

  Samuel Montagu

  James Capel

  Coopers and Lybrand

  Collett, Dickinson Pearce3

  BAA

  1987

  County Nat West

  Cazenove County Nat West

  Touche Ross

  J. Walter Thompson

  Plant Breeding Institute/ National Seed Development Organisation

  1987

  Lazards

  —

  Touche Ross

  —

  1 Dewe Rogerson were also employed for the advertising of the collection of the second instalment.2

  2 Government only. The company employed its own agency.

  3 Binns Vereka were also employed for the advertising of the collection of the second instalment.

  Age Allowances
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of retirement pensioners(a) aged 65 to 79 years and (b) aged 80 years or over who will be better off by (i) £1 per week, (ii) £1 to £2 per week, (iii) £2 to £3 per week, (iv) £3 to £4 per week, (v) £4 to £5 per week, and (vi) £5 per week or over as a consequence of the increase in the age allowances to £3,180 and £3,310 for a single person and £5,035 and £5,205 for a married couple.

  Gain1 per week

  Number of tax units2 who gain as a result of the increase in personal allowances (thousands)

  Number of tax units2 who gain from the Budget proposals for income tax rates and allowances (thousands)

  Aged 65–79

  Aged 80 +

  Aged 65–79

  Aged 80 +

  up to £1

  230

  65

  115

  30

  £l-£2

  1,510

  290

  515

  120

  £2-£3

  235

  15

  560

  85

  £3-£4

  80

  15

  230

  35

  £4-£5

  75

  5

  130

  20

  Over £5

  10

  Nil

  600

  80

  TOTAL

  2,120

  400

  2,120

  400

  1 Compared with 1987–88 tax regime.

  2 Married couples counted as one unit.

  Computer Services
  Ms. Gordon
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the computer services of(a) the Department of Health and Social Security, (b) the Inland Revenue, (c) the Home Department or (d) Her Majesty's Customs and Excise are to be contracted out.
  606
  obtaining alternative tenders, to take advantage of their knowledge of the companies where this was expected to give rise to worthwhile savings in terms of time and costs. In each case a competitive rate was negotiated.

  Mr. Brooke
  Estimates are given in the table. The first two columns analyse tax units by the gains in 1988–89 due to the proposed increases in the age allowances and, where appropriate, the main personal allowances. The final two columns analyse tax units by the gains in 1988–89 due to all the reductions in rates of tax and increases in allowances proposed in the Budget. Estimates are based on a projection of the 1985–86 Survey of Personal Income and are provisional.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  Her Majesty's Customs and Excise announced recently that the Department's proposed new entry processing system (CHIEF) would, subject to satisfactory contractual negotiations, be
  607
  developed and operated by British Telecom Applied Technology. This company already runs the existing departmental entry processing system (DEPS).

  Apart from this, and the use of IT consultancy services for specific functions, the Department has no present plans to contract out its computer services.

  The Inland Revenue has for several years made extensive use of the private sector in supporting its computer services and will continue to do so, but there are no plans to contract out any computer services functions.

  Responsibility for computer services in the Department of Health and Social Security is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services and in the Home Office the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.

  Higher and Senior Executives
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to ensure that higher executive officers and senior executive grades will receive a pay award in 1988 sufficient to meet the increased cost of living in London and elsewhere; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  The Treasury has discussed the 1988 pay claim for the executive grades with the National Union of Civil and Public Servants. An offer of a 4 per cent. increase was made to the NUCPS on 29 March. In response to the claim from the Council of Civil Service Unions the Treasury on 29 March offered an increase of 10 per cent. in London weighting rates. These offers take into account the need to recruit, retain and motivate staff within what can be afforded. Both offers are with effect from 1 April.

  Taxation Changes (Purchasing Impact)
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the net purchasing impact of taxation changes in his Budget on the regional economies of(a) the south-east, (b) the north-west.

  Mr. Brooke
  My right hon. Friend's Budget will provide a stimulus to enterprise and initiative in all regions of the country.

  EC Finance Ministers
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he next expects to meet his counterparts from other European Community states; and what matters he intends to raise.

  Mr. Brooke
  The next meeting of the European Community's Council of Economic and Finance ministers is expected to be held on 18 April. The agenda for the meeting is likely to include the liberalisation of capital movements, a presentation by the Economic Policy Committee on the Commission's indirect tax approximation proposals, and the implementation of the Brussels European Council conclusions on budget discipline.

  Business Expansion Scheme
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will clarify the proposed rules for companies which will carry on qualifying activities for relief under the business expansion scheme, through the letting of homes on assured tenancies; and whether he intends that the 608
  company will be able to give notice to tenants at the end of the five-year qualifying period for relief under the business expansion scheme.

  Mr. Brooke
  The proposed rules for this relief will be set out in the Finance Bill. The tenant under an assured tenancy which qualifies for the purposes of the business expansion scheme will have security of tenure (subject to the right of the landlord to recover possession of his property on certain specified grounds set out in the Housing Bill and the Housing (Scotland) Bill).

  Drugs (Illegal Imports)
  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of estimated illegal imports of drugs are now seized by Customs and Excise or intercepted prior to distribution, by category of drug for each of the last five years for which information is available.

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

  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportions of seizures of illegally imported drugs, by category of drug, come from EEC countries and from each of the other major source countries for each of the last five years for which information is available.

  Mr. Lilley
  I regret that this information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Income Tax (Higher Rates)
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much in tax concessions has been received by those on tax rates above 40 per cent. since June 1979 at constant prices to the latest available date; what estimates are available of the amount that has gone to each region and of the regional numbers of taxpayers in the tax bands above 40 per cent.; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lawson
  [holding answer 21 March 1988]: Income tax due from the top 2½ per cent. of taxpayers in 1978–79, the group liable at rates above 40 per cent., amounted to £3·4 billion, equivalent in real terms in 1988–89 to some £7·1 billion. In 1988–89, the tax due from the top 2½ per cent. of taxpayers will be about £9·0 billion — an increase of £2 billion, despite the reductions in tax rates and real increases in allowances since 1978–79. If the taxable incomes of the top 2½per cent. of taxpayers in 1988–89 were as they are now forecast to be, and at the same time were subject to 1978–79 income tax rates and allowances indexed to 1988-S9 levels by reference to the statutory formula, their liability would increase by £6 billion. However, the assumption on which this estimate is based is inherently implausible.

  I regret that corresponding information for each region is not available. Estimates of the number of taxpayers paying tax at the 45 per cent. rate or above in 1985–86, the latest year for which regional information is available, are given in the table.

  Number of taxpayers1 in 1985–86 paying tax at the 45 per cent, rate or above

  Region

  '000

  Northern

  17

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  29

  609

  Region

  '000

  North West

  39

  East Midlands

  25

  West Midlands

  38

  East Anglia

  21

  South East

  291

  South West

  37

  Wales

  15

  Scotland

  40

  Northern Ireland

  11

  United Kingdom2

  570

  1 Married couples counted as one unit.

  2 Includes members of the forces and Merchant Navy and a small number of civil servants serving abroad who have not been allocated to regions.

  Department

  Cost of London weighting 1£ million

  Number of staff receiving London weighting

  Proportion of staff in department receiving London weighting per cent.

  Non-industrials2

  Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  3·72

  2,940

  30

  Cabinet Office

  1·78

  1,160

  71

  Central Office of Information

  1·06

  700

  87

  Charity Commission

  0·32

  210

  64

  Crown Estate Office

  0·06

  40

  75

  Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal

  0·00

  0

  0

  Crown Prosecution Service3

  3·35

  2,520

  72

  Customs and Excise

  7·69

  6,410

  25

  Defence

  20·16

  16,540

  18

  Education and Science

  2·01

  1,350

  55

  Employment Group

  12·15

  10,160

  17

  Energy

  1·26

  830

  81

  Environment/Transport/PSA

  15·27

  12,160

  34

  Export Credits Guarantee Department

  1·11

  760

  42

  General Register Officer (Scotland)

  0·00

  0

  0

  Government Actuary

  0·08

  50

  92

  Health and Social Security

  20·06

  17,010

  18

  Home Office

  12·28

  9,730

  28

  Inland Revenue

  15·21

  12,940

  19

  Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce

  0·00

  0

  0

  Land Registry

  1·09

  1,230

  17

  Law Officer's Department

  0·03

  20

  94

  Lord Advocate's Department

  0·03

  20

  89

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  5·30

  3,940

  38

  National Investment and Loan Office

  0·08

  50

  100

  National Savings

  0·24

  160

  2

  Northern Ireland Office

  0·16

  110

  65

  Office of Arts and Libraries

  0·08

  60

  98

  Office of Fair Trading

  0·43

  310

  98

  Office of Gas Supply

  0·02

  20

  100

  Office of Population Census and Surveys

  1·11

  730

  35

  Ordnance Survey

  0·12

  140

  5

  Overseas Development Administration

  1·40

  950

  64

  Paymaster General

  0·00

  0

  0

  Privy Council

  0·05

  30

  97

  Public Record Office

  0·43

  400

  98

  Registers of Scotland

  0·00

  0

  0

  Registry of Friendly Societies

  0·17

  110

  99

  Royal Mint

  0·02

  10

  4

  Scottish Courts Administration

  0·00

  0

  0

  Scottish Courts Service

  0·00

  0

  0

  Scottish Office

  0·03

  20

  0

  Scottish Records Office

  0·00

  0

  0

  Stationery Office

  0·54

  360

  18

  Trade and Industry

  10·76

  7,770

  64

  Treasury

  2·76

  2,070

  80

  Treasury Solicitor's Department

  0·62

  410

  95

  Welsh Office

  0·07

  40

  2

  London Weighting Allowance
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what was the total value of that part of salaries paid as London weighting of the employees of each Government Department during the last year for which full figures are available; and what proportion of the total value of salaries paid by each Department of London employees the London weighting payments account for;

  (2) how many and what proportion of the employees of each Government Department receive London weighting payments.

  Mr. Brooke
  [holding answers 25 March 1988]: The information is as follows, for non-industrial and industrial staff separately. There is no central record of the total salaries paid by each Department to London employees and this could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
  611

  Department

  Cost of London weighting 1£ million

  Number of staff receiving London weighting

  Proportion of staff in department receiving London weighting per cent.

  Industrials4

  Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  0·05

  80

  14

  Defence

  2·86

  3,420

  5

  Employment Group

  0·05

  60

  10

  Environment/Transport/PSA

  3·73

  3,070

  29

  Health and Social Security

  0·03

  30

  13

  Home Office

  0·22

  210

  7

  Stationery Office

  0·94

  660

  48

  Trade and Industry

  0·08

  120

  36

  Treasury

  0·23

  180

  23

  Others

  0·05

  40

  2

  1 Estimated cost in 1987–88 financial year.

  2 As at 1 April 1987 (Source: Mandate).

  3 The numbers for the Crown Prosecution Service are an estimate.

  4 As at 1 January 1987 (Source: Departmental returns).

  Pensions
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received seeking changes to reduce the effective 41·6 per cent. rate of tax for pensioners in receipt of age allowance.

  Mr. Major
  [holding answer 25 March 1988]There have been a number of representations on this subject.

  The situation to which my hon. Friend refers affects fewer than 2 per cent. of pensioner households, and has nothing whatever to do with the Budget changes. The age allowance has always been withdrawn progressively for taxpayers with incomes above a certain limit. This income limit is at its highest ever level in real terms, and the effective rate within the withdrawal band, at 41·6 per cent., is in fact at its lowest ever level. Those few taxpayers who have incomes within the withdrawal band will gain an extra £2·50 per week from the increase of £800 in the income limit proposed in the Budget, on top of the benefit they receive from the double indexation of the personal allowances and the basic rate cut.

  Consultancy Contracts
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise in 1987, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 30 March 1988]: Following is the available information:

  Firm and assignment
  Arthur Andersen—Design of VAT work planning systems BIS Systems—Review of planning and control procedure for Customs Handling Import and Export Freight (CHIEF); advice on data cabling of HQ offices (2 contracts)
  British Telecom—Technical study of new electronic tariff Calidus Systems — Advice on data administration for CHIEF
  Comshare — Development of management information systems
  Datafit—Development of various computer programmings
  Ernst Whinney—Development of management information systems; review of part of IT strategy
  Expert Systems International—Advice on expert systems Honeywell—Study of extension to computerised intelligence system
  Hoskyns—Support to CHIEF system (2 contracts)
  Hunterskil South—Computerisation of registry
  612
  ICL—Support to CHIEF system (4 contracts)
  Inforem—Business Systems Analysis methodology
  Keith London Associates—Testing of VAT management information system
  LBMS—Software design study
  Logica—Review of Departmental Entry Processing System requirements; advice on Structural Systems and Design Methodology
  Mindworks — Development of management information systems (2 contracts)
  National Computing system—Advice on computerisation of personnel records
  PActel — Production of project control guidelines for CHIEF
  Peat Marwick McLintock — Development of Mainframe links with micro-computers; activity costing and decision support programmes
  Regional Computer Systems—Computerisation of personnel records
  Soft Option—Computerisation of personnel records
  Systems Concepts—Computerisation of personnel records; development of management information system
  System Designers—Development of management information systems
  Timeslice — Development of accounting system for Solicitor's Office
  Yale Data Management—Establishment of CHIEF System Test Branch

  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by the Inland Revenue in 1987 giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment.

  Mr. Brooke
  [holding answer 30 March 1988]: The Inland Revenue awarded the following consultancy contracts in 1987:

  Touche Ross—Contingency Planning

  Cullinet—Data Management and Database Design

  Oracle UK Ltd.—Database Products

  Park Avenue Productions PLC—Communications

  Celtechnology—Organisation, Management

  J. Pincus—Specialist Management Training

  Peat Marwick McClintock—Financial Systems

  Job Dispersal
  Mr. Arnold
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the outcome of the programme for dispersing Government work out of London and the south-east announced in 1979; and whether the Government intend further initiatives on the location of Civil Service work.
  613
  Mr. Brooke
  In 1979 we announced a programme designed to disperse 5,900 posts, mainly to Scotland and the north. Over 5,500 posts have been dispersed under this programme, and planning is in hand for the remainder. Over the same period, and on their own initiative, Departments have relocated well over 6,000 other posts out of London and the south-east. About four fifths of the Civil Service is now located outside Greater London.

  No further central targets for relocation are being set, but Departments will be reviewing their location of work with a view in suitable cases to finding locations offering advantages in terms of recruitment and retention of staff, value for money and other considerations relevant to service delivery and management. In their reviews, Departments will consider localities which offer such advantages, including where appropriate areas which are the focus of the Government's regional and urban policies. A copy of the guidelines issued to Departments for these reviews has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Exchange Rate
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Chancellor of Exchequer if he will estimate the effect of unsterilised exchange rate intervention on the growth of monetary aggregates over the last 12 months; and if he will estimate any consequent effect on the retail prices index.

  Mr. Lilley
  The impact of intervention on MO is offset automatically by the Bank of England's daily money market operations. There is no simple relation between the intervention and broad monetary growth. The Government's policy is to fund all intervention, that is, to sterilise it. The published provisional figures for February 1988 indicate that all intervention and other borrowing has been fully funded in the 12 months to that date.

  Overseas Investments
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount of earnings from overseas investments in 1987–l88; what proportion this constitutes of the national income; and what are the comparable figures for the preceding five years.

  Mr. Major
  The figures are shown in the table.

  Year

  Net earnings1on overseas assets £ million

  Per cent. of GDP

  1982–83

  2,056

  0·7

  1983–84

  2,678

  0·9

  1984–85

  4,493

  1·4

  1985–86

  2,905

  0·8

  1986–87

  5,629

  1·4

  1987–882

  4,196

  1·3

  1In respect of United Kingdom investments overseas less overseas investments in the United Kingdom.

  2 First three quarters only available.

  Interest and Exchange Rates
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the connection between interest rates and the exchange rates.

  Mr. Lilley
  I refer the hon. Member to paragraph 2.11 of the 1988–89 "Financial Statement and Budget Report".

  Income Tax
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the weekly gain of a single person earning £150,000 a year from his Budget tax changes.

  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the weekly gain of a single person earning £100,000 a year from his Budget tax changes.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [pursuant to his reply, 30 March 1988]: I regret the figures given were incorrect. The answer should have been as follows:
  "The weekly gain from the Budget of a single person earning £100,000 and £150,000 a year, with no other income, would be £271·92 and £463·23 respectively. The figures refer only to income tax and assume that the taxpayer is entitled to no income tax reliefs or allowances other than the single person's allowance. The calculation is made by comparing the taxpayer's income tax liability under the 1987–88 tax regime with that under the proposed regime for 1988–89."

TRANSPORT

  Aviation Safety
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what studies of aviation safety have been made by his Department in the last year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The Department's air accidents investigation branch is responsible for investigating aircraft accidents and their reports are published. The following accident reports have been published during the last 12 months.

  No. 1/87 Bell 212 G-BJJR in the North Sea. Issued on 28 April 1987.

  No. 2/87 Lockheed Tristar G-BBAI at Leeds. Issued on 25 September 1987.

  No. 3/87 Turbo Commander EL-BGL at Eastbourne. Issued on 29 July 1987.

  No. 4/87 DHC-6 Twin Otter G-BGPC at Laphroaig. Issued on 10 December 1987.

  No. 5/87 Chinook G-BISO in the North Sea. Issued on 20 January 1988.

  No. 6/87 Short SD3 EI-BEM at East Midlands. Issued on 20 January 1988.

  No. 7/87 Twin Squirrel G-BKIH at Swalcliffe. Issued on 29 February 1988.

  No. 8/87 Boeing 747 G-AWNB at Heathrow. Issued on 29 February 1988.

  No. 9/87 Bell 214ST G-BKFN in the North Sea. Issued on 28 March 1988.

  No. 1/88 DH 89A Dragon-Rapide G-AGTM at Duxford. Issued on 28 March 1988.

  Otherwise, the regulation of air safety is the responsibility of the Civil Aviation Authority.

  British Rail (Electrification)
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what Government subsidies have been made available to British Rail in each year since 1979 towards its electrification programme.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  The Government do not give BR specific investment grants. The public service obligation grant includes provision for the appropriate share of revenue investment and depreciation on capital assets used in the grant-aided railway. A significant proportion of electrification expenditure has, therefore, been eligible for
  615
  grant. No grant will however be available for inter-city services from 1 April this year: their investment will be expected to show a commercial rate of return.

  Road Bridges
  Mr. Mudd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road bridges currently in use were constructed before the introduction of national design standards in 1922; and how many of these are recognised as requiring replacement or strengthening to answer the needs of modern vehicle weights.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The bridge census and sample survey report, which was published in March 1987, shows that there are about 25,000 bridges on local roads in England built before 1922. There are also about 900 pre-1922 bridges on trunk roads in England. The sample survey indicates that about a quarter of these bridges may require to be strengthened to meet the requirements of the new bridge assessment code BD 21/84. In November the Government announced a programme for the rehabilitation of bridges on motorways and all-purpose trunk roads including the assessment and strengthening of the older bridges. Discussions are taking place with the owners of bridges off the national road system about a similar programme for their bridges.

  InterCity
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the latest available figures for the proportion of British Rail InterCity trains that arrive on time; and to what extent these figures differ from the figures published by British Rail according to its definition of on time.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  We have agreed with BR its objective that 90 per cent. of InterCity trains should arrive within 10 minutes of the timetabled time. I understand that in the four weeks to 27 February, the latest period for which figures are available, 86 per cent. of InterCity trains arrived within 10 minutes of right time. My Department does not monitor figures for arrival at timetabled times.

  M25
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will make a further statement about improvements planned for the M25.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The motorway is being widened to four lanes between junctions 11 and 13. Consultants are investigating ways of widening the length between junctions 15 and 16. No other major improvements are planned between completion of the review of the motorway as a whole. Details of the review will be announced soon.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress there has been in establishing responsibility for the problems in construction of the M25 between Leatherhead and Reigate.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Under the conditions of contract it is for the engineer to decide where responsibility rests. He has determined that responsibility rests partly with the Department and partly with the contractor. The Department is considering its position. I shall make a statement as soon as possible.

  A51 (Clotton)
  Mr. Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce a speed limit for Clotton on the A51.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  No. Conditions on this part of the A5I still do not meet the nationally applied criteria for a speed limit.

  A6 (Disley-High Lane Bypass)
  Mr. Tom Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport why the special landscape areas of(a) Cheshire and Derbyshire were, and (b) Stockport and the Etherow-Goyt River Valley Park were not, included in his published map of the proposed A6 Disley-High Lane bypass; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The special landscape areas of Cheshire and Derbyshire were shown diagramatically in the consultation brochure because they formed part of those councils' planning policie. Although the Greater Manchester structure plan designated an area that falls within Stockport MBC's boundary as land of special landscape policy it was only on 12 January, six days before the public consultation bagan, that the areas were included in the Stockport borough local plan after committee approval. We shall take account of the special designation in our further consideration of options for a High Lane-Disley bypass.

  Mr. Tom Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what date he saw a delegation from the High Peak borough council in connection with the proposed A6 Disley-High Lane bypass; what was discussed at the meeting; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  I met a delegation from High Peak borough council on 21 March. The delegation explained its concern about the effects of the "Brown Route" and sought more information on the alternatives.

  It was agreed that officials from the Department would meet council members and officials to explain the bypass alternatives in more detail. I confirmed that the council's views together with many others we have received would be fully considered in reaching decisions on whether to add a scheme to the national trunk road programme and on choice of route.

  Inner Cities
  Mr. Gould
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of the transport programme is spent in the inner cities.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Around 40 per cent. of the value of the national road programme is accounted for by schemes under construction or in preparation which will benefit inner cities.

  About 30 per cent. of the value of all local road schemes accepted for transport supplementary grant consist of schemes costing over £1 million in or assisting inner cities. In addition, there are a large number of smaller schemes which will help transport and provide safety benefit in inner cities.

  Over 80 per cent. of grants paid in respect of schemes currently being undertaken under section 56 of the

  617
  Transport Act 1968 and nearly 60 per cent. of grants paid in respect of current schemes under the Industrial Development Act are supporting inner city projects.

  Inner cities also benefit from a substantial, though unquantifiable, proportion of Government grants to British Rail and London Regional Transport.

  Traffic Growth
  Mr. Mudd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are his Department's assumptions on growth in traffic(a) overall and (b) on motorways in percentage terms in 1988–89 over 1987–88.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  (a) The Department of Transport's national road traffic forecasts predict average rates of annual traffic growth over periods of several years; they are not calibrated for year-on-year forecasting. Since the forecasts were made, traffic has grown at about the upper end of the forecast range. Given a continuation of economic growth, recent trends in traffic growth are likely to continue.

  (b) The Department does not forecast traffic by road type.

  Road Schemes
  Mr. Mudd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many major road schemes have been announced as due to start in 1987–88 or 1988–89; and how many of these are now scheduled to be started in the current year; how many in 1988–89; if he will list those schemes now likely to be delayed until at least 1989–90; and how many trunk road and local bypass schemes announced and scheduled since 1984–85 have now experienced major slippage in time scale.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  I refer my hon. Friend to my replies on 2 April 1987 Official Report columns 571–2 and 8 February 1988 Official Report columns 2–4 when I announced that we planned to start work on 40 schemes in 1987–88 and 34 schemes in 1988–89. Work started on 29 schemes in 1987–88 as indicated in my further answer of 8 February Official Report columns 3–4. Of the remaining schemes originally scheduled to start in 1987–88, we now aim to start 10 in 1988–89 and 1, the A140 Dickleburgh bypass, in 1989–90. Two of the 34 I announced as 1988–89 starts are not now expected to start until 1989–90. They are A16 Boston to Algakirk and A43 Blisworth bypass.

  The June 1985 report, "National Roads England", showed 40 bypasses on which work was scheduled to start between June 1985 and March 1987. Of these, 17 have not been started.

  The progress of local bypass schemes is a matter for the appropriate local highway authority.

  White Hart Roundabout, Northolt
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he is taking to improve the flow of traffic and the environment at the White Hart roundabout, Northolt, during current and future work on the Hayes bypass and related works; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Any proposals to improve the flow of traffic and the environment at the White Hart roundabout are a matter for the London borough of 618
  Ealing, which is the highway authority responsible for this scheme. I understand that the opening of a section of the new roundabout today together with associated traffic management should improve the situation. The scheme includes environmental measures.

  Central London Rail Study
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 25 March,Official Report, column 264, if the central London rail study will take account of (a) his forthcoming announcement concerning the financial objectives of London Regional Transport, (b) the cross-rail proposals of the British Railways Board, published in November 1980 and (c) the type of cost-benefit analysis applied to capital investment on the Victoria line.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  I expect to receive initial results from the central London rail study in July, in advance of setting any new objectives for London Regional Transport. The terms of reference are sufficiently wide to embrace any relevant scheme. Detailed appraisal of any such scheme will be in accordance with established appraisal criteria and techniques.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 25 March,Official Report, column 264, if he will make it his policy to direct the central London rail study to take account of, and report on (a) whether any benefits are to be obtained from increasing the volume of rolling stock and train staff on British Rail and London Underground Limited, (b) whether any benefits are to be gained by improvements in the standards of, and number of persons employed in maintenance of track, signalling and rolling stock of British Railways and London Underground Limited, (c) whether there are any benefits for line capacity and punctuality of more platform staff and (d) what are the costs and benefits of dual voltage electrification of the line from Willesden junction to Clapham junction.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  The existing terms of reference expressly require the study to examine the scope for improving services and to have regard to the need to make the best use of existing assets.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer concerning the central London rail study of 25 March,Official Report, column 264, (a) which bodies or representatives, or other persons will constitute the membership of the review body, (b) which persons or bodies will be eligible to present evidence to the review body, (c) from which official or other bodies he expects the review body to receive information concerning future levels of passenger demand and if such information will be publicly available, (d) what assumptions the review body will be required to make concerning the level of fares relative to the general cost of living, and the method of ticketing or passes to be used within the Greater London travel-to-work area, (e) what assumptions the review will be required to take account of concerning strategic planning policies of Her Majesty's Government and county councils within the London travel-to-work area and its impact on the growth of daily passenger travel to and from and within London, and (f) what changes in travel demand or pattern the review will

  619
  be required to take account of consequent on the plans of Her Majesty's Government for the de-regulation of bus services in the area now served by London Buses Limited.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  The study will be conducted by LRT, BR and my officials. It is not envisaged that the study team will call for outside evidence. I have not laid down a set of assumptions for the study, but would expect the team to consider how variations in all major assumptions—particularly those relating to demand—would affect its conclusions.

  Summer Time
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents about the impact of summer time changes on road accidents; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  I have not had any recent representations from the society on this subject. I am aware of its views. My right hon. Friend, the Home Secretary, is today issuing a consultation document which will set out the options under consideration.

  Airports (Landing Charges)
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has as to by how much more or less than the retail prices index landing charges at Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Manchester have increased in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  There is no standard index for charges at each of these airports. An approximation is provided by aggregate traffic income per passenger. The table shows aggregate traffic income per passenger for the period 1978–79 to 1986–87 indexed relative to the RPI.

  1978–79 = 100

  Heathrow

  Gatwick

  Stansted

  Manchester

  1978–79

  100

  100

  100

  100

  1979–80

  93

  90

  77

  96

  1980–81

  124

  107

  99

  108

  1981–82

  117

  100

  101

  108

  1982–83

  105

  82

  75

  100

  1983–84

  100

  89

  92

  103

  1984–85

  89

  91

  77

  95

  1985–86

  84

  95

  80

  91

  1986–87

  80

  95

  90

  90

  Note: Figures prior to 1983–84 include security levy paid to the then Department of Trade.

  Radio Beacons
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce a national policy for United Kingdom radio beacons; what representations he has made in north-west European discussions on the future of Decca and Loran; which countries are involved in the discussions; when he expects to conclude these discussions; when he expects to make an announcement; if he will list the comparative advantages and disadvantages between Decca and Loran; and if he will detail the total estimated cost of each system.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  The Decca navigator system currently provides the main electronic position-fixed 620
  system in United Kingdom waters. The system is operated under a contract between the general lighthouse authorities and Racal Decca Marine Navigation Ltd. The contract runs to 1994 and is extendable to 1997.

  My right hon. Friend is not yet able to make a statement about the international discussions on the possible adoption of Loran C as a standard civil electronic aid in north-west Europe. Informal feasibility discussions are proceeding between the United Kingdom, Norway, France, the Federal Republic of Germany, Denmark, Iceland, Ireland and the Netherlands, but none of the states concerned is yet committed to any change. Examination of the technical and cost aspects of an international co-operative development of Loran C has yet to be completed. If firm proposals for a change emerge from these discussions, my right hon. Friend expects to seek the views of interested parties before reaching a decision. Full account would be taken of user interests and of the relative costs, accuracy and technical suitability of the respective systems.

  Seagoing Craft (Radios)
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for making(a) VHF radio, (b) Decca or equivalent or (c) radar compulsory for all seagoing craft.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  VHF radio is mandatory on all passenger ships and cargo ships of 300 gross tons and upward. Decca is not mandatory.

  Radar is mandatory on all merchant ships of 1,600 gross tons and upwards and those constructed after 1 September 1984 of between 500 and 1,600 gross tons.

  There are no plans for making any of these equipments compulsory for all seagoing craft.

  Signposting
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what studies his Department has made of French signpost practice on(a) motorways and (b) other roads regarding (i) sites of tourist interest and ill) the availability and quality of hotel accommodation; and what representations he has had on future signposting in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  On signing matters generally, we are in close touch with other member countries of the European conference of ministers of transport. We are aware of practices in France in relation to signing of tourist attractions and hotels. We have received a variety of representations about signing in the context of the review of directional signs which we completed last year. A copy of the report is available in the Library.

  In the light of this review we are conducting an experiment in Kent to assess the benefits to be derived from a limited amount of hotel signing on the highway. We have to balance in all this the need of travellers for information against road safety considerations (too many signs are a distraction to the motorist), and the damage to amenity which would arise if there came to be a clutter of signs on the highway.

  Motor Cyclists
  Mr. Barry Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the relative risk of injury in road traffic accidents for motor cyclists compared with other road users.

  Casualty rates:1by road user type and severity: 1976 to 1986

  Rate per 100 million vehicle kilometres/percentage

  1976

  1977

  1978

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  Pedal cyclists:

  Killed

  7·1

  5·9

  7·4

  8·4

  7·2

  6·9

  5·6

  6·2

  6·8

  6·1

  6·5

  KSI

  117

  98

  112

  138

  132

  123

  113

  123

  130

  121

  125

  All severities

  552

  459

  522

  623

  591

  563

  534

  589

  609

  577

  623

  TWMV riders:

  Killed

  18

  22

  21

  21

  17

  15

  13

  13

  13

  12

  12

  KSI

  378

  406

  406

  388

  344

  296

  290

  288

  286

  293

  281

  All severities

  1,288

  1,353

  1,315

  1,225

  1,073

  920

  920

  917

  916

  915

  898

  Car drivers:

  Killed

  0·8

  0·8

  0·8

  0·8

  0·7

  0·7

  0·7

  0·6

  0·6

  0·5

  0·6

  KSI

  11

  11

  11

  11

  10

  10

  9

  7

  7

  7

  7

  All severities

  46

  46

  46

  45

  40

  40

  40

  34

  36

  37

  38

  Bus or coach drivers:

  Killed

  0·3

  0·3

  0·3

  0·1

  0·1

  0·1

  0·2

  0·1

  0·1

  —

  —

  KSI

  4

  4

  3

  3

  2

  3

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  All severities

  22

  24

  23

  23

  17

  18

  16

  16

  14

  17

  16

  LGV drivers:

  Killed

  0·6

  0·5

  0·5

  0·5

  0·5

  0·4

  0·3

  0·3

  0·3

  0·3

  0·4

  KSI

  9

  8

  8

  8

  6

  6

  6

  4

  4

  5

  4

  All severities

  37

  34

  34

  33

  27

  26

  25

  20

  21

  23

  23

  HGV drivers:

  Killed

  0·4

  0·4

  0·4

  0·4

  0·3

  0·3

  0·3

  0·2

  0·3

  0·3

  0·3

  KSI

  4

  4

  4

  4

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  All severities

  17

  18

  17

  16

  13

  12

  13

  12

  12

  13

  12

  All road users:2

  Killed

  2·9

  2·9

  2·8

  2·7

  2·4

  2·3

  2·2

  2·0

  2·0

  1·8

  1·8

  KSI

  38

  38

  37

  37

  34

  33

  32

  28

  29

  26

  25

  All severities

  151

  151

  147

  141

  130

  127

  126

  115

  118

  110

  106

  Percentage of all road users accounted for above Killed

  43

  45

  44

  48

  47

  48

  48

  46

  46

  46

  45

  KSI

  52

  52

  53

  54

  55

  55

  55

  55

  54

  53

  53

  All severities

  52

  52

  52

  53

  54

  54

  55

  55

  55

  54

  54

  1 1985 rates have been revised.

  2 Includes driver and riders of other vehicles.

  The following table shows for each year the ratio of TWMV riders to car drivers for each of the three caualty severity classifications—killed, killed or seriously injured and all severities. The table is, effectively, the division of each of the three TWMV rider rows by the corresponding car driver row.

  TWMV casualty rates relative to car driver casualty rates: by severity: 1976 to 1986

  Car driver casualty rates = 1

  Year

  Killed

  KSI

  All severities

  1976

  23·0

  34·4

  28·0

  1977

  27·1

  36·9

  29·4

  1978

  26·5

  36·9

  28·6

  1979

  26·1

  35·3

  27·2

  1980

  24·6

  34·4

  26·8

  1981

  21·0

  29·6

  23·0

  1982

  19·1

  32·2

  23·0

  1983

  22·3

  41·1

  27·0

  1984

  21·7

  40·9

  25·4

  622
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  [holding answer 29 March 1988]: The information requested is given for all two-wheeled motor vehicle TWMV riders. It is taken from the annual publication "Road Accidents Great Britain — The Casualty Report, 1986".

  Year

  Killed

  KSI

  All severities

  1985

  24·0

  41·9

  24·7

  1986

  20·0

  40·1

  23·6

DEFENCE

  Aircraft Accidents
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the information recorded on the aircraft accident data computer in the Royal Air Force inspectorate of flight safety includes, for each accident(a) the height at which the aircraft was authorised to fly, and (b) the height at which the aircraft was flying immediately prior to the accident.

  Mr. Freeman
  In those cases where the height at which an aircraft was flying just before an accident can be
  623
  determined it is recorded on the computerised database of the Royal Air Force's inspectorate of flight safety. Information about authorised heights is not so recorded.

  Inner Cities
  Mr. Bryan Gould
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the defence programme is spent in the inner cities.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  It would probably not be possible to make a sensible estimate of the proportion of the defence programme spent in the inner cities, but, even if it were, this could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Tanks (Purchase)
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to announce a decision on the future purchase of tanks for the British Army; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bridlington (Mr. Townend) on 12 January, at column 200.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has carried out any tests upon the Challenger II tank for use by the British Army; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  No. A Mk 2 Challenger does not presently exist in fully developed form.

  Journalists (Hospitality Costs)
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Bradford, South of 22 March,Official Report, column 115, what was the estimated cost of hosting Ian Bevitt and Ron Sibbald to the unit at Belize; and what method of travel, from and to which points, was used.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  The cost of hosting the journalists was about £35, which was met from unit funds. They travelled by Land Rover and helicopter between military bases in Belize, accompanying service men on routine duties.

  Exercise Arrowhead Express
  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what part British forces played in the recent NATO Exercise Arrowhead Express in northern Norway; and if he will make a statement on the result of that exercise.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  The United Kingdom element of the Allied Command Europe Mobile Force (AMF), including an infantry battalion, a logistic support battalion, a force artillery HQ, force reconnaissance unit, helicopter support and RAF Jaguars, played a full role in deployment, deterrent and combat operations conducted in Exercise Arrowhead Express. The exercise tested the AMF in its role as an immediate reaction force deployed to a threatened flank area of ACE to deter aggression, to demonstrate NATO solidarity and resolve and to operate alongside host nation forces.

  Detailed assessment and evaluation of the exercise is currently being undertaken by participating nations and the appropriate NATO authorities.

  From a United Kingdom viewpoint early indications are that the exercise was very successful.

  North Sea (Air Combat Platforms)
  Mr. MacDonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what consultations his Department has held with British Aerospace in respect of the construction of six air combat manoeuvring system platforms in the North sea; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) whether his Department has held any discussions with or issued any guidelines to British Aerospace as regards the nationality of the tenderers for the contract to build air combat manoeuvring subsystem platforms in the North sea;

  (3) what information he has as to the locations of the air combat manoeuvring instrumentation system platforms in the North sea to be built by British Aerospace;

  (4) whether his Department intends to make use of the air combat manoeuvring instrumentation systems to be constructed by British Aerospace; and whether there will be any restrictions placed on use of this system by the defence forces of other nations;

  (5) what provision he has made for the cost of contracts which his Department may enter into in respect of the air combat manoeuvring instrumentation system;

  (6) whether the defence forces of any other country will be allowed to contract directly with British Aerospace in order to make use of the air combat manoeuvring system to be constructed in the North sea;

  (7) what information he has on the principal use of the air combat manoeuvring instrumentation system to be constructed by British Aerospace;

  (8) whether British Aerospace is working to any Government guidelines or function specifications as regards the air combat manoeuvring instrumentation project.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Further to my answer at column 365 on 28 March, I can confirm that British Aerospace has presented to my Department its unsolicited proposals to build, on a private venture basis, an air combat manoeuvring installation in the North sea. If constructed, use of this training facility by prospective customers would be a matter for the company within the terms of any applicable legal or other regulations. The details of British Aerospace's proposal are under study in this Department. No commitment of any kind has been made to the company and no funds have been provisioned against future use of such a facility by this Department. No guidelines have been given to the company about any technical specifications nor about any commercial aspect of the venture.

  Scientists (Deaths)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will institute an inquiry into the security implications of the deaths of Mr. Victor Moore, Mr. Ashad Sharif, Mr. Vimal Dajibhai, Mr. David Sands, Mr. Peter Peapell and Dr. John Brittan;

  (2) whether Dr. John Brittan or Mr. Peter Peapell were involved in any subcontracting work for Marconi while in the employment of his Department;

  (3) whether the current investigation by Ministry of Defence police into contracts placed with Marconi has at any stage in the past involved questioning or examining Mr. Victor Moore, Mr. Ashad Sharif, Mr. Vimal Dajibhai, Mr. David Sands, Mr. Peter Peapell or Dr. John Knight.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The answer to all three questions is no.

  Low-flying Aircraft
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the locations and dates of periods of covert monitoring of low-flying operations conducted by Royal Air Force police since 1974.

  Mr. Freeman
  [pursuant to his reply, 4 December 1987, c. 736–37]: Records of locations where covert surveys of low-flying activity have been carried out only exist for July 1979 onwards. Thereafter, the available information is as follows:

  Dates and locations of RAF Police covert observations 1979–87

  Date and Location

  1979

  Peterborough area

  Gaydon area

  Newent

  Isle of Wight

  Liverpool/Manchester area

  Pembray Range

  Twycross Zoo

  1980

  Hartley

  Isle of Skye

  Unknown

  Marchington

  Glen-Pean

  Cowden Range

  Colbeck Transmitter Masts

  Colchester

  Sheffield area

  Area between Bolton and Southport

  Area between Nottingham and Birmingham

  Area between Birmingham and London

  North London

  Brough area

  Bewdley

  Banbury

  1981

  Ashpark

  Cranfield airfield

  Lichfield

  Plaish

  3–7 August

  Desborough

  Cranfield airfield

  Street

  1982

  Pontesbury

  Shrewsbury

  Otterburn Range

  Spadeadam Range

  East Riding General Hospital

  Witnash

  1983

  Windermere

  Ullswater

  Burton-Constable

  Hall

  Yaxley

  Stone, Staffordshire

  25–29 July

  Northants

  Corby

  1984

  30 May-11 June

  Harrogate

  22–24 May

  Watton

  Oundle

  626
  9–10 May

  Aberystwyth

  5–7 June

  Area between Birmingham and Thames Valley

  6–7 September

  Pickering

  12–14 September

  Newark on Trent

  17–20 September

  Stone

  18–20 September

  Saltford

  25–27 September

  Deans Hangar

  1985

  30–31 January

  Rugby

  19–21 February

  Market Harborough

  26–27 February

  Newport, Gwent

  5–6 March

  St. Crispin Hospital, Northants

  12–13 March

  Rugby

  26–27 March

  Gorseinon

  17 April

  Brynamman, Wales

  30 April-2 May

  Sibson Airfield

  Area between Cambridge and Newmarket

  Area between RAF Leeming and Teesside

  Holbeach

  14–16 May

  Kelso

  Jedburgh

  Duns

  30 May

  Lutterworth

  14 June

  Filey, Yorkshire

  Area between Felixstowe and Ipswich

  Area between Coningsby and Boston

  Area between Cambridge and Newmarket

  21–23 October

  Teesside

  Holbeach

  Newmarket

  5–6 December

  Alnwick

  1986

  14–16 January

  Broughton

  Burton upon Stather

  Burringham

  21–22 January

  Newport, Humberside

  27–31 January

  Carlisle

  Bowness on Windermere

  Hexham

  Catterick

  7–10 April

  Windermere

  Carlisle

  Penrith

  Morpeth

  Hexham

  Alnwick

  22–24 April

  Area between Leeming and Teesside

  Area between Diss and Ipswich

  6 June

  Pocklington glider site

  24–26 June

  Weethley Hamlet

  21–22 July

  Leeds

  627

  Garforth

  21–24 July

  Builth Wells

  21–24 July

  Exmoor

  30–31 July

  Chirnside

  4–8 August

  Keswick

  Barnard Castle

  5–8 August

  Carlisle

  Lowther Castle

  Catterick

  Richmond

  Withernsea

  26–28 August

  Redditch

  23–25 September

  West Ayton

  24–26 September

  Whitnash

  8–9 October

  Grimsby

  Cleethorpes

  8 October

  East Riding Hospital

  9 October

  Area between Leeming and Teesside

  29 October

  Carperby

  19–20 November

  Rothwell

  Late 1986/early 1987

  Ashbourne

  1987

  16–18 March

  Banham Zoo

  7–9 April

  Penrith

  Morpeth

  Amble

  9 April

  Alnwick

  14–15 April

  Pickering

  Jed burgh

  1 June

  Peterborough

  7–8 July

  Redmile

  21–24 July

  Dumfries and Galloway

  21–24 July

  Builth Wells

  4–6 August

  Grindleford Bridge

  4–6 August

  Alnwick

  5 August

  Haltwhistle

  19–20 August

  Haxby

  11–12 August

  Leighton Hall, Carnforth

  13–14 August

  Castle Farm, Devon

  15–17 September

  Scarborough

  21–25 September

  Ettrick

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions since 1974 disciplinary proceedings have been instituted against pilots found to have been infringing low-flying regulations by Royal Air 628
  Force police involved in covert monitoring in low-flying areas, but where no complaints were received from the public.

  Mr. Freeman
  [pursuant to his reply, 4 December 1987, c. 736–37]: Responsibility for disciplinary action against pilots found to have been infringing low-flying regulations by Royal Air Force police lies with the commanding officer at the appropriate RAF" station. Central records of the action taken by commanding officers in such cases are not kept.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Air Force police, expressed as full-time equivalent staff, are currently assigned to covert field monitoring of low-flying aircraft; and what changes have taken place in these staffing levels since 1977.

  Mr. Freeman
  [pursuant to his reply, 4 December 1987, c. 736–37]: Total hours of all RAF police personnel devoted to covert field monitoring of low-flying aircraft currently amounts to the equivalent of approximately one third to one half of a single full-time RAF policemen's job. Figures for 1977 are not available, but there has been a general increase in the number of covert observations carried out since 1979. We are currently reviewing the numbers of personnel devoted to covert and non-covert monitoring.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the practice of covert monitoring of low-flying by Royal Air Force police was introduced.

  Mr. Freeman
  [pursuant to his reply, 4 December 1987, c. 736–37]: Covert monitoring of low-flying aircraft has been carried out by the RAF police at least since 1977.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the methods used by Royal Air Force police involved in covert monitoring of low-flying activity to assess height and speed of low-flying aircraft.

  Mr. Freeman
  [pursuant to his reply, 4 December 1987, c. 736–37]: Covert monitoring of low-flying aircraft is carried out visually following the survey of a suitable site noting relative heights and distances of local landmarks. Teams of two RAF police are normally made up one experienced observer and one in training.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Third World Debt
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to meet representatives of the British banks to discuss Third world debt, and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Chalker
  My right hon. and learned Friend regularly meets representatives of major British banks; Third world debt is often discussed. We remain very concerned about the debt problem, but debt owed to commercial banks is a matter for negotiation between the banks and debtor Governments.

  Conventions and Protocols
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many conventions and
  629
  protocols of the Council of Europe have been signed on behalf of the United Kingdom; how many have been ratified; and if he will list in the Official Report those conventions and protocols which have been signed but not ratified.

  Mrs. Chalker
  We have signed and ratified 73 conventions and protocols of the Council of Europe. Nine conventions and protocols have been signed but not yet ratified. These are:

  1. Protocol 4 to the Convention of Human Rights securing certain other Rights and Freedoms.

  2. European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

  3. European Convention on the Recognition of the Legal Personality of Non-Governmental Organisations.

  4. European Convention on the Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Firearms by Individuals.

  5. European Convention on the Compensation of Victims of Violent Crimes.

  6. Convention Relating to Stops on Bearer Securities in International Circulation.

  7. Convention on the Establishment of a Scheme of Registration of Wills.

  8. European Convention for the Protection of Animals for Slaughter.

  9. European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals used for Experimental Purposes.

  Bananas
  Mr. Wells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make it his policy to continue to protect the access to the British market of those countries which are traditional suppliers of bananas; if he will support the continuation of the banana protocol to the Lomé III convention in the negotiations with the EEC for Lomé IV; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  We remain committed to provide preferential access for bananas from the United Kingdom's traditional suppliers. Following a recent review of banana policy, we have also decided that the United Kingdom market should be enabled to expand gradually, with a guaranteed minimum of licences to import dollar area bananas allocated to small independent importers. This is consistent with our general objectives of promoting competition and consumer choice. The United Kingdom will fight hard in the negotiations for Lomé IV to ensure that preferential access for these traditional supplies from Jamaica and the Windward Islands is maintained.

  Inner Cities
  Mr. Gould
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of his Department's programme is spent in the inner cities.

  Mr. Eggar
  The information requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  South Africa (EC Companies)
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has about cases of companies in the European Community seeking to sell to the Republic of South Africa submarine 630
  propulsion technology; and if he will make a statement on what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to prevent this.

  Mrs. Chalker
  It is not our practice to take up with other Governments allegations of breaches of the United Nations arms embargo on South Africa. This is properly a matter for the Security Council committee established under Security Council resolution 421 of 1977.

  Israel (Non-proliferation Treaty)
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy,Official Report, 25 March, columns 241–42, when he last made a specific representation to the Israeli Government to sign the non-proliferation treaty.

  Mr. Mellor
  My right hon. and learned Friend had a recent opportunity to raise the non-proliferation treaty with the Israeli Government. But, at his request the Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office did so on 22 October 1987 with the political director of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  Israel (Mordecai Vanunu)
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy,Official Report, 25 March, column 242, if he will now make it his policy, in the light of the 18-year prison sentence passed on Mordecai Vanunu on 27 March, to make representations to the Israeli Government for a reduction in sentence on human rights grounds.

  Mr. Mellor
  No.

  South Africa (Rugby Tour)
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications for relations with the Commonwealth of the planned World XV rugby tour to South Africa; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made clear, we stand by the statement made by Commonwealth Heads of Government in June 1977 — the so-called Gleneagles Agreement—which discourages sporting contacts with South Africa.

  Central American Parliament
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance will be provided by Her Majesty's Government in the setting up of the Central American Parliament; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  At the San Jose IV meeting in Hamburg we and our European partners agreed to provide assistance in the holding of elections to the Central American Parliament. The form of the assistance is to be defined in discussion between the European Community and the Central American Governments.

  Guatemala Agreement
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the measures being taken by Her Majesty's Government to support the Guatemala agreement.

  Mr. Eggar
  We and our European partners have on a number of occasions expressed our support for the agreement and urged the Central American Governments to fulfil their commitments under the agreement. We have also appealed to countries with links and interests in the region to lend constructive support for the peace efforts of the Central American countries. We have also condemned all acts of violence which might jeopardise the peace process.

  Hong Kong (Vietnamese Refugees)
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many families among Vietnamese refugees in Hong Kong have requested to be repatriated to Vietnam, in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Eggar
  The numbers of Vietnamese who have asked to be repatriated to Vietnam in each of the last 10

  The table below gives details of departures from Hong Kong since 1979 for the United Kingdom and all other countries.

  1975–79

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988 up to 15 March

  Argentina

  29

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Australia

  1,052

  90

  500

  414

  915

  736

  557

  459

  501

  92

  Austria

  86

  318

  14

  —

  —

  —

  6

  —

  3

  —

  Belgium

  125

  29

  6

  2

  2

  11

  1

  —

  42

  —

  Bermuda

  —

  7

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Canada

  5,187

  6,548

  2,070

  1,088

  536

  1,008

  1,302

  975

  766

  255

  China

  1

  33

  1

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Denmark

  264

  321

  220

  180

  47

  49

  18

  45

  5

  1

  Finland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  57

  54

  —

  69

  30

  —

  France

  526

  188

  362

  218

  181

  65

  90

  47

  61

  —

  Greece

  —

  42

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  —

  Hong Kong

  180

  109

  93

  52

  12

  18

  41

  70

  45

  4

  Ireland

  109

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Israel

  38

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Italy

  113

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Ivory Coast

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Japan

  16

  36

  68

  11

  1

  34

  52

  5

  23

  —

  Luxembourg

  —

  5

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  26

  —

  Netherlands

  261

  96

  102

  110

  26

  18

  13

  82

  71

  —

  New Caledonia

  32

  4

  12

  21

  8

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  New Zealand

  84

  217

  2

  99

  16

  20

  23

  26

  51

  5

  Norway

  57

  180

  187

  78

  6

  27

  39

  114

  33

  —

  Spain

  1

  250

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Sweden

  8

  95

  2

  13

  207

  11

  —

  101

  44

  —

  Switzerland

  91

  414

  97

  14

  3

  9

  —

  22

  8

  2

  Taiwan

  1

  4

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  United Kingdom

  3,988

  6,076

  1,775

  241

  101

  88

  44

  474

  156

  55

  USA

  16,583

  21,053

  12,222

  1,657

  2,065

  1,541

  1,721

  1,323

  333

  122

  Vanuatu

  8

  2

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Vietnam

  8

  —

  2

  2

  2

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  West Germany

  1,678

  537

  81

  45

  13

  —

  45

  44

  5

  2

  Panama
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice is currently being given to British citizens resident in, and travelling to, Panama.
  632
  years are as follows: six in 1978; two in 1979; two in 1980; two in 1981; four in 1982; three in 1984; one in 1985; one in 1987 and 21 in 1988. Fifteen have been successfully repatriated, 10 withdrew their applications and 17 applications are still being processed by UNHCR. According to Hong Kong Government records there has been only one family application, consisting of a husband and wife and their two children.

  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Vietnamese refugees have(a) sought sanctuary in Hong Kong and (b) subsequently been accepted for settlement (i) in the United Kingdom and (ii) in any other non-Communist country in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Eggar
  (a) The Hong Kong Government have accepted all Vietnamese arriving in Hong Kong in boats and has turned none away. The figures for those accepted since 1979 are: 1979 — 68,748; 1980 — 6,788; 1981—8,470; 1982—7,836; 1983—3,651; 1984—2,230; 1985—1,112; 1986—2,055; 1987—3,395; 1988 up to 15 March—716.

  (b) The table gives details of departures from Hong Kong since 1979 for the United Kingdom and all other countries:

  Mr. Eggar
  Our current advice is that there is no danger to British citizens resident in Panama. Visitors are advised not to travel to Panama until further notice unless on urgent business. Those who must travel should bring
  633
  sufficient cash in US dollars in small denominations to cover all expenses incurred during their stay. They should contact the embassy on arrival.

  Council of Ministers (Forthcoming Business)
  Sir Peter Blaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the Official Report a statement of forthcoming business in the European Community Council of Ministers.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The usual forecast was deposited in the House earlier today. At present five meetings of the Council of Ministers are planned for April.

  The Research Council will meet on 11 April. The provisional agenda anticipates the formal adoption of the Esprit II programme (1988–1991) and the adoption of the drive, biotechnology, science, bureau of Community reference (BCR) and Delta programmes as 'A' points. Common positions on the fusion programme and the 1988–91 programme of the joint research centre (JRC) will also be discussed. The German presidency will be presenting, for first discussion, papers on the relation between EC and Eureka programmes and the contribution of research programmes to Community norms/standards.

  The Economic and Finance Council meets on 18 April to consider the Commission's proposals on the liberalisation of capital movements, indirect tax approximation and the discussions on budgetary discipline with the European Parliament.

  The Agriculture Council will meet on 18–19 April to discuss the 1988 price-fixing measures, and proposals on quick frozen foods, additives, materials and articles in contact with food, harmonisation of meat charges and trade in meat with third countries.

  The Foreign Affairs Council meets on 25–26 April. Discussions are expected to include follow-up action to the European Council conclusions on financing the Community; EC relations with Japan; a review of progress in the GATT Uruguay round negotiations; preparations for the EC/Turkey Association Council; the 1988 guidelines for the Community's programme of aid to developing countries in Asia and Latin America; and progress made in negotiations with Hungary on a trade and co-operation agreement.

  The Budget Council will meet on 28–29 April to discuss the European Parliament's amendments and modifications to the 1988 draft budget.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Food Labelling
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has any further proposals for the declaration of nutritional information on food products.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  We are pressing manufacturers and retailers to adopt the standard approach to voluntary nutrition declarations set out in the guidelines we issued on 21 January. Proposals for legislation to set out the form in which voluntary declarations must be given, will be considered once we have experience of the operation of the system and European Community intentions on nutrition labelling are clearer.

  Less-favoured Areas
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the tribunals deciding upon the final less-favoured area lines will complete their deliberations; and how long after this date he expects to make the decisions public.

  Mr. Gummer
  I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the appeal panels which were set up to hear appeals from farmers whose land is currently excluded from the less-favoured areas. The panels do not themselves fix the LFA line, but advise Ministers on whether the land concerned seems likely to meet EC physical criteria for LFA designation. They have now completed their work in England and all the farmers concerned have been notified of the outcome.

  Country Landowners Association
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met the president of the Country Landowners Association; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Gummer
  I meet Mr. Gordon Lee-Steere frequently to discuss agricultural matters.

  Forestry Commission
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met the chairman of the Forestry Commission; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I meet the chairman of the Forestry Commission from time to time to discuss a wide range of forestry matters.

  Torry Research Station, Aberdeen
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research is being undertaken by staff at the Torry research station, Aberdeen, into the processing of fish.

  Mr. Gummer
  The main areas of research concern the preservation of fish, the safety of fish products for the consumer and the utilisation of fish and fish products.

  Mr. Buchan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the number of people employed in the Torry research station, Aberdeen; and if he will break that number down by occupational category.

  Mr. Gummer
  The number of staff currently employed at Torry research station is 115, of which 64 are scientific, professional and technical staff, 27 are in industrial worker grades and 24 are administration group staff.

  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any plans to visit the Torry research station in Aberdeen within the near future.

  Mr. Gummer
  My right hon. Friend has at present no plans to do so; I visited Torry research station in 1986 and hope to do so again this year.

  EC Agricultural Budget
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is now satisfied with the recently agreed control mechanism for European Economic Community agricultural budget expenditure.
  635
  Mr. MacGregor
  I am satisfied that it is as good as we could possibly have got it in the recent negotiations.

  Sheepmeat
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received in the current year on the future of the European sheepmeat regime.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  We have received a number of representations on many aspects of the Commission's proposals for reform of the sheepmeat regime.

  Poultry and Eggs
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to assist the United Kingdom poultry and egg industry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  We shall continue to assist the eggs and poultry industry by promoting efficiency and ensuring that it trades under conditions of fair competition.

  Rivers (Pollution)
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to reduce pollution in rivers arising from agricultural activities.

  Mr. Gummer
  My Department warns farmers of the dangers of polluting rivers and the severe fines which successful prosecution brings with it. I myself reinforced these views at a recent conference on silage effluent and my Department continues to support water authority action to encourage farmers to avoid pollution. Grants for tanks to handle silage and slurry effluent are available at the rate of 60 per cent. in the less-favoured areas and 30 per cent. elsewhere.

  Milk Quotas
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the latest position on the operation of milk quotas.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Minister to my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton (Mr. Nicholson).

  Pigs
  Mr. Geraint Howells
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the present state of the pig industry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he next intends to meet the National Farmers Union and other representatives from the pig industry to discuss EEC import subsidies.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I refer the hon. Member and my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Cambridgeshire, South-West (Sir A. Grant) today.

  Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Goodlad
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he next expects to meet his opposite number in the EEC to discuss agricultural policy.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The next meeting of Agricultural Ministers is scheduled for 18–19 April.

  Mr. Jim Marshall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with the National Farmers Union about reforming the common agricultural policy.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Gainsborough and Horncastle (Mr. Leigh).

  Food Aid
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with organisations eligible to operate the EC free food scheme.

  Mr. Gummer
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark) on 30 March.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about progress in implementing the EC free food scheme.

  Sir John Biggs-Davison
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the arrangements for the distribution of surplus EC food in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Gummer
  I refer the hon. Member and my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark) on 30 March and to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, Central (Mr. Cousins) today.

  Monetary Compensatory Allowances
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will increase beef cow hill land compensatory allowances; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  The rates of hill livestock compensatory allowances to apply this year were announced in the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Torridge and Devon, West (Miss Nicholson) on 9 December 1987 at column 157. The allowances for 1989 will be considered later this year following the autumn review or the economic conditions in the hill and upland areas.

  Tenant Farmers Association
  Mr. Patnick
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met the chairman of the Tenant Farmers Association; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Gummer
  I saw him on 4 March when were both at a conference discussing diversification and the tenant farmer. We are also in regular contact with tenant farmers and their representatives to discuss matters of mutual interest.

  Wool Board
  Mr. Knapman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met the chairman of the Wool Board; and what matters were discussed.
  637
  Mr. Donald Thompson
  My right hon. Friend, the Minister, last met the chairman of the Wool Board on 1 February 1988 to discuss the prospects for the 1988 clip year.

  Green Pound
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received on the green pound from the National Farmers Union and Farmers Union of Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I have received representations from both these organisations.

  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many representations he has received in the current year on the value of the green pound.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Rochford (Dr. Clark).

  Milk Marketing Board
  Mr. John Carlisle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met the chairman of the Milk Marketing Board; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  My right hon. Friend last met the chairman of the Milk Marketing Board on 1 March when a number of issues of current concern to the dairy industry were discussed.

  Freezer Trawlers
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current number of United Kingdom registered freezer trawlers; what are the fishing grounds within which they operate; and which species they are allowed to catch.

  Mr. Gummer
  Fishing vessels are not required to state their method of operation when registering. However, there are currently five vessels which are licensed by United Kingdom fisheries departments as freezer trawlers; of these, three are licensed for the full range of stocks in Community waters for which the United Kingdom has quotas. The two remaining vessels are licensed for demersal species only. Three of the five vessels also have access to licences which enable them to fish in external waters for species for which the Community has quotas.

  Farm Woodland Scheme
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has for reducing the minimum acreage to qualify for the farm woodland scheme.

  Mr. Gummer
  None.

  Pollution
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he intends to introduce special help for farmers or take any other measures to combat the pollution caused by modern farming methods.
  638
  Mr. Gummer
  My Department continues to encourage farmers, through the provision of assistance and advice, to adopt practices which minimise the risk of pollution. These measures are kept under continuous review to ensure they remain effective in combating pollution.

  Set-aside Scheme
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total estimated expenditure on set-aside payments for(a) 1988, (b) 1989 and (c) 1990; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. MacGregor
  Public expenditure planning totals were increased in the last survey by £16 million for 1989–90 and £22 million for 1990–91 to cover set-aside and extensification in the United Kingdom.

  Bass
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why the net sizes for the bass regulations are posed so as to exclude the standard channel mesh size.

  Mr. Gummer
  The measures recently proposed for the management of the bass fishery are intended to protect juvenile bass and safeguard recruitment to spawning stocks. They include mesh size restrictions for gill and other specified nets, but for this purpose we do not consider it necessary to apply these restrictions to trawls, Danish seines or similar towed nets used in the English Channel for which Council regulation (EEC) No. 2968/87 prescribes a minimum mesh size of 75mm, increasing to 80mm from 1 January 1989.

  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how he intends to ensure that the proposed bass regulations prevent the French from fishing spawning stock in mid-Channel; and what information he has on the amount taken from the spawning stock by French fishermen.

  Mr. Gummer
  As I explained on 21 March in reply to an earlier question from my hon. Friend at column 14, I have no plans to prevent fishing for adult bass. I have no recent figures of French bass catches in the Channel, but I am advised that statistics published in France show landings of bass from the Channel area up to 1983 as between 600 and 800 tonnes a year. This includes bass from French stock caught both in French inshore waters and in mid-Channel.

  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many French fishing boats were engaged in bass fishing in the English Channel last season.

  Mr. Gummer
  This information is not held by my Department.

  Agriculture Council
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the outcome of the Agriculture Council meeting held at the end of March.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 30 March to my hon. Friend the Member for Cambridgeshire, North-East (Mr. Moss).

  Forestry
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consultations were held between his Ministry and timber and land-owning interests concerning the proposed new grant arrangements for forestry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Davies).

  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he proposes to revise his estimate of annual new planting of trees in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  I intend that the combination of the new woodland grant scheme and the proposed farm woodland scheme will result in a significant increase in new planting in England and Wales.

  Farming Unions
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met representatives of the farming unions; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier today to my hon. Friends the Members for Fylde (Mr. Jack) and for Gainsborough and Horncastle (Mr. Leigh).

  Inner Cities
  Mr. Gould
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of the agriculture, fisheries and food programme is spent in the inner cities.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Expenditure in the inner cities under this programme is not separately recorded.

  Salmon Farming
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the representations he has received from Mr. Chris Tyderman of the World Wildlife Fund on the dangers of salmon farming to wild salmon returning to rivers for spawning.

  Mr. Gummer
  I have received no such representations from the World Wildlife Fund (UK).

  Arctic Foxes
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his Department's policy towards the farming of arctic foxes within Great Britain; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 8 March at column 130–31 to the hon. Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Banks) on the subject of arctic foxes.

  Food Irradiation
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received about the irradiation of foodstuffs; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I am still receiving some representations about the safety of food irradiation and 640
  the need for controls over the use of the technique. The Government have, of course, already made it clear that we need to be satisfied as to effective controls before there could be any question of lifting the present general prohibition — over which there would in addition be further consultation.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his latest estimate of the amount per week which the common agricultural policy adds to the average family food bill in the United Kingdom; and if the sums spent on exporting food are additional to this amount.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The magnitude of the costs of the CAP to consumers and taxpayers depends on the nature of the alternative policy envisaged. The Government's aim is to achieve lower levels of support worldwide thereby reducing the costs borne by consumers and taxpayers.

  Free Food
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent discussions he has had within the European Community about operating the free food scheme.

  Mr. Gummer
  The Government have requested the Commission to allocate to us a sum equivalent to £10£4 million in 1988 which the Commission has indicated is the maximum available for the United Kingdom. I await the response of the Commission.

  Pig Producers
  Sir Anthony Grant
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further steps he proposes to take to help British pig producers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  We continue to be in close touch with the representatives of the pig producers. The market appears to have stabilised following the support measures which were taken earlier. Cereal prices continue to show a downward trend. We accept the objective of removing the MCAs from the pigmeat sector and will be actively pursuing this.

  Farm Woodlands
  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what effects the new grant arrangements for forestry will have on his proposals for farm woodlands; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  The farm woodland scheme will be linked to the Forestry Commission's new woodland grant scheme. However, we have decided that farm woodland scheme planting will only attract increased planting grants for broadleaves. These will apply to both pure broadleaf planting and the broadleaf component of other woodlands and will increase the incentive to mixed and broadleaved planting under the scheme. The planting grants for conifers will remain unchanged.

  Sheep (Radioactivity)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many sheep have been monitored for radioactivity in each month since October 1987 in(a) each county of England and (b) the areas of the former

  Sheep monitored in England 1 November 1987 to 18 March 1988

  County1

  November 1987

  December 1987

  January 1988

  February 1988

  March 1988

  Total

  Cheshire

  25

  —

  —

  —

  —

  25

  Cumbria

  16,759

  3,974

  3,508

  3,177

  1,620

  29,038

  Devon

  77

  —

  —

  —

  —

  77

  Durham

  180

  —

  —

  —

  —

  180

  Lancashire

  101

  —

  40

  —

  —

  141

  Northumberland

  438

  —

  —

  229

  —

  667

  Shropshire

  50

  —

  —

  —

  —

  50

  Somerset

  79

  —

  —

  —

  —

  79

  Yorkshire (North)

  5,112

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5,112

  Yorkshire (West)

  200

  —

  —

  —

  —

  200

  Total

  23,021

  3,974

  3,548

  3,406

  1,620

  35,569

  1 No sheep have been monitored in counties not included in this list.

SCOTLAND

  Rating Reform
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the police, immigration officials or staff working in Department of Health and Social Security fraud units will be able to inspect names and addresses found in the community charge register.

  Mr. Lang
  Under section 20(2)(a) of the Abolition of Domestic Rates Etc. (Scotland) Act 1987 certain parts of the community charges register, including addresses and names, will be made available for public inspection.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will make it his policy to include in the next edition of his recent publication "You and the Community Charge" information to the effect that the name and address of individuals who appear on the community charge register may be sold without their knowledge or consent;

  (2) if he will make it his policy to include in the next edition of his recent publication "You and the Community Charge" information to the effect that the name and address of individuals who appear on the community charge register may be used by the police, Inland Revenue or Department of Health and Social Security specialist squads.

  Mr. Lang
  My right hon. and learned Friend has at present no plans to issue a further edition of the booklet "You and the Community Charge". As to his policies in respect of the matters referred to, I refer the hon. Member to my replies of 9 February at column 63 and of 21 March at columns 14–15.

  AIDS
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will make a statement on current and future plans to prevent the spread of HIV in Scottish prisons;

  (2) what is the latest number of HIV-positive prisoners in Scottish prisons.
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  metropolitian counties of west midlands, Greater Manchester, Greater London, Tyne and Wear, West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  [holding answer 25 March 1988]: The information requested is set out in the table:

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  As my right hon. and learned Friend made clear in his statement on 29 March 1988, the Government take the problems of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection very seriously. Guidance has been issued to the Scottish prison service informing staff of the nature, the effects and the modes of transmission of HIV infection and the hygiene and other precautions necessary to prevent transmission in prison.

  The guidance makes it clear that there are no medical reasons for segregating inmates who are known to have HIV infection or for limiting the normal range of work or recreational activities in which they may engage. This guidance has been supplemented by local training using audio-visual material.

  Medical staff have been issued with specialist guidance on testing and counselling. Testing is available on request to any inmate who may be risk. In the absence of compelling medical indications, testing would not be undertaken without prior explanation and consent or in the absence of suitable arrangements for counselling and support when the result is known. Selected nurse officers are being given training to improve their counselling techniques.

  The public education campaign to draw the dangers to the attention of those at risk has been extended into prisons and will be continued as further suitable material becomes available. It will continue to be Government policy to seek to restrict situations likely to high risk of transmission of HIV infection in prison. The management of symptomless carriers and the treatment of inmates who are ill as a result of HIV infection will share the aims and principles which are applied to care in the community. Specialist advice or support is sought as required from the National Health Service through the normal system for referral.

  Full annual returns for 1987 are not yet available, but the number of inmates so far confirmed as HIV positive by medical officers for penal establishments, or who have indicated that they have been positively tested prior to coming into custody, is 73.
  643
  It is impossible to estimate numbers who may have been infected prior to reception into custody but have not yet been tested either in the community or in custody.

  Forestry Commission
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library a copy of the Forestry Commission's mapped assessment of the suitability of land in the flow country of Caithness and Sutherland for afforestation.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I assume that the hon. Member is referring to one of a set of indicative overlays prepared by the Forestry Commission for use by a working group of officials. It related to technical plantability only and did not show the major constraints on planting, such as the need to protect areas of high conservation value.

  I will arrange for a map, prepared from that overlay, to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Paper Board and Timber Mills
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in the Official Report information available to him on the paper board and timber mills reliant on home-produced timber since 1980, the amount of public subsidy, assistance, grant or other inducement given to encourage the establishment of those plants and the estimated cost to public funds of each job created.

  Mr. Lang
  Information in the form requested is not available. However, in 1985 plants classified to the pulp, paper and timber industries* employed some 10,600 people in Scotland with sales of around £533 million. Since 1980, offers of regional selective assistance (RSA) made to firms classified to these industries have amounted to £17·5 million, associated with the creation of 1,420 jobs and the safeguarding of a further 3,140 jobs. Since the inception of the revised regional development grant scheme (RDG2), approvals to companies in the paper board and timber industries have totalled £6–4 million, and been associated with the creation of 840 jobs. It should be noted that some firms may receive both RSA and RDG2 and that where this occurs associated jobs may appear twice in the above figures.

  * Pulp, paper and timber industries are defined as plants classified to the following Activity Headings on the 1980 Standard Industrial Classification.
  4610 Sawmilling, planing, etc. of wood.
  4620 Manufacture of semi-finished wood products and further processing and treatment of wood.
  4710 Pulp, paper and board.

  Strip Searches
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many body searches and strip searches were carried out in Cornton vale prison in 1986 and 1987; and what are the comparable figures for such searches in other prisons in Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The number of body and strip searches carried out at Cornton vale institution in 1986 was 3,270 and in 1987 it was 2,651 (the statistics kept do not differentiate between body and strip searches). Statistics are not kept on the number of strip or body searches carried out at other prisons.

  Forestry
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has any plans to give new grants to assist forestry.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  As announced by my right hon. and learned Friend on 23 March, at columns 138–9 a new woodland grant scheme is to be introduced on 5 April 1988.

  North Sea Oil
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if it is his intention to place in the Library copies of the cards which give the latest readings of suspended wellhead positions on the United Kingdom continental shelf; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Cards providing the location of' suspended wellheads on the United Kingdom shelf are published on a half yearly basis by the fisheries Departments from data supplied by the Department of Energy and the Sea Fish Industry Authority. The cards are readily available and are distributed free of charge to fisheries organisations, local fishery offices and other interested parties at home and abroad, and I am arranging for copies to be placed in the Library.

  Inner Cities
  Mr. Gould
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of his Department's budget is spent in the inner cities.

  Mr. Lang
  I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. and learned Friend's statement in the House on 29 March about urban renewal measures in Scotland.

  Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will detail the current annual expenditure involved in the provision of(a) the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Scotland, area office in Inverness and (b) the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Scotland, area sub-office in Dingwall; if he will give his estimate of the anticipated annual savings which will accrue from the closure of the latter; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The current annual expenditure, including the cost of administration support staff, involved in the provision of:(a) the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland Area office in Inverness is £205,247 and (b) the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland Area sub-office in Dingwall is £35,710. The anticipated annual savings resulting from the closure of the latter is estimated to be £22,000.

  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide a breakdown of the number of farmers and crofters within the district covered by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Scotland, area sub-office in Dingwall; how many obtain their information and services from the area office in Inverness; what information and services are sought from Inverness rather than Dingwall; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  A total of 1,174 farmers and crofters are located within the district presently covered by
  645
  the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland area sub-office in Dingwall. All of those farmers and crofters within that district requiring information and services in relation to certain schemes obtain these from the area office in Inverness. Information and services sought from Inverness include advice and guidance from surveying staff in relation to capital grant schemes, crofting counties agricultural grant schemes, crofters building grants and loans schemes, procurement of labels under the seed potato labelling scheme, and veterinary services in relation to animal heath schemes.

  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received concerning the proposed closure of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Scotland, area sub-office in Dingwall; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Representations concerning the closure of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland area sub-office in Dingwall have been received from the Dingwall community council and also from the Dingwall and district chamber of commerce.

  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his policy towards the retention of Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Scotland, area sub-offices; if he will list all such offices in the Official Report; whether he is considering any Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Scotland, territorial areas for further rationalisation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Retention of Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland area sub-offices depends on the location of the individual area sub-offices in relation to the area offices themselves and on the extent to which these offices can be justified for the maintenance of an economical and efficient service. Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland area sub-offices are presently located at:

  Dingwall

  Lerwick

  Lairg

  Stornoway

  Benbecula

  Elgin

  Cupar

  Stirling

  The operational need for the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland area offices and sub-offices is kept under review on a continuing basis.

  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the nature and extent of public consultation which took place prior to his decision to close the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Scotland, area sub-office in Dingwall; which representative public bodies were involved and what was the nature of any submissions made by them; what was the time between the commencement of such consultations and the announcement of his decision; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The decision to close the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland area sub-office in Dingwall was made in the light of the need to make the most economical use of resources without impairing the efficiency of the service provided to the agricultural community. My noble Friend, the Minister of State, had regard to the good communications between Dingwall and Inverness and to the fact that, as well as certain services provided direct from the area office of the 646
  Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland, the animal health divisional office and the college advisory services for the Dingwall area are already provided from Inverness. No public consultations were carried out at this time.

  Mink Farms
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is the size and location of each mink farm currently operating in Scotland;

  (2) how many licences are current for the operation of mink farms in Scotland; what the figure was 12 months ago; and if he will give similar information for the number of mink farms actually in operation.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  As at 31 March 1988 there were six licences for the farming of mink covering eight farms in force in Scotland. All of these farms are currently operational. As at 31 March 1987 seven licences were in force covering eight farms.

  Farms currently in operation are located in the undernoted regions of Scotland:

  Region

  Number

  Central

  1

  Grampian

  2

  Lothian

  1

  Strathclyde

  12

  Tayside

  2

  1 The renewal of a licence for one of these farms is currently under consideration following a change of ownership.

  Two of these farms carry stocks of over 5,000 mink; the remainder carry stocks of less than 5,000.

  Police Inquiries (Guidelines)
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of the guidelines which are issued to members of local police committees on the action to be taken by individual members when they or their spouses are the subject of police inquiries into matters which may lead to criminal charges being made.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  No such guidelines addressed specifically to members of police authorities have been issued by the Scottish Office. I shall send my hon. Friend a copy of the national code of local government conduct.

  NHS (Seminar)
  Mr. Harry Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total cost to public funds of the seminar arranged by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Scottish Office, the hon. Member for Stirling (Mr. Forsyth) and held on 2 October 1987, dealing with privatisation in the National Health Service in Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The cost of the seminar —which discussed competitive tendering not privatisation —was £263·93.

  Michael Forsyth Ltd.
  Mr. Harry Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy to refrain from
  647
  dealings with the company Michael Forsyth Limited so long as it continues to trade under the name of a Minister in his Department; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Malcolm Rifkind
  No. Government dealings with private companies are carried out in accordance with rules that are generally well understood; I do not propose to add to these rules any proposition about the name under which a company chooses to trade. The Minister for education and health no longer has an interest in Michael Forsyth Limited.

  Patient Administration (Computerisation)
  Mr. Allan Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made regarding the computerisation of hospital patient administration systems and their introduction by health boards.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Contracts were signed today by the Common Services Agency for the Scottish Health Service with Honywell Bull Ltd. and McDonnell Douglas Information Systems Ltd. for the provision of systems and hardware for the following hospitals.

  Company and hospital

  Health board

  McDonnell Douglas

  Huntlyburn

  Borders

  Dunfermline and West Fife

  Fife

  Raigmore

  Highland

  Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh

  Lothian

  Western General, Edinburgh

  Lothian

  Bangour General

  Lothian

  Honeywell Bull Ltd

  Royal Alexandra, Paisley

  Argyll and Clyde

  Vale of Leven

  Argyll and Clyde

  Ayrshire Central

  Ayrshire and Arran

  Crosshouse

  Ayrshire and Arran

  Dumfries Royal Infirmary

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Falkirk and Stirling Royal Infirmaries

  Forth Valley

  Aberdeen Royal Infirmary

  Grampian

  Law

  Lanarkshire

  Ninewells

  Tayside

  Lewis

  Western Isles

  The total value of the equipment, software and services provided under these contracts is £8 million.

  Prisons (Alcoholism)
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland to what factors he attributes the fall in the number of male inmates in Scottish prisons treated for alcoholism between 1985 and 1986.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 8 February 1988]: There has been a continuous fall since 1982 in the number of male inmates in Scottish prisons treated for alcoholism. Inmates who are diagnosed by prison medical officers as suffering from alcoholism fall into two groups: those convicted of crimes related to drunkenness and those convicted of other crimes who may, coincidentally, have drink problems. This continuous fall in numbers treated for alcoholism is attributable in some degree to changes in police practice and court sentencing patterns over recent years and in the Aberdeen area, particularly to the establishment, with substantial Government financial support, of Albyn house as a designated place. This has been a major factor in the
  648
  reduction of prosecutions for drunkenness in the Aberdeen area. Thus, in the five-year period between 1981 and 1986, there was a 67 per cent reduction in the number of persons in Scotland proceeded against for drunkenness and a 54 per cent. reduction in the number of persons received into prison either directly or by default following convictions for drunkenness. Between 1985 and 1986 in Scotland there was a particularly marked fall of 57 per cent. in the number of fine defaulters convicted arid fined for drunkenness.

  Consultancy Contracts
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by the Scottish Development Agency in 1987, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 28 March 1988]: In 1987–88 (to 31 March 1988) the Scottish Development Agency commissioned 113 management or computer consultancies of a value of £5,000 or more. Several hundred consultancies to a lesser value were also commissioned: these were not exclusively management or computer consultancies. A detailed breakdown comprising the names of companies which have successfully tendered for contracts and the subject of these contracts cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate expense.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total amount spent by the Scottish Development Agency in 1987 on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 29 March 1988]: The amount spent by the Scottish Development Agency on consultants' fees in 1987–88 (to 31 March 1988) was £6,851,863.

  This includes fees for research and development, advisory services, appraisal arid administration, such as tax and accountancy advice, pension and legal consultancies, as well as management and computer consultancy.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by his Department in 1987, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The information requested is as follows:

  Firm and Subject of Assignment
  J. B. Schofield & Partners—To develop a fully integrated database system for monitoring the design, construction, inspection, and maintenance of highway structures.
  Babtie Shaw & Morton — To develop a computer programme for estimating the cost of alternative designs for new bridges.
  J. M. P. Consultants Ltd. — To develop a system for recording and storing results of materials testing carried out during the construction of new bridges.
  BP International—Development of a Procurement Manual.
  A. Macdonald Associates — Review of Building Regulations: Intelligent Information Systems
  Frank Griffiths Associates Ltd. — Overview of Roads Procurement Procedures.
  IBM—Systems Engineering Services.
  Ashford Associates—Investigation into document storage and retrieval for the Scottish Office ELGIN project.
  Ashford Associates — Evaluation of text processing packages.
  Ashford Associates — Construction of a text storage data base for the Scottish Police College library.

  649
  IBM—Systems Engineering Services.
  MSA — Installation of the MSA Accounts Payable and Receivable packages.
  CIPFA Services — To develop a specification of user requirements to assist local authorities in Scotland with the preparation for the community charge.

SOCIAL SERVICES

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many people of pensionable age in England and Wales were in receipt of housing benefit during 1987;

  (2) how many people of pensionable age in England and Wales were in receipt of housing benefit during 1975, 1979, 1983 and 1986.

  Mr. Portillo
  Table A shows the number of pensioners in receipt of housing benefit in 1979, 1983, 1986 and 1987. Information for 1975 is not available, and from 1983 onwards information can be provided only for Great Britain. These figures refer to rate rebate only to avoid the risk of double-counting.

  Table B indicates the more detailed position of pensioners gaining or losing entitlement as a result of the April 1988 changes. These modelled figures encompass gains and losses in rate rebates, and in rate rebates or allowances.

  Table A

  Numbers of pensioners receiving rate rebates1

  000s

  1975

  n/a

  1979

  22,000

  1983

  34,100

  1986

  33,990

  1987

  44,040

  1988

  53,390

  1 The figures relate to rate rebates only to avoid the risk of double counting. They understate the numbers of recipients by the very small numbers getting rent allowance or rent rebate only.

  2 Figure derived from the Department of the Environment, which had policy responsibility for housing benefit until 1982, and based on a small sample for England and Wales only. This figure excludes those who then received help with rates via supplementary benefit.

  3 Source: DHSS statistical enquiries, Great Britain.

  4 Source: Table 15.14 to the 1988 Public Expenditure White Paper, Great Britain.

  5Estimate derived from DHSS model, based on the Family Expenditure Survey, related to expected caseload in the 1988–89 fiscal year and refers to tax units in which the head or spouse is aged 60 or above.

  The estimated figures for pensioners gaining or losing housing benefit (rate rebate, rent rebate and rent allowance) as a result of the social security reforms are illustrated in the following table:

  Table B

  Thousands

  a.

  (i)Gain from existing entitlement

  970

  (ii)Gain from new entitlement

  20

  b.

  (i)Lose some housing benefit, retain entitlement

  2,570

  (ii)Lose all housing benefit entitlement

  750

  c.

  Total on housing benefit after April 1988

  3,560

  Notes:

  1. Figures relate to expected claimant caseload from April 1988,
  650
  taking the effect of the Budget into account.

  2. Figures denote tax-units, rather than households, in which the claimant or spouse is aged 60 or above.

  3. These tables include in the gains and losses those losing, or gaining less than 50p per week.

  General Practitioners (Charges)
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is his estimate of the annual yield, excluding administration cost, from requiring all patients to pay £5 for each consultation with a general practitioner;

  (2) what is his estimate of the annual yield, excluding administration costs, from requiring all patients, except the chronically sick, to pay £5 for each consultation with a general practitioner;

  (3) what is his estimate of the annual yield, excluding administration costs, from requiring all patients, except those in receipt of retirement pension, to pay £5 for each consultation with a general practitioner;

  (4) what is his estimate of the annual yield, excluding administration costs, from requiring all patients, except those in receipt of supplementary benefit, to pay £5 for each consultation with a general practitioner;

  (5) what is his estimate of the annual yield, excluding administration costs, from requiring all patients, except the chronically sick and those in receipt of retirement pensions or supplementary benefit, to pay £5 for each consultation with a general practitioner.

  Mr. Newton
  The figures requested are as follows. Broad estimates only are possible, as the Department does not collect any data on a routine basis on consultations with general medical practitioners. The only information which is available is derived from the general household survey which is an annual inquiry based on some 12,000 households. It gives consultation rates by age and sex, but does not identify separately the consultation rates applying to specific groups such as the chronically sick or those in receipt of retirement pension or supplementary benefits; and an assumption has therefore been made that the consultation rates for these groups are the same as for the population as a whole in the relevant age group for each sex. The figures give the estimated annual gross yield on this basis before deduction of administration costs, and assume no change in present consultation patterns.

  Estimated annual yield in England assuming a payment of £5 for each consultation with a general medical practitioner applying to:

  £ million

  All patients

  980

  All patients except the chronically sick1

  670

  All patients except those in receipt of retirement pensions2

  760

  All patients except those in receipt of supplementary benefit3

  840

  All patients except the chronically sick and those in receipt of retirement pensions and supplementary benefit1 2 3 4

  470

  Notes:

  1 The chronically sick are defined as those reporting a long-standing illness in the General Household Survey.

  2 Those receiving retirement pensions are assumed to be all men aged 65 and over, and all women aged 60 and over.

  3 It is assumed that partners and dependents of people in receipt of supplementary benefits would also be excepted.

  4 It is assumed that the same proportion of chronically sick people are in receipt of supplementary benefit as the population as a whole in each age group for each sex.

  651
  No estimate has been made of the administration costs involved in collecting such charges but these costs would not be insignificant.

  Cleveland Child Abuse Inquiry
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make it his policy to reimburse North Tees health authority for the costs of representation at the Cleveland child abuse inquiry.

  Mr. Newton
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to him on 25 March 1988 at column 248.

  Spending Power
  Sir Brandon Rhys Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish tables similar to those published in reply to the hon. Member for Kensington,Official Report, 4 February, columns 737–42, but taking account of changes proposed in the Budget.

  Mr. Scott
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Pembroke (Mr. Bennett) on 30 March 1988.

  Mentally-ill People
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many mentally-ill people received treatment(a) as in-patients and (b) as out-patients in the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale health authority in (i) Calderstones, (ii) Brockhall and (iii) other hospital sites in the last 12 months.

  Mrs. Currie
  In 1986, the latest year for which information is available, the table shows the number of inpatient admissions and out-patient attendances at NHS mental illness hospitals/units in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale health authority.

  Hospital

  In-patient admissions

  out-patient attendances

  Burnley General

  847

  9,447

  Rossendale General

  345

  2,189

  These figures include patients who have been admitted or attended hospital on more than one occasion during the year.

  Brockhall and Calderstones hospitals are mental handicap hospitals. Central information shows very few admissions to these hospitals of mentally handicapped residents with an associated mental illness diagnosis.

  Community Health Councils
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give a list of the community health councils in England together with their expenditure of public funds in the latest available year.

  Mr. Newton
  Following is the information requested derived from the 1986–87 annual accounts of the relevant health authorities.

  Community health councils Total expenditure 1986–87

  £

  Northern region

  Hartlepool

  27,139

  North Tees

  33,682

  652

  £

  South Tees

  34,299

  East Cumbria

  38,068

  South Cumbria

  59,044

  West Cumbria

  36,831

  Darlington

  32,488

  Durham

  31,981

  North West Durham

  34,921

  South West Durham

  30,417

  Northumberland

  40,008

  Gateshead

  24,399

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  33,438

  North Tyneside

  30,974

  South Tyneside

  32,409

  Sunderland

  31,844

  Districts total

  551,942

  Trent region

  North Derbyshire

  37,280

  Southern Derbyshire

  61,320

  Leicestershire

  47,589

  North Lincolnshire

  35,304

  South Lincolnshire

  44,866

  Bassetlaw

  30,109

  Central Nottinghamshire

  34,268

  Nottingham

  46,320

  Barnsley

  32,947

  Doncaster

  34,596

  Rotherham

  29,717

  Sheffield

  53,522

  Districts total

  487,838

  Yorkshire region

  Hull

  38,184

  East Yorkshire

  41,402

  Grimsby

  28,499

  Scunthorpe

  31,906

  Northallerton

  31,827

  York

  29,852

  Scarborough

  32,963

  Harrogate

  36,248

  Bradford

  31,633

  Airedale

  31,141

  Calderdale

  31,569

  Huddersfield

  29,971

  Dewsbury

  31,901

  Leeds Western

  38,325

  Leeds Eastern

  35,005

  Wakefield

  27,603

  Pontefract

  30,649

  Districts total

  558,678

  East Anglian region

  Cambridge

  34,446

  Peterborough

  43,568

  West Suffolk

  29,705

  East Suffolk

  31,872

  Norwich

  41,481

  Great Yarmouth and Waveney

  35,451

  West Norfolk and Wisbech

  43,055

  Huntingdon

  37,424

  Districts total

  297,002

  North-West Thames region

  North Bedfordshire

  37,924

  South Bedfordshire

  47,919

  North Hertfordshire

  33,311

  East Hertfordshire

  55,551

  North-West Hertfordshire

  42,937

  South-West Hertfordshire

  48,711

  Barnet

  43,959

  Harrow

  38,901

  Hillingdon

  57,656

  Hounslow and Spelthorne

  49,568

  653

  £

  Ealing

  55,821

  Brent

  42,130

  Paddington and North Kensington

  47,522

  Riverside

  47,663

  Districts total

  649,573

  South-East Thames Region

  Brighton

  30,973

  Eastbourne

  35,906

  Hastings

  29,077

  South-East Kent

  30,061

  Canterbury and Thanet

  32,706

  Dartford and Gravesham

  33,095

  Maidstone

  27,773

  Medway

  30,825

  Tunbridge Wells

  23,110

  Bexley

  32,651

  Greenwich

  30,480

  Bromley

  30,145

  West Lambeth

  47,033

  Camberwell

  33,160

  Lewisham and North Southwark

  52,925

  Districts total

  499,920

  South-West Thames region

  North-West Surrey

  28,103

  West Surrey and North East Hampshire

  36,919

  South-West Surrey

  29,188

  Mid Surrey

  34,018

  East Surrey

  33,533

  Chichester

  30,088

  Mid Downs

  35,749

  Worthing

  31,365

  Croydon

  56,434

  Kingston and Esher

  39,666

  Richmond, Twickenham & Roehampton

  53,741

  Wandsworth

  63,655

  Merton and Sutton

  38,496

  Districts total

  510,955

  North-Easl Thames region

  Basildon and Thurrock

  37,504

  Mid Essex

  36,153

  North-East Essex

  32,899

  West Essex

  33,762

  Southend

  45,433

  Barking/Havering/Brentwood

  45,658

  Hampstead

  38,715

  Bloomsbury

  46,082

  Islington

  40,441

  City and Hackney

  42,075

  Newham

  31,984

  Tower Hamlets

  33,372

  Enfield

  34,098

  Haringey

  43,313

  Redbridge

  35,367

  Waltham Forest

  39,379

  Districts total

  616,235

  Wessex region

  East Dorset

  35,334

  West Dorset

  28,090

  Portsmouth & S E Hants

  34,993

  Southampton & S W Hants

  32,906

  Winchester

  27,798

  Basingstoke & N Hants

  27,524

  Salisbury

  28,693

  Swindon

  31,498

  Bath

  30,689

  Isle of Wight

  31,013

  Districts total

  308,538

  654

  £

  Oxford region

  East Berkshire

  40,505

  West Berkshire

  42,252

  Aylesbury Vale

  29,235

  Wycombe

  39,600

  Milton Keynes

  34,893

  Kettering

  37,311

  Northampton

  34,461

  Oxfordshire

  56,138

  Districts total

  314,395

  South Western region

  Bristol & Weston

  61,351

  Frenchay

  40,723

  Southmead

  38,243

  Cornwall/Isles of Scilly

  57,514

  Exeter

  37,901

  North Devon

  32,359

  Plymouth

  39,301

  Torbay

  43,074

  Cheltenham

  37,132

  Gloucester

  50,617

  Somerset

  44,541

  Districts total

  482,756

  West Midlands region

  Bromsgrove and Redditch

  30,056

  Herefordshire

  39,971

  Kidderminster

  32,368

  Worcester

  31,208

  Shropshire

  54,823

  Mid Staffordshire

  32,832

  North Staffordshire

  34,934

  South-East Staffordshire

  32,877

  Rugby

  31,108

  North Warwickshire

  32,557

  South Warwickshire

  33,726

  Central Birmingham

  39,452

  East Birmingham

  33,820

  North Birmingham

  27,943

  South Birmingham

  36,694

  West Birmingham

  36,464

  Coventry

  37,808

  Dudley

  33,675

  Sandwell

  34,905

  Solihull

  36,724

  Walsall

  33,309

  Wolverhampton

  35,546

  Districts total

  772,800

  Mersey region

  Chester

  35,536

  Crewe

  34,871

  Halton

  41,715

  Macclesfield

  36,413

  Warrington

  35,096

  Liverpool

  80,248

  St. Helens and Knowsley

  34,589

  Southport and Formby

  35,828

  South Sefton

  29,657

  Wirral

  36,399

  Districts total

  400,352

  North Western region

  Lancaster

  39,275

  Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde

  35,037

  Preston

  43,613

  Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley

  38,559

  Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale

  38,446

  West Lancashire

  28,476

  Chorley and South Ribble

  42,127

  Bolton

  52,086

  655

  £

  Bury

  29,192

  North Manchester

  43,242

  Central Manchester

  42,297

  South Manchester

  43,194

  Oldham

  32,419

  Rochdale

  30,802

  Salford

  33,137

  Stockport

  42,080

  Tameside and Glossop

  30,406

  Trafford

  26,472

  Wigan

  32,000

  Districts total

  702,860

  Note:

  In addition to the figures for district health authorities the 1986–87 annual accounts of the Northern Regional Health Authority show similar expenditure totalling £10,710.

  Prostaglandin Abortion (Poison)
  Mr. Hargreaves
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce legislation to prohibit the use of poison in the case of prostaglandin abortion; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Newton
  Successive Governments have accepted since the passing of the 1967 Abortion Act that legislation in this field is initiated by private Members. The Government's position is that the method by which a legal abortion is performed is a matter for the clinical judgment of the doctor concerned, having regard to all the circumstances of the particular case.

  District Health Authorities (Land)
  Mr. Heddle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the ability of a district health authority to cede land to a voluntary housing society.

  Mrs. Currie
  Health authorities are required to dispose of surplus land in a publicly acceptable manner and, in general, to obtain the full market price. There are provisions under which with Ministers' agreement, surplus land can be leased to voluntary bodies on concessionary terms, provided the use to be made of the land complements a NHS service. Land cannot be gifted without the approval of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

  Inner Cities
  Mr. Gould
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of the health budget is spent in the inner cities.

  Mr. Newton
  Total expenditure for 1986–87 (the latest year for which figures are available) in health districts and family practitioner committee areas, which cover inner city areas, was as follows:

  £ million

  Hospital and Community Health Services1(Revenue and Capital)

  4,449

  Family Practitioner Services2

  1,222

  1 Includes an element of £158 million (estimated on a pro-rata to total population basis) for revenue and capital expenditure incurred by regional health authorities for their regions as a whole.

  2 Expenditure on family practitioner services cannot strictly be

  656

  attributed to particular regions or districts. Total expenditure has been estimated pro-rata to the total population of each region with expenditure assigned to each region geographically (ie from the annual accounts of the family practitioner committees which account for it).

  This was a total of £5,671 million within a total expenditure of £14,745 million. However, it should be noted that many of these districts and FPCs serve a geographical area considerably wider than the inner city and, in particular, that a number of the inner city districts contain teaching hospitals and provide regional specialty services, in addition to their local services. It is not possible to disaggregate those elements of expenditure which relate directly to the inner city areas.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he and his Department have received from Councillor Sam Darby and the town clerk of Manchester in regard to social fund allocations for 1988–89; what reply he is making; if there is any action he will be taking; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  The Permanent Secretary of the Department and I have received letters dated 21 March from the town clerk, and Councillor Darby of Manchester city council, respectively. Replies will be sent shortly.

  Project 2000
  Mr. Milian
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what discussions he has had on the proposals in Project 2000 relating to nurse training and education; and what conclusions he has reached.

  Mr. Newton
  All four health Departments have undertaken widespread consultation on the "Project 2000" proposals put forward by the United Kingdom Central Council for the reform of nurse education and training. We hope to be in a position to make a response to the proposals in the near future.

  Hepatitis B
  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress is being made against the spread or hepatitis B infection; what groups of people are being inoculated against it; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Currie
  The number of cases of acute hepatitis B reported to the public health laboratory service has declined from approximately 2,200 in 1985 to approximately 800 in 1987. During this period there has been not only an increase in vaccination against the disease but the issue of detailed advice to health authorities on preventing the spread of both hepatitis B and HIV infection in specific high risk situations, as well as widespread publicity on the risks of AIDS and HIV infection.

  The current memorandum from the joint committee on vaccination and immunisation (JCVI), which advises the health Departments on all aspects of immunisation, recommends that specific groups of health care personnel, patients, and family contacts should be considered for vaccination against hepatitis B. We hope shortly to make an announcement about a review of this guidance which has been undertaken by the JCVI.

  Chlamydia
  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress is being made to diagnose, treat and counter the spread of the chlamydia infection within the community.

  Mrs. Currie
  Facilities exist in every district to diagnose chlamydia, and the disease responds readily to the appropriate antibiotics.

  The public information campaigns about AIDS by the Department and the Health Education Authority should not only help to reduce the risks of HIV infection but should assist, with other work on public education, in preventing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, including chlamydia.

  Nurses (Professional Conduct)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (I) what complaints have been received by the professional conduct committee of the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting on allegations of poor nursing practice and negligence in each year since 1979;

  (2) how many of the complaints of poor nursing practice and negligence brought to the attention of the professional health conduct committee of the Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting have been settled by mutual agreement without conducting a hearing in each year since 1979;

  (3) what has been the cost to his Department of the settling of cases of complaints of poor nursing practice and negligence brought to the attention of the professional conduct committee of the Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting but which were settled by mutual agreement without conducting a hearing in each year since 1979;

  (4) what assessment has been made by his Department of the proportions of cases of allegations of poor nursing practice and negligence brought to the attention of the professional conduct committee of the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting which arise from instances of low staffing levels and low morale.

  Mr. Newton
  The work of the professional conduct committee is the responsibility of the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting (UKCC) which was formally established in 1983. I understand from the council that most of the information sought is not available in the form requested.

  It is the committee's function to determine the outcome of the cases brought before it. None are settled by mutual agreement and there is no cost to the Department. Information on the work of the professional conduct committee may be found in the annual report of the UKCC which is in the Library.

  Community Care
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many placements of people who have been transferred from long-stay mental handicap hospitals into community-based settings have proved unsuccessful due to(a) lack of funding, (b) poor service design and (c) neighbourhood hostility.
  658
  Mrs. Currie
  This information is not available centrally. However, the Department is not aware of any significant number of unsuccessful transfers of residents from mental handicap hospitals to community-based settings, although there may be initial difficulties for a number of reasons in such placements.

  South Manchester Health Authority
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Stretford of 28 March, he will give precise details of the date on which the Minister for Health the right hon. Member for Braintree (Mr. Newton) decided to refuse to meet a delegation of hon. Members about South Manchester health authority, having been asked to reconsider his decision to refer the matter to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary;

  (2) if, pursuant to his answer of 28 March, he will give details of the circumstances, including the means of communication by which he learned of the refusal of the hon. Member for Stretford to meet the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State about South Manchester health authority.

  Mr. Newton
  My decision not to see a delegation of hon. Members about South Manchester health authority after they had refused to meet my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary was made on 14 March 1988. It was conveyed over the telephone by my private office the same day to the hon. Member for Manchester, Withington (Mr. Bradley), who had requested the meeting on behalf of hon. Members and from whom my office learnt of the delegation's refusal to meet the Parliamentary Under-Secretary.

  Strontium 90
  Mr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the average levels of strontium 90 present in the bone marrow of children of the same age, born and raised in the United Kingdom, at intervals of five years from 1975 to the present; and whether the figures are based on actual measurements or from estimates from air and food levels.

  Mrs. Currie
  I am not aware of measurements or estimates which provide the information requested. Strontium 90 if found principally in bone rather than the bone marrow. The National Radiological Protection Board has made estimates for adults of radiation dose from strontium 90; these estimates are of notional lifetime dose from a particular year's intake. They are derived, using mathematical models, from measurements of levels of Strontium 90 in the diet.

  Sheltered Housing (Rents)
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what response he has made on the representations from the hon. Member for Woolwich dated 19 February about the decision of Greenwich council to raise rents for its frail elderly tenants in sheltered housing schemes.

  Mr. Portillo
  My office wrote to the hon. Member on 7 March explaining that the correspondence was forwarded to the Department of the Environment as the matters raised are the responsibility of that Department.

  Tranquillisers
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what discussions he has had with other European countries about problems associated with benzodiazepines; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Newton
  We have had no such discussions.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many representations he has received since 1 January 1987 about suspected adverse drug reactions involving benzodiazepines; and how many of these have been from(a) members of the public, (b) voluntary organisations counselling patients who claim to have suffered adverse effects and (c) general practitioners.

  Benzodiazepines

  Number of Prescriptions 1978–1986

  Great Britain (Thousands)

  Drug Group

  1978

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  Net Ingredient Cost £000 1986

  Temazepam

  314

  736

  1,329

  2,151

  3,088

  3,628

  4,222

  6,279

  7,160

  13,756

  Nitrazepam

  10,174

  10,148

  9,014

  8,371

  7,861

  7,048

  6,403

  5,974

  5,541

  1,147

  Diazepam

  11,096

  10,488

  8,819

  8,023

  7,077

  6,222

  5,407

  5,402

  5,235

  754

  Lorazepam

  1,826

  2,094

  2,390

  2,921

  3,466

  3,528

  3,240

  3,117

  3,149

  3,251

  Triazolam

  —

  175

  544

  1,043

  1,147

  1,093

  1,274

  1,646

  1,994

  5,833

  Chlordiazepoxide

  2,942

  2,638

  2,156

  1,996

  1,806

  1,550

  1,347

  1,165

  1,081

  1,321

  Oxazepam

  724

  736

  688

  785

  759

  712

  64.5

  721

  766

  808

  Lormetazepam

  —

  —

  —

  38

  202

  406

  521

  146

  191

  472

  Clonazepam

  37

  48

  47

  54

  65

  80

  90

  107

  113

  461

  Loprazolam

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  66

  24

  80

  185

  Clobazam

  —

  132

  326

  404

  457

  466

  487

  130

  45

  222

  Alprazolam

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  171

  339

  83

  1

  6

  Flurazepam

  2,100

  2,295

  2,300

  2,233

  2,241

  2,045

  1,970

  459

  —

  —

  Clorazepate Dipotassium

  1,042

  1,045

  1,181

  1,139

  1,186

  1,189

  1,255

  267

  —

  —

  Flunitrazepam

  —

  —

  —

  —

  8

  112

  241

  69

  —

  —

  Bromazepam

  —

  —

  —

  —

  10

  95

  188

  43

  —

  —

  Ketazolam

  —

  —

  49

  127

  168

  174

  153

  36

  —

  —

  Medazepam

  331

  336

  230

  210

  183

  161

  125

  29

  —

  —

  Prazepam

  —

  —

  —

  —

  14

  66

  65

  14

  —

  —

  Total

  30,586

  30,871

  29,073

  29,495

  29,738

  28,748

  28,044

  25,711

  25,356

  28,216

  Note:

  These estimates are based on a sample of prescriptions of approximately 1 in 200 in England and Wales and 1 in 100 in Scotland which were dispensed by community pharmacists.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received from the Council on Involuntary Tranquilliser Addiction on Merseyside about problems associated with benzodiazepines; and what his response has been.

  Mrs. Currie
  I have received an invitation to visit the Council for Involuntary Tranquilliser Addiction which I have regretfully had to decline. I have also received representations on the council's behalf from the hon. Member, to which I responded today.

  Northern RHA (Performance Indicators)
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what criteria will be used in the proposed use of performance indicators to assess the Northern regional health authority.
  660
  Mr. Newton
  Since 1 January 1987, we have received 22 letters from hon. Members or members of the public on this matter. None has been from a voluntary organisation or a general practitioner.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the number of prescriptions for each type of benzodiazepines dispensed by community pharmacists in Great Britain in each of the years 1978 to 1986 inclusive, giving the cost to the National Health Service in each case.

  Mr. Newton
  Information on the number of prescriptions for benzodiazepines in each of the years 1978 to 1986 and on the net ingredient cost in 1986 is set out in the table. Information on the costs for earlier years is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Newton
  Health Service indicators show each regional and district health authority's position in relation to other health authorities on a whole range of issues. 'The purpose of the indicators is, using local knowledge, to stimulate questions and enquiry about the reasons behind the variations across the country and between districts within regions. Northern region and its districts are being asked, like all other authorities, to analyse their indicators for the past four years and present the results to their authorities. Regions are specifically asked to look at variations across the region and at progress over time in addressing performance issues raised by the analysis. The results of these regional analyses will be discussed during this year's accountability reviews between the Department and regions.

  Social Security Advisory Committee
  Mr. Carttiss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when the Social Security Advisory Committee will be publishing its next annual report.

  Mr. Scott
  I understand that the SSAC's sixth report will be published on Wednesday 6 April 1988. Copies will be available in the Vote Office on that day.

  Independent Living Fund
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish the eligibility criteria for applications to the Independent Living Fund.

  Mr. Scott
  Broadly, the fund will be open to severely disabled people on low incomes who receive attendance allowance and who have to pay for domestic care.

  The detailed criteria are as follows:

  THE INDEPENDENT LIVING FUND

  Target Group
  People who are severely disabled, whether physically, mentally or sensorially, to the extent that they need help with their domestic duties and/or personal care to enable them to live independently in their own homes.

  Eligibility Criteria
  1. The applicant is living in the UK either:

  a. alone; or

  b. with a partner, or parent or parents, or other person or persons who are unable because of old age, ill-health, disability, other responsibilities, or the extent of the care need, to provide the total amount of personal care and domestic assistance required.

  For this purpose paid or voluntary support on a live-in basis does not disqualify an applicant from receiving help.

  2. The applicant is:

  a. receiving attendance allowance or constant attendance allowance; or

  b. has claimed and been found to satisfy the attendance allowance eligibility criteria, but the six months qualifying period has not yet been completed.

  If the applicant has submitted a claim to attendance allowance which has still to be decided but which the Trustees consider is likely to succeed, they may make an interim payment until decision of the claim if that would prevent the applicant's admission to institutional care.
  3. The applicant is severely restricted in his ability to perform normal personal care and/or domestic tasks because of his disablement without extensive help.
  4. The applicant or partner, or parent in the case of a dependent child, is:

  a. in receipt of income support; or

  b. not in receipt of income support but has net income in excess of income support level of less than the amount needed to pay for his essential personal care or domestic assistance and has capital of less than £6,000 (the Trustees may disregard capital earmarked for specific uses such as for adaptations or a car as they see fit.)

  5. That part of personal care and domestic assistance provided by a close relative who incurs only minimal expenses, or provided by a local authority, is not normally eligible for help from the fund.
  6. Personal care and domestic assistance has to be paid for.
  7. The above criteria having been satisfied the Trustees may give such assistance with the cost of provision of personal care and domestic assistance, having regard to receipt of attendance allowance, invalid care allowance, the income support severe disablement premium, excess income under 4(b), net housing costs, to other care needs and to such other factors as they think fit.
  8. Notwithstanding that the above criteria may not all be met, the Trustees may exceptionally make payments as they think fit if such payments would prevent a severely disabled person's admission to institutional care.
  9. In the case of payments from the fund being taken into account for the assessment of housing benefit, payment may
  662
  be made from the Fund to make good the housing benefit reduction, retrospectively, once legislation has been made to disregard payments from the Fund for the purposes of assessing housing benefit.

  Notes
  1. Domestic duties are taken to be normal household duties such as cleaning and tidying; cooking and preparing meals and washing up; essential laundering and ironing, and essential shopping.
  2. Personal care duties are taken to be those personal duties that a fit person would normally do for himself such as dressing, eating, washing and bathing, helping in and out of bed and with general mobility around the home.

  NHS (Compensation Payments)
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now publish the outturn figures for 1986–87 for compensation payments to National Health Service staff in respect of redundancies and early retirements in the manner described in the Government's reply to the first report from the Social Services Committee of Session 1984–85, breaking down the figures to distinguish between competitive tendering and other cases.

  Mrs. Currie
  The outturn figures for 1986–87 are as follows:

  Number of cases £

  Compensation cost £

  Total cost including super-annuation £

  Competitive tendering

  New cases

  1,935

  3,999,000

  8,808,000

  Continuing cases

  1,479

  1,487,000

  2,099,000

  Other cases

  New cases

  1,767

  6,100,000

  16,401,000

  Continuing cases

  7,790

  12,098,000

  24,185,000

  Social Security Reform
  Mr. Ken Hargreaves
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress has been made in each of the social security regions on converting existing supplementary benefit claims to income support; and when he expects the conversion to be completed.

  Mr. Portillo
  We plan to complete the conversion of current supplementary benefit claims to income support by 11 April in all offices although a small number of offices still have some way to go. The table shows the position in each of the seven regions on 11 March 1988.

  Region

  Percentage load converted1

  Scotland

  89

  orth East

  83

  North West

  84

  Midlands

  82

  Wales and South Western

  85

  London North

  74

  London South

  70

  1 Staff are using the conversion to update claims records. The exercise has shown that some claims are still recorded as live even though the person is no longer receiving supplementary benefit. This means that some recent counts of the number of current

  663

  supplementary benefit claims on which these percentages are based have not reflected the fall in the number of people receiving supplementary benefit.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will provide for employee families with children, figures similar to those in table 9B of "Impact of the Reformed Structure of Income Related Benefits" showing average changes in disposable income after housing costs(a) below gross earnings levels ranging from £75 to £200 and (b) below present disposable income levels after housing costs ranging from £75 to £200, the figures all to be displayed in £25 steps.

  Mr. Portillo
  The figures are in the table:

  All income related benefits: Average change in disposable income after meeting housing costs: Employee families with children in real terms

  Gross weekly original income, less than (£)

  Average change

  Present disposable income after housing costs, less than (£)

  Average change

  £ per week

  £ per week

  75

  +4·10

  75

  +12·60

  100

  +3·10

  100

  +3·70

  125

  +3·60

  125

  +3·40

  150

  +340

  150

  +3·50

  175

  +3·40

  175

  +3·50

  200

  +3·40

  200

  +3·40

  The estimates are consistent with assumptions in "Impact of The Reformed Structure of Income Related Benefits," October 1987, cover survey families of all sizes, ages and tenure types and include both couples and lone parents who are employees in employment working 24 or more remunerative hours. No adjustments have been made for the 1988 Budget changes.

  Adjudication Officers' Guide
  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when the adjudication officers' guide will he published; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  The adjudication officers' guide will be published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office today. Its 10 volumes contain detailed guidance on the full range of adjudicable social security benefits including the new benefits of family credit and income support. Previous guidance on other benefits, most of which was not published, has been completely rewritten. The guide will be invaluable both to adjudication officers in determining social security claims and questions and to outside agencies in providing help and advice to claimants. Copies have been placed in the Library.

  NHS Finance
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give for each district health authority, regional health authority and special health authority and for England as a total the amount of income to the National Health Service from(a) charitable appeals, (b) subscriptions, (c) donations and grants, (d) legacies, (e) dividends and interests and (f) the total trust fund income for the latest available year.

  Mr. Newton
  [holding answer 1 March 1988]: Tables showing information for National Health Service trust funds and derived from the 1986–87 accounts of health authorities in England have been placed in the Libarary.

  Children in Care
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the annual figures for the number of children received into care by reason of homelessness: if he will give this information for England as a whole and for each local authority area; what are the latest figures for the number of children in local authority care where the reason for their admission into care was homelessness; if he will give this information for England as a whole for each local authority area for the years ended 31 March 1985, 1986 and 1987 or the three most recent years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Currie
  [holding answer 25 March 1988]: A child may be taken into care for a number of reasons of which homelessness may be a contributory factor, although not identified as a specific cause in the statistics.

  Information on children in care where the specific cause was that their family was homeless is given in the tables for 1984, 1985 and 1986 for each local authority in England.

  Table 1 Children received into care of local authorities because family homeless (eviction or other cause) during the year ending 31 March, 1984, 1985 and 19862

  Numbers

  1984

  1985

  21985

  England

  244

  212

  204

  Cleveland

  0

  6

  0

  Cumbria

  0

  3

  5

  Durham

  4

  3

  3

  Northumberland

  6

  0

  0

  Gateshead

  0

  0

  0

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  8

  6

  10

  North Tyneside

  0

  6

  1

  South Tyneside

  3

  0

  1

  Sunderland

  0

  0

  1

  Humberside

  10

  8

  2

  North Yorkshire

  11

  2

  0

  Barnsley

  3

  0

  3

  Doncaster

  3

  3

  9

  Rotherham

  1

  1

  0

  Sheffield

  1

  11

  11

  Bradford

  18

  11

  4

  Calderdale

  1

  0

  2

  Kirklees

  8

  2

  5

  Leeds

  3

  14

  6

  Wakefield

  1

  0

  0

  Cheshire

  5

  0

  2

  Lancashire

  10

  11

  14

  Bolton

  2

  1

  0

  Bury

  0

  3

  0

  Manchester

  3

  11

  9

  Oldham

  0

  0

  0

  Rochdale

  1

  1

  2

  Salford

  4

  0

  8

  Stockport

  6

  0

  2

  Tameside

  10

  1

  1

  Trafford

  0

  0

  0

  Wigan

  0

  0

  0

  Knowsley

  4

  0

  0

  Liverpool

  2

  0

  2

  Sefton

  2

  11

  2

  St. Helens

  4

  0

  0

  Wirral

  2

  4

  4

  Hereford and Worcester

  0

  2

  0

  Shropshire

  2

  0

  0

  Staffordshire

  4

  2

  2

  Warwickshire

  0

  0

  1

  Birmingham

  9

  3

  4

  Coventry

  5

  2

  1

  Dudley

  0

  1

  0

  Sandwell

  1

  0

  1

  665

  1984

  1985

  21986

  Solihull

  1

  0

  2

  Walsall

  3

  3

  7

  Wolverhampton

  2

  0

  0

  Derbyshire

  0

  0

  3

  Leicestershire

  0

  4

  1

  Lincolnshire

  3

  10

  2

  Northamptonshire

  1

  0

  3

  Nottinghamshire

  7

  5

  2

  Bedfordshire

  6

  2

  1

  Berkshire

  1

  3

  5

  Buckinghamshire

  0

  0

  2

  Cambridgeshire

  4

  0

  0

  Essex

  4

  7

  3

  Hertfordshire

  2

  0

  1

  Norfolk

  0

  2

  2

  Oxfordshire

  6

  0

  4

  Suffolk

  0

  1

  1

  Camden

  0

  0

  3

  Greenwich

  0

  3

  1

  Hackney

  0

  0

  0

  Hammersmith

  2

  0

  1

  Islington

  12

  12

  12

  Kensington

  1

  0

  0

  Lambeth

  0

  0

  0

  Lewisham

  0

  0

  0

  South wark

  1

  1

  2

  Tower Hamlets

  11

  11

  11

  Wandsworth

  4

  5

  4

  Westminster

  0

  0

  0

  City of London

  0

  0

  0

  Barking

  2

  0

  1

  Barnet

  0

  0

  0

  Bexley

  2

  2

  0

  Brent

  0

  2

  2

  Bromley

  0

  1

  1

  Croydon

  7

  1

  2

  Ealing

  0

  2

  0

  Enfield

  0

  2

  0

  Haringey

  2

  0

  0

  Harrow

  0

  0

  0

  Havering

  0

  0

  0

  Hillingdon

  1

  3

  1

  Hounslow

  1

  0

  0

  Kingston upon Thames

  1

  0

  0

  Merton

  0

  1

  0

  Newham

  0

  8

  13

  Redbridge

  0

  0

  0

  Richmond upon Thames

  0

  0

  0

  Sutton

  3

  0

  3

  Waltham Forest

  1

  0

  0

  Dorset

  2

  0

  2

  Hampshire

  2

  11

  0

  Isle of Wight

  1

  0

  0

  Kent

  4

  14

  14

  Surrey

  3

  2

  3

  East Sussex

  1

  3

  1

  West Sussex

  0

  0

  0

  Wiltshire

  0

  2

  0

  Avon

  8

  0

  4

  Cornwall

  0

  0

  4

  Devon

  3

  0

  10

  Gloucestershire

  2

  0

  1

  Somerset

  0

  0

  1

  1 Estimated from information for previous years.

  2 1986 figures are provisional.

  Table 2

  Children received into care of local authorities because family homeless (eviction or other cause) as at 31 March 1984, 1985 and 19862

  Numbers

  1984

  1985

  19862

  England

  713

  598

  513

  Cleveland

  4

  3

  3

  666

  1984

  1985

  19862

  Cumbria

  6

  8

  7

  Durham

  12

  11

  10

  Northumberland

  4

  3

  1

  Gateshead

  3

  3

  2

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  11

  10

  9

  North Tyneside

  7

  10

  9

  South Tyneside

  8

  5

  5

  Sunderland

  3

  2

  3

  Humberside

  9

  10

  9

  North Yorkshire

  10

  5

  3

  Barnsley

  12

  12

  12

  Doncaster

  3

  8

  9

  Rotherham

  2

  2

  2

  Sheffield

  16

  16

  116

  Bradford

  23

  19

  4

  Calderdale

  2

  2

  1

  Kirklees

  9

  8

  7

  Leeds

  3

  7

  8

  Wakefield

  12

  9

  8

  Cheshire

  16

  14

  9

  Lancashire

  21

  19

  18

  Bolton

  2

  1

  0

  Bury

  2

  4

  0

  Manchester

  13

  15

  12

  Oldham

  0

  0

  0

  Rochdale

  5

  3

  3

  Salford

  8

  6

  10

  Stockport

  7

  3

  3

  Tameside

  10

  0

  0

  Trafford

  3

  1

  0

  Wigan

  6

  5

  5

  Knowsley

  4

  4

  4

  Liverpool

  25

  0

  0

  Sefton

  7

  6

  4

  St. Helens

  5

  5

  3

  Wirral

  5

  6

  4

  Hereford and Worcester

  7

  8

  6

  Shropshire

  15

  9

  6

  Staffordshire

  21

  13

  12

  Warwickshire

  8

  8

  8

  Birmingham

  7

  4

  4

  Coventry

  11

  7

  5

  Dudley

  6

  6

  5

  Sandwell

  3

  7

  4

  Solihull

  1

  0

  0

  Walsall

  6

  6

  7

  Wolverhampton

  4

  2

  2

  Derbyshire

  2

  3

  2

  Leicestershire

  4

  3

  2

  Lincolnshire

  5

  1

  3

  Northamptonshire

  9

  6

  6

  Nottinghamshire

  12

  9

  10

  Bedfordshire

  15

  12

  8

  Berkshire

  14

  15

  9

  Buckinghamshire

  2

  2

  2

  Cambridgeshire

  6

  4

  4

  Essex

  15

  12

  9

  Hertfordshire

  12

  12

  10

  Norfolk

  2

  2

  1

  Oxfordshire

  4

  3

  1

  Suffolk

  8

  6

  6

  Camden

  0

  0

  0

  Greenwich

  0

  2

  1

  Hackney

  5

  5

  3

  Hammersmith

  7

  5

  3

  Islington

  10

  10

  10

  Kensington

  8

  7

  5

  Lambeth

  2

  0

  0

  Lewisham

  1

  1

  11

  Southwark

  2

  1

  3

  Tower Hamlets

  124

  124

  124

  Wandsworth

  5

  4

  4

  Westminster

  4

  4

  2

  City of London

  0

  0

  0

  Barking

  0

  0

  0

  Barnet

  0

  0

  0

  Bexley

  0

  0

  0

  667

  1984

  1985

  19862

  Brent

  3

  5

  4

  Bromley

  4

  4

  2

  Croydon

  5

  4

  1

  Ealing

  5

  5

  4

  Enfield

  0

  2

  0

  Haringey

  5

  4

  3

  Harrow

  1

  0

  0

  Havering

  0

  0

  0

  Hillingdon

  0

  1

  1

  Hounslow

  2

  1

  1

  Kingston upon Thames

  0

  0

  0

  Merton

  0

  0

  0

  Newham

  0

  1

  11

  Redbridge

  0

  0

  0

  Richmond upon Thames

  0

  0

  1

  Sutton

  2

  1

  3

  Waltham Forest

  0

  0

  0

  Dorset

  13

  10

  9

  Hampshire

  40

  32

  26

  Isle of Wight

  1

  0

  0

  Kent

  13

  113

  113

  Surrey

  3

  4

  5

  East Sussex

  9

  4

  6

  West Sussex

  8

  7

  6

  Wiltshire

  13

  12

  5

  Avon

  12

  11

  10

  Cornwall

  0

  0

  2

  Devon

  20

  14

  114

  Gloucestershire

  5

  3

  3

  Somerset

  4

  2

  2

  1 Estimated from information for earlier years.

  2 The 1986 figures are provisional.

  Motor Cyclists
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the annual cost to the National Health Service of the treatment of leg injuries sustained by motor cyclists in road traffic accidents.

  Mrs. Currie
  [holding answer 29 March 1988]: The annual cost to the National Health Service of treating injuries to motor cyclists and their passengers is estimated to be £22 million (England 1986). Information is not available on the cost of particular types of injury.

  District Health Authority Staffing
  Mr. Favell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list in respect of each district health authority(a) the total number of full-time equivalent employees and (b) the total number of full-time equivalent management employees above the level of department head or ward sister.

  Mr. Newton
  [holding answer 4 February 1988]: Such information as is available centrally is shown in the tables. Information on management employees in the form requested is not held centrally.

  NHS directly employed staff1 2 in post 30 September 1986

  Region

  Whole-time equivalent31986

  Northern

  53,510

  Yorkshire

  59,570

  Trent

  74,310

  East Anglia

  30.490

  North West Thames

  54,810

  North East Thames

  69,060

  South East Thames

  61,860

  668

  Region

  Whole-time equivalent3 1986

  South West Thames

  45,660

  Wessex

  43,520

  Oxford

  33,210

  South Western

  52,370

  West Midlands

  84,230

  Mersey

  42,870

  North Western

  74,080

  England4

  801,590

  Source:

  DHSS(SR7) Annual censuses of NHS medical and non-medical manpower.

  1 Includes permanent paid, ho norary and locum medical and dental staff.

  2 Includes agency nursing and midwifery staff.

  3 Figures are independently rounded to the nearest ten(10) whole-time equivalents.

  4 Includes staff in London Post Graduate Special Health Authorities, Dental Estimates Board, Prescription Pricing Authority, London Ambulance Services Staff, and Family Practitioner Committees' directly employed staff.

  NHS directly employed staff 1 2 3 in post 30 September 1986

  4Whole-time equivalents

  Northern RHA

  Total

  53,510

  Hartlepool

  1,570

  North Tees

  2,490

  South Tees

  5,020

  East Cumbria

  2,980

  South Cumbria

  2,060

  West Cumbria

  2,050

  Darlington

  2,270

  Durham

  2,440

  North West Durham

  1,370

  South West Durham

  2,690

  Northumberland

  5,190

  Gateshead

  2,680

  Newcastle (T)

  9,600

  North Tyneside

  1,840

  South Tyneside

  1,770

  Sunderland

  5,000

  Yorkshire RHA

  Total

  59,570

  Hull

  5,180

  East Yorkshire

  2,960

  Grimsby

  2,460

  Scunthorpe

  2,040

  Northallerton

  970

  York

  4,370

  Scarborough

  1,660

  Harrogate

  2,190

  Bradford

  5,090

  Airedale

  2,500

  Calderdale

  2,600

  Huddersfield

  3,650

  Dewsbury

  1,910

  Leeds Western (T)

  6,940

  Leeds Eastern (T)

  6,430

  Wakefield

  3,770

  Pontefract

  1,940

  Trent RHA

  Total

  74,310

  North Derbyshire

  3,750

  Southern Derbyshire

  7,510

  Leicestershire (T)

  12,460

  North Lincolnshire

  4,620

  South Lincolnshire

  3,600

  Bassetlaw

  1,210

  Central Nottinghamshire

  4,200

  669

  4Whole-time equivalents

  Nottingham (T)

  11,200

  Barnsley

  2,900

  Doncaster

  4,060

  Rotherham

  3,200

  Sheffield (T)

  12,740

  East Anglia RHA

  Total

  30,490

  Cambridge (T)

  5,140

  Peterborough

  3,050

  West Suffolk

  2,860

  East Suffolk

  5,050

  Norwich

  7,140

  Great Yarmouth and Waveney

  2,580

  West Norfolk and Wisbech

  2,160

  Huntingdon

  1,370

  North West Thames RHA

  Total

  54,810

  North Bedfordshire

  2,780

  South Bedfordshire

  3,360

  North Hertfordshire

  1,950

  East Hertfordshire

  1,840

  North West Hertfordshire

  5,440

  South West Hertfordshire

  2,200

  Barnet

  5,250

  Harrow

  2,660

  Hillingdon

  3,900

  Hounslow and Spelthorne

  3,550

  Ealing

  2,930

  Brent

  4,020

  Paddington and North Kensington (T)

  4,040

  Riverside (T)

  8,760

  North East Thames RHA

  Total

  69,060

  Basildon and Thurrock

  4,110

  Mid Essex

  3,920

  North East Essex

  5,130

  West Essex

  2,910

  Southend

  3,760

  Barking Havering and Brentwood

  5,820

  Hampstead (T)

  4,640

  Bloomsbury (T)

  7,850

  Islington

  3,200

  City and Hackney (T)

  5,760

  Newhara

  2,260

  Tower Hamlets (T)

  5,050

  Enfield

  2,730

  Haringey

  2,790

  Redbridge

  2,710

  Waltham Forest

  4,560

  South East Thames RHA

  Total

  61,860

  Brighton

  4,680

  Eastbourne

  3,330

  Hastings

  2,400

  South East Kent

  2,970

  Canterbury and Thanet

  4,570

  Dartford and Gravesham

  3,780

  Maidstone

  2,690

  Medway

  3,650

  Tunbridge Wells

  3,640

  Bexley

  2,800

  Greenwich

  4,070

  Bromley

  3,820

  West Lambeth (T)

  5,440

  Camberwell (T)

  4,530

  Lewisham and North Southwark (T)

  7,730

  South West Thames RHA

  Total

  45,660

  North West Surrey

  2,960

  West Surrey and North East Hampshire

  3,020

  South West Surrey

  2,450

  670

  4Whole-time equivalents

  Mid Surrey

  3,100

  East Surrey

  3,540

  Chichester

  2,420

  Mid Downs

  3,140

  Worthing

  2,830

  Croydon

  4,390

  Kingston and Esher

  2,920

  Richmond Twickenham and Roehampton

  2,440

  Wandsworth (T)

  5,740

  Merton and Sutton

  4,940

  Wessex RHA

  Total

  43,520

  East Dorset

  5,570

  West Dorset

  3,190

  Portsmouth and SE Hampshire

  6,520

  Southampton and SW Hampshire (T)

  7,970

  Winchester

  2,820

  Basingstoke and N Hampshire

  3,080

  Salisbury

  2,490

  Swindon

  3,300

  Bath

  5,430

  Isle of Wight

  1,900

  Oxford RHA

  Total

  33,210

  East Berkshire

  4,040

  West Berkshire

  5,650

  Aylesbury Vale

  3,080

  Wycombe

  2,310

  Milton Keynes

  1,360

  Kettering

  2,650

  Northampton

  4,400

  Oxfordshire (T)

  8,180

  South Western RHA

  Total

  52,370

  Bristol and Weston (T)

  7,170

  Frenchay

  4,680

  Southmead

  3,870

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  5,380

  Exeter

  6,370

  North Devon

  1,820

  Plymouth

  5,480

  Torbay

  3,130

  Cheltenham and District

  2,380

  Gloucester

  4,640

  Somerset

  5,790

  West Midlands RHA

  Total

  84,230

  Bromsgrove and Redditch

  2,150

  Herefordshire

  2,100

  Kidderminster and District

  2,200

  Worcester and District

  3,590

  Shropshire

  5,310

  Mid Staffordshire

  3,530

  North Staffordshire

  7,430

  South East Staffordshire

  3,330

  Rugby

  840

  North Warwickshire

  2,400

  South Warwickshire

  3,540

  Central Birmingham (T)

  6,100

  East Birmingham

  2,700

  North Birmingham

  2,630

  South Birmingham

  4,980

  West Birmingham

  4,950

  Coventry

  5,000

  Dudley

  4,120

  Sandwell

  2,960

  Solihull

  2,140

  Walsall

  3,450

  Wolverhampton

  4,320

  671

  4Whole-time equivalents

  Mersey RHA

  Total

  42,870

  Chester

  3,570

  Crewe

  3,070

  Halton

  1,100

  Macclesfield

  2,700

  Warrington

  3,920

  Liverpool (T)

  10,430

  St. Helens and Knowsley

  4,690

  Southport and Formby

  2,080

  South Sefton

  4,130

  Wirral

  5,030

  North Western RHA

  Total

  74,080

  Lancaster

  3,800

  Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde

  4,290

  Preston

  5,390

  Blackburn. Hyndburn and Ribble Valley

  4,900

  Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale

  4,420

  West Lancashire

  1,780

  Chorley and South Ribble

  1,060

  Bolton

  3,410

  Bury

  1,830

  North Manchester

  4,680

  Central Manchester (T)

  4,610

  South Manchester (T)

  6,540

  Oldham

  2,790

  Rochdale

  2,190

  Salford (T)

  6,340

  Stockport

  3,750

  Tameside and Glossop

  2,500

  Trafford

  2,350

  Wigan

  3,810

  Source: DHSS annual census of National Health Service medical and non-medical manpower.

  Notes to all regional tables:

  1. Includes permanent paid, honorary and locum medical and dental staff. Excludes consultants in non-teaching district health authorities and senior registrars in all district health authorities — these staff have their contracts with regional health authorities.

  2. Includes agency nursing and midwifery staff.

  3. Regional totals including regional headquarters and headquarters units staff, and staff whose contracts are held by regional health authorities.

  4. Figures are independently rounded to nearest ten (10) whole-time equivalents.

  (T)—Denotes teaching authority.

EMPLOYMENT

  Consultative Documents
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make it his policy that responses received to consultative documents issued by his Department be made publicly available in his Department's library, except where the respondent has specifically asked that this be not done; and if he will arrange for this procedure to be made clear when future consultative documents are issued.

  Mr. Lee
  The Department of Employment operates a system whereby responses to consultative documents issued by my Department are made available in the Library for public inspection, on request. Responses are not made available when the respondents have stated that they do not wish their comments to be made public.

  Deaf People (Training Schemes)
  Mr. Sims
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what plans he has to increase the supply of properly qualified communicators with deaf people on training schemes;

  (2) whether he intends to establish further courses along the lines of that run at Bournville further education college, Birmingham, to train communicators with deaf people.

  Mr. Cope
  The Manpower Services Commission is committed to assist in increasing the supply of trained communicators for deaf people in order to support deaf trainees in the commission's youth and adult training programme. Plans include the setting up and running of a number of courses over the next year to 18 months based on the experiences of the Bournville course, which was itself funded by the commission.

  Telephone Communications
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment why telephone callers to his Department's advertised number of 213 3000 are being asked successively to redial two further numbers, the last of which is mainly engaged; what action he proposes to take to improve telephone communications with his Department; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lee
  The 213 3000 number for this Department was changed to a new number on 18 January 1988 as part of the modernisation programme of the Whitehall telephone exchange system which is run by the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA), as part of the common service to Government Departments.

  After the changeover, a recorded message was placed on the 213 number and callers were asked to phone a central switchboard where they are told the new number of the person or section they want to contact. Provided the extension is not busy the call is then transferred, avoiding the need to dial an additional number.

  However, the passport office was also on the old 213 exchange and because of the large number of people who ring there the number has sometimes become overloaded. At such times operators have asked callers to dial the new number directly in order to deal more quickly with new inquiries.

  The CCTA has recently installed a new intercept recorded announcement message, which gives more prominence to the new number of the passport office. This should reduce the number of callers erroneously ringing the number used by this Department. The volume of callers on the 213 number is also decreasing as people are becoming aware of the new numbers. The CCTA is also ensuring that all callers who ring the 273 number are transferred to the new extension number and are not being asked to make a further call.

  Adult Training Scheme
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received asking him to reconsider his decision to require those participating in the adult training scheme to pay the first £5 of their travel expenses.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received asking
  673
  him to reconsider his decision to require those participating in the adult training scheme to pay the first £5 of their travel expenses.

  Mr. Nicholls
  None. It was the unanimous recommendation of the Manpower Services Commission that only participants' travel expenses in excess of £5 should be met, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has accepted this.

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  Permanent workers dismissed for offence justifying summary dismissal

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  Reinstated by order of East Anglia Dock Labour Board and Appeal Tribunals

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dismissal upheld by East Anglia Dock Labour Board and Appeal Tribunals

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  Training Schemes
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many school leavers were on YTS/ YOPs schemes during 1987; and hos many and what percentage of these school leavers obtained work on completing their time on the scheme.

  Mr. Cope
  There were on average about 400,000 young people training on YTS at any one time in 1987. The youth opportunities programme ended in 1983. The latest Manpower Services Commission follow-up surveys of YTS leavers show that of those who completed their training programme between April 1986 and September 1987, 73 per cent. were in work at the time of the surveys.

  Inner Cities
  Mr. Gould
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of the employment programme is spent in the inner cities.

  Mr. Cope
  In 1987–88 it is estimated that approximately one third of the expenditure by this Department and the Manpower Services Commission on employment, training and enterprise programmes in England is in the inner cities.

  Health and Safety Executive
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what consideration he has given to privatising the Health and Safety Executive; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The Government have no plans to privatise the Health and Safety Executive.

  Wages
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will delineate the average, in percentage and real terms, increase in wage levels in all regions of the United Kingdom from 1979 to the latest available date.

  Dock Workers
  Mr. Summerson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many permanent registered dock workers in the East Anglia labour board area in each year from 1980 to 1986 have been dismissed by their employer for an offence justifying summary dismissal under the disciplinary provisions of the dock labour scheme; how many of these men have been reinstated by order of the local dock labour board and appeal tribunals; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The figures requested are as follows:

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

  Industrial Tribunals
  Mr. Batiste
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of applications to industrial tribunals in each of the last three years for which figures are available have been subject to a pre-hearing assessment; in how many cases a warning as to costs was issued; and following such warning how many applications were withdrawn.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [pursuant to his reply, 7 March 1988, c. 37]: I regret that there were some errors in my original reply. The correct information should read as follows:

  12 months ending

  31 December 1984

  31 March 1986

  31 March 1987

  Proportion of applications subject to pre-hearing assessment (per cent.)

  9·4

  3·7

  2·5

  Number of costs warnings issued

  1,266

  672

  517

  Number of applications withdrawn or settled after costs warning

  1,004

  510

  403

  National Dock Labour Scheme
  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many permanent registered dock workers in the London labour board area in each year from 1980 to 1986 have been dismissed by their employer for an offence justifying summary dismissal under the disciplinary provisions of the dock labour scheme; and how many of these men have been reinstated by order of the local dock labour board and appeal tribunals.
  675
  Mr. Nicholls
  [pursuant to his reply, 14 March 1988, c. 448–49]: The figures requested are as follows:

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  Permanent Workers dismissed for an offence justifying summary dismissal

  9

  7

  10

  2

  —

  1

  —

  Reinstated by order of London Dock Labour Board and Appeal Tribunals

  9

  5

  8

  2

  —

  1

  —

  Dismissal upheld by London Dock Labour Board and Appeal Tribunals

  —

  2

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many permanent registered dock workers in the Hull and Goole dock labour board area in each year from 1980 to 1986 have been dismissed by their employer for an offence justifying summary dismissal under the disciplinary provisions of the dock labour

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  Permanent workers dismissed for an offence justifying summary dismissal

  7

  —

  1

  2

  1

  1

  —

  Reinstated by order of Hull and Goole Dock Labour Board Appeal Tribunals

  7

  —

  1

  1

  1

  1

  —

  Dismissal upheld by Hull and Goole Dock Labour Board and Appeal Tribunals

  —

  —

  —

  1—

  —

  —

  —

  1 The second man in this year left the industry without his case being resolved by the Local Board.

  Mr. Roger King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many permanent registered dock workers in the Tyne and Wear local dock labour board area in each year from 1980 to 1986 have been dismissed by their employer for an offence justifying summary dismissal under the disciplinary provisions of the dock

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  Permanent workers dismissed for an offence justifying summary dismissal

  2

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Reinstated by order of Tyne and Wear Dock Labour Board and Appeal Tribunals

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dismissal upheld by Tync and Wear Dock Labour Board and Appeal Tribunals

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Mr. Wood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many permanent registered dock workers in the Grimsby and Immingham local dock labour board area in each year from 1980 to 1986 have been dismissed by their employer for an offence justifying summary dismissal under the disciplinary provisions on

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  Permanent workers dismissed for an offence justifying summary dismissal

  5

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Reinstated by order of Grimsby and Immingham Dock Labour Board and Appeal Tribunals.

  5

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Dismissal upheld by Grimsby and Immingham Dock Labour Board and Appeals Tribunals

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many permanent registered dock workers in the West Scotland local dock labour board area in each year from 1980 to 1986 have been dismissed by their employer for an offence justifying summary dismissal under the disciplinary provisions of the dock labour
  676
  scheme; and how many of these men have been reinstated by order of the local dock labour board and appeal tribunals.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [pursuant to his reply, 14 March 1988, c. 448–49]: The figures requested are as follows:

  the dock labour scheme; and how many of these men have been reinstated by order of the local dock labour board and appeal tribunals.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [pursuant to his reply, 14 March 1988, c. 448–9]: The figures requested are as follows:

  labour scheme; and how many of these men have been reinstated by order of the local dock labour board and appeal tribunals.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [pursuant to his reply, 14 March 1988, c. 448–9]: The figures requested are as follows:
  677

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  Permanent workers dismissed for an offence justifying summary dismissal

  8

  9

  3

  1

  2

  2

  1

  Reinstated by order of West Scotland Dock Labour Board and Appeal Tribunals.

  7

  9

  3

  1

  2

  1

  1

  Dismissal upheld by West Scotland Dock Labour Board and Appeals Tribunals

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Community Programme
  Mr. Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many places have been allocated under the community programme for crime prevention.

  Mr. Hurd
  On 29 February 1988, the latest available date for which information is available, 8,637 community programme places had been approved on 323 crime prevention schemes.

  Charities
  Mr. Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to amend the law governing charities so as to give the Charity Commission power to take action against a charity operating contrary to the law.

  Mr. Hurd
  Charities are subject to the criminal law in the normal way. In addition, the Charity Commission has powers under sections 6 and 20 of the Charities Act 1960 to investigate any charity and where necessary take action to protect its property. The Government have accepted that the commission's powers for dealing with abuse should be strengthened in line with the recommendations of the Woodfield report, and will introduce legislation accordingly.

  Mr. Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to amend the law governing charities to ensure that greater importance is attached to the methods by which the charity fulfils its objects.

  Number of classes

  Average number of inmates in each class

  Total number of class hours

  Day

  Evening

  Birmingham

  33

  0

  8·3

  66

  Leeds

  75

  36

  7·2

  222

  Pentonville

  64

  33

  6·5

  193

  Manchester

  44

  15

  7·6

  109

  Wandsworth

  47

  49

  7·8

  209·5

  Wormwood Scrubs

  21

  39

  8·3

  120

  Holloway

  1102

  20

  8·6

  244

  1 Figure includes vocational training.

  As the Government's recent reply to the second report from the Select Committee on Education, Science and Arts on prison education makes clear, very positive efforts are being made to improve both the quantity and the quality of education in Prison Department establishments. The figures for a small selection of prisons, including some of our most overcrowded local establishments, should not be regarded as representative. At Birmingham, for instance,
  678
  Mr. Hurd
  Trustees are under a clear obligation to ensure that the method by which a charity fulfils its objects are within the law. Action can be taken against a charity wherever there is evidence that its activities are not in the public interest.

  Mr. Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to ensure persons with convictions for dishonesty are not permitted to become charitable trustees.

  Mr. Hurd
  One of the recommendations of the Woodfield report is that provision should be made that no person should, without the permission in writing of the commissioners, act as the trustee of a charity if they have been convicted of any offence involving fraud or dishonesty. The Government intend to introduce legislation to implement the Woodfield report's recommendations before the end of the life of this Parliament.

  Prisoners (Education)
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison daytime and evening education classes were held; what was the average number of prisoners in each class, and what was the total number of hours of education in the most recent convenient week, at each of the following prisons: Birmingham, Leeds, Pentonville, Manchester, Wandsworth, Wormwood Scrubs and Holloway; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The information for the week commencing 14 March 1988 is as follows:

  where the level of overcrowding makes movement to classes very difficult, considerable work has been done on the development of learning packs for use in cell.

  Data Protection
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many subject access requests under the terms of the Data Protection Act the Metropolitan police and police national computer unit have received; what
  679
  were the anticipated number of requests; and whether he is reconsidering the subject access fee charged by the police as a result; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that from 11 November 1987 to 24 March 1988, the Metropolitan police have received subject access requests under the Data Protection Act 1984, as follows:

  Number

  i. for disclosure from the police national computer

  34

  ii. for disclosure from data registered in common on the police national computer and on force systems

  45

  iii. for disclosure from Metropolitan police systems only

  10

  The Metropolitan police had anticipated some 4,000 applications per annum.

  Over the same period, the subject access office of the National Identification Bureau, which deals with requests for access to data on the police national computer, has received 404.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will provide information to the Data Protection Registrar in a way that does not compromise national security, on the number, scope and extent of the certificates that he has signed under section 27 of the Data Protection Act.

  Mr. Hurd
  Such arrangements are not required by the Data Protection Act and would not be in the interest of national security.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the benefits for the public of the code of practice covering personal data used for police purposes.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The public benefit from the procedures set out in the code of practice since they seek to ensure that personal data held on police computer systems are properly obtained, maintained and secured in all forces, and comply with the data protection principles laid down in the Data Protection Act 1984.

  Prison Workshops
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many workshops there are; and for how many hours they were open in the most recent convenient week at each of the following prisons: Birmingham, Leeds, Pentonville, Manchester, Wandsworth, Wormwood Scrubs and Holloway.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  In the week ending 28 February 1988 the following numbers of industrial workshops were in operation in each of the listed prisons:

  No. of Employment Places

  Average number Employed in w/e 28 February 1988

  Industrial Workshops and Farms and Gardens

  Domestic Catering and Maintenance Duties

  Industrial Workshops and Farms and Gardens

  Domestic Catering and Maintenance Duties

  Birmingham

  160

  158

  126

  154

  Leeds

  280

  170

  149

  147

  Pentonville

  124

  135

  45

  119

  Manchester

  195

  227

  102

  227

  680

  Number of Workshops

  Opening Hours

  Birmingham

  Laundry

  23·50

  Heavy Textiles I

  13·75

  Heavy Textiles II

  9·75

  Leeds

  Heavy Textiles I

  21·75

  Heavy Textiles II

  21·00

  Heavy Textiles III

  21·00

  Light Textiles

  21·00

  Engineering

  8·00

  Assembly

  Nil

  Pentonville

  Tailoring

  13·50

  Assembly

  7·15

  Manchester

  Tailoring

  30·00

  Laundry

  29·00

  Textiles

  27·50

  Assembly I

  20·50

  Assembly II

  20·35

  Wandsworth

  Laundry

  19·50

  Heavy Textiles

  17·50

  Dry Cleaning

  16·00

  Leather

  15·75

  Brushmaking

  15·00

  Tailoring

  14·75

  Carpenters

  8·50

  Wormwood Scrubs

  Engineering

  12·85

  Tailoring

  12·10

  Cutting

  11·25

  Binding

  9·25

  Sewing Machine Repairs

  9·25

  Assembly

  7·50

  Light Textiles

  2·50

  Holloway

  Light Textiles

  18·00

  Prisoners (Employment)
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the maximum number of prisoners who can be employed; and how many prisoners were actually employed(a) in workshops and (b) on other tasks in the most recent convenient week, at each of the following prisons: Birmingham, Leeds, Pentonvilile, Manchester, Wandsworth, Wormwood Scrubs and Holloway.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The information is as follows:
  681

  No. of Employment Places

  Average number Employed in w/e 28 February 1988

  Industrial Workshops and Farms and Gardens

  Domestic Catering and Maintenance Duties

  Industrial Workshops and Farms and Gardens

  Domestic Catering and Maintenance Duties

  Wandsworth

  451

  288

  202

  288

  Wormwood Scrubs

  228

  204

  137

  173

  Holloway

  52

  97

  14

  90

  In addition to those employed in work as defined above, significant numbers of prisoners were also engaged in other out of cell activities including full or part-time education, vocational training and construction industry training courses.

  Inner Cities
  Mr. Gould
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of his Department's expenditure is spent in the inner cities.

  Mr. Hurd
  Much Home Office expenditure goes to inner city areas without being specifically targeted to them. It would involve disproportionate cost to calculate the sums involved.

  Police Officers (Firearms)
  Mr. Greg Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what guidance he has issued to chief constables about the use by police officers of firearms to shoot animals;

  (2) what was the number of operations in which firearms were issued to police officers in England and Wales in 1987 where the firearms were used to shoot animals; how many animals were so killed; and if he will list the species involved.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The guidance issued to chief constables about the use of firearms to destroy dangerous animals is contained in a comprehensive booklet prepared by the West Yorkshire police force in conjunction with the Association of Chief Police Officers. I am arranging for a copy of that guidance to be placed in the Library.

  Firearms were issued to police officers on 41 operations in England and Wales in 1987 for the destruction of animals; 44 beasts were destroyed. The species included bullocks, bulls, cows, deer, dogs, horses and pigs.

  Passports
  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long it is now taking his Department's office at Peterborough to process legitimate passport applications.

  Mr. Renton
  Correctly completed non-urgent applications are now being dealt with within 26 working days. Urgent applications are given priority.

  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many requests for the urgent return of passports were received by his Department during February from people whose passports had been sent to the Home Office before 31 December 1987 in connection with applications for British citizenship.
  682
  Mr. Renton
  No comprehensive statistics are available concerning the number of such requests. The practice is to undertake searches when urgency is established.

  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether there has been an increase in demand for passports; what action is being taken to avoid delays in the handling of passport applications in advance of computerisation of the passport offices; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Renton
  So far this year overall demand for new passports and for amendments to existing passports has been over 25 per cent, up on the corresponding period of 1987. In anticipation that this heavy demand will continue throughout the summer months a number of special measures are being taken to help reduce delays at the passport offices. These include:

  (1) the recruitment of additional staff at all offices;

  (2) overtime working at weekends;

  (3) the immediate grant of free short-term extensions to expired passports for personal callers;

  (4) issuing emergency travel documents to personal callers whose postal applications cannot readily be traced.

  In addition, Governments of countries to which British citizens travel most frequently have been approached and invited exceptionally to accept travellers using uncancelled United Kingdom passports which have expired within the last five years, or British visitor's passports, where these are not already accepted. British visitor's passports, which are already accepted by all countries in Western Europe, are currently available from the 1,500 main post offices in Britain from Monday to Friday only. It is hoped to extend this service shortly to Saturday mornings.

  To date, the following countries have either agreed, or have indicated their willingness in principle, to accept expired passports and British visitor's passports under these arrangements:

  USA

  Israel

  Netherlands

  Hong Kong

  Antigua and Barbuda.

  Information about these arrangements, including the operative dates of agreements with other countries, will be made available through the travel trade, on Prestel, and through the media.

  The phased programme of computerisation of the United Kingdom passport offices is due to begins in July this year. Glasgow will be the first, and arrangements are in hand to disperse work on postal applications now done in London to that office as soon as practicable following computerisation, to relieve the pressures on the London office. Computerisation of the remaining five passport offices should be completed by the end of 1989.

  Computerisation is designed to enable the passport offices to cope with the anticipated rises in future demand

  683
  for passport services without the excessive and unacceptable delays that have arisen in recent years with the present outdated manual system of passport production.

  Prisoners (Drug Addicts)
  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has of the percentage of prisoners in Her Majesty's prisons who have a drug addiction and who have their habit sustained while they are in prison custody.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The number of inmates reported by medical officers as having some degree of dependence on drugs at the same time of their reception into custody is included in the medical statistics on page 70 of the "Report On The Work of the Prison Service 1986–87" (Cm. 246), a copy of which is in the Library. It shows that 3,051 were so reported during that year. Information is not available on which to estimate how many sustain their addiction while in custody. The House was informed in answer to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Pembroke (Mr. Bennett) on 14 December 1987, at column 342, of measures taken in Her Majesty's prisons to prevent and detect illicit drugs.

  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what treatments and counselling services are provided for those receiving prison sentences who are found to be hard drug addicts;

  (2) what survey is made of those prisoners serving sentences who have a hard drug addiction; and what clinical and psychological efforts are made to get them off the habit and to attempt to dissuade them from returning to drug taking, either in prison or after their release.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  As the House was informed in answer to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Pembroke (Mr. Bennett) on 14 December, at columns 342–43, the possibility of a history of drugs misuse is one of the factors medical officers inquire into during the course of their examination of inmates being received into prison custody. Where indicated, medical help in withdrawing is offered, its nature and extent determined by the medical officer's clinical assessment of the individual case. Additionally, at a number of establishments personal support continuing after withdrawal is provided by members of staff or drug counselling agencies from the community.

  Guidelines prepared in discussion between the Prison Department and probation service for the introduction at all establishments of a more co-ordinated response to drug misusers were issued on 25 September 1987. These describe the responsibility of the Government to ensure the development of a coherent system and the complementary roles of medical and probation officers in the provision of care and support. The use of suitable drug counselling agencies from the community is encouraged. The particular advice offered an inmate prior to discharge will depend upon individual circumstances but progressively as the system is introduced will include the issue of a brief advisory card with which all establishments have been supplied. A copy of the guidelines and card are in the Library.

  Traffic Wardens (London)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many traffic wardens were deployed in each London borough during the last three completed years.

  Mr Douglas Hogg
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the information in the form requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The traffic warden service was restructured under the reorganisation of the force and responsibility for operational matters devolved to areas. The number of traffic wardens in each of the areas at the end of the last two years was as follows:

  31 December 1986

  31 December 1987

  No. 1 Area (North)

  185

  154

  No. 2 Area (East)

  89

  100

  No. 3 Area (South East)

  169

  156

  No. 4 Area (South)

  189

  153

  No. 5 Area (South West)

  75

  77

  No. 6 Area (West)

  176

  156

  No. 7 Area (North West)

  196

  187

  No. 8 Area (Central)

  429

  413

  1,508

  1,396

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has, pursuant to his reply of 11 March,Official Report, column 357, on the reasons for the reduction of traffic wardens in London between 31 December 1984 and 31 December 1987.

  Mr Douglas Hogg
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the fall in the number of traffic wardens is due to a high level of resignations and a shortfall in recruitment. Dissatisfaction with pay and conditions are given as the main reasons for resignation. A scrutiny of the traffic warden service has made recommendations for improvements which are being considered.

  London Fire and Civil Defence Authority
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he refused to allow the London Fire and Civil Defence Authority to maintain the Greater London co-ordinating centre; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  The Greater London co-ordination centre (GLECC) has been maintained by the London Fire and Civil Defence Authority by virtue of temporary sanctions under section 19 of the Local Government Finance Act 1982. The authority sought primary legislation which would enable it to maintain GLECC on a permanent basis. We concluded, in the light of expert advice, that there was no role for GLECC that could not otherwise be met and that primary legislation would not be justified. The London boroughs have the necessary powers to fund the authority to maintain GLECC if they consider there is a need.

  Police Act 1964
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases in 1987 damages
  685
  have been paid after judgment under section 48(2)(a) of the Police Act 1964; what was the average settlement figure; and what was the average level of damages awarded.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  This information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Metropolitan Police (Wrongful Acts)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the amounts paid in out-of-court settlements of claims arising from the wrongful acts of Metropolitan police officers in 1987; and what were the amounts paid under awards made by courts in 1987 and the number of cases concluded in 1987.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that in 1987 the total amount paid by the Metropolitan police in settlements out of court arising from allegations of wrongful acts by Metropolitan police officers (whether or not formal proceedings were instituted) was £173,714. A total of £11,233 was paid under awards made by the courts. In all, 133 cases were concluded.

  BBC Hulton Picture Library
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the future of the BBC Hulton picture library.

  Mr. Renton
  I understand that it is the BBC's intention to sell the Hulton picture library. There are likely to be certain conditions attached to its sale, however, which might include a requirement for it to remain in the United Kingdom and for it to retain its title.

  Immigration Officers (Birmingham)
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many immigration officers were based at the Birmingham immigration office at 31 December 1987.

  Mr. Renton
  Twenty-four.

  Entry Clearance Applications
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many entry clearance applications had been referred to his Department by entry clearance officers but had not yet been allocated to an immigration office at 31 December 1987.

  Mr. Renton
  I regret that the information requested is not available.

  Summer Time
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government have in mind for the future of summer time.

  Mr. Hurd
  An order has been laid before Parliament to continue the present arrangements for 1989. Departments are being asked to consult interested groups on the merits of three options which emerged with the most support from a preliminary survey towards the end of last year. These are the continuation of the present position; the 686
  harmonisation of the date for ending summer time to bring it into line with the rest of the Community; or the introduction of Greenwich mean time plus one hour in the winter, with Greenwich mean time plus two hours from the end of March to the end of September. The last option would mean that the United Kingdom would be in the same time zone as most other EC countries throughout the whole year. Copies of the consultation document have today been placed in the Library of the House. After this consultation process has been completed the Government will canvas public and parliamentary opinion more generally with a view to testing the degree of support for change.

  Lunar House, Croydon
  Mr. Speed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average and maximum recorded delay before members of the public are able to get through by telephone to the passport and immigration departments, respectively, at Lunar house, Croydon.

  Mr. Renton
  [holding answer 25 March 1988]: Information is not available on the number of calls to Lunar house which receive an engaged tone. Information is available on the average and maximum recorded delays for calls from members of the public who have been connected to the nationality telephone inquiry bureau at Lunar house but whose calls have not yet been answered. This does not, however, distinguish between calls that are answered and those that are terminated by the exchange equipment or the callers.

  Over the three months from December 1987 to February 1988 the average and maximum recorded delays described above were three minutes and 14 minutes respectively.

  Similar information about calls answered by the immigration telephone inquiry bureau is not available. However, on the afternoon of 22 March, the average waiting time was six minutes. The longest delay was nine minutes.

  Mr. Speed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff are currently employed answering telephone calls from the public in the passport and immigration departments at Lunar house, Croydon; and what was the comparable figure 12 months ago.

  Mr. Renton
  [holding answer 25 March 1988]: The nationality telephone inquiry bureau has nine staff answering telephone calls from the public compared to six, 12 months ago.

  The immigration telephone inquiry bureau has an average of 10 staff carrying out this duty compared to 17 a year ago. The reduction reflects the priority given to providing staff for the public inquiry office which deals with those who call in person.

  Mr. Speed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to improve telephone access to the public of the facilities at Lunar house, Croydon.

  Mr. Renton
  [holding answer 25 March 1988]: The matter is being given urgent consideration.

  Mr. Speed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many outside telephone lines are
  687
  currently available to receive calls from the public at the passport and immigration departments at Lunar house, Croydon.

  Mr. Renton
  [holding answer 25 March 1988]: The nationality telephone inquiry bureau has 14 telephone lines available to receive calls from the public. There are 30 lines in the immigration telephone inquiry bureau.

  Michael Ryan
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police as to what procedure was used by the late Michael Ryan to deliver his original firearms form 1 application to Thames Valley police;

  (2) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the date and procedure used by the late Michael Ryan to deliver firearms form 1 applications for variation to Thames Valley police.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that this information is not available.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police as to the date and procedure used to deliver the original firearms certificate to the late Michael Ryan and the registration identification number;

  (2) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police as to the date and procedure used to deliver the varied firearms certificates to the late Michael Ryan, and the registration identification number.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that records relating to the delivery of firearm certificates are destroyed after six months. The information requested is therefore not available. However, the normal practice is to send firearm certificates by recorded delivery through the post.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police as to which of the chief constable, deputy chief constable or assistant chief constable personally authorised the original grant of the firearms certificate to the late Michael Ryan, or the rank to which they delegated that responsibility;

  (2) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the date on which either the chief constable, deputy chief constable or assistant chief constable personally authorised the variations to the firearms certificate of the late Michael Ryan or the rank to which that responsibility was delegated.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that Michael Ryan's application for a firearm certificate was authorised at assistant chief constable level and that his variation applications were also authorised at that level on 30 April 1987 and 30 July 1987.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the 688
  chief constable of the Thames Valley police as to the ranks of police officers or civilians receiving the late Michael Ryan's application for the original grant of a firearms certificate at police headquarters;

  (2) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police as to the date on which the original firearms form 1 application was received and recorded at local station level and by what rank of police officer or civilian acting for the police in the case of the application of the late Michael Ryan;

  (3) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the date and the rank of police officers or civilians recording receipt of the grant fee of £25, the receipt number and date in respect of firearms certificates issued to the late Michael Ryan by Thames Valley police.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that Michael Ryan's application for the grant of firearms certificate was received at Hungerford police station on 26 November 1986 by a police constable who issued a receipt (number 472484) for the fee paid. The application was received at police headquarters by the assistant chief constable on 10 December 1986.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library the contents of the statement made by the ex-manager of the Dunmore shooting centre, Abingdon, to the police, into the status of the late Michael Ryan's membership on 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 December 1986; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 25 February 1988]: No. It is not the practice to disclose the contents of statements obtained during police inquiries into criminal offences.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the police have located or seized a 7·65mm/0·32 Scorpion machine pistol alleged to have been held at any time by the late Michael Ryan on a firearms certificate.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that they have no knowledge of the weapon in question.

  Firearms
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to how many firearms certificates had been granted on, or prior to, 11 December 1986 by the Thames Valley police to applicants giving their good reasons as(a) probationary or (b) full membership of the Dunmore shooting centre, Abingdon.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that no firearm certificates were issued on or before the date in question to applicants giving probationary membership of the Dunmore shooting centre as their good reason for possessing a firearm. Information in respect of applicants having full membership at that time is not known.
  689
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will place a copy of the original home approval certificate for the Dunmore shooting centre, Abingdon, and any subsequent amendments or additions to, and renewals of it in the Library;

  (2) if he will (a) list and (b) place in the Library copies of all relevant documents relating to inquiries made and completed by his Department and Thames Valley or other police forces into the applications by the Dunmore shooting centre, Abingdon, for consideration for the issue, amendment, additions to, or renewals of, his Department's approval certificates;

  (3) if he will (a) list and (b) place in the Library a copy of all documents submitted in the course of the applications by the Dunmore shooting centre, Abingdon to the police or his Department for the issue, amendment, addition to, or renewal of, his Department's approval certificates;

  (4) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to on which date the Dunmore shooting centre, Abingdon, was first granted his Department's approval and on which subsequent dates this approval was reviewed and certificates reissued or renewed.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 25 February 1988]: The club in question was approved for the use of small and full-bore pistols on 16 September 1986 and approval was extended to small and full-bore rifles on 15 February 1988.

  It is not the practice to place documents of this kind in the House Library.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library a copy of Home Office form coded PSL 4381 Firearms 20. (Rev. 5/69) and all such amended variations since 1968 to include draft and any final copies of those forms recommended by his recent working parties.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 25 February 1988]: We have been unable to identify the form requested with either the Home Office stationery branch or Her Majesty's Stationery Office. If the hon. Member would care to send further details of the form requested we will look into the matter further.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will place in the Library(a) a copy of Thames Valley police form FIR 25(9/74), (b) all such previous variations of copy since 1968, (c) all amended variations of copy form since 19 August 1987 and (d) a copy of the questionnaire completed by police officers or civilians after interview of the late Michael Ryan upon receipt by Thames Valley police of his original firearms form 1 application for a firearms certificate;

  (2) if he will place in the Library (a) a copy of Thames Valley police form FIR 25(9/74) and (b) a copy of the questionnaire completed by police officers or police civilian employees after interviewing the late Michael Ryan upon receipt by Thames Valley police of his firearms form 1 variations applications to his firearms certificate;

  (3) if he will place a copy of the Thames Valley force's standing orders concerning the administration of the Firearms Act 1968 with dates of issue and all amendments to it, with dates, in the Library.
  690
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable that the documents requested are essentially for operational use and I do not think it right to place a copy of them in the Library.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) who holds(a) the provisional and (b) full membership cards for the Dunmore shooting centre, Abingdon, issued to the late Michael Ryan; and if he will place copies in the Library;

  (2) who holds the firearms certificate issued to the late Michael Ryan; and if he will place a copy in the Library;

  (3) who holds the provisional membership card for the Wiltshire shooting centre issued to the late Michaal Ryan; and if he will place a copy in the Library.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that Michael Ryan's firearm certificate has never been found. It is believed that it was destroyed in the fire at his home together with his club membership card.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to how many entries were made by the late Michael Ryan in the register of users of the range facilities of the Wiltshire shooting centre;

  (2) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to how many visits were made by the late Michael Ryan, and on what dates, to the Wiltshire shooting centre.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that Michael Ryan attended the Wiltshire shooting club on at least 10 occasions between 13 July and 19 August 1987. Further details of the visits made are not known.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the date on which the firearms form 1 variations applications were received from the late Michael Ryan and recorded at(a) local station and (b) division; and by what rank of police officer or civilian police employee;

  (2) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the date and the ranks of police officers or civilian police employees receiving the late Michael Ryan's applications for variations of his firearms certificate at police headquarters.

  (3) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the rank of police officer or civilian recording receipt of the variation fee of £20, the receipt number and date, in respect of each variation of the firearms certificate of the late Michael Ryan.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that Michael Ryan's applications for a varitation of his firearm certificate were received on 24 March 1987 and 17 July 1987 at Hungerford police station by a police sergeant who issued receipts for the variation fee paid (numbers 503378 and 508185). The applications were received at police headquarters by the assistant chief constable on 2 April 1987 and 30 July 1987.
  691
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the date and rank of all police officers or civilians(a) involved in and (b) authorising by means of signature each stage of inquiries relating to the variation applications by the late Michael Ryan on his firearms certificate; and which stages did not contain a request for a signature, rank, or date by inquiring police officers and-or civilians;

  (2) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the date and the rank of police officers and/or civilian police employees completing the processing at (a) local station and (b) divisional level and passing the applications to vary his firearms certificate by the late Michael Ryan to force headquarters.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that Michael Ryan's first application to vary his firearm certificate was submitted by a police constable on or about 28 March 1987 to a superintendent who forwarded it on 1 April 1987. It was received by the assistant chief constable the following day for approval. His second application was submitted by a police constable to an acting inspector on or about 25 July 1987 who forwarded it on the same day to a chief inspector. The application was received on 30 July 1987 by the assistant chief constable for approval.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the date and ranks of police officers or civilian police employees completing the checks with special branch for the variations to the firearms certificate of the late Michael Ryan;

  (2) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the date and the ranks of police officers or civilians completing the checks with special branch for the original grant of a firearms certificate for the late Michael Ryan.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that no checks other than those made with the criminal records office were made.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to on which dates and by what rank of police officer or civilian police employee the late Michael Ryan was advised concerning storage security arrangements upon applications for variations to his firearms certificate;

  (2) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to on which dates and which rank of police officers or civilian police employees inspected the storage and security arrangements at the house of the late Michael Ryan upon applications for variations to his firearms certificate;

  (3) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the dates and ranks of police officers or civilians first recording the information regarding the possession by the late Michael Ryan of a firearms security cabinet;

  (4) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to what ranks of
  692
  police officers or civilians inspected the storage and security arrangements at the house of the late Michael Ryan; and on which date each visit took place;

  (5) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to on what date arid by what rank of police officer or civilian acting for the police the late Michael Ryan was advised concerning storage security arrangements and obtaining a security cabinet.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that a police constable visited Michael Ryan's house on 30 November 1986 to inspect his storage and security arrangements in respect of his application for a firearm certificate. Further inspections were carried out on 28 March 1987 and 25 July 1987 by a police officer of the same rank in respect of applications made to vary the original certificate. A survey was also carried out by a police constable from the community liaison department as a crime prevention officer.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to date on which the late Michael Ryan signed and dated his original firearms form 1 application for a firearms certificate; and if he will place a copy of it in the Library;

  (2) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the date on which the late Michael Ryan signed and dated his firearms form 1 application for variations of his firearms certificate; and if he will place copies of it in the Library.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that the dates on which Michael Ryan signed his original application form and applications for a variation of a firearm certificate were 23 November 1986, 23 March 1987 and 14 July 1987 respectively.

  The requested documents are essentially for police operational use, and I do not think it right to place them in the Library.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the date and the ranks of police officers or civilian police employees completing the checks with the criminal records office for the variations to the firearms certificate of the late Michael Ryan;

  (2) If he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the date completed and ranks of police officers or civilians completing the checks with the criminal records office for the original grant of a firearms certificate for the late Michael Ryan.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police detailed records of checks made with the Criminal Record Office are not kept.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the date on which the late Michael Ryan was granted provisional membership of the Wiltshire shooting centre; by whom; after what assessment; and by what procedure:
  693
  (2) If he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the date on which the late Michael Ryan made written application for membership of the Wiltshire shooting centre;

  (3) If he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the date on which the late Michael Ryan's application was received by the Wiltshire shooting centre; and by whom.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that Michael Ryan joined the club in question on 13 July 1987 but that further details of his application for membership are not known.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the date procedure used and ranks of police officers or civilians involved in the checks to verify the late Michael Ryan's(a) provisional and (b) full membership of the Dunmore shooting centre, Abingdon; and with whom they have been verified by the police at the club and on behalf of that club;

  (2) If he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the dates, procedures used and ranks of police officers or civilian police employees involved in the checks to verify the late Michael Ryan's (a) provisional and (b) full membership of the Dunmore shooting centre, Abingdon; and with whom they had been varified at the clubs, upon his application for variation to his firearms certificate;

  (3) If he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the dates and ranks of police officers and-or civilians involved in the checks to verify the late Michael Ryan's provisional membership of the Wiltshire shooting centre; and with whom they had been verified at the club, upon his application for variations to his firearms cerficate.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 25 February 1988] : I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that it is common practice for reporting officers to telephone club secretaries to confirm membership of a club and to discuss an application with the secretary. Available police records indicate that the secretaries of both clubs in question were contacted but not the dates on which inquiries were made.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to on what dates police officers or civilians acting for the police discussed the application for the original grant of a firearms certificate with the late Michael Ryan;

  (2) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to on which dates police officers or civilian police employees discussed the applications for variations of his firearms certificate with the late Michael Ryan.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 25 February 19881: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that interviews with Michael Ryan about his applications for the grant and variation of a firearm certificate took place on 30 November 1986, 28 March 1987 and on or about 25 July 1987.
  694
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the good reasons written by the late Michael Ryan on his firearms form 1 variations applications for each firearm, requested in his applications for variations of his firearms certificate;

  (2) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the good reason written by the late Michael Ryan on his original firearms form I for each firearm, requested in his application for a firearms certificate.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that the good reason given by Michael Ryan on his firearm application and renewal forms was target shooting on approved ranges.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to how many Thames Valley police officers were involved in giving any form of instruction or guidance in(a) the use of firearms or (b) related matters, to the late Michael Ryan, giving ranks and dates.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that this information is not available.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to what procedures or requirements have been amended by the Wiltshire shooting centre in respect of applications for membership since 19 August 1987.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that inquiries made of the Wiltshire police indicate that no changes in the rules regarding membership of the Wiltshire shooting centre have been made since the date in question.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the date on which the late Michael Ryan was granted provisional membership of the Dunmore shooting centre, Abingdon; by whom; what assessment was made; and by what procedure;

  (2) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the date on which the late Michael Ryan was granted full membership of Dunmore shooting centre, Abingdon; by whom; what assessment was made; and by what procedure;

  (3) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the date on which the late Michael Ryan made written application for membership of the Dunmore shooting centre, Abingdon;

  (4) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the date on which the late Michael Ryan's application for membership of the Dunmore shooting centre, Abingdon was received; and by whom.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that Michael Ryan's applications for

  695
  provisional arid full membership of the club in question were granted by its manager on August bank holiday 1986 and 8 December 1986 respectively. Details relating to the consideration given to these applications is not known. Nor is it known whether the applications were made in writing.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the date

  Date of purchase or date of notification where date of sale not known

  Make or model of firearm

  Date of sale or transfer

  Firearm dealer

  23 December 1986

  Beretta 9 mm pistol

  —

  Dunmore shooting centre

  8 January 1987

  Smith and Wesson ·38 pistol

  2 May 1987

  Dunmore shooting centre

  6 May 1987

  Bernadelli ·22 pistol

  —

  Dunmore shooting centre

  3 May 1987

  CZ 32 pistol

  —

  Sportique

  6 August 1987

  7·762 Kalashnikov rifle

  —

  Westbury Guns

  8 August 1987

  ·30 Underwood rifle

  —

  Wiltshire shooting centre

  I further understand that Michael Ryan was authorised to possess, at any one time, 500 rounds of each calibre, but restricted to acquiring only 200 rounds at any one time of each calibre. Information relating to the amount of ammunition he purchased is not known as this is recorded on the firearm certificate presumed destroyed at the fire at his home.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to how many entries were made by the late Michael Ryan in the register of users of the range facilities of the Dunmore shooting centre;

  (2) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to how many visits were made, and on what dates, by the late Michael Ryan to the Dunmore shooting centre, Abingdon.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that range records for the club in question show Michael Ryan attended the range facilities on the following dates:

  29 September 1986

  6 October 1986

  8 October 1986

  17 October 1986

  20 October 1986

  21 October 1986

  11 November 1986

  18 November 1986

  20 November 1986

  25 November 1986

  28 November 1986

  1 December 1986

  10 December 1986

  6 January 1987

  21 January 1987

  7 February 1987

  16 February 1987

  23 February 1987

  24 February 1987

  5 March 1987

  9 April 1987

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to what
  696
  of purchase, sale or transfer by the late Michael Ryan of all firearms, giving the make and model and quantity of each calibre of ammunition in each case and the names of all firearms dealers involved.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that details of Michael Ryan's firearm transactions are as follows:

  procedures or requirements have been amended by the Dunmore shooting centre, Abingdon, in respect of applications for membership since 19 August 1987.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that since September 1987 the club in question requires a minimum period of six months probation before full membership may be conferred.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the dates and ranks of all police officers or civilians(a) involved in and (b) authorising by means of signature each stage of inquiries relating to the original grant of the application by the late Michael Ryan of a firearms certificate; and which stages did not contain a request for a signature, rank, or date by inquiring police officers;

  (2) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police as to the ranks of police officers or civilians completing inquiries at (a) local station and (b) divisional level into the application by the late Michael Ryan for the original grant of a firearms certificate;

  (3) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police as to the date on which completed, and rank of police officers or civilians completing the processing at (a) local station and (b) divisional level and passing the original application for a firearms certificate by the late Michael Ryan to force headquarters.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that Michael Ryan's application for a firearms certificate was submitted by a police constable on or after 30 November 1986 to a chief inspector and that it was received by the assistant chief constable on 10 December 1986 for approval.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to how many Thames Valley police officers were members of the Dunmore shooting centre, Abingdon, on the date the late Michael Ryan applied for membership;
  697
  (2) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to how many Thames Valley police officers are currently members of the Dunmore shooting centre, Abingdon;

  (3) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to how many Thames Valley police officers were members of the Dunmore shooting centre, Abingdon, on 19 August 1987.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that the information requested is not known.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Mentally Ill People
  Mr. Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many residential places have been provided in the community for patients discharged from mental hospitals in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years;

  (2) how many residential places have been provided in the community for patients discharged from mental hospitals in Northern Ireland with a primary diagnosis of schizophrenia psychoses in each of the last 10 years;

  (3) how many residential places in the community have been provided for patients with a primary diagnosis of schizophrenia psychoses discharged from mental hospitals in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This information is not held centrally. Local provision of living accommodation available for those discharged from mental hospitals comprises a wide range of residential types including hostels, group homes, residential and nursing homes and private accommodation run by individual carers. This range of accommodation is operated by the statutory, private and voluntary sectors and is not necessarily solely for those discharged from mental hospitals.

  Mr. Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many patients with a primary diagnosis of schizophrenia psychoses have been discharged from mental hospitals in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The available information is given below:

  Year

  Number of discharges

  1986

  981

  1985

  1,120

  1984

  1,096

  1983

  1,037

  1982

  985

  1981

  1,015

  1980

  1,078

  1979

  983

  1978

  1,063

  1977

  1,040

  These figures may include patients discharged more than once in the same year.

  Mr. Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many long-stay mental patients he expects there will be in Northern Ireland in each of the next seven years.
  698
  Dr. Mawhinney
  This information is not available centrally.

  Mental Hospitals
  Mr. Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many mental hospital beds have been opened in Northern Ireland in each of last 10 years;

  (2) how many mental hospital beds have been closed in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This information is not available in the form requested.

  The net figures for beds available in mental illness hospitals (that is adjusted to take account of beds opened and closed) for the period from 1977 to 1986 are :

  Year

  Beds

  1986

  4,330

  1985

  4,478

  1984

  4,599

  1983

  4,732

  1982

  1

  1981

  4,760

  1980

  4,777

  1979

  4,889

  1978

  4,903

  1977

  4,999

  1 Not available due to industrial action.

  Protestants and Roman Catholics
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the most recent percentages available for the Protestant and Roman Catholic sections of the community; what percentage of Protestants and Roman Catholics are known to be employed by(a) the Bank of Ireland and (b) Allied Irish Banks plc; and which departments of the Northern Ireland Office employ either the Bank of Ireland or Allied Irish Banks as their bankers.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  It is estimated that 36.8 per cent. of the population of Northern Ireland aged 16 and over in 1987 were Roman Catholic and 60.9 per cent non-Roman Catholic. In the survey from which these figures are taken 2 to 3 per cent. of those surveyed did not state a religion.

  The latest available figures published by the Fair Employment Agency in March 1986 show the percentages of Protestants and Catholics employed in the banks referred to as follows:

  align="right">Protestant per cent.

  Catholic per cent.

  Bank of Ireland

  42

  58

  Allied Irish Banks plc

  28

  72

  The Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland employs Allied Irish Banks plc as its banker. No other Northern Ireland Department employs either bank as its principal banker, although several have isolated accounts with one or the other.

  Psychiatric Nurses
  Mr. Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many community psychiatric nurses there were in Northern Ireland in 1979; how many there are now; and how many he estimates there will be in 1991.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information is as follows:
  699

  Community psychiatric nurses in the health and personal social services

  Year

  Number

  1979

  30

  1987

  115

  11991

  169

  1 Estimated.

  International Investments Ltd.
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary on the progress of inquiries into the losses incurred by Northern Ireland investors with International Investments Ltd. of Gibraltar.

  Mr. Stanley
  The Royal Ulster Constabulary's fraud squad has been conducting an investigation into the financial affairs of International Investments Ltd. following the collapse of the company in June 1984. I can confirm that papers on the case have been passed to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who directed no prosecution against agents employed by the company in Northern Ireland. The police investigation is continuing into other aspects of the case and it is likely to be some time before it is concluded.

  Radioactive Fallout
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give details of the medical consequences of the radioactive fallout in Northern Ireland(a) as anticipated following the fire in No. 1 Pile at Windscale in October 1957 and (b) by today's standards.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  No medical consequences were anticipated in 1957 nor have the Government any evidence to suggest that the health of people in Northern Ireland has been adversely affected by this incident.

  Housing
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many dwellings were constructed in each of the past live years by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive; and how many architectural staff were employed by the Executive in each of those five years.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive but I am advised by the chief executive that the number of dwellings constructed and the number of architectural staff employed by the Housing Executive in each of the last five years is as follows:

  Year

  Number of dwellings

  Number of architectural staff1

  1983

  4,044

  174

  1984

  3,588

  173

  1985

  3,233

  169

  1986

  2,580

  161

  1987

  1,764

  160

  1 Architectural work is also undertaken by consultants.

  Environmental Health and Building Control Staff
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which district councils are within each 700
  group system for the employment of environmental health and building control staff; in each group, which council has the authority to make the individual appointments: and what roles or authority the other councils have in each group when new appointments are being made.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The district councils which are within each group system for the employment of environmental health and building control staff are prescribed in article 3 of the Local Government (Employment of Environmental Health Officers) Order (NI) 1973 (SR & O (NI) 1973 No. 168) and the Local Government (Employment of Building Control Staff) Order (NI) 1973 (SR & O (NI) 1973 No. 167) copies of which are available in the Library. Article 4(1) of those orders identifies those councils, known as employer councils, which have authority to make individual appointments.

  Other councils within each group have a representative role in relation to appointments. They are represented on a group committee which advises the employer council on staffing levels and they may also be present on shortlisting and interviewing panels for new appointments although they have no voting rights.

  Community Programme
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish the guidelines set out for entrance on the community programme in the Province; and whether consultations are held with relevant representatives of commerce and business prior to community programme schemes being undertaken.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Guidelines for the action For community employment scheme are contained in leaflet CP1 published by the Department of Economic Development. These guidelines place a responsibility on ACE sponsors to consult with relevant bodies, including industry and commerce, whose interest may be affected by a proposed project.

  Harland and Wolff
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has of how many jobs outside Harland and Wolff are directly related to the activities of the company(a) in Northern Ireland and (b) in Great Britain.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Based on a number of recent studies the number of jobs in Northern Ireland directly related to the activities of Harland and Wolff is about 500. There are insufficient statistical data available to provide an accurate assessment of the numbers in Great Britain.

  Residential and Commercial Property
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will take steps to have replaced the use of site value as a basis of compensation for residential or commercial property compulsorily required for redevelopment by a more equitable arrangement for compensation through market value payments.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Legislation to abolish the site value rule for residential property in article 91(1) of the Housing (NI) Order 1981 will be brought forward as soon as practicable in line with a similar proposal for Great
  701
  Britain. The current site value rule does not apply to commercial properties for which compensation is already assessed on the basis of market value.

  Ministerial Private Office (Staff)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether any members of the staff of the Private Office of the Minister responsible for agriculture, Lord Lyell, was absent on leave on 24 January 1987.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  No.

  Houses in Multiple Occupation
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what percentage of tenants in houses in multiple occupation in Northern Ireland receive housing benefit;

  (2) in how many cases housing benefit is paid directly to the landlords of houses in multiple occupation in Northern Ireland.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Government Offices (Relocation)
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are his intentions about the relocation of central Government offices into South Down in the light of the level of unemployment in that constituency.

  Mr. Stanley
  I cannot at present add to the reply that I gave to the hon. Gentleman on 10 November 1987, at column 165.

  Housing Associations
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list all the housing associations in Northern Ireland and give details of the number of habitations provided by each of them.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The attached table lists all the housing associations registered with the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland and indicates the number of dwellings managed by them at 31 December 1987.

  Information on unregistered housing associations is not held centrally.

  Registered Housing Associations—stock in management at 31 December 1987

  Association

  Stock

  Abbeyfleld NI Development Society

  8

  Ballymacarrett Housing Association

  9

  Ballynafeigh Housing Association

  161

  Baptist Union of Ireland Housing Association

  32

  Belfast Community Housing Association

  138

  Belfast Improved Houses

  1,079

  Ben Madigan Housing Association

  31

  Botanic Housing Association

  56

  Broadway Housing Association

  Nil

  Church of Ireland Housing Association (NI)

  63

  Clonard Housing Association

  37

  Connswater Housing Association

  203

  Coral Crescent Housing Association

  21

  702

  Association

  Stock

  Covenanter Residential Association

  32

  Craigavon and District Housing Association

  202

  Craigowen Housing Association

  2

  Derry Housing Association

  236

  Donacloney Housing Association

  92

  Down and Connor Housing Association

  Nil

  Dungannon and District Housing Association

  68

  Flax Housing Association

  Nil

  Fold Housing Association

  1,314

  Gosford Housing Association (Armagh)

  41

  Grove Housing Association

  373

  Habinteg Housing Association (Ulster)

  294

  Hearth

  58

  James Butcher Housing Association (NI)

  736

  Latharna Housing Association

  21

  Lisnagarvey Housing Association

  18

  Malone Housing Association

  66

  Masonic Housing Association (NI)

  93

  McGarel Housing Association

  21

  Newington Housing Association (1975)

  158

  Northern Ireland Co-ownership Housing Association

  5,999

  Nih Housing Association

  242

  North Belfast Mission Housing Society

  9

  Open Door Housing Association (NI)

  38

  Presbytarian Housing Association (NI)

  286

  Royal British Legion Housing Association (NI)

  389

  Students' Housing Association Co-op

  164

  St. Matthew's Housing Association

  136

  Tennent Street District Housing Association

  144

  Triangle Women's Housing Association

  33

  Ulidia Housing Association

  84

  Ulster Homemaker

  Nil

  Willowfield Parish Church Housing Association

  50

  Woodvale and Shankill Housing Association

  247

  Total

  13,484

  Inner Cities
  Mr. Gould
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proportion of his Department's budget is spent in the inner cities.

  Mr. Stanley
  There is no formal definition of inner city areas for Northern Ireland. However, several measures are specifically designed to promote urban regeneration and the budget for these schemes in 1988/89 is 15·4 million.

  Royal Ulster Constabulary
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary on the role of Royal Ulster Constabulary informants and paid agents, and the control over payments made to them and as to what sums were used for these purposes in the latest available year; what was the largest sum paid to one individual in the latest available year; when changes were last made in the financial controls; what were the last changes made in procedures; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Tom King
  It is not the practice to comment on such matters.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what form of declaration of secrecy officers of the Royal Ulster Constabulary are required to sign; and what guidance is given to them on the extent to which this permits or obliges them to conceal material evidence from investigating officers or the courts.
  703
  Mr. Tom King
  All RUC officers are subject to the provisions of the Official Secrets Act 1911, 1920 and 1939. No guidance of the type mentioned by the hon. Member is given.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Royal Ulster Constabulary personnel are also members of the Orange Order, Freemasons, Royal Black Preceptory and the Apprentice Boys; if he will initiate an investigation into the effects of this membership and compatibility of such membership with service in the Royal Ulster Constabulary; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stanley
  [holding answer 28 March 1988]: The information requested is not available. There are no plans to initiate such an investigation.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many civilians have been killed by members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary since 1969.

  Mr. Stanley
  [holding answer 29 February 1988]: Forty, including civilians believed to have been terrorists and civilians who were not.

  Urgent Needs Payments
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on recovery of urgent needs payments made as a result of flood damage in Strabane, indicating what consideration was given to the questions referred to in 58602 (2) of the urgent cases regulation 25 under the Supplementary Benefit Act 1976, section 4(2).

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 29 March 1988]: The recovery of urgent needs payments made as a result of flood damage in Strabane is being considered in accordance with regulation 25 of the urgent cases regulations and with paragraph 8602 and other relevant paragraphs of the supplementary benefit manual.

  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the procedure instructions in code AX to adjudication officers in Northern Ireland regarding the manner and rate of recovery of an urgent needs payment and whether to abandon recovery.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 29 March 1988]: The procedures for both the recovery and abandonment of recovery of urgent needs payments in Northern Ireland follow those in operation in the rest of the United Kingdom. They provide for recovery to be abandoned where the claimant's resources are at or below supplementary benefit level and there is no, or is unlikely to be, available capital or disregarded income from which recovery may be made. In those cases where recovery action is appropriate, repayment may be made either by a lump sum payment, where the claimant has available capital, or by instalments, or deduction from supplementary benefit or other prescribed benefits. In each case the rate of recovery is determined in relation to the claimant's resources and requirements. Where supplementary benefit is in payment the weekly rate of recovery is subject to an overriding limit of £10 where there is available capital, or half the weekly amount of disregarded income.

  Where supplementary benefit is not in payment, the weekly rate of recovery is limited to the amount by which
  704
  resources exceed supplementary benefit requirements plus half of any disregarded income or £10 where there is available capital, subject to an overriding limit of one third of the claimants' personal benefit rate.

  Homes (Insulation)
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement indicating the total financial allocation to the new homes insulation scheme.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 30 March 1988]: The allocation for this scheme for the 1988–89 financial year is £297,000.

  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information is available to indicate the numbers of insulation grants made in each of the past three years to people who were not on housing benefit, supplementary benefit, or family income supplement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 30 March 1988]: No such information is available.

  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information is available to indicate the numbers and total values of supplementary benefit single payments for insulation or draught-proofing in Northern Ireland in 1986 and 1987.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 30 March 1988]: Information in the precise form requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, the annual statistical inquiry shows that the following payments were made for draught-proofing during the preceding 12 months to people on supplementary benefit at the time of the inquiry:

  Inquiry

  Single Payments

  Numbers

  £

  February 1986

  8,307

  468,718

  May 1986

  11,776

  502,319

  Source: 5 per cent. sample.

  Chernobyl
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what investigations have taken place into the presence of radioactive materials deposited in Northern Ireland as a result of the accident at Chernobyl; what is his assessment of the period which will pass before restrictions on the affected areas will be lifted; and if he will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 29 March 1988]: Following the accident at Chernobyl the Departments of Agriculture and Environment undertook Province-wide investigations into the levels of radioactivity in milk and milk products, meat, fish, forage, fruit, cereals, migratory birds, air and water. Experimental investigations were carried out on the transfer of radio caesium from forage to milk, milk products and sheepmeat.

  It is not possible at this time to predict when the controls on the movement and slaughter of sheep from the three restricted areas could be lifted.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what sums have been paid, for how many sheep, and to how many farmers in Northern Ireland for each year or financial year as a result of the Chernobyl accident.
  705
  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 29 March 1988]: To 28 March 1987 in the current financial year, £951.85 was paid to three farmers in respect of market loss on 121 sheep and £11,688·30 was paid to 83 farmers in respect of handling costs of 8,991 sheep.

  Extraditions (Irish Republic)
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will now list the names of the persons for whom extradition warrants were sent from Northern Ireland to the Irish Rebublic in each of the last five years, indicating in each case which persons were extradited, which warrants were held to be defective, and

  Table A

  Non terrorist-type offences

  Year of request

  Number of requests

  Granted

  Held to be defective while before Irish courts

  Other outcome3

  1983

  6

  2

  11

  3

  1984

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1985

  5

  0

  21

  4

  1986

  6

  0

  0

  6

  1987

  21

  0

  0

  21

  1 B. Burns—warrants defective owing to irregularity in issue.

  2 J. G. O'Reilly—warrants defective primarily because it could not be proved that the person issuing them was a judicial authority.

  Table B

  Non terrorist-type offences

  Year of request

  Number of requests

  Granted

  Held to be defective while before Irish courts

  Other outcome3

  1983

  22

  10

  0

  12

  1984

  10

  1

  0

  9

  1985

  28

  5

  0

  23

  1986

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1987

  1

  1

  0

  0

  3 Includes cases where the warrants were subsequently withdrawn, the fugitive was arrested in the United Kingdom, cases rejected by the Irish courts for other reasons and cases as yet uncompleted.

  Consultancy Contracts
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total amount spent by his Department in 1987 on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases.

  Mr. Stanley
  [holding answer 29 March 1988]: Total expenditure under this head in 1987–88 is estimated at £2,862,000.

  MV Saga Moon
  Mr. Prescott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary on the incident on the vessel Saga Moon in the port of Belfast, on 14 March; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stanley
  [holding answer 28 March 1988]: No. The officers involved in the alleged incident on the Saga Moon were members of the Belfast harbour police and as such do not come under the jurisdiction of the Chief Constable of the RUC.
  706
  the manner in which they were defective in each case, and whether the persons being sought were to be charged with terrorist-type activity.

  Mr. Stanley
  [holding answer 29 March 1988]: As I indicated to the hon. Gentleman on 9 February, at column 165, it would not be in the public interest to give details of individual cases prior to Irish court proceedings, Furthermore, it must be remembered that an extradition application can consist of many individual warrants and be the subject of extensive discussion with the Irish authorities.

  Against this background, the available information is as follows:

  Sinn Fein
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about his policy towards proscription of Sinn Fein and organisations which may pose a threat to the state.

  Mr. King
  [holding answer 28 March 1988]: As I made clear in the House on 17 March, at columns 1247–48, in response to questions from the hon. Member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone (Mr. Maginnis) and my hon. Friend the Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Gow), we keep such matters under review.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what figures are available to indicate the number of homeless households in a given week in Northern Ireland.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 24 March 1988]: Information on the exact number of homeless households

  707
  in Northern Ireland is not available. However, the following information gives some indication of the extent of homelessness in Northern Ireland.

  At 31 December 1987 26 homeless families and 75 homeless single people were living in temporary accommodation arranged or provided by area health and social services boards and voluntary organisations.

  At the same date the total number of applicants who had been awarded A1 status — that is, in need of accommodation because of homelessness or threatened homelessness or other emergency situations—under the Northern Ireland Housing Executive's housing selection scheme was 601. Few, if any, of these applicants were without shelter of some form.

  Civilians (Deaths)
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many civilians have been killed by members of the British armed forces in Northern Ireland since 1969.

  Mr. Stanley
  [holding answer 29 February 1988]: Two hundred and forty, including civilians believed to have been terrorists and civilians who were not.

  Northern Ireland nursing staff by board at 31 December 1987

  Eastern board

  Northern board

  Southern board

  Western board

  All boards

  Full time

  Part time

  WTE of part time

  Full time

  Part time

  WTE of part time

  Full time

  Part time

  WTE of part time

  Full time

  Part time

  WTE of part time

  Full time

  Part time

  WTE of part time

  CANO1

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  4

  —

  —

  SANO1

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  ACANO1

  5

  —

  —

  3

  —

  —

  3

  —

  —

  3

  —

  —

  14

  —

  —

  Director of Nursing Services2

  14

  —

  —

  3

  —

  —

  3

  —

  —

  4

  —

  —

  24

  —

  —

  Senior Nursing Grade 1+

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Senior Nursing Grade 1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Senior Nursing Grade 2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Senior Nursing Grade 3

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Senior Nursing Grade 4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Senior Nursing Grade 5

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Senior Nursing Grade 6

  9

  —

  —

  6

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  9

  —

  —

  25

  —

  —

  Senior Nursing Grade 7

  46

  —

  —

  20

  —

  —

  39

  —

  —

  32

  1

  0·64

  137

  1

  0·64

  Senior Nursing Grade 8

  62

  —

  —

  23

  1

  0·88

  9

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  96

  1

  0·88

  Health Visitor3

  537

  53

  28·47

  248

  58

  37·23

  218

  26

  14·2

  198

  27

  15·81

  1,201

  164

  95·71

  Staff Nurse4

  2,191

  1,655

  945·59

  561

  499

  330·85

  519

  629

  388·55

  963

  215

  134·58

  4,234

  2,998

  1,799·57

  Senior Enrolled Nurse

  51

  10

  7·37

  3

  —

  —

  10

  —

  —

  8

  —

  —

  72

  10

  7·37

  Enrolled Nurse

  785

  748

  459·52

  438

  345

  231·22

  354

  236

  152·92

  384

  50

  31·72

  1,961

  1,379

  875·38

  Nursing Auxiliary

  525

  716

  491·61

  304

  124

  88·3

  193

  158

  105·15

  203

  20

  11·42

  1,225

  1,018

  696·48

  Nursing Assistant

  248

  407

  104·37

  —

  —

  —

  222

  4

  2·8

  168

  13

  8·66

  638

  424

  115·83

  Sisters5

  811

  24

  18·27

  199

  4

  3·05

  219

  16

  8·32

  171

  4

  3·23

  1,400

  48

  32·87

  1 Chief administrative nursing officer; senior administrative nursing officer; assistant chief administrative nursing officer—There are no regional nursing officers or regional nurses employed in the health and personal social services. The grades shown equate to district nursing officer grades 1–7.

  2 Director of nursing services—Information on numbers by grades is not held centrally.

  3 Health visitor includes—Health visitor, health visitor/fieldwork teacher, District nurse, School nurse, District midwife, District nurse/midwife.

  4 Staff nurse includes—Staff nurse, State registered nurse, Staff midwife, Staff nurse/midwife, Staff nurse (RFN).

  5 Sister includes—Community sister (psych), Departmental sister, category B, Night charge nurse, Nursing sister charge nurse 2, Sister-in-charge, Nursing sister-charge nurse I, Ward sister, Departmental charge nurse category C, Departmental sister category C, Deputy charge nurse, Home sister category A, Midwifeiy night sister, Occupational health sister, Senior night sister.

  Consultancy Contracts
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by his Department in 1987, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment.

  Mr. Stanley
  The information is as follows:

  Nurses
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of Stale for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table showing(a) the establishment figures, (b) the funded establishment figures and (c) the in post figures of each of the health and social services boards in Northern Ireland for the following nursing grades; regional nursing officer 1 and 2, regional nurse 1 and 2, district nursing officer grades 1 to 7, director of nursing services grades 1 + to 6, senior nurse grades 1 + to 8, sister I, sister II, health visitor, deputy nursing sister, staff nurse, senior enrolled nurse, enrolled nurse and nursing auxiliary/assistant; and if he will public, for each grade category, the number of employees in fulltime posts, the number of part-time employees and the whole-time equivalents of those part-time employees.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The establishment and funded establishment figures are not held centrally and cannot be obtained in the time available. My hon. Friend with responsibility for these matters will write to the hon. Members.

  The in-post figures are as follows:

  Firm and subject of assignment
  Aims Training — Structured Systems Analysis Design Methodology (SSADM) Consultancy Systems Development.
  Charles Allison—Auditing Development Systems.
  Professor J. Alty—To evaluate the potential contribution of a Northern Ireland Software Engineering Institute to the Local Software Industry.
  Arthur Andersen — Information Technology Resourcing Study.
  A. Manning & Associates—Management Training.

  709
  Beecom—Roads Service Integrated Systems, Water Service Integrated Systems, Systems Development, User Awareness.
  Belfast IT Services—User Awareness.
  Belmin Systems—Videotext software for local sourcing and performance indicators.
  BIC Systems—Microcomputing, Systems Development.
  BIS Applied Systems —Telecommunications, Management Training.
  Brennan & Simmons—New Leadership Initiative—Women and Men Together.
  British Telecom—Government Network.
  Capita Ltd. — Feasibility Study on use of software packages, Strategy Review, Superannuation.
  CCTA — Technical Data Flow System (TDFS), Strategy Study—DFP, Enabling Study, Project Support, Strategy Study—DANI, Strategy Study—DED.
  Chartered Institute of Finance and Accountancy —Financial Skills Training.
  Coopers and Lybrand Associates—The development and implementation of a departmental information technology strategy for social security benefit payments. Financial Management Surveys of 3 Education and Library Boards. IDB Review. Clerical Work. Measurement Training. To advise on the Technical and Economic aspects of Private Sector Electricity Generation
  D. E. Barnard Systems — NI0 Prison Officers Payroll —SSADM. Land Registry. Telecoms. Print Unit Review. Systems Development.
  Deloitte, Haskins and Sells — To examine the Financial Systems of the NI Training Authority Financial Management assignment (Harland and Wolff).
  Denham-Nash—User Awareness.
  Denton Hall Burgin and Warrens—To negotiate and draft Contractural Arrangements with Private Sector Electricity Generators.
  Dianne Bailey Associates—New Staff Appraisal Training.
  Digital—Office Automation.
  Elston Computer Services Ltd. — Development of Payroll System Under VME (Virtual Machine Environment).
  Ernst Whinney—Review Internal Audit.
  EOSYS—Data Communications Strategy Review.
  Frost and Sullivan—Computer Related Training.
  Gilpin Black — Strategy Setting. Objective Setting. Management Skills for Professionals.
  Health Economics Consortium of the University of York—Investment Appraisal Training.
  ICL — Mainframe Upgrade; Technical Support; Programming; Systems Development.
  Industrial Training Service Ltd.—Assistance with new YTP Workscheme; Enterprise Training in Community Workshops; Evaluation of Selected Community Workshops
  Institute of Manpower Studies — Ongoing advice on the application of Equal Opportunity across the Northern Ireland Civil Service
  International Systems Corp of Lancaster (ISCOL)—Review the role and functions of Management and Manpower Review Division (MMRD)
  IT Services Ltd. — Evaluation of Pilot Job Training Programme
  Learmouth and Burchett Management Systems —Implementation of PROMPT (Project Resources Organisation Management and Planning Techniques); DED Training Division; SSADM
  Management Development Services (NI) Ltd. — The provision of Training and Consultancy Services to Enterprise Allowance Participants
  Mary Moran—Assertiveness Skills; Management Training for Women
  K McDowall—Review GIS
  R A McLaughlin—To assist in the Management of the European Community STAR Programme
  NCC—SSADM Manuals
  Netherlands Economic Institute — Enquiry into the proposals of Economic Development in Northern Ireland
  NI Council on Alcohol—Alcohol in the Workplace
  Northern Bank Ltd.—Pre-Retirement
  710
  Otto Gold GMBH & Co. KE—Otto Gold is retained by DED to provide Technical Advice on the Assessment of work carried out under the Lignite Prospecting Licences and Related Mining Feasibility Studies
  PA Management Consultants—Review of Work Study
  Pauline Farrell—New Leadership Initiative
  Phillips Diane—Review functions of Historic Monuments and Buildings Branch
  Price Waterhouse — Assistance with statutory audits; Investment Appraisal; Financial Skills; To review the Pilot Manpower Training Scheme
  Printing and Packaging Industry Research Association —Disposal of Waste Paper
  Purchasing Index (UK) Ltd. — Purchasing studies for DANI, Northern Ireland Housing Executive and the General Supplies Index
  Queen's University of Belfast—Professional Qualifications of Internal Audit offered by Institute of Internal Auditors; Investment Appraisal; Basic Book-keeping; Judicial Review Training
  N M Rothschild & Sons Ltd.—To advise on the viability of the Financial Structure underlying Private Sector Electricity Generating Proposals
  Simdell Ltd.—Register of Student Nurses
  Software Ireland — Computerisation of Valuation and Lands Officer Microcomputing Systems Development User Awareness Development of Payroll System Under VME
  South West Regional Health Authority — Implementation of National Child Health Computer System
  The Mindweeks Partnership—Business Analysis training
  Time Manager International—Time Management
  Touche Ross—Assessment of audit needs, development of audit processes and assistance with computer audit, both for Departmental Internal Audit and the Statutory Audit function
  Touche Ross Management Consultants — Provision of Consultancy Services in the Department of Economic Development in respect of Harland and Wolff
  University of Ulster at Jordanstown—Investment Appraisal Policy Analysts
  Xentec Ltd. — Consultancy — Including Analysis of Technical Design specification for Transit Project

ENVIRONMENT

  Water Supplies
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce his decision on the allocation of responsibility for water pipes up to the meter.

  Mr. Moynihan
  An announcement will be made shortly on this and other aspects of the water and sewerage law review.

  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to report on water board monitoring of the chemical content of water supplies; and what steps he will take if the chemical content is found to be too high.

  Mr. Moynihan
  If the chemical content of a public water supply exceeds concentrations permitted under the EC drinking water directive, the water authority must take steps to reduce the concentrations to an acceptable level. If this will take time, the water undertaker must submit an action programme to the Department for approval. My right hon. Friend has no plans to report on monitoring by water undertakers.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if there has been any official communication from Her Majesty's Government to the European
  711
  Commission that the United Kingdom will comply with the European Community drinking water directive; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The information contained in my statement of 20 January 1988, at column 742, about the withdrawal of nitrate derogations, and in the statement of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment on 21 December 1987, at column 915, about the interpretation of the term "maximum admissible concentration" in the drinking water directive has been officially communicated to the European Commission by Her Majesty's Government.

  Non-governmental Organisations (Grants)
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the non-governmental organisations in receipt of grants from his Department during 1986–87 and 1987–88 together with the size of each grant.

  Mr. Ridley
  I have placed in the Library a list of some 185 bodies in receipt of grant from the Department in the

  Local authorities' housing investment programme allocations: England

  £ millions: 1988–89 prices

  1978–79

  1980–81

  1982–83

  1984–85

  1986–87

  1988–89

  London boroughs and GLC

  1,785

  1,177

  820

  648

  469

  372

  Metropolitan districts

  1,339

  909

  783

  579

  407

  300

  Non-metropolitan districts in South East

  756

  420

  389

  308

  228

  150

  Other non-metropolitan districts

  1,386

  864

  856

  610

  435

  305

  Total

  5,266

  3,370

  2,848

  2,145

  1,539

  1,127

  Notes:

  1. Figures include the basic allocations and homes insulation scheme allocations, also additional retrospective allocations for 1982–83.

  2 South-east is the standard region comprising the authorities in the Department of the Environment administrative eastern (excluding East Anglia) and south-eastern regions.

  Local Authority Housing
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list, at 1986–87 outturn prices, local authorities housing capital expenditure(a) on new building, (b) on renovation of local authority stock, (c) on renovation grants, (d) on loans to housing associations and (e) on other purposes during (i) 1976–77, (ii) 1978–79, (iii) 1980–81, (iv) 1982–83, (v) 1984–85 and (vi) 1986–87; and if he will give this information (1) for England as a whole, (2) for Greater London, (3) for metropolitan authorities outside Greater London, (4) for non metropolitan authorities in the south-east and (5) for non metropolitan authorities in England.

  Mr. Jim Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether regulation 4(1)(e) of the Local Government (Prescribed Expenditure) (Amendment) Regulations 1988 applies to capital receipts arising from the disposal of assets acquired by councils from development corporations under the new towns transfer agreements; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  I shall write to the hon. Members.

  North Sea Conference
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will outline the reasons for the United 712
  relevant years. The Department also operates schemes for providing revenue support to housing associations; assisting companies and other organisations with the cost of reclaiming derelict land; assisting with the provision of water supply and sewerage in assisted areas; and assisting statutory water companies with civil defence costs. The list excludes organisations in receipt of local authority or non departmental public body contributions supported by grant from the Department.

  Housing Investment Programme
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list at 1988–89 prices his Department's initial housing investment programme allocations(a) to English local authorities, (b) to local authorities in Greater London, (c) to metropolitan authorities outside London, (d) to non-metropolitan authorities in the south-east and (e) to English non-metropolitan authorities (i) for 1978–79, (ii) for 1980–81., (iii) for 1982–83 (iv) for 1984–85 (v) for 1986–87 and (vi) for 1988–89.

  Mrs. Roe
  The figures are in the table:

  Kingdom's rejection of the European Commission proposal of December 1987 to implement the results of the North sea conference at European Community level.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Far from rejecting any formal proposal, the United Kingdom agreed with all other member states of the Environment Council on 3 December 1987 on conclusions welcoming the significant progress made at the second international conference on the protection of the North sea. The council recalled the need to combat fresh water and marine pollution, and expected to pursue Community action in this field on the basis of appropriate proposals by the Commission.

  McDonald's Hamburgers Ltd.
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many planning applications submitted by McDonald's Hamburgers Ltd. have been turned down by local authorities since 1979, which have been the subject of an appeal to him; how many appeals have been successful; and from which local planning authority each application has been made.

  Mrs. Roe
  The information requested is not readily available from departmental records, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Westminster Council (Sale of Cemeteries)
  Mr. Jim Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many complaints he has received about the actions of Westminster city council in respect of the sale of cemeteries owned by the authority.

  Mr. Chope
  Since 4 January we have received 74 letters from members and 39 direct from members of the public.

  Chlorofluorocarbon Gases
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will be meeting the management of ICI to discuss the phasing out of chlorofluorocarbon gases production.

  Mr. Moynihan
  I have no plans to do so. Officials in the Department keep in close touch with both United Kingdom producers of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) on the steps they are taking to develop suitable and safe substitutes for the CFCs controlled by the Montreal protocol. ICI has recently reaffirmed its commitment to the development of such alternatives and has scheduled a rapid increase in its investment in this field.

  Rating Reform
  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last met representatives of English local authorities regarding the poll tax; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Howard
  My right hon. Friend and I frequently meet representatives of English local authorities in the course of official business and discuss many aspects of the proposed community charge.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the average community charge and the national non-domestic rate that would be levied in 1988–89 if the Local Government Finance Bill were in force.

  Mr. Howard
  I shall write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has received any analysis from the Association of District Councils regarding the costs of collecting and administering the poll tax in Nottingham.

  Mr. Howard
  The Association of District Councils undertook a survey last year of the preparation and collection costs of the community charge. From this survey the association extrapolated national estimates but did not supply figures for individual authorities nor offer analysis of their estimates. Nottingham is one of the sample authorities included in the study now being undertaken by Price Waterhouse for my Department.

  Mr. Gow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the initial costs which will be incurred by Eastbourne borough council in setting up the administrative machinery for the proposed community charge in each of the two years ending 31 March 1989 and 1990 and of the annual administrative costs thereafter; and what financial assistance is proposed to be made by his Department towards those costs.

  Mr. Howard
  My right hon. Friend included estimates of these costs for all charging authorities in the financial 714
  memorandum to the Local Government Finance Bill. I have announced initial capital allocations totalling £25 million towards these costs in 1988–89, which will be distributed to authorities including Eastbourne borough council within the next few days. We shall reflect the further resources needed in 1989–90 and subsequent years in future capital allocations and grant settlements.

  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from member of religious orders seeking exemption from the community charge; and what response he intends to make.

  Mr. Ridley
  I have received a number of representations from members of religious orders. The Government propose to table amendments to the Local Government Finance Bill which will have the effect of exempting from the community charge members of religious orders the principal occupation of which is devoted to prayer, contemplation, the relief of suffering, education or such other activities as may be prescribed. The exemption will be limited to those who are dependent on their communities for their material needs, and who have no income or capital of their own.

  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the average cash figure paid by the lowest paid 5 per cent. of households under the present system towards the cost of local services; what this amount is as a percentage of their average after-tax income; and what these figures will be when the community charge is implemented;

  (2) what is the average cash figure paid by the highest paid 5 per cent. of households under the present system towards the cost of local services; what this amount is as a percentage of their average after-tax income; what these figures will be when the community charge is implemented; and what the above figures will be when the income tax changes proposed in the Budget are implemented.

  Mr. Ridley
  [holding answer 23 March]: Households contribute to the cost of local services both directly via local taxation and indirectly via national taxation. Assessments of the size of contributions rely on data from the family expenditure survey. Limitations in the sample size prevent reliable estimates of the relative contribution of the highest and lowest paid 5 per cent. of households.

  Local Authority Publicity
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he proposes to include in the forthcoming code of recommended practice on local authority publicity a provision to the effect that a local authority should not engage in publicity in order to promote the use of services offered by a particular private business, to the detriment of other businesses offering similar services to the public in the authority's area.

  Mr. Chope
  The draft code of recommended practice makes it clear that there should be no discrimination in favour of, or against, persons or groups in the compilation and distribution of local authority publicity material.

  South Africa (Rugby Tour)
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to uphold the
  715
  Gleneagles agreement by seeking to ensure that the planned World XV rugby tour to South Africa does not take place.

  Mr. Moynihan
  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister confirmed the Government's continuing commitment to the Gleneagles agreement during Prime Minister's questions on 29 March. I welcome the efforts of English Rugby Union to discourage players from taking part in the projected tour.

  Bed-and-breakfast Accommodation
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the numbers of(a) children and (b) pensioners living in bed-and-breakfast accommodation for each local authority in England and Wales.

  Mrs. Roe
  At 31 December 1987 there were 10,370 households temporarily placed in bed-and-breakfast accommodation by English local authorities under the homelessness provisions of the Housing Act 1985. Information on the number of children and pensioners in these households is not collected by my Department. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales has responsibility for these matters as they affect the Principality.

  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the latest cost of keeping a family in bed-and-breakfast accommodation for each local authority in England and Wales.

  Mrs. Roe
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Cardiff, West (Mr. Morgan) on 16 March, at column 601.

  Inner Cities
  Mr. Gould
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of the expenditure of his Department is spent in inner cities.

  Mr. Ridley
  Spending from my Department's programmes specifically targeted at inner cities is expected to be about £1,070 million, 16 per cent, out of a public expenditure total of £6,833 million in 1988–89 for the housing and other environmental services. Inner city areas will also benefit from my Department's other countryside programmes which spend some of their resources in these areas; separate figures for inner cities are not available. Expenditure from these programmes which is not incorporated in the 16 per cent, includes: water authorities, heritage, recreation, local environmental services, other local authority current, most local authority spending on housing.

  British Canoe Union
  Mr. Onslow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total amount of Sports Council grants to the British Canoe Union in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and what information he has as to what estimate was made of the total membership of the British Canoe Union in the years in question.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Sports Council grant-in-aid to the British Canoe Union for the last three years for which figures are available was as follows:
  716

  Year

  £

  1984–85

  269,614

  1985–86

  239,410

  1986–87

  196,789

  Estimates of membership as supplied by the BCU are from November to October in each of those years:

  Year

  Numbers

  1984–85

  11,377

  1985–86

  12,733

  1986–87

  13,667

  Amateur Rowing Association
  Mr. Onslow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total amount of Sports Council grant to the Amateur Rowing Association in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and what information he has as to what estimate was made of the total membership of the Amateur Rowing Association in each of the years in question.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Sports Council grant-in-aid to the Amateur Rowing Association for the last three years for which figures are available was as follows:

  Year

  £

  1984–85

  288,540

  1985–86

  382,546

  1986–87

  439,850

  Estimates of membership for the calendar years 1984, 1985 and 1986 are as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1984

  24,910

  1985

  25,173

  1986

  24,842

  Water Authorities
  Mr. Onslow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to monitor the performance of water authorities in England and Wales in their compliance with discharge concerns.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Details of discharges from sewage treatment works are contained in the public registers which water authorities are required to maintain. In addition, since 1986 the authorities have made annual reports to the Department detailing works which have failed to comply with consent conditions. The reports for 1987, which are now being received, will be followed-up by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution to establish the reasons for non-compliance and the remedial measures which the water authorities; propose to deal with the problems. The Department; will also examine water authority plans to improve the performance of their sewage treatment works in the context of their corporate plans.

  EC Harmonisation Programme
  Mr. Latham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the programme of work in which his Department is involved
  717
  with the construction and allied industries relating to the European Community's harmonisation programme in 1992 under the Single European Act.

  Mr. Ridley
  The Department leads the negotiations on the draft construction products directive as part of the agreed Community programme for the completion of the single market by the end of 1992. The directive, when implemented, should benefit the United Kingdom construction products industry by requiring the removal of non-tariff barriers to trade between member states. Although negotiations on the draft directive are at an advanced stage it is not yet possible to say when it will be implemented.

  The Department is also involved in the development of European technical standards in support of the directive.

  Nuclear Waste
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will acquire for his departmental library a copy of the paper presented by M. E. Ginniff of United Kingdom Nirex Ltd. to the Waste Management '88 conference in Tucson, Arizona, on future nuclear waste management strategies for the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Moynihan
  A copy of the paper to which the hon. Member refers has been acquired for the departmental library.

  West Midlands (Nitrogen Dioxide)
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a summary of the findings of the investigation of atmospheric concentrations of nitrogen dioxide in the west midlands commissioned by the air and noise division of his Department in collaboration with west midlands local authorities and in particular regarding emission from domestic balanced flue gas appliances, which investigations were the subject of a report in 1987.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The contractors for the west midlands survey of nitrogen dioxide concentrations, Midland Environment Ltd., will be presenting a summary paper on all aspects of the study to the investigation of air pollution standing conference, in Birmingham on 7 June this year. The Department, in line with normal practice, has also encouraged Midland Environment to publish papers on the survey results in the appropriate scientific and technical journals.

  Boundary Changes
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if, pursuant to changes in county boundaries following the passage of the Local Government Act 1972, he will list those areas in England and Wales which have subsequently been transferred from one economic planning region to another, and the dates on which such changes formally occurred.

  Mr. Chope
  I shall write to my hon. Friend.

  House Prices
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list what information he has on those areas in England where major new housing development has resulted in reductions of house prices.
  718
  Mrs. Roe
  I regret that information is not available in sufficiently fine detail to identify such areas.

  Planning System
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to propose changes in the working of the planning system.

  Mrs. Roe
  We keep the planning system under constant review to ensure that it operates efficiently to enable development which contributes to the growth of the economy while protecting and enhancing the urban and rural environment. We are at present consulting about proposals to amend and consolidate the general development order, and about proposals for incorporating EC requirements on environmental assessment into the planning system. We also intend shortly to introduce revised procedure rules for planning inquiries.

  Rented Housing
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to increase the supply of rented housing.

  Mrs. Roe
  The main aim of the deregulation proposals in part I of the Housing Bill is to increase the supply of rented accommodation. We are confident that the relaxation of rent controls over new lettings, backed up by the generous tax relief under my right hon. Friend's proposed extension of the business corporation scheme, will provide a powerful incentive to invest in rented property.

  The Local Government Act 1988 also included an explicit new power for local authorities to assist in the provision of privately let accommodation.

  We are also helping housing associations to provide more new homes for rent and to repair some empty properties to bring them back into rented use. We have both increased the Housing Corporation's programme by some £50 million in 1988–89 rising to a total of £850 million in 1990–91 and announced major increases in the grant rates available for schemes using private finance to make public money stretch further in providing new homes.

  Basildon (Debt Burden)
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what account he took of Basildon district council's debt burden in deciding to rate-cap that authority for 1988–89.

  Mr. Howard
  As required by statute, my right hon. Friend selected Basildon district council for rate limitation for 1988–89 by reference to the best information available to him about its likely total expenditure for 1987–88, which reflected among other things the costs falling that year on Basildon's ratepayers as a result of the council's debt.

  Industrial Installations (Radiation)
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to change the legal dose limits for acceptable levels of exposure to radiation for those working in, or living in the vicinity of, industrial installations.
  719
  Mr. Moynihan
  My right hon. Friend has no plans for changing legal dose limits for acceptable levels of exposure to radiation. Dose limits, for workers and for members of the general public, are contained in the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1985, which are enforced by the Health and Safety Executive. The Health and Safety Commission has set up a working group on ionising radiations, which is reviewing the subject and will be reporting to the commission in due course.

  Local Government Act 1988
  Mr. Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will announce his final decisions on the timing of implementation of the competition provisions of the Local Government Act 1988.

  Mr. Chope
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that my hon. and learned Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrogate (Mr. Banks) yesterday.

  Council Houses (Nottingham)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which private company is carrying out research into tenants' views on the sale of council estates on behalf of his Department in Nottingham; and what other work the company has done for his Department.

  Mrs. Roe
  I shall write to the hon. Gentleman.

  Local Authorities (Property Assets)
  Mr. Heddle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to monitor the performance of local authorities in ensuring that their real property assets are managed efficiently and cost effectively.

  Mrs. Roe
  The Audit Commission has recently published a report which recommends measures for the improvement of local authorities' management of their property. The auditors will be following up the recommendations of the report with individual local authorities during the next audit round. My Department will be discussing with the local authority associations and the commission ways in which councils can be encouraged to adopt the report's recommendations.

  Property Services Agency Board
  Mr. Heddle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the Offical Report the terms of reference of the Property Services Agency Board; when the scope of its functions and powers was last reviewed; and what steps the board is currently taking to encourage greater competition and private sector involvement in the management and execution of its duties so far as they relate to the real property assets of each Government Department.

  Mr. Chope
  I shall write to my hon. Friend.

  Property Services Agency
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many buildings the Property Services Agency rents for Government Departments in central London; and what is the annual cost and the rent per square metre.
  720
  Mr. Chope
  The Property Services Agency leases 159 buildings for occupation by Government Departments in the following central London postal districts: WC1 and 2, W1, SW1, SE1 and EC1 to 4. The rent bill for these properties is currently some £80 million, representing an annual rental of a little over£ 100 per sq m.

  Glanville Fritillary
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to make a decision on the Glanville fritillary; if he will list the representations he has received; and what information he has on where in the United Kingdom this butterfly is found.

  Mr. Moynihan
  I shall write to my hon. Friend.

  Greenwich (Rents)
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what response he has made to the representations dated 19 February from the hon. Member for Woolwich about the decision of Greenwich council to raise rents for its frail elderly tenants in sheltered housing schemes.

  Mrs. Roe
  I shall write to the hon. Member.

  Crown Suppliers
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether, after privatisation of the Crown Suppliers, any staff wishing to remain in the Civil Service will be found equivalent employment elsewhere in the Civil Service, with retraining and regrading where necessary;

  (2) whether, after privatisation of the Crown Suppliers, staff nearing retirement or with long service not wishing to transfer out of the Crown Suppliers will have the option of going to the new organisation on secondment or taking early retirement;

  (3) whether staff of the Crown Suppliers will be able to transfer out of the organisation prior to privatisation and will have equality of opportunity with other staff to apply for other jobs within the Civil Service;

  (4) what are the expected financial savings to Government of privatising the Crown Suppliers;

  (5) which parts of the Crown Suppliers organisation will be retained within the Civil Service;

  (6) whether, after privatisation of the Crown Suppliers, any changes to the terms and conditions of service of staff will be subject to the same consultation with the trade union side as at present;

  (7) whether, following privatisation of the Crown Suppliers, any staff will be made redundant compulsorily.

  Mr. Chope
  I shall write to the hon. Member.

  County Hall
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement concerning the future use of the former headquarters of the Greater London council at county hall, SE1.

  Mr. Chope
  The future use of county hall is a matter for the London residuary body and any future owner taking into account planning and listed building considerations. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will be
  721
  considering the recent High Court judgment on his planning decisions of 20 October 1987, when the transcript becomes available.

  Warrington-Runcorn New Town
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give for each year since 1981 the square footage of factory space vacated by tenants of Warrington-Runcorn new town.

  Mrs. Roe
  The information requested is as follows:

  Factory space vacated

  1 gross square footage

  1985–86

  259,000

  1986–87

  291,500

  1987–88

  296,750

  1 Estimated.

  Note: These figures do not take account of re-allocations or other re-lettings. Information for 1984–85 and previous years is not readily available.

  I should emphasise that a significant proportion, about a third, of vacations arise from expansion, and that these figures do not therefore reflect the success of the corporation's role in the industrial development of the north-west.

  Non-Metropolitan County Councils
  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (I) if he will publish for each non-metropolitan county council in England(a) the outturn expenditure for 1986–87, (b) the current expenditure for 1987–88 and (c) the percentage increase between the two;

  (2) if he will publish for each non-metropolitan county council in England (a) the current expenditure for 1987–88, (b) the budgeted expenditure for 1988–89 and (c) the percentage increase between the two.

  Mr. Chope
  I shall write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Hackney
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has come to a decision on the future of Hackney's building direct labour organisation following his request to the borough to submit a special report.

  Mr. Chope
  My right hon. Friend has considered Hackney's special report and subsequent correspondence and has today informed the borough, in accordance with his powers under S17(5) of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980, that with immediate effect its direct labour organisation shall not have power to undertake major new building work except as necessary to complete work already awarded to it, and that its power to carry out this work will cease completely a year from now.

  The borough claimed to have made a surplus on its major new works account in 1985–86 following losses of
  722
  £3·2 million in 1983–84 and £1·75 million in 1984–85. My right hon. Friend is now satisfied, however, that the claimed surplus is spurious.

  Brompton Hospital
  Mr. Faulds
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to accept the advice tendered on architectural and historical grounds by English Heritage that the Brompton hospital be added to the statutory list; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  I shall write to the hon. Member.

  Local Authorities (Expenditure)
  Mr. Heddle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on English local authorities' expenditure plans for 1988–89; and what amount of block grant he estimates will be payable to them.

  Mr. Ridley
  On the basis of information received by 21 March, English local authorities are budgeting for an aggregate total expenditure in 1988–89 of about £27,610 million, compared with £26,569 million provided for in the RSG settlement. On this basis, the amount of block grant payable will be £8,955 million, £516 million less than provided in the settlement.

  Ozone Layer
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his policy on the initiatives to reduce damage to the ozone layer.

  Mr. Moynihan
  [holding answer 29 March 1988]: In September 1987 the United Kingdom signed the Montreal protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer and we are currently working with other member states on proposals for implementing the protocol within the European Community. The Department is also discussing with representatives of producers and users of chlorofluorocarbons and halons steps to reduce consumption of these chemicals through the development of suitable and safe substitutes and measures such as recycling and recovery.

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list any sites of special scientific interest that have been ploughed up for cereal growing in the last 12 months showing their habitat type; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  [holding answer 25 March 1988]:The NCC's 13th annual report shows that 27 SSSIs notified under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 suffered damage (mainly superficial) from agricultural activities. Another 21 awaiting or proposed for notification suffered similarly. The Nature Conservancy Council is compiling the information requested in respect of cereal growing. I shall write to the hon. Member with the details shortly.

  WILLIAM AND MARY TERCENTENARY
  WILLIAM AND MARY TERCENTENARY
  TERRITORIAL SEA LIMITS
  TERRITORIAL SEA LIMITS
  PLANTING GRANTS: APPLICATIONS AND APPEALS
  PLANTING GRANTS: APPLICATIONS AND APPEALS
  ILEA: HOSPITAL SCHOOLS
  ILEA: HOSPITAL SCHOOLS
  BRITISH LIBRARY: PROJECT PLANS AND COST
  BRITISH LIBRARY: PROJECT PLANS AND COST
  EC SOCIAL AND REGIONAL FUNDS: UK DESIGNATIONS
  EC SOCIAL AND REGIONAL FUNDS: UK DESIGNATIONS
  CORPORATION TAX: RECEIPTS 1988–89
  CORPORATION TAX: RECEIPTS 1988–89