Written Answers of 13 May 1988

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Kampuchea
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance he has made available in the past year to alleviate the present food shortage and public health problems in Kampuchea; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Chalker
  We have provided no assistance directly to Cambodia but are ready to consider contributing humanitarian assistance in the context of an internationally organised relief effort.

  £000

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  Angola

  43

  12

  93

  55

  71

  146

  164

  317

  261

  Botswana

  7,970

  11,546

  10,199

  7,570

  13,289

  15,975

  8,775

  12,800

  11,874

  Lesotho

  6,622

  4,607

  6,364

  4,251

  4,695

  5,233

  2,382

  3,784

  3,918

  Malawi

  24,941

  16,543

  15,999

  16,984

  14,620

  12,959

  14,008

  15,019

  24,882

  Mozambique

  6,369

  4,629

  5,379

  1,924

  1,805

  4,182

  8,366

  7,424

  22,798

  Swaziland

  8,351

  6,472

  4,144

  6,366

  5,665

  5,626

  3,376

  6,402

  3,458

  Tanzania

  24,076

  32,119

  30,040

  27,328

  30,384

  33,033

  17,967

  12,715

  24,137

  Zambia

  29,159

  20,696

  24,119

  14,237

  15,485

  32,901

  25,552

  35,351

  26,173

  Zimbabwe

  5,070

  36,405

  50,048

  21,464

  19,453

  15,062

  23,636

  12,503

  12,240

  Total

  112,601

  133,029

  146,385

  100,179

  105,467

  125,117

  104,226

  106,315

  129,740

  At 1987 Prices:

  Angola

  78

  18

  126

  69

  85

  167

  178

  331

  261

  Botswana

  14,403

  17,423

  13,803

  9,519

  15,877

  18,304

  9,499

  13,367

  11,874

  Lesotho

  11,967

  6,952

  8,613

  5,346

  5,609

  5,996

  2,579

  3,952

  3,918

  Malawi

  45,073

  24,963

  21,652

  21,357

  17,468

  14,848

  15,164

  15,684

  24,882

  Mozambique

  11,510

  6,985

  7,280

  2,419

  2,157

  4,792

  9,056

  7,753

  22,798

  Swaziland

  15,092

  9,766

  5,608

  8,005

  6,768

  6,446

  3,655

  6,686

  3,458

  Tanzania

  43,510

  48,468

  40,655

  34,365

  36,302

  37,849

  19,449

  13,278

  24,137

  Zambia

  52,696

  31,230

  32,642

  17,903

  18,501

  37,698

  27,660

  36,917

  26,173

  Zimbabwe

  9,162

  54,935

  67,733

  26,991

  23,242

  17,258

  25,586

  13,057

  12,240

  Total

  203,491

  200,741

  198,112

  125,975

  126,009

  143,357

  112 824

  111,024

  129,740

  Source: "British Aid Statistics".

  Mozambique
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list in ranked order such information as he has about the overseas aid per capita contributions made by member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development to Mozambique in the past year.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The information requested is as follows:

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

  Mrs. Chalker
  I refer the hon. Lady to the answer my hon. Friend the Minister for Overseas Development gave her on 3 March, at column 646.

  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will list the level of British bilateral aid to each of the member states of the Southern African Development Co-ordination Conference for each year from 1979 to 1987;

  (2) if he will list the level of British bilateral aid to each of the member states of the Southern African Development Co-ordination Conference for each year from 1979 to 1987 inclusive, at 1987 prices.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Gross bilateral aid to SADCC countries was as follows:

  Net official development assistance from development assistance committee donor countries to Mozambique in 1986

  Donor

  Net official development assistance $ million

  Per capita $

  Sweden

  68·85

  8·227

  Norway

  31·80

  7·631

  Denmark

  13·74

  2·686

  Netherlands

  36·06

  2·476

  Finland

  5·34

  1·086

  Italy

  55·69

  0·973

  France

  28·56

  0·516

  Switzerland

  3·20

  0·488

  Canada

  5·29

  0·206

  Australia

  3·27

  0·205

  Germany

  11·41

  0·187

  251

  Donor

  Net official development assistance $ million

  Per capita $

  United Kingdom

  9·06

  0·160

  Austria

  1·09

  0·144

  Japan

  15·50

  0·128

  United States of America

  30·00

  0·124

  Belgium

  0·28

  0·028

  Ireland

  0·01

  0·003

  Source: Development assistance committee chairman's report.

  Figures are the most recent available that cover members of the development assistance committee of the OECD. No details are available for other OECD countries.

  Developing Countries (Statistics)
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish a table in the Official Report showing such information as he has for each developing country on (a) the infant mortality rate, (b) the level of external debt, (c) the net flow of capital in 1986–87 and (d) the percentage change in terms of trade with the United Kingdom on the previous year.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Information on question(d) could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The answers to questions (a), (b) and (c) are as follows:

  Country

  Infant Mortality (per 1,000 births) 1985

  Total Debt and Liabilities at end December 1986 (US$m)

  Net flow of capital 1986 (US$m)

  Afghanistan (1979)

  182

  1,288

  2·6

  Algeria

  81

  24,574

  -152·3

  Angola

  149

  1,544

  275·9

  Anguilla

  34

  —

  —

  Antigua and Barbuda (1983)

  8

  —

  —

  Argentina

  34

  55,163

  4,896·1

  Bahamas (1984)

  23

  1,398

  917·4

  Bahrain

  28

  1,316

  —

  Bangladesh

  123

  8,258

  1,429·6

  Barbados (1984)

  11

  581

  41·6

  Belize

  19

  175

  19·1

  Benin

  115

  1,073

  178·7

  Bermuda (1984)

  7

  638

  1,048·9

  Bhutan

  133

  17

  —

  Bolivia

  117

  4,814

  304·4

  Botswana

  71

  578

  168·7

  Brazil

  67

  115,418

  634·6

  British Virgin Isles (1984)

  12

  —

  —

  Brunei

  26

  234

  —

  Burkina Faso (Upper Volta)

  144

  689

  283·7

  Burma

  66

  4,881

  413·8

  Burundi

  118

  563

  185·8

  Cambodia

  n.a.

  —

  —

  Cameroon

  89

  3,600

  290·7

  Cape Verde Iles (1980)

  71

  —

  —

  Cayman Islands

  11

  166

  —

  Central african Republic

  137

  435

  142·8

  Chad

  138

  179

  162·7

  Chile

  22

  23,606

  52·5

  China

  35

  26,635

  3,487·8

  Colombia

  48

  13,854

  1,125·1

  252

  Country

  Infant Mortality (per 1,000 births) 1985

  Total Debt and Liabilities at end December 1986(US$m)

  Net flow of capital 1986 (US$m)

  Comoros

  88

  161

  47·1

  Congo

  77

  3,589

  335·9

  Cook Islands

  8

  3

  —

  Costa Rica

  19

  4,487

  320·2

  Cuba

  17

  9,310

  -39·2

  Cyprus

  17

  2,393

  174·0

  Djibouti

  ..

  250

  79·0

  Dominica (1978)

  20

  91

  —

  Dominican Republic

  70

  3,417

  377·5

  Ecuador

  67

  8,792

  1,009·6

  Egypt

  93

  38,396

  2,620·5

  E1 Salvador

  65

  1,964

  327·5

  Equatorial Guinea

  137

  164

  —

  Ethiopia

  168

  2,246

  690·2

  Falkland Islands

  ..

  —

  —

  Fiji (1984)

  16

  487

  47·2

  French Guiana (1983)

  19

  75

  —

  French Polynesia (1983)

  23

  —

  —

  Gabon

  229

  2,191

  309·7

  Gambia

  174

  314

  113·4

  Ghana

  94

  3,312

  429·8

  Gibraltar (1984)

  10

  196

  —

  Greece

  16

  27,292

  -150·9

  Guadeloupe (1983)

  14

  105

  —

  Guatemala

  65

  3,911

  132·7

  Guinea

  153

  1,530

  180·6

  Guinea-Bissau

  143

  318

  71·8

  Guyana (1978)

  46

  970

  47

  Haiti

  123

  765

  173·5

  Honduras

  76

  3,263

  299·6

  Hong Kong

  9

  8,260

  -1,602·4

  India

  89

  43,520

  3,762·2

  Indonesia

  96

  42,240

  1,655·3

  Iran

  111

  4,133

  -328·2

  Iraq

  73

  12,905

  -62

  Israel

  14

  33,446

  2,295·4

  Ivory Coast

  n.a.

  —

  —

  Jamaica

  20

  4,454

  105·4

  Jordan

  49

  5,205

  593·8

  Kenya

  91

  4,836

  685·2

  Kiribati (1971)

  49

  11

  13·7

  Korea South

  27

  54,375

  419·9

  Kuwait

  22

  8,887

  —

  Laos

  122

  565

  48·4

  Lebanon

  48

  932

  141·7

  Lesotho

  106

  194

  92·1

  Liberia

  127

  1,553

  -61·1

  Libya

  90

  2,287

  —

  Macao (1984)

  12

  914

  —

  Madagascar

  109

  2,958

  320·7

  Malawi

  156

  1,122

  229·1

  Malaysia

  28

  22,914

  49·0

  Maldive Republic (1984)

  68

  85

  —

  Mali

  174

  1,790

  364·6

  Malta

  16

  350

  —

  Martinique (1984)

  14

  114

  —

  Mauritania

  132

  1,807

  175·4

  Mauritius

  25

  695

  67·7

  Mayotte

  n.a.

  —

  —

  Mexico

  50

  109,625

  1,287·2

  Montserrat (1982)

  8

  5

  —

  Morocco

  90

  18,313

  1,011·9

  253

  Country

  Infant Mortality (per 1,000 births) 1985

  Total Debt and Liabilities at end December 1986 (US$m)

  Net flow of capital 1986 (US$m)

  Mozambique

  123

  1,390

  358·5

  Namibia

  116

  9

  —

  Nauru (1975)

  19

  78

  —

  Nepal

  133

  789

  330·8

  Netherlands Antilles

  ..

  1,084

  —

  New Caledonia (1983)

  11

  —

  —

  Nicaragua

  69

  5,715

  171·8

  Niger

  140

  1,458

  294·5

  Nigeria

  109

  29,100

  913·2

  Niue Island

  ..

  —

  —

  Oman

  109

  2,958

  —

  Pakistan

  115

  15,177

  973·8

  Panama

  25

  5,906

  1,844·2

  Papua New Guinea

  68

  2,496

  220·0

  Paraguay

  43

  2,127

  112·3

  Peru

  94

  17,700

  70·5

  Philippines

  48

  27,230

  1,118·4

  Pitcairn Islands

  ..

  —

  —

  Portugal

  19

  17,877

  -516·5

  Quatar

  38

  630

  —

  Reunion

  13

  —

  —

  Rwanda

  127

  457

  217·5

  Sao Tome and Principe

  62

  83

  —

  Saudi Arabia

  61

  14,299

  —

  Senegal

  137

  3,478

  675·9

  Seychelles (1984)

  14

  144

  35·0

  Sierra Leone

  175

  641

  91·9

  Singapore

  9

  4,426

  -121·8

  Solomon Islands (1969)

  52

  —

  —

  Somalia

  152

  1,777

  613·5

  Sri Lanka

  36

  4,568

  547·6

  St. Helena

  12

  —

  —

  St. Kitts and Nevis (1984)

  28

  44

  —

  St. Lucia (1984)

  18

  41

  —

  St. Pierre and Miquelon (1981)

  9

  6

  —

  St. Vincent (1983)

  37

  34

  —

  Sudan (1983)

  112

  8,616

  884·3

  Suriname (1978)

  30

  58

  75·8

  Swaziland

  129

  270

  43·9

  Syria

  54

  4,527

  925·9

  Taiwan

  n/a

  12,693

  -483·0

  Tanzania

  110

  4,232

  -649·4

  Thailand

  43

  18,743

  551·7

  Togo

  97

  1,212

  135·1

  Tokelau Islands

  0·6

  —

  —

  Tonga

  5

  29

  —

  Trinidad and Tobago

  22

  1,850

  5·9

  Tunisia

  78

  6,696

  326

  Turkey

  84

  27,641

  1,869·1

  Turks and Caicos Islands (1982)

  25

  29

  —

  Tuvalu

  n/a

  —

  —

  Uganda

  108

  1,191

  199·2

  United Arab Emirates

  35

  9,210

  —

  Uruguay

  29

  3,935

  61

  US Pacific Islands

  n/a

  —

  —

  Vanuatu

  ..

  181

  -28·6

  Venezuela

  37

  42,546

  —

  Vietnam

  76

  7,907

  147·2

  Wallis and Futuna (1970)

  41

  4

  —

  Western Samoa

  33

  —

  23

  Yemen North (YAR)

  154

  2,023

  233·7

  Yemen South (PDRY)

  145

  2,633

  42·2

  Yugoslavia

  27

  23,448

  40·6

  254

  Country

  Infant Mortality (per 1,000 births) 1985

  Total Debt and Liabilities at end December 1986 (US$m)

  Net flow of capital 1986 (US$m)

  Zaire

  102

  6,876

  634·7

  Zambia

  84

  5,158

  670·6

  Zimbabwe

  77

  2,375

  217·0

  Sources:

  Infant Mortality Rates:
  Social Indicators of Development 1987 World Bank & International Finance Corporation.
  United Nations Demographic Yearbook 1985.

  Total Debt and Liabilities:
  External Debt Statistics OECD end December 1986.

  Net Flow of capital:
  Geographical Distribution of Financial Flows to Developing Countries OECD 1986.
  Total official and private flows. Official includes official development assistance and other official flows, both bilateral and multilateral; bilateral flows are those from DAC member countries and OPEC countries; multilateral includes Aid agencies.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Rainbow Warrior
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to his French counterpart about the premature release of Alain Mofart and Dominique Prieur from Hao in connection with their part in the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior.

  Mrs. Chalker
  None. This is a matter between France and New Zealand.

  Swiss Company Law
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will seek the assistance of the European Commission and Council of Ministers in obtaining satisfactory assurances from the Swiss Government about reforms in their company law and practice.

  Mr. Mellor
  There have been no representations on this specific issue, but discussions between the Community and EFTA countries cover a. wide range of trade issues, including the impact of the single market 1992 campaign.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Cambridgeshire Police
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the chief constable's estimate for optimum operational manning levels for police, by division, in Cambridgeshire; how actual manning levels differ from these; what were the statistics for call-outs and completed operations for the Cambridgeshire constabulary underwater unit in each of the last five years; and when he expects to respond to the chief constable's request for increased police manning levels in Cambridgeshire.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  My right hon. Friend intends to announce shortly his decisions on applications for police manpower which we have received from Cambridgshire
  255
  police authority and from other authorities. The manning levels of the force at present, and as they would be on completion of their proposed programme of increases, is set out in the table, as is the number of operations in which the force underwater unit has been involved.

  Force Establishment

  Present

  On completion of programme of increased manpower

  Headquarters

  61

  71

  Northern Division

  574

  621

  Southern Division

  345

  379

  Operational Support Division

  180

  189

  Operations by force underwater unit

  Numbers

  1982

  124

  1983

  98

  1984

  91

  1985

  102

  1986

  76

  1987

  103

  Commission for Racial Equality
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take steps to increase the resources and the powers, respectively, of the Commission for Racial Equality.

  Mr. John Patten
  The Commission for Racial Equality is reviewing, with officials, the resources which it needs to carry out its functions.

  There is no immediate prospect of new general race relations legislation, though specific amendments to enhance the commission's powers are made from time to time. For example, an undertaking has been given to consider an amendment to the Housing Bill to give the commission a statutory power to make codes of practice in relation to housing. In addition, the Policy Studies Institute has been commissioned to carry out a study of the effectiveness of existing legislation including the commission's powers, in respect of employment.

  Safer Cities Initiative
  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made with the safer cities initiative announced earlier in the current year.

  Mr. John Patten
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to a question from the hon. Member for Sheffield, Brightside (Mr. Blunkett) on 4 May, at column 448.

  Asylum
  Mr. Irving
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the sources of the figure quoted by the hon. Member for Mid-Sussex (Mr. Renton) in replying to the debate on new clause 2 of the Immigration Bill that West Germany has some 800,000 outstanding applications for asylum,Official Report column 882, 16 February, in the light of official figures released by the Federal Republic of Germany's Federal Agency for the Recognition of Foreign Refugees showing that, at the end of December 1987, there were 51,561 outstanding
  256
  applications for asylum involving 81,725 individuals in the Federal Republic of Germany; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Renton
  The source of the figure, which should have been 700,000, was a report issued on 12 August 1987 by the London embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany. This account was overtaken by a survey published in February this year by the Federal Interior Ministry giving a similar figure as the total number of refugees and displaced persons living in West Germany, and saying that of these 165,000 were asylum seekers whose applications were still pending. The point made in the debate therefore still stands.

  Wiltshire Constabulary
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set up an inquiry under the Police Act 1964 into the alleged racist behaviour of certain members of Wiltshire constabulary in the arrest of Eric Maximen at West Wells road, Corsham, Wiltshire on 23 April; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  No. Procedures exist under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 for the investigation of allegations that individual police officers may have committed a criminal or a disciplinary offence. The circumstances of Mr. Maximen's arrest are already being investigated by the Wiltshire constabulary in accordance with these procedures, following complaints lodged by three members of the public. When the investigation has been completed the papers will be referred to the Police Complaints Authority and, if appropriate, to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

  Neighbourhood Watch
  Mr. Andy Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether there has been a reduction in residential burglary in areas where the number of neighbourhood watch schemes has increased.

  Mr. John Patten
  Residential burglary offences recorded by police in England and Wales in 1987 were 4·5 per cent. down on those for 1986. It is interesting to note that this welcome decrease in the numbers of burglaries has taken place as the number of neighbourhood watch schemes has increased. Examples include:

  North West Schemes

  Residential Burglary Percentage Change

  October 1986

  October 1987

  West Midlands

  500

  3,130

  Down 14·1

  Cumbria

  431

  661

  Down 13·1

  Bedfordshire

  523

  825

  Down 12·7

  West Mercia

  142

  1,216

  Down 11·4

  Wiltshire

  2

  256

  Down 11·0

  Greater Manchester

  800

  5,000

  Down 10·6

  Durham

  48

  126

  Down 10·1

  Warwickshire

  243

  550

  Down 9·8

  Merseyside

  1,597

  3,574

  Down 8·8

  Dyfed-Powys

  1

  108

  Down 8·8

  Sussex

  350

  3,000

  Down 7·7

  Metropolitan Police

  5,625

  7,500

  Down 4·9

  Mr. Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the results of the evaluation of
  257
  two neighourhood watch schemes in London, carried out by Dr. Trevor Bennett, have affected the development of neighbourhood watch, and what further research he has commissioned.

  Mr. John Patten
  Dr. Bennett's research, together with the results of studies from other areas, confirmed our view that the effectiveness of a neighbourhood watch scheme depends greatly on the quality of its organisation, and the degree of commitment which it is able to obtain from local people. A well-run scheme can contribute to a reduction in crime rates and the fear of crime, and can help greatly to improve relations between the police and the general public. But it is not a panacea.

  In the 12 months since the results of Dr. Bennett's evaluation were made public we have been active in stimulating further research and ensuring that what we learn is fed back to those who can make most use of it.

  We funded Dr. S. Hussain, of the University of Southampton, to carry out a questionnaire survey of neighbourhood watch co-ordinators covering nine provincial police force areas. A report on this work was published on 30 March 1988 as Home Office "Crime Prevention Unit Paper 12," copies of which are available in the Library. This report described the way in which neighbourhood watch schemes were established, the areas in which they were located, how they operated and the extent of police involvement. Although it did not consider the effect of neighbourhood watch on crime rates, it did provide some evidence of a positive effect on police-public relations.

  In line with our view that schemes need to be tailored to local circumstances, we have funded a study in Rochdale on an estate of approximately 2,000 dwellings. This initiative involved the establishment of watch schemes centred on the victims of crime and the results show a 60 per cent. reduction in domestic burglary. A report is being prepared for publication in early summer. The initiative is continuing with the support of the Home Office and the local police and probation services.

  The Home Office is also involved in an initiative on a high crime estate in Lambeth. This project, which is being developed in collaboration with the local victim support group, will encourage neighbourhood watch type activities, as appropriate, throughout the estate. Results will be evaluated in terms of crime reduction. A crime and crime prevention survey has been completed on the estate and a report of this survey will be available by autumn 1988. A report on the full impact of any crime prevention measures taken is unlikely to be available before early 1990.

  The 1988 British crime survey, funded by the Home Office, includes a number of questions on neighbourhood watch. This survey will give information on how many people have heard of neighbourhood watch and how many people have schemes in their immediate area. It will also provide information on why some householders have not joined schemes in their area, what scheme members actually do, what advantages and disadvantages there are, how schemes operate and how many are still active.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many neighbourhood watch schemes there are in Ealing, and if he will make a statement.
  258
  Mr. John Patten
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that there are 100 neighbourhood watch schemes in Ealing involving some 47,000 dwellings, which represents 74 per cent. of households. Some 60 per cent. of the total crime in the Ealing division occurs in the areas not covered by neighbourhood watch.

  Mr. Knowles
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the increase in the numbers of neighbourhood watch schemes and recent research results; and what assessment he has made of the prospects for developing neighbourhood watch in the next two to three years.

  Mr. John Patten
  The growth in neighbourhood watch is heartening since each scheme reflects the willingness of the public to work with the police to tackle crime. It must be remembered. however, that neighbourhood watch is comparatively new to this country and there are still lessons to learn. Research and innovatory police schemes are to be welcomed therefore particularly where they help identify which factors make for the success or lack of success of individual schemes. The next step is for practitioners developing neighbourhood watch to keep abreast of good practice and ensure that the schemes for which they are responsible are finely tuned to meet local needs and suit local circumstances. We hope to publish a guidance note on best practice later this year.

  Mr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the operation of neighbourhood watch in the Wimbledon area has been reviewed in the light of the evaluation by Dr. Trevor Bennett, made public in May 1987; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  A review of neighbourhood watch schemes in the Wimbledon area was carried out by the Metropolitan police in November 1987. This revealed that 85 per cent. of the schemes were working well. As police crime figures in the Wimbledon district do not relate directly to the areas of individual neighbourhood watch schemes, the indicator used for the review was the level of active communication between the scheme co-ordinators and the police.

  Mr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many neighbourhood watch schemes there are in the Wimbledon area; and whether the number of residential burglaries has increased or decreased since they were introduced.

  Mr. John Patten
  There are now 131 neighbourhood watch schemes in the Wimbledon division, covering some 43,832 households. Figures for the division as a whole show that burglaries have dropped by 18·6 per cent. since the introduction of neighbourhood watch. This welcome reduction has taken place during a time when increased police-community interaction, encouraged by the existence of neighbourhood watch, has fostered a greater willingness on the part of the public to report crimes to the police.

  Ealing (Crime)
  Sir George Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police or the Metropolis about crime in Ealing in 1986 and 1987; and if he will make a statement.
  259
  Mr. John Patten
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that overall crime in the Ealing division in 1987 was 7 per cent. down on that for 1986. There was an increase in arrests of 13 per cent. and the total of crimes cleared up increased by 22 per cent. Residential burglaries dropped by 9 per cent. and there was a 27 per cent. increase in arrests for this offence.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Japanese Language Courses
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans his Department has to ensure the wider provision of Japanese language courses geared to the needs of United Kingdom exporting industries.

  Mr. Jackson
  The Government attach a great deal of importance to the need to ensure that provision for the learning of Japanese, as well as other languages, is available to meet the requirements of commerce and industry. As regards the universities, the University Grants Committee has accepted the recommendations of the Parker report and is making additional resources available. In addition, five centres within the network of language export training centres, funded through the Department's professional industrial and commercial updating programme and the MSC, are able to provide training to exporters for the Japanese market and there are plans to enhance the provision. The Department of Education and Science is in consultation with the Department of Trade and Industry on these and related matters.

  Premature Births
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has on ongoing research projects into the effects of advancing medical science on the ability of premature infants to be born alive either(a) in the United Kingdom or (b) abroad; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  I understand that the Medical Research Council, which receives its grant-in-aid through this Department, is funding a considerable amount of work in the field of prenatal and neonatal medicine. In 1986–87, the last financial year for which figures are available, the council spent £4·6 million on this research.

  City Technical Colleges
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list all plans and propositions of which he is aware for the establishment of city technical colleges, with details in each case of(a) the foundation, trusts or individuals supporting the proposition; (b) the number of pupils for whom the school will cater; (c) the amount of (i) private funds, and (ii) maximum Exchequer contribution to (x) capital establishment, and set-up costs and (y) running costs; (d) the planned date of opening; (e) whether the proposition involves a change in character of an existing school; and (f) the address of the proposed school.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  The full details requested are available in respect of only the Kingshurst and Nottingham CTCs and are as follows:260
  the principal sponsors are Hanson plc and Lucas Industries at Kingshurst and Mr. Harry Djanogly at Nottingham. Each college will provide for about 1,000 pupils;
  for the Kingshurst CTC the estimated capital cost of acquiring the site and adapting part of the existing buildings is £3·45 million, £1 million of which was contributed by Hanson plc. Additional capital costs, which have not yet been determined, will also be shared between the Department and the Kingshurst CTC Trust. The Kingshurst CTC Trust expects to raise at least £1 million for this purpose;
  the cash limit for capital expenditure on the Nottingham CTC is £9·05 million; £1·4 million has already been raised by the private sector;
  the normal running costs of CTCs will be met by Exchequer grant; it is for sponsors to decide whether to make additional sums available to CTCs;
  Kingshurst will open in September 1988, Nottingham in September 1989. Both colleges are entirely new establishments and involve no "change of character" by existing schools;
  their addresses are the Kingshurst CTC, PO Box 1017, Cooks Lane, Kingshurst, Birmingham B37 6NZ and the Nottingham CTC, Sherwood Rise, New Basford, Nottingham.

  Dixons plc, the Philip and Pauline Harris Trust, the Mercers Company and Thamesmead Town have each announced plans to provide sponsorship of at least £1 million towards three more CTCs. I am not yet in a position to give details of the locations or the division of capital expenditure.

  The CTC Trust has acquired a site for a CTC in Middlesbrough: there and elsewhere detailed discussions are taking place with a number of prospective sponsors who are not yet ready to declare their hand but who are committed in principle to provide financial support of at least £1 million.

  I am also aware of other bodies which have expressed an interest but which have not made a direct approach to the Department. It would be inappropriate to name the bodies until such an approach is made.

  Contract Researchers
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he intends to publish copies of the report commissioned by the Advisory Board for the Research Councils from the Institute of Manpower Studies, on contract researchers employed in universities and polytechnics.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  A report on contract researchers in universities, prepared by the IMS, was published by the ABRC last year. I understand that the board will be considering the report of a subsequent survey of such staff (also commissioned from the IMS), and the possibility of publishing this, at its next meeting.

  Mr. J. C. Corbacho
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he will answer the letter written to him on 17 March by the hon. Member for Birkenhead, regarding the case of Mr. J. C. Corbacho.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  I replied to the hon. Member on 11 May. I apologise for the delay in replying.

DEFENCE

  Sea Harriers
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date he expects approval will be given for airframe modifications to the Sea Harrier FRS1 to enable uprating to FRS2 standard with Blue Vixen radar and advanced medium range air-to-air missiles; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Later this year.

  R and D (Royalties)
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements are made for royalties to be paid to Her Majesty's Government when products developed as a result of publicly funded military research and development are exported.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  When the Ministry funds the development of products which are sold subsequently to third parties, arrangements exist for a commercial exploitation levy to be paid. In general the Ministry encourages the sale of such products and the levy is normally based either on profit sharing arrangements, or, for low-value sales, on a percentage of the net selling price.

  Air Combat Manoeuvring
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions in each of the past five years Royal Air Force personnel have made use of the air combat manoeuvring facilities at(a) Decimomannu, Sardinia and (b) Nellis air force base, Nevada.

  Mr. Freeman
  It would not be possible to provide the information requested without disproportionate effort.

  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the annual cost to the Government in each of the past five years of using the air combate manoeuvring facilities at(a) Decimomannu, Sardinia and (b) Nellis air force base, Nevada.

  Mr. Freeman
  The cost to Her Majesty's Government in each of the past five years for using the air combat manoeuvring facilities at Decimomannu, Sardinia and Nellis air force base, Nevada was:

  £000

  Year

  Decimommannu

  Nellis

  1983–84

  518

  132

  1984–85

  450

  361

  1985–86

  793

  139

  1986–87

  409

  267

  1987–88

  441

  252

  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give a breakdown of the typical costs involved in British Royal Air Force personnel and aircraft making use of the air combat manoeuvring facilities at(a) Decimommannu, Sardinia and (b) Nellis air force base, Nevada.

  Mr. Freeman
  The cost breakdown sought would require an analysis of expenditures which are not separately identified at this would involve disproportionate effort.

  RAF Leuchars
  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much and what resources have been invested in the search and rescue facilities based at RAF Leuchars in recent years; and when he expects to make a statement about its future.

  Mr. Freeman
  The accommodation presently occupied by the RAF Leuchars search and rescue (SAR) flight cost some £1·6 million, of which 97 per cent. is expected to be funded by NATO. This accommodation is not unique or specific to SAR activities. A statement about the final disposition of military SAR helicopters in the United Kingdom is expected to be made in the near future.

  Pearce v. Secretary of State for Defence
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of his Department's appeal to the House of Lords on 28 April against the Court of Appeal's ruling on 31 July 1987 in the case of Pearce v. Secretary of State for Defence.

  The Attorney-General
  I have been asked to reply.

  Costs were awarded against the Department and the final figure is not yet available. The Department's own legal expenses were about £7,000.

PRIME MINISTER

  Northern Ireland (Deaths)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Prime Minister if she can now reply to the letter dated 14 April from the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull, North on the figures for deaths in the current disturbances in Northern Ireland.

  The Prime Minister
  I replied to the hon. Member yesterday.

WALES

  Rating Reform
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his reply of 6 May to the hon. Member for Torfaen (Mr. Murphy),Official Report, columns 597–98, if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the estimated community charge and the average rate bill in each authority for units of (a) one adult, (b) two adults, (c) three adults and (d) four adults.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Estimates of the total of the community charges payable in households with different numbers of adults can be obtained by multiplying the illustrative community charge figures, given in the reply of 6 May by my hon. Friend to the hon. Member for Torfaen (Mr. Murphy), by the number of adults in the household. Information on which to base comparable estimates of average domestic rate bills for such households is not available.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  National Engineering Laboratory, East Kilbride
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the private companies which have been consulted on the provision of the security services at the national engineering laboratory, East Kilbride.

  Mr. Butcher
  Preliminary consultations on the provision of security services at the national engineering laboratory have been with the following companies:

  Centuryan Security

  Group 4 Total Security Ltd.

  Honeywell Protection Services

  Securicor

  Strathclyde Security Services.

  Companies (Takeover Bids)
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will take steps to prevent bids being made to take over United Kingdom companies by foreign companies who are protected in their own countries by laws and other devices prohibiting reciprocal action; what representations he has received from Cadbury Schweppes seeking such action; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  In considering whether a merger or proposed merger should be referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission both the Director General of Fair Trading and the Secretary of State take into account all relevant aspects of the case. One consideration which may be relevant in some cases is the extent to which United Kingdom companies have reciprocal freedom to acquire companies based in the home country of the prospective acquirer.

  I have received no representations from Cadbury Schweppes on the issue of reciprocity.

  Rowntree plc
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many representations have been received by his Department about the future of Rowntree plc.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  At close of business on 11 May 1988 some 30 representations had been received.

  Mergers (EC Proposals)
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is supporting the inclusion of a public interest criterion in the European Community proposals for assessment of mergers.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The United Kingdom Government have reserved their position on the European Commission's proposal for a Community merger control regulation pending further discussions with the Commission of a number of points, including that relating to a possible public interest criterion.

  Companies (American Investment)
  Mr. Batiste
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is his estimate of the level of capital investment by United Kingdom companies in the United States of America since 1983.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The only available information relates to direct investment overseas by United Kingdom 264
  companies. In the four years 1983 to 1986, net outward investment by United Kingdom companies in the USA totalled £14,393 million in cash terms. A breakdown of this figure is contained in table 4 (page 26) of the article "Overseas Direct Investment 1986" in British Business, 11 March 1988, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Companies (Swiss Investment)
  Mr. Lofthouse
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is his estimate of the level of capital investment by United Kingdom companies in Switzerland since 1983.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The only available information relates to direct investment overseas by United Kingdom companies. In the four years 1983 to 1986, there was a total net reduction of £211 million in cash terms in investment by United Kingdom companies in Switzerland. A breakdown of this figure is contained in table 4 (page 26) of the article "Overseas Direct Investment 1986" in British Business, 11 March 1988, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Internal Market Council
  Mr. Richard Page
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will report on the Internal Market Council held on 3 May.

  Mr. Maude
  The Council, at which I represented the United Kingdom, adopted directives on the safety of toys, the type approval of tractors, and trade in sliced bovine livers. It adopted a regulation extending current arrangements for the movement within the Community of goods sent from one member state for temporary use in one or more other member states.

  The Council also discussed proposed directives on the mutual recognition of higher education diplomas and on right of residence throughout the Community for EC nationals not already covered by the treaty of Rome.

  Deregulation (Advisory Panel)
  Mr. Richard Page
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the current membership of the advisory panel on deregulation, and when he will be appointing new members.

  Mr. Maude
  Three new members have been appointed today. They are:

  Mrs. Teresa Graham — Senior Manager with Price Waterhouse.

  Mr. Stephen Moss—Director, Grosvenor Securities Ltd. and Drakes Restaurant

  Mr. Tom O'Connor—Chairman, Elta Plastics Ltd.

  The existing membership of the advisory panel on deregulation is as follows:

  Mr. Brian Adgey — Managing Director, James Anderson Ltd.

  Mr. Brian Crack — Managing Director, Merricks Sico Ltd.

  Mr. Colin Dauris — Chairman and Managing Director, James Dauris and Co. Ltd.

  Mr. Robert Fleeman — Director, Smaller Business Advisory Services Ltd. and Directors' and Staffs' Advisory Services.

  Mr. George Gray—Chairman and Managing Director, Valley Capital Ltd. and Rural Development Commissioner.

  Mr. Damon de Laszlo—Chairman, Harwin Ltd.

  Mr. Clive Parritt—Managing Partner, Howard Tilly and

  265
  Co. Chartered Accountants.

  Mr. Phillip White — Chairman and Chief Executive, WYKO Group plc

  The advisory panel has made a useful contribution to the enterprise and deregulation unit's work by advising it on the impact of regulatory requirements on business and enterprise development. I recently met members of the advisory panel and I should like to express my gratitude to them for all their work. These new appointments will help to ensure their continuing effectiveness as a source of valuable advice.

  Animal Imports
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, if he will list by(a) species, (b) origin of pelt and (c) method of slaughter of animal for import for each year since 1983.

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  Goats and kids skins

  Uganda

  Nigeria

  Kenya

  Kenya

  Nigeria

  Kenya

  Uganda

  Uganda

  Uganda

  Uganda

  Ethiopia

  Kenya

  Ethiopia

  Ethiopia

  Netherlands

  China

  Rabbits and Hares

  Czechoslovakia

  France

  France

  Belgium/Luxembourg

  Belgium/Luxembourg

  USSR

  Irish Republic

  Belgium/Luxembourg

  Switzerland

  Czechoslovakia

  Irish Republic

  Spain

  France

  Sea-lions and Seals

  Canada

  Irish Republic

  Norway

  Irish Republic

  —

  Federal Republic of Germany

  New Zealand

  China

  Spain

  Wild felines

  USA

  USSR

  Denmark

  German Democratic Republic

  Irish Republic

  Mongolia

  China

  Nigeria

  USA

  China

  Canada

  USA

  Canada

  Insider Trading
  Mr. Gould
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he has any plans to introduce further legislation to tackle insider trading.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  [holding answer 3 May 1988]: Some of the proposals to amend investigation powers which were announced by my right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State on 11 May 1988 concern insider dealing. Apart from these proposals, we have no present plans to introduce further legislation to tackle insider dealing. We do, however, keep the present legislation under review.

ENVIRONMENT

  Horse Breeding Studs
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to decide on the liability for rating of horse breeding studs; and if he will make a statement.
  266
  Mr. Alan Clark
  [holding answer 12 May 1988]: The "Overseas Trade Statistics" identified raw skins and fur-skins by certain species. Information on the method. of slaughter is not available. The following raw fur skins have been imported consistently throughout the period from the listed countries:

  (a) Sheep and Lambs skins: New Zealand, Irish Republic, Australia, Ethiopia and South Africa;

  (b) Mink: USSR, China, Netherlands, Denmark, Finland and USA;

  (c) Persian, Astrakhan, Caracul and similar lambs, or Indian, Chinese, Mongolian, and Tibetan lambs: Namibia, Afghanistan and South Africa;

  (d) Sea-otters, Nutria and Beaver: Poland;

  (e) Musk-rats and marmots: Canada and USA.

  The remaining identified species, with their major countries of origin, are given in the table:

  Mr. Howard
  I expect this matter to arise during consideration of the Local Government Finance Bill in the House of Lords. My right hon. Friend intends to reach a decision on this matter in the light of the debate there.

  Rating Reform
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are his latest estimates of the changes which will be required in numbers of staff employed by local authorities to deal with domestic rate collection on the implementation of the Local Government Finance Bill.

  Mr. Howard
  It is for local authorities to estimate the number of staff they will need. Staffing will be one of the issues addressed in the Price Waterhouse study on implementation of the community charge . We expect to receive this report shortly.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will introduce legislation specifically to prohibit any information collected for police purposes being disclosed to a community charge officer; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Member for Copeland (Dr. Cunningham) on 5 May, at column 569.
  267
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the average household rate payment in the London borough of Greenwich for 1988–89; and what is his estimate of a community charge based on the same level of expenditure.

  Mr. Howard
  I hope to be able to publish 1988–89 illustrative community charges for all authorities shortly. However, I do not yet have a budget return from the London borough of Greenwich.

  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the level of community charge for spending at needs assessment which would apply in 1988–89 if the proposed local government finance system were in operation; and what assumptions are made to arrive at that answer.

  Mr. Ridley
  [holding answer 9 May 1988]: I hope to be able to publish these figures with full exemplifications for 1988–89 shortly. These estimates are dependent on local authority budget figures. More than 150 authorities have changed the budget figures on which AMA exemplifications were based, seven by more than £1 million.

  Mobile Homes (Sale)
  Dame Peggy Fenner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in the light of increasing accommodation prices, he will consider making a reduction in the percentage commission payable to a site owner upon the sale of a mobile home.

  Mrs. Roe
  We have no plans to alter the present rate of commission set at 10 per cent. by the Mobile Homes (Commission) Order 1983.

  Water Rates
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received regarding lost revenue arising from the recent rating appeal in the case of Severn Trent water authority v. Cakebread; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  We have received a number of representations regarding the way in which losses of rate income are dealt with in the block grant system. The local authority associations have sought a meeting with the Department to discuss the matter, and we shall consider all the representations we have received when that meeting has taken place.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he proposes to take arising from the outcome of the recent rating appeal in the case of Severn Trent water authority v. Cakebread.

  Mr. Howard
  As my right hon. Friend announced on 9 March, we shall be tabling amendments to the Local Government Finance Bill that will have the effect of restoring the law to what it was understood to be before the Court of Appeal's decision.

  Housing Expenditure
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish a breakdown of housing expenditure by household type, income and region to identify(a) gross rates and (b) net rates separately from the family expenditure survey 1986.
  268
  Mr. Roe
  The sample size in the family expenditure survey is not large enough to give meaningful figures for the breakdown requested.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he will publish a breakdown of housing expenditure by household type and income identifying(a) gross rates and (b) net rates separately as in table 11 in the family expenditure survey 1986;

  (2) whether he will publish a breakdown of housing expenditure to identify (a) gross rates and (b) net rates by region for each type of tenure as in table 29 of the family expenditure survey 1986.

  Mrs. Roe
  I shall write to the hon. Member with the information as soon as possible.

  UNESCO World Heritage Sites
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what action is being taken by him to ensure the preservation of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation world heritage sites in the United Kingdom;

  (2) how many world heritage sites, as defined by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, there are in the United Kingdom; and if he will list them.

  Mr. Moynihan
  [holding answer 12 May 1988]: There are 11 world heritage sites in the United Kingdom as follows:

  Durham Cathedral and Castle.

  Fountains Abbey and St. Mary's, Studley Royal.

  The castles and town walls of Edward I in Gwynedd.

  Ironbridge Gorge.

  Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites.

  St. Kilda.

  Giant's Causeway and Causeway Coast.

  Blenheim Palace.

  Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey.

  City of Bath.

  Hadrian's Wall Military Zone.

  Before accepting a site for inclusion on the world heritage list satisfactory arrangements need to be made for continuing maintenance and protection. If the hon. Member is concerned about a particular site and would care to write to me with details, I would be happy to comment more fully.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Oil Industry
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from the oil industry regarding the harmonisation of excise and value added tax rates on petrol and other transport fuels; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lilley
  My right hon. Friend has received a number of such representations.

  Financial Reports
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Government have yet examined the proposals of the Public Accounts Committee on financial reports to Parliament; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Major
  The Government's proposals on financial reporting to Parliament, in response to the eighth report
  269
  of 1986–87 of the Committee of Public Accounts (HC 98), and to the second report of 1987–88 of the Treasury and Civil Service Committee (HC 22), were sent to the respective Committees on 29 April and were published on Friday 6 May—Cm. 375.

  Venture Capital
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what was the level of venture capital invested on a regional basis for each financial year from 1979 to 1988;

  (2) what was the level of venture capital invested in the counties of Cleveland, Cumbria, Durham, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, East Sussex, Kent, Surrey and West Sussex for each financial year since 1979–80.

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

  Housing (Government Support)
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing changes in the provision of Government financial support, including tax incentives, to public and private sector housing respectively, in Scotland, Wales and each region of England.

  Mr. Major
  The table shows voted expenditure on housing for the years 1978–79 and 1988–89 for the public and private sectors. It includes both public and non-public expenditure.

  1978–79 (outturn) £ million

  1988–89 (provision) £ million

  England

  Private

  832

  1,559

  Public

  1,108

  459

  Scotland

  Private

  41

  211

  Public

  178

  81

  Wales

  Private

  14

  81

  Public

  74

  73

  A regional breakdown of the figures for England is not available. Regional figures for mortgage interest tax relief for the year 1978–79 can be provided and these are detailed in the following table, but, following the introduction of the MIRAS system in April 1983, regional information

  Consumers' expenditure estimates constant 1980 prices

  £ million

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  Books

  393

  369

  350

  371

  381

  Records etc.1

  613

  673

  736

  836

  954

  Cinema

  94

  77

  96

  97

  99

  Other admissions 2

  1,118

  1,165

  1,249

  1,299

  1,365

  Newspapers and magazines

  1,312

  1,327

  1,351

  1,353

  1,356

  Catering (meals and accommodation)3

  7,790

  8,168

  8,506

  9,141

  9,842

  Alcoholic drink

  9,370

  9,983

  10,224

  10,297

  10,512

  Betting and gaming

  1,394

  1,419

  1,445

  1,476

  1,554

  Social etc. subscriptions4

  97

  100

  93

  86

  79

  Leisure goods except records etc. and on pets5

  2,272

  2,405

  2,558

  2,740

  3,007

  270
  can no longer be provided. The United Kingdom figure for 1988–89 mortgage interest tax relief is expected to be £4,250 million.

  Figures for mortgage interest relief 1978–79

  £ million

  Northern

  40

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  90

  North West

  105

  East Midlands

  60

  West Midlands

  105

  East Anglia

  35

  Greater London

  170

  Other South East

  305

  South West

  85

  Wales

  40

  Scotland

  60

  Northern Ireland

  15

  United Kingdom total

  1,110

  London Weighting
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the cost to the Exchequer of paying London weighting to those civil servants located in(a) the intermediate zone and (b) the outer London zone, who are in receipt of such weighting over the last five years for which figures are available

  Mr. Brooke
  The estimated cost to the Exchequer of paying London weighting to those civil servants in the intermediate London zone and the outer London zone, over the last five financial years has been:

  Intermediate London zone, £ million

  Outer London zone, zone, £ million

  1983–84

  15·7

  11·7

  1984–85

  15·8

  13·3

  1985–86

  16·6

  13·0

  1986–87

  18·3

  13·7

  1987–88

  19·3

  14·4

  This excludes the knock-on effects on earnings-related national insurance contributions, superannuation and pensions.

  Consumer Expenditure
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, pursuant to his answer of 28 April,Official Report, columns 259–60, he will provide a table showing consumer expenditure estimates for the years 1983 to 1987 at constant prices.

  Mr. Major
  The information requested is as follows:
  271

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  Television licences, hire and repairs

  1,807

  1,871

  1,918

  2,074

  2,151

  1 Also includes audio and video tapes.

  2 Has broadly similar coverage to theatres, live arts and spectator sports.

  3 Besides all meals purchased and consumed away from the home, includes hotel and residential accommodation.

  4 Includes subscriptions to sports clubs.

  5 Includes sports goods, toys, camping equipment, plants and seeds, photographic film and processing.

CIVIL SERVICE

  Petitions
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service if he will ensure that all parliamentary petitions presented by right hon. and hon. Members, which currently receive a standard format reply to the effect that the Department concerned has no observation to make, in future receive a full response; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Luce
  In accordance with Standing Order No. 135, departmental observations in reply to petitions are not obligatory. It is accordingly for the appropriate Minister or Ministers concerned to decide whether any such observations are called for in response to a particular petition.

SOCIAL SERVICES

  Overseas Pensioners
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the numbers of British pensioners living overseas who do not receive pension upratings; and if he will list those three countries with the largest numbers of such deprived pensioners.

  Mr. Scott
  In December 1987 there were 278,928 British pensioners living overseas who were not entitled to receive pension upratings. The three countries with the largest numbers of such pensioners were Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the 20 countries in the world with the largest number of British people in receipt of pensions together with the numbers at present resident in each country.

  Mr. Scott
  The 20 countries in the world with the largest number of British people in receipt of pensions (including widows' benefits) together with the numbers of pensioners resident in each country in December 1987 are as follows:

  Number of pensioners

  Australia

  117,659

  Canada

  76,152

  Republic of Ireland

  49,259

  United States of America

  41,860

  New Zealand

  27,957

  South Africa

  25,273

  Spain

  17,592

  Jamaica

  12,617

  Federal Republic of Germany

  11,632

  Italy

  10,366

  Jersey

  6,321

  France

  5,796

  Pakistan

  5,514

  272

  Number of pensioners

  Guernsey

  4,570

  Zimbabwe

  4,454

  Belgium

  3,408

  India

  3,334

  Cyprus

  2,848

  Austria

  2,462

  Poland

  2,445

  Benefit Entitlement (Immigrants)
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will outline the criteria for entitlement of immigrants to the United Kingdom to supplementary benefit, family income supplement and housing benefit under current regulations.

  Mr. Scott
  Income support (which replaced supplementary benefit from 11 April 1988) and housing benefit are fully available to all who have a right of abode in this country, and to all—including refugees—who have been accepted for settlement here. People who are admitted to the UK for temporary purposes, such as holiday visitors, business men, work permit holders, and students are generally admitted on the basis that they will not have recourse to public funds. Asylum seekers and others seeking permanent leave to remain are entitled to income support, urgent cases payments and housing benefit.

  There are no separate criteria for immigrants in family credit (which replaced family income supplement from 11 April 1988). The rules for all claimants are that, at the time of claim, they must be present and ordinarily resident in Great Britain.

  Deaf Children
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will take steps to improve the information health authorities make available to the parents of deaf children with special educational needs;

  (2) what representations he has received from the National Deaf Children's Society about deaf children, health authorities and the Education Act 1981; what reply he has sent; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  I recently received a report from the National Deaf Children's Society about the responsibilities of health authorities under the Education Act 1981 in regard to the special education needs of deaf children. The report is being studied and I will respond to the society in due course.

  Pay Increases
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what was the percentage change in the period from 1975 to 31 March 1988 in the pay increases received by(a) medical physicists and clinical biochemists (b)

  273
  medical physics technicians, (c) medical laboratory scientific officers, (d) radiographers and (e) radiologists; and what was the percentage change over the same period in the retail price index and in average earnings;

  (2) what was the percentage change in each year since 1975 for the pay increases received by (a) medical physicists, (b) medical physics technicians, (c) medical laboratory scientific officers, (d) radiographers and (e)

  Year (1 August-31 July)

  RPI (July-July)

  AEI1 (July-July)

  Percentage pay settlement

  Medical Physicists and Clinical Biochemists

  Medical physics technicians

  Medical Laboratory Scientific Officers

  Radio·graphers

  Radiologists

  1975–76

  12·9

  14·0

  2n/a

  2n/a

  2n/a

  2n/a

  2·2

  1976–77

  17·6

  8·5

  2n/a

  2n/a

  2n/a

  5·0

  2·5

  1977–78

  7·8

  14·2

  10·0

  10·0

  10·0

  10·0

  10·0

  1978–79

  15·6

  16·5

  27·0

  23·0

  24·9

  9·0

  25·7

  1979–80

  16·9

  19·0

  14·0

  13·4

  13·4

  337·9

  331·4

  1980–81

  10·9

  12·0

  6·0

  6·0

  6·0

  6·0

  6·0

  1981–82

  8·7

  10·9

  —

  6·0

  6·0

  7·5

  6·2

  1982–83

  4·2

  7·8

  410·77

  4·5

  4·5

  4·5

  9·7

  1983–84

  4·5

  5·2

  4·5

  4·5

  4·5

  7·8

  6·9

  1984–85

  6·9

  8·8

  4·7

  4·7

  4·7

  512·1

  6·3

  1985–86

  2·4

  8·2

  6·0

  6·0

  6·0

  8·2

  7·6

  1986–87

  4·4

  8·1

  5·0

  5·0

  5·0

  9·1

  8·25

  1975–88

  6196·5

  6256·1

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  7211·1

  Notes:

  1 The increase in the average earnings index (AEI) for 1975–76 is based upon the 'Old Series— All Industries and Services', while subsequent years are based upon the 'New Series—Whole Economy' indices.

  2 Settlements for these groups in these years cannot be expressed as a single percentage figure because of staging, variations in timing and the inclusion of flat-rate weekly cash increases with pay threshholds or pay supplements.

  3 Staged award, final part paid with effect from 1 April 1980.

  4 Two year agreement, implemented in single stage in September 1982.

  5 Staged award, final part paid with effect from 1 February 1986.

  6 The increase in the retail prices index (RPI) is from July 1975 to March 1988, and the average earnings index is from July 1975 to February 1988 (provisional) 'New Series'—the latest month available.

  7 Excludes 1988 award payable from 1 April 1988.

  Home Helps
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish a table in the Official Report showing for each local authority in the United Kingdom the number of home helps employed on a per capita basis, for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Newton
  The full information requested for each local authority is not readily available and could be supplied only at disproportionate cost. The table gives the information requested for the provision of home helps per capita (expressed per thousand population, all ages) for England only.

  Information collected centrally on home helps employed by social services departments for each local authority in England is published on an annual basis in "Staff of Local Authority Social Services Departments" (S/F 1). Mid-year population estimates for shire counties, metropolitan districts and London boroughs are given in the annual OPCS vital statistics publications (Series VS). Copies are available in the Library.

  Information for the rest of the United Kingdom is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and Northern Ireland.
  274
  radiologists; and what were the percentage changes in each year since 1975 in the retail prices index and in average earnings.

  Mr. Newton
  The available information is given in the table. The settlement levels recorded in the table are not directly comparable with changes in the average earnings index for the same period because the index includes not only the effect of pay settlements but earnings arising from changes in overtime working, increments" and payments-by-results.

  Home helps (expressed as whole·time equivalent) per thousand population (all ages), England, 1979–86

  As at 30 September

  Home helps (wte) per thousand population (all ages)

  1979

  0·96

  1980

  1·00

  1981

  0·99

  1982

  1·01

  1983

  1·05

  1984

  1·08

  1985

  1·10

  19861

  1·14

  1 Provisional.

  Note: Figures exclude home help organisers and assistant and trainee home help organisers.

TRANSPORT

  Ferry Services (Fares)
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his latest information about trends in fare levels for ferry services.
  275
  Mr. David Mitchell
  Fares on ferry services are a matter for the companies involved. The Department of Transport has no responsibility for records of ferry fare level trends.

  Rail Services (Report)
  Mr. McTaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his policy towards the level of provision of rail services, in the light of the National Economic Research Associates' report on rail services, commissioned by the National Union of Railwaymen, a copy of which has been forwarded to him; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  Government policy towards the level of provision of rail services was set out in the Government observations on the Transport Select Committee's report on the financing of rail services (HC 420, annex C). I shall shortly be discussing the National Economic Research Associates' report with the National Union of Railwaymen in the context of this policy.

  Heathrow (Charges)
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department has given written evidence to the inquiry by the Civil Aviation Authority into the charges imposed by Heathrow Airport plc for freight movements between Heathrow and non-BAA airports: and when he expects the CAA to reach a decision.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  In accordance with section 42 of the Airports Act 1986, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave written advice to the CAA in October 1987 relating to the charging practices of the other countries involved in the dispute. The CAA expects to complete its investigation and issue a decision by late summer.

  New registrations of goods vehicles1: by gross vehicle weight: Great Britain

  1978

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  Over

  Not over

  (Tonnes)

  3·5

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  18·3

  19·5

  22·4

  23·6

  28·3

  3·5

  7·5

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  16·4

  17·3

  18·8

  18·7

  19·2

  7·5

  12

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2·3

  2·1

  2·2

  2·2

  2·1

  12

  25

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  16·0

  17·2

  16·4

  16·2

  16·4

  25

  33

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  9·0

  7·3

  7·7

  7·5

  7·7

  33

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3·0

  5·8

  6·6

  6·7

  8·6

  All vehiclies

  79·8

  91·3

  74·7

  56·3

  58·8

  64·9

  69·1

  74·2

  74·9

  82·2

  1 Goods vehicles above 1,525 kgs unladen weight but including farmers' and showmen's goods vehicles not over this limit.

  —Not available.

  Severn Bridge
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what is the nature of the work still to be done on the Severn bridge;

  (2) what work is currently under way on the Severn bridge;

  (3) what items of repair and renovation have been completed on the Severn bridge;

  (4) what is the estimated completion date for the current renovation and maintenance work on the Severn bridge;

  (5) what is the estimated final cost of repair work on the Severn bridge;

  National Bus Company
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the progress of the privatisation of the National Bus Company.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  The privatisation of the National Bus Company's bus operations was completed on 22 April when London Country (North East) was sold. These sales, over half of which were management or employee buyouts, were completed almost nine months before the statutory deadline, which is a tribute to the board of NBC and a clear indication of the industry's appreciation of the opportunities afforded by deregulation.

  Settle-Carlisle Railway
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport where the train diversions hitherto using the Settle to Carlisle railway will be accommodated on the British Rail network if a decision is made to close the Settle-Carlisle route.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  This is a management matter for British Rail. Its proposals for diversionary routes are set out in the board's financial case for the closure of this line, a copy of which was deposited in the Library of the House.

  Commercial Vehicles (Weight)
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish a table showing the registrations of commercial road vehicles in each category of gross weight for the past 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The available information is as follows:

  (6) what is the up-to-date cost of the renovation and maintenance work on the Severn bridge.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The first two contracts for the provision of improved access and for strengthening the Aust viaduct were completed in 1986. Work currently under way includes the strengthening of the deck steelwork, installation of new hangers and the fitting of new columns inside the towers of the Severn bridge. Extension of towers and replacement of cable stays on the Wye bridge are also in hand, together with work to protect three river piers against possible shipping collision. A contract for resurfacing the crossing will start next year.
  277
  The programme of strengthening and resurfacing is due to be completed by the end of 1990 at an estimated cost of £56 million. Expenditure on the strengthening programme to the end of 31 March 1988 was approximately £15·5 million.

THE ARTS

  Items in Lieu of Tax
  Mr. Aspinwall
  To ask the Minister for the Arts if there have been any items accepted in lieu of tax or allocated since he last made an announcement on the subject to the House.

  Mr. Luce
  [pursuant to his reply, 12 May 1988, c. 218–19]: I regret that the answer that I provided contained errors regarding the figures of the "special price" of £868,444 and the amount of £230,000 paid to the owner of the portrait of Captain William Wade by Thomas Gainsborough. The correct figures are £855,000 and £216,566 respectively. The amount of £216,556 was raised jointly by the Bath city council (from its Franklin Mint Fund), the National Art Collections Fund and the National Heritage Memorial Fund.

SCOTLAND

  Forestry
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the percentage of sawlogs which the Forestry Commission estimates will fail the M75 grading from plantations spaced at 1, 1·5, 2, 2·5, and 3m, respectively.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  M75 grading refers to a classification used to describe strength of sawn wood. The percentage and total yield per hectare of sawn wood falling below M75 grading vary with age, species, thinning and pruning treatment, as well as, in certain instances, the original spacing of the plantation. No estimate is available of the effect of spacing on all species. Where, however, there is evidence that significant reductions in the yield of higher grades may result from wider spacing, this is taken into account in current silvicultural practice.

  Mr. Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his policy regarding future tree planting undertaken by the Forestry Commission in Scotland, with particular regard to the area of bare land to be annually afforested, the percentage of broadleaved trees to be used and the rate of return to be expected from such afforestation.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Forestry Commission will continue to have a programme of new planting in Scotland of between 4,000 and 5,000 hectares a year. It is the commission's policy to incorporate at least 5 per cent. broadleaves in its planting schemes wherever it is practical to do so. New planting by the commission in Scotland between 1987 and 1990 is expected to earn 2·5 per cent. It would be 2·8 per cent. if there were no provision for the planting of broadleaves.

  Area Health Boards
  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what proportion of the increase in expenditure which 278
  will be incurred by each area health board in Scotland as a result of the recent increase in pay for medical and nursing staff will be met by his Department;

  (2) what additional payments will be made in cash terms to each area health board in Scotland to meet the costs incurred as a result of the recent pay awards to medical, nursing and other staff;

  (3) what is the percentage increase in expenditure in each of the area health boards in Scotland as a result of the recent pay award to medical and nursing staff.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The sum of £92 million is being made available in Scotland to finance the full additional costs of the review body pay recommendations. Health boards will be informed of their additional allocations shortly.

  Police Manpower
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to increase police manpower in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to a similar question from the hon. Member for Greenock and Port Glasgow (Dr. Godman) on 8 March, at column 145.

  Detoxification Centre, Glasgow
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to set up a detoxification centre in Glasgow; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The provision of designated places is a matter for voluntary organisations, which may be eligible for grant under section 10 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968, or local authorities. I have not received any proposals for a designated place in Glasgow.

  Prescription Pads
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what evidence he has as to the numbers of doctors' prescription pads which are lost or stolen annually; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  During the last year some 214 prescription pads or parts of pads were reported as lost or stolen. This figure includes cases where the theft of a pad was incidental to another crime. Health boards normally circulate information about missing pads to chemists to prevent fraudulent use of prescriptions.

  Stolen Prescriptions
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has as to the numbers of stolen prescriptions which were processed by chemists in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Where a chemist is presented with a prescription which he suspects is being used fraudulently, he would not process it but would alert the police. It is not possible to say how many fraudulent prescriptions are not detected at this stage and are inadvertently dispensed.

  National House Condition Survey
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for East Lothian, 29 October 1987,Official Report, c. 431, he has yet concluded his consideration of the proposal that there should be a comprehensive national house condition survey in Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I have, as yet, nothing further to add to the answers that I gave to the hon. Member on 2 November 1987, at column 431, and to the hon. Member for Angus, East (Mr. Welsh) on 8 March 1988, at column 85.

  Housing Association Tenants
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has made any arrangements to enable the Scottish Special Housing Association tenants who wish to do so to transfer their homes to registered housing associations without losing their status as secure tenants before the implementation of part 2 of the Housing (Scotland) Bill.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Scottish Special Housing Association already operates a general policy of enabling its tenants to have access to a wide choice of arrangements in relation to the ownership and management of their homes. Where SSHA tenants wish the ownership of their houses to be transferred to a registered housing association, the unprecedentedly high level of capital allocation that we have made available to the Housing Corporation in Scotland for the current financial year will facilitate the acquisition of the houses by associations, although detailed decisions about the content of their programmes are a matter for the corporation.

  Glasgow (Housing)
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his policy on each of the conclusions of the Grieve report following the inquiry into housing in Glasgow.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Government's response to the Grieve report was sent to the City of Glasgow district council on 29 February. A copy of that document has been placed in the Library.

  Council House Sales
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy to compensate any local housing authority which may be obliged to sell a house to a tenant for less than the outstanding debt on that property as a result of recently announced changes in the cost floor mechanism.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  There are no plans to introduce any special arrangements. The housing support grant system takes account of authorities' aggregate outstanding debt position and the loan charges which fall to their housing revenue account. Authorities incurring deficits in terms of the housing support grant calculations already receive subsidy equivalent to these deficits.

  Poor Quality Housing
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will undertake a study of the effect of poor quality housing on families with young children.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans at present to undertake a study of this kind. It is the responsibility of district and islands councils to assess the housing needs of their areas.

  Disabled Persons
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he now expects to announce the full implementation in Scotland of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  As indicated to the hon. Member in my reply of 10 December 1987, the rate of implementation of further provisions in the Act must be dependent on the availability of resources. We have made progress earlier this year with the commencement of section 13 on persons leaving special education. I have no plans for commencing further provisions at present, but I shall keep the matter under careful review.

  New Towns
  Mr. Allan Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has yet given any consideration to the terms of the review of new towns promised by his predecessor in 1984.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The Government statement in November 1984 envisaged a review of the future of the Scottish new towns in 1989. To ensure that the Government's proposals are informed by the fullest possible consultation, I consider it necessary now to embark on the review, which I hope to conclude in the spring of 1989.

  Formal consultation letters will be sent to the development corporations towards the end of May, inviting their comments on the four main areas to be covered by the review. These are:

  (a) the criteria for determining when a new town development corporation may be judged substantially to have completed its task;

  (b) the forward programme for wind-up, including the possibility of setting target dates;

  (c) the transfer at wind-up of residual new town housing, industrial and community assets;

  (d) the arrangements for employees of the development corporations.

  The 1984 statement set down "trigger" populations for each of the five new towns, the attainment of which would set in motion the wind-up process. The statement promised a review in 1989 of these "triggers" and of progress towards them. However, it will be appropriate also to consider whether population—which can fluctuate for reasons unconnected with the physical, economic or social development of a town—remains a valid criterion. The review will examine alternative criteria for determining when to begin wind-up. It remains our intention that no development corporation will be wound up before 1 April 1990.

  The White Paper "Housing: the Government's Proposals for Scotland" (Cm. 242) published in November 1987 made clear the Government's view that it would no longer be appropriate for the entire housing stock of a

  281
  development corporation to transfer automatically on wind-up to the district council. The review will examine various options for dealing with rented housing still in the corporation's hands at wind-up, including possible roles for the district council.

  As regards industrial and commercial property, the intention has been that these assets should on wind-up transfer to the Scottish Development Agency. However, the review will explore alternatives, including ways of transferring these assets into the private sector. Arrangements for the future management of community related assets such as open space and recreational facilities will also he developed.

  In the course of the review the Department will consult the development corporations, local authorities and other interested bodies. A fundamental principle of the review will be to seek solutions that will maintain the vigorous success of the new towns in attracting and generating employment and in providing a very high quality of environment in which to live and work.

  Much of the new towns' success has been due to the inventiveness and professionalism of development corporation staff. The Government will ensure during the review that staff are kept properly informed of developments.

  Mental Health Patients
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many mental health patients in Scotland lost their entitlement to vote in the last general election as a result of their residence in a hospital.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 12 May 1988]: This information is not available. The answer I gave on 16 November 1987 to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Provan (Mr. Wray), at column 257, set out the facilities available to patients in mental hospitals at the last general election.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Derry Film and Video Collective Co. Ltd.
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has as to how the allocation from the European social fund to Derry Film and Video Collective Co. Ltd. was spent.

  Mr. Viggers
  The Department of Economic Development has no information as to how the allocation was spent because the company has not yet submitted a detailed claim for payment.

  Under-fives
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what is the current population of four-year-olds in the(a) South Eastern education and library board, (b) North Eastern education and library board, (c) Belfast education and library board, (d) Southern education and library board and (e) Western education and library board;

  (2) what proportion of four-year-olds in each of the education and library board areas in Northern Ireland attend (a) nursery education provision, (b) primary school and (c) pre-school playgroup provision;
  282
  (3) what is the current population of three-year-olds in the (a) South Eastern education and library board, (b) North Eastern education and library board, (c) Belfast education and library board, (d) Southern education and library board and (e) Western education and library board;

  (4) what proportion of three-year-olds in each of the education and library board areas in Northern Ireland attend (a) nursery education provision, (b) primary school and (c) pre-school playgroup provision;

  (5) what proportion of three-year-olds in each of the education and library board areas in Northern Ireland are within families (a) with single parents, (b) with unemployed parents and (c) in receipt of income support and family credit;

  (6) what proportion of four-year-olds in each of the education and library board areas in Northern Ireland are within families (a) with single parents, (b) with unemployed parents and (c) in receipt of income support and family credit;

  (7) what proportion of the population in each of the education and library boards in Northern Ireland is under five years old.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to questions by the hon. Member for Antrim, North (Rev. Ian Paisley) on 24 March 1988, at column 226. Other information is not available in the form requested.

  Electricity Industry
  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last met the chairman of the Northern Ireland Electricity Service; and if the subject of privatisation of the electricity supply industry was discussed.

  Mr. Viggers
  My right hon. Friend last met the chairman on 21 December 1986; I have met him on a number of occasions since, most recently on 22 December 1987. Privatisation has not been discussed, for the reasons given in my reply to the hon. Member on 16 March 1988, at column 619.

  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a White Paper on privatisation of the electricity supply industry in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Viggers
  I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him on 16 March 1988, at column 619.

EMPLOYMENT

  Radiation
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proposals the Government are considering to reduce the annual radiation dose to workers; when a decision is expected to be announced; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  As announced on 18 November 1987, the Health and Safety Commission has set up a working group on ionising radiations. As part of its remit the working group is considering the whole question of radiation control measures in the light of guidance given by the National Radiological Protection Board. The working
  283
  group hopes to be able to advise the commission on this matter later this year. I am content to await any subsequent recommendations.

  Meanwhile, Health and Safety Executive inspectors are paying particular attention to the requirement in the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1985 that doses should be kept as low as reasonably practicable and not merely below the dose limits.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any plans to restrict(a) nuclear contractors or (b) workers travelling between and working at different reactors, so as to restrict the exposure to radiation of workers employed by nuclear contractors; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The Ionising Radiations Regulations 1985 require all employers to ensure that, amongst other matters, doses of ionising radiations received by employees are kept as low as reasonably practicable and in any case below the relevant statutory limits. We do not believe there is any need to restrict nuclear contractors or workers travelling between sites any more stringently than other workers exposed to ionising radiations.

  Flammable Gases and Liquids
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if the Health and Safety Commission has yet considered the proposals by the advisory committee on dangerous substances for future controls over flammable gases and liquids; and if he will make statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Having received the advice of its advisory committee on dangerous substances, the Health and Safety Commission has decided to drop its proposed regulations on flammable gases and liquids in favour of an alternative approach, based on a series of practical initiatives aimed at specific hazards or risks. Emphasis will now be placed on updating or extending standards and guidance in close co-operation with industry on a number of issues, chiefly the keeping and use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in residential premises, controls for flammable liquids and the construction and operation of petrol filling stations. It is also intended to propose adjustments to the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1984, so that they cover all installations where LPG is supplied through fixed pipes.

  The advisory committee noted that the Health and Safety Commission had already taken steps to meet concerns about standards of gas installation with two initiatives. The commission has published an approved code of practice, which comes into operation in August, concerning standards of training in safe gas installation. In consultation with the Council of the Confederation for the Registration of Gas Installers, it is developing proposals for an independent, broadly based representative body to promote safe gas installation. Mandatory registration of gas installers with such a body is among the proposals currently being considered.

  London Docklands
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if, pursuant to his answer of 9 May, he will break down the figures provided of the unemployed in the docklands area so as to show how many in each category are within the urban development area of London docklands.
  284
  Mr. Lee
  The following information is in the Library. The table shows the number of male and female unemployed claimants, by age, in the local authority wards which most closely correspond to the urban development area of London docklands.

  Urban development area—London docklands January 1988

  Unemployed claimants

  Males

  Females

  16 years

  45

  38

  17 years

  93

  73

  18 years

  100

  75

  19 years

  135

  84

  20 to 24 years

  780

  376

  25 to 29 years

  830

  241

  30 to 34 years

  666

  136

  35 to 39 years

  450

  90

  40 to 44 years

  403

  104

  45 to 49 years

  380

  113

  50 to 54 years

  462

  97

  55 to 59 years

  445

  103

  Over 60 years

  178

  11

  Total all ages

  4,967

  1,541

  Restart Programme
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether a restart interview includes a question on previous employment.

  Mr. Lee
  The aim of a restart interview is to provide people with information and advice that will help them into work. In most circumstances the interview will involve some discussion about a client's previous employment.

  Small Businesses
  Dame Peggy Fenner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what records are kept showing the percentage of success in cases brought to county courts under the small claims procedure by small businesses;

  (2) what are the implications of the rate of success achieved in cases brought to county courts by small businesses under the small claims procedure for his Department's advice to enterprise agencies on the merits of embarking on such a course.

  Mr. Cope
  The judicial statistics maintained by the Lord Chancellor's Department do not break down information on small claims at county courts by type of plaintiff. Local enterprise agencies are autonomous private sector-led organisations and it would be inappropriate for his Department to give advice to them on the merits of pursuing small claims in county courts.

  Penlee Quarry, Newlyn
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretry of State for Employment whether prosecutions are to be undertaken against the owners of Penlee quarry, Newlyn, Penzance, following the accident on 28 January, 1987; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  No. The circumstances as identified by the investigation gave no grounds for the institution of prosecution proceedings against the owners.

  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many visits were made during the five
  285
  years prior to 1987 by a mines and quarries inspector to Penlee quarry, Newlyn; what changes were required; how many were carried out; how many improvement or prohibition notices were issued; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  There were 11 visits made to Penlee quarry in the five years prior to 1987. There were no prohibition or improvement notices issued. There were 25 recommendations made by mines and quarries inspectors during this period and these were acted upon by management.

  Hantergantick Quarry, St. Bernard
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many visits were made by mines and quarries inspectors to Hantergantick quarry, St. Bernard, in the five years prior to August 1987; how many prohibition or improvement notices were issued; how many changes were recommended and acted upon; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  There were four visits made to Hantergantick quarry during this period. No prohibition or improvement notices were issued. There were eight recommendations by Her Majesty's mines and quarries inspectors and these were acted upon by the management.

  Mines and Quarries Inspectorate
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the purpose of the recent meeting between the Director-General of the Health and Safety Executive and the Chief Inspector of Mines and Quarries; if the chief inspector was invited to make increased use of powers under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act; whether any action is to be taken against the chief inspector in the light of the prosecution record of the Mines and Quarries Inspectorate; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The purpose of the meeting between the Health and Safety Executive and Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Mines and Quarries was to discuss the accident record in recent years in quarries and the means to its improvement. As part of this wide-ranging discussion Her Majesty's chief inspector was invited to make the fullest use of his powers under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. In addition, the means by which co-operation by all parts of the industry to reduce the accident levels were explored, including the encouragement of greater efforts through communication, guidance and training. The executive indicated its intention to meet at regular intervals over the next two years to review progress.

  Scotch Derrick Cranes
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied that under the Quarries (General) Regulations 1958, competent persons are required to detect the difference between steel and cast iron components used in Scotch derrick cranes, in view of guidance note PM43 issued in May 1984 by the Health and Safety Executive; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The competent person carrying out a thorough examination of a Scotch derrick is expected 286
  either to identify any critical parts made of cast iron or to advise the owner that the material of such parts should be established.

  Confectionery Firms
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people are employed in the confectionery sector in the York travel-to-work area.

  Mr. Lee
  This information cannot be given without indirectly disclosing information relating to individual firms which was collected in confidence.

  Minimum Wages
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many companies were prosecuted for paying below the wages council minimum in 1987; and how many were found to be paying below the minimum.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [holding answer 12 May 1988]: Of the eight employers prosecuted in 1987, four were for paying workers less than the wages council minimum; 4,443 establishments were found to have underpaid one or more workers.

  Disposable Income
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the aggregate disposable income in 1979, 1981, 1983, 1985 and 1986, showing the median, lowest and highest deciles, and the lower and upper quartiles, for the following household types:(a) one adult retired, mainly dependent on state pensions, (b) one man and one woman retired, mainly dependent on state pensions, (c) one man, one woman and one child (d) one man, one woman and two children and (e) one man, one woman and three children, adjusting the figures for 1979 and 1981, as provided for 1983 in the Official Report, 22 July 1987, columns 211–212, so as to achieve a consistent basis.

  Mr. Lee
  It is not possible to produce estimates from the family expenditure survey for 1979 and 1981 on the same basis as those provided for 1983, in the Official Report of 22 July 1987. Figures for 1983, 1985 and 1986 are shown in the table.

  Distribution of weekly household disposable income1

  Lowest decile £

  Lower quartile £

  Median £

  Upper quartile £

  Highest decile £

  1983

  (a)

  34·42

  35·26

  37·85

  42·52

  51·67

  (b)

  56·62

  59·34

  65·54

  73·25

  86·67

  (c)

  80·07

  120·31

  155·82

  202·91

  272·23

  (d)

  98·98

  131·73

  172·40

  218·68

  288·62

  (e)

  79·00

  116·42

  161·99

  216·90

  284·76

  1985

  (a)

  37·12

  38·44

  41·17

  45·00

  50·09

  (b)

  61·21

  63·96

  71·80

  78·63

  94·87

  (c)

  84·20

  128·00

  173·78

  239·38

  307·54

  (d)

  102·05

  148·68

  198·88

  260·52

  335·91

  (e)

  86·80

  132·00

  188·00

  241·67

  304·67

  1986

  (a)

  39·31

  40·97

  46·37

  56·43

  65·94

  (b)

  65·86

  71·26

  82·72

  95·64

  106·77

  287

  Lowest decile £

  Lower quartile £

  Median £

  Upper quartile £

  Highest decile £

  (c)

  99·60

  141·99

  201·45

  260·10

  344·22

  (d)

  110·36

  158·52

  219·21

  298·30

  279·05

  (e)

  101·37

  144·40

  216·26

  278·72

  374·65

  Source: Family Expenditure Survey.

  1 Household disposable income is defined as gross weekly cash income (plus imputed income from owner occupancy of housing) less statutory deductions and payments of income tax and national insurance contributions. Cash income includes wages and salaries, income from self employment, investment income, pensions and annuities, and social security benefits but does not include non-cash benefits such as housing benefit.

ENERGY

  Electricity Supplies
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to his Answer of 9 May,Official Report, columns 3–4, if he will specify to whom he was referring when he stated that there are many people in the electricity supply industry whose knowledge of transmission is as extensive as Lord Marshall's but who do not share his views on the future structure and ownership of the national grid.

  Mr. Parkinson
  There is widespread support for the Government's proposals in the electricity supply industry, but it would be invidious and inappropriate to single out individuals.

  MLC Levy on pig industry and expenditure plans 1987–91

  £ thousand

  1987–88 Actual1

  1988–89 Budget

  1989–90 Plan

  1990–91 Plan

  Income—Levy

  1. General levy

  5,560

  5,533

  5,458

  5,328

  2. Producer-funded levy for pigmeat promotion

  21,302

  2,038

  42,360

  42,664

  3. Allocation from General Levy Income to pigmeat promotion

  1,935

  1,400

  800

  330

  4. Sums available for pigmeat promotion

  33,433

  34,328

  3—

  3—

  Expenditure on

  Pigmeat promotion

  2,543

  —

  —

  —

  1 Subject to audit.

  2 Commenced 17 August 1987.

  3 This sum comprises (or will comprise) income plus available reserves in pork and bacon promotion fund brought forward (underspent in previous years).

  4 Amounts of levy have not been determined: the Commission's plan depends on recommendations from the Pork and Bacon Promotion Council.

  EC Free Food
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he expects there to be any European Community free food distribution in Warrington in the current year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Cambridgeshire, North-East (Mr. Moss) on 21 April. Although no organisations based in Warrington have been designated to operate the EC free food scheme this year, some designated organisations have said that they will operate widely across the country.

  British Gas Shareholders
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, how many shareholders there are in British Gas(a) who have paid the final instalment and (b) who have not paid the final instalment.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  Over 99 per cent. of the nearly 3 million payments required in the British Gas third instalment had been processed by the close of business on Wednesday 11 May. Work is in hand to resolve the remaining cases, which number fewer than 30,000.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Pigmeat
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the amounts of money levied on pigmeat producers by the Meat and Livestock Commission through the general expenses levy and the species promotion levy during 1987–88; how much was spent on pigmeat promotion during the same year; and if he will provide forecasts for the above for the current financial year and 1989–90 and 1990–91 respectively.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  This is a matter for the Meat and Livestock Commission itself. The information it has given me is in the table.

  Milk
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, pursuant to the answer of 4 May,Official Report, column 478, he will standardise the producer price per kilogramme of milk in 1987 in pounds sterling.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The information requested is set out in the table.
  289

  Producer Price1 of Milk: 1987

  £ per kg6

  Japan2 (manufacturing)

  0·350

  (fluid)

  0·383

  United States3

  0·166

  New Zealand4

  70·060

  European Community Member States5

  United Kingdom

  0·155

  Germany

  0·208

  France

  70·179

  Italy

  0·245

  Netherlands

  0·217

  Belgium

  70·182

  Luxembourg

  0·200

  Ireland

  70·158

  Denmark

  0·219

  Greece

  70·168

  Notes:

  1 Relates to milk of varying fat content.

  2 Guaranteed price for manufacturing milk delivered to factory: average selling price for fluid milk.

  3 Average price for all milk sold to plants.

  4 Farmgate price of milk fat converted to milk equivalent; actual fat content.

  5 Ex farm, actual fat content: net of co-responsibility levy. No data are readily available for Spain and Portugal.

  6 Converted at average exchange rates for 1987.

  7 Provisional.

  Salmon
  Mr. Onslow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to receive the first report from the advisory committee on salmon stocks; and what matters he expects this to cover.

  Mr. Gummer
  I understand that the salmon advisory committee hopes to submit its first report, which will deal with the availability of information on the status of salmon stocks, later in the summer.

  Nestlé
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his Department has received any representations from Nestlé and what response was given.

  Mr. MacGregor
  At his request, Mr. Maucher, chairman of Nestlé, met me on Monday 9 May 1988 to put points concerning Nestlé's bid for Rowntree plc, which I noted.

  Farm Diversification
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice he has received from the European Commission of the percentage of expenditure on set-aside proposals which will be provided from Community funds; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 10 May 1988]: The Communiity financial contribution is to be in the form of reimbursement from the European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund of a proportion of the payment made to participating farmers. The relevant Community legislation sets the following rates of reimbursement:
  50 per cent. for that portion of the payment which does not exceed 200 Ecu (£140) per hectare per annum;
  25 per cent. for that portion of the payment which is between 200 Ecu and 400 Ecu (£140—£280) per hectare per annum;
  290
  15 per cent. for that portion of the payment which is between 400 and 600 (£280— £400) per hectare per annum.

  Fishing Industry
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the future role of the producer organisations in the fishing industry.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 12 May 1988]: Producer organisations will continue to form an integral part of the common organisation of the market. In particular they will continue to manage their membership to ensure that fishing is carried out along rational lines to maximise returns from the market and to ensure grading and labelling requirements are observed.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will outline his practice on gathering information, consulting and announcing his decisions on total allowable catches and related matters to individual fishermen at the ports.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 12 May 1988]Decisions on total allowable catches are taken by the Council of Fisheries Ministers in the light of the latest scientific advice and other relevant factors. Consultation with the industry is a continual process throughout the fishing year: in particular MAFF fisheries scientists meet the main industry representatives in November of each year to discuss the latest scientific assessments on fish stocks of interest to the United Kingdom. The EC Commission's proposals on total allowable catches are circulated to the main industry organisations for comment and are subject to full parliamentary debate prior to final adoption.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what he hopes to achieve at the next EC Council of Ministers meeting with regard to the fishing industry in general, and the inshore fleets in particular.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 12 May 1988]: The agenda for the next EC Council of Fisheries Ministers has yet to be finally settled.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to make available to the public information about vessel landings and catches; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 12 May 1988]: Information on vessel landings and catches is published on a regular basis through several channels:

  (i)The annual "Sea Fisheries Statistics Table" is a publication of the Government statistical service (GSS) covering landings in the UK and is available through Her Majesty's Stationery Office. There have of late been delays in the production of this publication but more up-to-date figures are generally available on request from the Ministry's statistics unit. A similar publication relating to landings in Scotland is produced by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland.

  (ii) Monthly figures on landings by species at the main ports in England and Wales are circulated widely to interested members of the industry. Again DAFS provide similar figures for landings in Scotland.

  (iii) Press notices are issued from time to time by MAFF, DAFS and Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland giving summarised landings figures.

  291

  (iv) The UK monthly catch reports to the European Commission in Brussels covering catches of all quota stocks by UK-registered vessels are published in Fishing News.

  (v) Following requests from certain producer organisations, the Ministry is now providing PO management with details of landings into England and Wales of particular stocks by individual vessels in membership of the PO. In accordance with the GSS code of practice on data confidentiality, the provision of such data to PO management is with full agreement of each of the vessel skippers or owners involved.

  Fishermen (Lowestoft)
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) when he next plans to meet Lowestoft inshore fishermen to discuss total allowable catches for 1988–89 and related matters;

  (2) when he next plans to meet Lowestoft inshore fishermen to discuss total allowable catches and related matters for 1990 to 1992;

  (3) when he next plans to meet Lowestoft inshore fishermen to discuss total allowable catches and related matters for the post-1992 period.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 12 May 1988]: I have no immediate plans to meet Lowestoft inshore fishermen. I am of course fully aware of their concerns and will continue to consult representative organisations as necessary as part of my Department's regular dialogue with the United Kingdom industry.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will outline his plans to ensure the short-term survival and the long-term prosperity of the inshore fleet at Lowestoft.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 12 May 1988]: I shall continue to pursue my policy of seeking to conserve fish stocks so that adequate supplies will be available for the future. The restrictive licensing scheme and the scheme of grants for vessel construction and modernisation ensure that the fleet is of a size appropriate to the available opportunities and that it is safe, modern and efficient.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to be in a position to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Waveney of 9 April about Lowestoft inshoremen.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 12 May 1988]: I shall reply shortly.

  Cod
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any plans to abandon the historic basis of total allowable catches for cod; and if he will introduce an allocation equal to boats of the same size regardless of port of registration.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 12 May 1988]: I have no plans to abandon the historic basis of total allowable catches for cod, which is an important part of the Community's conservation policy. Fisheries departments already manage cod quotas in the non-sector according to vessel length band and without regard to port of registration.
  292
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give a table showing the current year cod quotas and the recorded catches in the year in which historic catches are based for each of the following ports: Lowestoft, Bridlington, Scarborough, Grimsby, Filey, Great Yarmouth, Harwich, Southwold, Aldeburgh, Felixstowe and West Mersea.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 12 May 1988]: Cod quotas are not calculated for individual ports, but landings at the ports listed over the reference period 1982–86 are as follows:

  Tonnes (landed weight)

  Lowestoft

  12,897

  Bridlington

  15,372

  Scarborough and Filey

  15,700

  Grimsby

  66,094

  Great Yarmouth and Winterdon

  211

  Harwich, Walton and Clacton

  667

  Southwold

  340

  Alburgh

  444

  Felixstowe

  844

  West Mersea

  193

  For confidentiality purposes, landing figures are not made available for those small ports where three or fewer owners are based, and instead are amalgamated with neighbouring ports. Consequently, the figures for Scarborough, Filey, Great Yarmouth and Harwich and only readily available as shown in the table. Similarly, since 1985, the figures for West Mersea including landings at Tollesbury, Maldon and Bradwell.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he takes to ensure that the cod quota allocated to (i) the port of Lowestoft and (ii) the port of Grimsby is(a) sufficient for their needs and (b) fair in relation to other English ports.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 12 May 1988]: Fisheries Departments do not allocate quotas on an individual port basis.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on how the port of(a) Grimsby and (b) Lowestoft cod quota is decided, allocated and monitored; and what steps he has taken to ensure that it is a fair quota in relation to other ports.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 12 May 1988]: Fisheries Departments do not allocate quotas on an individual port basis. However, sectoral quotas to producer organisations, some of whose economic area may include the ports of Grimsby and Lowestoft, are calculated in accordance with the methodology agreed with the industry as a whole.

  Under the sectoral quota systems, it is for the producer organisations to monitor uptake of quota and to take whatever management action is necessary to keep within quota.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has for allocating cod quotas in 1989 and subsequent years.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 12 May 1988]: The arrangements for allocating sectoral quotas are drawn up each year, usually in the autumn, in full consultation with

  293
  the industry. A date has yet to be fixed in respect of the consultation exercise for 1989. The industry will also be consulted about non-sectoral quotas.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has for amending the current cod quota for Lowestoft before the autumn.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 12 May 1988]: Quotas are not allocated to individual ports. North sea cod is managed either through sectoral quotas, allocated to producer organisations or directly by the fisheries Departments in respect of non-sectoral fishermen.

  The quota available for Lowestoft depends, in the case of the sectoral quota allocated to the Yorkshire and Anglia Fish Producer Organisation, on the number of vessels in membership, their track records, the degree of over-fishing in 1987 and the decision of the producer organisation on the proportion of its quota to he allocated to Lowestoft. There is no non-sectoral allocation to Lowestoft.

  The only possibilities whereby the cod allocation to Lowestoft could be increased would be either through a quota swap with another member state or an increase in the North sea cod total allowable catch (TAC). Neither is likely to happen before the autumn and any TAC increase would need to be based on scientific information.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to deal with the surplus to quota cod thrown overboard at sea; how much cod is killed in this way in a year in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 12 May 1988]: Discards at sea arise both because of quota management measures and provisions concerned with technical conservation. It is not possible to quantify the level of cod discarded in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why the allocation of North sea cod to the Yorkshire and Anglia Fish Producers Organisation was reduced from 9.4 per cent. of the United Kingdom total in 1985 to 6·8 per cent. of the United Kingdom total in the current year; and what are the parallel allocations to all other producer organisations in the same period.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 12 May 1988]: Fluctuations in the level of sectoral quotas from year to year are due to a number of factors including changes in the vessels in membership of a producer organisation compared with previous years; changes in the vessels with incomplete track records compared with previous years and which therefore require "notional" allocations; the level of penalty for over-fishing; the level of compensation due to over-fishing by others; and, in 1988, the allowance which the industry, including YAFPO, agreed should be set aside for vessels of 10 m and under.

  The methodology for calculating sectoral quotas is agreed each year in full consultation with the industry.
  294
  I am not able to list the allocations to all producer organisations because some of them wish their figures to be regarded as commercially confidential.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he plans to meet representatives from the Yorkshire and Anglia Fish Producers' Organisation to discuss the current quota year in relation to cod.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 12 May 1988]: I have no plans to do so at present.

  Fishermen (Set-aside Scheme)
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce a set-aside scheme for inshore fishermen to pay them not to catch fish, similar to the proposed set-aside for farmers.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 12 May 1988]: No.

  Fishing Quotas
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the part quotas play in conserving measures; and if he has plans to allow quota shares to expand steadily.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 12 May 1988]: Quotas and technical conservation measures taken together are vital elements of the common fisheries policy in ensuring conservation of fish stocks. Technical conservation measures are regularly reviewed in the light of the latest scientific advice: furthermore, a special EC Commission scientific working group is currently studying exploitation patterns in the North sea.

  The United Kingdom has been in the forefront of efforts within the Community to ensure that quotas and technical conservation measures are properly enforced, leading to healthy and growing stocks of fish which in the long-term should be able to sustain higher yields, from which the United Kingdom fishing industry will benefit.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he had from, and what advice his Department gave to, the Yorkshire and Anglia Fish Producers Organisation over quota management for 1988 at Lowestoft; what representations he has had since the year began; and what action he now proposes to take.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 12 May 1988]: I have not received any representations from the Yorkshire and Anglia Fish Producers' Organisation specifically about quota management at Lowestoft, but I have received correspondence concerning sectoral quota allocations for the producer organisation as a whole. The producer organisation is responsible for the management of the sectoral quota at Lowestoft.