Written Answers of 25 May 1988

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Universities
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish in the Official Report a table, covering the years 1979–80 to 1990–91, which provides a summarised revenue account for universities in Great Britain, distinguishing (a) gross expenditure and (b) income, differentiating student fees paid by the United Kingdom Government, students' fees paid directly by United Kingdom students, overseas students' fees, research and contract income from other United Kingdom Government sources, research and contract income from charitable foundations, research and contract income from the United Kingdom private sector, other research and contract income, public donations, trading profit, or miscellaneous sales income declared gross and other miscellaneous income and (c) net expenditure on a definition consistent with the entries for current expenditure in universities in table 12·1 of Cm 288-II.

  Mr. Jackson
  Universities' income and expenditure in years up to the academic year 1985–86, the latest for which the information is available, is set out in successive annual editions of "University Statistics: Volume Three, Finance". Copies are in the Library. The Government make no forecast of these figures.

  Free School Meals
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many pupils in(a) Durham city and (b) the county of Durham lost their entitlement to free school meals in the last month.

  Mr. Dunn
  Information for Durham city is not separately available. In October 1987 about 8,660 pupils in the county of Durham received free school meals because their families were in receipt of family income supplement, or through the operation of LEA discretion. From 11 April the families of those in the former category will receive a cash benefit of £2·55 per week throughout the year under the new family credit scheme, which will also cover many in the latter category. Children from families in receipt of, or who are themselves in receipt of, income support (the successor to supplementary benefit) continue to be eligible for free school meals. Nationally it is estaimated that about 100,000 more school age children will benefit under the family credit scheme compared with those who currently receive free school meals under family income supplement and LEA discretionary schemes combined.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what estimate he has of how many children 166
  within the Leicestershire education authority area have lost entitlement to free school meals as a result of the benefit changes which came into effect in April.

  Mr. Dunn
  In October 1987 about 4,840 pupils in Leicestershire received free school meals because their families were in receipt of family income supplement, or through the operation of LEA discretion. From 11 April this year the families of those in the former category receive a cash benefit of £2·55 per week throughout the year under the new family credit scheme, which will also cover many in the latter category. Children from families in receipt of, or who are themselves in receipt of, income support (the successor to supplementary benefit) continue to be eligible for free school meals. Nationally it is estimated that about 100,000 more school age children will benefit under the family credit scheme compared with those who currently receive free school meals under family income supplement and LEA discretionary schemes combined.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Legislation (Amendments)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how many non-government amendments have been carried at the Committee stage of Government-sponsored public Bills for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Wakeham
  This information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

PRIME MINISTER

  Top Salaries Review Body
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will make a statement about the chairmanship of the Top Salaries Review Body.

  The Prime Minister
  Lord Plowden has advised me that he will wish to retire as chairman of the Top Salaries Review Body after it has completed its next report in 1989. I shall accept his resignation with great regret and I wish to place on record the Government's gratitude for his outstanding service as a member of the Top Salaries Review Body since 1977, and as chairman for the last seven years.

  I am glad to be able to announce that Sir David Nickson has agreed to take over the chairmanship from Lord Plowden and to serve as a member of the review body for its 1988–89 review.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Under-Age Drinking (Prosecutions)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the number of prosecutions in each of the last five years for under-age drinking against publicans and juveniles.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The information available to me, which may be incomplete, relates to prosecutions under
  167
  sections 169(1) and 169(2) of the Licensing Act 1964, and is given in the following table. Data for 1987 are not yet available.

  Persons proceeded against for offences under sections 169(1) and 169(2) of the Licensing Act 1964

  England and Wales

  Number of persons

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  Prosecutions under:

  Section 169(1)

  323

  307

  314

  274

  296

  Section 169(2)

  1,931

  1,627

  1,171

  790

  949

  Prison Officers (Wandsworth)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with the Prison Officers Association to seek to resolve the action by prison officers at Wandsworth prison; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Meetings have taken place recently between officials and the Prison Officers' Association aimed at the resolution of the current dispute. A further meeting has been arranged for today.

  Guernsey (Employment Law)
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley on Thursday 5 May, whether the state of Jersey has passed a protection of employment opportunities law; if it has been seen by his Department; when the state of Guernsey plans to discuss similar legislation which would involve restrictions on United Kingdom citizens; what action he proposes to take to protect their interests; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Protection of Employment Opportunities (Jersey) Law 1988 was examined by the Home Office before my right hon. Friend advised Her Majesty The Queen in Council on the matter of Royal Assent which was given on 17 February 1988. The law enables the island authorities to make regulations, should the need arise, to protect employment opportunities in prescribed categories of employment for those having a connection with the Bailiwick. At present, no such regulations have been made and I understand none is planned in the foreseeable future. The freedom of movement of British citizens between the United Kingdom and the island is not curtailed by the Law.

  I understand that the states of Guernsey intend to debate legislation, which might include matters relating to employment controls, in the near future. As with Jersey, should any such measures be proposed, they will be examined by the Home Office in the light of the need to ensure that those with close links with the island have adequate opportunities for employment.

  Civil Defence
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the progress of installation of the new message switch system in local authority emergency centres.
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  Mr. John Patten
  A limited scale of equipment has been installed in one county in each of the home defence regions, except London, and additional installations have taken place in regions 4, 7 and 10.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement of the performance of Chernikeef Telecommunications in the provision of message switch equipment for local authority emergency centres.

  Mr. John Patten
  It is not the practice to comment on matters which are commercially confidential.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether his Department will meet grant-aid requirements incurred by the installation of the new message switch system in local authority emergency centres;

  (2) why expenditure relating to the installation of the new message switch system in local authority emergency centres is eligible for 100 per cent. grant-aid at county level installations but only 75 per cent. grant-aid at district level installations.

  Mr. John Patten
  Subject to prior approval, adaption work necessary for the installation of civil defence communications equipment at local authority emergency centres is eligible for grant aid at the relevant rate. Differential rates of grant were determined at a time when shire district centres contained little or no Home Office communications equipment, and it was decided that available funds should be concentrated elsewhere. The policy is under review.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he expects any additional costs to be incurred as a result of problems encountered during the installation and commissioning of the new message switch system in local authority emergency centres; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  No, although some additional costs may arise in connection with the provision of extra features in the equipment specification.

  Satellite Television
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has concerning the likely schemes or proposals for satellite television services capable of being received in the United Kingdom which are the responsibility of(a) companies or organisations subject to United Kingdom legislation, (b) not in (a) above, but subject to legislation of the European Economic Community, and (c) not susceptible to either (a) or (b) above; and if he will make a statement concerning any activities or initiatives by Her Majesty's Government concerning international agreements concerning the standards of broadcast material in respect of (c) above.

  Mr. Renton
  There is a distinction between services transmitted by satellite for reception and distribution via cable systems, and services for direct reception in the home. Services of the former type are subject to regulation by the Cable Authority under the Cable and Broadcasting Act 1984 in the same way as other cable services. Since May 1985 it has, however, been open to anyone to obtain
  169
  a licence for the direct reception of any satellite programme service, whether primarily intended for cable distribution or not.

  Services broadcast direct to the home by satellite and not distributed on cable are not subject to Cable Authority regulation. I am aware of two current schemes for such services. British Satellite Broadcasting Ltd.(BSB) has been awarded the contract by the Independent Broadcasting Authority to provide a three-channel direct broadcasting by satellite service for the United Kingdom as part of its television broadcasting services under the Cable and Broadcasting Act 1984 and the Broadcasting Act 1981. BSB plans to launch its service in autumn 1989.

  The Luxembourg-based company, Societe Europeenne des Satellites, plans to launch the Astra medium-powered satellite to provide a 16-channel service to Northern Europe, including the United Kingdom. Up to 11 channels are likely to be in English. I understand that Astra hopes to start its service towards the end of 1988 or early in 1989.

  In addition, I understand that the European Telecommunications Satellite Organisation (EUTELSAT) has undertaken a feasibility study, in collaboration with the European Space Agency, into the possible implementation of a European satellite for direct broadcasting. EUTELSAT has yet to make a decision as to whether to proceed.

  The Government are continuing to play an active part in the Council of Europe in negotiations on a draft convention on transfrontier broadcasting. The purpose of the convention will be to facilitate the transfrontier transmission and retransmission of television programme services that comply with prescribed minimum standards. The Government are seeking to ensure that the code of standards is compatible with the United Kingdom's national standards on taste and decency. It is hoped that the convention can be agreed in time for it to be open for signature and ratification at the Stockholm conference of European broadcasting Ministers in November.

  Intoxicating Substances (Supply) Act (Prosecutions)
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many prosecutions have been brought under the Intoxicating Substances (Supply) Act in the most recent years for which figures are available;

  (2) how many convictions have been recorded under the Intoxicating Substances (Supply) Act in the most recent years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The information available to me, which may be incomplete, shows no prosecutions under the Intoxicating Substances (Supply) Act 1985 in 1985 and six prosecutions in 1986, two of which resulted in convictions.

  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to seek to increase the sentences available to the courts under the Intoxicating Substances (Supply) Act; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  No. We consider the existing maximum penalties—six months' imprisonment or a fine of £2,000, or both—to be adequate.

  Departmental Employees (Registered Disabled)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of employees of his Department is registered disabled.
  170
  Mr. Hurd
  One hundred and fifty three members of staff are registered disabled. They represent 0·4 per cent. of all staff, including the prison service in England and Wales.

  Police Air Support Units
  Mr. Greg Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total cost to the public funds of the Home Office sponsored experiment carried out by the West Midlands police air support unit in February over a stretch of the M42.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Home Office share of the cost of the three patrol flights over the M42 in February was £1,064. There were no additional police costs incurred.

  Mr. Greg Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any plans for further sponsored experiments by his Department involving police air support units being used for road traffic purposes.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  No, but we shall be considering this matter again when we have received the report on the recently completed experiment.

  Mr. Greg Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 18 May, when he intends to reach a conclusion on the outcome of the experiment of using police air support units for road traffic purposes; and if he will make it his policy to make an oral statement to the House when he has reached a decision.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  A report on the experiment, which formed a minor part of an evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of the midlands police air operation, is being prepared. I shall write to my hon. Friend when it is available.

  Lonrho plc, Blarg and Contargo
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police for the City of London as to whether inquiries into the Liechtenstein subsidiaries of Lonhro plc, Blarg and Contargo have now been completed; and whether the papers have been referred to the Crown Prosecution Service.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I understand that the papers have now been referred to the Crown Prosecution Service.

  Police Officers' Notebooks
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 18 May,Official Report, column 462, if, in the light of the acquittal of eight defendants at Knightsbridge Crown court on 20 May, following the sending of the log books of police officers involved for forensic examination after irregularities were found, he will now reconsider his refusal to adopt the proposal to time-stamp police officers' notebooks where it is intended that the contents of these notebooks are to be used as evidence in court proceedings; arid if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The circumstances which led to the acquittal are being investigated by the metropolitan police under the supervision of the Police Complaints Authority.
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  It would be wrong to make any comment or decision on any matter which may be covered by that investigation until it has been completed.

  Bail Information Schemes
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received a report on the pilot bail information schemes set up in 1987.

  Mr. Hurd
  The Vera Institute of Justice has today published its report on eight pilot bail information schemes which were established during 1987 under the auspices of the Association of Chief Officers of Probation. The object of these schemes is to provide the Crown Prosecution Service with verified information about defendants, for example, on accommodation or community ties, which is relevant to the decision on whether to oppose bail.

  The report shows that the schemes enabled the Crown Prosecution Service to take better informed decisions on whether to oppose bail or not. This in turn enabled the courts in the pilot areas to make more use of bail, without any increase in the failure rate of those on bail.

  I am now urgently considering how best we can build on the experience of these schemes in co-operation with the courts, the Crown Prosecution Service, the police and probation service.

  Copies of the report have been placed in the Library.

  Prisons (Opticians)
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department why Liverpool prison has been without the services of an optician for eight months; and why it was four months before the vacancy was advertised.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The visiting optician to Liverpool prison resigned without notice last October. Local medical management sought to arrange a temporary appointment but experienced difficulty in identifying a suitable optician. In the meantime, the matter was referred to prison service headquarters for local advertising to be arranged. Regrettably, the advertisements were considerably delayed by staff sickness and work pressures in the personnel division concerned.

  Throughout the period in which the prison was without the service of a visiting optician, optical referrals were made as appropriate to the visiting consultant ophthalmologist.

  A visiting optician has now been appointed and commenced work on 23 May.

  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what procedure is used to ensure that prisoners can have eye examinations.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  A prisoner who requests optical treatment will be examined by the medical officer who will refer him to the optician if he considers that to be medically appropriate.

  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisons are currently without the services of an optician.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Department is not aware that any establishment is without such a service.

  Police Interviews (Tape Recording)
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has as to when tape recording facilities will be installed for police interviews in the Isle of Wight.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I understand that a phased programme to install tape recording facilities at police stations throughout the whole area served by the Hampshire constabulary is well under way. Work to equip interview rooms at police stations in Newport and Shanklin on the Isle of Wight has already begun, and work will start shortly at Ryde and Cowes.

  Community Radio
  Mr. Tom Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to announce further details on the community radio stations licence procedures; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Renton
  The position remains as set out in my replies to various questions on 27 January from the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, Central (Mr. Fisher) at columns 251–54.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Serious Fraud Office
  Mr. Hind
  To ask the Attorney-General whether any changes will be made to the serious fraud office's cash limit and running cost limit for 1988–89.

  The Attorney-General
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the cash limit on class XI, vote 12, will be increased by £606,000 from £5,480,000 to £6,086,000 and the running costs limit by £606,000 from £4,174,000 to £4,780,000. It was originally hoped that the serious fraud office, in line with other departments, would be able to restrict its expenditure to the provision agreed during the 1987 public expenditure survey. It is not clear that this will not be possible, the PES provision having necessarily been agreed at a stage in the office's development when precise information about its costs—particularly those relating to accommodation—was not available. No net increase to public expenditure results from this change as the cash limit increase will be charged to the 1988–89 reserve.

ENERGY

  Energy Efficiency (Scotland)
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the promotion of energy efficiency in Scotland.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  The Government have achieved considerable success in encouraging the efficient use of energy in all sectors in Scotland. There are now over 1,000 energy managers in Scotland. Grants of about £0·7 million have been given for energy surveys which have identified potential estimated savings of almost £20 million per year. In addition, through the energy efficiency demonstration scheme, £2·1 million has been provided to test new
  173
  energy-saving technologies. In the domestic sector, 412,000 grants totalling just under £9·25 million have been provided through the homes insulation scheme. On 11 May I opened a successful conference in Glasgow on energy efficiency in commercial properties in Glasgow.

  Nirex
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what are the Government's intentions for ownership and management of Nirex following privatisation of the electricity supply industry.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Present expectations are that the Central Electricity Generating Board's shareholding in UK Nirex Ltd. will pass to the successor operator of CEGB nuclear power stations. The management of the company is a matter for the company and its shareholders.

TRANSPORT

  A49 (Bartington Crossroads)
  Mr. Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the traffic lights scheme at the Bartington crossroads on the A49 to be completed.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  During this financial year. Work will start as soon as design and land entry details are finalised.

  Ferries Safety Steering Committee
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will publish in the Official Report the payments made to (a) Captain Tony Barrett, director and general manager of P and O European Transport Services Ltd., and (b) other members of the steering committee investigating safety measures for British roll-on/roll-off ferries.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  No payments are made to members of the steering committee other than expenses for travelling and subsistence.

  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will remove Captain Tony Barrett from the steering committee investigating safety measures for British roll-on/roll-off ferries.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  No.

  Tolls
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish in the Official Report a list of road, bridge and tunnel facilities in each of the four countries of the United Kingdom for which tolls are levied, with a note for each entry of the name and address of the responsible authority; whether it produces published accounts for that specific facility; which Minister is responsible for authorising changes in such tolls and on which (i) public expenditure programme and (ii) class, vote and subhead, the toll revenue and associated expenditure is to be found.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  I can answer for tolled facilities in England.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport is responsible for the Severn bridge. Toll
  174
  revenue and associated expenditure there is part of the roads public expenditure programme and appears in class VIII, vote 1, under subheads A 1.7—new construction and renewals; A1.8—toll and operating equipment; B1.5—toll collection and breakdown service; and B2.1—toll revenue.

  Toll revenue and associated expenditure at other crossings does not appear in the roads public expenditure programme. The Secretary of State is responsible for authorising changes in the tolls on a number of other bridges, floating bridges and roads. Details of ownership and accounting arrangements are not readily available for all minor crossings and roads. The major estuarial crossings in England, for which accounts are published annually and the authorities responsible for those crossings, are as follows:

  Dartford tunnels

  Dartford Tunnel Joint Committee

  Tunnel offices

  South orbital way

  Dartford

  DA1 5PR

  Humber bridge

  Humber Bridge Board

  Guildhall

  Kingston upon Hull

  HU1 2AA

  Itchen bridge

  Hampshire county council

  The Castle

  Winchester

  SO23 8UJ

  Mersey tunnels

  Merseyside Passenger Transport Authority

  PO Box 87

  Tithebarn House

  Liverpool

  L69 2LU

  Tamar bridge

  Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee

  The Manager

  Torport Ferry Office

  Torpoint

  Cornwall

  PL11 2AX

  Tyne tunnel

  Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority

  Civic Centre

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  NE99 2BN

  A40 (Improvement)
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the cost figure used for the acquisition of publicly owned land in the metropolitan green belt for the purpose of enabling the A40 improvement scheme to be undertaken at the junction with Long Lane, Hillingdon.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  At the 1987 public inquiry the total cost of all the land, including Hillingdon station, needed for this scheme was estimated at £3·375 million. No separate estimate was made for metropolitan green belt land. The actual purchase price will be a matter for negotiation with the landowners concerned.

  Cars and Motor Cycles (Statistics)
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many cars and how many motor cycles
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  were registered and used on the roads of the United Kingdom in each of the last five years; and how many were involved in road accidents with (a) other vehicles, (b) no other vehicles involved and (c) pedestrians in each of the last five years.

  Cars and motor cycles: Great Britain: 1982 to 1986

  New registrations

  Currently licensed vehicles

  Total involved in single vehicle accidents

  Total involved in multiple vehicle accidents

  Total colliding with a pedestrian

  1982

  Cars

  1,584,300

  15,453,000

  65,603

  203,154

  44,543

  Motor cycles

  231,600

  1,370,000

  19,571

  53,462

  6,907

  1983

  Cars

  1,806,100

  15,854,000

  62,622

  192,864

  46,138

  Motor cycles

  174,500

  1,290,000

  16,831

  49,131

  5,938

  1984

  Cars

  1,759,300

  16,529,000

  66,105

  207,324

  48,020

  Motor cycles

  145,200

  1,225,000

  16,593

  48,747

  5,658

  1985

  Cars

  1,842,100

  16,829,000

  65,228

  207,037

  46,860

  Motor cycles

  125,800

  1,148,000

  14,261

  43,561

  4,719

  1986

  Cars

  1,883,200

  17,389,000

  65,978

  218,003

  46,908

  Motor cycles

  106,400

  1,065,000

  12,831

  40,731

  4,305

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Single Market (Competition Rules)
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if, in the light of his Department's promotion of the European single market, he will bring forward proposals for revising competition rules so as to be based on the European Community rather than the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on the timescale for such reforms.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Proposals for reform of restrictive trade practices legislation were published in my Department's Green Paper of March 1988, Cm. 331. These envisage a system which will be broadly consistent with the equivalent Community rules. The Government are participating fully in working party discussions of the draft

  Crude balance of trade in manufactures1 (US$ Billion)

  Belgium/Luxembourg

  Denmark

  France

  Netherlands

  United Kingdom

  United States of America

  Federal Republic of Germany

  Japan

  1975

  +3·4

  -2·0

  +9·4

  -1·2

  +7·7

  +17·3

  +38·7

  +41·6

  1976

  +3·4

  -3·3

  +5·4

  -0·8

  +7·3

  +9·8

  +42·1

  +51·2

  1977

  +3·0

  -3·0

  +9·0

  -3·1

  +9·0

  +0·3

  +46·9

  +63·0

  1978

  +3·5

  -3·3

  +9·9

  -4·8

  +7·0

  -14·7

  +53·6

  +74·8

  1979

  +3·5

  -3·7

  +11·5

  -4·7

  +2·6

  -3·3

  +59·1

  +72·6

  1980

  +3·9

  -2·2

  +7·3

  -3·9

  +8·4

  10·8

  +63·2

  +95·1

  1981

  +4·4

  -1·1

  +8·8

  -0·5

  +5·1

  +3·1

  +61·7

  +116·4

  1982

  +3·8

  -1·6

  +3·4

  -0·1

  +0·3

  -14·1

  +67·5

  +104·6

  1983

  +4·8

  -1·1

  +6·3

  -0·1

  -7·5

  -41·0

  +58·7

  +110·9

  1984

  +4·1

  -1·7

  +8·9

  -0·5

  -8·6

  -90·8

  +59·5

  +128·5

  1985

  +5·1

  -2·4

  +7·3

  -2·1

  -7·6

  -115·3

  +67·5

  +134·7

  1986

  +4·7

  -4·5

  +1·3

  -4·7

  -12·1

  -147·1

  +89·4

  +160·2

  1987

  2+1½

  2-3½

  2-2½

  2-7½

  2-16·3

  2-154

  2+105

  2+164

  1 Standard International Trade Classification Sections 5 to 8.

  2 Estimate.

  Sources: OECD National Sources.

  Regional Development Grants
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the level of regional development grant allocated, by region, for each financial year from 1979–80 to 1987–88, what these figures are as a percentage
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  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The information requested for the last five years for which complete road accident data are available, is given in the table:

  EC proposals for a merger control regulation. It is expected that progress will be reviewed by the Council in June.

  Trade Statistics
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what, for each year since 1975, was the percentage change in the balance of trade in manufacturing goods of Belgium, Denmark, France, Holland, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, West Germany and Japan.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  As the sign of the balance can vary from year to year, it is not appropriate to measure changes in the balance of trade in percentage terms. The balances in US dollars are in the table:

  of the total budget; and what they were in cash terms.

  Mr. Atkins
  Expenditure on regional development grant by English region, and as a percentage of the RDG total for England, in the financial years 1979–80 to 1987–88 is as follows:
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  £ million (percentage of England total in brackets)

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–882

  East Midlands

  2·4 (1·1)

  3·2 (1·2)

  7·2 (2·0)

  8·8 (3·1)

  8·2 (3·7)

  3·8 (1·8)

  4·4 (2·6)

  8·4 (3·3)

  7·1 (5·1)

  North East

  107·0(51·0)

  101·1(36·9)

  109·7(31·2)

  91·4(32·6)

  68·8(30·7)

  61·6(29·5)

  46·4(27·9)

  89·8(35·3)

  57·6(41·4)

  North West

  74·1(35·3)

  122·2(44·6)

  177·5(50·5)

  133·1(47·4)

  115·5(51·6)

  107·4(51·4)

  83·0(49·8)

  113·7(44·7)

  49·7(35·7)

  South West

  5·0 (2·4)

  8·5 (3·1)

  10·3 (2·9)

  11·0 (3·9)

  7·8 (3·5)

  9·5 (4·5)

  8·6 (5·2)

  15·3 (6·0)

  7·0 (5·0)

  West Midlands

  1—

  0·1 (0·04)

  1—

  1—

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  21·5(10·2)

  38·7(14·1)

  47·1(13·4)

  36·4(13·0)

  23·5(10·5)

  26·8(12·8)

  24·2(14·5)

  27·1(10·7)

  17·8(12·8)

  Total RDG expenditure in England

  210·0

  273·8

  351·8

  280·7

  223·8

  209·1

  166·6

  254·3

  139·2

  1 Negligible (that is, less than £50,000).

  2 Provisional.

  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the level of regional development grant allocated to each of the counties of Cleveland, Cumbria, Durham, Northumberland and Tyne and Wear, for each financial year from 1979–80 to 1987–88, in cash terms.

  £ million

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  Cleveland

  61·6

  43·7

  43·7

  22·8

  22·6

  20·6

  10·6

  30·0

  15·5

  Cumbria

  15·4

  16·5

  34·1

  35·8

  32·5

  25·5

  19·7

  10·8

  3·7

  Durham

  7·3

  7·3

  9·4

  8·3

  4·6

  7·1

  5·2

  11·3

  9·5

  Northumberland

  2·5

  4·3

  5·9

  5·4

  2·2

  3·1

  0·9

  2·1

  3·4

  Tyne and Wear

  8·2

  12·6

  18·0

  23·4

  16·5

  13·1

  13·6

  27·8

  22·3

  Note:

  1987–88 data are provisional.

  Chemical Weapon Detection Kits
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will lift the restrictions on the sales and export of chemical weapon detection kits to enable humanitarian aid to be given to victims and potential victims of chemical attack; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  No. Equipment specially designed for detection of chemical weapons is controlled under the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1987. There is no absolute ban on export. Applications for licences to export such goods are carefully considered on their merits depending upon the destination and the potential end user.

  Joint Ventures (Soviet Union)
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what assessment he has made of the implications for British industry of the clauses relating to joint ventures between Soviet and Western enterprises in the Soviet law on state enterprises which came into effect on 1 January.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Soviet legislation permitting joint ventures with Western companies was introduced in January 1987 and amended in October 1987 to take account of some concerns expressed by potential Western participants. My Department and the British embassy in Moscow both constantly monitor the available information and provide advice to United Kingdom companies considering the possibility of joint ventures with a Soviet partner. It is for individual companies themselves to decide whether joint ventures are in their best commercial interests, and to negotiate terms which are acceptable to
  178
  Mr. Atkins
  Expenditure on regional development grant in the areas and financial years requested was as follows:

  both partners. So far, two United Kingdom companies have signed such contracts, and several more are under active discussion.

  Enterprise Zones (Soviet Union)
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he has received any proposals from the Soviet Government for British investment and involvement in the establishment of enterprise zones in that country; arid if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  No proposals for British investment or involvement in the establishment of enterprise zones in the USSR have been received from the Soviet Government. If any are received in the future, we shall study them with interest.

  Anglo-Soviet Trade
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will give the figures for the amount of official credit to finance Anglo-Soviet trade for each year between 1975 and 1987; and what information lie has about any additional credit provided to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  It is not the practice of this or previous Governments to reveal the amount of official credit guaranteed by ECGD to individual countries. Figures for business insured and exports insured by area are published in ECGD's Summary of Audited Trading Results 1986–87. For information on other credit provided to the USSR one would need to approach those financial institutions involved.

  Guinness plc
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether the report of the inspectors appointed to investigate the affairs of Guinness plc will be delayed until completion of the associated criminal prosecutions.

  Mr. Maude
  Yes.

  House of Fraser (Holdings) plc
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he now expects the inspectors appointed to investigate the affairs of House of Fraser (Holdings) plc to report.

  Mr. Maude
  The investigation continues, but I am unable to say when a report will be received.

  Furniture (Fire Safety)
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he has received any representations from officials or Ministers of European Community member states concerning the new furniture fire safety regulations.

  Mr. Butcher
  The only official approach to the Government on this subject of which I am aware has been from the Italian embassy in London. As a result a discussion of the implications of the draft regulations for Italian suppliers of furnishing fabrics took place on 9 May.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (I) what steps he has taken to discover the extent to which the pattern book industry has the capacity to replace the pattern books of furnishing fabric suppliers within the proposed time scale for the introduction of new furniture fire safety legislation;

  (2) what assessment he has made of the cost to the suppliers of soft furnishing fabric of replacing pattern books when the new furniture fire safety regulations are implemented;

  (3) what assessment he has made of the amount of time that small suppliers of soft furnishing fabric will require in order to replace their pattern books prior to the introduction of new furniture fire safety regulations.

  Mr. Butcher
  I have received representations on these subjects and I am taking them into account in my consideration of possible changes to the draft regulations.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what technological assistance will be provided by his Department in order to help suppliers of soft furnishing fabric to conform with the requirements of the new furniture fire safety regulations.

  Mr. Butcher
  Detailed technological assistance is available in industry from many furniture manufacturers, from the research associations for the furniture industry and textile suppliers, from fire retardant processing companies, from independent consultants and from test houses. Many of these bodies have done a great deal of work in the past in readiness for the announcement of a date when match resistance will be required and are ready to assist fabric suppliers in meeting the requirement.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) in how many domestic fires in each of the last five years furniture has been judged to be the point of ignition;
  180
  (2) in how many domestic fires in which the ignition point was judged to be furniture death has resulted from (a) burns and (b) fumes from furniture foam, in each of the last five years;

  (3) how many people have died in domestic fires in each of the last five years; and how many of those deaths were judged to have been caused by (a) burns and (b) fumes from furniture foam.

  Mr. Butcher
  The last five full years' statistics give the following figures for fires where the material first ignited was upholstered furniture or covers:

  Year

  Number

  1982

  3,554

  1983

  3,325

  1984

  3,571

  1985

  3,551

  1986

  3,660

  The numbers of deaths resulting from fires in which upholstered furniture was judged to be the item first ignited for the last available five years' statistics are as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1982

  145

  1983

  133

  1984

  148

  1985

  146

  1986

  156

  I am not able at this point to provide specific data concerning cause of death for these, but there seems no reason to suppose that there is any disparity in the breakdown in the causes of death between these furniture fires and the general fire figures which are as follows:

  Total Fires in Occupied Buildings

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  Death due to

  Burns, number

  258

  249

  262

  281

  300

  as a percentage

  33

  31

  32

  30

  33

  Gas or Smoke asphyxiation, number

  520

  553

  553

  655

  615

  as a percentage

  67

  69

  68

  70

  67

  Accordingly the estimated answer to question (3) is as follows:

  Fires in upholstered furniture

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  Death due to

  Burns

  48

  41

  47

  44

  51

  Gas or smoke

  97

  92

  101

  102

  105

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many representations he has so far received concerning furniture fire safety regulations.

  Mr. Butcher
  I have received about 260 representations about the draft regulations circulated on 1 March.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what funding will be provided by his Department in order to assist the suppliers of soft furnishing fabric to conform to new furniture fire safety regulations.
  181
  Mr. Butcher
  All worthwhile proposals for financial assistance towards the development of products which make a contribution to consumer safety, such as chemical treatments which make textiles more resistant to fire, receive sympathetic consideration provided that such proposals meet the criteria for R and D policy set out in the White Paper.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what assessment his Department has made of the effect that the new furniture fire safety regulations will have on European Community trade after 1992.

  Mr. Butcher
  All suppliers of furniture, components, and furnishings to the British market will compete on an equal basis. It is possible that some continental suppliers will find the British market less attractive than they do at present, since our legal requirements for fire resistance of furniture will be so far ahead of those in the rest of Europe. But differences already exist and do not inhibit trade within the Community. I am satisfied that our new regulations will not have the effect of erecting new barriers to trade, in contravention of the treaty of Rome.

  As for any effect on British exports, the regulations will not apply to goods destined for export. Some exporters of furnishing textiles have claimed that the effect of the draft regulations would be to require them to offer separate ranges of fabrics for the home and export trades and that this would involve unacceptable extra costs, so that their export business would in practice be adversely affected. I am taking this possibility into account in my consideration of possible changes to the draft regulations.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what assessment he has made of the overall cost for soft furnishing suppliers of meeting the new furniture fire safety regulations.

  Mr. Butcher
  All proposals for new regulations are subject to compliance cost assessment, a formal procedure carried out by professional economists within the DTI and designed to establish whether the compliance costs to industry, and to consumers, are proportionate to the benefits which the regulations will bring.

  A correct assessment of costs will depend on the final detail of the regulations to be determined in the near future.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) what steps he has taken to discover the extent to which the capacity and the proven technology exist for the full variety of furnishing fabrics to conform to the new furniture fire safety regulations;

  (2) what assessment his Department has made of the effects of present fire retardant treatments on high quality textiles.

  Mr. Butcher
  The objective of the draft regulations is to reduce the risk of fire associated with upholstered furniture and bedding. There is therefore no question of tailoring them to enable the full variety of furnishing fabrics now commercially available to conform. On the contrary, it will be necessary for suppliers of furnishing fabrics to modify the range of products which they offer. The majority of furnishing fabrics now in use can be effectively treated to make them match-resistant and still viable in other respects such as appearance and durability. I accept that 182
  some high quality textiles may be adversely affected, for example, in appearance. I am considering the ways in which the regulations may be modified in order to take account of consumer preferences for fabrics which present problems in this respect. But the industry should recognise that a reduction in consumer choice is part of the price to be paid for increased safety.

DEFENCE

  Falkland Islands
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the military projects undertaken by the Government in the Falkland Islands and the cost of each to date both in current and 1988 prices.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  [holding answer 20 May 1988]: The two major military works projects were the construction of the airfield at Mount Pleasant, and the works undertaken to concentrate the garrison at Mount Pleasant, for which the cash costs were about £300 million and £110 million respectively. The costs at September 1987 prices were about £370 million and £130 million respectively.

SCOTLAND

  Electricity Industry
  Mr. Millan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to ensure that the Scottish electricity industry, if privatised, will not fall under foreign control.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The Government are considering whether any special share arrangements are required for the privatised electricity industry. Our decision will be announced in due course.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to make a definitive statement on the Government's strategic priorities for the electricity supply industry, as foreshadowed in his White Paper, Cm. 327.

  Mr. Rifkind
  Discussions with the Scottish electricity boards on the future structure of the privatised industry and a range of other related issues are continuing. I 'will announce the outcome of these deliberations in due course.

  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what further consultations he has undertaken on the privatisation of the electricity industry.

  Mr. Lang
  Detailed discussions with the Scottish electricity boards on a wide range of issues relating to privatisation are continuing on a regular basis. Representatives of customers and employees are also being consulted about matters of concern to them.

  Job Creation
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the level of job creation in Scotland over the past five years.

  Mr. Lang
  Comprehensive figures on the level of job creation in Scotland are not available. However, in the
  183
  period April 1983 to March 1988, offers of regional selective assistance (RSA) were associated with the creation of 48,000 new jobs, and the safeguarding of a further 32,000 jobs.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Buchan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from Scottish local authorities about the impact of changes in the housing benefit system on the application of the Government's housing policies in Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Seven letters from individual local authorities, and one from the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities have included reference to the impact of housing benefit changes along with other comments on the Government's housing proposals.

  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the impact of recent changes in the housing benefit system on the objectives set out in his White Paper "Housing in Scotland" (Cm. 242).

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The changes made recently to the housing benefit system ensure that housing benefit is better targeted to those who need it. This will help them to take advantage of the new opportunities for renting being provided by the Housing (Scotland) Bill.

  Mr. Ernie Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received concerning the effects on local government in Scotland of the recent alterations to the system of housing benefit payments.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Representations on the reformed housing benefit system, including the most recent changes, have been received from local authorities and members of the public. In addition, my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State and my hon. Friend the Minister of State have had discussions over the last year with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities about the new system as part of our regular round of meetings on local government finance.

  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what changes will occur in the level of rate support grant paid to local authorities by his Department as a result of the alterations in the system of housing benefit payments.

  Mr. Lang
  The costs of preparing for the new system of housing benefit payments were met through a 100 per cent. specific grant. There was therefore no direct effect on rate support grant.

  Devolution
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his policy on devolving political decision-making on exclusively Scottish matters from Westminster to Scotland.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The hon. Member must know that the Scottish Office already has responsibility for a very wide range of Government functions in Scotland.

  South of Scotland Electricity Board
  Mr. Eadie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he proposes to meet the chairman of the South of Scotland Electricity Board to discuss electricity generation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  My right hon. and learned Friend meets the chairman of the South of Scotland Electricity Board from time to time to discuss a wide range of issues affecting the industry, although he has no immediate plans for a meeting.

  Hospital Catering and Cleaning Services
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made with the privatisation of hospital catering and cleaning services; and if he proposes to seek further powers in this connection.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Health boards are making good progress with the current phase of competitive tendering and are now seeking tenders for domestic and catering contracts. No additional powers are required in this area.

  Rating Reform
  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from the clergy over the impact of the poll tax; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  My right hon. and learned Friend has received 81 representations from the clergy and church organisations since the Abolition of Domestic Rates Etc. (Scotland) Bill was enacted in May last year. These representations covered a range of issues related to the introduction of the community charge including the effects of rating reform on church buildings, and the effects of the community charge on members of religious communities and on ministers of religion and their families.

  Mr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library copies of all written guidance he has issued to community charge registration officers.

  Mr. Lang
  The procedural requirements for the community charge registration system are fully set out in the Abolition of Domestic Rates Etc. (Scotland) Act 1987 and the regulations which have been made under it. Copies of the departmental circulars drawing the attention of local authorities to the Act and the regulations have been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Douglas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has on the latest numbers registering for exemption from the poll tax on the basis of returns to community charge registration officers.

  Mr. Lang
  This information is not available centrally.

  Sir Russell Johnston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has as to what level of community charge registration has been reached in the Highland region.

  Mr. Lang
  Detailed information on the progress of community charge registration is not available centrally.
  185
  Mr. Galloway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many letters concerning poll tax registration his Department has received from members of the public since 1 April.

  Mr. Lang
  My right hon. and learned Friend has received 144 such letters since 1 April.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions have taken place between his Department and community charge registration officials concerning the process of registration for poll tax purposes since I April.

  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has had any communications with poll tax registration officers to ascertain what progress is being made in the registration process.

  Mr. Lang
  There have been no formal discussions. Informal contacts with registration officers indicate that the registration process is going smoothly.

  Nationalised Industries
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people are employed by nationalised industries in Scotland.

  Mr. Lang
  The estimate of the latest employment in nationalised industries in Scotland is about 70,000. This estimate has been compiled from figures based on somewhat different dates and methods of compilation.

  Electricity Boards
  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the chairman of the Central Electricity Generating Board and the South of Scotland Electricity Board concerning the geographical divisions between the two boards following privatisation.

  Mr. Lang
  None.

  Schools (Opting Out)
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with education authorities on the opting out of Scottish schools; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  None.

  Mr. McAvoy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received concerning the opting out of schools from local authority management; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  We have published no proposals on this subject and have received few representations specifically concerned with it; but I am aware that a recent independent opinion poll indicated that 31 per cent. of parents supported the proposition that parents should be allowed to take their school out of education authority control if a majority wished to do so.

  Mr. McKelvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to announce his plans for the opting out of Scottish schools; what arrangements will be made for consultation with interested parties; and if he will make a statement.
  186
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  No decisions have been taken about the introduction of legislation on this subject.

  Health Boards
  Dr. Moonie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what rate of inflation was used when he calculated the level of resources allocated to Scottish health boards for 1988–89.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  4·5 per cent.

  Co-Star Ltd
  Mr. Lambie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a further statement on the affairs of Co-Star Ltd.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The affairs of this company are still the subject of investigation by the liquidator who will report any evidence of criminality to the police or procurator fiscal.

  Scottish Development Agency
  Mr. Allen Adams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will arrange to meet representatives of the Scottish Development Agency and Renfrew district council to consider future industrial development plans for the Renfrew area.

  Mr. Lang
  My right hon. and learned Friend has no such plans at present. I understand, however, that the Renfrew Development Company, comprising representatives of the private sector, the Scottish Development Agency and the regional and district councils now meets on a monthly basis and discusses, among other things, the development of the local economy.

  National Farmers Union
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met members of the Scottish National Farmers Union; and what issues were discussed.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  My right hon. and learned Friend last met members of the union at their annual dinner in Glasgow on 10 March, where a wide range of matters of mutual concern was discussed.

  Overseas Development Agency (East Kilbride)
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he proposes to publish the report commissioned by his Department on the relocation of Civil Service posts to the Overseas Development Agency establishment in East Kilbride.

  Mr. Lang
  I anticipate that the report, which was commissioned by the Industry Department for Scotland, will be published in the second half of June this year. A summary article will also appear in the next issue of the Scottish Economic Bulletin which is due to be published around the end of June.

  Maternity Services (Rural Areas)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received about the future of maternity services provision in rural areas.
  187
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  My right hon. and learned Friend and I have received a considerable number of representations about the future of maternity services provision in Grampian. These will be fully taken into account when we come to consider the board's formal closure submissions.

  Local Government
  Mr. Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans there are to reform the structure of local government in Scotland.

  Mr. Rifkind
  I have no specific plans at present, but shall be taking views on whether and how the present structure could be improved.

  Nuclear Industry Radioactive Waste Executive
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent meetings he has had with the United Kingdom Nuclear Industry Radioactive Waste Executive; and what subjects were discussed.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. and learned Friend has had no recent meetings with the executive.

  Crime Prevention Panels
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any plans to introduce guidelines to chief constables in the matter of appointments to crime prevention panels; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  No.

  Seals
  Mr. Buchanan-Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the latest evidence available to him of the trend in the population of seals around the coast of Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The most recent advice obtained from the National Environment Research Council on grey seals estimated the population around the coast of Scotland to be approximately 87,000 in 1986 and 92,500 in 1987. Comparable figures for common seals are not available. The most recent surveys by the council estimated the minimum size of this population to be approximately 18,000 in 1986. Further surveys are planned for 1989 and 1990.

  Ayrshire and Arran Health Board
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the chairman of the Ayrshire and Arran health board to discuss the development of National Health Service facilities in Ayrshire.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I have not met the chairman of Ayrshire and Arran health board to discuss development of National Health Service facilities in Ayrshire. On behalf of my right hon. and learned Friend I meet health board chairmen three times a year to discuss a range of matters. The last in this series of meetings was on 18 March.

  COSLA
  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Lang
  My right hon. and learned Friend last met representatives of COSLA on Friday 29 April to discuss local government finance.

  Class Actions
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations the Lord Advocate has received about the introduction of class actions into Scottish legal procedure; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Representations have been received recently from the Consumers' Association. My noble and learned Friend, the Lord Advocate, and my right hon. and learned Friend, the Secretary of State for Scotland, are considering steps to improve the availability in Scotland of an effective judicial remedy for a number of individuals with similar complaints against a common defender.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the current level of unemployment in Scotland; and what it was in 1979.

  Mr. Lang
  On 14 April 1988 (the latest date for which information is available) the number of unemployed claimants in Scotland was 309,084 (12·6 per cent.). The corresponding figure for April 1979 was 164,432 (6·7 per cent.). The figures are not directly comparable due to changes in the compilation of the statistics.

  Private Medical Clinics
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the total number of beds in private medical clinics in Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  In terms of the Nursing Homes Registration (Scotland) Act 1938 as amended, 5,063 beds were available in private nursing homes and hospitals as at 31 March 1987.

  Ruchill Hospital, Glasgow
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has on the proposed closure of the pathology department at Ruchill hospital, Glasgow; what effect the closure will have on the treatment of AIDS; and what consultations have taken place with staff.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I understand that the Greater Glasgow health board is conducting a review of the laboratory services in its area, including the pathology units. No decision will be taken concerning the future of any of the pathology departments, including that at Ruchill, until the outcome of the review is known later this year. The board intends that there will be full consultation with the staff associations.

  Patients (Transport Costs)
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the costs, both in absolute and percentage terms, spent on transportation of patients to and from medical establishments in the latest year for which figures are available in(a) the Western Isles, (b) the Highlands and (c) the Borders.

  £,000 1986–87

  Scottish ambulance service

  Highlands and Western Isles

  Fife, Lothian and Borders

  Scotland

  £

  £

  £

  Total costs

  2,048

  5,861

  26,994

  Percentage of Scotland total

  7·6

  21·7

  100

  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of the health budget accounts for travel costs in each of the following health boards(a) the Western Isles (b) the Highlands and (c) the Borders in the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I assume the question relates to reimbursement of patients' travel costs. The patients' travelling expenses schemes are centrally funded and do not affect the annual allocation to each health board. Expenditure on the schemes in 1986–87 in the respective health board areas is set out in the table.

  Expenditure on patients travelling expenses schemes 1986–87

  Equivalent percentage of health board allocation for 1986–87

  £'000s

  Percentage

  Western Isles Health Board area

  256

  3·3

  Highland Health Board area

  361

  0·6

  Borders Health Board area

  1

  0·004

  Chief Medical Officer
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whom outside Her Majesty's Government he is consulting about the appointment of the new chief medical officer; and when he expects to make an appointment.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The appointment of a chief medical officer, Scottish Home and Health Department, is being made under Civil Service Commission arrangements. A public advertisement has invited suitably qualified persons to apply for the post. The selection board interviews will be held in June with a view to appointing a successful candidate who will be expected to take up post on the retirement of the present chief medical officer.

  Audit
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the British Medical Association and the Medical Practitioners Union concerning audit.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  None.

  Hospitals (Quality of Care)
  Mr Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list since 1979 the projects with their
  190
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The transportation of patients in Scotland is the prime responsibility of the Scottish ambulance service. In financial year 1986–87, costs incurred in the two Scottish ambulance service areas which include the Western Isles, the Highlands and the Borders were as follows:

  costs approved by the Scottish Home and Health Department designed to examine quality of care in Scottish hospitals.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and will arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library.

  Farmers
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many farmers there are in each region of Scotland at the latest convenient date.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information required is shown in the table. The data is from the June agricultural census 1987.

  Region

  Number of farmers

  Islands

  2,061

  Highlands

  2,629

  Grampian

  4,431

  Tayside

  1,952

  Fife

  681

  Lothian

  706

  Borders

  1,190

  Central

  731

  Strathclyde

  4,078

  Dumfries and Galloway

  2,240

  Scotland

  20,699

  Farm Workers
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many farm workers are employed in each region of Scotland at the latest convenient date.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information required is shown in the table. The data is from the June agricultural census 1987:

  Region

  Total employed

  Islands

  968

  Highlands

  2,020

  Grampian

  5,603

  Tayside

  3,892

  Fife

  1,777

  Lothian

  1,892

  Borders

  2,724

  Central

  1,068

  Strathclyde

  5,724

  Dumfries and Galloway

  4,173

  191

  Region

  Total employed

  Scotland

  29,841

  Hospital Waiting Lists
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many patients are currently on waiting lists for in-patient treatment at National Health Service hospitals in Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The provisional figure for 30 September 1987 is 77,772. The industrial action in 1982 led to an increase of over 29,000 in the waiting lists between March 1981 and March 1983, and the recent industrial action has resulted in nearly 3,500 operations being cancelled between January and April this year.

  Prisons (Reports)
  Mr. Allan Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library copies of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland's reports on Aberdeen, Inverness and Dungavel prisons.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Copies of the reports of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland on Aberdeen, Inverness and Dungavel prisons, with my response, are being placed in the Library today. I have also sent copies of the relevant reports to the Members in whose constituencies the prisons are located and to the chairman of the Scottish all-party penal affairs group, and to other interested bodies. Further copies may also be purchased from the Department.

  Table 1

  "Host" district populations

  Mid year

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  East Kilbride

  Kirkcaldy

  Cunninghame

  West Lothian

  1974

  51,868

  79,458

  148,234

  130,356

  122,906

  1975

  53,534

  81,861

  148,353

  132,265

  123,708

  1976

  55,557

  84,083

  149,006

  134,322

  127,338

  1977

  56,873

  85,556

  149,448

  136,179

  131,475

  1978

  60,969

  84,403

  150,036

  136,174

  134,273

  1979

  62,463

  84,096

  149,508

  137,042

  136,670

  1980

  63,103

  83,757

  149,933

  137,556

  137,875

  1981

  62,245

  83,204

  149,527

  137,304

  139,314

  1982

  62,802

  82,951

  149,488

  137,207

  140,244

  1983

  62,794

  82,524

  149,491

  137,683

  140,700

  1984

  63,040

  82,441

  149,423

  137,291

  141,532

  1985

  62,970

  81,952

  148,894

  137,094

  141,944

  1986

  62,503

  81,837

  148,193

  137,147

  140,545

  1987

  62,547

  81,718

  147,963

  137,265

  141,684

  Source: General Register Office (Scotland).

  Table 2

  Area (in hectares) of "Host" district councils for Scottish new towns

  Town

  "Host" district

  11975

  1980

  1985

  1988

  Cumbernauld

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  7,918

  9,481

  10,298

  10,298

  East Kilbride

  East Kilbride

  34,312

  28,490

  28,490

  28,490

  Glenrothes

  Kirkcaldy

  23,754

  24,835

  24,820

  24,835

  Legal Aid
  Sir Hector Monro
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered making legal aid available for multi-party actions as is now provided for, as respects England and Wales, by the Legal Aid Bill.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I consider that my regulation-making powers under the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986 are sufficiently wide to allow legal aid for multi-party actions without the need for primary legislation.

  New Towns
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing, for each of the five Scottish new towns for the years 1974–75 to 1989–90, inclusive, the actual or estimated (a) hectares and population within the designated area, (b) hectares and population of the host district councils, (c) numbers of employed persons within the designated area and (d) numbers of employed persons within the area of the district council.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 28 April 1988]: The information requested is as follows:

  A. Hectares and population within the designated area.

  Table 1 shows population for each of the towns as at 31 March each year and is based on figures supplied to the Industry Department for Scotland by the development corporations. Table 2 details the designated areas as at 31 March for 1974, 1975, 1986 and 1987; no detailed information is available for the years 1976–85 inclusive, or for 1988–90.

  B. Hectares and population of the "host" district councils.

  Table 1 gives the Registrar General's mid-year estimates of population for the "host" district councils. Table 2 details the area in hectares of the host district councils for the years shown; information for other years between 1974 and 1988 is not available.
  193

  Town

  "Host" district

  11975

  1980

  1985

  1988

  Irvine

  Cunninghame

  63,345

  87,859

  87,859

  87,859

  Livingston

  West Lothian

  42,230

  42,305

  42,305

  42,305

  Source: Municipal Year Book

  11975 was the year in which the reforms embodied in the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 were implemented.

  C. Numbers of employed persons within the designated area.

  Up to 1981 the Census of Employment was based on the Department of Employment's Local Employment Office Areas (LEOA's). These correspond quite closely to the designated areas of the New Towns but are not precisely comparable. Irvine New Town covers 2 LEOA's, namely Irvine and Kilwinning. The 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978 and 1981 Census of Employment data is shown in Table 1; no Census was conducted in 1979, 1980, 1982 or 1983. The Livingston LEOA includes Mid Calder in 1981. The 1984 and 1987 Census of Employment data is based on travel to work areas, which do not correspond to New Town designated areas [eg East Kilbride lies within the Glasgow travel to work area]. No Census of Employment

  Table 1

  Numbers of employed persons within new town designated areas

  Local employment office area

  1974

  1975

  1976

  1977

  1978

  1981

  Cumbernauld

  11,873

  12,167

  12,088

  11,244

  11,458

  11,579

  East Kilbride

  29,246

  29,137

  30,904

  29,790

  28,728

  26,094

  Glenrothes

  19,189

  16,725

  18,999

  18,881

  19,946

  18,858

  Irvine

  22,192

  22,013

  23,086

  23,356

  22,258

  18,715

  Livingston

  8,546

  8,771

  9,722

  9,641

  11,551

  13,145

  Total

  91,046

  88,813

  94,799

  92,912

  93,941

  88,391

  Note: The figures relate to persons in employment and do not distinguish between full and part time employment.

  D. Numbers of employed persons within the area of the district council.

  Census of Employment data for local government districts is only readily available for 1981 and 1984 and is reproduced below.

  Table 1

  Scottish new towns' population 1974–87

  Cumbernauld

  East Kilbride

  Glenrothes

  Irvine

  Livingston

  1974

  36,800

  69,540

  31,500

  47,600

  20,938

  1975

  39,810

  71,830

  31,100

  48,700

  22,459

  1976

  43,418

  74,800

  32,500

  50,700

  25,117

  1977

  44,709

  76,250

  33,900

  53,800

  30,600

  1978

  47,111

  76,100

  35,100

  58,000

  33,864

  1979

  49,406

  75,850

  35,650

  59,000

  35,294

  1980

  50,433

  75,800

  37,000

  58,700

  37,064

  1981

  50,748

  76,100

  37,000

  58,900

  38,677

  1982

  50,812

  71,000

  37,500

  57,300

  37,295

  1983

  49,216

  70,600

  36,500

  56,300

  38,828

  1984

  49,469

  70,500

  37,500

  57,150

  39,300

  1985

  49,739

  70,200

  38,000

  57,500

  39,550

  1986

  50,308

  70,000

  38,000

  58,000

  40,380

  1987

  48,839

  69,700

  38,400

  58,600

  40,500

  Table 2

  Scottish new towns' designated areas 1974–1987 (hectares)

  1974

  1975

  1986

  1987

  Cumbernauld

  3,115·2

  3,115·2

  3,154

  3,154

  East Kilbride

  4,100

  4,100

  4,151

  4,151

  Glenrothes

  2,292

  2,292

  2,321

  2,321

  Irvine

  4,976

  4,976

  5,038

  5,038

  Livingston

  2,676

  2,676

  2,780

  2,780

  194
  took place in 1985 or 1986 and none is planned for 1988. The results from the 1987 Census of Employment are not yet available; there are no forecasts of employment for the years 1989–90.

  The New Town Development Corporations conduct regular surveys of employment within their areas. These surveys employ different definitions and methods of data collection as between Towns and the resultant figures are not necessarily consistent with official sources. These figures were collated and replicated as Appendix 2 in the National Audit Office Report no. 276, "Industry Department for Scotland: Review of Scottish new Towns", published on 22 January 1988; copies of that Report are available in the Library.

  New town

  District council

  1981

  1984

  Cumbernauld

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  14,180

  14,603

  East Kilbride

  East Kilbride

  28,303

  29,772

  Glenrothes

  Kirkcaldy

  58,059

  56,019

  Irvine

  Cunninghame

  36,949

  37,042

  Livingston

  West Lothian

  42,186

  43,607

  Note: The figures relate to numbers of employed persons and do not distinguish between full and part-time employees.

  Forestry Grant-aid
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland why, pursuant to his answer of 11 May,Official Report, column 107, information concerning the payment of forestry grant-aid in Sutherland and Caithness is not kept on a readily available basis; and if he will make a statement.
  195
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 23 May 1988]: The information is readily available on a case-by-case basis. Since however, these records are not computerised, it would have been necessary to examine hundreds of individual files in order to provide the comprehensive information requested by the hon. Member.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Nuclear Weapons
  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 comprehensive ban on nuclear weapons testing; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  We have not responded to the proposal of the Warsaw treaty countries, nor do we intend to do so.

  Human Rights
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's commitment to human rights in their conduct of foreign policy.

  Mr. Mellor
  We are firmly committed to the promotion and protection of human rights and seek universal observance of the standards which have been agreed internationally for that purpose. We are concerned about violations of human rights wherever they occur and regularly raise such problems in our bilateral contacts with other Governments and in international forums such as the United Nations. Our position was set out clearly in the statement issued by Foreign Ministers of the Twelve on 21 July 1986. Copies of that statement and of the speech given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to the United Nations Commission on human rights on 18 February have been placed in the Library.

  Federated European State
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy with regard to progression towards a federated European state.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Our policy within the Community is based on commitments we entered into under the EC treaties. Nowhere do these treaties refer to progression towards a federated European state.

  Chemical Disarmament
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further initiatives Her Majesty's Government have planned in the field of chemical disarmament; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  Information about the exchange of visits between the United Kingdom chemical defence establishment at Porton Down and the Soviet chemical warfare facility at Shikhany was given to the House by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces on 5 May. The Soviet team is visiting Porton Down this week and as part of the programme will have talks in the FCO on 27 May about the continuing negotiations in Geneva for a comprehensive and global ban on chemical weapons.
  196
  I expect to visit Geneva in July to address the conference on disarmament. A substantial part of my speech will deal with the subject of chemical weapons, particularly some of the remaining problem areas in the negotiations for a global ban.

  Grenada
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Grenada concerning the plight of political prisoners and the operation of the judicial system there; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  No such representations have been made to the Government of Grenada. We are unaware of any political prisoners there. As an independent Commonwealth country, it is for Grenada alone to determine the judicial system it wishes to operate.

  Fiji
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to ensure that there is a commitment to equal rights in Fiji before continuing with any aid.

  Mr. Mellor
  Our policy on the allocation of bilateral aid to developing countries is based on a set of criteria published in 1987 in Cm. 225 "Bilateral Aid: Country Programmes Observations by the Government." We will continue to be guided by these criteria when considering appropriate levels of aid.

  North Korea
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if there are any plans to recognise the Democratic People's Republic of Korea; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  We have no plans to recognise North Korea.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on current relations with North Korea.

  Mr. Mellor
  We do not recognise North Korea as a state and have no diplomatic relations with any authorities there.

  Syria
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations with the Syrian Arab Republic.

  Mr. Mellor
  We broke diplomatic relations with Syria in 1986 following evidence of Syrian Government complicity in the attempt by Nizar Hindawi to plant a bomb in an El Al airliner.

  We do not propose to resume relations until the Syrians abandon their support for international terrorism.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Regional Selective Assistance
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  To ask the Chancellor f the Exchequer what was the corporation tax yield from regional selective assistance in 1987–88; and what is the estimated yield for 1988–89.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The information required to provide an estimate is not available and could not be collected without disproportionate expense.

  Debt Provision
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total tax relief made available to United Kingdom banks for debt provision to less developed countries in each financial year from 1973–74 in constant 1987 pound sterling.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The reductions in tax receipts as a result of losses incurred by banks on irrecoverable overseas loans are estimated to be as follows:

  Effective exchange rates: percentage changes in annual averages

  Belgium

  Denmark

  France

  Netherlands

  United Kingdom

  United Stales

  Germany

  Japan

  1975

  -2·6

  0·7

  8·1

  -4·2

  -7·7

  -2·5

  1·3

  -1·9

  1976

  1·5

  1·4

  -4·4

  2·3

  -14·3

  5·1

  4·9

  4·2

  1977

  5·6

  0·5

  -4·5

  6·8

  -5·2

  -0·5

  7·8

  10·6

  1978

  3·7

  2·0

  0·0

  4·7

  0·4

  -8·6

  6·3

  23·0

  1979

  2·4

  1·3

  2·2

  3·4

  7·1

  -2·2

  6·1

  -7·2

  1980

  0·2

  ·70

  1·0

  1·1

  10·0

  0·1

  1·0

  -3·8

  1981

  -6·8

  -10·0

  -10·6

  -6·8

  -1·1

  12·7

  -7·3

  13·1

  1982

  -9·8

  -5·5

  -9·2

  4·0

  -4·7

  11·7

  4·2

  -5·7

  1983

  -4·0

  -2·0

  -8·7

  0·9

  -8·0

  5·8

  2·3

  10·1

  1984

  -3·2

  -5·0

  -6·0

  -3·1

  -5·6

  7·9

  -2·7

  5·7

  1985

  0·7

  1·4

  0·9

  0·4

  -0·5

  4·5

  -0·2

  2·4

  1986

  6·2

  10·4

  6·1

  11·0

  -6·9

  -18·4

  10·9

  26·7

  1987

  4·7

  6·6

  2·4

  7·2

  -0·4

  -11·9

  7·6

  8·2

  Source: IMF international Financial Statistics.

  Incomes
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tax units will be on incomes, including unearned income, in excess of £30,000 in 1988–89.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  About one million. This estimate is based on a projection of the 1985–86 survey of personal incomes and is therefore provisional.

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration has been given to the taxation of child benefit; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Major
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave the hon. Member for Woolwich (Mr. Cartwright) on 17 May.

  Vehicle Excise Duty
  Mr. French
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to ensure that in 1988–89 less revenue is lost from vehicle excise duty evasion in the United Kingdom than during the 1987–88 financial year.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  I have been asked to reply.
  198

  £ million

  1985–86

  20

  1986–87

  30

  1987–88

  270

  The effects on receipts for earlier years are zero or negligible.

  Currency Fluctuations
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what, for each year since 1975, was the percentage fluctuation in the value of the national currencies of Belgium, Denmark, France, Holland, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, West Germany and Japan.

  Mr. Lilley
  The following table shows, for each of the eight countries in question, percentage changes in effective exchange rates. as computed by the International Monetary Fund, for the years 1975 to 1987.

  In 1988–89 we shall, with the support of the police, pursue VED evadors more vigorously. A record number of enforcement campaigns is planned, covering almost half the vehicle population in England, Scotland and Wales.

  Campaigns induce motorists to tax their vehicles voluntarily through local publicity and lead to the automatic prosecution of those who ignore the warnings given. During the year, the last of the vehicle registration offices will get computer terminals linked to the DVLC vehicles register.

  The number of evadors brought to book through prosecutions or out of court settlements has increased every year since 1981–82 and a further increase is planned in 1988–89.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated annual cost of abolishing the income limits for the various age allowances against income tax; and how many taxpayers would benefit respectively.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 16 May 1988]: The full year cost of abolishing the aged income limit in 1988–89 would be about £190 million and about 750,000

  199
  single people and married couples would benefit. The estimates are based on a projection of the 1985–86 survey of personal incomes and are therefore provisional.

  Exchange Rate
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from the Scottish Confederation of British Industry for a stable exchange rate; and what response he has sent.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 23 May 1988]: My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has received no representations from the Scottish CBI about the exchange rate this year.

WALES

  Water Rates
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the average annual cost of water rates in Wales; what is the environmental services component; and if he will give this information in real and cash terms for the current year and 1987.

  Mr. Grist
  The information requested is as follows:

  Welsh water authority: Average household bills

  Pounds

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1988–89

  (Estimated outturn)

  (Budget estimate)

  (1987–88 prices)

  Average household bill

  122·61

  134·57

  128·78

  Environmental service charge component

  2·15

  2·32

  2·22

  Riverways and Freshwater Lakes
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the estimated total length of riverways and total surface area of freshwater lakes in Wales.

  Mr. Grist
  The information is not available in the form requested. Estimates made for the Welsh Water Authority's "A strategic plan for water-space recreation and amenity" showed that the surface area of inland waters in Wales was 30,700 acres. The surface area of freshwater lakes in the ownership of the water authorities in Wales is some 13,400 acres. The estimated total length of "main" rivers in Wales is 3,600 miles.

  Notes:

  Inland waters are:

  (a) rivers, streams, other watercourses, whether or not natural, artificial or tidal;

  (b) lakes, ponds, reservoirs, docks;

  (c) channels, creeks, bays, estuaries and arms of the sea.

  Main rivers are:

  A watercourse for which a water authority accepts responsibility for its land drainage functions.

  Welsh Water Authority
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much was spent by the Welsh water authority 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 in 1987–88.
  200
  Mr. Grist
  The information requested will not be available until the Welsh water authority publishes its annual accounts for 1987–88.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many staff were employed by the Welsh water authority at the latest available date.

  Mr. Grist
  At 31 March 1988, the Welsh water authority employed 4,618 people (full-time equivalents).

  Ofwat
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals his Department is currently making with regard to the prospective powers of Ofwat; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment on Friday 20 May 1988.

  Health Authorities (Expenditure)
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the main areas of spending in Welsh regional health authorities.

  Mr. Grist
  There are no regional health authorities in Wales. However, the main areas of health authorities' spending in Wales in 1986–87, the latest financial year for which information is available, were as follows:

  £ thousands

  Hospital services

  542,762

  Community health service

  67,270

  Other services1

  33,737

  Headquarters administration

  26,931

  Total revenue expenditure

  670,700

  Capital expenditure

  60,716

  Total expenditure

  731,416

  Source: Health Authorities Annual Accounts.

  1Includes ambulance services, blood transfusion services, emergency bed services, contractual hospitals and, homes, community health councils and other expenditure.

  Handicapped Pupils
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the number of local education authority areas in which there is a physiotherapy service available in schools, including special schools, to answer the needs of handicapped pupils.

  Mr. Grist
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps are being taken to ensure that all the technical, polytechnical and further education colleges in Wales are fully accessible for students in wheelchairs.

  Mr. Grist
  It is the responsibility of education authorities and others providing educational buildings to make provision for disabled students. For new buildings, education authorities must observe the minimum requirements of the Department of Education and Science
  201
  design note No. 18 (1984) "Access for disabled people to Educational Buildings" which cover the question of wheelchair access.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many handicapped pupils were registered in January 1987 with local education authorities in Wales as having a need for special education and have that need satisfied at special schools outside Wales.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  In January 1987 local authorities in Wales recorded 13,163 pupils for whom they were or will be maintaining a statement of special educational needs. Information is not available on the number of statemented pupils receiving special education at special schools outside Wales, but in January 1987 a total of 458 statemented pupils were receiving special education in a Welsh or English local authority other than their own.

  Dale of Issue

  Reference

  Title

  29 November 1977

  WO 185/77

  Local education authority arrangements for the school curriculum 1

  12 December 1978

  WO 153/78

  Co-ordination of services for children under five

  15 August 1980

  WO 31/80

  Grants for Welsh language education 1980–81

  5 January 1981

  WO 3/81

  Grants for Welsh language education 1981–82

  10 August 1981

  WO 38/81

  Grants for Welsh language education 1982–83

  1 October 1981

  WO 44/81

  "The School Curriculum" and "Welsh in Schools"

  29 June 1982

  WO 28/82

  Grants for Welsh language education 1983–84

  24 June 1983

  WO 37/83

  Grants for Welsh language education 1984–85

  8 December 1983

  WO 59/83

  "The School Curriculum" and "Welsh in Schools" 2

  12 June 1984

  WO 31/84

  Education Act 1980: Section 21 Grants for Welsh language education 1985–86

  4 June 1985

  WO 30/85

  Education Act 1980: Section 21 Grants for Welsh language education 1986–87

  18 June 1986

  WO 29/86

  Education Act 1980: Section 21 Grants for Welsh language education 1987–88

  24 June 1987

  WO 34/87

  Education Act 1980: Section 21 Grants for Welsh language education 1988–89

  Notes:

  1. Responses to Section G (Welsh language) of this circular are summarized in "Local Authority arrangements for the School curriculum" (Welsh Office, 1979)

  2. Responses to this circular are summarised in "Local Authority reviews of the school curriculum in Wales" (Welsh Office, June 1986).

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales in how many secondary schools in Wales it is now possible for pupils to undertake most or all of their education through the medium of the Welsh language; and how many pupils currently receive all or a large part of their secondary education through the medium of the Welsh language.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The latest available information for maintained secondary schools relates to September 1987 and is given in the table:

  Number of subjects taught through the medium of Welsh

  Number of schools

  Number of pupils on roll

  16 or more subjects

  25

  17,634

  11 to 15 subjects

  13

  7,628

  6 to 10 subjects

  2

  1,563

  1 to 5 subjects

  13

  10,043

  Welsh Development Agency
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the present employment level in Welsh Development Agency factories; and what were the comparable figures for 1979.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Information in the form requested is not available. I have asked the Welsh Development Agency to undertake the necessary analysis and when this is complete I will write to the hon. Gentleman and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.
  202
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much his Department has spent or provided in the last financial year on improving access to educational buildings in Wales for disabled students.

  Mr. Grist
  Improved access for disabled students is incorporated into the design of new and improved educational buildings. The costs of such provision are not normally separately distinguished.

  Welsh Language
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the circulars which have been issued by his Department over the past 20 years to local education authorities in Wales dealing with the teaching of the Welsh language or the provision of education through the medium of the Welsh language.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The information is as follows:

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many people have been employed by the Welsh Development Agency in each year from 1979 to 1987;

  (2) what was the last budget of the Welsh Development Agency in each year since 1979; what was the increase in real terms in the budget from 1979 to 1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1984–85, 1985–86 and 1986–87; and what was the increase in staff from 1979 to the present time.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The information is as follows:

  Gross mainstream latest budgets (£ million)

  Cash

  1988–89 prices1

  Increase on 1979–80

  Average number of staff in post

  1979–80

  34·5

  63·2

  —

  472

  1980–81

  70·6

  109·1

  45·9

  497

  1981–82

  72·5

  101·9

  38·7

  502

  1982–83

  71·4

  93·7

  30·5

  506

  1983–84

  59·1

  74·1

  10·9

  499

  1984–85

  72·0

  86·5

  23·3

  441

  1985–86

  63·3

  71·7

  8·5

  436

  1986–87

  73·0

  80·1

  16·9

  470

  1987–88

  286·0

  89·9

  26·7

  493

  1988–89

  3113·0

  113·0

  49·8

  n/a

  1 Adjusted using GDP deflator.

  2 Excluding the £11·25 million one off cost of acquiring the residual industrial assets of Cwmbran Development Corporation.

  3 Initial Budget.

  203
  In addition to the mainstream budgets shown above the Agency was provided with special resources to help mitigate the effects of the steel closures in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The resources involved are as follows:

  £ million

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  Cash

  27·5

  22·3

  33·2

  13·8

  5·6

  1988–89 prices1

  50·4

  34·5

  46·7

  18·1

  7·0

  1 Adjusted using GDP deflator.

  Teachers
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many full-time peripatetic teachers were working for each local authority in Wales in January; how many were shared with other authorities; and how many were part-time peripatetic technical teachers.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  Information in respect of peripatetic teachers is not yet available for January 1988. However the numbers in January 1987 are given in the table. Information is not available on the number of peripatetic teachers shared between authorities, or on the number of part-time peripatetic technical teachers employed.

  Number of peripatetic teachers employed by local authorities1 at January 1987

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Clwyd

  57

  64

  Dyfed

  113

  7

  Gwent

  29

  —

  Gwynedd

  56

  38

  Mid Glamorgan

  270

  79

  Powys

  46

  5

  South Glamorgan

  50

  27

  West Glamorgan

  60

  21

  1 Teachers released or seconded for service in schools outside each authority's area should be included in the count of the authorities maintaining the schools to which the teachers are released and excluded from the count for the releasing authority. Teachers shared equally between authorities may be double-counted.

  Mentally Handicapped Children
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what guidelines he has issued to local education authorities in Wales to ensure that educational facilities for mentally handicapped children give due regard to the home language of such children.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The policy statement "Welsh in Schools" issued in July 1981 gave advice to local education authorities in respect of all pupils, including those with special educational needs, on the place of Welsh in the

  Term of Leaving1

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  Autumn

  940

  930

  1,420

  1,310

  1,190

  870

  —

  Spring

  5,510

  4,170

  4,070

  3,950

  3,500

  3,605

  4,160

  Summer

  38,675

  38,795

  39,745

  40,065

  39,350

  39,955

  39,025

  All leavers

  45,125

  43,895

  45,235

  45,325

  44,040

  44,430

  43,185

  Intended Destination1

  Labour Market2

  34,270

  32,040

  32,195

  31,410

  30,950

  30,610

  29,840

  Of which still unemployed next March3

  2,464

  5,039

  7,053

  6,536

  5,157

  5,173

  3,799

  Full-time Education

  10,855

  11,855

  13,040

  13,915

  13,090

  13,820

  13,345

  All leavers

  45,125

  43,895

  45,235

  45,325

  44,040

  44,430

  43,185

  Notes:

  1 School Leavers 10 per cent. Sample Survey. Data is therefore subject to some sampling error.
  204
  school curriculum. Welsh Office circulars 59/81 and 5/83 make the point that linguistic factors are not to be construed as a learning difficulty within the definition of the Education Act 1981, but that, in assessing a child's special educational needs, care should be taken to use a language with which the child and his parents are familiar.

  Welsh Development Agency
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of the Welsh Development Agency budget was spent in each Welsh district during the last 12 months.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Information in the form requested is not available.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the total expenditure of the Welsh Development Agency since its inception.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The Welsh Development Agency's gross expenditure to the end of 1987–88 amounts to £791 million, inclusive of the special resources allocated to mitigate the effects of the steel closures in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

  School Leavers
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many persons left school at the end of the last summer term; and, of these, how many are(a) in full-time permanent employment, (b) in full-time education, (c) in youth training or temporary employment schemes and (d) unemployed; and what are the corresponding figures for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Information on the number of persons who left school at the end of the last summer term is not yet available. Detailed information on the first destination of school leavers is not available in the form required. Information on those who left school, by term, for each year since 1979 and their intended destination is available in the table:
  205
  2 Includes leavers who have been accepted under the Youth Training Scheme or temporary employment schemes, and those known to be looking for employment as well as those in full-time employment.

  3 Department of Employment. Shows the number of school leavers under 18 at March each year who had yet to find their first job after leaving school the previous summer.

EMPLOYMENT

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Stretford of Wednesday 20 April, Official Report, columns 472–73, if he will give for each standard region, from March to March, for each of the last 10 years(a) the

  Employees in Employment thousands

  March of each year

  Total employees in employment

  Change since previous year

  Annual change as a percentage of the working population for June of each year

  1979

  South East

  7,405

  n/a

  n/a

  East Anglia

  687

  n/a

  n/a

  South West

  1,557

  n/a

  n/a

  West Midlands

  2,232

  n/a

  n/a

  East Midlands

  1,543

  n/a

  n/a

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  1,990

  n/a

  n/a

  North West

  2,666

  n/a

  n/a

  North

  1,234

  n/a

  n/a

  Wales

  1,015

  n/a

  n/a

  Scotland

  2,064

  n/a

  n/a

  1980

  South East

  7,475

  70

  0·83

  East Anglia

  695

  8

  0·98

  South West

  1,570

  13

  0·70

  West Midlands

  2,230

  -2

  -0·08

  East Midlands

  1,542

  -1

  -0·06

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  1,982

  -8

  -0·35

  North West

  2,640

  -26

  -0·84

  North

  1,218

  -16

  -1·10

  Wales

  1,012

  -3

  -0·24

  Scotland

  2,074

  10

  0·41

  1981

  South East

  7,278

  -197

  -2·30

  East Anglia

  678

  -17

  -2·03

  South West

  1,520

  -50

  -2·63

  West Midlands

  2,069

  -161

  -6·35

  East Midlands

  1,473

  -69

  -3·87

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  1,871

  -111

  -4·84

  North West

  2,496

  -144

  -4·61

  North

  1,142

  -76

  -5·27

  Wales

  942

  -70

  -5·69

  Scotland

  1,998

  -76

  -3·08

  1982

  South East

  7,121

  -157

  -1·83

  East Anglia

  670

  -8

  -0·96

  South West

  1,499

  -21

  -1·09

  West Midlands

  1,991

  -78

  -3·08

  East Midlands

  1,452

  -1

  -1·18

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  1,807

  -64

  -2·82

  North West

  2,392

  -104

  -3·40

  North

  1,101

  -41

  -2·92

  Wales

  914

  -28

  -2·32

  Scotland

  1,933

  -65

  -2·65

  1983

  South East

  7,038

  -83

  -0·97

  East Anglia

  668

  -2

  -0·24

  South West

  1,470

  -29

  -1·50

  West Midlands

  1,928

  -63

  -2·51

  East Midlands

  1,405

  -47

  -2·62

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  1,772

  -35

  -1·55

  North West

  2,301

  -91

  -3·01

  206
  total number of employees in employment, and the annual change in employees in employment expressed numerically and as a percentage of the available work force, (b) the number of people in receipt of unemployment benefit, together with the percentage annual change, (c) the average number of hours worked per employee, (c1) the total number of hours worked and (e) the annual change in hours worked, in numerical and percentage terms.

  Mr. Lee
  The available information is as follows:
  207

  March of each year

  Total employees in employment

  Change since previous year

  Annual change as a percentage of the working population for June of each year

  North

  1,061

  -40

  -2·85

  Wales

  879

  -35

  -2·92

  Scotland

  1,879

  -54

  -2·21

  1984

  South East

  7,143

  105

  1·22

  East Anglia

  688

  20

  2·31

  South West

  1,507

  37

  1·92

  West Midlands

  1,956

  28

  1·12

  East Midlands

  1,430

  25

  1·40

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  1,765

  -7

  -0·31

  North West

  2,280

  -21

  -0·70

  North

  1,056

  -5

  -0·36

  Wales

  873

  -6

  -0·50

  Scotland

  1,880

  1

  0·04

  1985

  South East

  7,239

  96

  1·08

  East Anglia

  721

  33

  3·68

  South West

  1,527

  20

  1·01

  West Midlands

  1,984

  28

  1·11

  East Midlands

  1,472

  42

  2·31

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  1,769

  4

  0·18

  North West

  2,277

  -3

  -0·10

  North

  1,070

  14

  1·01

  Wales

  873

  —

  —

  Scotland

  1,892

  12

  0·49

  1986

  South East

  7,312

  73

  0·81

  East Anglia

  748

  27

  2·88

  South West

  1,536

  9

  0·44

  West Midlands

  2,011

  27

  1·06

  East Midlands

  1,495

  23

  1·22

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  1,774

  5

  0·21

  North West

  2,260

  -17

  -0·56

  North

  1,073

  3

  0·21

  Wales

  855

  -18

  -1·49

  Scotland

  1,875

  -17

  -0·69

  1987

  South East

  7,377

  65

  0·71

  East Anglia

  780

  32

  3·33

  South West

  1,555

  19

  0·93

  West Midlands

  2,039

  28

  1,09

  East Midlands

  1,505

  10

  0·52

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  1,778

  4

  0·17

  North West

  2,259

  -1

  -0·03

  North

  1,077

  4

  0·28

  Wales

  852

  -3

  -0·25

  Scotland

  1,862

  -13

  -0·53

  ..—Not available.

  The working population is the sum of employees in employment, the self-employed, members of HM forces and the unemployed.

  Thousands

  1978

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  South East

  Number of unemployed claimants

  275·9

  243·0

  230·1

  442·5

  578·3

  653·7

  698·8

  745·4

  777·8

  716·1

  557·1

  Percentage change on year

  -11·9

  -5·3

  92·3

  30·7

  13·0

  6·9

  6·7

  4·3

  -7·9

  -22·2

  Greater London

  Number of unemployed claimants

  134·1

  120·4

  115·4

  211·8

  281·5

  323·3

  354·9

  381·1

  399·2

  377·5

  315·8

  Percentage change on year

  -10·2

  -4·2

  83·5

  32·9

  14·8

  9·8

  7·4

  4·7

  -5·4

  -16·3

  East Anglia

  Number of unemployed claimants

  30·9

  28·8

  27·2

  51·9

  62·6

  71·6

  73·5

  76·4

  82·4

  77·0

  57·0

  Percentage change on year

  -6·8

  -5·6

  90·8

  20·6

  14·4

  2·7

  3·9

  7·9

  -6·6

  -26·0

  South West

  Number of unemployed claimants

  92·7

  81·5

  76·9

  128·7

  152·2

  169·6

  181·1

  194·5

  203·0

  188·1

  149·1

  208
  The table shows seasonally adjusted adult unemployment together with the percentage annual change for each of the standard regions for each March from 1979 to 1988.
  209

  1978

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  Percentage change on year

  -12·0

  -5·6

  67·4

  19·3

  11·4

  6·8

  7·4

  4·4

  -7·3

  -20·7

  West Midlands

  Number of unemployed claimants

  107·3

  106·9

  115·4

  242·0

  296·4

  327·2

  327·3

  334·3

  337·8

  316·1

  254·8

  Percentage change on year

  -0·5

  8·1

  109·7

  22·5

  10·4

  0·0

  2·1

  1·0

  -6·4

  -19·4

  East Midlands

  Number of unemployed claimants

  68·5

  65·2

  66·1

  130·4

  150·2

  171·8

  183·5

  193·6

  198·0

  189·5

  156·1

  Percentage change on year

  -4·8

  1·4

  97·3

  15·2

  14·4

  5·8

  5·5

  2·3

  -4·3

  -17·6

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Number of unemployed claimants

  104·7

  105·0

  109·1

  198·8

  232·5

  260·9

  270·9

  286·0

  302·1

  293·5

  243·4

  Percentage change on year

  ·3

  3·9

  82·2

  17·0

  12·2

  3·8

  5·6

  5·6

  -2·8

  -17·1

  North West

  Number of unemployed claimants

  176·2

  169·5

  183·4

  301·2

  360·0

  401·9

  422·8

  429·2

  435·0

  413·0

  347·8

  Percentage change on year

  -3·8

  8·2

  64·2

  19·5

  11·6

  5·2

  1·5

  1·4

  -5·1

  -15·8

  Northern

  Number of unemployed claimants

  102·0

  102·4

  108·2

  162·9

  184·3

  202·7

  215·6

  223·6

  231·0

  216·2

  187·0

  Percentage change on year

  ·4

  5·7

  50·6

  13·1

  10·0

  6·4

  3·7

  3·3

  -6·4

  -13·5

  Wales

  Number of unemployed claimants

  75·6

  74·9

  73·5

  124·2

  143·8

  156·4

  162·3

  170·7

  176·4

  159·3

  135·9

  Percentage change on year

  -·9

  -1·9

  69·0

  15·8

  8·8

  3·8

  5·2

  3·3

  -9·7

  -14·7

  Scotland

  Number of unemployed claimants

  159·8

  152·9

  163·5

  239·4

  278·3

  303·0

  317·5

  327·2

  338·5

  343·3

  300·1

  Percentage change on year

  -4·3

  6·9

  46·4

  16·2

  8·9

  4·8

  3·1

  3·5

  1·4

  -12·6

  Northern Ireland

  Number of unemployed claimants

  54·9

  55·2

  57·9

  86·3

  95·1

  105·8

  112·9

  113·5

  122·8

  125·4

  116·4

  Percentage change on year

  ·5

  4·9

  49·1

  10·2

  11·3

  6·7

  ·5

  8·2

  2·1

  -7·2

  The Labour Forece Survey provides information on a

  Great Britain Labour Force Survey—Spring each year

  Employees in employment total usual person hours worked per week

  Thousands

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  11987

  All persons

  South East

  253,688

  258,117

  261,797

  262,985

  263,139

  East Anglia

  26,762

  26,889

  27,889

  28,927

  29,151

  South West

  58,404

  57,973

  60,657

  60,028

  62,092

  West Midlands

  69,915

  70,366

  71,319

  74,229

  72,850

  East Midlands

  55,562

  56,474

  56,004

  57,755

  56,917

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  66,153

  65,964

  66,123

  65,729

  66,061

  North West

  83,702

  82,183

  85,521

  84,343

  86,225

  Northern

  40,433

  39,341

  38,569

  39,863

  40,694

  Wales

  32,886

  32,773

  33,722

  34,118

  34,169

  Scotland

  72,014

  70,600

  71,328

  69,964

  69,448

  1 1987 LFS data are provisional.

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  Change to year ending: thousands

  All persons

  South East

  4,429

  3,680

  1,188

  154

  East Anglia

  128

  999

  1,038

  223

  South West

  -430

  2,684

  -629

  2,064

  West Midlands

  450

  954

  2,910

  -1,379

  East Midlands

  911

  -469

  1,751

  -838

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  -189

  159

  -394

  332

  North West

  -1,518

  3,338

  -1,178

  1,882

  Northern

  -1,092

  -772

  1,295

  830

  Wales

  -113

  949

  396

  51

  Scotland

  -1,414

  728

  -1,364

  -516

  Change to year ending: per cent.

  All persons

  South East

  1·7

  1·4

  0·5

  0·1

  East Anglia

  0·5

  3·7

  3·7

  0·8

  South West

  -0·7

  4·6

  -1·0

  3·4

  West Midlands

  0·6

  1·4

  4·1

  -1·9

  210
  different basis from which can be calculated the person hours usually worked by employees and average total usual hours given in the tables:
  211

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  East Midlands

  1·6

  -0·8

  3·1

  -1·5

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  -0·3

  0·2

  -0·6

  0·5

  North West

  -1·8

  4·1

  -1·4

  2·2

  Northern

  -2·7

  -2·0

  3·4

  2·1

  Wales

  -0·3

  2·9

  1·2

  0·1

  Scotland

  ·2·0

  1·0

  -1·9

  -0·7

  Great Britain labour force survey spring of each year

  Employees—A verage total usual hours

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  11987

  All persons

  South East

  37·87

  37·54

  37·87

  38·20

  38·13

  East Anglia

  37·10

  36·73

  38·05

  38·07

  38·23

  South West

  37·10

  36·77

  36·65

  36·90

  36·76

  West Midlands

  37·28

  37·61

  37·55

  37·69

  37·36

  East Midlands

  37·57

  37·24

  37·41

  37·42

  37·90

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  36·74

  36·49

  37·07

  36·70

  36·70

  North West

  36·74

  36·57

  37·02

  36·87

  37·28

  Northern

  37·06

  36·47

  36·67

  36·64

  36·61

  Wales

  37·14

  36·34

  37·03

  37·20

  37·58

  Scotland

  37·96

  38·02

  37·92

  37·86

  37·81

  11987 LFS data are provisional.

  Mines and Quarries Act 1954
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will specify the associated legislation which is to be replaced along with the Mines and Quarries Act 1954.

  Mr. Nicholls
  In addition to the Mines and Quarries Act 1954 the new legislation will replace the Mines Management Act 1971, approximately 50 sets of national regulations and many local regulations made under the 1954 Act. A small number of regulations made under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, before the start of the legislative renewal programme, will also be replaced.

  Dock Labour Scheme
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what were the national weekly average gross earnings and gross hours of work, excluding underemployment hours, for registered dock workers in all dock labour scheme ports for the calendar year 1987.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The national weekly average gross earnings for registered dock workers in all dock labour scheme ports in the calendar year 1987, excluding underemployment hours, was £298·56; and the national weekly average gross hours of work, excluding underemployment hours, for registered dock workers in all dock labour scheme ports for the calendar year 1987 was 41.

SOCIAL SERVICES

  Electro-convulsive Therapy
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list for each of the last three years for which figures are available(a) the total number of patients detained under section 2 of the Mental Health Act 1983, (b) the number of such patients treated with electroconvulsive therapy and (c) the number of such cases where emergency powers were used to permit treatment with electro-convulsive therapy.
  212
  Mrs. Currie
  The total number of admissions of patients detained under section 2 of the Mental Health Act 1983 is as follows:

  Mental illness and mental handicap hospitals and units, and Special Hospitals, England

  1984

  1985

  1986

  Number of admissions under s.2 Mental Health Act 1983

  6,855

  7,758

  8,260

  Figures relate to admissions and not individual patients since an individual may be admitted more than once during the year.

  Details relating to the number of patients detained under section 2 of the Mental Health Act 1983 who are treated with electro-convulsive therapy, and the number of such cases where emergency powers were used to permit treatment with electro-convulsive therapy, are not collected centrally.

  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what regulations are currently in force regarding the treatment of patients detained under section 2 of the Mental Health Act 1983.

  Mrs. Currie
  Regulations governing the use of treatment for mental disorder for all patients detained under the powers of the Mental Health Act 1983 are contained in part IV of the Act and also in Statutory Instrument 1983, No. 893 (The Mental Health (Hospital, Guardianship and Consent to Treatment) Regulations 1983).

  Agency Staff
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how much was spent on agency staff in the National Health Service in the latest period for which figures are available.

  Mr. Newton
  Following is information derived from annual accounts submitted to the Department for 1986–87 (the latest year available):
  213

  Expenditure on Non-national Health Service (Agency, etc) Staff

  £000

  Regional and district health authorities and the special health authorities for the London postgraduate teaching hospitals

  150,092

  Family practitioner committees

  296

  England total

  150,388

  Note:

  The figures exclude expenditure by special health authorities and other bodies providing central services to the National Health

  Expenditure on non-National Health Service (agency, etc.)—Administrative and Clerical staff

  £'000

  Regions

  1978–79

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  Northern

  35

  54

  38

  20

  30

  37

  47

  78

  96

  Yorkshire

  86

  68

  73

  74

  93

  192

  295

  590

  670

  Trent

  239

  258

  139

  227

  402

  562

  694

  705

  993

  East Anglian

  92

  140

  122

  106

  169

  238

  376

  520

  954

  North-West Thames

  1,874

  3,065

  2,819

  1,927

  1,707

  2,084

  2,672

  3,710

  5,407

  North-East Thames

  1,464

  2,079

  1,699

  1,239

  1,466

  2,282

  3,109

  3,735

  5,961

  South-East Thames

  1,171

  1,591

  1,197

  952

  980

  1,170

  1,853

  2,548

  3,783

  South-West Thames

  852

  1,552

  1,374

  887

  1,000

  1,238

  1,992

  3,407

  6,563

  Wessex

  176

  245

  180

  227

  384

  420

  566

  725

  1,089

  Oxford

  177

  303

  94

  82

  86

  156

  251

  444

  663

  South Western

  106

  178

  125

  126

  289

  207

  531

  708

  791

  West Midlands

  300

  480

  496

  427

  409

  623

  900

  1,254

  1,718

  Mersey

  51

  33

  12

  13

  43

  43

  86

  126

  144

  North Western

  176

  153

  243

  255

  270

  335

  490

  391

  384

  Regions total

  6,799

  10,199

  8,611

  6,562

  7,328

  9,587

  13,862

  18,941

  29,216

  Special Health Authorities1

  932

  1,232

  1,138

  775

  648

  723

  1,079

  1,541

  1,962

  Total

  7,731

  11,431

  9,749

  7,337

  7,976

  10,310

  14,941

  20,482

  31,178

  1 Special Health Authorities for the London postgraduate teaching hospitals.

  Source:

  Annual accounts of regional and district health authorities and those of the special health authorities for the London postgraduate teaching hospitals. (Predecessor authorities for the years prior to 1982–83).

  Note:

  The total expenditure figures for 1985–86 and 1986–87 exclude expenditure incurred by family practitioner committies (£146,000 and £240,000, respectively). Prior to 1 April 1985 family practitioner committees (FPCs) were associated with district (formerly area) health authorities and their relevant expenditure was included in the annual accounts of those health authorities and is not separately indentifiable.

  Flood Damage
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make additional resources available in the Ealing district under the social fund to enable payments to be made in respect of recent severe flood damage to people's furniture and fittings; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  Additional allocations from the contingency reserve will be considered following an unforeseen and unforeseeable demand which could not be met from a local office's budget. There is no indication that circumstances in Ealing warrant an additional allocation.

  Private Medical Clinics
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the total number of beds in private medical clinics in England.

  Mrs. Currie
  On 31 December 1986, the latest date for which information is available centrally, there were 62,112 beds in private hospitals, homes and clinics registered under section 23 of the Registered Homes Act 1984. Details from Form SBH 212 are published annually and are available in the Library.
  214
  Serivce. Their annual accounts do not separately indentify such expenditure but, given the level of their total expenditure, that on agency staff is not thought to be significant.

  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the expenditure in each regional health authority on agency staff employed on administrative, secretarial and clerical work in each year since 1978–79.

  Mr. Newton
  The table shows the information that is available for total expenditure incurred on agency staff employed on administrative, secretarial and clerical work by each health region in England from 1978–79 to 1986–87 (the latest year available):

  Benefit Claims (Lambeth)
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many applications for single payments, additional requirement claims and supplementary benefit claims, made before 11 April are outstanding at his Department's offices serving the London borough of Lambeth.

  Mr. Portillo
  Information on outstanding additional requirement claims is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The number of outstanding single payments and supplementary benefit claims in each of the 10 local offices serving the London borough of Lambeth is given in the table. The boundaries of these offices are not conterminous with those of the borough.

  Single payment and supplementary benefit claims outstanding at 29 April 1988

  Office

  Single payments claims

  Supplementary benefits claims

  Balham

  544

  83

  Battersea

  99

  141

  Brixton

  497

  266

  Camberwell

  303

  161

  Crystal Palace

  507

  491

  Kennington Park

  814

  119

  215

  Office

  Single payments claims

  Supplementary benefits claims

  Oval

  3,835

  220

  Peckham

  173

  203

  Southwark

  168

  166

  Streatham

  236

  421

  Mr. J. Wall (Application)
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services why no decision has yet been made on an application to his Department's offices at 6 Camberwell new road, London SE5, by Mr. Julian Wall, of 13 Carlton mansions, Coldharbour lane, London SW9, which was made to that office in October 1987.

  Mr. Portillo
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Leicester Royal Infirmary
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take immediate steps to remedy the shortage of skilled staff which has brought about the closure of the recently opened bone marrow transplant unit at the Leicester Royal infirmary.

  Mrs. Currie
  Responsibility for the management of local health services lies with the district health authority concerned. However, I understand that the bone marrow unit referred to which closed because of staff shortages on 16 May will reopen on 30 May. Nationally the recent pay awards and the clinical grading review should help to overcome difficulties associated with recruitment of specialised nursing staff. We are also encouraging district health authorities to broaden their recruitment methods. My hon. Friend may wish to contact the chairman of Leicestershire district health authority for more detailed information.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to ensure that the enterprise allowance is not regarded as income in the determination of housing benefit.

  Mr. Portillo
  No. An enterprise allowance is a business receipt which counts as gross income of that business. The determination of a claim for housing benefit is made by reference to net business profit and any other income or capital held by the claimant. In some cases, maximum housing benefit would be payable even where an enterprise allowance was in payment.

  Pensions
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the cost of giving all pensioners aged over 80 years an extra £2 a week.

  Mr. Scott
  The estimated annual cost of increasing retirement pensions for those over 80 by £2 a week would be about £200 million if the rates of income support and housing benefit were increased by corresponding amounts.

  Age Allowance
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services for how long the 25p age addition has been paid to pensioners; and what is its value in real terms now in relation to its inaugural value.

  Mr. Scott
  At 1971 prices, the 25p age addition is currently worth 5p.

  Women's Pensions
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has as to what percentage of pension schemes allow women to pass on their rights to their husbands.

  Mr. Scott
  The Department does not collect information centrally or keep records of occupational pension schemes provisions. However, schemes which contract-out of the state earnings related pension scheme are required to make provision for both widows' and widowers' benefits.

  Women's Refuges
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the number of places per 10,000 women at women's refuges for each year since 1979.

  Mrs. Currie
  Information in this form is not available for each year since 1979. Currently, however, the national voluntary organisation, Women's Aid Federation (England), estimates that there are 1,282 places at women's refuges in England and Wales. This represents 0·64 of a place for every 10,000 women aged 18 and over, or one place per 15,600 women.

  Social Security Expenditure
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the financial saving to the Exchequer of removing the link between the average earnings index in November 1980 and social security benefits, with figures to be shown for each individual benefit effect for each financial year up to and including 1988–89.

  Mr. Scott
  The information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Allason
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services whether any changes will be made to cash limits for his Department in 1988–89.

  Mr. Newton
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimates, the following changes will be made:

  The cash limit for class XIV, vote 1, (Hospital and community health and other services, England) will be increased by £538,303,000 (from £10,653,687,000 to £11,191,990,000). This increase follows the decision to implement, from 1 April 1988, the recommendations of the review bodies in respect of doctors, dentists, nurses, midwives and professions allied to medicine, as announced by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 21 April 1988.
  217
  The cash limit for class XIV, vote 3 (Miscellaneous health services and personal social services, England) will be increased by £400,000 (from £417,746,000 to £418,146,000), reflecting the transfer, from the non-cash limited class XIV, vote 2, of provision to meet the cost of location incentives to dentists.

  The public expenditure costs of these changes have been charged to the Reserve and do not add to the public expenditure planning total.

  Hospital Waiting Lists
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) which of the Korner recommendations suggested the abolition of the distinction between urgent and non-urgent cases;

  (2) which professional organisations were consulted about the abolition of the distinction between urgent and non-urgent cases; and if any representations have been received from them;

  (3) what change he will now make to principle 14·3 contained in his booklet "Management of Private Practice in Health Service Hospitals in England and Wales" after the abolition of the distincion between urgent and non-urgent cases.

  Mr. Newton
  [holding answer 5 May 1988]: In paragraph 11.20 of its first report to the Secretary of State, the Korner steering group listed the minimum data which it recommended should be collected on the demand for hospital treatment. The steering group purposely did not include a distinction between urgent and non-urgent cases. Paragraph 11.21 makes clear that the recording of such a distinction should be left to local choice.

  Comments on the report were received from the Joint Consultants Committee, the General Medical Services Committee, the Royal College of Nursing and the Royal College of Radiologists. None of these commented specifically on the recommendations in paragraphs 11.20 and 11.21.

  The discontinuation of the distinction between urgent and non-urgent cases in central statistical returns does not affect the operation of common waiting lists for private and national health service patients which will continue to be based on clinical priority.

  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what specific steps are being taken to reduce waiting lists for orthopaedic surgery in Dartford and Gravesham district health authority.

  Mr. Newton
  [holding answer 5 May 1988]: There is a variety of local developments going on in orthopaedics in Dartford and Gravesham. If my hon. Friend cares to write to the chairman of the health authority, I am sure he will be pleased to provide the information required.

  Social Security Reform
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the cost of retraining staff to enable them to administer the new social security system following the implementation of the Social Security Act 1986.

  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 16 May 1988]: £21 million.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Sheep Movements (Cumbria)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why he refused to designate the area of Cumbria immediately adjacent to the Solway Firth from Maryport eastwards as a restricted area for sheep movement on 20 June 1986.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The determination of the boundaries of the restricted area was based on all information available at the time. This included sheep, milk and crop monitoring results and an extensive deposition survey carried out by the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology.

  Livestock (Genetic Improvement)
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he next intends meeting representatives of animal welfare groups to discuss the genetic improvement of livestock; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I have no plans at present for such a meeting, but I and my officials meet the animal welfare societies from time to time to discuss matters of current interest.

  Food Act 1984
  Mr. McAvoy
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made in the review of the Food Act 1984; and when he expects consultations to be concluded.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Following my announcement in October last year officials have held informal discussions with organisations affected by our proposals to review the food Acts on the outstanding issues that need to be decided in the detail of the revisions.

  The consultations are continuing but are expected to be completed by late summer.

  Milk
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much milk is currently being produced in herds subject to BST testing.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The animal test certificates under which the trials are authorised permit the treatment of a maximum of 1,130 cows. However, the number of cows treated at any one time is likely to be less than this. Information on the volume of milk produced in herds involved in the trial is not available.

  Council of Ministers
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement concerning the outcome of the last meeting of the European Community Agriculture Council.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Waltnarnstow (Mr. Summerson) on 18 May at columns 473–74.

  Animal Disease Research
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the recommendations contained in the Wildy report on the future of animal disease research in Britain with particular reference to proposals for decentralisation and a new animal disease co-ordinating board.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  [holding answer 23 May 1988]: The Wildy report to Agriculture Ministers and the chairman of the Agricultural and Food Research Council on research and development in farm animal diseases was published on 4 March 1988. The report's recommendations, including those for the establishment of an animal disease co-ordinating board and on the restructuring of establishments, are under consideration and no conclusions have yet been reached.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the level of new inward investment into Northern Ireland in the last year.

  Mr. Viggers
  During the year 1987–88 12 new projects which are expected to create 867 jobs were finalised. This represents a considerable improvement upon the results for 1986–87. The aggregate investment associated with the 12 new projects is £21·5 million against which IDB has offered selective financial assistance totalling £6·2 million.

  Social Security
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what resources his Department is devoting to monitoring the effects of the recent social security changes on the Province.

  Mr. Needham
  The effects of the social security reforms are being monitored in the main using the wide range of data derived from the Department's management, expenditure and statistical returns. This involves a substantial staff effort, but it is not possible to provide a reliable estimate of the cost.

  Member's Questions
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the written answer of 19 May,Official Report, column 565, to the hon. Member for Brent, East, what are the reasons for the delay in providing substantive replies to the remaining questions put down for answer on 26 and 28 April.

  Mr. Stanley
  Replies to the hon. Member's remaining questions have now been given.

  Fair Employment
  Mr. Charles Wardle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he intends to publish his White Paper on fair employment in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Tom King
  A White Paper entitled "Fair Employment in Northern Ireland" was published today. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses and are also available in the Vote Office.
  220
  I outlined the main features of our proposals for new fair employment legislation in my written answer of 2 March to my hon. Friend the Member for Crawley (Mr. Soames), and they were published in the form of a brochure, copies of which were placed in the Library. Today's White Paper explains the policy more fully and sets out in some detail the key elements of the proposed legislation. The Government intend to introduce a Bill into Parliament at the earliest opportunity.

  The Government's proposals for new legislation are designed to strengthen existing fair employment law in Northern Ireland. They clearly demonstrate our continuing commitment to eradicate job discrimination and to promote genuine equality of opportunity in employment. the proposed measures will improve the institutional structure within which the policy will operate and will lead to better equal opportunity practice in both the public and private sectors.

  These proposals represent an effective and constructive response from the Government to a serious economic and social problem in Northern Ireland. Despite the progress which has been made, and the sound work of the Fair Employment Agency since 1976, it is clear that a broader approach to the problems of disadvantage and discrimination is necessary, and that this must also deal with the problems of indirect and unintentional discrimination. The elimination of all discrimination in the workplace is one of the Government's major priorities.

  The proposals set out in the White Paper are far reaching. They impose important new responsibilities on employers, and entail serious penalties for breach of duty. But the emphasis throughout our proposals is on fairness. We do not want to transfer hardship from one section of the community to another. we do not wish to impose an intolerable administrative burden on employers. We intend to give support to anyone who is genuinely trying to create employment and prosperity in Northern Ireland. The problems which the Government are addressing in this White Paper are of long standing and will require time and determination to resolve. The proposals published today represent a major step in the right direction.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will name each employer for which the Fair Employment Agency has completed or initiated formal investigations under section 12 and section 24 of the Fair Employment Act (NI) 1976, stating the nature of the finding in each case;

  (2) how many complaints under section 24 of the Fair Employment Act (NI) 1976 have been made against (a) public bodies and (b) private employers; and what has been the outcome in each case.

  Mr. Viggers
  It is not the practice to release the names of employers who are the subject of an investigation by the Fair Employment Agency under section 12 of the 1976 Act, unless it is considered appropriate on completion of an investigation, nor to identify the parties in a formal investigation under section 24 of the Act. Agency reports on section 12 investigations, where published, are available in the Library as are copies of agency's annual reports which contain an account of investigations under section 24 of the Act. A breakdown of agency investigations under each section, together with the names of employers published by the agency, is given in the tables.
  221
  Table I

  Section 12 (to end April 1988)

  Employers identified but no report published*

  Department of Health and Social Services, local office, Enniskillen

  British Broadcasting Corporation

  Northern Ireland Polytechnic

  Bass Charrington

  Cantrell and Cochrane

  Ormeau Bakery

  Employer identified but final report not published

  Cookstown District Council

  Employers identified and reports published

  Northern Ireland Electricity Service

  British Broadcasting Corporation (2nd phase)

  Northern Ireland Civil Service

  Fire Authority for Northern Ireland

  Northern Ireland Housing Executive

  Northern Ireland Ambulance Service

  Southern Health and Social Services Board

  Ulster Museum

  Deny City Council

  Northern Ireland Railways

  Belfast Telegraph

  Unipork

  Report of an investigation into the nine building societies in Northern Ireland

  (Halifax Building Society, Woolwich Building Society, Abbey National Building Society, Gateway Building Society, Nationwide Building Society, Leicester Building Society, Leeds Permanent Building Society, Anglia Building Society, Progressive Building Society)

  Report on investigations into the principal banks in Northern Ireland

  (TSB, Northern Bank, Allied Irish Bank, Ulster Bank, Bank of Ireland)

  Report of investigation into eight insurance companies

  (Prudential Insurance Company, Pearl Insurance Company, Commercial Insurance Company, General Accident Assurance Company, Britannic Insurance Company, Refuge Assurance, United Friendly Society, Royal Insurance)

  Employers not identified but general report published

  Employment patterns in the Belfast area with particular reference to engineering.

  Employment patterns in the Londonderry area.

  Investigations completed and reports in course of preparation

  Investigations currently under way

  * When first established agency policy was not to publish reports of section 12 investigations.

  Table II

  Section 24 (to end April 1988)

  Private sector

  Public sector

  Trade unions

  Total number of complaints

  320

  389

  3

  Unlawful discrimination

  23

  29

  1

  No discrimination

  165

  198

  2

  Section 42

  1

  20

  —

  Withdrawn or not pursued

  82

  89

  —

  Outstanding

  49

  53

  —

  Bombs (Detonation)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the maximum distance between bomb and person detonating it over which a remote-controlled bomb has been known to have detonated in 222
  Northern Ireland in the following circumstances: (a) in open countryside, (b) in an urban area and (c) where there was a high concrete obstruction between the bomb and the person detonating it.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  [holding answer 23 May 1988]: I have been asked to reply.

  The circumstances in which a bomb can be remotely detonated by means of a command wire or by radio control are extremely variable. It is not possible to provide the information requested.

  Firearms and Explosives
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions from 1972 to the current date members of the security forces supplied(a) firearms, (b) ammunition and (c) explosives to civilians in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Stanley
  [holding answer 26 April 1988]: I am aware of only one such incident. This came to light following an RUC investigation into the murder of Mr. William Strathearn in April 1977. It was established that two serving police officers had taken part in the murder and that the murder weapon had been provided by one of them. In June 1980 both men were found guilty of murder and firearms offences and were sentenced to life imprisonment. If the hon. Member has evidence of possible further offences he will no doubt bring them to the attention of the police.

  Security Forces (Attacks)
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions from 1972 to the current date, members of the security forces have asked civilians(a) to fire on and (b) to attack other members of the security forces or their property.

  Mr. Stanley
  [holding answer 26 April 1988]: I am not aware of any such occasions. If the hon. Member has evidence of possible offences he will no doubt bring them to the attention of the police.

  Ministerial Duties
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many meetings with the Friends of the Earth the Minister for Sport, the hon. Member for Lewisham, East (Mr. Moynihan), has attended in the course of his official duties in the last year; and if he will list them.

  Mr. Moynihan
  I have had no official meetings with the Friends of the Earth during the past year although I have met individual members of that organisation from time to time.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many meetings concerning historic buildings the Minister for Sport, the hon. Member for Lewisham, East (Mr. Moynihan), has attended in the course of his official duties in the last year; and if he will list them;

  (2) how many meetings concerning ancient monuments the Minister for Sport, the hon. Member for Lewisham, East (Mr. Moynihan), has attended in the course of his official duties in the last year; and if he will list them.
  223
  Mr. Moynihan
  I attended meetings concerning historic buildings and ancient monuments on 22 June 1987, 28 June 1987, 30 July 1987, 24 September 1987, 28 September 1987, 20 January 1988, 27 January 1988, 9 February 1988 and 24 February 1988.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many meetings concerning royal parks the Minister for Sport, the hon. Member for Lewisham, East (Mr. Moynihan), has attended in the course of his official duties in the last year; and if he will list them.

  Mr. Moynihan
  I attended meetings on 30 July 1987 and 3 November 1987 and I visited the royal parks on 30 October 1987.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many meetings with trade unions involved in the water industry the Minister of Sport, the hon. Member for Lewisham, East (Mr. Moynihan), has attended in the course of his official duties in the last year; and if he will list them.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Since taking office I have had no meetings with the trades unions involved in the water industry.

  On 18 April officials of the Department met representatives of NALGO to discuss the proposed establishment of the National Rivers Authority and the privatisation of the water authorities' utility functions. The water authorities will themselves consult the trades unions on the schemes of reorganisation which they have been asked to prepare.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many meetings with regional water authorities the Minister for Sport, the hon. Member for Lewisham, East (Mr. Moynihan), has attended in the course of his official duties in the last year; and if he will list them.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Since taking office I have met representatives of the regional water authorities on 16 occasions as listed:

  Authority

  Number of meetings

  Anglian

  2

  Northumbrian

  2

  North West

  1

  Severn-Trent

  1

  Southern

  2

  South West

  1

  Thames

  3

  Wessex

  1

  Yorkshire

  3

  I have visited all the water authorities in England.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many meetings with the Countryside Commission the Minister for Sport, the hon. Member for Lewisham, East (Mr. Moynihan), has attended in the course of his official duties in the last year; and if he will list them.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Two. I met the chairman of the Countryside Commission, Sir Derek Barber, on 27 January when we discussed, among other things, appointments to the national park authorities. On 8224
  October 1987 I attended the international symposium on protected landscapes in Grange-over-Sands which was organised by the commission.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many meetings with the Nature Conservancy Council the Minister for Sport, the hon. Member for Lewisham, East (Mr. Moynihan), has attended in the course of his official duties in the last year; and if he will list them.

  Mr. Moynihan
  I have not needed to attend any meetings with the Nature Conservancy Council (NCC) since my appointment last year. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and other ministerial colleagues who are more closely involved in the council's affairs have met members of the NCC on several occasions during the last year.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many meetings concerning the Ordnance Survey the Minister for Sport, the hon. Member for Lewisham, East (Mr. Moynihan), has attended in the course of his official duties in the last year; and if he will list them.

  Mr. Moynihan
  I have attended meetings concerning Ordnance Survey on 11 occasions since June 1987.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many meetings with the British Waterways Board the Minister for Sport, the hon. Member for Lewisham, East (Mr. Moynihan), has attended in the course of his official duties in the last year; and if he will list them.

  Mr. Moynihan
  I met the British Waterways Board (BWB) chairman on 19 November 1987, and on 15 January, 5 February, 21 March and 19 May this year. In addition, I visited the BWB Birmingham area on 11 March and opened the Milton Keynes marina on 30 April.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many meetings with the League Against Cruel Sports the Minister for Sport, the hon. Member for Lewisham, East (Mr. Moynihan), has attended in the course of his official duties in the last year; and if he will list them.

  Mr. Moynihan
  None.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many meetings with the Ramblers Association the Minister for Sport, the hon. Member for Lewisham, East (Mr. Moynihan), has attended in the course of his official duties in the last year and if he will list them.

  Mr. Moynihan
  None. But representatives of the Ramblers Association met my right hon. Friend, Lord Belstead, when he was Minister for Environment, Countryside and Water, on 27 October 1987 and I have had informal discussions in the course of my official duties.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many meetings with the Long Distance Walkers Association the Minister for Sport, the hon. Member for Lewisham, East (Mr. Moynihan), has attended in the course of his official duties in the last year; and if he will list them.
  225
  Mr. Moynihan
  None.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many meetings with the Water Authorities Association the Minister for Sport, the hon. Member for Lewisham, East (Mr. Moynihan), has attended in the course of his official duties in the last year; and if he will list them.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Since taking office I have met the Water Authorities Association on four occasions.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many meetings with English Heritage the Minister for Sport, the hon. Member for Lewisham, East (Mr. Moynihan), has attended in the course of his official duties in the last year; and if he will list them.

  Mr. Moynihan
  I attended a meeting with English Heritage on 15 July 1987.

  Surrey Docks
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the current sale price of land in the Surrey docks area of the London Docklands development corporation.

  Mr. Trippier
  Between £1 million and £4 million per acre for housing and commercial development.

  Schools (Newham)
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what land the London Docklands development corporation is making available for new schools in the Newham area of the London Docklands development corporation.

  Mr. Trippier
  Sites for three primary schools. The corporation is discussing with the local education authority how it might further assist in the royal docks area.

  Docklands
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give a breakdown of the 36,000 new jobs referred to on 12 May,Official Report, column 466, in Docklands; if they are new; how many are relocations; and if the figures are net.

  Mr. Trippier
  The figure of 36,000 is for the total number of jobs now in docklands. Analysis of the net changes is being undertaken by the corporation. I will write to the hon. Member when details are available.

  Housing Revenue Accounts
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the Official Report a summarised housing revenue account, consistent with table 9·1 of Cm. 288-II, for each of the years 1982–83 to 1990–91 for (i) English local authorities, (ii) new town development corporations in England and (iii) Housing Corporation-financed housing in England.

  Mrs. Roe
  I will write to the hon. Member as soon as the information has been collected.

  Construction Products Directive
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what information he has concerning the 226
  progress of the draft construction products directive; when it will be finalised; and when it is expected to become operative;

  (2) if he will consider the desirability of rationalising the three sets of building regulations in operation in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  The draft construction products directive is being considered by the Internal Market Council working party on economic questions, and is to be referred to the Permanent Representatives Commit tee (COREPER) very shortly. A number of issues are outstanding, but it may be possible to reach agreement in the Council of Ministers before the end of the German presidency. It is intended that the directive should come into effect 12 months after adoption by the Council.

  One of the objectives of the current review of the building regulations is to bring the technical requirements in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland closer together. My officials are working closely with officials in Scotland and Northern Ireland on the principle that technical requirements ought to be the same, unless differences can be specifically justified.

  Water Regulations
  Mr. Clifford Forsythe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to introduce water regulations throughout the United Kingdom; what is the time scale for introducing such regulations; and how such regulations will be enforced.

  Mr. Moynihan
  [holding answer 23 May 1988]: My right hon. Friends the Secretary of State and the Secretary of State for Wales intend to table a number of regulations before the summer recess to do with water metering under sections of the Public Utility Transfers and Water Charges Act 1988. These regulations will apply only in England and Wales and will come into force this year.

  Local Government Expenditure
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated number of schemes which will now have to be vetted by his Department as a result of the Local Government (Prescribed Expenditure) (Amendment) Regulations.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 19 May 1988]: The regulations referred to in the question do not in themselves require any schemes to be submitted to my right hon. Friend for approval. It is too soon to say how many applications for additional capital allocations will be submitted as a result of the concessions announced by my right hon. Friend on 25 April at columns 103–104. The great majority of those so far received do not relate to schemes affected by the regulations.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if short-term leases of private properties taken by local authorities in order to provide temporary homes for the homeless 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]: The Local Government (Prescribed Expenditure) (Amendment) Regulations 1988 provide, inter alia, that, with certain

  227
  exceptions, expenditure by a local authority on the acquisition of a leasehold interest in land, including buildings, for a term not exceeding three years is not prescribed expenditure and thus is not subject to the limits on capital expenditure laid down in part VIII of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980.

  Rating Reform
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate the number of pensioner households and pensioner tax units, both single persons and married couples, who would be eligible for a community charge rebate under a taper of(a) 20 per cent. and (b) 15 per cent. in calculating rebate entitlement.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 23 May 1988]: The information requested is as set out. The estimates assume that the community charge is fully in place.
  228

  England, thousands

  20 per cent, taper

  15 per cent, taper

  1. Pensioner households

  2,260

  2,400

  2. Pensioner tax units

  2,920

  3,080

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will recalculate the number of pensioner households and pensioner tax units, both single persons and married couples, who(a) gain and (b) lose under the community charge on the basis of a taper of 15 per cent. for calculating entitlement to rebate.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 23 May 1988]The information requested is as set out:

  England, thousands

  Number

  1. Pensioner households

  Gaining

  3,120

  Losing

  1,150

  2. Pensioner tax units

  Gaining

  3,470

  Losing

  1,960

  FERRIES: USE IN EMERGENCY
  FERRIES: USE IN EMERGENCY
  WILD BIRDS: EC DIRECTIVE
  WILD BIRDS: EC DIRECTIVE
  MR. MICHAEL GRAHAM
  MR. MICHAEL GRAHAM
  MR. HECTOR MACFARLAND
  MR. HECTOR MACFARLAND
  PRISONERS IN POLICE CUSTODY: STATISTICS
  PRISONERS IN POLICE CUSTODY: STATISTICS