Written Answers of 23 May 1988

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prisons (Mother and Baby Units)
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women in prison mother-and-baby units on the most recent convenient date had not previously served a custodial sentence; what were their ages; and for what offences they had been sentenced.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Forty three women in mother and baby units on 13 May had not previously served a custodial sentence. Their ages are shown in table 1. They received custodial sentences for a wide range of offences and in many cases they were sentenced for more than one offence. Table 2 lists the primary offence in each case.

  Table 1

  Age

  Number of women

  16

  1

  18

  4

  19

  3

  20

  4

  21

  1

  23

  7

  24

  2

  25

  7

  26

  4

  27

  1

  29

  1

  30

  1

  31

  2

  32

  2

  33

  1

  35

  1

  36

  1

  Total

  43

  Table 2

  Offence

  Number of women

  Wounding

  1

  Aiding and abetting rape

  1

  Robbery

  3

  Burglary

  3

  Shoplifting

  2

  Theft

  7

  Illegal importation of drugs

  13

  Conspiracy to smuggle drugs

  1

  Obtain by deception

  4

  Handling

  3

  Conspiracy

  2

  Fraud

  1

  Grievous bodily harm

  1

  Assault occasioning actual bodily harm

  1

  Total

  43

  Civil Defence
  Mr. Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current state of civil defence planning in the areas covered by the joint fire and civil defence authorities with particular reference to south Yorkshire, as evidenced by those authorities' submission in response to his Department's circular dated 30 October 1986, entitled "A planned programme of implementation"; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  The initial submissions in response to the circular were in the form of preparatory information on how the planning requirements of the Civil Defence (General Local Authority Functions) Regulations 1983 would be met. These indicated that in general progress was being made in civil defence planning. In April 1988 county level authorities, including joint fire and civil defence authorities, were required to submit the first group of operational plans: these are now being considered.

  Broadcasting Standards Council
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his statement of 16 May,Official Report, column 685, if he will specify the period of time for which he expects the Broadcasting Standards Council to be a non-statutory body.

  Mr. Renton
  We intend to introduce legislation for the Broadcasting Standards Council in due course, by which time I hope the council will have established satisfactory working arrangements with the relevant broadcasting and other agencies.

  Strip Searches
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many strip searches were carried out on inmates, both sentenced and remand, and on female visitors to(a) Holloway, (b) Styal and (c) Durham prisons during the first three months of 1988.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Strip searching is a routine security measure in prison establishments to which both male and female inmates, including those on remand, are subject. Comprehensive records of strip searches are available only in respect of category A women prisoners, of whom there were three in Durham prison during the period in question. Details of the numbers of occasions on which these prisoners were strip searched were given in my replies to questions from the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull, North (Mr. McNamara) on 16 February, at column 546, and 21 April, at columns 525–26.

  If there is reason to believe that a visitor intends to smuggle drugs or other contraband into an establishment, it is the normal practice to call in the police to investigate the matter. Information is not available centrally regarding the action taken by the police in such cases.

  Ethnic Monitoring
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the results of the ethnic monitoring survey of probation clients will be published.

  Mr. John Patten
  Information from the survey, which relates to individual probation areas, has already been
  3
  given to those areas. The preparation of a full report on the survey has been delayed, but a report will be published as soon as possible.

  Crime Statistics
  Mr. William Shelton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offenders were found

  Offenders found guilty at all courts or cautioned for gross indecency with children by sex of victim

  England and Wales

  Number of offenders

  Offence description

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  Gross indency:

  with boys

  123

  141

  129

  107

  117

  138

  122

  119

  with girls

  147

  139

  118

  138

  138

  145

  206

  172

  Mr. William Shelton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were found guilty of, or cautioned for, the offence of indecency between males, for each year from 1967 to 1987, showing how many offences were committed against boys aged less than 16 years.

  Mr. John Patten
  Information collected centrally does not identify those cases where the offence involved boys under the age of 16. Details of offenders found guilty or cautioned for all offences of indecency between males are published annually in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales", copies of which are in the Library. The most recent figures, covering the years 1977 to 1986, can be found in table 5.14 of the issue for 1986 (Cm. 233). Data for 1987 are not yet complete.

  Firearms
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish in the Official Report details of the response he has had from the Advertising Standards Authority on the nature of advertisements for the sale of firearms by mail order.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 20 May 1988]: The Advertising Standards Authority was not convinced that a statutory requirement of the sort proposed at Committee stage of the Firearms (Amendment) Bill on 10 March was practicable or would meet the concern expressed. The authority is considering whether the British code of advertising practice covering weapon advertising generally can be strengthened in some way.

PRIME MINISTER

  Private Security Companies
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Prime Minister how many meetings have taken place from 1980 to the current date between Government Ministers or officials and representatives of the KMS private security company; and on which occasions Major (retd.) David Walker of KMS was present.

  The Prime Minister
  I have nothing to add to the replies which have been given to the many questions on this subject.
  4
  guilty of, or cautioned for, the offence of gross indecency with children, broken down by sex of the children for each year from 1967 to 1987.

  Mr. John Patten
  The information requested is shown in the table for the years 1979 to 1986. Comparable data are not readily available for the years prior to 1979 and information for 1987 is not yet complete.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Company Statistics
  Mr. Holland
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the share of the top 100 private sector companies in(a) manufacturing employment, (b) net manufacturing output and (c) net capital expenditure in 1984, 1985 and 1986.

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

  Share of total manufacturing activity accounted for by the top 100 private sector enterprises in manufacturing1

  Per cent.

  Employment

  Net output

  Net capital expenditure2

  1984

  32

  35

  38

  1985

  32

  35

  36

  1986

  33

  37

  38

  1 Defined in terms of their employment in manufacturing.

  2 Excluding leased assets.

  Source: Annual Census of Production.

  Bankruptcies
  Mr. Holland
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many private sector manufacturers were declared bankrupt in(a) England and Wales and (b) Great Britain in each year since and including 1979.

  Mr. Maude
  The information that is available for insolvencies in manufacturing is given in the table:

  Bankruptcies1 England and Wales

  Company Liquidations2 England and Wales

  Company Liquidations2 Great Britain

  1979

  137

  1,039

  1,103

  1980

  143

  2,095

  2,190

  1981

  192

  2,676

  2,806

  1982

  208

  4,058

  4,217

  1983

  263

  4,171

  4,298

  1984

  387

  4,457

  4,599

  1985

  3295

  4,837

  4,981

  1986

  277

  4,776

  4,884

  1987

  4202

  3,579

  3,700

  1 Bankruptcy orders, receiving orders and deeds of arrangement.

  2 Compulsory plus creditors' voluntary liquidations.

  3 Not comparable with earlier years because of changes in legislation effective from October 1984 which have reduced the number of bankruptcies.

  4 January to September only.

  5
  Mr. Holland
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how may private building contractors were declared bankrupt in(a) England and Wales and (b) Great Britain in 1985, 1986 and 1987.

  Mr. Maude
  The information that is available for insolvencies in the construction industry is given in the table:

  Bankruptcies1 England and Wales

  Company Liquidations2 England and Wales

  Company Liquidations3 Great Britain

  1985

  788

  1,975

  2,069

  1986

  801

  1,914

  2,018

  1987

  3487

  1,447

  1,520

  1 Bankruptcy orders, receiving orders and deeds of arrangement.

  2 Compulsory plus creditors' voluntary arrangements.

  3 January—September only.

  Retail Sales
  Mr. Holland
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many firms accounted for the upper half of retail sales in the United Kingdom in 1986 and 1987.

  Mr. Butcher
  It is provisionally estimated that the largest 88 individual companies accounted for one half of retail sales in Great Britain in 1986. No estimate is yet available for 1987.

  Goods (Distribution)
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what information he has about the distribution of(a) capital goods and (b) consumption goods imported from abroad by region of destination.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I regret that this information is not available.

  Welsh Language
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is his policy with regard to dealing with

  Gross United Kingdom multilateral aid through EC to SADCC countries 1980–86

  £ thousand

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  Angola

  110

  340

  240

  390

  1,510

  1,290

  —

  Botswana

  660

  740

  260

  330

  1,180

  500

  —

  Lesotho

  510

  760

  1,010

  850

  1,300

  1,340

  —

  Malawi

  2,300

  1,520

  1,620

  890

  2,510

  1,970

  —

  Mozambique

  780

  1,150

  610

  2,280

  3,690

  4,560

  —

  Swaziland

  860

  280

  300

  700

  1,070

  360

  —

  Tanzania

  2,810

  4,420

  4,500

  4,160

  5,520

  5,380

  —

  Zambia

  2,260

  3,000

  4,530

  1,290

  4,140

  5,220

  —

  Zimbabwe

  1,100

  380

  1,540

  1,590

  4,470

  700

  —

  Total

  11,390

  12,590

  14,610

  12,480

  25,390

  21,320

  20,000

  Note: Figures for 1979 are not available; 1986 figures are not yet available in detail.

  Source: ODA estimates using OECD statistics.

  Gross United Kingdom multilateral aid through EC to SADCC countries 1980–86 at 1987 prices £ thousand

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  Angola

  170

  460

  300

  470

  1,730

  1,400

  —

  Botswana

  1,000

  1,000

  330

  390

  1,350

  540

  —

  Lesotho

  770

  1,030

  1,270

  1,020

  1,490

  1,450

  —

  Malawi

  3,470

  2,060

  2,040

  1,060

  2,880

  2,130

  —

  Mozambique

  1,180

  1,560

  770

  2,720

  4,230

  4,940

  —

  Swaziland

  1,300

  380

  380

  840

  1,230

  390

  —

  6
  those individuals and bodies in Wales who wish to communicate with his Department through the medium of the Welsh language.

  Mr. Butcher
  [holding answer 20 May 1988]: It is the practice of my Department's Companies Registration Office, Cardiff to respond in the Welsh language: more generally, my Department communicates in the English language except where it is considered appropriate and practical to do otherwise.

  Action for Cities Programme
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the total expenditure by the Central Office of Information on the Government's action for cities programme for each month since its inception.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  [holding answer 18 May 1988]: The only significant expenditure incurred by the Central Office of Information was approximately £34,400 for the launch of the action for cties programme on 7 March. This represents a very small part of the Government's expenditure of approximately £3,000 million each year on inner cities programmes.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Development Aid
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list United Kingdom contributions to each of the member states of the Southern African Development Co-ordination Conference through national, Commonwealth and European Community action in each year from 1979 to 1987 inclusive(a) in cash and (b) in 1987 prices.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  For bilateral aid I refer the hon. Lady to the answer my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office gave her on 13 May, at column 250. Figures for Commonwealth aid are not readily available in the form requested. The United Kingdom share of European Community programmes is as follows:
  7

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  Tanzania

  4,240

  5,980

  5,660

  4,970

  6,320

  5,820

  —

  Zambia

  3,410

  4,060

  5,700

  1,540

  4,740

  5,650

  —

  Zimbabwe

  1,660

  510

  1,940

  1,900

  5,120

  760

  —

  Total

  17,200

  17,040

  18,390

  14,910

  29,090

  23,080

  21,000

  Note: Figures for 1979 are not available; 1986 figures are not yet available in detail.

  Source: ODA estimates based on OECD statistics using 1987 GDP deflator.

  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the level of official development assistance in 1987.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  We have today informed the development assistance committee of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development that in 1987 net official development assistance as defined internationally was estimated to be £1,151 million. As a proportion of GNP it was equivalent to 0·28 per cent.

  The net official development assistance figure for the calendar year 1987 compares with a net public expenditure provision for overseas aid of £1,247 million in the financial year 1987–88. The figure of net official development assistance as a proportion of GNP for 1987 reflects the strong growth in the United Kingdom economy last year and the fact that expenditure in the calendar year 1987 was lower than expected as a result of an unusually high proportion of financial year 1987–88 expenditure falling in the quarter ending 31 March 1988.

  Increases in the aid programme announced in this year's public expenditure White Paper mean that aid is now planned to grow in real terms. The aid budget for this financial year is £70 million higher than for last year—an increase of 5·7 per cent., which is considerably in excess of the expected rate of inflation. The planned aid budgets for 1989–90 and 1990–91 provide for increases of £140 million and £185 million respectively over the budget for last year.

ENERGY

  Nuclear Power
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on his policy towards the development of nuclear power in the light of the report and recommendations of the Trades Union Congress review committee on nuclear power, published on 3 May, a copy of which has been sent to him.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The Government's policy on the development of nuclear power is as stated in the reply given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Member for Wells (Mr. Heathcoat-Amory) on 17 December 1987 and in the White Paper "Privatising Electricity" (Cm. 322). I welcome the recognition given by the Trades Union Congress review committee to the importance of nuclear power.

  Uranium
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has given permission for the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority for the import of Namibian uranium since May 1979.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority has imported no uranium from Namibia during this period.
  8
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether(a) the Central Electricity Generating Board, (b) the South of Scotland Electricity Board, (c) British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. or (d) the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority has sought permission and safeguards arrangements for the import of uranium from (i) Namibia and (ii) the Republic of South Africa, either directly or through a second or third country, since May 1979.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Uranium for the United Kingdom's civil nuclear programme has not been imported from South Africa since 1973 or from Namibia since 1984. British Nuclear Fuels plc receives uranium ore concentrate from overseas customers for processing and re-export. The origin of such uranium is a matter for its customers who remain the owners of the material.

  All uranium imported into the United Kingdom for these purposes is subject to Euratom safeguards and to the terms of the UK/Euratom/IAEA safeguards agreement.

  Mersey Barrage Co. Ltd.
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the visit by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Worcestershire, South (Mr. Spicer), to Liverpool to hold talks with the Mersey Barrage Co. Ltd.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I visited Liverpool on Tuesday, 17 May, to make a joint announcement with the Mersey Barrage Company of a £1·3 million extension to studies of a possible Mersey barrage. The money will be used to finance further work on the engineering, economic and environmental aspects of the proposed barrage. Funding will be on a 50/50 basis between the Government and the Mersey Barrage Company.

  Whilst in Liverpool I also took the opportunity to meet members of the Mersey Enterprise Forum and representatives of the shipping and environmental groups whose interests are likely to be affected by a barrage construction.

  Advanced Gas-cooled Reactors
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list in the Official Report the designed generating capacity for each advanced gas-cooled reactor, the actual outputs currently being achieved, the reasons for any differences and details of the timetables and actions planned to rectify current operating difficulties.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  These are operational matters for the Central Electricity Generating Board, and I have asked the chairman to write to my hon. Friend.

  Coal Industry
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what information he has about the future of the coal industry social welfare organisation in the light of the Government's plans to privatise the coal industry.
  9
  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The Government have no present plans to privatise the coal industry. The future of the coal industry social welfare organisation is one of the issues that would need to be considered in any such plans.

  Nuclear Waste
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what plans there are for the discharge of low-grade nuclear waste into the sea from nuclear power stations after June.

  Mr. Moynihan
  I have been asked to reply.

  There are no plans to change the current system of regulating discharges by authorisations issued under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Commonhold Tenure
  Mr. Heddle
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the responses he proposes to make to the conclusions reached by the Law Commission in its report of July 1987 on commonhold tenure proposals, "Strata Title."

  The Attorney-General
  The working group report Cm. 179, to which my hon. Friend refers, makes far-reaching recommendations. A decision on implementation will be taken when these have been fully considered.

  School name

  Number on roll as at January 1988.

  Capacity

  Empty places

  Alston, Samuel King's

  93

  177

  84

  Appleby Grammar

  548

  540

  -8

  Aspatria, Beacon Hill

  298

  451

  153

  Barrow, Alfred Barrow

  545

  972

  427

  Barrow, Sixth Form College

  531

  491

  -40

  Barrow, Parkview

  1,175

  1,637

  462

  Barrow, St. Bernard's

  744

  737

  -7

  Barrow, Thorncliffe

  873

  1,267

  394

  Barrow, Walney

  773

  1,004

  231

  Brampton, William Howard

  879

  1,269

  390

  Cleator Moor, Ehenside

  454

  578

  124

  Carlisle, Harraby

  530

  1,120

  590

  Carlisle, Morton

  1,216

  1,467

  251

  Carlisle, Newman

  602

  657

  55

  Carlisle, St. Aidan's

  783

  1,243

  460

  Carlisle, Trinity

  1,662

  1,747

  85

  Cartmel Priory

  339

  443

  104

  Cockermouth

  984

  1,303

  319

  Coniston, John Ruskin

  224

  258

  34

  Dalston, Caldew

  1,009

  1,101

  92

  Dalston, Dowdales

  660

  821

  161

  Carlisle, Eden

  293

  232

  -61

  Egremont, Wyndham

  1,106

  1,618

  512

  Kirkbie Kendal

  966

  1,051

  85

  Kendal, Queen Katherine

  1,170

  1,288

  118

  Keswick

  763

  842

  79

  Kirkby Lonsdale Queen Elizabeth

  601

  721

  120

  Kirkby Stephen Grammar

  379

  469

  90

  Longtown, Lochinvar

  252

  399

  147

  Maryport, Netherhall

  964

  1,332

  368

  Millom

  737

  1090

  353

  Milnthorpe, Dallam

  565

  700

  135

  Penrith, Queen Elizabeth Grammar

  567

  629

  62

  Penrith, Ullswater

  1,156

  1,364

  208

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Horniman Museum
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consultations he has undertaken about the future of the Horniman museum after the proposed abolition of the Inner London education authority; and when he now expects to be able to announce firm proposals.

  Mr. Dunn
  My right hon. Friend has concluded that, after April 1990, both the Horniman and Geffrye museums should be established as independent charitable trusts. To ensure the future of the two museums he proposes that, in addition to support they are able to raise from local authorities and the private sector, they should receive a grant, in the first instance, from the London Residuary Body, and in the longer-term from the museums and Galleries Commission. We now propose to discuss the details of these proposed arrangements with the museums, with ILEA and with the local authorities whose residents enjoy the services of the two museums.

  School Rolls (Cumbria)
  Mr. Jopling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish the most up-to-date figures for school rolls at secondary schools in Cumbria, together with the number of unused places at each school.

  Mr. Dunn
  The numbers on roll in secondary schools in Cumbria in January 1988, the capacities based on the DES work station and the number of empty places were as follows:
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  School name

  Number on roll as at January 1988.

  Capacity

  Empty places

  Sedbergh, Settlebeck High

  199

  218

  19

  Silloth, Sol way

  254

  335

  81

  Ulverston Victoria High

  1,442

  1,613

  171

  Whitehaven

  1,664

  2,032

  368

  Whitehaven, St. Benedict's

  834

  917

  83

  Windermere, The Lakes

  796

  922

  126

  Wigton, Nelson Thomlinson

  889

  1,080

  191

  Workington, St. Joseph's

  499

  589

  90

  Workington, Southfield

  1,026

  1,219

  193

  Workington, Stainburn

  874

  1,128

  254

  (Workington sixth form)

  121

  —

  -121

  Totals

  33,039

  41,071

  8,032

  The above figures were provided by Cumbria county council.

  Portage
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what plans he has to develop portage; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what is his estimate of the number of families with young children who need portage but do not obtain it.

  Mr. Dunn
  It is the responsibility of local education authorities to provide portage. Over the five-year period from 1986/87 the Department will have provided in excess of £8 million through the education support grant scheme for the development of portage. Every local education authority wishing to participate in this scheme has been offered support by the Department. It is up to local education authorities to consider future support once the ESG scheme comes to an end and to determine the number of families who would benefit from portage.

  Universities and Polytechnics (Scientific Equipment)
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether the Advisory Board for the Research Council survey commissioned to look at scientific equipment in United Kingdom universities and polytechnics has been completed; when the Government expects to receive a copy of the results; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  I understand that the Advisory Board for the Research Councils expects to receive the report of this survey around the end of this year. My right hon. Friend and I await with interest the information which is being collected and the ABRC's advice on its implications.

  Open University
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the current financial position of the Open University in terms of(a) the development of new courses, (b) current course maintenance and updating and (c) research.

  Mr. Jackson
  The Open University is now conducting a thorough reappraisal of its existing plans and forecasts. Its conclusions are to be discussed with the visiting committee, and the committee will report to my right hon. Friend later in the year.

  Medical and Biological Research
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of post-doctoral posts in medical and biological research remain unfilled at present.

  Mr. Jackson
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps are being taken by his Department to improve the career structure of post-doctoral researchers in medicine and biology; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  The terms of individual research contracts and the career structures available to post-doctoral researchers are matters for the employing institutions. The Government are, however, considering the recommendations of the Advisory Board for the Research Councils, contained in "A Strategy for the Science Base" calling for the more explicit management of research manpower in universities.

  Research Studentships
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many applications were received by the Medical Research Council for research studentships; what was the number awarded during the last year for which full figures are available; and what are the corresponding figures for each year since 1978–79.

  Mr. Jackson
  The MRC receives applications for research studentship places from academic departments and its own establishments; individuals apply to the department or establishment for a place. The following table gives the number of places sought and the numbers awarded:

  Places sought

  Places awarded

  1978–79

  1,045

  268

  1979–80

  1,010

  275

  1980–81

  1,011

  242

  1981–82

  952

  243

  1982–83

  1,003

  283

  1983–84

  1,059

  280

  1984–85

  1,120

  259

  1985–86

  1,146

  184

  1986–87

  1,212

  213

  Burnage High School, Manchester
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr. Straw) of 9 May,Official Report, columns 14–15, if he has now received a copy of the Macdonald report on Burnage high school, Manchester, and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dunn
  My right hon. Friend has not yet received a copy of the published report from Manchester city council.

  Disturbed Children (Research)
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list those representations he has received concerning his Department's decision to withdraw funding from the proposed research project into children with emotional and behavioural difficulties; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dunn
  No funds have been withdrawn, because no funds had been committed. The Department had been considering the possibility of commissioning a research project in this field and representations have been received from the three researchers whose proposals had been short-listed for final consideration. Priority is being given to the enquiry into disruptive children chaired by Lord Elton and further consideration will be given to the problems of children with emotional and behavioural difficulties in the light of the outcomes of the report.

  Civil Servants (Outside Activities)
  Mr. John
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many civil servants in his Department are also directors or consultants in(a) public liability companies, (b) companies limited by guarantee, (c) building societies, (d) other friendly societies and (e) commercial undertakings other than the above; and what rules or instructions govern these activities with particular reference to remuneration.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  This information is not available. Full-time officers are not allowed to accept any post in the management of any society, firm or company which requires attendance at any time during working hours. They should not undertake any outside activity which might impair their usefulness as public servants or conflict with the interests of their department.

  Records of such directorships as are held within these rules are not kept.

  City Technology Colleges
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has any plans as to announce a city technology college for(a) Doncaster, (b) South Yorkshire and (c) Scunthorpe.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  There are at present no plans to make any such announcements.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, pursuant to his answer of 13 May,Official Report, column 260, he has received any recent representations from Dixons Plc on the site of the proposed city technology college; and if he will make a statement.
  14
  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend has not himself had any contact with Dixons since May 13, but officials have had discussions. Dixons is considering a number of possible locations. It would be premature for me to make a statement while it is doing so. I understand that Dixons has recently emphatically confirmed its commitment to sponsorship of a CTC and its belief in the importance of the programme.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Religious Education
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners what recent representations the Church Commissioners have received about the role of religious education in Church schools; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alison
  None. The commissioners have no direct responsibility for religious education in Church schools, although they do have some indirect responsibilities through their support for some aspects of higher education.

  Property (Restrictions)
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners what restrictions the Church Commissioners place upon the use of property for which they have responsibility.

  Mr. Conway
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners what restrictions the Church Commissioners place on the use of Church buildings for which they have responsibility.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners what restrictions the Church Commissioners place on the use of Church buildings for which they have responsibility.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners what representations the commissioners have received about the restrictions placed by them on the use of Church buildings for which they have responsibility.

  Mr. Alison
  The commissioners do not normally carry responsibility for church buildings when they are in use for worship. The restrictions which they place upon the use of property for which they do have responsibility depend upon its nature. For example, when a redundant church is put to another use, restrictive and other covenants are included to safeguard the use and fabric.

  Redundant Churches
  Mr. Gow
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners what account the commissioners take when they are consulted about the future use of redundant churches of the uses to which those buildings have previously been put.

  Mr. Alison
  Under the Pastoral Measure 1983 the commissioners must be satisfied that an alternative use
  15
  proposed for a redundant church is "suitable". The commissioners interpret this to mean a use which has planning permission and which is consonant with the former use of the building as a place of worship and also with the building's historic and architectural qualities.

SCOTLAND

  Youth Training
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many youth training scheme trainees are currently in employment in the Monklands district; and if he will list the employers with which they are placed together with the number of trainees at each employer.

  Mr. Lang
  At 16 May 1988, 1,184 young people living in Monklands district were participating in YTS. Of these, 75 have employed status.

  Information is not held centrally on placement providers and the number of trainees each has. Such information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Allen Adams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the latest figures for male and female unemployment in the Paisley travel-to-work area; and if he will list these in the Official Report.

  Mr. Lang
  Paisley is contained within the Glasgow travel-to-work area. Figures showing the number of male and female unemployed claimants in the Glasgow travel-to-work area and for the Paisley parliamentary constituencies on 14 April 1988 (the latest date for which information is available) are shown in the table.

  Males

  Females

  Glasgow travel-to-work area

  71,589

  26,276

  Paisley North Parliamentary Constituency

  3,341

  1,487

  Paisley South Parliamentary Constituency

  3,297

  1,307

  This information is available in the Library.

  Cereal Seeds (Testing)
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the suitability of testing of the distinctness, uniformity and stability of cereal seeds for use in Scotland being carried out at Cambridge, and if he will make a statement on the recommendations of the recent review of plant variety testing and seed certification systems.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  There are no agronomic or scientific reasons why seed of new varieties of cereals for production in any part of the United Kingdom should not be tested for distinctness, uniformity and stability at a single suitable location. The testing of all cereal varieties is currently shared between centres at Cambridge and Edinburgh at both of which the work is carried out adequately.

  The United Kingdom Agriculture Ministers agreed that the report on the plant variety testing and seed certification systems in the United Kingdom should be published and copies made available for comment by interested
  16
  organisations. Ministers will decide in the light of those comments what action should be taken on the many recommendations contained in the report.

  Health Expenditure
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the projected percentage increases in health expenditure for 1988–89 and 1989–90 as corrected for the gross domestic product deflator.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Provision for the NHS in Scotland in 1988–89 is some £2,451 million. This represents an increase over the provisional outturn for 1987–88 of 0·5 per cent. after allowing for forecast GDP inflation. In 1989–90 expenditure is planned to rise to around £2,560 million, an increase of 0·6 per cent. over and above forecast GDP inflation for that year.

  These figures do not take into account the additional £92 million allocated to the health programme in Scotland, as a result of the Government's acceptance of the NHS pay review bodies' recommendations. This will raise the increase for 1988–89 over forecast GDP inflation from 0·5 per cent. to 4·2 per cent.

  Mountain Rescue
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what funding is to be given to mountain rescue teams to replace existing radio equipment following the allocation of second radio frequency to 158·650 megaherz.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Assistance with equipment, including radio equipment, may be given to mountain rescue teams by police authorities, whose expenditure in this respect, provided it complies with established criteria, is eligible for police grant at the rate of 51 per cent. Where appropriate, rescue teams, desirous of moving to the new frequency, may wish to discuss their particular needs with the relevant police force in the first instance.

  Chatelherault
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to reply to correspondence from Hamilton district council addressed to the historic buildings section of the Scottish Development Department, relating to a request for comments on the studies about Chatelherault.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Scottish Development Department responded to the district council on 16 May 1988.

  Council House Sales (Hamilton)
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to reply to correspondence from Hamilton district council regarding the sale of council-built houses at Barncluith, Hamilton.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Scottish Development Department is seeking further information from the council to enable a decision to be reached on the council's proposals.

  Prisoners (Drugs)
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were(a) the categories and (b) the

  17
  numbers of industrial doses of drugs administered to members of each prison in Scotland in the latest year for which figures are available.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  No records are maintained centrally of the categories or of the number of doses of drugs administered to inmates in Scottish prisons and this information could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

  Superannuation Benefit
  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether it is his practice to recover an overpayment of superannuation benefit when the overpayment was made as a result of errors on the part of the supperannuation division.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Yes. Irrespective of the reasons for an overpayment of superannuation benefits, recovery is sought but care is always taken to avoid hardship.

  Animal Disease Research (Wildy Report)
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the recommendations contained in the Wildy report on the future of animal disease research as they affect Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Wildy report to the Agriculture Ministers and the chairman of the Agricultural and Food Research Council reviewed current arrangements for R and D in farm animal diseases and made recommendations on the use of resources in the future. In Scotland it covered work at the Moredun research institute, the Rowett research institute, the veterinary investigation service of Scottish agricultural colleges and the Edinburgh and Glasgow veterinary schools.

  The report makes no specific recommendations about the programmes of research in Scotland but the recommendation on the establishment of an overall United Kingdom executive body will need further consideration.

  Regional Councils
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the future of regional councils.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. and learned Friend has no specific plans at present affecting the future of regional councils.

  Health Boards (Rates)
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what percentage of the health budget was spent on rates bills in each health board in the latest year for which figures are available;

  (2) what was the total rates bill for each hospital in the latest year for which figures are available;

  (3) what was (a) the total rates bill for each health board, in the latest year for which figures are available, and (b) the number of establishments this covers.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Information is not held centrally on the amount of contributions paid in lieu of rates in 18
  relation to individual premises. The following table shows the total of payments made by each health board in 1986–87 in lieu of rates and the proportion which this represents of their gross recurrent expenditure on hospital and community health services.

  Health board

  Payments in lieu of rates1

  Proportion which (a) represents of total recurrent expenditure on HCH services

  (a)

  (b)

  £ thousand

  percentage

  Argyll and Clyde

  4,160

  4·1

  Ayrshire and Arran

  2,467

  3·2

  Borders

  413

  1·9

  Dumfries and Galloway

  1,010

  2·7

  Fife

  2,736

  3·7

  Forth Valley

  1,936

  2·8

  Grampian

  3,955

  3·0

  Greater Glasgow

  13,832

  3·6

  Highland

  1,491

  2·7

  Lanarkshire

  3,203

  2·7

  Lothian

  6,145

  2·6

  Orkney

  60

  1·5

  Shetland

  159

  3·2

  Tayside

  5,068

  3·7

  Western Isles

  182

  2·4

  Total

  46,817

  3·2

  1 Principally relating to hospital premises and administrative and community health buildings.

  Rating Reform
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each local authority the revised levels of community charge from April 1989.

  Mr. Lang
  The levels of community charge for 1989–90 will be set by individual local authorities and will reflect their own spending decisions.

  Domestic Rates
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the average domestic rate bill payable per household for 1988–89 in each local authority area in Scotland.

  Mr. Lang
  The table shows estimates of the average domestic rate bill in each local authority area in 1988–89 calculated using the latest data available. The figures do not reflect the rate reduction of 5·6p proposed for Lothian regional council:

  Average domestic rate bill

  £

  Berwickshire

  355

  Ettrick and Lauderdale

  358

  Roxburgh

  356

  Tweeddale

  379

  Clackmannan

  450

  Falkirk

  427

  Stirling

  585

  Annandale and Eskdale

  382

  Nithsdale

  398

  Stewartry

  399

  Wigtown

  355

  Dunfermline

  465

  Kirkcaldy

  459

  North East Fife

  525

  19

  £

  Aberdeen City

  432

  Banff and Buchan

  346

  Gordon

  393

  Kincardine and Deeside

  398

  Moray

  337

  Badenoch and Strathspey

  381

  Caithness

  313

  Inverness

  428

  Lochaber

  359

  Nairn

  423

  Ross and Cromarty

  365

  Skye and Lochalsh

  253

  Sutherland

  248

  East Lothian

  631

  Edinburgh City

  640

  Midlothian

  592

  West Lothian

  547

  Argyll and Bute

  446

  Bearsden and Milngavie

  887

  Clydebank

  468

  Clydesdale

  507

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  546

  Cumnock and Doon Valley

  431

  Cunninghame

  514

  Dumbarton

  584

  East Kilbride

  570

  Eastwood

  791

  Glasgow City

  506

  Hamilton

  553

  Inverclyde

  515

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  485

  Kyle and Carrick

  579

  Monklands

  523

  Motherwell

  502

  Renfrew

  541

  Strathkelvin

  607

  Angus

  426

  Dundee City

  486

  Perth and Kinross

  465

  Orkney

  194

  Shetland

  392

  Western Isles

  226

  AVERAGE SCOTLAND

  500

  Forestry
  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of the forestry planting in Caithness and Sutherland undertaken by(a) the Forestry Commission and (b) Fountain Forestry has been of broadleaved trees in each year since 1 April 1981; and what proportion of the further planting proposals accepted for grant aid by him in the statement of 25 January will be of native broadleaved trees.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 16 May 1988]: The information for Forestry Commission planting is as follows:

  Year ended 31 March

  Percentage of Total Area planted with Broadleaves

  1982

  0·5

  1983

  0·6

  1984

  0·7

  1985

  1·2

  1986

  0·4

  1987

  4·0

  1988

  5·2

  20
  Precise figures in respect of broadleaved planting undertaken by Fountain Forestry are not readily available. However, since the Government's broadleaves policy statement of July 1985, the Forestry Commission requires that all private planting schemes should contain at least 5 per cent. broadleaves, wherever it is practicable to do so.

  The planting prescriptions in the cases referred to by my right hon. and learned Friend in his statement of 25 January 1988 allow, on average, for over 5 per cent. broadleaves. Most of these broadleaves will be of native species.

  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the names and areas of those parcels of land which were(a) submitted and (b) approved for forestry grant aid in the Dornoch forest district in 1987–88.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 16 May 1988]: The information is as follows:

  Cases submitted for grant aid

  Area scheduled for new planting or restocking within a 5 year period (hectares)

  Cnoc Bacach

  28·0

  Achany

  49·2

  Glencalvie Black Bank

  27·5

  Langwell

  1·0

  Dhonnadh

  92·4

  Jubilee Wood Shinside

  17·9

  Langwell Wood

  4·0

  Achany 2

  146·6

  Loubcroy

  202·0

  Forsie Farm

  315·9

  Tothelgill Wood

  28·7

  Coille a Chailleach

  10·7

  Coille a Fhithich

  5·5

  Dubh Chlais

  5·4

  The Brig

  131·0

  The Dale

  4·0

  Stroupster West

  79·5

  Bhaird

  2·6

  Crubag

  78·2

  Fasach

  8·6

  Leir

  2·2

  Talaheel

  249·0

  Casan

  10·0

  Imriche

  8·9

  Fideag

  0·4

  Coille nam Breac

  12·3

  Crocaich

  2·1

  Cutting

  94·8

  Loch Dubh

  21·3

  Thearaig

  5·3

  Abhainn Bheag

  5·1

  Gleann nam Beist

  4·3

  The Gunn

  19·3

  Mackay A Tuath

  9·9

  Bad Coille

  9·5

  Coille Buidhe

  146·2

  Coille nan Clach

  59·5

  Coille Fada

  23·6

  Coille Meadhonnach

  20·0

  Coille an Reidhe

  105·3

  Coille an Sealbach

  110·3

  Coille a Saobhidhe

  11·7

  Allton

  5·3

  Cnocan

  3·8

  Astle

  116·4

  Wester Shebster

  77·9

  Loubcroy 2

  1,057·6

  Loubcroy 3

  471·8

  Dunbeath Castle

  0·7

  Netherton

  19·6

  21

  Cases submitted for grant aid

  Area scheduled for new planting or restocking within a 5 year period

  (hectares)

  Widows Banks

  155·3

  Lochinver

  7·5

  Dunrobin

  14·0

  Old Calder

  35·2

  Langwell

  19·8

  Camster

  133·9

  Forss

  1·3

  North Fideag

  34·9

  Rowans

  132·3

  Forsinain North

  150·6

  Forsinain South

  59·1

  Glebeland at Farr

  38·6

  Bardacleay

  99·8

  Houstry

  53·0

  Acharole

  343·3

  Doira Chatha East

  50·2

  Doira Chatha West

  51·3

  Lower Camster

  107·5

  Craigy Call

  107·5

  Smerrie

  107·6

  Brabster Farm

  55·1

  Cnoc Bacach

  7·3

  Dunrobin Sutherland Trust

  2·7

  Sutherland Estate

  1·0

  Glencalvie

  12·6

  Amat Birchwoods

  6·8

  Dunbeath Castle Policy Woodlands

  2·9

  Langwell Glac An Sgreadain

  0·75

  Western Fearn

  3·7

  Lochinver Estate

  4·0

  Lybster Mains

  0·8

  Dalnawillan

  1·3

  Langwell Braemore Keepers

  0·9

  Langwell Coille Nah Easan

  3·3

  Dunrobin

  38·5

  Cases approved for grant aid

  Area scheduled for new planting or restocking within a 5 year period

  (hectares)

  Limekiln & Whitewell

  1,071·9

  Skitten

  0·9

  Tothelgill Wood

  28·7

  South Fideag

  0·4

  West Shebster

  77·9

  Old Calder

  35·2

  Camster

  132·9

  North Fideag

  34·9

  Lower Camster

  107·5

  Craigy-Call Camster

  107·5

  Smerrie Camster

  107·6

  3 Newport, Berriedale

  0·6

  Dunbeath Castle

  0·7

  Forss Plantation

  1·3

  Torrish

  155·8

  Clach Geala

  9·2

  Sciberscross

  790·0

  Navidale

  2·3

  Strathy East

  16·5

  Cnoc Bacach

  28·0

  Dhonnadh

  92·4

  Jubilee Wood

  17·9

  Langwell Wood (Ext.)

  4·0

  Coille A Chailleach

  10·7

  Coille A Fhithich

  5·5

  Dubh Chlais

  5·4

  The Brig

  131·0

  Bhaird

  2·6

  Fasach

  8·6

  Leir

  2·2

  22

  Cases approved for grant aid

  Area scheduled for new planting or restocking within a 5 year period

  (hectares)

  Casan

  10·0

  Imriche

  8·9

  Coille Nam Breac

  12·3

  Crocaich

  2·1

  Thearaig

  5·3

  Achainn Bheag

  5·1

  Gleann Nam Beist

  4·3

  The Gunn

  19·3

  Mackay A Tuath

  9·9

  Bad Coille

  9·5

  Coille A Saobhaidhe

  11·7

  Cnocan

  3·8

  Forsinain North

  150·6

  Forsinain South

  59·1

  Invercharron

  50·3

  Strathcarron (pt)

  279·7

  Doir A Chatha East

  50·2

  Doir A Chatha West

  51·3

  Loubcroy

  6·4

  Braelangwell

  486·8

  Lairg Estate

  1·5

  Ben Bhraggie

  41·0

  Glencalvie

  30·1

  Achany

  49·2

  Langwell

  1·0

  Achany (2)

  146·6

  Loubcroy (1)

  202·0

  Dunrobin

  14·0

  Craggans Woods

  8·8

  Strathmore Lodge Woods

  0·7

  Torigil

  2·9

  Ackergill Woods

  0·8

  Dunbeath Castle Pol

  2·9

  Lyster Mains

  0·8

  Dalnawillan

  1·3

  Airdens Innish

  0·8

  Migdale Mill Farm

  1·6

  Cnoc Bacach

  9·8

  Dunrobin Castle

  2·7

  Sutherland Estates

  1·0

  Amat Birchwood

  6·8

  Loch Dhu

  1·5

  Glac An Sgreadain

  0·7

  Dunrobin

  36·5

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Cash Dispensers
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Lord President of the Council whether he will make an assessment of the practicability of installing a cash dispensing facility within the Palace of Westminster.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I am not aware that there is sufficient demand for such an assessment. The Post Office does, of course, already provide a cheque encashment service for Members and all staff working within the Palace of Westminster.

  Press Briefings
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what accommodation is provided within the House for briefings of the press by(a) the Prime Minister's press secretary and (b) other Government press officers.

  Mr. Wakeham
  No accommodation is provided in the House specifically for this purpose. The Government
  23
  information service briefs the parliamentary lobby journalists at their invitation in their room in the Palace of Westminster.

  Private Members' Bills
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will take steps further to review the arrangements for the consideration of private Members' Bills; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr.Wakeham
  No.

  Visits
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will review the current arrangements for visits, tours and Gallery tickets for the House with a view to ensuring that Members can arrange a full visit by one telephone call to one Officer of the House.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave to his written question on Monday 15 February at column 451.

  Abortion (Amendment) Bill
  Mr. Favell
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what representations he has received seeking the provision of additional parliamentary time for proceedings on the Abortion (Amendment) Bill; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I have received a very large number of letters from members of the general public on this subject, and representations, inside and outside the House, from a number of hon. Members.

  Telephones (Cleaning)
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will issue advice to every right hon. and hon. Member, member of staff and Officer of the House that they are personally responsible for cleaning their own telephones; and if he will give details of how they can obtain the cleaning sachets provided for this purpose.

  Mr. Wakeham
  Information concerning the cleaning of telephones and the availability of cleaning materials for this purpose is published periodically in the "All-Party Whip".

  Members' Tea Room
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what instructions have been given to the engineers responsible for the refrigeration unit in the salad bar in the Members' Tea Room to ensure that the temperature meets the basic food requirements.

  Mr. Wakeham
  That action be taken to adjust its thermostatic control.

  Toilets
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Lord President of the Council when he intends to provide rubbish bins in each of the ladies' toilets in the Palace of Westminster.

  Mr. Wakeham
  Many of the ladies' lavatories are provided with waste bins. I understand that where they do 24
  not already exist, the Serjeant at Arms is making arrangements for them to be provided. If the hon. Lady has a particular complaint in mind, may I suggest that in the first instance she writes to the Serjeant at Arms.

  Members' Dining Room
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Lord President of the Council by what authority it is possible for tables in the Members' Dining Room to be reserved.

  Mr. Wakeham
  No. Mr. Wakeham: Tables in the Members' Dining Room may not be reserved.

  Food Hygiene
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what advice is available to catering staff in the House on food handling; what percentage and how many of the existing staff have attended food handling courses; and what checks are made to ensure that food handled and cooked at the Palace of Westminster complies with the standards of food hygiene and inspection implemented by environmental health officers in food premises where Crown immunity does not apply.

  Mr. Wakeham
  Advice to staff on food handling is available from and given as necessary by heads of section and the management of the Refreshment Department. No record is kept of the numbers who have attended food handling courses; but the Department does comply with the standards of hygiene laid down in the Food Hygiene Regulations made under the Food Act 1984.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Laos
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has to improve current arrangements for diplomatic representation in Laos; and if he will describe the present arrangements.

  Mr. Mellor
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State the hon. Member for Enfield, North (Mr. Eggar) gave to the hon. Member for Sunderland, South (Mr. Mullin) on 24 March. Present arrangements work well and we have no plans at present to amend them.

  Swiss Law Reports
  Mr. Gregory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the embassy in Berne receives copies of Swiss law reports on commercial cases.

  Mrs. Chalker
  No, but it is open to British missions to request copies of reports as appropriate.

  Disarmament
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has considered the proposal put forward in Stockholm by the six nations initiative leaders for a multilateral verification system within the United Nations; if he will support the proposal at the United Nations special session on disarmament; and if he will make a statement.
  25
  Mr. Mellor
  We consider that verification is an essential element of any arms control agreement. Verification is most effective when provisons for it are specifically tailored to a particular treaty. Detailed verification arrangements are thus best left to the parties to a treaty. We would therefore question the value of a United Nations verification agency.

  Soviet Union
  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made in the past six months to the Soviet ambassador concerning violations of human rights in the Soviet Union; and what plans he has for further such representations in the near future.

  Mr. Mellor
  We take every suitable opportunity to raise human rights violations with the Soviet authorities in Moscow and with the Soviet ambassador here. My right hon. and learned Friend did so during his talks with Mr. Shevardnadze in February. We shall be making further representations during bilateral human rights talks at official level in June.

  Nicaragua
  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he or one of his Ministers intends to visit Nicaragua.

  Mr. Mellor
  No ministerial visits to Nicaragua are currently planned.

  Military Expenditure
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's response to the proposals of the Warsaw treaty countries for a one or two-year moratorium on the growth of military spending of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and Warsaw treaty states; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  A freeze on the military spending of the two alliances would do nothing to eliminate the conventional imbalance in Europe that so favours the Warsaw pact and which lies at the heart of the region's security problems. Nor would it reduce the proportion of Soviet spending on defence which, according to our estimates, is in the order of 15 per cent. of GNP, as compared to 5 per cent. in the United Kingdom.

  Overseas Information Department
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) how many persons employed in each year in the overseas information department were previously employed in the information research department;

  (2) what are the terms of reference of the overseas information department;

  (3) how many members of staff are employed by the overseas information department; what are their responsibilities; and what are the department and section titles.

  Mr. Mellor
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office overseas information department ceased to exist in 1980.26
  Its terms of reference were to provide guidance and background briefing on matters of general concern affecting Government policies. To research details on an annual basis of the redeployment of former information research department employees would involve disproportionate cost.

  Nuclear Materials
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether any of the three instances of violations of the declared purpose clause covering the safeguards of nuclear materials under Euratom treaty article 84, cited by Euratom safeguards director Wilhelm Gmelin in evidence before the Bundestag Enquiry Committee into nuclear materials in Bonn on 28 April, referred to nuclear materials in United Kingdom installations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  None of the three violations mentioned by Mr. Gmelin referred to nuclear materials in the United Kingdom.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to seek an early meeting with his counterpart in the Federal Republic of Germany to initiate a European Economic Community inquiry into the disappearance of nuclear materials in transit between European Economic Community states.

  Mr. Mellor
  No; the European Commission has already undertaken an investigation into the transfer of nuclear materials within the European Community. In addition, the European Parliament has set up a special committee of inquiry which we expect to report by the end of June.

  Coal Imports
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, during the next meeting of European Community Foreign Affairs Ministers, he will raise the matter of coal imports which come originally from South Africa or Namibia but are traded in Holland, Belgium or other European countries and its effects on the United Kingdom's coal mining industry.

  Mrs. Chalker
  No.

  PLO Official (Murder)
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, pursuant to the answer of 28 April,Official Report, column 232, he will specify the information on which Her Majesty's Government base the suspicions of Israeli involvement in the murder of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation official Abu Iliad in Tunis; what attempt Her Majesty's Government have made to establish proof of such Israeli involvement; what weight he attaches in this regard to press briefings by Israeli Government sources acknowledging responsibility; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  Israeli spokesmen have neither confirmed nor denied widely reported allegations of Israeli involvement in the murder of Abu Jihad. The Israeli authorities have offered no comment in reply to our own inquiries on this matter.

  Information Research Department
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the Official Report the text of the letter from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State the hon. Member for Enfield, North (Mr. Eggar), to the hon. Member for Brent, East, on 3 May concerning the information research department.

  Mr. Mellor
  I am arranging for a copy of my hon. Friend's letter of 3 May to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Central America
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what specific measures will be proposed by Her Majesty's Government in the light of the adoption by consensus of United Nations General Assembly resolution A/42/L/49 regarding a special plan of economic co-operation for Central America; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  As foreseen in the economic communique issued following the San José IV meeting in Hamburg, we shall be discussing with our European partners ways in which the substantial EC aid to the region can be co-ordinated with the objectives of the plan, and with the action of other countries and international organisations 0which are taking part in this effort. The Community's participation in various specific measures under the plan will be agreed jointly with the countries of the central American isthmus.

  Private Security Companies
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what payments have been made by his Department in each year from 1980 to date to Zeus and Lynx private security companies; and what was the nature of the work undertaken by these companies.

  Mr. Mellor
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has employed Zeus but not the Lynx security company. Detailed information on this subject is not kept in a centralised form and can only be researched at disproportionate cost. Available records show that Zeus Security Guards Ltd. were employed on access control duties in Whitehall six years ago and on two further occasions in 1983.

  Ms. Susan Wescott
  Mr. Galloway
  To ask the Secretary of State of Foreign Commonwealth Affairs if he has any information about the arrest of Ms. Susan Wescott, a British passport-holder, by the South African authorities on 8 May near Johannesburg; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  We are aware of the arrest, together with three other persons, of Mrs. Susan Donnelly (née Wescott) in South Africa on 8 May 1988. Her Majesty's consul at Johannesburg saw her on 16 May. No formal charges have yet been laid. Mrs. Donnelly's brother has engaged a lawyer to represent her.

EMPLOYMENT

  Employment Training Programme
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he intends to take to ensure that assessing agents on the employment training programme are aware of any particular needs of people with disabilities.

  Mr. Patrick Nicholls
  Training agents will be expected to demonstrate that they are able to deliver a full range of assessment and occuptional guidance services completely and professionally. This will include arrangements for participants who have special needs, including disabilities. In addition, the facilities of the employment rehabilitation service will be available to training agents to offer specialist or extended assessment to appropriate participants where the need is identified.

  National Council for Vocational Qualifications
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how long he expects the National Council for Vocational Qualifications to take to complete its task.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The National Council for Vocational Qualifications was given the target date of 1991 to have the first four levels of its new system fully operational. It is making good progress, but whether it can complete this task by 1991 depends on the response of awarding bodies and employers, in particular on how quickly the leading industry bodies can set the standards on which national vocational qualifications must be based.

  Youth Training
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give a breakdown of(a) female enrolment and (b) total enrolment in each youth training scheme course since 1985.

  Mr. John Cope
  There are currently around 5,000 individual schemes operating in YTS. At the end of March 1988 there were 389,100 young people in training on YTS, of whom 43 per cent. were young women. This proportion of young women has remained constant since 1985.

  Information in the form requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mines and Quarries Act 1954
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) whether he is able to publish the proposed regulations which will replace the Mines and Quarries Act 1954;

  (2) whether he is able to publish, in conjunction with the Health and Safety Commission, the codes of practice which are to replace the Mines and Quarries Act 1954.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Fifteen sets of regulations, each with a supporting approved code of practice, will replace the Mines and Quarries Act 1954 and associated legislation. Five sets of proposed regulations together with the relevant proposed codes of practice have already been published. The subjects to be covered in the programme are:
  29

  Administration of Mines and Quarries

  *Electricity in Mines

  *Electricity in Quarries

  Explosives in Coal Mines

  Explosives in Miscellaneous Mines

  *Explosives in Quarries

  Health and Welfare Machinery

  *Mines (Safety of Exit)

  Respirable Dust

  *Shafts and Winding Special Hazards Support

  Tips and Structures Transport

  Ventilation and Firedamp Drainage

  *Subjects on which proposals have been published.

  New Businesses
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many new businesses were started during 1987.

  Mr. Cope
  I regret that the information requested is not available. However, during 1986, the latest year for which we have figures, there was a net increase of 29,000 businesses registered for VAT.

  Civil Servants (Outside Activities)
  Mr. John
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many civil servants in his Department are also directors or consultants in(a) public liability companies, (b) companies limited by guarantee, (c) building societies, (d) other friendly societies and (e) commercial undertakings other than the above; and what rules or instructions govern these activities with particular reference to remuneration.

  Mr. Lee
  Comprehensive information is not available about the number of staff in the Department of Employment group who are also directors or consultants in outside organisations because there is no requirement to report these activities unless there is a real or potential conflict with the Department's business.

  Staff who engage in such activities are bound by the general rules of conduct that apply to all civil servants. They must not put their private interests before their duty, engage in activities which might involve a conflict of interest with the Department's business, or use their official position to further their private interests. They are not precluded from receiving remuneration. They are not permitted to accept directorships in any company holding a contract with the Department, except as a Government nominee or with express permission.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Cereals
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what arrangements his Department is making for estimating the size of the cereals harvest in England and Wales in the current year.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I made it clear in October last year that, in the light of that year's experience and similar difficulties in 1985, I proposed to give serious consideration as to whether, on balance, we were right to release a harvest estimate before we had the initial results from our farm-based production survey.
  30
  Following discussions between my officials and representatives of the cereals industry, I have now decided to end the late August survey of yields in sample parishes and, weather permitting, to bring forward the more reliable cereal production survey so that its provisional results can be published in the last week of September. Further surveys of the level of cereals production will follow in the course of the year.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Portavogie (Health Services)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland at which addresses in Portavogie National Health Service general medical practitioners hold their individual clinics; what accommodation facilities are used at each of these locations; and why there are no health and medical clinics in Portavogie.

  Mr. Needham
  The addresses are 2 and 5a Springfield road. The facilities at each consist of one room for waiting and another for consultation. Baby and chiropody clinics are held in Portavogie technical college and physiotherapy and occupational therapy services are provided on a domiciliary basis when needed.

  Irish Teacher's Certificate
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what percentage of student teachers graduated from teacher training colleges with teastas muinteora gaeilge/Irish teacher's certificate in each year of its existence;

  (2) why was the teastas muinteora gaeilge/lrish teacher's certificate discontinued.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This certificate has not been awarded by Northern Ireland teacher training colleges for at least 40 years.

  The required information is not available.

  Irish Language
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what qualification the Department of Education recognises as suitable for teaching Irish in primary schools;

  (2) why the Ministry of Education ceased to recognise certificates of competence to teach Irish in primary schools issued by voluntary Irish language colleges in Northern Ireland; and if he will reconsider establishing an arrangement whereby voluntary Irish language colleges would issue certificates of competence to teach Irish and the Department would give them full recognition.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Recognition as a qualified teacher in primary schools is dependent upon the successful completion of an approved course of teacher training. The award of recognition is not based on a single specific subject.

  It is a matter for the individual school authorities when appointing teachers to take account of any relevant specialisms.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what in-service training opportunities are available to primary teachers with no Irish who wish to teach Irish.
  31
  Dr. Mawhinney
  St. Mary's college is currently offering a part-time BEd in-service degree course with Celtic as a subject option. Proficiency in Irish, while desirable is not a prerequisite for entry to the course.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been spent on the support of Irish in the education system in Northern Ireland in each academic year from 1980 to 1987, inclusive.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Details of the cost of supporting any subject in the curriculum, including Irish, are not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will produce a discussion document on the role of Irish in the school curriculum; and if he will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 16 May 1988]: I have no plans to produce such a document.

  Post-16 Education
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has any proposals to improve the staying on rate in education after the age of 16 years; and if he will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I have no proposals aimed specifically at improving the staying on rate in Northern Ireland secondary schools which is already significantly higher than the average for schools in England and Wales.

  Adult Training Centre, Glasvey
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he now expects to replace the present adult training centre at Glasvey, Ballykelly.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 17 May 1988]: This is a matter for the Western Health and Social Services Board.

  I understand that the board is aware of the deficiencies in the accommodation at Glasvey ATC and hopes to provide a new 75-place unit at Limavady as soon as possible.

  Road Works, Comber
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the present roadworks at High street, Comber, will be completed; what form of advance notice was given to occupiers in the High street; and if he will make a statement about the proposed Comber bypass.

  Table 1

  Appeals to County Court

  Total

  Settled out of court

  Findings upheld

  Findings overturned

  Result unknown

  Appeals by respondent under section 28(2)

  32

  18

  5

  9

  —

  Appeals by complainant under section 28(3)

  19

  3

  5

  1

  10

  Table 2

  Appeals by respondents against FEA findings of discrimination under section 28(2) of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1976

  Date appeals lodged

  Organisation involved

  Outcome of appeal (findings upheld or overturned)

  November 1977

  Civil Service Commission

  Overturned

  32
  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 17 May 1988]: The roadworks at High street, Comber, are due to be completed by the end of October 1988.

  A letter giving details of the scheme and proposed traffic diversion was issued to all affected residents prior to the roadworks commencing.

  The proposed Comber bypass extension is included in the Department of the Environment's 6 to 15 years major works programme. The priority of the scheme within the overall programme is currently being reviewed.

  Fair Employment
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many subscribers there have been in Northern Ireland to the register for equal opportunity employers and organisations for each quarter since 19 June 1986; and how many of such subscribers have been removed from the register each quarter since this date.

  Mr. Viggers
  [holding answer 20 April 1988]: The number of subscribers in each quarter is as follows:

  Quarter ended

  Numbers of subscribers

  31 July 1986 (from 19 June 1986 only)

  8,112

  31 October 1986

  8,270

  31 January 1987

  8,456

  31 April 1987

  8,667

  31 July 1987

  8,834

  31 October 1987

  9,031

  31 January 1988

  9,218

  30 April 1988

  9,438

  No subscribers have been removed from the register in this period.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the number and type of cases referred under the Fair Employment Act (NI) 1976 to the county court, showing the number and type of findings upheld or overturned by the court, and the employers concerned; and if he will place in the Library copies of the judgments in each case.

  Mr. Viggers
  [holding answer 20 April 1988]: The tables provide details of cases heard by the county court. It is not normal practice to place judgments in the Library but they may be obtained on request from the county court, Courthouse, Crumlin road, Belfast.

  Date appeals lodged

  Organisation involved

  Outcome of appeal (findings upheld or overturned)

  December 1978

  Craigavon Borough Council

  1Overturned

  January 1979

  Newry and Mourne District Council

  Overturned

  May 1979

  Craigavon Borough Council

  Overturned

  September 1981

  Armagh District Council

  2 Upheld

  33

  Date appeals lodged

  Organisation involved

  Outcome of appeal (findings upheld or overturned)

  November 1981

  Lisburn Borough Council

  Upheld

  December 1984

  Southern Health and Social Services Board

  Overturned

  December 1984

  Southern Health and Social Services Board

  Overturned

  April 1985

  Derry City Council

  Overturned

  April 1985

  Northern Ireland Electricity Service

  3 Overturned

  February 1986

  Department of the Environment (NI)

  Overturned

  November 1986

  The Village Inn

  Upheld

  November 1986

  The Village Inn

  Upheld

  May 1987

  Ministry of Defence

  Upheld

  1 Original FEA findings upheld by Court of Appeal.

  2 Original FEA findings overturned by Court of Appeal.

  3 FEA appeal pending at Court of Appeal.

  Table 3

  Appeals by complainants against FEA findings of no discrimination under section 28(3) of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1976

  Date appeal lodged

  Respondent Organisation

  Outcome of appeal (findings upheld or overturned)

  June 1979

  Department of Health and Social Services

  Upheld

  July 1984

  Department of the Environment

  Upheld

  Respondent

  Date of settlement

  Date of payment

  Amount £

  Food, Drink and Tobacco

  22 September 1980

  7 October 1980

  750

  Textile and Clothing

  14 January 1982

  3 March 1982

  750

  Construction

  6 June 1981

  10 March 1982

  500

  Manufacturing

  11 June 1982

  18 July 1982

  5,500

  Local Authority

  6 August 1982

  26 August 1982

  1,000

  Other Employer

  14 September 1982

  16 September 1982

  550

  Health and Social Services Board

  27 August 1982

  22 September 1982

  4,350

  Local Authority

  30 November 1982

  22 December 1982

  3,000

  Other Public Body

  19 October 1983

  14 November 1983

  1,500

  Food, Drink and Tobacco

  25 October 1983

  17 November 1983

  1,500

  Local Authority

  20 October 1983

  2 December 1983

  1,500

  Other Public Body

  24 October 1983

  22 December 1983

  2,500

  Health and Social Services Board

  25 January 1984

  9 March 1984

  1,400

  Vocational Organisation

  7 March 1984

  3 May 1984

  10,000

  Education and Library Board

  8 June 1984

  12 October 1984

  1,500

  Vocational Organisation

  26 October 1984

  15 November 1984

  250

  Vocational Organisation

  26 October 1984

  15 November 1984

  250

  Vocational Organisation

  26 October 1984

  15 November 1984

  250

  Distributive

  6 December 1984

  14 December 1984

  350

  Other Employer

  1 May 1985

  2 May 1985

  1,000

  Food, Drink and Tobacco

  8 November 1985

  20 December 1985

  2,100

  Education and Library Board

  Not available

  11 April 1986

  2,000

  Engineering

  Not available

  15 October 1986

  507·50

  Engineering

  Not available

  15 October 1986

  510

  Other Employer

  Not available

  30 October 1986

  4,900

  Education and Library Board

  Not available

  18 November 1986

  4,759·04

  Education and Library Board

  Not available

  12 May 1987

  3,279·48

  Local Authority

  13 May 1987

  17 June 1987

  1,500

  Other Employer

  13 May 1987

  23 June 1987

  1,892·28

  Education and Library Board

  Not available

  13 October 1987

  2,035·26

  Local Authority

  Not available

  12 November 1987

  3,425·75

  Manufacturing

  16 November 1987

  19 November 1987

  2,350

  Manufacturing

  Not available

  28 November 1987

  5,000

  Construction

  Not available

  22 December 1987

  3,500

  Engineering

  5 January 1988

  5 January 1988

  2,000

  Health and Social Services Board

  Not available

  3 February 1988

  1,673·80

  Health and Social Services Board

  Not available

  29 March 1988

  4,000

  Other Employer

  Not available

  8 April 1988

  1,000

  Education and Library Board

  Not available

  14 April 1988

  3,541·09

  34

  Date appeal lodged

  Respondent Organisation

  Outcome of appeal (findings upheld or o verturned)

  October 1984

  F. A. Wellworth Co. Limited

  Upheld

  January 1985

  Anglo Irish Meats

  Overturned

  November 1985

  Short Brothers PLC

  Upheld

  April 1986

  NI Postal and Telecommunications Board

  Upheld

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which employers have made a compensatory payment to a complainant under the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1976; what have been the sums involved in each case, the original date of each settlement, the eventual date of payment from 1976 to the present.

  Mr. Viggers
  [holding answer 20 April 1988]: This is a matter for the chairman of the Fair Employment Agency. I understand that there have been 39 cases, the details of which are in the table. It would not be in the best interests of the work of the agency to release the names of parties involved in cases under section 24 of the Act.
  35
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many complaints under section 24 of the Fair Employment Act (NI) 1976 of unlawful discrimination, the Fair Employment Agency has declined to pursue; and what reasons have been given in each case.

  Mr. Viggers
  [holding answer 20 April 1988]: I understand from the chairman of the Fair Employment Agency that the agency has declined to pursue 100 complaints under section 24 of the Fair Employment (NI) Act 1976 for the reasons specified:

  Number

  (1) Adjudged frivolous

  34

  (2) Outside the time limits

  48

  (3) Outside the scope of the legislation

  12

  (4) Considered by another statutory body

  1

  (5) Failure by complainant to provide sufficient information

  5

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make available the results of the Fair Employment Agency for Northern Ireland's monitoring of recruitment to the Belfast Telegraph since 1983.

  Mr. Viggers
  [holding answer 20 April 1988]: It would not be in the best interests of the work of the Fair Employment Agency to publish full details of the information obtained from its monitoring or recruitment by specific employers, but a summary of such information in respect of the Belfast Telegraph if contained in the 11th annual report of the agency, a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Firearms
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give details of incidents in which firearms, previously in the possession of the security forces have been used by paramilitary groups.

  Mr. Viggers
  [holding answer 26 April 1988]: Weapons formerly in the possession of the security forces which have been stolen or otherwise improperly acquired could well fall into the hands of paramilitary groups and be used for terrorist purposes. However, only if these weapons are subsequently recovered can they be linked forensically with particular acts of terrorism. To provide details of all such cases would involve disproportionate costs and some details may be confidential, but if there are particular cases that the hon. Member has in mind and he could give me the details, I will look into them.

  Sexual Assaults
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information is available as to the current investigation by the Royal Ulster Constabulary into alleged sexual assaults on a 13-year-old boy at the Gleneyre and Burnside children's home; what information relating to such alleged assaults was made available to Sir George Terry during his investigation into Kincora and other children's homes in 1982; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stanley
  [holding answer 26 April 1988]: The RUC fully investigated allegations of misconduct concerning
  36
  children in care in Gleneyre and Burnside children's homes, Craigavon. The papers were referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions (Northern Ireland) who directed no prosecution. However, in recent months, following further information received, this inquiry has been reopened and is currently under investigation by the RUC. I cannot comment on the information available to the police in the context of their current investigation.

  As far as the information available to Sir George Terry is concerned, I cannot add to what is said in his report (a copy of which is in the Library).

  Psychological Warfare
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what changes there have been in policy on psychological operations and psychological warfare as implemented by the security forces in Northern Ireland from 1979 to the current date.

  Mr. Stanley
  [holding answer 26 April 1988]: It is not the general practice to comment on detailed matters of security policy.

  Mr. Fred Holroyd
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary as to why he has refused Mr. Fred Holroyd's request for the return of photographic material supplied by him to the police.

  Mr. Stanley
  [holding answer 26 April 1988]: No. I understand that the RUC has already made its reasons known to Mr. Holroyd.

  Kidnapping
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if any members of the security forces have paid civilians to kidnap individuals from the Irish Republic.

  Mr. Stanley
  [holding answer 26 April 1988]: I am not aware of any such payments.

  Information Units
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was(a) the role, (b) the composition and (c) the years of operation of (i) the information policy unit, (ii) the information liaison unit, and (iii) the information planning unit, from 1971 to the current date.

  Mr. Stanley
  [holding answer 26 April 1988]: Various groups and committees of officials have met; often on an ad-hoc basis, to co-ordinate the work of the information departments within the security forces and the Northern Ireland Office. Detailed records have not been kept on their role and composition because it was judged neither necessary nor cost effective to do so.

  Murder Investigations
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary as to the stage at which investigations have reached into the murders of
  37
  (a) Royal Ulster Constabulary Sergeant Joseph Campbell in February 1977, (b) Mr. John Francis Green in January 1975 and (c) Mr. John Turnley in 1980, and the shootings of (i) Captain William Black of the Ulster Defence Regiment in 1973, and (ii) the journalist Mr. Jim Campbell in 1984.

  Mr. Stanley
  [holding answer 26 April 1988]:No.

DEFENCE

  Departmental Contracts
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many new jobs have been created in the north-west during the last 12 months, as a result of contracts for his Department.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Estimates of the number of jobs in the north-west related to new contracts placed by MOD in a particular year could not be derived except at disproportionate cost. In 1985/86, about 23,000 people are estimated to have been employed on work for my Department placed with main contractors in the north-west.

  British Military Advisory Team (Bangladesh)
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the purpose of the British military advisory team in Bangladesh.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  The team assists in the direction and teaching of staff courses for middle ranking officers at the Bangladesh defence services command and staff college in Dhaka.

  Tucano
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many flying hours have been carried out on the Tucano aircraft.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Some 37.5 hours have been flown at the aircraft and armament experimental establishment, Boscombe Down, and some 200 hours have been flown on production aircraft at Short Bros.

  United States Aircraft
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the United States very low frequency communication aircraft have ever been used, and are currently being used to provide communications with the United Kindom's Polaris fleet.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  No.

  Glen Garry Transmitter
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Glen Garry extremely low frequency transmitter in Scotland is expected to be in operation; and if he will make statement on its progress.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  It is too early to say when the extremely low frequency transmitter at Glen Garry Forest is likely to be in operation. A notice of proposed development will probably not be submitted to the Highland regional council before the autumn and the start of construction work is unlikely before 1990.

  Trident
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if the new Trident missile submarine programme is being complemented by improvements to the capabilities of existing submarine command, control and communications systems;

  (2) if the new Trident missile submarine programme is being complemented by efforts to reduce the vulnerability of elements of the existing submarine command, control and communications system;

  (3) if the new Trident submarine programme is being complemented by any new submarine command, control and communications system.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Communications system for Trident submarines will be fully effective on its introduction into service in the mid 1990s. I am unable to comment further for reasons of security.

  Submarines (Sabotage)
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps have been taken to increase manpower available to protect the submarine command, control and communications system from sabotage, in the light of lessons of the Brave Defender exercise in 1985.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  Exercise Brave Defender was designed to test the plans for ground defence of vital United Kingdom installations and these have been amended where necessary in the light of post-exercise analysis. For good reasons of security, it is not our practice to discuss the details of such plans.

  Fylingdales Early Warning System
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the upgraded ballistic missile early warning system radar at Fylingdales moor will give the United Kingdom more advanced warning of nuclear attack.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  The purpose of the modernisation of the ballistic missile early warning system at RAF Fylingdales is not to improve warning time—Official Report, 22 May 1986, columns 263–64—although it may marginally do so.

  Military Installations
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those military installations in Wales which are regarded as being support facilities rather than operational military units; and whether his Department has any plans for the closure or privatisation of these facilities.

  Mr. Freeman
  There are the following support facilities in Wales:

  RNADS Milford Haven and Trecwn, where a study has been carried out into the future roles and tasks of the depots. A consultative document will be issued in due course.

  RNSD Llangennech where a decision to close the facilities was announced in 1981. Other support facilities are located at HM Mooring and Marine Depot, Pembroke Dock, 39 District Workshop, Bridgend, RAC Sennybridge, ASU Brecon, RAF Sealand or RAF St. Athan. There are no plans for their closure or privatisation.

  Aircraft Accidents
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the criteria which objectively determine when an aircraft accident is a major or a minor one.

  Mr. Freeman
  Damage to aircraft is categorised as follows:

  Incidents

  (a) Category 1—the damage is repairable on site by established first line personnel.1

  (b) Category 2—the damage is repairable on site by established second line personnel.2

  Accidents

  (c) Category 3—the damage is repairable on site but is beyond unit technical resources. Assistance from a repair and salvage unit or civilian contractor is required.

  (d) Category 4—the damage is not repairable on site. The aircraft must be removed to an established depot or civilian repair organisation.

  (e) Category 5—the aircraft is damaged beyond repair or is missing, or, in accordance with current Ministry of Defence policy, is not worth repairing.

  A minor accident is defined as one where the aircraft damage is classifed as category 3. A major accident is defined as one where the aircraft damage is either category 4 or 5.

  1 First line personnel conduct before flight, after flight and turnround servicing including minor component changes.

  2 Second line conduct deeper servicing, including major component changes and structural repair.

  Rating Reform
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what advice or instructions have been issued to servicemen and their families living in his Department's accommodation in Scotland with regard to the completion of any inquiry form issued by registration officers in connection with the community charge in Scotland;

  (2) what advice or instruction has been issued to servicemen and their families living in his Department's accommodation in Scotland with regard to (a) registration under the Abolition of Domestic Rates &c. (Scotland) Act 1987 and (b) payment of a community charge to the relevant local authority.

  Mr. Freeman
  Service personnel and their families living in public accommodation in Scotland have been instructed to comply with the normal legal requirement to complete community charge registration inquiry forms and return them to registration officers, and advised of their liability to pay the community charge in the area of their sole or main residence.

  Educational Institutions
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list and explain the basis on which educational institutions in the United Kingdom and abroad have been in receipt of funding from his Department from 1979 to the current date.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The MOD directly funds six defence lectureships at British universities and makes use of university and other higher educational facilities and courses to meet educational and training requirements. The majority of Ministry of Defence expenditure with educational institutions in the United Kingdom is, however, through research agreements and contracts 40
  placed on behalf of the defence research establishments. In addition, grants for work of relevance to defence are made under collaborative arrangements with the research councils, and the MOD and the Science and Engineering Research Council co-fund awards to certain students who are jointly supervised by their university and defence research establishments. Involvement with educational institutions overseas is minimal. All activities are in support of the defence programme.

  Mr. Colin Wallace
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish in the Official Report the text of the letter from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Kettering (Mr. Freeman) to the hon. Member for Brent, East on 18 April, about Mr. Colin Wallace and related matters.

  Mr. Freeman
  The text of my letter was as follows:"Thank you for your letter of 22 March. I can confirm that Mr. Wallace was granted a commission as a part-time member of the UDR in the rank of second lieutenant and granted the acting rank of captain with effect from 18 January 1972. His resignation of this commission took effect from 14 November 1975. As an acting captain, he would have been paid as a captain for all military duties carried out with the UDR, would have been entitled to wear the rank badges of a UDR captain, and in the course of his duties would have been addressed by the rank of "Captain"; all this is in accordance with normal Army practice. My reply to your Parliamentary Question of course referred to his substantive rank.
  It has not been possible to trace the memorandum to which you refer in your letter, and I cannot therefore comment upon it. There are no records available of what duties Mr. Wallace carried out with the UDR. I understand that Mr. Brian Parker was an Information Officer based at HQ UDR. and that he was responsible to the Commander UDR for public relations and all press matters affecting the UDR.
  You ask for assurances on a number of points. I am aware of no evidence whatsoever that explosives were supplied by a member or members of the UDR for the bombings in the Irish Republic on 17 May 1974; or that any serving member or members of the UDR were involved in the murder of John Francis Green or the bombing of a public house in Silverbridge; or that military intelligence personnel have ever supplied weapons or explosives to civilians for unlawful use in Northern Ireland or the Irish Republic; or that Robert Jackson has ever had any connections with military intelligence authorities."

  Cruise Missiles
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when a decision was taken to deploy air-launched Cruise missiles on(a) North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and (b) Royal Air Force aircraft.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  There are no plans to deploy air-launched cruise missiles (ALCMs) on any aircraft in Europe. ALCMs are deployed on strategic bombers of the United States air force. In his 1985 Montebello implementation proposals, SACEUR called for, inter alia, the deployment of a tactical air to surface missile (TASM); no decisions have yet been taken on how best to meet this requirement.

  Security Companies
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what payments have been made by his
  41
  Department in each year from 1980 to date to Zeus and Lynx private security companies; and what was the nature of the work undertaken by these companies.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I am not aware that the MOD has had any dealings with either of the companies quoted.

  Military Buildings, Woolwich
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the progress of his efforts to preserve military buildings of historic interest in the Woolwich area.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 21 April 1988]: The Historic Military Buildings Committee visited Royal
  42
  Arsenal west and Connaught barracks on 14 January and had useful discussions about the options available for dealing with historic buildings at both sites. It has been decided to dispose of Connaught barracks once the remaining occupants have been relocated, and in formulating plans for disposal we shall be seeking to ensure that the historic interest and character of the site are respected. No decisions have yet been taken about the future location of the directorate general of quality assurance. However, I expect to outline our proposals for the vacant historic buildings at Royal Arsenal West not directly affected by any decision on the future location of the directorate general of quality assurance before the summer recess.

WALES

  Rural Housing
  Mr. Geraint Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on housing standards in the rural areas of Wales.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The 1986 Welsh house condition survey shows that there have been significant improvements in the condition of Welsh housing. It does also highlight the problem areas. We will use the survey results to direct resources where they are most needed.

  National Museum
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what corrective measures have been taken in the light of the 15th report from the Public Accounts Committee, House of Commons Paper No. 38, to ensure that responsibility for securing economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the use of public funds has been discharged in relation to the national museum of Wales.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  Measures to ensure the proper discharge of the Department's sponsorship responsibility for the national museum of Wales are being taken as described in the Treasury Minute published on 28 October 1987 (in response to the Fifteenth Report from the Public Accounts Committee). The financial management and policy review has been completed and the consultants' recommendations are in the process of being implemented. Action is also being taken in response to the internal audit report. A revised financial memorandum is now in operation. Corporate planning is being developed. There is close liaison between the Department and the museum on all these matters, and improved monitoring arrangements have been implemented by the Department.

  Farming Unions
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last met representatives of the farming unions in Wales; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  I last met representatives of the National Farmers Union (Wales) on Wednesday 30 March and the Farmers Union of Wales on Tuesday 10 May. A full range of issues of concern to the unions was discussed.

  A55 (Signposting)
  Mr. Raffan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his policy on signposting on the A55 of tourist attractions in Rhyl and Prestatyn and on the costs and future maintenance of the signs.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  To be eligible for signing from a trunk road an attraction must have over 25,000 visitors a year, be within 20 miles of the nearest junction, have adequate parking and be open for 50 days or more a year. My officials have recently written to Rhuddlan borough council agreeing to signs for Rhyl and Prestatyn at the A55/A525 junction.

  It is our policy that the full costs of tourist attraction signs, including on-costs such as maintenance, should be paid by the operators of attractions.

  Benefits
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment his Department has made of the impact of recent changes in housing benefit and rate rebates on people in Wales who were previously in receipt of a 100 per cent. rate rebate.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The hon. Gentleman will be aware that this is primarily a matter for the Secretary of State for Social Services. He has made clear in his recent announcement that the combination of changes in housing benefits and other allowances will mean that overall around nine out of 10 recipients of income-related benefits will have either gained or have no change in their cash benefits.

  Housing Waiting Lists
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people were on local authority housing waiting lists in Wales(a) in 1979 and (b) in 1987.

  Mr. Grist
  Information on the number of people on housing waiting lists is not available centrally.

  Housing Starts
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many housing starts were made in the public sector in Wales during the last year for which full figures are available.

  Mr. Grist
  1,924 public sector dwellings were started in Wales during 1987.

  Manpower Services Commission Training Programme
  Mr. Ray Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many agencies in Wales have so far declared that they will discontinue their agencies under the new Manpower Services Commission training programme which replaces the Manpower Services Commission community programme.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Local Manpower Services Commission offices in Wales have recently written to potential training providers in their areas inviting them to indicate by 6 June if they intend to take part in employment training. I understand the initial response has been very favourable but full details will not be available until the consultation is complete.

  Cardiff Bay Development Corporation
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the work to date of the Cardiff Bay development corporation.

  Mr. Grist
  During its first year the corporation has carried forward further technical, financial and ecological studies on the barrage proposal; it has also undertaken some significant environmental projects, commenced on a programme of acquiring strategically important land and buildings, and completed a study of the strategy for regenerating its designated area. That study will be the subject of extensive local consultation. A copy of the consultants' report will shortly be placed in the Library of the House.

  Sheep
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he discussed the state of the sheep sector in Wales during his recent meeting with representatives of the Farmers Union of Wales.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Yes. When I last met representatives of the Farmers Union of Wales we discussed a wide range of agricultural matters including the state of the sheep sector.

  Housing
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on housing conditions in(a) Cynon Valley and (b) Wales as a whole.

  Mr. Grist
  The findings of our 1986 Welsh house condition survey show that significant improvements have been made in the condition of the Welsh housing stock but in a few areas much remains to be done. The Cynon Valley stands out as having a large proportion of unfit dwellings, many of which are in need of major repairs. I am disappointed that the significant improvements made in some other areas have not been mirrored in the Cynon Valley. I am, however, pleased that the borough council has now accepted the need for a strategic approach and has published a housing strategy. My officials are to meet the authority shortly and will discuss the approach they propose.

  Central Electricity Generating Board
  Mr. leuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he next hopes to meet the chairman of the Central Electricity Generating Board; and what matters he hopes to discuss.

  1981–82

  1983–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  Current prices £ million

  41·375

  38·357

  44·849

  32·827

  23·750

  22·038

  1985–86 prices £ million

  51·348

  44·440

  49·627

  34·788

  23·750

  21·341

  £ percentage share of United Kingdom gross domestic product

  0·019

  0·016

  0·017

  0·012

  0·008

  0·007

  Windscale Fire
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what estimates he has of the numbers of people to have developed acute myeloid leukaemia in the counties of Gwynedd and Clwyd as a likely consequence of the effects of the Windscale fire of 1957; and if he will make a statement:

  (2) what work has been carried out to ascertain the effects on the health of the population of north Wales of the Windscale fire of 1957; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  I am advised that the level of radioactivity in Gwynedd and Clwyd as a result of the 1957 Windscale fire would have been too low to have had any detectable effect on the incidence of myeloid leukaemia in those counties. For this reason no epidemiological studies of the effects of the fire on the health of the population of north Wales have been carried out.

  Synthetic Index
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has made to the European
  46
  Mr. Peter Walker
  I have no plans at present to meet the chairman of the Central Electricity Generating Board although I am, of course, in touch with the board about its plans as these affect the Principality.

  Planning Appeals
  Sir Raymond Gower
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the average time required for decisions in planning appeals; and what progress has been made in reducing the time taken over such appeals, during the past 12 months.

  Mr. Grist
  In the month of March 1988 inspectors' decisions were issued on 17 appeals which went to inquiry and 68 dealt with by the written method. Median times for these were 32 weeks and 19 weeks, respectively. For March 1987 the comparable figures were nine inquiry cases and 57 written representation cases with medians of 33 weeks and 22 weeks. Average times are not recorded by the Department.

  Council House Building
  Mr. Holland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total expenditure on local authority housebuilding for Wales for each year since, and including, 1979 to 1987 in terms of (i) current prices, (ii) 1986 prices and (iii) share of gross domestic prod uct.

  Mr. Grist
  Estimated capital expenditure outturn on housebuilding by Welsh local authorities is available only for the years shown:

  Commission concerning the way in which the synthetic index which ranks the regions of Europe in order of their problems is calculated with regard to Wales.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The Government's view that the synthetic index was flawed has been made clear from the outset and a statement to that effect was made at the regional policy committee meeting in April 1987 In putting forward the Welsh case concerning the review of the structural funds, my officials have made detailed submissions pointing to the shortcomings of the index.

  Integrated Operations Programme
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress is being made with regard to the application by Dyfed, Powys and Gwynedd county councils to the European Community for an integrated operations programme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The integrated operations programme for Dyfed, Gwynedd and Powys is under active comsideration in the European Commission and I hope that a decision will be reached shortly.

  Parliamentary Questions (Holding Answers)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many holding answers have been given to parliamentary questions for priority written answer to the Welsh Office since 25 April.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Thirty-one.

  Greencroft Hostel, Deeside
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received concerning the proposed closure of Greencroft hostel, Deeside, Clwyd, for the mentally handicapped; if he will meet the parent membership of Mencap, Deeside to discuss with them the care of their sons and daughters; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  The hostel is the responsibility of the Clwyd social services authority and we have received no representations in respect of it.

  Patient Treatment Statistics
  Mr. John
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of patient treatment in Welsh hospitals consisted of re-admission in the five years 1982 to 1987.

  Mr. Grist
  Information on re-admission to National Health Service hospitals and units is available only in the case of mental illness and mental handicap, for which the latest data are given in the following table:

  Re-admissions as a percentage of total admissions

  Year

  Mental illness hospitals or units

  Mental handicap hospitals or units

  1982

  66·5

  90·5

  1983

  68·2

  95·6

  1984

  69·3

  95·7

  1985

  71·1

  96·9

  1986

  73·3

  98·2

  Mr. John
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether the statistics for hospital patient treatments in Wales includes re-admission of patients; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  Statistics for in-patient treatment in National Health Service hospitals in Wales are collected upon discharge. Consequently the emphasis is on the current diagnosis and treatment and not the previous history of the patient. Data about the number of re-admissions are not collected centrally other than in the specialties of mental illness and mental handicap.

  Nurses (Pay)
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 18 May, whether the £27·41 million for nurses' pay is to be paid out of the existing Welsh Office budget.

  Mr. Grist
  The resources to be provided to district health authorities to meet the estimated additional costs of the nurses' pay award this year will come from non-recurrent funds made available to the Department from the contingency fund. Provision for future years will be determined in the course of drawing up spending plans for 1989–90 and subsequent years.

  Rating Reform
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Pembroke (Mr. Bennett) of 10 May,Official Report, column 72–3, he will give the average domestic rate bill payable per household for 1988–89 in each local authority area in Wales and the initial safety-netted community charge payable.

  Mr. Grist
  Illustrative figures are given in the following table. The figures shown for each district area include the county council and community council precepts. Each county figure is the average of the total precepts of all the councils in that county area.

  Average domestic rate bill per household and initial safety-netted community charge per adult for each Welsh district 1988–89

  Average Domestic Rate Bill per household

  Initial Safety Netted Community Charge

  £

  £

  (1)

  (2)

  Alyn and Deeside

  352

  176

  Colwyn

  351

  198

  Delyn

  344

  176

  Glyndwr

  287

  155

  Rhuddlan

  339

  170

  Wrexham Maelor

  313

  162

  Carmarthen

  243

  123

  Ceredigion

  257

  136

  Dinefwr

  213

  110

  Llanelli

  262

  137

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  239

  126

  South Pembrokeshire

  280

  152

  Blaenau Gwent

  221

  116

  Islwyn

  249

  127

  Monmouth

  340

  167

  Newport

  349

  185

  Torfaen

  297

  154

  Aberconwy

  324

  173

  Arfon

  222

  129

  Dwyfor

  247

  160

  Meirionnydd

  246

  158

  Ynys Môn

  279

  154

  Cynon Valley

  200

  108

  Merthyr Tydfil

  235

  124

  Ogwr

  308

  151

  Rhondda

  159

  85

  Rhymney Valley

  274

  139

  Taff Ely

  289

  145

  Brecknock

  255

  131

  Montgomeryshire

  236

  138

  Radnor

  237

  135

  Cardiff

  354

  179

  Vale of Glamorgan

  343

  166

  Port Talbot

  296

  154

  Lliw Valley

  274

  142

  Neath

  298

  154

  Swansea

  381

  192

  Clwyd

  331

  172

  Dyfed

  250

  131

  Gwent

  300

  154

  Gwynedd

  266

  154

  Mid Glamorgan

  253

  129

  Powys

  243

  131

  South Glamorgan

  350

  175

  West Glamorgan

  335

  172

  Total Wales

  286

  150

  (1) These figures are provisional, and will be updated in due course with better information which has now been received from all local authorities. No allowance has been made for the transitional safety-net arrangements. The calculations are based on present needs assessments which are under review.
  49
  (2) Average rate bills per household are on a basis comparable with the community charge figures and exclude any use of balances. Households are defined, for this purpose, as domestic hereditaments.

  Assisted Consultancies
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many applications have been received from companies in Wales for assisted consultancies under the enterprise initiative.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Up to 30 April there had been 230 applications. This amounts to 4·8 per cent. of the total applications from all companies which I am pleased to say is higher than the proportion of VAT registered companies which are in Wales (4·4 per cent.).

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what change took place in the numbers of(a) unemployed and (b) employed in Wales in the four years to July 1987.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  [holding answer 20 May 1988]: The available information is as follows:

  ( Thousands at mid June)

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  Unemployed claimants1

  163

  173

  174

  151

  Employees in employment

  886

  877

  861

  863

  Self employed

  144

  146

  154

  148

  Source: Department of Employment

  1 Because of a change in the compilation of the unemployment statistics unadjusted figures from February 1986 are not directly comparable with earlier figures.

  Latest figures show a further decrease of 11,000 for unemployed claimants (unadjusted, April 1988) an increase of 700 for employees in employment (December 1987).

  The current unemployment figure is now the lowest since 1981.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Rating Reform
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will introduce legislation to prohibit any information collected for tax purposes being disclosed to a community charge officer; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  With a few statutory exceptions which would not be relevant in this instance, the Inland Revenue is not permitted, under the law as it now stands, to disclose to a third party information about a taxpayer's affairs without his express consent. The present rule would apply in the case of a community charge officer. My right hon. Friend has no plans to introduce legislation to change this position.

  Workplace Nurseries
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider methods of encouraging workplace nursery places.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  It is for individual employers to decide what child care support is appropriate for their staff.

  Self-employed Workers
  Mr. David Howell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many(a) 714 and (b) 715 certificates were issued or refused during 1987 to self-employed workers.

  Mr. Lawson
  In the 1987 calendar year 232,539 714 exemption certificates were issued and 13,070 applications were refused. 715 vouchers—which must be tendered to contractors in return for gross payment—are issued to those who hold valid exemption certificates. The vouchers come in books of 25 and 415,283 books were issued during 1987.

  Mr. David Howell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether manpower or other constraints impose any limitation on the ability of Inland Revenue officials to deal with the growing number of self-employed workers.

  Mr. Lawson
  No. The Revenue's resources are decided on a basis which takes account of the growth of the numbers of self employed.

  Mr. David Howell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cases in which employed or self-employed status was in dispute came to the attention of Inland Revenue officials in 1987.

  Mr. Lawson
  The Inland Revenue and Department of Health and Social Security introduced new procedures in April 1987 to help those who were uncertain of their employment status. Each local tax and DHSS office now has a designated officer responsible for advice and decisions on employment status. A decision made by one Department will be accepted by the other provided all the relevant facts were accurately and clearly given at the time and the circumstances remain the same.

  Since those new arrangements were introduced the designated officers in tax offices have handled some 15,000 inquiries and decisions on employment status. The n umber of these cases in which a decision was disputed is not known. Normally any dispute would be resolved in the course of further discussions with the tax office; but if agreement cannot be reached the taxpayer can appeal to the general commissioners (the independent local appeal body). During the same period only 22 cases directly involving employment status disputes were heard by the general commissioners.

  Schedule D Accounts
  Mr. David Howell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made with the computerisation of Inland Revenue schedule D accounts.

  Mr. Lawson
  Computerisation of schedule D assessing was introduced by the Inland Revenue in two of its 15 regions in April 1987. This proved to be a successful pilot exercise and in April of this year, on schedule, the system was introduced nationally.

  External Financing
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a copy of the 1981 Ryrie guidelines on external financing by nationalised industries and similar organisations.

  Mr. Major
  The Ryrie rules are an appendix to the Treasury paper entitled "Private Finance in Public Expenditure" which I placed in the Library of the House on 18 February. (Official Report, column 724 refers).

  Building Societies
  Mr. Holland
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the number of(a) registered building societies and (b) building societies authorised to accept shares and deposits at the end of 1985, 1986 and 1987.

  Mr. Lilley
  The following table shows the number of building societies registered and the number of those societies which are also authorised in the United Kingdom at the end of the years shown.

  1985

  1986

  1987

  Number of Building Societies:

  Registered

  171

  151

  137

  Authorised to accept shares and deposits

  153

  137

  124

  Government Expenditure
  Mr. Holland
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the share as a percentage of gross domestic product of(a) general Government expenditure and (b)general Government expenditure on goods and services in 1985–86 and 1986–87.

  Mr. Major
  The following table shows general Government expenditure and general Government expenditure on goods and services as a percentage of gross domestic product:

  Percentage

  1985–86

  1986–87

  General Government expenditure

  43¾

  42¾

  General Government expenditure on goods and services

  23

  22¾

  Gross National Product
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the gross national product for the United Kingdom in 1987.

  Mr. Major
  Provisional estimates suggest that in 1987 gross national product, at current market prices and based on the average measure, was £419·9 billion.

  Central Office of Information
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Government have any plans to allow the Central Office of Information to expand its activities in advertising or otherwise publicising Government services, programmes or any other information on BBC radio and television; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lilley
  I have nothing to add to the answer my right hon. Friend the Paymaster General gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge (Mr. Shersby) on 2 December 1987, at column 543, which applies to radio as well as television.

  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the number and subject of commercials planned by the Central Office of Information over the period until the end of June.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 18 May 1988]: The number and sbject of TV commercials used in Government
  52
  advertising campaigns is a matter for departmental Ministers, who draw on COI's experience to advise on their publicity requirements.

  VAT
  Mr. Carrington
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the regulations to implement the VAT annual accounting scheme under section 11(1) of the Finance Act 1987 will be laid before the House.

  Mr. Lilley
  The Value Added Tax (Annual Accounting) Regulations 1988 have been made by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise on 16 May 1988 and are being laid before the House today, to come into force on 1 July 1988. This follows a consultation exercise with trade and professional bodies initiated by Customs and Excise, which is now complete.

  Taxes
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in the manner of his reply on 19 April,Official Report, columns 417–18, he will publish a table showing the proportion of gross income paid in income tax, national insurance contributions, domestic rates, and other indirect taxes by (a) a single person, (b) a married couple with one earner and (c) a married man with a non-earning wife and two children, at half, one, one and a half, two, five and 10 times average male earnings in 1988–89; and what were the comparable figures in 1978–79.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 5 May 1988]: I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Dunfermline, East (Mr. Brown) on 17 May, at columns 423–30.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in the manner of his reply given on 29 February,Official Report, columns 443–45, he will update and publish the table detailing the breakdown on the costs or yields of reinstating the 1978–79 tax regime, taking the 1988–89 tax base.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 5 May 1988]: The information is in the table.

  Reductions in income tax liabilities in 1988–89 compared with the indexed 1978–79 tax regime

  Source of income tax reduction(-) increase (+)

  Amount

  £ million

  Increase in personal allowances

  -5,190

  Abolition of reduced rate band

  +2,970

  Decrease in basic rate

  -11,820

  Increase in higher rate threshold

  -400

  Abolition of higher rates above 40 per cent.

  -4,410

  Abolition of investment income surcharge

  -1,140

  Total

  -20,000

  In the table, the effect of each change has been calculated on the assumption that each of the previous changes has already been made. The figures are based on the 1985–86 survey of personal incomes projected to 1988–89 and are therefore provisional.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Report a distributional analysis of all income tax reductions since 1979 taking the gains to the top 1 per cent., top 2 to 5 per

  53
  cent., 6 to 10 per cent., top 11 to 20 per cent., top 21 to 30 per cent., top 31 to 50 per cent. and bottom 50 per cent giving the number of tax units for each group, the reduction in income tax for each group compared with 1978–79, and the average per tax unit, in the manner of his reply on 24 July 1987, Official Report, columns 566–67.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 5 May 1988]: The tables show the latest estimates of reductions in income tax liabilities at 1988–89 income levels of the

  Reductions in income tax liabilities in 1988–89 compared with 1978–79 indexed tax regime

  Point of income distribution in 1988–891

  Number of units2 paying tax in 1988–89

  Reduction in tax

  Average3 reduction in income tax compared with the 1978–79 indexed regime

  millions

  £ billion

  £ per year

  Top 1 per cent.

  ·21

  4·7

  22,680

  Top 2 to 5 per cent.

  ·84

  2·8

  3,350

  Top 6 to 10 per cent.

  1·0

  1·8

  1,770

  Top 11 to 20 per cent.

  2·1

  2·6

  1,220

  Top 21 to 30 per cent.

  2·1

  1·9

  910

  Top 31 to 50 per cent.

  4·2

  2·8

  680

  Bottom 50 per cent.

  10·5

  3·4

  290

  All

  20·9

  20·0

  910

  1 Based on 20,900,000 single people and married couples expected to pay tax in 1988–89 and excluding 1,100,000 who would pay tax undei the revalorised 1978–79 regime.

  2 All information is in terms of tax units, ie married couples are counted as one and their incomes combined.

  3 Based on taxpayers expected to pay tax under a revalorised 1978–79 regime.

  PAYE (Overpayments)
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he proposes to take to ensure that interest is paid to businesses and organisations whose pay-as-you-earn returns upon checking reveal that overpayments have been made.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 19 May 1988]: Clause 120 of the current Finance Bill proposes amendments to section 203 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 which will pave the way for payment of interest on repayments of pay-as-you-earn tax to employers made more than one year after the end of the tax year concerned. This change will not come into effect until the necessary computer support is in place, which will

  Higher rate taxpaying units

  Total income tax liability

  Region

  Number

  As per cent, of total taxpaying units

  All taxpaying units

  Higher rate tax-paying units

  000s

  Per cent.

  £ million

  £ million

  North

  30

  2·7

  1,870

  280

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  55

  3·3

  2,900

  530

  North West

  75

  3·5

  3,750

  680

  East Midlands

  40

  3·0

  2,490

  460

  West Midlands

  60

  3·2

  3,040

  590

  East Anglia

  35

  4·8

  1,400

  370

  South East

  480

  7·2

  15,700

  5,500

  South West

  70

  4·4

  2,930

  700

  Wales

  30

  3·4

  1,440

  270

  Scotland

  75

  4·3

  3,420

  730

  Northern Ireland

  20

  4·0

  760

  160

  54
  1988–89 income tax regime compared with an indexed 1978–79 regime. The comparison thus allows for budgetary changes in tax rates, thresholds and allowances but not for any change in the definition of the tax base. The 1978–79 allowances and threshold have been indexed in line with the increase in the retail prices index between December 1977 and December 1987. As child tax allowances were being phased out in 1978–79 they have been excluded from the comparison.

  not be before 1992. A general interest charge on late payments of pay-as-you-earn by employers will be introduced at the same time.

  Higher Rate Taxpayers
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the number of taxpayers liable to tax at the higher rate as a percentage of total taxpayers region by region; and what will be the total tax gain in cash terms for each region.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 19 May 1988]: The latest information available by region relates to 1985–86. In the table, married couples are counted as one unit, members of Her Majesty's forces and the Merchant Navy are excluded, and tax liability is measured before allowing for mortgage interest relief at basic rate given at source.

  Welsh Language
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy with regard to dealing with individuals and bodies in Wales who wish to communicate with his Department through the medium of the Welsh language.

  Mr. Peter Brooke
  [holding answer 20 May 1988]: When the need arises for interpretation or translation from another language the Treasury either uses a member of its own staff proficient in the language concerned or if necessary calls on the specialist resources in other departments, for example the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. However, we are not aware of any occasions so far where it has been necessary to communicate in Welsh.

  Firearms
  Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many firearms have been seized by customs officials annually over the past five years; and how many of these weapons have subsequently been claimed by their owners.

  Mr. Peter Lilley
  [holding answer 20 May 1988]: The number of firearms seized by Customs during the five years 1983 to 1987 are given in the table:

  Year

  Firearms

  Shotguns

  Other

  Ammunition (Rounds)

  1983

  1,003

  5

  122

  7,998

  1984

  172

  12

  142

  14,908

  1985

  263

  19

  245

  13,069

  1986

  310

  24

  317

  10,363

  1987

  215

  3

  578

  11,829

  Records of the number of owners subsequently claiming release of seized weapons are only kept at individual ports and airports and could not be collated centrally except at disproportionate cost.

TRANSPORT

  Car Phones
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what studies his Department has made of the road safety factor arising from the use of car phones by drivers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  None.

  We fully recognise the risks involved in using hand-held telephones on the move. That is why the revised "Highway Code" now says hand-held microphones or telephone handsets should not be used when driving.

  Legislation places clear responsibility on all drivers to have proper control of their vehicles at all times. Drivers who can afford car telephones, can afford models which do not have to be held.

  London Airspace
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has as to how many times in the last year the helilanes into London airspace have been closed without warning to those using them.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The Civil Aviation Authority says that advance warning is given where possible by 56
  means of a notice to airmen (NOTAM). Detailed information for the period 1 January 1988 to 23 April 1988 indicates that advance notice was given in each of the 22 closures that occurred during that period.

  A17 (Sutton Bridge)
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps have been taken to warn the public about the closure of Sutton bridge on the A17; and whether he will make a statement about the number of times the bridge is to be closed in the future and their duration.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Since refurbishment began in October 1987, advance notice of closures, one-way working, and height restrictions have been given by local weekly and daily press, on local television and radio, and in the motoring press. In the case of the complete closures over two weekends in April, publicity included details of alternative routes. These were also signed for motorists.

  Two-way working across the bridge was restored on 22 May. It will be maintained throughout the summer months. An announcement will be made shortly.

  It will be necessary to revert to one-way working in the autumn. Complete closures of the bridge from then until the end of the contract may again be needed from time to time. The public will be informed in advance.

  In addition, the bridge is closed to road traffic from time to time to permit the passage of vessels to and from the port of Wishbech. These and other short closures associated with the bridge alterations cannot be predicted in advance. Every effort is made to keep inconvenience to motorists and the local public to a minimum.

  Motor Cycles (Noise)
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what recent representations he has received on noise emissions from motor cycles; and whether he expects to bring forward any further controls;

  (2) what recent representations he has received on noise nuisance from motor cycle engines; and whether he has any plans to seek to amend the legislation on pollution as a consequence.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The Department regularly receives letters about motor cycle noise. Some complain about the nuisance it causes. Few complain that the regulations we propose to introduce will be too stringent.

  We are currently consulting interested parties on draft regulations made under the Motor Cycle Noise Act. These will control the quality of replacement silencers and exhaust systems for motor cycles when they are offered for sale.

  We are also preparing regulations to implement the stricter noise limits for motor cycles contained in Community directive 87/56/EEC.

  King's Cross Inquiry
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give details of the action list submitted by London Underground to the King's Cross inquiry indicating (i) which programmes have been implemented, which planned and which considered, (ii) which of these items had previously been considered prior to that fire and
  57
  the reasons for non-implementation of that stage and (iii) which items had been suggested prior to the fire by outside bodies as needing action and the source of the suggestion.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  These are matters for the board of London Regional Transport as falling within its statutory responsibilities.

  Settle-Carlisle Railway
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 16 May,Official Report, columns 677–84, whether the offer of a British Rail dowry extends to the Blackburn-Hellifield line; whether running rights over British Rail lines between Hellifield and Settle junction will be granted to any potential purchaser; and whether the use of such facilities has been discussed with British Rail.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  These are matters to be negotiated in the first instance between British Rail and any prospective purchaser.

  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 16 May,Official Report, columns 677–84, how much of the costs of promoting any private Bill required for the private operation of the Blackburn-Hellifield and Settle-Carlisle railways will be met by (a) British Rail and (b) the Exchequer; and what advice he will be giving to prospective purchasers as to the applicability of the Light Railways Act to any future private operation of these railways.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  It is for any private operator to choose which form of statutory authority is most

  Reportable Fires on the London Underground

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988 (May)

  Station and tunnel fires

  3

  2(2)

  11(6)

  10(5)

  10(7)

  11(1)

  Train fires

  1

  1(1)

  —

  —

  1(1)

  —

  The figures in brackets denote the incidents where it was reported that passengers were evacuated

  Fishing Vessels (Safety)
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his Department submitted its report to the International Maritime Organisation on stability, load lines and fishing vessel safety; and if he will place a copy in the Library, together with any response which has been received.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  13 April 1988, assuming that the report referred to is the information paper submitted to the maritime safety committee concerning the residual damage stability of passenger ships. A copy of that document has been placed in the Library in response to the question from the hon. Member for Dover (Mr. Shaw) on 19 May 1988, at columns 524–25. The report of the maritime safety committee has not yet been published, but a copy will be placed in the Library when it is available.

  Ferries (Safety)
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many roll-on/roll-off ferries failed the
  58
  appropriate for the type of operation they have in mind. The cost of any private Bill—if necessary—must fall on its promoters, not on the Exchequer.

  EC (Maritime Policy)
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he will be making in relation to European Community maritime policy at the meeting of Ministers on 20 June with respect to the employment of non-European Community nationals in Community flagged-ships, and to the establishment of offshore international ship registers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  I have no plans to make proposals with respect to these two matters. I would expect there to be proposals from the Commission on this or related issues well in advance of any substantive discussion in the Council.

  London Underground (Fires)
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish in the Official Report such information as he has on the fires which have taken place on London Underground over the last five years which (a) were not serious and (b) did not require evacuation of passengers; and if he will give details of all other fires.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  London Underground Ltd. is riot required to report every fire to the Department. The statutory reporting order requires fires, which interrupt the operation of the railway for more than 30 minutes, to be reported.

  stability test specified in his Department's report to the International Maritime Organisation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish in the Official Report the study on international safety standards on roll-on/roll-off cross-Channel ferries carried out at the request of the International Maritime Organisation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  I refer the hon. Members to the reply given to the hon. Member for Dover (Mr. Shaw) on 19 May 1988, at columns 524–25.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he has made any changes to the inspection and survey of passenger ferries as a result of the P and O dispute;

  (2) if he has made any changes in the process certifying seamen as competent with respect to safety procedures on passenger ferries during the P and O dispute.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  The answer to both questions is no.
  59
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received concerning the ability of current roll-on/roll-off ferry design to meet the passenger ship safety regulations with respect to evacuation of passengers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  None, but one organisation has questioned the possibility that passengers may not be safely evacuated in a very short time. We have commissioned a research programme to look into additional escape arrangements from roll-on/roll-off passenger ships.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the statement of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects on the safety and vulnerability on roll-on/roll-off ships of 21 March.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  My noble Friend the Minister with responsibility for Aviation and Shipping met representatives of the institution, including their president, on 21 March to discuss their proposals to improve the safety of ro/ro ships. There was a great deal of common ground and indeed the research programme into possible fundamental design improvements that will be undertaken by my Department includes an investigation of basic design changes as suggested by the Royal Institution of Naval Architects.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he proposes to implement the safety standards requested by the International Maritime Organisation on cross-Channel roll-on/roll-off ferries.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  Regulations are already in force that implement the improved safety standards for ro/ro passenger ships that were recently adopted by the International Maritime Organisation and which will come into effect internationally from 1989.

  Marine Surveyors
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give the number of marine surveyors in his Department; and what were the comparable figures over the last five years.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  The information is as follows:

  Marine surveyors in post

  Number

  1988

  208

  1987

  233

  1986

  246

  1985

  264

  1984

  279

  1983

  281

  The number of ships of over 500 gross tons on the United Kingdom register decreased from 866 in 1983 to 509 in 1987 (the latest figure available). Since 1983 the ratio of marine surveyors to merchant ships of this size has increased.

  Air Miss (Birmingham)
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement concerning the near miss in the flight path into Birmingham airport on the 60
  afternoon of Wednesday, 18 May, involving two aircraft at approximately the same altitude and at a short distance apart laterally.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  I understand from the Civil Aviation Authority that the incident occurred 3 miles east of Warwick at about 5,000ft and involved two British Airways BAC1–11 aircraft, one descending into and the other departing from Birmingham airport. Full details are not yet known. It appears that the aircraft were separated by about a quarter of a mile laterally and no avoiding action was taken.

  The incident will be investigated by the independent joint airmiss working group. The report will be published. It will be the responsibility of the Civil Aviation Authority to take any necessary safety action; this need not wait until the report is published.

  A40 (Improvement)
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what procedure for conducting cost-benefit analysis of an on-line solution was adopted by his Department when considering the Western avenue A40 junction improvement at Long lane, Hillingdon; and if he will place details in the Library.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  [holding answer 20 May 1988]:Both the Department's published scheme and the on-line alternative, which was put forward at the public inquiry into the proposals, were evaluated using COBA9, a computer-based system for the cost-benefit analysis of road schemes. Copies of relevant documents from the public inquiry are being placed in the Library.

ENVIRONMENT

  Unfit Houses (Compensation)
  Mr. Heddle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he proposes to review the Land Compensation Act 1973 in general and the code for site value compensation in particular.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  In the normal course of business we monitor the operation of the Land Compensation Act 1973. We recognise that the present arrangements under the Housing Act 1985 providing compensation for the compulsory acquisition of unfit houses, currently payable at site value, can give rise to anomalies and we intend to introduce legislation as soon as possible to provide for full market value compensation to all house owners.

  Inward Migration (South-East)
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is his Department's latest forecast, based on the Serplan forecasts, for net inward migration to the south-east region, excluding London, in the last decade of the 20th century;

  (2) what has been the level of net inward migration to the south-east region, excluding London, in the periods 1957 to 1967, 1967 to 1977 and 1977 to 1987.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The available information is as follows:
  61

  Net inward migration into south-east England (excluding London): Estimates and projections1

  Thousands

  Estimates

  Projections

  1961–71

  1971–76

  1976–81

  1981–86

  1986–91

  1991–96

  1996–2001

  Total

  3

  +1602

  +2102

  +2152

  +176

  +149

  +138

  Annual average

  3

  +32

  +42

  +43

  +35

  +30

  +28

  Source: Office of Population Censuses and Surveys: official estimates and projections.

  1 Figures include international migration.

  2 Figure rounded to nearest 5,000.

  3 It is estimated that the corresponding figures for 1961 to 1971 are: (total) in excess of +900,000 and (annual average) in excess of +90,000.

  In the years for which information is available net migration from London into the rest of the south-east more than accounted for the net migration into the area. Migration between the south-east excluding London and areas outside the south-east shows net outflows as follows:

  Thousands (per annum)

  1976–81

  1981–86

  -14

  -5

  Source: Office of Population Censuses and Surveys: official estimates and projections.

  Property Services Agency
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many acres of public sector freehold land the Property Services Agency has responsibility for in the civil estate;

  (2) how many acres of leasehold land the Property Services Agency has responsibility for in the public civil estate;

  (3) how many square metres of buildings the Property Services Agency has responsibility for in the civil freehold estate;

  (4) how many square metres of buildings the Property Services Agency has responsibility for in civil leasehold estate with leases of over five years to run;

  (5) how many acres of civil freehold land under the Property Services Agency's control are surplus to requirements or are currently not being used for operational purposes;

  (6) how many square metres of buildings in the civil freehold estate are surplus to requirements or not currently being used for operational purposes;

  (7) how many square metres of buildings are surplus to requirements or not being used for operational purposes in the Property Services Agency's civil leasehold estate.

  Mr. Chope
  The following statistical table shows the position at 31 March 1988:

  Total

  Surplus

  Land

  Freehold1

  24,959 acres

  201 acres3

  Leasehold1

  762 acres

  —

  Buildings

  Freehold

  6·026 million square metres

  144,000 square metres3 (2·4 per cent.)

  Leasehold2

  4·103 million square metres

  58,000 square metres (1·4 percent.)

  1 Includes area of land covered by buildings.

  2 Buildings with leases of over five years to run.

  3 Includes land and buildings currently being disposed of as well as property currently not being used for operational purposes.

  62
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many acres of freehold land the Property Services Agency has responsibility for in the Government's military estate;

  (2) how many square metres of buildings the Property Services Agency has responsibility for in the military freehold estate;

  (3) how many square metres of buildings the Property Services Agency has responsibility for in the military leasehold estate with buildings with leases of more than five years to run;

  (4) how many acres of freehold land are surplus to requirements or not being used for operational purposes in the Property Services Agency's military estate;

  (5) how many square metres of freehold buildings are surplus to requirements or not being used for operational purposes in the Property Services Agency's military estate.

  Mr. Chope
  Management responsibility for the Government's military estate is divided between the Ministry of Defence, which owns it, and the Property Services Agency, which acts as MOD's agent and adviser in its day-to-day management. As at 31 March there were 554,012 acres of freehold land on the defence estate in the United Kingdom of which 4,022 acres were surplus to defence requirements and with PSA for disposal. A great deal of information about buildings on the freehold and leasehold estate is held locally but could not be collated centrally other than at disproportionate cost. The responsibility for any land and buildings which may not be being used for operational purposes lies with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many sq m of central London offices are occupied for public sector purposes within the Property Services Agency's leasehold and freehold estate;

  (2) how many sq m of central London offices, leasehold and freehold, were occupied by Government Departments and other public sector bodies within the property Services Agency estate in 1979.

  Mr. Chope
  Approximately 1.6 million sq m of office space are currently occupied for public sector purposes within the PSA's estate in the following central London postal districts: WC1 and 2, WI, SW1, SE1 and EC1–4. Equivalent figures for these postal districts are not available for 1979. As a comparison, however, the total amount of office space occupied in Greater London as a whole in 1979 was 2.9 million sq m compared with 2.2 million sq m today.

  Floor Space (London)
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average floor space per civil
  63
  servant in the central London estate, and what information he has on the average floor space per employee in the London financial district.

  Mr. Chope
  Information on the average floor space per civil servant in central London is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. For Greater London as a whole the total floor space in offices on PSA's estate works out at an average of 18.8 sq m per non-industrial civil servant. No information is held on the average space per employee in the London financial district.

  Water Supply
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the number of disconnections carried out in each of the last five years in the Thames water authority area.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The table shows the number of disconnections carried out by the Thames water authority for non-payment of bills in each of the last five years. The Department does not hold statistics for disconnections on other grounds, or for disconnections carried out by statutory water companies.

  Year

  Number

  1983–184

  1,794

  1984–85

  992

  1985–86

  255

  1986–87

  599

  1987–88

  1,819

  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if his Department has any information about the dangers of water contamination by pesticides; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Water undertakers have been asked to monitor water supplies for pesticides which are regularly used in their area. I am not aware of any public water supplies containing traces of pesticides at levels which would constitute a health risk.

  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give details of all types of test carried out to detect contamination and pollution of water supplies, including the frequency of the tests.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Water undertakers test public water supplies at treatment works, service reservoirs, in the distribution system and at consumers' taps. They test for the parameters in the following list, some of which are contaminants. They also test for other substances if there is any suspicion of contamination. The frequency of the tests varies according to the parameter and the situation but is usually considerably greater than the minimum frequencies laid down in the EC directive relating to the quality of water intended for human consumption. In no case is the frequency less than the minimum specified in the directive.

  Colour

  Turbidity

  Odour

  Taste

  Temperature

  pH

  Conductivity

  Chlorides

  64

  Sulphates

  Ammonium

  Kjeldahl Nitrogen

  Oxidisability

  Total Organic Carbon

  Hydrocarbons

  Phenols

  Boron

  Surfactants

  Trihalomethanes

  Silver

  Arsenic

  Cadmium

  Cyanides

  Chromium

  Mercury

  Nickel

  Lead

  Antimony

  Calcium

  Magnesium

  Potassium

  Aluminium

  Total hardness

  Dry residues

  Nitrate

  Nitrite

  Iron

  Manganese

  Zinc

  Phosphorus

  Fluoride

  Suspended solids

  Residual Chlorine

  Barium

  Selerium

  Pesticides in common use

  Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

  Total Coliforms

  Fecal Coliforms

  1 Fecal Streptococci

  1 Sulphate reducing Clostridia

  Total bacteria

  1 As necessary.

  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on consumer choice with regard to fixed charges or metering of water supplies.

  Mr. Moynihan
  At present all water authorities and companies operate a meter option scheme, whereby customers can choose to pay to have a meter installed, and so be charged by measure rather than by rateable value. Following the abolition of domestic rateable values it will be for each water undertaker to decide how to charge customers at present assessed on RVs for their water services, including whether customers should have the choice of being metered.

  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give a breakdown of the costs involved(a) to the relevant authority, and (b) to the consumer, in the current water metering trials.

  Mr. Moynihan
  One of the objectives of the metering trials is to obtain information on the cost of installing and reading meters in an area, rather than in individual properties. So it is not yet possible to provide reliable estimates of the cost of each proposed trial, the details of which have yet to be submitted for consideration by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State under section 4 of the Public Utilities Transfers and Water Charges Act 1988. However, preliminary estimates by the water undertakers concerned suggest that the cost of the proposed large scale
  65
  trial on the Isle of Wight may be in the region of about £9 million and each of the 10 smaller trials between £200,000 to £600,000, depending on the location of the meters and the equipment to be used. These costs are in addition to the cost of some preliminary work in the trial areas on monitoring overall consumption for which the Government agreed to pay last year.

  The Government have also agreed to contribute 50 per cent. of the approved costs of the proposed trial on the Isle of Wight and the ten smaller trials, together forming a co-ordinated programme prepared by the water industry. The remaining share of the costs of the trials will be spread across the generality of each water undertaker's consumers, not only those consumers in the trial areas.

  Derelict land grant paid to local authorities in Staffordshire

  Grant paid £

  Local authority

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  Cannock Chase

  88,057

  69,940

  389,482

  1,700,310

  809,156

  698,512

  246,276

  East Staffordshire

  —

  —

  4,750

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lichfield

  100,292

  —

  199,361

  156,879

  186,591

  18,117

  262,500

  Newcastle under Lyme

  40,123

  259,096

  162,138

  82,954

  274,635

  157,978

  49,196

  Stafford

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South Staffordshire

  742,771

  277,892

  355,844

  592,260

  170,807

  89,900

  28,014

  Staffordshire Moorlands

  21,388

  —

  47,563

  317,126

  —

  81,807

  5,943

  Stoke-on-Trent

  554,393

  1,740,263

  2,728,589

  4,122,995

  1,882,240

  323,842

  297,339

  Tamworth

  1,226

  11,458

  40,427

  6,955

  15,205

  6,955

  94,361

  STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

  206,725

  326,549

  150,549

  949,672

  267,667

  1,016,554

  642,383

  Water Privatisation
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last met the chairman of the Water Companies Association to discuss the privatisation of the water industry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Surrey, South-West (Mrs. Bottomley) on 20 April 1988, at column 489.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from parties with an interest in fresh water angling with regard to the privatisation of the water industry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  In response to the consultation paper on the National Rivers Authority issued in July 1987, we received comments from the following bodies:

  National Anglers Council

  Institute of Fisheries Management

  Wye Salmon Fishery Owners Association

  National Association of Specialist Anglers

  Hereford and District Angling Association

  Dee Fishery Association

  Commercial Fisheries Association

  Welsh Salmon and Trout Association

  Tamar and Tributaries Fisheries Association

  United Usk Fishermen Association

  Wear and Tees Fisheries Consultative Association

  Atlantic Salmon Trust

  The Angling Foundation

  Sussex Anglers Consultative Committee

  Cannarthenshire Fisheries Federation

  River Ouse Fisheries Consultative Association

  Thames Fisheries Consultative Council

  Salmon and Trout Association

  Welsh Anglers Council

  Welsh Federation of Coarse Anglers

  Since the end of the consultation period we have received a number of further representations and I have

  Local Authorities (Grant-aid)
  Mr. Heddle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much grant-aid has been given to each local authority in Staffordshire since 1982 under the development land grant and associated programmes.

  Mr. Trippier
  The amounts of derelict land grant paid to individual local authorities in Staffordshire since 1982 are given in the following table. Figures are not yet available for 1988–89.

  No grant-aid has been given to the authorities under the urban development grant or urban regeneration grant.

  met representatives of the National Anglers Council arid the Leicestershire Angling Federation. The vast majority of these organisations have supported our proposal to create a National Rivers Authority with responsibility for fisheries management.

  Storm Sewers
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate his Department has made of the cost of repairing storm sewers in each water authority area; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  I do not have the information on which to base an estimate.

  Water Authorities
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the effect of switching from historic cost accounting to current cost accounting on profit targets set by the Government for each water authority; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Profit targets for water authorities have been set in current cost terms since their introduction in 1981–82.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the currently estimated value of the assets of each water authority; what was the figure during the financial year 1983–84; what it will be in 1989–90; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Figures for assets for 1981–82 to 1986–87 are published in the water authorities' accounts for 1986–87. The figures for 1987–88 will be available shortly when the 1987–88 accounts are placed before Parliament. Figures for later years are not available.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the current income of each water
  67
  authority from sources other than water rates; what is the current expenditure of each on assets not directly connected with the maintenance of the water supply; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The information requested by the hon. Member is published in the water authorities' annual accounts which are laid before Parliament. The 1987–88 account will be available shortly.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much was spent by each English water authority in 1987–88 on(a) water quality regulation, (b) water resources, (c) water supply, (d) land drainage and flood protection, (e) recreation, amenities, fisheries and navigation, and (f) sewage collection, treatment and disposal.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The information requested by the hon. Member will be published in the annual accounts of the water authorities, which will be laid before Parliament in July.

  Water Pipes (Corrosion)
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has, for each water authority, as to the approximate number of homes supplied through piping which suffers from what the relevant water authority considers an unacceptable level of corrosion; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  This information is not held centrally.

  Lost Water
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has for each water authority for each year since 1980, as to the percentage of water which enters the mains pipes which is lost; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  This information is not held centrally.

  Planning Permissions
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will instigate an inquiry into the number of cases where the granting of agricultural licences has been followed by granting of planning permission for dwellings in the green belt areas; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) how many planning permissions for dwellings were given to owners of agricultural smallholdings in the years 1986–87 and 1987–88;

  (3) if he will instigate an inquiry into the number of cases where the sale of agricultural holdings has been used to obtain planning permission for a dwelling; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Ninety eight per cent. of planning permissions are granted by local planning authorities. Information collected by my Department does not separately identify cases of the kind mentioned in the hon. Member's questions. Existing planning guidance about agricultural dwellings is in the annex to DoE circular 24/73.

  Rivers and Lakes
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated total length of 68
  riverways and total surface area of freshwater lakes administered by each of the English regional water authorities.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The lengths of rivers administered or controlled by water authorities vary for different functions and responsibilities. For example, the lengths of designated main rivers under the English water authorities' management for the purposes of the Land Drainage Act 1976 are:

  Authority

  km

  Anglian

  6,518

  Northumbrian

  1,459

  North West

  5,807

  Severn Trent

  3,548

  Southern

  2,757

  South West

  1,465

  Thames

  5,072

  Wessex

  2,242

  Yorkshire

  1,806

  Total

  30,674

  The lengths of rivers surveyed for the purposes of the river quality survey 1985 were:

  Authority

  km

  Anglian

  4,328

  Northumbrian

  2,784

  North West

  5,323

  Severn Trent

  5,150

  Southern

  1,992

  South West

  2,941

  Thames

  3,546

  Wessex

  2,467

  Yorkshire

  5,767

  Total

  34,298

  Information about the surface areas of freshwater lakes within a particular water authority's area would only be obtainable from the water authority in question.

  Housing Associations
  Sir George Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are his proposals for the role of local authorities in enabling housing associations to provide dwellings in their areas.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Under the provisions of the Housing Bill, the Housing Corporation will become the sole channel for the payment of Exchequer grants to housing associations. Last September, in its policy paper "Finance for Housing Associations: The Government's Proposals" the Government said that they considered there were advantages in precluding the payment of housing association grant towards housing association schemes funded by local authorities. In the light of representations made to them, however, the Government have concluded that it would be wrong to deny Exchequer support to schemes promoted in this way. Collaborative working between associations and local authorities is of considerable importance and some authorities have funded associations under long standing arrangements. The Government have therefore decided that the Housing Corporation should be authorised to pay housing association grant on schemes supported by local authority loans. We intend that the entire costs of such schemes
  69
  should count against local authority housing investment programmes, and my officials will be consulting the local authority associations, the Housing Corporation and the National Federation of Housing Associations on the detailed arrangements.

  Greater Manchester Residuary Body
  Mr. Tom Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects the Greater Manchester residuary body to be wound up and the assets and liabilities transferred to the metropolitan boroughs.

  Mr. Chope
  I expect the Greater Manchester residuary body to be wound up well within the five-year period allotted for the completion of its task.

  Grant-related Expenditure
  Mr. Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the total rateable value grant-related expenditure assessment from 1981–82, population, total expenditure and rateable value per head, in total, for local authorities in each economic planning

  1981–82 Rate Support Grant Fourth Supplementary Report Data by Economic Planning Region

  Grant-related expenditure

  Total expenditure

  Gross rateable value

  Population for block grant purposes

  Rateable Value per head

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  million

  £

  Inner London

  n/a

  n/a

  1,094

  2·4

  451

  Outer London

  n/a

  n/a

  806

  4·4

  181

  Greater London

  3,217

  3,923

  1,901

  6·9

  276

  South East

  3,346

  3,369

  1,505

  10·0

  151

  East Anglia

  616

  609

  242

  1·9

  130

  South West

  1,446

  1,462

  520

  4·3

  121

  West Midlands

  1,872

  1,929

  710

  5·2

  138

  East Midlands

  1,328

  1,335

  459

  3·8

  122

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  1,762

  1,946

  509

  4·9

  104

  North West

  2,465

  2,692

  775

  6·5

  120

  Northern

  1,142

  1,299

  333

  3·1

  108

  England

  17,194

  18,566

  6,954

  46·4

  150

  1982–83 Rate Support Grant Third Supplementary Report Data by Economic Planning Region

  Grant-related expenditure

  Total expenditure

  Gross rateable value

  Population for block grant purposes

  Rateable value per head

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  million

  £

  Inner London

  n/a

  n/a

  1,108

  2·4

  458

  Outer London

  n/a

  n/a

  813

  4·4

  183

  Greater London

  3,486

  4,111

  1,921

  6·8

  280

  South East

  3,569

  3,541

  1,536

  10·0

  153

  East Anglia

  661

  659

  248

  6·9

  132

  South West

  1,545

  1,549

  530

  4·3

  122

  West Midlands

  2,005

  2,015

  721

  5·2

  140

  East Midlands

  1,417

  1,478

  466

  3·8

  123

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  1,867

  2,146

  517

  4·9

  106

  North West

  2,598

  2,836

  786

  6·5

  122

  Northern

  1,208

  1,402

  337

  3·1

  109

  England

  18,358

  19,737

  7,061

  46·5

  152

  1983–84 Rate Support Grant Fourth Supplementary Report Data by Economic Planning Region

  Grant-related expenditure

  Total expenditure

  Gross rateable value

  Population for block grant purposes

  Rateable value per head

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  million

  £

  Inner London

  n/a

  n/a

  1,128

  2·4

  475

  Outer London

  n/a

  n/a

  818

  4·5

  183

  Greater London

  3,611

  4,677

  1,946

  6·8

  284

  South East

  3,740

  3,691

  1,561

  10·2

  153

  East Anglia

  693

  675

  252

  1·9

  133

  South West

  1,595

  1,595

  540

  4·4

  124

  West Midlands

  2,119

  2,126

  728

  5·2

  141

  East Midlands

  1,489

  1,523

  474

  3·8

  123

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  1,947

  2,165

  523

  4·9

  107

  North West

  2,696

  2,921

  792

  6·5

  123

  Northern

  1,266

  1,438

  341

  3·1

  110

  England

  19,156

  20,810

  7,156

  46·8

  153

  1984–85 rate support grant fourth supplementary report data by economic planning region

  Grant-related expenditure

  Total expenditure

  Gross rateable value

  Population for block grant purposes

  Rateable value per head

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  million

  £

  Inner London

  n/a

  n/a

  1,124

  2·3

  486

  Outer London

  n/a

  n/a

  818

  4·5

  184

  72
  region, showing separately Greater London, inner London and outer London in each year from 1979–80 to 1988–89, estimate.

  Mr. Chope
  The following tables list the data requested for each year from 1981–82 to 1988–89: comparable data are not available for the period before the introduction of the present rate support grant system in 1981–82.
  73

  Grant-related expenditure

  Total expenditure

  Gross rateable value

  Population for block grant purposes

  Rateable value per head

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  million

  £

  Greater London

  3,739

  4,974

  1,942

  6·8

  287

  South East

  3,919

  3,768

  1,581

  10·2

  154

  East Anglia

  730

  693

  256

  1·9

  134

  South West

  1,676

  1,613

  545

  4·4

  124

  West Midlands

  2,214

  2,146

  727

  5·2

  140

  East Midlands

  1,569

  1,528

  479

  3·9

  124

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  2,047

  2,181

  525

  4·9

  107

  North West

  2,807

  2,954

  792

  6·4

  123

  Northern

  1,304

  1,429

  343

  3·1

  110

  England

  20,003

  21,285

  7,191

  46·8

  154

  1985–86 rate support grant third supplementary report data by economic planning region

  Grant-related expenditure

  Total expenditure

  Gross rateable value

  Population for block grant purposes

  Rateable value per head

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  million

  £

  Inner London

  n/a

  n/a

  1,130

  2·3

  489

  Outer London

  n/a

  n/a

  818

  4·4

  184

  Greater London

  3,927

  4,735

  1,948

  6·8

  288

  South East

  4,128

  3,935

  1,596

  10·3

  155

  East Anglia

  773

  721

  260

  1·9

  135

  South West

  1,791

  1,683

  551

  4·4

  125

  West Midlands

  2,343

  2,242

  729

  5·2

  141

  East Midlands

  1,659

  1,577

  484

  3·9

  126

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  2,192

  2,269

  527

  4·9

  107

  North West

  3,033

  3,084

  791

  6·4

  123

  Northern

  1,409

  1,473

  346

  3·1

  111

  England

  21,255

  21,719

  7,233

  46·9

  154

  1986–87 rate support grant third supplementary report data by economic planning region

  Grant-related expenditure

  Total expenditure

  Gross rateable value

  Population for block grant purposes

  Rateable value per head

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  million

  £

  Inner London

  n.a.

  n.a.

  1,139

  2·3

  492

  Outer London

  n.a.

  n.a.

  825

  4·4

  186

  Greater London

  4,313

  5,114

  1,964

  6·8

  291

  South East

  4,392

  4,205

  1,621

  10·4

  157

  East Anglia

  829

  776

  266

  1·9

  137

  South West

  1,925

  1,878

  560

  4·5

  125

  West Midlands

  2,541

  2,378

  735

  5·2

  142

  East Midlands

  1,774

  1,754

  489

  3·9

  126

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  2,339

  2,557

  531

  4·9

  108

  North West

  3,286

  3,430

  797

  6·4

  125

  Northern

  1,524

  1,663

  347

  3·1

  112

  England

  22,924

  23,757

  7,310

  47·0

  156

  1987–88 rate support grant supplementary report data by economic planning region

  Grant-related expenditure

  Total expenditure

  Gross rateable value

  Population for block grant purposes

  Rateable value per head

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  million

  £

  Inner London

  n.a.

  n.a.

  1,155

  2·3

  497

  Outer London

  n.a.

  n.a.

  832

  4·4

  187

  Greater London

  4,569

  5,433

  1,986

  6·8

  294

  South East

  4,612

  4,654

  1,649

  10·4

  158

  East Anglia

  880

  869

  271

  2·0

  138

  South West

  2,030

  2,058

  569

  4·5

  126

  West Midlands

  2,685

  2,704

  739

  5·2

  143

  East Midlands

  1,871

  1,952

  495

  3·9

  127

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  2,483

  2,693

  534

  4·9

  109

  North West

  3,477

  3,708

  803

  6·4

  126

  Northern

  1,596

  1,778

  349

  3·1

  113

  74 75

  Grant-related expenditure

  Total expenditure

  Gross rateable value

  Population for block grant purposes

  RV per head

  (£ million)

  (£ million)

  (£ million)

  (million)

  (£)

  England

  24,202

  25,847

  7,395

  47·1

  157

  1988–89 Rate support grant settlement report data by economic planning region

  Grant-related expenditure

  Budgeted total expenditure

  Gross rateable value

  Population for block grant purposes

  Rateable value per head

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  million

  £

  Inner London

  n/a

  n/a

  1,170

  2·3

  503

  Outer London

  n/a

  n/a

  839

  4·4

  189

  Greater London

  4,882

  5,578

  2,009

  6·8

  296

  South East

  4,980

  5,088

  1,678

  10·5

  160

  East Anglia

  953

  943

  276

  2·0

  139

  South West

  2,193

  2,227

  579

  4·5

  127

  West Midlands

  2,883

  2,949

  747

  5·2

  144

  East Midlands

  2,019

  2,123

  504

  3·9

  128

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  2,675

  2,903

  542

  4·9

  111

  North West

  3,710

  3,944

  809

  6·4

  127

  Northern

  1,711

  1,878

  352

  3·1

  114

  England

  26,006

  27,633

  7,497

  47·3

  159

  Note: London-wide authorities, such as the Metropolitan police, mean that it is not possible to produce total GRE and total expenditure figures for inner and outer London separately.

  Mr. Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the number of local authorities which spent, respectively, above or below(a) their

  Number of local authorities spending

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  above GRE

  241

  211

  173

  181

  178

  171

  308

  320

  below GRE

  173

  203

  241

  233

  233

  255

  118

  105

  above target

  367

  244

  164

  178

  174

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  below target

  46

  166

  213

  175

  166

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Notes

  1.All expenditure figures are those used in the latest supplementary report for the relevant year, or for recent years the figures used for grant payment purposes.

  2.In calculation whether an authority spent above or below the expenditure guidance (or target) issued to it, no account has been taken of any amounts or descriptions of total expenditure disregarded for the purpose of calculating liability to grant abatement ("holdback").

  3.For 1986–87 and later years no expenditure targets were set.

  Council House Building
  Mr. Holland
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of council house building in(a) England and Wales excluding Greater London, (b) Greater London and (c) Scotland was represented by (i) public direct labour schemes and (ii) private contractors' schemes in 1985, 1986 and 1987, respectively.

  Mrs. Roe
  Following is available information which is about construction output in new housing for the public sector including council housing.

  New public sector housing: construction output Great Britain

  1985

  1986

  1987

  £ million (current prices)

  918

  842

  932

  of which: direct labour (%)

  3·8

  3·9

  3·4

  contractors (%)

  96·2

  96·1

  96·6

  Reliable estimates for sub-divisions of Great Britain are not available.
  76
  grant-related expenditure assessment and (b) any expenditure target set in each year from 1981–82 to 1988–89, estimate.

  Mr. Chope
  The table lists the number of authorities in each of the categories requested:

  Mr. Holland
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total expenditure on local authority housebuilding for 1986–87 in terms of (i) current prices, (ii) 1986 prices and (iii) share of gross domestic product.

  Mrs. Roe
  Capital expenditure on house building by English local authorities in 1986–87 is estimated to have been £493 millions (0·13 per cent of GDP) and equivalent to £477 millions at 1985–86 prices. The figure for 1985–86 given in reply to the hon. Member in March 1987 has since been revised to £579 million in current (1985–86) prices, still 0·16 per cent. of GDP.

  Walker Park Project, Newcastle
  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what contribution his Department has made towards the funding of the Walker park project in Newcastle; and whether Newcastle city council has advised him of who has been invited to open it.
  77
  Mr. Trippier
  I understand that Newcastle city council has invited the right hon. Member, the Leader of the Opposition, to be the principal guest at the ceremony to commemorate the centenary of Walker park and the completion of the project to improve its facilities. I am glad to see him supporting a project which has received approval for urban programme grant of £942,000, to which my Department has contributed £634,500 for capital expenditure and £72,000 for revenue expenditure as against £211,500 capital and £24,000 revenue from the local authority.

  Civil Servants (Outside Activities)
  Mr. John
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many civil servants in his Department and the Property Services Agency are also directors or consultants in(a) public liability companies, (b) companies limited by guarantee, (c) building societies,(d) other friendly societies and (e) commercial undertakings other than the above; and what rules or instructions govern these activities with particular reference to remuneration.

  Mr. Ridley
  The following non-executive directorships of outside bodies have been arranged for officers of the Department of the Environment and the Property Services Agency:

  Number

  (i) public limited companies and companies limited by guarantee

  14

  (ii) building societies

  2

  No consultancies have been arranged in this way.

  For the most part these appointments are unpaid. Any fees which are paid are passed directly into public funds.

  Rents (West Yorkshire)
  Mr. O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many applications were made to the rent officer in West Yorkshire to have rents registered over the last eight years.

  Mrs. Roe
  Figures are available only from 1981. The information for 1981–87 is as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1981

  16,150

  1982

  14,408

  1983

  22,169

  1984

  15,799

  1985

  21,198

  1986

  16,984

  1987

  19,705

  Mr. O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the percentage rises in rents as recommended by the rent officer for West Yorkshire for each year since 1979.

  Mrs. Roe
  The mix of properties for which rents are registered varies from year to year for a number of reasons; for example, the extension of decontrol in 1981 and the reduction from three to two years in the minimum period for re-registration which led to re-registrations in 1983 of rents previously registered in both 1980 and 1981.78
  Estimates of percentage rises are best derived from previous and new registered rents for private regulated tenancies where there has been no material change in terms or in the physical condition. For rents in West Yorkshire fixed in each year, the estimated increases are:

  Year of registration

  Annualised per cent. increase

  1979

  12

  1980

  13

  1981

  14

  1982

  14

  1983

  13

  1984

  10

  1985

  8

  1986

  9

  1987

  9

  Government Cars (Lead-free Petrol)
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he has issued to ensure that all ministerial cars run on lead-free petrol; and if he will list all ministerial and departmental cars, indicating which of those actually use lead-free petrol.

  Mr. Chope
  It is Government policy to replace all ministerial cars with vehicles capable of running on unleaded petrol as they fall due for replacement. There are currently 21 ministerial cars running exclusively on unleaded fuel, three of which are allocated to the Department of the Environment.

  The Crown Suppliers (a trading fund of the Department of the Environment) operates approximately 4,400 vehicles which are hired to Government Departments and public sector organisations. Of these some 2,250 can either run now or can be adapted to run on lead free petrol where this is available.

  Rates (Non-payment)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the number of summonses issued and the number of prosecutions that have taken place for the non-payment of the general rate in each or the rating authorities for each year since 1983.

  Mr. Chope
  Information on the number of summonses issued by local authorities and the number leading to further enforcement action, is contained in the annual rate collection statistics published by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Farm Buildings (Conversion Programme)
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what evidence he has of disturbance of bird nesting sites as a result of the conversion of farm buildings under programmes run by the Rural Development Commission; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  I understand that neither the Rural Development Commission nor the Nature Conservancy Council is aware of any evidence of bird nesting sites being disturbed as a result of conversions grant-aided by the commission. However the Department have asked the Commission to bear this possibility in mind for the future.

  Rating Reform
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what minimum payment of the community charge, including community water charge, would have been payable by pensioners on basic retirement pension income in the current financial year, for each local authority; if he will express each sum payable as a percentage of the total community charge in that area; and if he will make a statement about the average proportion of the community charge which will have to be met by those on low incomes.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 16 May 1988]: In all cases pensioners wholly reliant on state pensions will be eligible for 80 per cent. reductions in their community charges. The amounts payable in each local authority area in England are, therefore, 20 per cent. of the illustrative community charge figures published on 27 June 1987. No community water charge will be payable in England.

  Flooding (Ealing)
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to make money available to those affected in Northolt, Greenford, Hanwell and the Ealing area by recent severe flooding; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 18 May 1988]: It is for local authorities to deal with emergencies affecting their area, and local authorities have wider discretionary powers under section 138 of the Local Government Act 1972 to incur expenditure to alleviate the effects of such eventualities. As far as private householders are concerned, flood damage is normally covered by house insurance.

  Local Government Expenditure
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if the scheme in the London Docklands Development Corporation area to provide 74 homes for homeless families in Newham under a leasing agreement with the East London housing association will be affected by the Local Government (Prescribed Expenditure) (Amendment) Regulations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 19 May 1988]: Newham borough council has applied to my right hon. Friend for an additional capital allocation to cover prescribed expenditure which it proposes to incur in connection with this scheme.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what he expects to be the average delay between submission and decision of schemes under the Local Government (Prescribed Expenditure) (Amendment) Regulations;

  (2) how much additional prescribed expenditure allocation will be available for schemes which will now need to be approved under the new Local Government (Prescribed Expenditure) (Amendment) Regulations;

  (3) on what criteria he will be allowing additional capital allocations for schemes which will now have to be approved as a result of the Local Government (Prescribed Expenditure) (Amendment) Regulations.
  80
  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 19 May 1988]: The Local Government (Prescribed Expenditure) (Amendment) Regulations 1988 redefine the circumstances in which acquisitions by local authorities of leasehold interests in land result in the incurring of prescribed expenditure. The regulations do not require my right hon. Friend's consent to such acquisitions to be obtained. My right hon. Friend indicated on 25 April at columns 103–4, certain criteria against which applications for additional capital allocations for particular schemes would be considered. No limit has at present been placed on the amount of such allocations as the criteria imply that schemes for which allocations are granted should be broadly neutral in public expenditure terms. The time taken to deal with applications will depend on their number and on the adequacy of the supporting information provided.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if the Woodlands estate phase I scheme in West Ham, due to provide 56 homes for the homeless of Newham, will be exempt from the Local Government (Prescribed Expenditure) (Amendment) Regulations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 19 May 1988]: I understand that this scheme does not include the leasehold acquisition of land or buildings. It will not therefore be affected by the regulations referred to in the question. My right hon. Friend is considering an application from Newham borough council for an additional capital expenditure allocation to cover prescribed expenditure which the council proposes to incur in connection with this scheme.

  National Rivers Authority
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide a job description for the position of chairman of the National Rivers Authority advisory committee, including hours and conditions of work.

  Mr. Moynihan
  [holding answer 19 May 1988]: My right hon. and noble Friend Lord Crickhowell has been appointed as the non-executive chairman of the National Rivers Authority advisory committee. The terms of reference of the committee are:
  To advise the Secretaries of State and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on the implications for the water authorities of the reorganisation needed to provide a separate organisational structure for their water supply and sewerage functions, and the functions that will be performed by the new National Rivers Authority; and to advise them on the acceptability of the scheme proposed by each Water Authority, and to ensure that it will enable the NRA adequately to fulfil the tasks proposed to be allocated to it.

  The remuneration for the chairman's appointment is £40,000 per annum.

  I expect that the post will require between two and three days work a week on average.

  Lomax Site
  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce the result of the public inquiry into the Opencast Executive's application to mine the Lomax site in Greater Manchester; and if he will make a statement.
  81
  Mr. Trippier
  [holding answer 20 May 1988]: My right hon. Friend expects to receive the report on the inquiry into British Coal's proposals for the Lomax site in the very near future. Following consideration of the report he will reach his decision as soon as possible, and the hon. Member will be notified of the decision.

  House of Commons (Floor Coverings)
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will arrange for the carpet in the doorway of the room of the Opposition Chief Whip to he made safe; and if he will take steps to ensure that all floor coverings are in a safe condition.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 17 May 1988]: The work was carried out on Friday 13 May, the earliest opportunity after it was reported, in which the room could be made available to the carpet layers.

  The incident demonstrates that the system for reporting requirements for repairs and for carrying them out works adequately and I have no plans to change the present arrangements.

  Water Rates
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give the average annual cost of water rates and the environmental services component respectively, for the current year and 1987, for each regional water authority in England.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The information requested by the hon. Member relating to 1987–88 is contained in the table. The information for 1988–89 is not yet available.

  Household water charges: 1987–88

  Total

  Environmental services

  £·p

  £·p

  North West

  91·12

  1·02

  Northumbrian

  88·63

  ·01

  Severn Trent

  89·53

  1·39

  Yorkshire

  97·72

  ·82

  Anglian

  124·03

  1·98

  Thames

  87·74

  1·09

  Southern

  109·01

  1·41

  Wessex

  114·45

  1·63

  South West

  116·08

  2·84

  Source: Water Authority returns to DOE.

  Net revenue and capital expenditure1

  £ million

  Revenue

  Capital

  1986–87 prices

  1986–87 prices

  Year

  Cash

  Using GDP deflator

  Using HCHS pay and prices deflator

  Cash

  Using GDP Using deflator

  Using HCHS capital deflator

  North Western RHA

  1978–79

  380·364

  742·318

  845·549

  37·559

  73·300

  71·250

  1979–80

  460·211

  768·502

  848·629

  50·613

  84·518

  79·564

  1980–81

  599·071

  843·708

  863·261

  60·405

  85·072

  75·446

  1981–82

  674·346

  864·168

  898·229

  83·228

  106·656

  100·706

  1982–83

  724·780

  867·062

  905·975

  81·826

  97·889

  97·445

  1983–84

  763·382

  872·248

  908·425

  68·080

  77·789

  79·449

  1984–85

  808·198

  884·371

  909·223

  82·708

  90·503

  92·716

  Palace of Westminster (Toilets)
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give the reasons for the delay in putting up a notice giving an emergency telephone number to contact in the event of emergency cleaning being required in the gentleman's toilets off the Committee Room Corridor, and all other toilets in the House.

  Mr. Chope
  Following the Accommodation and Administration Sub-Committee's resolution on 23 March that the signs should be placed in the lavatories the work has been accepted as a late addition to the Parliamentary Works Offices summer recess works programme. There has been no undue delay.

  Lead-free Petrol
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Davyhulme (Mr. Churchill) of 28 March,Official Report, columns 306–7, if he will list by constituency the number of petrol stations currently selling lead-free petrol; and what steps he is taking to encourage a more uniform distribution of such outlets throughout the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. A copy of the latest available list of petrol stations selling unleaded petrol (a total of 713 on 15 February 1988) and a map showing their distribution have been placed in the Library of the House. I understand that the total number of such stations now exceeds 1,000. The distribution of these petrol stations within the United Kingdom is reviewed at meetings of the unleaded petrol group. which I chair.

SOCIAL SERVICES

  North West Region
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the amount of Government funding for each year since 1979 to(a) Burnley Pendle and Rossendale health authority and (b) the North West regional health authority (i) in acted amounts, (ii) in real terms at 1988–89 prices and (iii) in real terms at 1988–89 prices based on the National Health Service inflation rate.

  Mr. Newton
  The table provides the information that is presently available.
  83

  Revenue

  Capital

  1986–87 prices

  1986–87 prices

  Year

  Cash

  Using GDP deflator

  Using HCHS pay and prices deflator

  Cash

  Using GDP Using deflator

  Using HCHS capital deflator

  1985–86

  854·688

  882·551

  913·661

  80·389

  83·010

  85·052

  1986–87

  916·526

  916·526

  916·526

  56·319

  56·319

  56·319

  1987–883

  1,005·000

  957·142

  926·610

  74·000

  70·476

  68·228

  1988–894

  1,038·800

  946·731

  6—

  73·200

  66·712

  6—

  Burnley,Pendle and Rossendale HA2

  1982–83

  41·982

  50·223

  1·391

  1·664

  1983–84

  43·100

  49·247

  1·220

  1·394

  1984–85

  45·428

  49·710

  5—

  1·686

  1·845

  5—

  1985–86

  48·571

  50·154

  1·190

  1·229

  1986–87

  51·327

  51·327

  0·247

  0·247

  1987–883

  64·945

  61·852

  5—

  1·486

  1·415

  5—

  1988–894

  66·354

  60·475

  7—

  7—

  7—

  Source: (for years 1978–79 to 1986–87) Health authorities' summarised accounts.

  Notes:

  1 Outturn expenditure figures for 1987–88 and 1988–89 are not yet available. True comparisons can only be drawn therefore between the years up to 1986–87.

  2 Prior to 1st April 1982, when the health authority's predecessor health district formed part of Lancashire AHA, district expenditure figures were not collected centrally.

  3 Cash limit incorporating all in—year adjustments.

  4 Initial cash limit.

  5 It is inappropriate to revalue district health authority expenditure by reference to centrally assessed movements in NHS pay and prices as the composition of that expenditure can differ substantially from the national average.

  6 Not yet available.

  7 Not yet allocated.

  Broadmoor Hospital Nurses
  Mr. Irving
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will provide details of the estimated value of the present Broadmoor hospital site.

  Mr. Newton
  This information is not available. Consideration will be given to all the special hospital estates, in accordance with the action being taken more widely in the National Health Service.

  Community Services
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give details by regional area health authority and by district health authority of the cost of community services for(a) the elderly, (b) the mentally ill, (c) the mentally handicapped and (d) the disabled; and what percentage of this cost was for institutional provision.

  Mr. Newton
  I regret that information on health authorities' expenditure on community health services is not collected in the form requested.

  1986–87

  NHS staff in post

  DHA

  1Expenditure on headquarters administration as a percentage of total revenue expenditure

  2Medical and dental as a percentage4 of total NHS staff

  3Non-medical staff as a percentage4 of total NHS staff

  Trafford

  4·31

  3·7

  96·3

  Sheffield5

  1·92

  5·4

  94·6

  North Lincolnshire

  2·96

  2·5

  97·5

  Wandsworth5

  2·38

  7·2

  92·8

  West Lambeth

  3·78

  3·1

  96·9

  Nurses
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on recruitment levels at schools of nursing.

  Mr. Newton
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply to the hon. Member for Liverpool, West Derby (Mr. Wareing) on 10 May at columns 140–41.

  Health Authorities (Costs)
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of Health Service costs in Trafford, Sheffield, North Lincolnshire, Wandsworth and West Lancashire health authorities is devoted to the administration of the local service; and what is the proportion of medical to non-medical staff in those health authorities.

  Mr. Newton
  Such information as is held centrally is in the table. The hon. Member may wish to contact the health authority chairmen concerned for the other details he seeks.
  85
  Sources: 1986–87 Annual Accounts of the health authorities and DHSS. Annual censuses of NHS medical and non-medical manpower.

  1 This excludes the cost of clerical and secretarial support staff employed in departments at hospital and unit levels. These costs are regarded as operational.

  2 Includes permanent paid, honorary staff. Excludes senior registrars and consultants in non-teaching district health authorities and senior registrars in teaching districts as these staff have their contracts with regional health authorities.

  3 Excludes nursing and midwifery agency staff.

  4 Percentage calculated on un-rounded whole-time equivalents.

  5Indicates teaching district.

  Mental and Physical Handicap Nurses
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many community mental and physical handicap nurses are employed per resident in each health authority in the north-west and in Greater London.

  Mr. Newton
  Such information as is held centrally is in the table. The hon. Member may wish to get in touch with the RHA chairmen concerned for the remaining details.

  Community psychiatric nursing at 30 September 1986

  North western regional health authority by district

  District health authority

  1Whole-time equivalent staff in post per 100,000 population

  Lancaster

  9·9

  Blackpool/Wyre/Fylde

  5·3

  Preston

  12·0

  Blackburn/Hyndburn/Ribble Valley

  6·6

  Burnley/Pendle/Rossendale

  —

  West Lancashire

  7·5

  Chorley and South Ribble

  7·8

  Bolton

  4·6

  Bury

  7·5

  North Manchester

  9·0

  Central Manchester

  7·9

  South Manchester

  8·6

  Oldham

  2·7

  Rochdale

  —

  Salford

  7·9

  Stockport

  4·8

  Tameside and Glossop

  4·5

  Trafford

  6·9

  Wigan

  4·6

  North western regional health authority

  5·7

  Sources: DHSS Annual Census of NHS Non-Medical Manpower.

  Office of Population Censuses and Surveys.

  1 Calculated on unrounded whole-time equivalent staff in post and resident population numbers.

  Community psychiatric nursing staff in post at 30 September 1986

  District health authorities within Greater London

  District health authority

  Whole-time equivalent per 100,000 population1

  Barnet

  5·3

  Harrow

  7·4

  Hillingdon

  3·4

  Hounslow and Spelthorne

  4·2

  Ealing

  9·0

  Brent

  3·9

  Paddington and North Kensington

  5·0

  Riverside

  9·0

  Barking/Havering/Brentwood

  2·8

  Hampstead

  18·4

  Bloomsbury

  7·5

  Islington

  4·8

  City and Hackney

  3·6

  Newham

  4·4

  Tower Hamlets

  1·3

  Enfield

  1·1

  Haringey

  1·0

  Redbridge

  1·3

  Waltham Forest

  1·4

  Bexley

  5·9

  86

  District health authority

  Whole-time equivalent per 100,000 population1

  Greenwich

  5·0

  Bromley

  0·3

  West Lambeth

  12·2

  Camberwell

  4·0

  Lewisham and North Southwark

  6·1

  Croydon

  4·1

  Kingston and Esher

  8·4

  Richmond/Twickenham/Roehampton

  3·9

  Wandsworth

  16·8

  Merton and Sutton

  4·2

  Greater London2

  5·1

  1 Calculated on unrounded whole-time equivalent staff in post and resident population estimates.

  2 Includes district health authorities listed above—designated as "Greater London" area.

  Sources: DHSS annual Census of NHS Non-Medical Manpower. Office of Population Censuses and Surveys.

  Pharmacists
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the current shortfall of hospital pharmacists in hospitals in the United Kingdom; what impact he assesses this as having on patient care; and what measures he proposes in order to alleviate the shortfall;

  (2) whether he intends to take steps to bring National Health Service hospital pharmacy service salary levels into line with those applicable in the industrial and retail branches of pharmacy in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Newton
  It is for health authorities to decide the levels of staffing within the various staff groups, and details of any shortfalls are therefore not available centrally.

  Within the Department the manpower planning advisory group and for Wales the Welsh manpower steering group are undertaking the following projects, looking into a variety of aspects of the role of hospital pharmacists:

  1. An attitudinal study among female pharmacists, which has the backing of the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (PSGB).

  2. A workshop is to be held in the autumn with pharmacy managers based on the results of this attitudinal study and on the work undertaken by the WMSG. The results of the WMSG are to be made available to the Department.

  3. Building on the findings of these two initiatives an in-depth study of hospital pharmacy skill mix is to be undertaken which is likely to commence early 1989.

  Pay is a matter for negotiation in the pharmaceutical Whitley council. I understand that the council has agreed a timetable for implementing a more flexible grading structure for hospital pharmacists in the current pay round.

  Family Practitioner Committees
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services on what basis the level of funding for each family practitioner committee is decided.
  87
  Mr. Newton
  Our aim for the past three years has been to reduce the effects of such anomalies as arose from the negotiations in 1984–85 between district health authorities and family practitioner committees (FPCs) to determine the appropriate funds to be transferred to the newly-independent committees. The formula used to achieve this aim has been accepted by FPC interests as the best which could be devised for the purpose and, by agreement, is now regarded as having served this purpose after use in the current financial year.

  Overseas Pensioners
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is his policy towards the payment of United Kingdom retirement pensions to retired employees of central and local government service overseas;

  (2) how many persons formerly employed by the United Kingdom public service overseas are not entitled to a United Kingdom pension; and in which part of the Government service they were employed;

  (3) what would be the cost of extending payment of retirement pensions to all retired employees of Her Majesty's Government in both central and local public service overseas.

  Mr. Scott
  United Kingdom retirement pensions are payable anywhere in the world to anyone who satisfies the contribution and retirement conditions, including retired employees of Her Majesty's Government in central and local government service overseas. No statistics are available to show the number of such employees who are not entitled to a national insurance retirement pension. I am therefore unable to estimate the cost of extending payment of retirement pensions to them, though it would seem inappropriate to extend entitlement to people who do not satisfy the basic conditions.

  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he intends to take in order to resolve the problem of the freezing of British pensions paid to persons living in Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

  Mr. Scott
  It would have cost about £14·5 million this year to pay the pension uprating to British pensioners living in Australia, Canada and New Zealand and the cost would rise substantially year by year thereafter until all pensions were being paid at full United Kingdom rates. To pay full United Kingdom rates immediately would cost approximately an additional £165 million a year at current rates. In view of these substantial costs, I cannot say when competing priorities will allow the Government to allocate sufficient resources for this purpose, but the question will be kept under review.

  Opren
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what information he has as to whether any of the doctors who prescribed Opren to individual patients after its product licence was withdrawn were participating in research programmes sponsored by Eli Lilly;

  (2) how many people were given Opren, after its product licence was withdrawn, on a named person basis; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Newton
  [holding answer 29 April 1988]: Under the Medicines Act 1968, doctors are free to be supplied with
  88
  and to prescribe any unlicensed drug on a named patient basis if they judge it to be in the patient's best interest. There is no requirement under the Act for any notification of such prescribing so we have no record of how many people may have been given Opren, or how many doctors may have prescribed it on this basis after the licence was surrendered in August 1982. I am aware of a press report of 25 April claiming that under a private agreement with "the research arm of Eli Lilly" a doctor used this freedom to treat patients with Opren on "compassionate grounds" after the licence for the drug had been surrendered. Only Eli Lilly can confirm whether to its knowledge this or any other doctor who may have prescribed Opren after 1982 was at the time participating in a research programme sponsored by it.

  AIDS
  Mr. Jopling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the cost of a test for AIDS.

  Mr. Newton
  This information is not available centrally other than for the blood transfusion service and the public health laboratory ervice. The cost of testing a blood donation for HIV antibody is estimated as 90p. The estimated average cost of testing by the PHLS is between £3 and £5; this figure is higher because the laboratories' work includes the lower-volume and more expensive confirmatory testing of initial positive tests. Costs of counselling associated with testing would have to be added for tests for people who are concerned they might have been infected.

  Mr. William Shelton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the number of deaths resulting from AIDS which was transmitted heterosexually, for each year from 1983 to 1987.

  Mr. Newton
  The reported number of deaths in the United Kingdom in each year from 1983 to 1987 from AIDS thought to have been acquired heterosexually is shown in the table. There may have been others, unreported.

  Year

  Number of reported deaths

  1983

  4

  1984

  2

  1985

  1

  1986

  7

  1987

  6

  Doctors' Contracts
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Nottingham, North of 10 May,Official Report, column 91, he will make it his policy to collect centrally information on the number of doctor's contracts which are (a) whole time and (b) less than whole time.

  Mr. Newton
  Although we do not collect information centrally on the number of doctors who have applied to have their contracts varied from whole time to less than whole time, we do collect information on the number who hold each type of contract. The latest available information is set out in the table.
  89

  Hospital and Community Health Service medical staff1 analysis by nature of contract at 30 September 1986 (England only)

  All staff2

  Total

  51,700

  Whole-time

  29,900

  Part-time3

  21,800

  1 Figures include permanent paid and honorary staff and excludes Community Health Service locum staff only.

  2 Includes maximum part-time and honorary staff.

  3 Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred.

  Community Care
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many representations he has received regarding the Griffiths report on community care; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Newton
  We have received 30 representations from interested individuals and organisations and will take account of them in framing our own proposals.

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he proposes to take in the light of the report of the Public Accounts Committee, published on 18 May, relating to community care.

  Mr. Newton
  We are considering the PAC report on community care developments and will issue our response in due course.

  Pensioner Premiums
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services whether pensioners aged between 60 and 67 years who become sick or disabled after their 60th birthday and who do not qualify for attendance allowance will qualify for the higher pensioner premiums.

  Mr. Scott
  The higher pensioner premium is automatically payable to an income support claimant who, or whose partner, is aged 80 or over. Other pensioners aged 60 to 79 are eligible for it if they, or their partner, have an invalid carriage, are blind or receive a long-term incapacity or disability benefit: including not only attendance allowance but also mobility allowance, mobility supplement, severe disablement allowance and invalidity pension.

  NHS Land
  Mr. Ralph Howell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North on 16 November,Official Report, column 441 and 27 November, columns 319–21 and 19 April, column 382, what was the basis in each case on which the figures for the acreage and value of National Health Service land were calculated; and to what factors he attributes the reduction in each.

  Mrs. Currie
  The figure of £12·7 billion was based on a 1985 valuation by district valuers and was an approximation of the existing use value of the NHS property estate (land and buildings) at that time. The 1987 valuation by district valuers has produced a provisional estimate of £6·8 billion for the open market value of the estate.

  Nurses (Education and Training)
  Mr. Stokes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a further statement on the project 2000 proposals for the reform of nurse education and training.

  Mr. Moore
  I have today announced our broad acceptance of the United Kingdom Central Council's proposals for major reform of nurse education and training. This entails acceptance of the proposals for a common foundation training between the various nursing specialisms, to be followed by specialist training; a significant reduction in nursing students' rostered contribution to service, without, however, substantially altering the essentially practical orientation of their training; and a move to full student status and replacement of salaries with non-means-tested bursaries. A number of outstanding points remain to be resolved, including the role and training of support staff to nurses and the timetable for the cessation of enrolled nurse training. I hope that further work with the council will enable us to agree a firm timetable as soon as possible.

  A copy of the Government's response to the UKCC has been placed in the Library.

  Tastrak Plastic
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what contracts, and to what value, hake been placed with the university of Bristol for the funding of Tastrak plastic and radiation effects; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Currie
  No contracts have been placed concerned specifically with Tastrak which is the trade name of a plastic indicator. This is being used in the study, described in my reply to the hon. Member on 16 May at column 339,to determine the levels of activity present in teeth. The total cost of the study is £24,000.

  Windscale (Fire)
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what research has been carried out into the effects on the health of the public of the Windscale fire in 1957 and the radiation leaks connected with the fire; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Currie
  The report of the independent advisory group 1*, established in 1983 to investigate the possible increase incidence of cancer in west Cumbria, was based on evidence of estimated radiation doses to the public from all sources over the period 1951 to 1982. This evidence included the effects of the Windscale fire in 1957. A subsequent report 2*, which reassessed this evidence was produced by the independent committee on medical aspects of radiation in the environment in 1986 and concluded that the substance and essential conclusions of the independent advisory group remained unchanged. Copies of both reports are in the Library.
  1* "Investigation into the Possible Increased Incidence of Cancer in West Cumbria" (HMSO 1984).
  2* "The implications of the new data on releases from Sellafield in the 1950s for the conclusions of the Report on the Investigation of the Possible Increased Incidence of Cancer in West Cumbria" (HMSO 1986).

  Child Allowances
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will set out in a table the child allowances paid to families with one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine and 10 children in each of the European Community member states.

  Mr. Scott
  I refer the hon. Member to the Department's publication, "Tables of Social Benefit System in the European Communities (Position at 1 January 1987)", a copy of which is in the Library. Section VIII contains information on child allowances in the European Community member states.

  Government Forms (Welsh Language)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services why the letter, "An Important Message for Widows and Pensioners—Now There's An Easier Way to Get Your Pension", (BR 2196) was not sent out in a bilingual form in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  Pensioners are identified by our Newcastle computer on the basis of pension number. It is not possible to select recipients in Wales, or in any other place.

  Mentally Ill People
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many places at present exist in England and Wales in hospital-hostels for chronically mentally ill people; and what plans he has to increase the number of such places.

  Mrs. Currie
  Statistics on hospital-hostel places are not collected centrally. It is a matter for health authorities to assess their requirements for such provision.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what measures are being undertaken by his Department to ensure that those chronically mentally ill people who need permanent asylum and care receive adequate care in the community on discharge from hospitals; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Newton
  It is no part of the Government's policy that chronically mentally ill people who need permanent asylum should be discharged into the community. Where closure of a mental hospital is proposed, alternative district in-patient provision must be available before closure takes place.

  GPs (Psychiatry Training)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress is being made by his Department in ensuring a review of general practitioner training in psychiatry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Newton
  It is for the appropriate professional bodies, and not the Department, to review the content of training for general practice. Experience in psychiatry is recommended by the General Medical Council which has responsibility for overseeing the content of undergraduate medical education, and features in all undergraduate medical courses. Psychiatry is also an option in the mandatory two years of hospital experience which forms part of vocational training for general practice.92
  Established general practitioners decide how best to keep their knowledge up to date and have access to a wide range of continuing educational courses and activities.

  Community Psychiatric Nurses
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress is being made on his Department's intentions to train additional community psychiatric nurses; and when he expects the English training board to publish its report on how it hopes to meet the need for such additional nurses.

  Mr. Newton
  Officials of the Department have had discussions with regional nursing officers and officers of the English National Board (ENB) in regard to the education and training of community psychiatric nurses. The need for flexibility in the provision of clinical courses was stressed, and the hon. Member may wish to note that the English National Board has established a panel to review the curriculum of the current training course 811. The Department is represented by an observer on the panel. The panel will report to the board later this year. In addition, the ENB has approved an increase in the number of centres approved to conduct course 811—from 10 in 1985 to 24 in January 1988. There have also been other developments such as the opportunity to undertake course 811 by distance learning programmes and on a part-time basis which are being evaluated.

  Salmonella Food Poisoning
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many cases there have been of salmonella food poisoning, and where they have been over the past 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Currie
  About 137,000 cases of salmonella infection including food-borne infection were reported from laboratories in England and Wales between 1977 and 1987. Evidence suggests the greatest proportion of these were outbreaks affecting families in the home. A smaller number of outbreaks were associated with restaurants/receptions, hospitals and other institutions. The Government acknowledge the problem and studies have identified a number of measures to help deal with it. Of particular importance is the imminent distribution of a trial information leaflet advising the public about good hygienic practice in the domestic kitchen.

  Foetal Tissue
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when he intends to reply to the questions dealing with the use of foetal tissue in transplantation operations which were tabled for answer on 21 and 22 April by the hon. Members for Pembroke, Hexham (Mr. Amos) and Derbyshire, West (Mr. McLoughlin).

  Mr. Newton
  Shortly.

  Hospitals (Private Sector Leasing)
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list those health authorities which have leased hospitals to the private sector; and if he will list health authorities known by his Department to be considering such a move.
  93
  Mrs. Currie
  I regret that information of this kind is not held centrally.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what guidance has been issued to health authorities about the leasing of hospitals to the private sector; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Currie
  Health authorities are aware of their responsibility to dispose advantageously of their surplus property. But they may grant short leases at the appropriate market rates on property awaiting disposal.

  Private Ambulances
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce legislation to involve health authorities in the standards achieved by private ambulances so as to bring them into line with other private health services.

  Mrs. Currie
  I have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member on 27 April 1988 at column 179.

  Midwives (Refresher Courses)
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will ensure that heath authorities meet the total costs for statutory refresher courses for midwives who are holding bank contracts.

  Mr. Newton
  It is for health authorities to decide in the light of local circumstances whether or not to meet the costs of statutory refresher courses for midwives who are holding bank contracts.

  Civil Servants (Outside Activities)
  Mr. John
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many civil servants in his Department are also directors or consultants in(a) public liability companies, (b) companies limited by guarantee,(c) building societies, (d) other friendly societies and (e) commercial undertakings other than the above; and what rules or instructions govern these activities with particular reference to remuneration.

  Mr. Portillo
  I am unable to give precise details of officers in DHSS who are directors or consultants in private industry as comprehensive figures are not available.

  The private activities of civil servants are governed by general principles of conduct, laid down centrally. No officers may undertake private activities which impair their usefulness as public servants or are inconsistent with their official role or which conflict with the interests of their Department.

  In DHSS, because of the nature of the work, there are additional restrictions. Officers must not undertake private employment with finance companies or with an organisation where there is a likelihood that they would meet and deal with the same people in both their official and private roles. Officers employed on social security work must not deal with a private employer's wage records or with the insurance or benefit side of friendly societies and they are prohibited from holding sub-post master-ships. Individuals are also required to seek official permission before undertaking work about which they have any doubts.
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  Provided that the rules are observed, remuneration is a matter for the officer concerned.

  Legionnaires' Disease (Broadcasting House)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what discussions have taken place between his Department and British Broadcasting Corporation management regarding the outbreak of Legionnaires' disease at Broadcasting house;

  (2) if he will hold a public inquiry into the causes of the outbreak of Legionnaires disease at BBC Broadcasting house; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) if he will call for a report from the chief medical officer about the outbreak of Legionnaires' disease at BBC Broadcasting house;

  (4) what information he has about the origins and extent of recent outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease at BBC Broadcasting house.

  Mrs. Currie
  At the beginning of the outbreak an infection control committee was set up comprising the medical officer for environmental health for the City of Westminster, the communicable disease surveillance centre, the public health laboratory service and representatives from the BBC. The Department has been kept very closely in touch with the handling of the outbreak and contacted all doctors and health authorities early this month to help ensure that any possible cases were identified.

  Legionella bacteria of the type responsible for the outbreak were found in the BBC cooling tower which was shut down and thoroughly disinfected. Other cooling towers in the area have also been checked.

  On Friday 20 May there were 44 confirmed cases of the disease, of whom two have died, and a further 44 suspected cases.

  The Department continues to monitor the outbreak closely. I understand a number of investigations by the responsible authority are currently under way.

  There are no plans to hold a public inquiry into the outbreak. The committee of inquiry into the outbreak of legionnaires' disease in Stafford in April 1985 made two reports. The second of these, published in December 1987, made general recommendations about measures to reduce the danger of further outbreaks of the disease a nd the departments concerned, together with other interested bodies, are following up these recommendations.

  Attendance Allowance
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how long appeals against refusal of attendance allowance are normally taking; and what is the maximum time for which an appeal has been outstanding.

  Mr. Portillo
  Social security appeal tribunals hear lay questions on attendance allowance; the attendance allowance board reviews decisions on medical questions on this benefit. The national administrative statistics for social security appeal tribunals show that in Great Britain, for the quarter ending 30 September 1987, the la test available figures, the average time taken between the lodgement and hearing of appeals was 35·1 weeks for attendance allowance. While the maximum time for the hearing of such an appeal is not readily available, 27 of the
  95
  40 appeals heard in this quarter took 21 weeks or more. I regret that equivalent estimates are not available for reviews by the attendance allowance board.

  Low-income Families
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when he now expects to publish the latest available figures for the numbers in low-income families.

  Mr. Portillo
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Great Yarmouth (Mr. Carttiss) on Thursday 19 May 1988 at columns 563–64.

  Deaf Children
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking in the light of the report from the National Deaf Children's Society on the failure of certain health authorities to discharge their statutory duty to deaf children under the Education Act 1981, to gather information from all health authorities about their degree of compliance with the Act.

  Mr. Scott
  The report is currently being studied, and we shall consider what action to take in the light of our conclusions.

  Additional Payments (Newham)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the current backlog of claims for additional payments at each of the offices of his Department in the London Borough of Newham; what is the estimated time needed to clear them given the present level of staffing resources; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  There are three local offices in the London borough of Newham. The numbers of claims for single payments of supplementary benefit which were uncleared at 20 May 1988 are given in the table.

  Claims Outstanding

  Plaistow

  998

  Woodgrange Park

  425

  Canning Town

  249

  All claims were examined on receipt and priority has been given to urgent cases. Each of the offices concerned has its full complement of staff. At the current rate of clearance it is anticipated that the majority of outstanding claims will have been cleared by the end of July.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will be receiving replies to his questions regarding the working of the special unit of his Department and related matters involving transitional payments over housing benefit and to which a holding answer was given on 12 May.

  Mr. Scott
  I replied to the hon. Member today.

  Benefits
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people under the age of 23 years were 96
  in receipt of (a) supplementary benefit and (b) housing benefit at the latest available date; and what were the corresponding figures for 1983 and 1986.

  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 4 May 1988]: On 31 May 1987, the latest date for which information is available, 738,000 people under the age of 23 years were in receipt of supplementary benefit. The corresponding figures for 1983 and 1986 were 807,000 and 843,000, respectively.

  Source: Annual Statistical Enquiries.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what arrangements are to be made for liaison between the proposed special unit of his Department which will be involved in the transitional arrangements for housing benefit, the local authorities and local offices of his Department; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  [holding answer 9 May 1988]: These details continue to be discussed between the Department and representatives of the local authorities associations.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services whether claimants will be able to make representations(a) direct to the proposed special unit of his Department or (b) to local offices of his Department if they are dissatisfied with the amount of housing benefit during the transitional arrangements; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  [holding answer 9 May 1988]: Although there will be no formal appeal mechanism built into the transitional payment scheme the Department will ensure that when queries about entitlement arise cases are looked at again by staff within the unit.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many staff will be involved in the proposed special unit of his Department which will be involved in the transitional arrangements for housing benefit.

  Mr. Scott
  [holding answer 9 May 1988]: The number of staff required will be decided in the light of claims received.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services who will be heading the proposed special unit of his Department which will be involved in the transitional arrangements for housing benefit; and what will be his grading for salary purposes and his location.

  Mr. Scott
  [holding answer 9 May 1988]: The grade 6 manager of the transitional payments unit in Glasgow will be Mr. David Bradbury.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make it his policy to make an oral statement in the House when he has reached a decision on the setting up of the proposed special unit of his Department that will be dealing with the transitional arrangements for housing benefit.

  Mr. Scott
  [holding answer 9 May 1988]: No. Announcements will continue to be made in the normal way.

  Cervical Cancer Screening
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average length of training for medical laboratory scientific officers involved with cervical cancer screening.
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  Mrs. Currie
  [holding answer 18 May 1988]: Because cytology is not recognised as a separate specialty for state registration of medical laboratory scientific officers but is included with histopathology, we have no information on the average length of training. Negotiations are currently under way with the professions supplementary to medicine
  98
  to define a new training course specifically for cytology. The recommendation for this course is a minimum training period of 12 months in a cytology laboratory during which time at least 3,000 smears should have been examined under supervision.

  DISPENSING DOCTORS AND PHARMACISTS: REMUNERATION
  DISPENSING DOCTORS AND PHARMACISTS: REMUNERATION
  EDUCATION REFORM BILL: DEFINITION OF TERMS
  EDUCATION REFORM BILL: DEFINITION OF TERMS
  WILDLIFE: ENDANGERED SPECIES
  WILDLIFE: ENDANGERED SPECIES
  HOMELESSNESS: LEICESTER REPORT
  HOMELESSNESS: LEICESTER REPORT
  COMMUNITY CHARGE: LOCAL AUTHORITY COSTS
  COMMUNITY CHARGE: LOCAL AUTHORITY COSTS
  FORMULA RATING: TARGET DATE
  FORMULA RATING: TARGET DATE
  ILLNESS IN THE HOUSE
  ILLNESS IN THE HOUSE
  EC BUDGET: UK RECEIPTS
  EC BUDGET: UK RECEIPTS