Written Answers of 26 May 1988

PRIME MINISTER

  Canary Wharf
  Ms. Gordon
  To ask the Prime Minister why the hon. Member for Bow and Poplar was not informed(a) by her Office of her visit to Bow and Poplar on 11 May and (b) by the Department of Trade and Industry of Lord Young's visit on 4 November 1987, in connection with the Canary Wharf development; and if she will ensure that in future Ministers visiting Canary Wharf inform the hon. Member for Bow and Poplar in advance.

  The Prime Minister
  As my Office explained to the hon. Lady on 11 May, I regret that she was not informed in advance of my visit. My usual practice in such matters is set out in my reply to the hon. Member for Holborn and St. Pancras (Mr. Dobson) on 11 May 1988 at column 121. I have drawn the hon. Lady's concern to my right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

  Rogerstone, Newport
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister, if she has any plans to visit Rogerstone, Newport, Gwent.

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

  Community Care
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will consider the appointment of a Minister for community care, in the light of the recommendations in the recent report by Sir Roy Griffiths.

  The Prime Minister
  We are considering carefully all Sir Roy Griffiths' recommendations for community care, and shall bring forward proposals in due course.

  Sheepmeat Regime
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Prime Minister whether she will appoint the Secretary of State for Wales to represent the United Kingdom in the European Community Council of Agriculture Ministers' discussions on the sheepmeat regime; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  My right hon. Friend works in close collaboration with the Minister of Agriculture on all matters of importance to agriculture, including the sheepmeat regime.

  Engagements
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 26 May.

  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 26 May.
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  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 26 May.

  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 26 May.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 26 May.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 26 May.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 26 May.

  The Prime Minister
  This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House I shall be having further meetings later today.

ENERGY

  Energy Prices
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many representations he has received from manufacturing industries in the last 12 months regarding(a) electricity price increases, and (b) gas prices; what industrial categories such representations have been received from; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Parkinson
  I have received a large number of representations about industrial electricity prices, covering most sectors of manufacturing industry: such prices are primarily a matter for the electricity supply industry to decide within the financial framework agreed with Government. Industrial gas prices are a matter for British Gas plc and the Office of Fair Trading.

  Electricity Industry
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will publish in the Official Report a table, covering the period 1979–80 to 1988–89, showing the aggregate external financing limit for the electricity supply industry in England and Wales; the ex ante composition of this aggregate between the Central Electricity Generating Board, individiual area boards and the Electricity Council itself; and a comparable ex post composition.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The aggregate external financing limit (EFL) for the electricity supply industry in England and Wales is published in the annual public expenditure White Paper. The table shows (i) the initial forecast of the EFL taking no account of agreed revisions during the year and (ii) the outturn. The EFL is set for the industry as a whole; and the required contribution by individual boards is a matter for the industry. The actual contributions by boards are stated in their annual reports and accounts.

  Financial year

  Initial EFL forecast

  Outturn EFL

  £ million

  £ million

  1979–80

  -10

  + 189

  1980–81

  + 187

  + 140

  1981–82

  -165

  -221

  1982–83

  -232

  -154

  1983–84

  -312

  -485

  1984–85

  -740

  + 523

  231

  Financial year

  Initial EFL forecast

  Outturn EFL

  £ million

  £ million

  1985–86

  -1,128

  -468

  1986–87

  -1,416

  -1,325

  1987–88

  -1,305

  1-1,261

  1988–89

  -1,040

  —

  1 Estimated.

  Ceramic Industry
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has received from(a) firms in the ceramic industry and (b) firms from north Staffordshire with regard to the privatisation of electricity; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I have received representations on privatisation from many sectors of industry, and from many parts of the country.

  Energy Consumption
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how much energy was consumed in the United Kingdom for

  Phasing of deficit grant payments

  £ million

  Accrued in respect of

  Total

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1979–80

  159

  150

  9

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1980–81

  149

  —

  134

  15

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1981–82

  428

  —

  —

  210

  218

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1982–83

  374

  —

  —

  —

  357

  17

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1983–84

  875

  —

  —

  —

  —

  581

  294

  —

  —

  —

  1984–85

  2,225

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,108

  695

  422

  —

  1985–86

  50

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  50

  —

  1986–87

  288

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  74

  214

  1987–88

  200

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  200

  Total

  4,748

  150

  143

  225

  575

  598

  1,402

  695

  546

  414

  The Coal Industry Act 1987 provided that up to £200 million might be paid in respect of deficits arising in 1987–88 and 1988–89. The full £200 million was paid in 1987–88 to defray that year's deficit. The Government have no plans to seek to increase or extend the statutory powers to pay deficit grant.

  Mr. Kenneth Hind
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what financial support the Government expect to give British Coal in 1988–89.

  Mr. Parkinson
  British Coal's external financing limit for 1988–89 has been set at £670 million. As announced to the House on 28 March, at column 295, planned financing was made up as follows:

  £ million

  Restructuring Grant

  116·0

  Other non-deficit grants

  273·5

  Net Borrowing

  280·5

  670·0

  The requirement for restructuring grant in 1988–89 is being reviewed following the substantially increased number of redundancies in the closing days of 1987–88, which has resulted in higher than expected expenditure on redundancy lump sums early in 1988–89. A summer Supplementary Estimate will be submitted to seek
  232
  non-transport purposes during 1987; and what is his assessment of the effect the energy efficiency office had on this figure.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  Provisional figures for 1987 suggest that 41,636 million therms of energy were consumed for non-transport purposes. It is estimated that the activities of the Energy Efficiency Office contributed to the reduction of some 4 per cent. in (non-transport) energy consumption per unit of GDP compared to the previous year.

  British Coal
  Mr. Favell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what deficit grant to British Coal was accrued in the corporation's accounts in each financial year since 1979; when it was paid; and what further deficit grant the Government intend to pay.

  Mr. Parkinson
  Deficit grant to the British Coal Corporation was accrued and paid as shown in the table.

  approval for the additional grant. I am also considering the implications for the corporation's external finance limit. I will make an announcement to the House in due course.

  The Government have agreed that, subject to Parliament's approving any necessary provisions, adequate funds will continue to be made available to enable the corporation to meet its financial obligations as they fall due during the corporation's financial year ending 25 March 1989. The Government have also renewed their guarantee in respect of limited overdraft facilities at United Kingdom clearing banks for 1988–89.

  The House was told on 8 March that the loss for 1987–88 (after net restructuring charges) was likely to be higher than originally expected. Following the extra redundancies late in the year referred to above; the loss will be still greater.

  As the House was told on 2 March, at column 1075, British Coal has for some months been precluded from access to longer-term funds from the national loans fund (NLF). The corporation's current financial position and uncertain business prospects make it inappropriate for the NLF to continue to make new loans of any duration to it. It is therefore proposed, subject to approval of the necessary Supply Estimate, to refinance from loans on vote under section 2 of the Coal Industry Act 1980, the whole of the short-term and overnight NLF debt expected to be outstanding at the time of approval of the Estimate,

  233
  together with longer-term debt maturing in, and net new borrowing requirement for, the remainder of 1988–89. A Supplementary Estimate for a sum expected to be of the order of £1·8 billion will accordingly be submitted in due course. Of this, only the projected £280·5 million mentioned above represents net new borrowing in 1988–89; the remainder is to refinance existing NFL debt. The £280·5 million is already within the current EFL, and therefore the new arrangements do not represent an increase in public expenditure.

  The Coal Industry Act 1980 provides that the Secretary of State, with the approval of the Treasury, may issue directions as to the rates of interest payable on loans on vote; and that the interest may be deferred. It is intended that the rate of interest, at least initially, shall be at the same rate, and paid at the same time, as would be due on equivalent NLF loans. This will be kept under review in the light of British Coal's developing financial position. I would inform the House of any decision to soften the terms of future loans or defer the payment of interest.

  The corporation remains committed to the objective of achieving breakeven for 1988–89 after full interest charges and net restructuring costs; achieving an increasing surplus on revenue account in following years; and contributing increasingly to self-financing. These represent challenging targets, but are attainable provided the industry continues its drive towards greater flexibility and competitiveness and avoids damaging industrial action.

  Radioactive Waste (Disposal)
  Mr. Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement about the disposal of the radioactive wastes prepared for sea disposal in 1983.

  Mr. Parkinson
  The Government have decided not to resume sea dumping of drummed radioactive wastes. Instead, these will be prepared for eventual disposal in the deep facility for low and intermediate-level wastes which Nirex has been asked to develop.

  The Government nevertheless remain in no doubt that sea disposal makes good sense for some categories of waste, and intend to keep open this option for large items arising from decommissioning operations.

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Andy Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether any changes will be made to his Department's cash limits for 1988–89.

  Mr. Parkinson
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the cash limit for class VI, vote 7, will be increased by £3,500,000 to £6 million. This increase reflects a revision of the amount of work to be undertaken in 1988–89 in connection with the privatisation of the electricity supply industry in England and Wales now that a number of decisions have been taken and published in the White Paper "Privatising Electricity" (Cm 322).

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Multinational Companies (Third World)
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals his 234
  Department has to increase the role of multinational companies in fostering economic development in the Third world.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The bilateral and multilateral aid programmes provide substantial opportunities for British-based multinational companies to assist with approved projects in the Third world. Now that the aid programme is growing in real terms the scope for such assistance will increase. Through our support for structural adjustment we are also seeking to promote a better policy environment within developing countries, and one that is more conducive to direct foreign investment. The Commonwealth Development Corporation often invests in projects overseas in partnership with British private investors.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Teachers (Pay and Conditions)
  Sir Geoffrey Finsberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has now considered the views expressed by the local authority employers and the teacher unions on his proposals following the report of the interim advisory committee on school teachers' pay and conditions.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  After careful consideration of the representations I have received, following the publication of the report from the interim advisory committee on school teachers' pay and conditions, I have decided. to accept the committee's recommendations on pay rates. Drafts of amendments to the "School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document 1987," an order which will give effect to the 1988 document, and a circular to local education authorities, are being sent today to the relevant local authority associations, teacher unions and bodies representing the interests of the governors of voluntary schools inviting any comments by Wednesday 8 June

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action he has taken to remedy past inequalities in employment practices in his Department:, in compliance with the codes of the Commission for Racial Equality and the Equal Opportunities Commission, respectively.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The Department has reviewed the range of employment practices over the last few years in the light of Civil Service policy on equal opportunities. This has led to such developments as the introduction of "keeping in touch" arrangements for those who resign for domestic reasons, and the provision of women-only development training courses. Guidance on equal opportunity policies is included in the training provided for those involved in staff appraisal, recruitment and promotion interviewing. Ethnic monitoring is being used in sample recruitment surveys to measure the number of white and ethnic minority applicants and to identify significant variations in their success rates throughout the competition.

  Free School Milk and Meals
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many schoolchildren in the county of
  235
  Leicestershire received discretionary free milk in 1987; how many such children now receive discretionary free milk; and how many and what percentage of such children were or are, respectively, in schools for children with special needs;

  (2) how many children in the county of Leicestershire received discretionary free milk at school under supplementary benefit or family income supplement rules but are no longer receiving the same under the new income support rules;

  (3) how many schoolchildren in Leicestershire in 1987 received free school meals and milk; how many now receive the same; and what percentage have lost such entitlement;

  (4) how many special schools in the city of Leicester have been affected by the removal of discretionary free school milk; which schools are so affected; and how many and what percentage of children attending each of those schools have lost that entitlement;

  (5) how many and what percentage of children in special schools in the city of Leicester and in the county of Leicestershire, respectively, received school meals before the recent changes in entitlement to free school meals; and how many such pupils no longer receive school meals.

  Mr. Dunn
  In October 1987, the latest date for which data are available, about 18,751 pupils (or 16 per cent.) in Leicestershire received free school meals, of whom 330 pupils (or 0·3 per cent.) attended special schools. Information in respect of the city of Leicester is not separately available. For further information on school meals I refer the hon. and learned Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz) on 25 May.

  Information on the take-up of discretionary free school milk is not collected centrally. Children whose families are in receipt of income support continue to be eligible to receive free milk at midday.

  Palterton Primary School
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to allocate additional funds to Palterton primary school, Palterton, near Chesterfield for the construction of an extension for teaching accommodation.

  Mr. Dunn
  Capital allocations are made annually to local education authorities on the basis of plans submitted by the authority. The project at Palterton county primary school was not included in Derbyshire LEA's plans for 1988–89. Allocations in respect of prescribed expenditure are unhypothecated; it is accordingly for the authority to determine how to deploy its resources.

  Zoological Society of London
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what addition he proposes to make to the Universities Funding Council budget in respect of the switch of responsibility for the research role of the Zoological Society of London from the Department of the Environment.

  Mr. Jackson
  The transfer of responsibility for the funding of the Institute of Zoology will be accompanied by an increase in the public funding of the universities by a sum equivalent to the institute's core funding requirement.

  "Shouldn't You Become a School Governor?"
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science why the leaflet entitled "Shouldn't You Become a School Governor?" is being circulated in Scotland by his Department and by the Central Office of Information; and if he will indicate the cost of providing copies of this leaflet in Scotland.

  Mr. Dunn
  The Department has made no arrangements for the distribution of this leaflet in Scotland, since the provisions to which it relates apply only to England and Wales.

  City Technology College, Lincoln
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) on what basis his Department has held any discussions with members or officials of Lincolnshire county council education committee about the possible use of(a) South Park school, Lincoln and (b) any other local education authority school in Lincoln as a city technology college; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) whether his Department has held any discussions about the possibility of establishing a city technology college in Lincoln; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My Department has had no discussions with members or officials of the Lincolnshire LEA concerning the use of any specific LEA school as a city technology college. Discussions have taken place, on three occasions in the period between November 1986 and February 1988, to give the local authority and the business community general information on the establishment of CTCs.

  Primary School Teachers
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information is available to his Department regarding the number and distribution of primary school teachers in the maintained sector with formal qualifications or training in(a) mathematics and (b) science, beyond GCE O-level; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  In March 1987, there were an estimated 17,500 full-time and 2,200 part-time teachers in maintained nursery and primary schools in England, who had a post-A-level qualification in which mathematics was a main or second subject, or who had in the previous five years attended an in-service course in mathematics of at least one term's full-time equivalent duration. In addition, a further 4,300 full-time and 900 part-time teachers had A-level mathematics or equivalent.

  The corresponding figures for science were 22,700 full-time and 3,500 part-time with a post-A-level qualification, and a further 8,900 full-time and 2,000 part-time teachers with a science A-level or equivalent.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will estimate the number and proportion of primary schools in the maintained sector that have a member of the teaching staff with identifiable knowledge or experience in(a) mathematics and (b) science; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  In March 1987 an estimated 11,400 primary schools in England—57 per cent.—had at least
  237
  one teacher with a post-A-level qualification that had mathematics as the main or second subject or who had attended, in the previous five years, an in-service course in mathematics of at least one term's full-time duration or equivalent. The corresponding figure for science was 13,800–69 per cent.

  All primary schools teach mathematics and almost all teach science and must therefore have at least one teacher with experience of teaching those subjects.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information is available to his Department as to the numbers or approximate numbers of primary school teachers in the maintained sector who have undertaken in-service training wholly or largely in(a) mathematics and (b) science, in recent years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  Estimates based on a 1987 survey sample of full-time and part-time teachers in maintained nursery and primary schools in England, who identified themselves as having attended courses, are as follows:

  Mathematics

  Science

  Teachers who attended a course of at least 20 days full-time equivalent duration in the years 1982–1986.

  5,200

  2,900

  Teachers who had had attended a course of less than 20 days full-time equivalent duration in the months September-December 1986.

  17,200

  11,600

  Teachers in either or both of the above categories.

  21,400

  14,100

  Primary Schools (Mathematics and Science)
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information is available to Her Majesty's inspectors as to the provision of advisory services, support and in-service training in each local education authority for(a) mathematics in primary schools and (b) science in primary schools; whether such provision is earmarked or specifically identifiable; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  The information available to the inspectorate indicates that the provision of all these services varies widely in extent and quality. The vast majority of LEAs have advisers both for primary schools and for mathematics and science. Some have funds at their disposal and a small but growing number have the support of advisory teachers.

  The practice of earmarking funds for the support of mathematics and science in primary schools also varies. It is for each LEA to decide how best to utilise the resources at its disposal, and to determine whether the provision is of appropriate quality.

  Her Majesty's inspectorate is monitoring the operation of the LEA training grant scheme, and will report in due course upon specific aspects, including the extent to which it serves the needs of the national curriculum and makes reference to mathematics and science provision for primary schools.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what specific grant provision has been made in each recent year to support provision or training related to(a) mathematics in primary schools and (b) science in
  238
  primary schools; and if he will publish a table showing the amount of such grants and the local education authorities involved in each year.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  Specific grant has been available to support local education authorities' expenditure on the in-service training of teachers of mathematics since 1983, and of science since 1984. Total amounts of grant. which cover the training of teachers in primary and secondary schools, are as follows:

  Mathematics teachers

  Science teachers

  DES circular

  £ million

  £ million

  1983–84

  2·1

  —

  3/83

  1984–85

  1·98

  1·98

  4/84

  1985–86

  1·98

  1·98

  3/85

  1986–87

  1·763

  1·763

  1/86

  1987–88

  3·85

  3·85

  6/86

  11988–89

  4·4

  4·4

  9/87

  1 Estimated.

  Since the introduction of the LEA training grants scheme in 1987–88, LEAs have had discretion to supplement these amounts with grant from their allocations for local priorities. Allocations to individual authorities and details of the types of training attracting grant are included in the Department's circulars referred to above, copies of which are in the Library.

  Universities Funding Council
  Mr. Lester
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to announce the appointment of the chairman and chief executive of the proposed Universities Funding Council.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  I am pleased to announce appointments to both posts: Lord Chilver FRS Fling, currently vice-chancellor of Cranfield Institute of Technology, and soon to return to private industry. will be the first chairman; and Sir Peter Swinnerton-Dyer KBE FRS, currently chairman of the University Grants Committee, the first chief executive. The Universities Funding Council and the universities will be well served by this formidable team.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Lebanon
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further representations have been made regarding United Kingdom citizens kidnapped in Lebanon.

  Mr. Mellor
  We continue to call on those Governments or organisations with influence over the hostage takers to use their influence to secure the unconditional release of those concerned.

  In the gathering of information about our hostages, every lead is being followed up. Her Majesty's Embassy in Beirut is doing all it can, in very difficult circumstances. We also remain in touch with middle eastern and other Governments.

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has taken to
  239
  remedy past inequalities in employment practices in his Department, in compliance with the codes of the Commission for Racial Equality and the Equal Opportunities Commission, respectively.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is an equal opportunity employer and is pursuing the 1984 programme of action for equal opportunities for women in the Civil Service. Equal opportunity officers were appoined in the diplomatic and aid wings in 1984.

  The diplomatic wing has adopted a number of measures to allow officers to combine career interests with domestic responsibilities. Flexible working hours were formally introduced in 1987. Provision has been made for part-time work, and job sharing. A more flexible approach has been adopted to requests for special unpaid leave for domestic reasons. Subject to operational requirements joint postings are arranged whenever possible where both partners in a marriage are members of the diplomatic service. Further details of these arrangements are given in the booklet "How to Cope with Changes in Domestic Responsibility … and still have a job", a copy of which is being placed in the Library of the House.

  We are updating our programme of voluntary ethnic monitoring of staff in post. We also monitor recruitment and training. We recruit nationally and from all sectors of society. We advertise in the ethnic minority press in addition to the national and regional press and in inner-city jobcentres in London. Our recruitment literature stresses that we are an equal opportunity employer. We work with the national and regional press on articles about the work of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. We issue guidance to officers on aspects of equal opportunities (eg sexual harassment). Special courses on equal opportunities are arranged for officers dealing with personal management. Equal opportunities is included in all management courses.

  Similar arrangements have been made in the aid wing, which in addition promotes attendance on internal and external women-only courses, and trains members of promotion boards on equal opportunities.

  Japan
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met the Foreign Minister of Japan; and what subjects were discussed.

  Mr. Mellor
  My right hon. and learned Friend last met Mr. Uno in the margins of the OECD ministerial council meeting in Paris on 18 May. They discussed political and economic subjects of mutual interest.

  Cuba
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next intends to visit Cuba.

  Mr. Mellor
  My right hon. and learned Friend has no present plans to do so.

  Foreign Affairs Council
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the Official Report a statement on the outcome of the Foreign Affairs Council held on 24–25 May.
  240
  Mrs. Chalker
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary and I attended the Foreign Affairs Council on 24 May. There was a useful discussion of outstanding points on detailed follow-up to the European Council. Some were resolved: others were referred for further discussion and resolution at the June Foreign Affairs Council.

  The Council agreed to establish a 15 million ecu programme to support Community-wide exchanges involving young people between the ages of 15 and 25. The programme will run for three years from 1 January 1989: the Commission also has authority to spend up to 3·55 mecu this year on such exchanges.

  The Council endorsed the text of the EC/CMEA joint declaration which, when signed later this month, will open the way for improved co-operation in various fields between the Community and CMEA member states.

  The Council discussed dates for the 1989 European Parliament elections, and the Foreign Ministers, meeting as a Committee of Representatives of the Member States, discussed nominations to the European Court of Justice; they will return to both topics.

  The sixth EC/Israel Co-operation Council, held in the margins of the FAC, reviewed the working of the EC/Israel co-operation agreement, and considered outstanding trade and tax difficulties. The Community also stressed its concern that agreed measures giving preferential access to EC markets to Palestinian producers in the occupied territories should be implemented without further delay. Prospects for the middle east peace process were discussed separately.

  Council of Ministers
  Mr. Lester
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the Official Report a statement of forthcoming business in the European Community Council of Ministers.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The usual forecast was deposited in the House earlier today. At present, 14 meetings of the Council of Ministers are planned for June.

  The Economic and Finance Council will meet on 6 June to discuss the Commission's proposals on the liberalisation of capital movements.

  Agriculture Ministers will meet informally on 6–7 June for bilateral discussions on the 1988–89 price-fixing proposals and income aids. These discussions will continue at a formal Council on 13–14 June whose agenda also includes veterinary inspection fees; quick frozen foodstuffs; materials and articles in contact with food; control of food additives; extraction solvents; and health problems affecting intra-Community trade in meat products.

  The Internal Market Councils on 7 and 22 June will discuss a number of measures relevant to the completion of the single market.

  The Social Affairs Council which meets on 9 June is expected to adopt the directive proscribing four specified carcinogens and will consider common positions, under the cooperation procedure, on the draft directives on benzene and exposure limits. The Council will also discuss the draft directives on carcinogens (framework); health and safety at the workplace; minimum workplace requirements; and equal treatment in social security.

  The Energy Council will meet on 9 June and will consider the Commission's analysis of potential obstacles

  241
  to the creation of an internal market in energy; a paper on co-operation between major electricity utilities and private generators based on renewable energy sources, waste energy, and combined heat and power; and a report on the implementation by member states of Council recommendations on encouragement of investment in solid fuels in the industrial, public building and district heating sectors.

  There will also be discussion of possible acceleration of discrete energy efficiency investments by means of third party financing, and of the Commission's review of member states' energy policies in the context of the Community's energy objectives agreed to 1995.

  The Foreign Affairs Council meets on 13/14 June. The Council will discuss the implementation of the European Council Conclusions on financing the Community. It will also discuss a Commission paper setting out possible broad guidelines for the approach to the forthcoming renegotiation of the Lomé convention, and will have a further meeting with the European Parliament on the extension of the Food Aid Framework Regulation. Discussions are also expected to cover progress made in negotiations with Hungary on a trade and co-operation agreement; relations between the Community and the United States; and the dates of the 1989 European Parliament elections.

  The Environment Council meets on 16 June to discuss Commission proposals on large combustion plants; the protection of the ozone layer; major accident hazards; vehicle emissions (small cars); the reduction of wastes from the production of titanium oxide; and the five year programme illustrating the favourable impact of environmental projects on employment.

  The Transport Council will meet on 20/21 June to discuss a number of important outstanding transport issues, including road haulage market access, vehicle weights and dimensions, vehicle taxation, transport infrastructure, shipping, through-transit problems, drivers' hours and combined transport. Other subjects that may also be added to the agenda for this meeting are; access to road haulage profession; vehicle testing and relations with IACO (aviation).

  The Fisheries Council is expected to meet on 1 June to discuss the tuna market regime; control-reporting of Member States; technical conservation in the Baltic sea; additional catch quotas for Greenland; change in migration of western mackerel stock; and relations with third countries.

  The Industry Council meets on 24 June to consider the future of ECSC steel production quotas, and rules on providing state aid for the Community steel industry.

  The European Council to be held in Hanover on 27/28 June is expected to concentrate on the progress being made towards the completion of the single market and setting guidelines for future priorities.

  The Research Council will meet on 29 June. The provisional agenda anticipates the formal adoption of the Drive, Delta, Bureau of Community Reference and science programmes and an extension of the biotechnology programme. The Council will discuss the fusion programme and the extension to the JET statutes and will consider a common position and common orientations for the 1988–91 programme of work of the joint research centre.

  It may also be possible for the Council to adopt common positions on the AIM programme and the
  242
  ECLAIR programme. There will be discussion of the relationship between EC and EUREKA programmes, of the relationship of Community research activity to technical norms and standards, and of bioethical issues on the basis of communications from the Commission, Some discussion is also possible of the Japanese ideas for a human frontier science programme.

  The Telecommunications Council on 30 June is likely to discuss the Commission's Green Paper on the development of the Common Market for telecommunications services and equipment; a proposed Council directive which the Commission is expected to submit shortly on the opening up of public purchasing in telecommunications; and a possible agreement on a common European emergency number. It may also discuss satellite high definition television standards.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Swiss Companies
  Mr. Gregory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what information he has to how many acquisitions by United Kingdom companies of Swiss companies of a significant size were made in 1987; how many of these were contested bids; and how many were agreed.

  Mr. Maude
  United Kingdom companies are not required to register overseas acquisitions of companies. However, transactions identified from published sources involving United Kingdom companies acquiring Swiss companies during 1987 are as follows. There is no available information on whether any of these acquisitions were contested, or whether there were other bids which were contested and failed.

  Acquiring company

  Swiss company acquired

  John Crowther

  Wollimex AG

  Queen's Moat Houses

  Hotel Admiral

  This list does not include purchase of minority stakes or assets in Swiss companies.

  Switzerland (Departmental Discussions)
  Mr. Gregory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what discussions have been held by his Department with the Swiss authorities since 1982; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  My Department holds regular discussions with the Swiss authorities at both ministerial and official level. A wide range of matters of mutual interest are discussed including international trade policy, European trade and industrial issues and bilateral trade relations.

  Single European Market
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which five business schools have been asked to meet Ministers to discuss the need for extra courses tailored for the single market in 1992; and what additional resources will be offered for these courses.

  Mr. Maude
  My right hon. and noble friend has written to: Ashridge management college; Cranfield school of
  243
  management; Henley management college; Manchester business school; London business school and City university. The purpose of the meeting is to consider what preparations they are making for 1992. The question of additional resources does not arise at this stage.

  South Africa
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what has been the level of British disinvestment from South Africa since January 1983.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The latest available information in complete detail, on United Kingdom net direct investment in South Africa since 1983, is as follows. There is no information on United Kingdom portfolio investment abroad, by country.

  United Kingdom investment in South Africa (1983–86) by component

  £ million

  19831

  1984

  1985

  1986

  Unremitted profits

  362

  180

  174

  73

  Acquisition of overseas companies share and loan capital

  11

  6

  22

  16

  Disposal of overseas companies share and loan capital

  91

  42

  8

  47

  Net change in inter-company and branch/head office accounts

  15

  -24

  12

  43

  Net direct investment

  296

  120

  199

  86

  Source: Overseas Transactions Inquiry.

  1Excludes oil companies.

  Note: Components may not sum to the total because of rounding.

  Ceramic Industry
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he last met representatives from the ceramic industry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  I last met representatives of the ceramic industry at a reception for the British Ceramic Confederation on 28 October 1987 at the House of Commons.

  As the hon. Member knows, my Department is concerned only with the domestic pottery section of the ceramic industry. The remaining sectors are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.

  Intermediaries (Commission)
  Mr. McCrindle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what progress has been made in requiring company representatives and tied agents to disclose remuneration following his decision to require LAUTRO to require full disclosure of commission by intermediaries.

  Mr. Maude
  It is for the Securities and Investments Board and the self-regulating organisations to draw up rules on investment business under the Financial Services Act, but I am confident that, in the period before automatic full disclosure of commissions by intermediaries is required, they will work to develop a system of disclosure of expenses of selling through company representatives.

  The Secretary of State's decision on LAUTRO was whether or not to give leave to its recognition by the board. LAUTRO amended its rules so as to require full disclosure
  244
  of commissions from January 1 1990. The Secretary of State concluded that, as amended, LAUTRO's rules were not significantly anti-competitive, and accordingly gave leave.

  Mr. McCrindle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he received a copy of the report by Peat Marwick, commissioned by the Securities and Investments Board on the disclosure of remuneration and expenses of company representatives and tied agents; whether he has met the chairman of the Securities and Investments Board to discuss its recommendations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maude
  I received a copy of this report when it was published by the Securities and Investments Board on May 17 1988, and expect to discuss it with the chairman of the board shortly.

  Mr. McCrindle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what estimate he has made of the number of intermediaries who will, as a result of his decision on the LAUTRO rules regarding commission disclosure, apply to become tied agents; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maude
  I have made no estimate. It is for intermediaries themselves to decide whether to be independent or to become tied agents.

  Mr. McCrindle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if it remains his policy to ensure equivalence of disclosure of remuneration by independent intermediaries and company representatives; what form will this take; and if he will make a statement as to when he expects the full details to be known.

  Mr. Maude
  Under the rules made under the Financial Services Act, independent intermediaries will be required to disclose fully their commission to all investors from January 1 1990. The regulatory bodies under the Act will use the intervening period to prepare the way for disclosure of expenses of selling through company representatives.

  Travel Companies (Exchange Rate)
  Mr. Sean Hughes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) whether any estimate is available to him of the amount which holiday travel companies will gain as a result of movements in the exchange rate of the pound sterling in recent months;

  (2) if he will seek powers to compel holiday travel companies to refund to customers any excess profit arising from the movement in the exchange rate of the pound sterling in recent months; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Butcher
  No estimates are available of the benefits to the travel industry of recent favourable movements in the sterling exchange rate. Whether or not a refund can be expected by a consumer in any particular case is entirely a civil matter and not for Government intervention. The terms of the consumer's contract with the tour operator will indicate whether or not he is entitled to a refund in these circumstances, and it will be for him to pursue the matter with the company concerned.

  Fire Safety
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will estimate the likely effect of
  245
  the new furniture fire safety regulations on inventory charges to suppliers of furnishing fabrics arising from dual stocking for domestic and foreign markets.

  Mr. Butcher
  It is not practicable to provide a worthwhile estimate of the possible effect of the draft furniture fire safety regulations on inventory changes arising from dual stocking although if manufacturers and wholesalers adopt this course there will undoubtedly be some additional cost.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what estimate he has made of the effect on United Kingdom exports of fabrics to Australia arising from the 40 per cent. import duty rate on heavier grades instead of 2 per cent. following implementation of the proposed new furniture fire safety regulations.

  Mr. Butcher
  No estimate has been made of the effects on exports to any particular country, either in respect of tariffs or non-tariff harriers, of the proposed new furniture fire safety regulations. The regulations will not apply to exports.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what consideration he gave in formulating the new furniture fire safety regulations to the effect of fire retardant treatments on the weight of fabrics for export.

  Mr. Butcher
  The draft Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations will exclude exports. Any effect on the weight of fabrics resulting from fire retardant treatment from the United Kingdom market has not been a major consideration in drafting these regulations.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what estimate he has made of the impact of the new furniture fire safety regulations on exports to non-EEC countries.

  Mr. Butcher
  No such estimate has been made.

  Nationalised Industries
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what progress has been made in implementing the current programme of references of nationalised industries to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission; and what further references are planned.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The commission's report on the Welsh water authority was published on 18 May, and I expect to publish the report on the Post Office Counters services shortly. The Commission are currently investigating British Coal's capital investment and British Rail's provincial services.

  Scottish Health Boards' expenditure on mental illness

  (£'000 at 1981–82 prices1)

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  Argyll and Clyde

  7,845

  7,782

  7,953

  7,864

  7,581

  7,585

  Ayrshire and Arran

  3,435

  3,318

  3,673

  4,081

  4,179

  4,424

  Borders

  1,191

  1,104

  1,074

  1,095

  1,106

  1,174

  Dumfries and Galloway

  4,866

  4,753

  4,925

  4,625

  4,513

  4,335

  Fife

  3,641

  4,096

  3,939

  4,047

  3,918

  4,187

  Forth Valley

  45,189

  45,121

  4,827

  4,328

  4,695

  5,735

  Grampian

  9,793

  9,576

  8,950

  8,732

  8,894

  8,897

  Greater Glasgow

  423,493

  22,413

  22,445

  22,700

  23,342

  22,754

  Highland

  5,554

  5,033

  5,055

  5,134

  5,079

  5,074

  Lanarkshire2

  10,857

  10,976

  11,065

  11,878

  11,895

  12,033

  246
  Further references will relate to the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company and, once the King's Cross investigation is completed, London Underground.

SCOTLAND

  Health Boards (Expenditure)
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the main areas of health spending in health boards.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Health boards' summarised accounts for 1986–87 show main areas of spending as follows:

  £ million

  Recurrent

  Hospital services

  1,264

  Community health services

  131

  Family practitioner services

  437

  Headquarters administration

  59

  Associated services (eg nurse training, local health councils etc)

  19

  Capital

  Hospital and community health

  99

  Total

  2,009

  Forestry
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the overall target for afforestation of upland areas in Britain; and when he expects this target to be reached.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The present target for afforestation in Great Britain, excluding planting under the proposed farm woodland scheme, is 33,000 hectares a year. There is no separate target for afforestation in upland areas.

  Mental Illness
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the amount spent on mental illness in each health board for each year since 1979 at 1979 prices.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The table shows health boards' expenditure on mental illness in each year from 1981–82 to 1986–87. Information is not available for years before 1981–82.
  247

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  Lothian

  18,965

  18,602

  18,301

  17,974

  17,704

  18,950

  Orkney3

  11

  16

  15

  15

  16

  17

  Shetland

  4

  5

  2

  3

  2

  25

  Tayside

  11,470

  9,534

  9,519

  10,226

  9,723

  9,060

  Western Isles

  38

  21

  38

  42

  48

  n.a.

  Total

  4106,352

  4102,350

  101,781

  102,744

  101,695

  5104,250

  1 Measured using the GDP deflator.

  2 Includes elderly with mental disability.

  3 Includes mentally handicapped.

  4 On a different basis from later years.

  5 Excludes Western Isles.

  n.a. Not available.

  In the early years of the survey of expenditure, some anomalies in recording were present, which were subsequently corrected. These are noted in the footnotes.

  Local Authorities (Statistics)
  Mr. Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the total rateable value, needs assessments,

  Total rateable value

  Needs assessments

  Total population at 30 June

  Relevant expenditure

  Rateable value per head

  Relevant expenditure per head

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  £

  £

  1979–80

  1,218

  n/a

  5,167,000

  2,112

  236

  409

  1980–81

  1,255

  n/a

  5,153,300

  2,520

  244

  489

  1981–82

  1,281

  n/a

  5,149,500

  2,799

  249

  544

  1982–83

  1,296

  2,448

  5,166,557

  3,010

  251

  583

  1983–84

  1,321

  2,531

  5,150,405

  3,190

  256

  619

  1984–85

  1,325

  2,658

  5,145,722

  3,340

  258

  649

  1985–86

  3,121

  2,795

  5,136,509

  3,495

  608

  680

  1986–87

  3,190

  2,972

  5,121,013

  3,731

  623

  729

  1987–88

  3,220

  3,205

  5,112,129

  4,054

  630

  793

  1988–89

  3,220

  3,566

  n/a

  4,464

  630

  873

  Notes:

  (1) 1982–83 was the first year in which client group assessments of relative expenditure need were used.

  (2) The change in total rateable value in 1985–86 was caused by a revaluation.

  (3) The population estimates for 1988–89 are not yet available. The population as at 30 June 1987 has therefore been used.

  Mr. Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of local authorities which spent, respectively, above or below(a) their assessed spending need and (b) any expenditure guidance issued in each year from 1981–82 to 1988–89, estimate.

  Mr. Lang
  The information requested is set out in the table.

  Number of authorities

  Above assessed need

  On or below assessed need

  Above guideline

  On or below guideline

  1981–82

  n.a.

  n.a.

  55

  10

  1982–83

  33

  32

  37

  28

  1983–84

  39

  26

  58

  7

  1984–85

  36

  29

  28

  37

  1985–86

  32

  33

  29

  36

  1986–87

  26

  39

  24

  41

  1987–88

  34

  31

  35

  30

  1988–89

  30

  35

  31

  34

  Notes:

  (1) Client group assessments of relative expenditure need were not used prior to 1982–83.

  (2) The latest figures available about authorities actual or planned expenditure have been used.

  Language Assistants
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many language assistants went to which
  248
  population, total expenditure and rateable value per head in total, for local authorities in Scotland, in each year from 1979–80 to 1988–89, estimate.

  Mr. Lang
  The information requested is set out in the table.

  countries under the auspices of the exchange of language assistants scheme in the last year for which figures are available; and how many come from which countries in each exchange.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The language assistants scheme administered on behalf of my Department by the Central Bureau for Educational Visits and Exchanges does not operate on the basis of exchanges but of individual appointments arranged with reciprocating countries. In 1987–88 the central bureau made the following Scottish appointments:

  Country

  Outgoing assistants

  Incoming assistants

  France

  199

  192

  West Germany

  56

  63

  Spain

  35

  13

  Austria

  29

  9

  Italy

  10

  6

  Switzerland

  3

  7

  Columbia

  3

  2

  Sweden

  1

  1

  USSR

  1

  1

  Canada

  3

  —

  East Germany

  3

  —

  Ivory Coast

  —

  2

  Lebanon

  —

  1

  Morocco

  —

  8

  Senegal

  —

  1

  249

  Country

  Outgoing assistants

  Incoming assistants

  Tunisia

  —

  4

  Costa Rica

  —

  1

  Total

  343

  311

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr.Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he has taken to remedy past inequalities in employment practices in his Department, in compliance with the codes of the Commission for Racial Equality and the Equal Opportunities Commission, respectively.

  Mr. Rifkind
  My Department has recently completed a survey of the ethnic origins of staff in the Scottish Office and associated Departments as part of the nationwide survey of civil servants. This information is being kept up to date by asking new entrants to the Department to complete a questionnaire showing their ethnic origin. It is my Department's intention to review the results of the survey with a view to determining what future action should be taken to encourage applications from ethnic minorities for posts in the Scottish Office.

  In compliance with the Equal Opportunities Commission code of practice, facilities are offered to Scottish Office staff to enable them to combine a career with domestic responsibilities and to provide continuity of employment in such circumstances. These facilities include flexible working hours, special leave, reinstatement, re-employment and part-time working. Further opportunity for part-time working should be created as a result of a formal job sharing agreement which has recently been concluded between the Department and the trade union side.

  In addition, there are developmental training courses exclusively for female officers which they can attend at the Civil Service College. The Department maintains a record, to which staff have access, of child care facilities available from local government.

  Prisoners (Statistics)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the average length of custodial sentence of female prisoners in Scotland in 1986 and 1987.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The average length of custodial sentence imposed on female offenders in 1986 was 111 days and the provisional figure for 1987 is 115 days. Females sentenced to life imprisonment or indeterminate detention are not included in the above calculation.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prisoners were transferred from(a) Scotland to Northern Ireland and (b) Northern Ireland to Scotland in 1987; and under which section of the Criminal Justice Act 1961 such transfers were carried out.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  None.

  Terrorism
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many persons have been(a) killed and (b) injured in Scotland in 1987 as a result of paramilitary
  250
  activity; and if he will break down the figures specifying whether the paramilitaries were (i) from Western Europe, (ii) from Northern Ireland, (iii) from the Republicof Ireland, (iv) from other parts of the world and (v) of unknown origin.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  No such deaths or injuries occurred in Scotland during 1987.

  Planned Maintenance Programme (Lothian)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in view of the deterioration in the fabric of Linlithgow primary school, he will make funds available to Lothian region council's planned maintenance programme.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Substantial resources have been made available to Lothian regional council for both current and capital expenditure on the maintenance of school buildings in the current financial year. It is for the regional council itself to determine its own priorities for allocating these resources, and I understand that the council is now making arrangements for necessary repairs to be carried out at Linlithgow primary school.

  Scottish Office, Edinburgh
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was(a) the cost of providing office accommodation for him and other Ministers in his Department and their associated offices in Old St. Andrew's House, Edinburgh, and (b) the cost of removal there.

  Mr. Rifkind
  As regards capital expenditure, the final costs are not yet available, and I therefore cannot add to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Falkirk, East (Mr. Ewing) on 9 March 1988. The approximate cost of the removal is £2,000.

  Rating Reform
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each region and island authority in Scotland the current state of registration of persons for collection of the community charge including(a) number of forms issued, (b) percentage of forms issued, (c) numbers of completed forms returned and (d) percentage of completed forms returned.

  Mr. Lang
  Detailed information on the progress of community charge registration is not available centrally, but it is clear that in many areas very high rates of return of forms have been achieved in the initial canvass.

  New Towns
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is yet in a position to give a substantive reply to the question about new towns tabled by the hon. Member for East Kilbride for priority written answer on 28 April.

  Mr. Lang
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 25 May.

  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 Scottish new towns for the period 1974–75 to 1989–90, inclusive, the actual or estimated (a) capital expenditure, gross and net of capital receipts, (b) revenue expenditure and (c) capital debt, expressed in cash and as per capita amounts.
  251
  Mr. Lang
  The information requested concerning the development corporations' capital and current expenditure, capital receipts and loan debt is available in the annual accounts published in each corporation's annual reports for the period 1974–75 to 1986–87. The corporation's annual reports for the year 1987–88 are to be laid before Parliament on 13 July.

  Information on the estimated capital and revenue expenditure of the new towns in aggregate for the years 1987–88 to 1990–91 is contained within the Government's expenditure plans 1988–89 to 1990–91 presented to Parliament in January of this year.

  Information on population within the designated area of each Scottish new town for the years 1974–75 to 1989–90 was included in the answer given to the hon. Member on 25 May.

  Fetlar
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will establish an inquiry into the circumstances in which unemployed workers have been attracted to the island of Fetlar with offers of jobs renovating old croft houses as part of a £200,000 publicly funded project, only to find on their arrival that no jobs exist; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  This is a matter for the Sheltand Islands council. I understand that the circumstances have already been investigated by the Commissioner for Local Administration and that the Shetland Islands council has his report.

  Forestry Commission
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much gross income was derived in each of the last five years by the Forestry Commission from the use of its land and facilities by all forms of rally sport.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information is available only for car rallies, and is as follows:

  Year ended 31 March

  Gross income

  £

  1984

  331,000

  1985

  395,000

  1986

  323,000

  1987

  436,000

  1988

  349,000

  Edinburgh Bypass
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to appoint a public inquiry into the alternative routes for the M8 extension to the Edinburgh bypass.

  Mr. Rifkind
  I have already made provisional arrangements for a public local inquiry to be held in the autumn for the purpose of considering the objections received to the draft orders published by the Scottish Development Department in March 1988.

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Allan Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he proposes to announce any changes in the cash limits for 1988–89 within his responsibility.
  252
  Mr. Rifkind
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimates, the cash limit for Class XVI, Vote 14: "Prisons, Hospital and Community Health Services, etc, Scotland" will be increased by £86,100,000 from £1,783,653,000 to £1,869,753,000. Most of the increase—£86 million—follows the decision to implement the recommendations of the review bodies in respect of doctors, dentists, nurses, midwives and professions allied to medicine from 1 April 1988. The remaining £100,000 is the amount allocated to health boards following the error of calculation of the retail prices index as announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services on 18 December 1987.

  The cash limit for Class XVI, Vote 15: "Education, Arts, Libraries and Social Work, Scotland" will be increased by £796,000 from £197,720,000 to £198,516,000. This is to allow the disbursement of funds to various voluntary sector bodies and teachers' benevolent funds as a consequence of the earlier announced error in the retail prices index.

  Those changes represent a net charge on the reserve of £86,896,000 and will not therefore increase the planned total of public expenditure.

  Historic Buildings and Monuments Directorate
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make a statement on the report of the efficiency scrutiny of the directly employed labour of the historic buildings and monuments directorate of the Scottish Development Department.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The report was submitted at the end of February. Copies are being placed in the Library of both Houses today. I have agreed that copies should be circulated to the appropriate bodies with a view to starting the necessary consultations on the recommendations contained in the report.

  The report recognises that the primary task of the directly employed labour is the conservation of historic masonry and that the work force deploys specialist skills and experience of a high order with an impressive dedication to its task. The report suggests that to give value for money the directorate should continue to develop its existing sophisticated management information system, increase the amount of work contracted out and continually question how the existing service can be improved.

  The main recommendations for obtaining better value for money are:

  the integration of maintenance expenditure and DEL staff costs in a single vote;

  extend contracting out of non-historic work and reduce DEL numbers;

  review the present Estate of monuments against modern criteria of the merits and the liabilities of each site;

  achieve further savings on goods and services purchased;

  change various practices, set up targets and establish

  quantified performance indicators for the DEL force; re-assess the geographic working areas of each DEL

  Depot;

  install an integrated computer network to give Area access to the management information system.

  Implementation of the recommendations could lead to a reduction in annual costs of at least £300,000 per annum after three years. The recommendations will be carefully considered in the light of the consultations about to be undertaken.

  Student Awards
  Sir Hector Monro
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he proposes to take in relation to applications for student awards for session 1987–88 which were not received by 31 December 1987.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  My right hon. and learned Friend has decided that the period for acceptance of valid applications for student awards for session 1987–88 should, exceptionally, be extended to 30 June 1988. He has taken this step in view of the fact that a small proportion of students have apparently relied hitherto on informal final reminders from their academic institutions that they should apply before the closing date, which could not be provided on this occasion. We are making arrangements to advise the individuals and institutions concerned immediately.

  Nurses
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will indicate the total amount expended on wage for(a) nurses and (b) midwives for each health board in (i) 1987–88 and (ii) the expected expenditure in 1988–89.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 24 May 1988]: Complete information on actual exenditure incurred by each board in 1987–88 will not be available until their accounts are submitted later this summer. For 1988–89, we have announced that an additional £92 million is to be made available in Scotland to finance the full additional cost of the review body awards. The precise attribution of this amount among the various categories of staff is currently being assessed. Health boards will be informed of their additional allocations shortly.

  Rent and Rate Rebates
  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the extent to which the recent changes in rent rebates and rates rebates are causing hardship to elderly tenants in Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Portillo
  I have been asked to reply.

  The new housing benefit system ensures that a person's resources after paying housing costs including 80 per cent. of rates will not be below their level of income support entitlement.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Civil Servants (Pensions)
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will make a statement on the pension arrangements for staff of Government Communications Headquarters who formally served in the armed forces;

  (2) if he will make a statement on the calculation of reckonable service for pension purposes of civil servants who previously served in the armed forces during peacetime.

  Mr. Brooke
  There are separate pension schemes for civil servants and for armed forces personnel. Staff employed by the Government communications headquarters are, in general, members of the Principal Civil Service pension scheme. However, an individual formally serving 254
  with the armed forces would normally be a member of the armed forces pension scheme and receive appropriate pension benefits from that scheme.

  The armed forces pension scheme provides for the transfer of accrued pension rights by those who have left the services since 1 April 1975. As the armed forces pension scheme is a member of the public sector transfer club, a civil servant who transferred benefits from the armed forces scheme would receive broadly year for year credit in the Civil Service scheme. The armed forces scheme has no provision for those who left before April 1975 to transfer pension benefits to another scheme. It is not normally possible, therefore, for a civil servant to reckon service with the forces that ended before April 1975 towards a Civil Service pension, unless the individual concerned comes within the scope of the limited concessionary arrangements provided for under the Superannuation Act 1946 and the Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1948. The main concessions in regulations made under these Acts are that those who entered the Civil Service between 3 September 1939 and 30 June 1950, after serving in the armed forces during that period, could reckon their forces service as if it had been unestablished service in the Civil Service; and to enable national service to reckon if it interrupted service in the Civil Service.

  Hereditament Maps
  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish his reasons for requiring that hereditament maps should be sent from provincial offices to the public record office at Kew, London.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The valuation office is required to release these maps to the public record office in accordance with the provisions of the Public Records Act 1958, in order that they may be preserved and form a permanent source of public reference. The public will now be able to examine the maps alongside the relevant field books which are already preserved in the public record office.

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he has taken to remedy past inequalities in employment practices in his Department, in compliance with the codes of the Commission for Racial Equality and the Equal Opportunities Commission, respectively.

  Mr. Brooke
  The Treasury has taken a number of positive measures to encourage equal opportunities All in-house management training courses include an equal opportunities element. External development training courses only for women are advertised in the Department and have been attended by a number of women. Training and personnel managers attend a number of equal opportunity seminars and conferences throughout the year which add to their understanding of equal opportunity issues.

  Job sharing, part-time working and career breaks to assist with individual domestic circumstances are encouraged where practicable.

  Monitoring of ethnic recruitment is also undertaken to determine whether there are any signs of discrimination. There is no evidence to show that there is.

  Payroll Giving Scheme
  Sir David Price
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many employers have now joined the payroll giving scheme, under the terms of section 202 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988.

  Mr. Brooke
  About 2,600 schemes have been set up by employers. In some cases an employer may have more than one scheme for separate payrolls.

  Tax Forms (Reply-paid Envelopes)
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date the Inland Revenue ceased the practice of providing reply-paid envelopes for the return of tax forms; and whether he will estimate the savings to be made to the revenue in a 12-month period.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Beaconsfield (Mr. Smith) on 29 January 1988 at column 420. The Inland Revenue ceased, from 5 April 1988, to issue reply-paid envelopes for the return of income tax returns and other correspondence except where payment of tax is being requested (where the present first-class reply service will remain unchanged) and in a few other special circumstances.

  The savings to the revenue in the 12 months to April 1989 are estimated to be in excess of £2·0 million.

  Management and Computer Consultancy Contracts
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list each management or computer consultant contract in the Inland Revenue as at 1 January 1987, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  As at 1 January 1987 the Inland Revenue had the following management and computer consultancy contracts:

  Assignment

  PA Computers and Telecommunications Ltd.

  Project Management and Control Operational Research

  Computer Sciences Company Ltd.

  Application Software

  ICL

  Systems Software and Technical Support

  Peat Marwick McClintock

  Financial Systems Taxes Clerical Work Measurement

  Institute of Manpower Studies

  Personnel Planning

  AC Consultancy Services

  Operational Research

  National Coal Board1

  Operational Research

  1 Now British Coal Corporation.

  Non-residents' Personal Reliefs
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the cost to the Exchequer of the measures proposed in clause 30 of the Finance (No. 2) Bill relating to non-residents' personal reliefs and the number of tax units who would benefit from the measure were it to be introduced in 1988–89.
  256
  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 20 May 1988]: Detailed statistics are not available to make a firm estimate of the cost of the measures in clause 30 of the Finance Bill. However, including the cost of the change to independent taxation for those taxpayers affected, it is thought that the additional relief is unlikely to exceed £15 million to £20 million in a full year. The overall cost of the change is included in the cost of independent taxation given in paragraph 36 of annex 4 to chapter 4 of the Financial Statement and Budget Report 1988–89.

  Precise figures are not available, but it is known that at least 65,000 non-resident taxpayers (counting husband and wife as one) currently benefit from personal reliefs under the provisions of section 278 Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988.

CIVIL SERVICE

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service what action he has taken to remedy past inequalities in employment practices in his Department, in compliance with the codes of the Commission for Racial Equality and the Equal Opportunities Commission, respectively.

  Mr. Luce
  The Office of the Minister for the Civil Service is an equal opportunity employer. Its personnel policies are designed to ensure that all staff, no matter what their age, colour, disability, ethnic or national origin, marital status, race or sex have equality of opportunity for employment and advancement solely on the basis of their ability, qualifications and suitability for the work.

  Some examples of the Department's equal opportunity initiatives are: the introduction of a career break scheme; job sharing and part-time working; promotion board and recruitment monitoring.

THE ARTS

  Arts Council (Grants)
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what grants were given by the Arts Council in 1985–86 and 1987–88 to(a) the British Theatre Association, (b) the Puppet Centre Trust, (c) the Book Trust, (d) the Poetry Society, (e) the Minority Arts Advisory Service, (f) Shape and (g) the National Association of Arts centres; and what other similar arts support and service organisations have received such grants in those years.

  Mr. Luce
  The information requested is as follows:

  1985–86

  1987–88

  (£)

  (£)

  British Theatre Association

  16,000

  —

  Puppet Centre Trust

  6,000

  —

  Book Trust

  60,000

  60,000

  Poetry Society

  95,000

  112,000

  Minority Arts Advisory Service

  17,300

  20,500

  Shape

  23,980

  160,000

  National Association of Arts Centres

  9,900

  3,000

  Dance Umbrella

  31,000

  33,250

  1 Devolved to Greater London Arts Association.

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Minister for the Arts, what action he has taken to remedy past inequalities in employment practices in his Department, in compliance with the codes of the Commission for Racial Equality and the Equal Opportunities Commission, respectively.

  Mr. Luce
  The Office of Arts and Libraries is an equal opportunity employer. Its personnel policies are designed to ensure that all staff, no matter what their age, colour, disability, ethnic or national origin, marital status, race or sex, have equality of opportunity for employment and advancement soley on the basis of their ability, qualifications and suitability for the work.

  Some examples of the Department's equal opportunity initiatives are: the introduction of a career break scheme; job sharing and part-time working; promotion board and recruitment monitoring.

  Libraries
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Minister for the Arts how many representations he has received during the past 12 months by members of the public, asking to pay to borrow more books than the rules of the basic library service allow, as proposed in paragraph 5.11 of the public libraries Green Paper.

  Mr. Luce
  I have received no direct representations about this from members of the public in the last 12 months.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Minister for the Arts whether he will list the library authorities who presently do not charge commercial companies for their use of the authority's(a) reference, (b) information and (c) lending services.

  Mr. Luce
  This is a matter for local authorities' discretion. No central record of this information is kept.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what was the cost of(a) producing and (b) printing the public libraries Green Paper.

  Mr. Luce
  The cost to my office of producing the Green Paper was about £9,000.

  The costs of printing, publishing and distributing it are borne by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, which recovers its costs from sales revenue.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Minister for the Arts on what occasions in the last 10 years a Minister for the Arts has used his statutory powers to ensure that a library authority provided a free and comprehensive basic service under the 1964 Act.

  Mr. Luce
  No Minister responsible for the public library service in England has used his statutory powers under the 1964 Act to direct an authority.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Minister for the Arts whether he will publish the detailed figures which led him to set an initial target of £50 million gross income a year for charged services in his Green Paper on public libraries.

  Mr. Luce
  The £50 million is a cautious assessment of the gross income which library authorities in England could earn if they used the full range of means proposed in the Green Paper. The figure is based on projections using the amount which the higher earning authorities now raise.
  258
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Minister for the Arts whether he will publish tables which show the rate at which each public library authority in England and Wales charges for(a) notifying library users that reserved books are available for borrowing and (b) failure to return borrowed books on time.

  Mr. Luce
  This information is published by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy in "Public Library Statistics", copies of which are available in the House of Commons Library.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what criteria he used in coming to the conclusion that public libraries could be more cost-effective.

  Mr. Luce
  I have not reached any firm conclusions that public libraries could be more cost-effective. However, all library authorities should test regularly that their services are cost-effective and delivering value for money. My Green Paper, "Financing our public library service: four subjects for debate," seeks to explore ways in which public library services may be made more cost-effective.

  In my answer to an earlier question from the hon. Member today, I referred to a costing model published by my office. In addition, I am currently funding, through the British Library, the production of a manual of performance indicators for public libraries. Both these initiatives will, I hope, provide authorities with useful management tools.

  Office of Arts and Libraries
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Minister for the Arts whether the staff of the Office of Arts and Libraries contains a qualified economist or accountant employed in that capacity.

  Mr. Luce
  While the staff of the Office of Arts and Libraries includes no qualified accountant or economist employed in that capacity, the Department is able to draw on such professional services when it requires them from within or outside the Civil Service.

  Library Authorities (Costs)
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what is his policy on the extent to which Library authorities should fully cost(a) staff time, (b) apportioned rent of premises, (c) apportioned rent of equipment, (d) apportioned rent of telephone, (e) postage, and (f) interest on capital.

  Mr. Luce
  As far as public library costs are concerned, I believe that library authorities will wish to calculate as accurately as possible the itemised costs of their services in the interests of good management and to test that they are achieving good value for money. "A Costing System for Public Libraries," published by the Office of Arts and Libraries in July 1987, provides a flexible model designed to assist them in this.

  Museums
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what information he has about museums disposing of items not required for display or retention.

  Mr. Luce
  Most national museums and galleries have carefully circumscribed powers to dispose of items from their collections either by sale, exchange or gift. I believe
  259
  that this facilitates good collections management and it is my intention to grant such powers to the National gallery, Tate gallery and National Portrait gallery as part of their change to corporate status.

  As I announced in the House on 20 May, I shall be initiating a wider consultation exercise on this question before reaching any final decisions. I shall be considering in the light of the response whether it would be appropriate for different collections to be treated differently in this respect.

  Institution

  Date charges introduced

  Present charges

  Adult

  Concession

  £

  £

  British Museum (Natural History)

  Natural History Museum1

  April 1987

  2·00

  1·00

  Geological Museum1

  April 1987

  1·00

  1·00

  Zoological Museum2

  April 1987

  1·00

  1·00

  Imperial War Museum

  Lambeth Road

  December 1984

  Voluntary Donation

  HMS Belfast3

  December 1971

  3·00

  1·50

  Cabinet War Rooms

  April 1984

  2·80

  1·50

  Duxford Airfield4

  January 1976

  3·50

  1·80

  National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside

  Merseyside Maritime Museum

  April 1986

  1·00

  0·50

  National Maritime Museum

  April 1984

  2·20

  1·20

  Science Museum

  National Railway Museum

  April 1987

  1·50

  0·75

  Wroughton Airfield5

  1980

  2·00

  —

  Concorde6

  1980

  3·00

  1·50

  Tate Gallery

  Barbara Hepworth Gallery7

  1976

  0·50

  0·25

  Victoria and Albert Museum

  South Kensington

  November 1985

  Voluntary Donation

  Apsley House

  1949

  2·80

  1·00

  Ham House

  1952

  1·80

  0·90

  Osterley Park House

  1953

  1·80

  0·90

  Theatre Museum

  April 1987

  2·25

  1·25

  1 Free entry 4.30–6.00 pm weekdays.

  2 Free entry 4.30–5.30 pm weekdays.

  3 Taken over by Imperial War Museum March 1978.

  4 £2·50 and £1·25 during winter.

  5 Seasonal opening. Charge per car.

  6 Charge is for entry to Fleet Air Arm Museum.

  7 Taken over by Tate in 1980.

  The other information the hon. Member asks for can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Minister for the Arts if he will publish in the Official Report a table, covering each of the votes on Class XIII and each of the years 1979–80 to 1990–91, which analyse income other than supply grant by its source including admission charges, other charges, trading profit, miscellaneous sales revenue, support from non-Government sources, public donations and other miscellaneous income.
  260
  It is for the trustees of each institution, advised by their director, to determine the extent to which their statutory powers are used. Information about items disposed of under these powers is not held centrally.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Minister for the Arts if he will publish in the Official Report, for each of the national museums covered by Class XIII a list of operational facilities, the dates at which any admission charges were introduced and the structure of such tariffs and any changes over the period 1979 to 1988.

  Mr. Luce
  [holding answer 25 May 1988]: The national museums and galleries sites at which the trustees charge for admission or seek a voluntary donation are as follows:

  Mr. Luce
  [holding answer 25 May 1988]: It is the policy of this Government to maintain their support for museums and galleries, and the arts generally, and to do so in a way which encourages and assists arts organisations to become more self-reliant in their development and growth. Some of the national museums and galleries have been particularly successful in this; all are developing their non-Exchequer sources of funding.

  The non-Exchequer receipts of the national museums and galleries that I sponsor, for the years since 1979–80, including the estimate for the current year, are as follows:

  261

  £ 000

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89 (estimate)

  British Museum

  610

  814

  939

  960

  1,100

  1,327

  1,520

  1,250

  1,853

  4,592

  British Museum (Natural History)

  609

  767

  844

  942

  931

  1,174

  1,392

  1,657

  3,843

  4,441

  Imperial War Museum

  458

  495

  531

  551

  660

  850

  779

  875

  1,259

  2,825

  National Gallery

  20

  25

  27

  99

  112

  106

  48

  114

  144

  286

  National Maritime Museum

  180

  210

  217

  227

  255

  624

  720

  672

  879

  1,089

  National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  716

  National Portrait Gallery

  200

  156

  200

  210

  220

  245

  387

  426

  726

  640

  Science Museum

  50

  40

  39

  140

  280

  250

  240

  350

  1,950

  2,200

  Tate Gallery

  25

  165

  122

  164

  260

  260

  161

  240

  342

  932

  Victoria & Albert Museum

  119

  370

  376

  571

  572

  690

  990

  1,019

  625

  2,842

  Wallace Collection

  12

  17

  15

  43

  30

  35

  40

  50

  57

  66

  2,283

  3,059

  3,310

  3,907

  4,420

  5,561

  6,277

  6,653

  11,678

  20,629

  Notes:

  1. Source: Supply Estimates 1981–82 to 1988–89.

  2. National Maritime museum figure for 1987–88 has been adjusted to take account of later information.

  3. National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside was established in 1986. Receipts figures were not shown in Supply Estimates for 1986–87 and 1987–88.

  An analysis of receipts on the basis and in the detail requested by the hon. Member is not available.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  ADAS (Charges)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will outline the remit of his Ministry's review into the Agricultural Development Advisory Service charges; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  My right hon. Friend has asked senior officials concerned in this Department to complete before summer a review of the first year's experience of ADAS charging, including demand for all categories of ADAS services, the costs of providing such services in relation to the results of the first year of charging and the lessons to be drawn from this experience. Staff and trade union representatives have been informed of the review and will be consulted on the implementation of any follow-up measures of concern to them.

  Corn (Co-responsibility Levy)
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give the co-responsibility levy per tonne of corn in each European Community country and the percentage this represents of the price per tonne.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The co-responsibility levy for all cereals in all member states is 5.38 ecu per tonne. This is 3 per cent. of the intervention price for common wheat. The relationship between the levy and the intervention price does not change when they are expressed in national currencies because both are converted using the green rate applicable to cereals in each member state.

  The levy is currently the following rate per tonne in each member state:
  262

  Rate

  Currency

  United Kingdom

  3·53

  £

  Germany

  12·9008

  DM

  France

  40·22

  FF

  Netherlands

  14·462

  DG

  Belgium and Luxembourg

  258·59

  BF

  Ireland

  4·473

  IRL

  Denmark

  47·102

  DK

  Italy

  8591·86

  L

  Greece

  712·86

  DRA

  Spain

  829·67

  PTA

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he has taken to remedy past inequalities in employment practices in his Department, in compliance with the codes of the Commission for Racial Equality and the Equal Opportunities Commission, respectively.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  This Department has taken the following positive action:

  Organised residential and non-residential development training courses solely for women managers.

  Advertised opportunities for job-share and part-time work.

  Notified staff of the opportunity for reinstatement and how to "keep in touch."

  Established a register of staff who are interested in working reduced hours.

  Contributed to the OMCS training review which will identify the scope for arranging further developmental or skills training for women. It will also identify areas where such training could be arranged for black and Asian staff.

  Advertised staff vacancies in inner city job centres.

  Agricultural Statistics
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when was the last time his Ministry produced a publication compiling agricultural statistics over a period of 100 years; and when he plans to publish the next compilation.
  263
  Mr. Donald Thompson
  "A Century of Agricultural Statistics 1866–1966" was published in 1968. There are no plans to publish a further edition.

  Nitrates
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many local meetings his Ministry has held with farmers to advise them about reducing nitrate applications in the areas where the level of nitrate exceeds the 50mg litre limit.

  Mr. Gummer
  Eight local meetings have been held during 1988 specifically to discuss the nitrate pollution issue and what farmers can do to help reduce nitrate leaching to water resources. These meetings form part of a publicity campaign run jointly by the Ministry and seven other interested organisations. They are not confined to particular areas but are organised wherever sufficient farmers seek information on the subject. In addition, the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service answers questions on the nitrate issue at many other meetings of farmers.

  Food, Drink and Marketing Policy
  Mr. Gregory
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the current management objectives of his Department's food, drink and marketing policy division.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  These are set out in the relevant programmes of the Ministry's MINIM 1987 publication, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  Salmon
  Mr. Onslow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has reactivated his study of the economic value of British salmon fisheries.

  Mr. Gummer
  Following the termination of the contract for this study with Exeter university, the work is now being undertaken at Portsmouth polytechnic and is expected to last two years.

  Milk
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many milk producers in Great Britain were contracted into the Community non-marketing premium schemes during the base year for the calculation of milk quotas.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  [holding answer 25 May 1988]: Precise figures are not available. Initial investigation indicates that about 4,500 dairy producers in Great Britain were contracted into the non-marketing of milk premium scheme during 1983. Some of these would have been able to resume milk production in time to qualify for consideration under the milk quota exceptional hardship or development award provisions.

  Cereals
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the entitlement of British farmers to European small cereal producers' aid in respect of the harvests of 1987 and 1988, respectively; and what action he is taking to encourage the taking up of this entitlement.
  264
  Mr. MacGregor
  [holding answer 25 May 1988]: Farmers have until 31 July 1988 to submit claims for small cereals producer aid in respect of the 1987 harvest.

  Cereal producers with not more than 100 hectares of crops and grass (excluding rough grazing) are eligible for the aid, provided that they can show that cereals co-responsibility levy has been deducted on their grain sales during the 1987–88 marketing year.

  The amount payable will be £3·53 per tonne on a minimum of 3 tonnes and a maximum of 25 tonnes of grain (£88·25). However, this amount per tonne will be reduced if the total amount claimed by all producers is more than 5·35 million ecu (£3·51 million), which is the amount allocated to the United Kingdom for payment of this aid.

  All producers who claimed the aid in 1987, have been sent a claim form. Others who are eligible should apply to their local MAFF divisional office for a form. I am anxious to ensure that there is the widest possible uptake of this aid.

  It has been agreed that small cereal producers will continue to receive aid in respect of the 1988 harvest, but the details are still under discussion.

  Badgers
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will provide a breakdown for each of the last five years of Government and other funding, respectively, of research into tuberculosis in badgers, including work on developing a live test and a vaccine for badgers.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  [holding answer 19 May 1988]: Funds provided by the Government for research into bovine tuberculosis in badgers during the last five years are as follows:

  Year

  Diagnostic test in live badgers

  Vaccine

  Other relevant work (estimated)

  1983–84

  12,361

  78,415

  91,000

  1984–85

  4,585

  87,455

  94,000

  1985–86

  24,598

  166,734

  95,000

  1986–87

  58,543

  173,475

  100,000

  1987–88

  313,738

  43,686

  102,000

  Information on funding from other sources is not available.

SOCIAL SERVICES

  AIDS
  Mr. Jopling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the probability of the incidence of AIDS in the United Kingdom at the present time for each adult male and female over 18 years.

  Mr. Newton
  It is not possible to assess the probability of the incidence of AIDS in the United Kingdom at the present time for each adult male and female over 18 years. The latest published figures, which give the current prevalence of HIV infection at the end of March, show that 7,380 men and 797 women have been reported to the national surveillance centres as being HIV antibody positive. With regard to cases of AIDS, to the end of April 1,412 males and 27 females had been reported. The latest
  265
  available figures for the population of the United Kingdom aged 18 and over are 20,747,900 males and 22,573,000 females. This represents rates of infection with HIV of 361 per million for males and 35 per million for females and rates of people with AIDS of 68 per million for males and 1·6 per million for females. It is necessary to interpret these figures carefully: some of the cases of AIDS will be included in the HIV figures and these HIV statistics include only those infected people who have presented for testing.

  ECT Statistics national and regional summary

  1984

  1985

  1986

  Regional Health Authority

  Treatments1

  Average Number of Treatments per course

  Treatments1

  Average Number of Treatments per course

  Treatments1

  Average Number of Treatments per course

  Northern

  11,127

  6·44

  12,242

  6·71

  10,346

  6·98

  Yorkshire

  10,803

  4·62

  12,503

  4·90

  12,947

  5·57

  Trent

  14,084

  6·40

  14,423

  6·61

  12,609

  6·37

  East Anglian

  6,339

  6·58

  7,689

  5·87

  6,879

  6·53

  North West Thames

  6,189

  5·37

  6,596

  5·44

  7,083

  5·50

  North East Thames

  7,156

  6·67

  7,733

  7·07

  6,867

  6·45

  South East Thames

  7,620

  5·91

  9,163

  6·11

  8,647

  7·06

  South West Thames

  7,255

  6·31

  8,380

  6·82

  6,799

  6·69

  Wessex

  11,611

  6·89

  13,031

  7·19

  12,905

  6·96

  Oxford

  2,390

  5·60

  3,630

  6·55

  3,291

  5·70

  South Western

  6,434

  6·09

  7,624

  6·41

  6,706

  6·07

  West Midlands

  14,547

  6·84

  15,128

  6·95

  13,952

  7·23

  Mersey

  4,852

  5·86

  5,404

  6·39

  5,572

  6·20

  North Western

  13,862

  5·43

  13,653

  5·67

  14,412

  6·74

  England

  124,269

  6·03

  137,199

  6·26

  129,015

  6·47

  Special Health Authority

  826

  8·18

  565

  4·59

  524

  4·40

  England (including Special Health Authorities)

  125,095

  6·04

  137,764

  6·25

  129,539

  6·46

  Special Hospitals

  262

  6·14

  176

  4·86

  218

  5·59

  Total

  125,357

  6·04

  137,940

  6·25

  129,757

  6·46

  1 The number of treatments is not the same as the number of patients treated, as some patients may undergo more than one course of treatment during the year.

  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what studies his Department has made of the effects of electro-convulsive therapy.

  Mrs. Currie
  It is not generally the role of the Department to commission basic clinical research. This type of research falls within the remit of other agencies such as the Medical Research Council and individual clinical researchers.

  NHS Ancillary Staff
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the latest figures available for

  Ancillary staff-—estimated incremental distributions by payscale 31 March 1987

  Whole time equivalents1 Points on incremental scales

  Payscale

  Total

  1st

  2nd

  3rd

  4th

  5th

  Non-supervisors and chargehands

  Scale A

  72,991

  37,445

  14,242

  21,302

  0

  0

  Scale B

  24,437

  1,949

  19,577

  1,725

  1,183

  0

  Scale C

  10,487

  889

  7,720

  117

  1,761

  0

  Scale D

  799

  53

  703

  26

  18

  0

  Supervisors

  Scale I

  4,010

  360

  3,092

  189

  349

  0

  Scale II

  2,333

  95

  1,775

  398

  65

  0

  Electro-convulsive Therapy
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list, by region, for each of the last three years for which figures are available(a) the number of male patients treated with electro-convulsive therapy and (b) the number of female patients treated with electro-convulsive therapy; and, in each case, what is the average number of treatments per patient.

  Mrs. Currie
  I am sorry that I cannot give the hon. Member the information she seeks in the form requested as no record is kept centrally of the number or sex of patients undergoing electro-convulsive therapy. The table shows the data held centrally.

  the number of ancillary staff employed in the National Health Service by scale and point or standard payroll system code under the terms and conditions of the ancillary staffs Whitley Council agreement.

  Mr. Newton
  The latest available information to this level of detail relates to staff in post at 31 March 1987. At this date, there were an estimated 119,000 (whole-time equivalent) ancillary staff employed by the NHS in England. Within this total, the estimated numbers by pay scale and incremental point were as shown in the table.
  267

  Whole time equivalents 1 Points on incremental scales

  Payscale

  Total

  1st

  2nd

  3rd

  4th

  5th

  Scale III

  1,833

  94

  1,113

  498

  127

  0

  Scale IV

  1,049

  39

  539

  362

  62

  47

  Orthopaedic appliance makers and fitters

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Trainee grades

  16

  16

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Orthopaedic appliance Maker II

  57

  57

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Orthopaedic appliance Maker I

  70

  70

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Orthopaedic appliance Fitters

  2

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Trainee cooks

  30

  2

  16

  7

  4

  1

  Upholsterers

  136

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Others grades 2

  655

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total directly employed staff

  118,910

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Source: DHSS (SR7) Quarterly count of NHS non-medical manpower.

  Notes:

  1 All figures are independently rounded to the nearest whole-time equivalent.

  2 Includes juvenile grades, other staff paid on ad-hoc payscales, and staff of authorities not on computerised payrolls.

  Thomas Connolly Moore
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the escape from a secure mental hospital of Thomas Connolly Moore.

  Mrs. Currie
  Mr. Moore absconded from Monyhull hospital, which is not a secure hospital, in the afternoon of 16 May and was found and returned on the morning of 17 May. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary is satisfied that the level of supervision is appropriate for Mr. Moore.

  Donald Hume
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps have been taken to ensure that Donald Hume is kept under secure surveillance at St. Bernard's hospital, Ealing; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Currie
  I understand that Donald Hume is currently receiving treatment in the regional secure unit at St. Bernard's hospital, Ealing. As the responsibility for the regional secure unit rests with the North West Thames regional health authority, my hon. Friend may wish to approach the chairman for further information.

  Computer Services (Privatisation)
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if his Department has any plans to privatise computer services currently provided by his Department.

  Mr. Portillo
  Government policy is to promote value for money in the management and delivery of public services. All Departments have been encouraged to consider areas of work, including computer services, which might be carried out more cheaply or more effectively under contract.

  Child Abuse
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the number of child abuse cases on the records of each of the social service departments in the London boroughs on 30 April.
  268
  Mr. Newton
  I regret that the information is not available. However, we announced on 9 July 1987 that arrangements would be made for the annual collection of national statistics on child abuse. The Department is carrying out a survey for the year ending 31 March 1988, which will be followed by the introduction of an annual statistical return. It is planned to publish some provisional results from the survey later this year which will include the number of children and young persons on the child abuse register at 31 March 1988 in each local authority in England.

  New-born Babies (Eye Defects)
  Sir Bernard Braine
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress is being made in improving the surveillance of new-born babies in respect of possible eye defects; when the expected recommendations from the professional bodies are likely to be made; and when appropriate action can be expected.

  Mrs. Currie
  The third report from the maternity services advisory committee recommended that all babies should be fully examined within 24 hours of birth by a doctor experienced in the care of the newborn. The content of the examination is a matter for the clinician.

  I understand the joint working party on child health surveillance convened by the British Paediatric Association will be presenting its report later this year.

  We shall consider its report carefully.

  Residential Care Homes
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has on the numbers of hotels and guest homes which have been converted to use as residential homes for the elderly.

  Mrs. Currie
  No information is collected centrally on the origin of premises now used as residential care homes. However, this is one of the subjects being examined in a survey of residential and nursing homes which we have commissioned from the personal social services research
  269
  unit, university of Kent, and the centre for health economics, university of York, the report of which will be published later this year.

  Ulcerative Colitis
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has any plans to add irritable bowel diseases to the list of exemptions from prescription charges to cover the case of sufferers from ulcerative colitis.

  Mr. Newton
  We have no plans to do so.

  NHS Review
  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if the review of the National Health Service currently being undertaken is considering the auction of hospital beds as a method of resolving priorities and raising funds.

  Mr. Moore
  No.

  Supplementary Benefit
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has any plans to amend the regulation under which 19-year-old school leavers can qualify for supplementary benefit payments when they are estranged from their parents.

  Mr. Portillo
  Supplementary benefit was replaced by income support from 11 April 1988. All 19-year-old school-leavers can qualify for income support provided they meet the normal conditions of entitlement such as availability for work and the income and capital limits. There are no plans to change this regulation.

  Community Care
  Mr., Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in the light of his response to the proposals of the Central Council for the Education and Training of Social Workers, he will set out his Department's plans for the training of staff involved with community care services; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Newton
  The training requirements of staff working in community care are provided by a variety of bodies including local authority social services departments, health authorities, the National Health Service Training Authority and the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work. Our recent £10 million training support programme initiative for staff working with the elderly has provided a significant training boost for certain groups of staff working in the area of community care, and we are currently seeking powers, through the Health and Medicines Bill, to allow for possible expansion of the programme to take in additional staff groups. We shall consider whether further training initiatives are required when we have brought forward our proposals on community care in the light of Sir Roy Griffiths's report.

  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the current arrangements for the joint planning of community care services between health authorities and(a) local authority social service departments and (b) the voluntary organisations.
  270
  Mr. Newton
  The present systems for joint planning offer health authorities, local authorities, the voluntary sector and family practitioner committees valuable opportunities to develop and co-ordinate community care services. We will consider whether any changes are necessary as part of our current examination of funding mechanisms for community care, following Sir Roy Griffiths' recent report.

  Attendance Allowance Unit (Blackpool)
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services why a courier service is used between the Blackpool attendance allowance unit and his Department's Leeds offices; whether this leads to delays in correspondence; and if he will make a statement

  Mr. Portillo
  An internal courier service is used to link up all DHSS offices, including Blackpool and Leeds. This does not lead to delays in correspondence and, in fact, the reliability of next day delivery is generally at least as good as first-class post. It provides the Department with a method of transferring internal correspondence cost-effectively and efficiently between all offices.

  Nurses (Mobility)
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what assessment he has made of the effect that the European Communities (Amendment) Act 1986 will have upon the mobility of nurses between European Community countries, and with regard to the recognition of nursing qualifications in European Community countries.

  Mr. Newton
  The European Communities (Amendment) Act 1986 amends the European Communities Act 1972 so as to give legal effect in the United Kingdom to certain aspects of the Single European Act which was signed by the member states in February of 1986. The Single European Act amended the voting procedure on certain articles of the EEC treaty and introduced closer co-operation with the European Parliament. It did not affect the fundamental right of the freedom of movement for persons which is enshrined in the original EEC treaty. Directives to facilitate that right in relation to nurses responsible for general care were adopted in 1977. They provide for the co-ordination of nurse training and mutual recognition of qualifications throughout the Community. Specialist nursing qualifications which were not covered by the 1977 directives may be covered by the current proposal to provide for a general system for the recognition of higher education diplomas. The added impetus given by the Single European Act to complete the internal market by 1992 and the introduction of procedural and institutional reform may well enable this proposal to be adopted in the near future.

  Fish (National Health Service)
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how much fish from the Faroe Islands was purchased by the National Health Service for each of the last two years.

  Mrs. Currie
  No national NHS contract is held for the purchase of fish from the Faroe Islands and information is not held centrally on the suppliers of fish to individual regional or district health authorities.

  Clinical Grading Structure
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to his reply of 17 May 1988,Official Report, column 410, what provision he is making to ensure that health authorities are able to fill and fund posts which are currently vacant when implementing the clinical grading structure.

  Mr. Newton
  As in earlier years, the review body estimate of the cost of its recommendations has been based on actual pay bills for the previous year. It is for health authorities to determine their nursing establishment, having regard to the total resources available.

  Cervical Cancer
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many cervical smear tests had not been processed in the Leicestershire health district on 23rd May.

  Mrs. Currie
  This information is not available centrally. The hon. Member may care to contact the chairman of Leicestershire health authority.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the average delay in processing cervical smear tests in the Leicestershire health district on(a) 1 January 1987, (b) 1 October 1987, (c) 1 January 1988 and (d) 1 April 1988.

  Mrs. Currie
  This information has been collected centrally only since October 1987. The figures are as follows:

  Date

  Average processing time

  1 October 1987

  Four weeks

  1 January 1988

  Seven weeks

  1 April 1988

  Eight weeks

  I understand that the current position as on 23 May is that the average processing time is now four weeks. This meets the departmental guidance.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services, how many women had cervical cancer smear tests in Leicestershire health district in each of the months January to December 1987, and for each month in 1988.

  Mrs. Currie
  This information is not collected centrally in the form requested. The latest centrally held figures are for the number of smear tests carried out in the calendar year 1986. This figure is 59,332 and includes some women who had more than one test.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the latest figures for each district health authority with backlogs in cervical cancer smear testing of(a) over one month, (b) between one and two months and (c) two months and over.

  Mrs. Currie
  [holding answer 17 May 1988]: There are 190 district health authorities in England. Those reporting an average processing time for cervical smear tests of more than one month as at 1 May are listed. The average processing time is shown in weeks.

  (a) Over one month but less than two (between 4·5 and 7·5 weeks)

  Number

  Durham

  6

  Gateshead

  7

  272

  Number

  East Cumbria

  6

  Leeds Western

  7

  Leicestershire

  7

  North Lincolnshire

  5

  South Lincolnshre (part)

  5

  Bassetlaw

  5

  Rotherham

  4·5

  Great Yarmouth

  5·5

  Norwich

  4·5

  Peterborough

  6·5

  North Hertfordshire

  6

  Barnet

  6

  Southend

  7

  West Essex

  7

  Mid Essex

  5·5

  Hastings

  6

  Eastbourne

  6

  Tunbridge Wells

  5

  Greenwich

  5·5

  Lewisham and North Southwark

  6

  North West Surrey

  7

  Wycombe

  7

  Cheltenham

  5

  Cornwall (Mid and West)

  5

  Gloucester

  6

  Southmead

  6

  Somerset

  6

  Mid Staffordshire

  7

  North Staffordshire

  5

  South Warwickshire

  4·5

  Dudley

  5·5

  Walsall

  5

  Liverpool (part)

  7

  St. Helens and Knowsley (part)

  6

  Wirral

  5

  (b) Two months and over (eight weeks or more)

  Number

  North West Durham

  10

  Scunthorpe

  8

  Bradford

  8

  Airedale

  8

  South Derbyshire

  9

  Nottingham

  9

  Doncaster

  8

  South Bedfordshire

  8

  Merton and Sutton

  9

  Chichester

  8

  Croydon

  9

  Plymouth/Cornwall (East)

  8

  Warrington

  8

  Halton

  8

  Central Manchester

  11

  Benefits
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the annual cost of raising the capital disregard for social security benefits to £5,000 with a level taper to £10,000.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the cost of raising the start of the tariff income for social security benefits from £5,000 with an upper limit of £10,000.

  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 25 April 1988]: The additional cost over and above that of the changes announced on 27 April 1988 would be £85 million.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the annual cost of raising the capital disregard for social security benefits to £10,000 for married couples.
  273
  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 25 April 1988]: The additional cost over and above that of the changes announced on 27 April 1988 would be £25 million.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the cost of raising the disregard threshold for social security benefits from £6,000 to £7,000.

  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 25 April 1988]: The annual cost would have been £24 million.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the cost of raising the disregard threshold for income support from £6,000 to £10,000.

  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 25 April 1988]: The annual cost would have been £10 million.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the cost of raising the start of the tariff income for social security benefits to £4,000 with an upper limit of £10,000.

  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 25 April 1988]: The additional cost over and above that of the changes announced on 27 April 1988 would be £55 million.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the cost of raising the disregard threshold for social security benefits from £6,000 to £8,000.

  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 25 April 1988]: The annual cost would have been £39 million.

  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the cost to the Treasury of raising the capital disregard for social security purposes from the £6,000 proposed to £9,000.

  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 25 April 1988]: The annual cost would have been £52·5 million.

  NHS Properties
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list by region and special health authority(a) those properties which are awaiting disposal and (b) those planned for replacement; and if he will give the total estimated values of those properties for each region and the nation as a whole.

  Mrs. Currie
  [holding answer 11 May 1988]: The information that the hon. Member seeks has now been placed in the Library.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Civil Defence
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action has been taken on the recommendation of the UKWMO working party on UKWMO service to wartime headquarters concerning links to county standby emergency centres; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  The provision of such links is to be reviewed in the light of the current programme to extend the emergency communications network.

  Terrorism
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average number of days spent on remand by those remanded in custody for terrorist-type offences in the second half of 1987, with regard to cases now completed in England and Wales; and what was the number of bail applications refused, respectively.

  Mr. Hurd
  The cases of four people who were remanded in custody for terrorist-related offences in the second half of 1987 have now been completed. The average number of days spent on remand was 86. In each case one bail application was refused.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons in Great Britain were charged with terrorist-type offences relating to Northern Ireland in 1987; how many of those charged were released on bail; and what was the average period between remand and trial fór prisoners refused bail, relating to such charges in Britain in 1987.

  Mr. Hurd
  During 1987 10 people in Great Britain were charged with terrorist-type offences in connection with the affairs of Northern Ireland. The charges against two of these people were later withdrawn, although one of the two was subsequently excluded from Great Britain under section 4 of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1984. Six people are awaiting trial, one of whom has been released on bail. In the two completed cases the two people concerned were remanded into custody and were refused bail. The period between remand and trial in these two cases was 22 days and 294 days respectively.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the offences with which people initially detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act 1984 in Great Britain in 1987 were charged and give the outcome in each case as to acquittals, convictions and sentences imposed.

  Mr. Hurd
  Details of charges following detention under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1984 in Great Britain in 1987, and the outcome, where known, are given in the following table:

  Charges brought following detention under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1984 in Great Britain in 1987

  Charged under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1984

  Number charged

  Section

  Outcome

  1

  Section 9

  2 years imprisonment

  1

  Section 10

  Charges withdrawn

  7

  Schedule 3

  1–30 days imprisonment

  2–60 days imprisonment

  4 fined: 1x£30, 1x£75, 1x£92, 1x£150

  275

  Charged under other legislation

  Number charged

  Legislation

  Outcome

  1

  Criminal Law Act 1977 Section 1 (conspiracy to possess firearms)

  4 years (and 2 years on a further charge, to run concurrently)

  1

  Criminal Law Act 1977 Section 1 (conspiracy to possess firearms)

  Charges withdrawn (excluded under PTA)

  2

  Explosive Substances Act 1883 Section 1 (conspiracy to cause explosions)

  Awaiting trial

  5

  Explosive Substances Act 1883 Section 3 (possession of explosives)

  Awaiting trial

  4

  Criminal Law Act 1977 Section 1 (conspiracy to kidnap)

  Prosecution gave no evidence. All cases dismissed. However one person was deported and one person was removed under the Immigration Act 1971.

  3

  Criminal Law Act 1977 Section 1 (conspiracy to commit murder)

  Awaiting trial

  2

  Offences against the Person Act 1861 Section 1 (murder)

  Awaiting trial

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons were remanded in custody before trial for terrorist-type offences in 1987.

  Mr. Douglas Hurd
  Nineteen such persons were remanded into custody during 1987.

  Prisoners (Statistics)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners in British prisons who give as their domicile Northern Ireland have been returned to Northern Ireland to serve the whole or part of their sentences in 1986 and 1987; and how many of these prisoners were serving sentences for terrorist-type offences.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  In 1986 two inmates were transferred from England and Wales to Northern Ireland at their own request to serve the remainder of their sentences, and in 1987 three such transfers were made. Four of these inmates gave Northern Ireland as their domicile, and one was granted a transfer as an exception to the normal criteria in view of his strong family ties with Northern Ireland. None had been convicted of terrorist-type offences. Transfers of inmates from Scotland to Northern Ireland are a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average length of custodial sentence of female prisoners in England and Wales in 1986 and 1987.

  Mr. John Patten
  In 1986 the average length of sentences of immediate custody imposed by the courts on female offenders was 10·2 months. Provisional estimates indicate that in 1987 the average increased to 12·3 months.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average period of custodial remand for female custodial remand prisoners in England and Wales for the years 1986 and 1987.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Information on the average time spent on remand in prison department establishments is 276
  published annually in "Prison Statistics, England and Wales", table 2(a) of the latest issue, for 1986, Cm.210, copies of which are in the Library. Information for 1987 is not yet available.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners giving as their domicile either(a) the Republic of Ireland of (b) Northern Ireland have been permitted to return home to the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland on parole for humanitarian reasons in 1986 and 1987.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  This information is not available.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were transferred from(a) England and Wales to Northern Ireland and (b) Northern Ireland to England and Wales in 1987; and under which section of the Criminal Justice Act 1961 such transfers were carried out.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Three inmates were transferred from England and Wales to Northern Ireland under section 26 of the 1961 Act, and two under section 27. Three inmates were transferred from Northern Ireland to England and Wales under section 29 of the Act.

  Criminal Injuries Compensation Board
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many appeals to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board are pending at the latest date;

  (2) how many cases referred to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board are still pending at the latest date.

  Mr. John Patten
  At the end of April about 79,000 applications were awaiting resolution by the board, including about 5,900 awaiting a hearing.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the highest award made by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board to date.

  Mr. John Patten
  £481,400.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases have been dealt with by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board since its inception.

  Mr. John Patten
  The number of applications resolved between 1 August 1964 and 30 April 1988 was 379,820.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long on average it takes the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board to reply to legal representations on behalf of clients.

  Mr. John Patten
  The board's practice is to reply to legal representations as soon as possible. Information about the average time taken is not kept centrally by the board.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average waiting time for appeals to be heard by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board following an appeal against a decision by a single member.

  Mr. John Patten
  The board does not keep a central record of waiting times. The length of time between refusal of a board member's determination and a hearing varies between six and 18 months.

  Mr. R. J. Driscoll
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the case of Mr. R. J. Driscoll, of Liverpool, arising from his claim to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board in December 1985, will be decided.

  Mr. John Patten
  As the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board is responsible for the consideration and determination of individual applications for compensation, I have asked the board to write to the hon. Member.

  West Yorkshire Police (Report)
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place a copy of the Byford report on the West Yorkshire police in the Library.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  No. As the then Home Secretary said in his statement to the House on 19 January 1982 at column 163 the report was from an inspector of constabulary to the Home Secretary and as such enjoyed, and continues to enjoy, the normal confidentiality which such reports have always had. A detailed summary of the report was place in the Library at the time.

  Birmingham Pub Bombings
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the City of London police as to why Mr. Chris Jameson was not interviewed in the course of the recent inquiry into conflicts between the two principal Crown witnesses at the appeal of the six men convicted of the Birmingham pub bombings;

  (2) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the City of London police listing the persons interviewed in their inquiry into contacts between the two principal Crown witnesses in the recent appeal hearing of the six men convicted of the Birmingham pub bombings;

  (3) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the City of London police as to the cost of the recent inquiry into contacts between the two principal Crown witnesses at the recent appeal hearing of the six men convicted of the Birmingham pub bombings;

  (4) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the City of London police as to how many people were interviewed during their recent inquiry into contacts between the two principal Crown witnesses during the appeal hearing of the men convicted of the Birmingham pub bombings.

  Mr. John Patten
  No. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to his question of 19 May at column 541. The conduct of the investigation, including decisions on which persons to interview, is an operational matter and is the responsibility of the Commissioner of the Police for the City of London. I understand that no additional costs were incurred in the investigation.

  Police (Civilian Staff)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the percentage civilianisation in each of the police authorities in England as a percentage of the total force in each area.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The information requested is as follows:—278

  Police authority force

  Position at 31 March 1988 Civilians1 as a percentage of force establishment

  Avon and Somerset

  21·1

  Bedfordshire

  23·7

  Cambridgeshire

  26·6

  Cheshire

  20·9

  Cleveland

  18·2

  Cumbria

  22·0

  Derbyshire

  30·9

  Devon and Cornwall

  25·4

  Dorset

  30·4

  Durham

  23·6

  Essex

  24·9

  Gloucestershire

  18·6

  Greater Manchester

  20·0

  Hampshire

  21·5

  Hertfordshire

  22·7

  Humberside

  24·0

  Kent

  23·7

  Lancashire

  19·9

  Leicestershire

  23·7

  Lincolnshire

  21·9

  Merseyside

  17·8

  Norfolk

  21·7

  Northamptonshire

  23·8

  Northumbria

  26·9

  North Yorkshire

  19·0

  Nottinghamshire

  20·2

  South Yorkshire

  21·1

  Staffordshire

  22·6

  Suffolk

  26·1

  Surrey

  21·5

  Sussex

  23·0

  Thames Valley

  29·1

  Warwickshire

  26·8

  West Mercia

  28·9

  West Midlands

  24·3

  West Yorkshire

  20·3

  Wiltshire

  29·1

  City of London

  27·4

  Metropolitan

  35·3

  1 The percentages in this column are based on the figures supplied by police forces of civilians whose work contributes significantly to the performance of the functions of the force. Part-time staff are included on a 2 for 1 basis.

  Recidivism
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many ex-prisoners of Welford road prison, Leicester, have reoffended in each year since 1980.

  Mr. John Patten
  The information requested is not available centrally. Reconviction rates within two years of release from sentence for all males are published annually in "Prison Statistics England and Wales", (table 8(a) of the latest volume, for 1986, Cm. 210) copies of which are in the Library.

  DNA Report
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish his findings on the DNA report proposed by Dr. Jeffreys of Leicester university.

  Mr. Renton
  It is intended that copies of the report prepared by the Home Office on the pilot trial of DNA use in immigration casework, in which the DNA testing was carried out by Professor Jeffreys of Leicester university, will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses shortly.

  Concessionary Television Licences
  Mr. Sims
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the amendment regulations regarding residential care concessionary television licences, announced on 18 May Official Report, column 467, affect those living in accommodation for elderly and disabled people with a dedicated warden and communal facilities for the use of all occupants provided or run by private companies; what distinction is drawn between such accommodation and similar accommodation provided by local authorities and housing associations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Renton
  The amendment regulations do not affect the position of sheltered housing schemes which are privately owned or run, and which continue to be ineligible for the concessionary television licence.

  Racial Equality in Schools
  Sir Rhodes Boyson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has reached any decision on the application by the London borough of Brent for a section 11 grant for the development programme for racial equality in schools.

  Mr. Douglas Hurd
  I have now received and considered the report of an inquiry which Sir David Lane carried out at my request on Brent's development programme for race equality. He is severely critical of the arrangements for the development and implementation of the programme in 1986. But he finds that, under a new director of education and on a much reduced scale, the programme has now been accepted in schools. Sir David Lane and Her Majesty's inspectorate of schools, in a parallel report also published today, find that the scheme is now making a useful contribution to tackling under achievement by ethnic minority pupils in Brent schools. He accordingly recommends that, subject to extensive undertakings by Brent and its acceptance that the scheme should be independently monitored, grant should be paid for a period of three years for a retitled programme. I accept Sir David Lane's recommendations. Copies of both reports have been placed in the Library.

  Brent council has accordingly been informed that section 11 grant will be paid only on the basis of the reduced scheme and its acceptance of the undertakings and of independent monitoring. Baroness Cox has agreed to lead the monitoring panel.

  I have also decided to set in hand a scrutiny of the whole basis for section 11 grant. It is time that we looked again at the criteria and procedures by which grants are made under section 11.

  Immigration
  Mr. Holland
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give a breakdown by individual nationality of persons detained in Prison Department establishments under Immigration Act powers during 1987.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 19 May 1988]: Information for 1987 is not yet available; the latest information is given in the table.
  280

  Receptions of persons detained under the Immigration Act 1971 into prison department establishments in England and Wales in 1986: by nationality

  Nationality

  Number1

  Nigeria

  240

  Ghana

  206

  Bangladesh

  188

  India

  164

  Pakistan

  128

  Sri Lanka

  62

  Turkey

  52

  Iran

  47

  Saudi Arabia

  18

  Cyprus

  17

  Hong Kong

  16

  Morocco

  16

  Algeria

  12

  Eire

  12

  Mauritius

  11

  West Indies2

  11

  Yugoslavia

  10

  Colombia

  8

  Brazil

  6

  Indonesia

  6

  Eqypt

  5

  France

  5

  Libya

  5

  South Africa

  5

  United States of America

  5

  Zimbabwe

  5

  Other countries3

  126

  Not recorded

  36

  All nationalities

  1,422

  1 The figures are those recorded centrally and are approximate: detailed checking of individual cases would involve disproportionate cost.

  2 Includes other Commonwealth countries in the Americas.

  3 Where fewer than 5 were recorded.

  Firearms
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the rights and entitlements which accrue to a firearms club which is approved by his Department under the terms of the Firearms Act 1968 as against a firearms club which is not approved for the use of small bore and full bore rifles and pistols and revolvers.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  My reply of 9 May may have been subject to misinterpretation and has been amended as follows.

  Approved clubs are eligible to be issued with a club firearm certificate at no cost. The certificate authorises the purchase and possession of firearms and ammunition for club use. Approval also enables members who do not have their own firearm certificate to possess firearms and ammunition when engaged, as members of the club, in drill or target practice. Members of those clubs which are not approved must hold a personal firearm certificate which specifies the firearms and ammunition they are entitled to possess.

TRANSPORT

  Ferries Safety Steering Committee
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received regarding the composition of the steering committee investigating the safety measures necessary for British roll-on/roll-off ferries.
  281
  Mr. David Mitchell
  None.

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he has taken to remedy past inequalities in employment practices in his Department, in compliance with the Commission for Racial Equality and the Equal Opportunities Commission, respectively.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The Department has taken measures to reduce under-representation of women in the higher grades and of black and Asian staff. These measures include: women-only development training; advertising opportunities for job-share, part-time work and career breaks; using the ethnic minority press for advertising local vacancies; participating in feature articles to publicise the Department's work; taking part in schools liaison; using inner city job centres and other types of outreach work; and participating in a central training review and promotion monitoring projects.

  London Airport
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made on studies on the provision of a direct rail link from Heathrow to Central London, and those examining the feasibility of releasing the Perry Oaks sludge works to the airport.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  We expect to receive very shortly a report from our consultants, Howard Humphreys and Partners, analysing the responses to the Heathrow surface access study. This will include an assessment of the most promising proposals which have been made for new or improved public transport links between central London and the airport. Discussions continue between BAA and the Thames water authority about the possible release of the Perry Oaks site.

  Trunk Roads (Repairs)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action his Department is taking to repair holes in trunk roads.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The Department's agents carry out regular inspections to identify potholes and other defects. Hazardous defects are repaired immediately. Other repairs are dealt with according to their priority within a planned programme of work compiled at six-monthly intervals.

  Settle-Carlisle Railway
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his statement in the Official Report, column 677, 16 May, what weight he gave to the Jarvis/PLC report on the Settle-Carlisle corridor in judging the potential of the Settle-Carlisle railway.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  I welcome the Jarvis report, which I have studied closely. It emphasises the essentially leisure and pleasure-orinented growth potential of this line.

  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if, pursuant to his statement in the Official Report, column 677, 16 May, he will define those people whom he considered will suffer hardship if the Settle-Carlisle railway close; and what assessment he has made of the effects on users of the Dales rail trains.
  282
  Mr. David Mitchell
  The Transport Users Consultative Committee's report advised that there would be various types of hardship if the line closed ranging from hardship to those unable to travel on steam and charter services to hardship to local people needing to travel for essential purposes. We have considerable sympathy for the latter and are seeking the TUCC's further advice on how best to mitigate such hardship by the provision of guaranteed bus services. We shall take into account the TUCC's advice on routes and timing. We shall also take into account any new evidence on hardship before taking the final decision.

  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his statement of 16 May,Official Report, column 677, whether there was any implied or expressed agreement that the local authorities supporting the Settle-Carlisle line were required to provide £500,000 capital expenditure to ensure retention of the line.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  No.

  Cross-Channel Ferries (Boarding Passes)
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the system of boarding passes for cross-Channel ferries to ensure accurate passenger numbers is fully in place and operational; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  The Merchant Shipping (Passenger Boarding Cards) Regulations 1988, which apply to all United Kingdom roll-on/roll-off passenger ships of class II and II(A), entered into force on 29 February and the Merchant Shipping (Passenger Boarding Cards) (Application to non-United Kingdom Ships) Regulations 1988, which apply to foreign ships when departing from United Kingdom ports, entered into force on 1 April.

  Air Safeguarding Areas
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library a copy of the map of air safeguarding areas designated by the Civil Aviation Authority and circulated by it to local authorities in east London, showing the broad effect of the provisions on the permitted heights of buildings within the designated area the names of the local authorities and parliamentary constituences so effected, together with the statutory basis of the provision.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The safeguarding of areas around airports is a matter for the Civil Aviation Authority. I will draw the attention of the chairman of the authority to the hon. Member's request.

  Roads
  Mr. McCrindle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has received any approach from private industry to develop new roads; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State reached agreement on 9 April 1987 for Dartford River Crossing Ltd. to design and build a new bridge and operate the Dartford-Thurrock crossing. In addition, as I said in my reply to my hon. Friend on 11 May at columns 162–63 my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received a number of ideas for privately funded infrastructure projects, including roads, particularly as a result of his letter of 28 March to firms in the finance and construction industry.

  Channel Tunnel
  Mr. McCrindle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has received any approach from private industry to develop a rail link between London and the Channel tunnel; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  Some interest has been expressed, but I have received no firm proposals.

  London-Heathrow (Rail Link)
  Mr. McCrindle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has received any approach from private industry to develop a rail link from London to Heathrow airport; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Mitchell
  My Department has received a number of approaches from the private sector in response to the Heathrow surface access study. We hope to make an announcement shortly.

  Dartford Tunnels
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the tolls at the Dartford tunnels to be increased; how that increase will be calculated; and what the new rates are likely to be.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  If the Dartford-Thurrock Crossing Bill currently before Parliament receives Royal Assent by 30 June, I expect that tolls at the Dartford tunnels will be increased with effect from 1 September 1988.

  Clause 17 of the Bill sets a limit to the size of toll increases. The limit is calculated by applying the percentage movement in the retail prices index (RPI) between December 1985 and the base month of each year (normally June), to the toll rates in force on 1 January 1986. Tolls were last increased on 1 January 1984. The June 1988 RPI will not be known until mid-July. I expect that, on current trends, the toll rates will be as set out in the table. The rates in force on 1 January 1986 are shown in brackets.

  £

  £

  Motorcycles

  0·20

  (0·20)

  Cars

  0·70

  (0·60)

  Light and medium goods vehicles

  1·10

  (1·00)

  Coaches: Heavy goods vehicles

  1·80

  (1·60)

  The construction of the new bridge, which the Bill would authorise, is planned to start on 1 August 1988.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Magistrates' Courts (Files)
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Attorney-General what is the average number of files being presented to prosecutors in the magistrates' courts on a daily basis by Crown Prosecution Service area or region.

  The Attorney-General
  The information required to answer this question is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The following table sets out the total number of cases completed in the magistrates' courts in each area during the first three 284
  months of this year. These figures do not include committals for trial, remands (either in custody or on bail), or other applications. It would be misleading to reduce the figures to a daily average, as some courts may sit only one day a week, with a small number of cases, whilst others sit six days a week, regularly dealing with well in excess of 100 cases a day.

  For the Period 1 January 1988–31 March 1988

  All Areas

  Cases finalised

  Avon/Somerset

  9,636

  Bedfordshire/Hertfordshire

  7,144

  Cambridgeshire/Lincolnshire

  8,850

  Cheshire

  6,718

  Derbyshire

  7,486

  Devon/Cornwall

  7,778

  Dorset/Hampshire

  14,031

  Essex

  6,688

  Gloucestershire/Wiltshire

  7,199

  Humberside

  7,475

  Kent

  9,772

  Lancashire/Cumbria

  16,825

  Leicestershire/Northamptonshire

  9,812

  London/Inner

  47,592

  London/North

  26,376

  London/South

  18,571

  Manchester

  22,573

  Merseyside

  13,826

  North Wales/Dyfed

  7,913

  North Yorkshire/Cleveland

  8,761

  Northumbria/Durham

  20,009

  Nottinghamshire

  8,671

  South Wales/Gwent

  19,108

  South Yorkshire

  10,108

  Staffordshire/Warwick

  10,968

  Suffolk/Norfolk

  9,269

  Sussex

  10,435

  Thames Valley

  12,441

  West Mercia

  7,380

  West Midlands

  20,976

  West Yorkshire

  17,975

  Grand Total

  412,366

  Average/Area

  13,302

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Attorney-General what proposals he has to recruit more staff to the Crown Prosecution Service; and how many are currently employed.

  The Attorney-General
  Recruitment of non-legally qualified staff in the Crown Prosecution Service has not posed difficulties which require special attention. As far as lawyers are concerned, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Erith and Crayford (Mr. Evennett) on 26 April 1988 at column 95.

  The staffing figures on 18 May 1988 were as follows:

  Complement

  Staff in post

  Lawyers

  1,788

  1,314·5

  Non-lawyers

  2,992·5

  2,595·1

  All staff

  4,780·5

  3,909·6

  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Attorney-General what are the current pay scales for members of the Crown Prosecution Service.

  The Attorney-General
  For the current pay scales of all members of the Crown Prosecution Service at grade 5 and
  285
  below, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave to the right hon. and learned Member for Aberavon (Mr. Morris) on 26 February 1988 at columns 353–54.

  The current pay scales for staff at grades 1 to 4 are as follows:

  Grade

  Range

  £

  1

  65,000

  2

  43,500–54,0001

  3

  34,000–43,0001

  4

  30,344–33,4691

  1 Includes additional increment payable under the performance point scheme.

  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Attorney-General if he intends to raise the pay levels of members of the Crown Prosecution Service in the light of the recent internal survey by members of the staff on their pay and conditions.

  The Attorney-General
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answers I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Erith and Crayford (Mr. Evennett) and the hon. Member for St. Helens, South (Mr. Bermingham) on 26 April 1988 at column 94 and 21 April 1988 at columns 507–509.

  Crime Statistics
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will give for each of the following categories of crime, namely murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, wounding with intent to do serious bodily harm, possession of firearms or explosives with intent, possessing firearms or explosives, other major firearms offences and membership of an illegal organisation, the number of cases reported to and investigated by the Director of Public Prosecutions, the number of persons charged and the number of persons convicted who were serving members of the security forces at the time of the alleged offence in the years 1986 and 1987.

  The Attorney-General
  I regret that the figures requested are not kept separately by the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. To ascertain whether the defendant in a case in any of the categories mentioned was a serving member of the security forces at the time of the alleged offence would involve checking each case individually. This could not be done without incurring disproportionate cost.

  Plastic Bullets
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Attorney-General how many cases in 1987 involving persons injured by plastic bullets in Northern Ireland have been considered by the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland; and what action was taken in each case.

  The Attorney-General
  Between 1 January 1987 and 31 December 1987 the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland considered 19 cases involving persons injured by plastic bullets in Northern Ireland. No prosecutions were directed in 18 cases. In the remaining case, a direction pends the receipt of further information from the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

  Police Operations (Football Matches)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Attorney-General what was the cost to public funds of the trials associated with the police operations codenamed Own Goal, Full-time and Dirty Den in relation to alleged public order offences in connection with football matches in London.

  The Attorney-General
  The cost to public funds of an individual trial cannot be precisely quantified. It comprises a number of separate elements borne by different Government Departments. Most of these form part of the ordinary running costs of the Departments concerned. The only amounts which can be precisely identified are those payable to prosecuting counsel and the defence lawyers.

  The fees payable to prosecuting counsel have not yet been assessed. Defence costs which are payable out of the legal aid fund are determined by an officer of the Crown court upon receipt of the lawyers' claims for fees. No such claims have yet been received.

  Football Hooliganism
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Attorney-General how many possible prosecutions of persons for alleged offences involving football hooliganism are currently outstanding.

  The Attorney-General
  It is not practicable to enumerate the number of possible prosecutions of persons for alleged offences involving football hooligans which are currently outstanding. The Crown Prosecution Service does not keep separate figures for prosecutions which have been brought against persons following incidents at or in the vicinity of football matches. Such information could be made available only at disproportionate cost.

  Gloucester United Schools Charity
  Mr. French
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will request the Charity Commissioners to institute an inquiry under section 6 of the Charities Act 1960 into the affairs of the Gloucester United Schools Charity; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  I have no present intention of making such a request, but if my hon. Friend would care to write to me suggesting any reason why I should do so I shall consider the matter.

WALES

  Homelessness
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people were classified as homeless in Clwyd and Gwynedd in 1979; and what is the most recent figure.

  Mr. Grist
  The numbers of persons accepted as homeless in Gwynedd during 1979 and 1987 were 875 and 644 respectively, and in Clwyd 1,059 and 2,027.

  Job Training Scheme
  Mr. Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the target figure for JTS in Wales in the last financial year, the total number of participants, and the underspend on appropriation.
  287
  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  Numerical and financial regional targets were not set when new job training schemes started in April 1987, since the pace of expansion of the scheme was to be determined by the quality of training. In Wales up to 12,040 places were contracted by managing agents in the year ending April 1988, during which 4,586 unemployed adults entered the scheme and expenditure by Manpower Services Commission was £2·069 million.

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

  Mr. Grist
  There were 212 beds in private hospitals in Wales as at 31 December 1986, the latest year for which information is available.

  Total rateable value

  Grant-related expenditure

  Population

  Total expenditure

  Rateable value per head

  £ million

  £ million

  £ Thousands

  £ million

  £

  1981–821

  274·3

  1,092·6

  2,775

  1,140·8

  99

  1982–832

  276·8

  1,169·7

  2,778

  1,207·1

  100

  1983–842

  279·7

  1,240·2

  2,801

  1,267·3

  100

  1984–852

  281·5

  1,284·1

  2,808

  1,304·0

  100

  1985–862

  284·3

  1,343·4

  2,808

  1,352·8

  101

  1986–872

  284·9

  1,425·4

  2,807

  1,456·3

  101

  1987–883

  285·9

  1,551·4

  2,812

  1,574·6

  102

  1988–894

  289·7

  1,669·7

  2,821

  1,707·4

  103

  1 Supplementary (No. 3) Report.

  2 Supplementary (No. 2) Report.

  3 Supplementary Report.

  4 Main Report, except for total expenditure which is taken from local authorities' budgets.

  Mr. Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the number of local authorities which spent, respectively, above or below(a) their grant-related expenditure assessment and (b) any expenditure target set in each year from 1981–82 to 1988–89, estimate.

  Mr. Grist
  The information requested is given in the table. Comparisons of spending with grant-related expenditure assessments have been based on local authorities' total expenditure as defined for rate support

  Spending above grant-related expenditure

  Spending below grant-related expenditure

  Spending above target

  Spending at target

  Spending below target

  1981–821

  32

  5

  24

  0

  21

  1982–832

  25

  12

  18

  5

  22

  1983–842

  21

  16

  6

  11

  28

  1984–852

  23

  14

  8

  11

  26

  1985–862

  22

  15

  0

  16

  29

  1986–872

  24

  13

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1987–883

  29

  8

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1988–894

  29

  8

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a = not available.

  1 Supplementary (No. 3) Report.

  2 Supplementary (No. 2) Report.

  3 Supplementary Report.

  4 Main Report, with total expenditure taken from local authorities' budgets.

  Housing Statistics
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many(a) housing starts and (b) housing completions were made in each of the housing authorities of Gwynedd and Clwyd in 1979 and for the most recent year for which figures are available; how many houses in Gwynedd and in Clwyd are estimated to be (i) in urgent
  288
  In addition, there were 56 authorised pay beds in National Health Service hospitals (including two for emergency use only) as at 31 December 1986 and 1987.

  Grant-related Expenditure
  Mr. Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the total rateable value grant-related expenditure assessment from 1981–82, population, total expenditure and rateable value per head, in total, for local authorities in Wales in each year from 1979–80 to 1988–89, estimate.

  Mr. Grist
  The information requested, taken from the latest rate support grant report for each year from 1981–82 to 1988–89, is given in the table. Comparable information for 1979–80 and 1980–81 is not available.

  grant purposes. The current expenditure targets set for 1981–82 have been compared with actual current expenditure reduced to allow for any spending disregards and revalued to the November 1980 rate support grant price base used for the targets. To compare spending in the years from 1982–83 to 1985–86 with total expenditure targets, actual total expenditure adjusted for disregards has been used. No expenditure targets have been set since 1985–86.

  need of repair, (ii) without one or more basic amenities, (iii) without an inside toilet and (iv) without a fixed bath; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  The information on housing starts and completions is given in the table. In 1986 there were 11,200 dwellings in Clwyd and 14,000 in Gwynedd in serious disrepair (that is, with repair costs of £3,000 or over) and 3,800 in Clwyd and 3,700 in Gwynedd lacking one or more
  289
  basic amenity. There were 1,800 dwellings in Clwyd and 1,700 in Gwynedd lacking a WC inside the dwelling and 1,600 in Clwyd and 1,800 in Gwynedd lacking a fixed bath or shower. Since 1979, some 12,076 renovation grants have been completed in Gwynedd and 7,500 completed in Clwyd.

  Dwelling starts and completions; Clwyd and Gwynedd; 1979 and 1987

  Dwellings started

  Dwellings completed

  1979

  1987

  1979

  1987

  Clwyd

  Alyn and Deeside

  275

  275

  257

  257

  Colwyn

  511

  394

  373

  251

  Delyn

  233

  227

  166

  189

  Glyndwr

  166

  197

  210

  125

  Rhuddlan

  323

  126

  290

  151

  Wrexham Maelor

  786

  329

  474

  352

  2,294

  1,548

  1,770

  1,325

  Gwynedd

  Aberconwy

  185

  156

  237

  255

  Arfon

  137

  178

  134

  158

  Dwyfor

  203

  64

  226

  104

  Meirionydd

  80

  26

  95

  20

  Ynys Mon

  553

  176

  403

  175

  1,158

  600

  1,095

  712

  Health Authorities (Expenditure)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a table including the budgeted current and capital expenditure, respectively, and the forecast actual, current and capital expenditure, respectively, of each of the new district health authorities in Wales for the current year.

  £ million cash prices

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  Revenue

  Capital

  Revenue

  Capital

  Revenue

  Capital

  Revenue

  Capital

  Revenue

  Capital

  Revenue

  Capital

  Clwyd

  66·252

  2·161

  71·169

  4·476

  76·212

  7·452

  82·016

  5·893

  91·332

  5·690

  95·960

  4·918

  East Dyfed

  42·982

  1·863

  45·627

  2·063

  47·987

  1·861

  51·883

  2·362

  57·238

  2·103

  60·323

  2·180

  Gwent

  84·303

  3·388

  89·201

  4·204

  93·466

  4·154

  98·646

  6·221

  110·573

  6·772

  114·996

  5·166

  Gwynedd

  39·148

  1·093

  44·250

  2·809

  47·794

  1·007

  49·903

  1·228

  55·846

  3·934

  57·903

  1·964

  Mid Glamorgan

  95·763

  20·55

  104·853

  3·303

  110·634

  7·768

  118·911

  5·335

  130·940

  5·111

  134·556

  5·716

  Pembrokeshire

  13·798

  0·569

  15·221

  1·810

  15·755

  1·708

  17·573

  2·369

  19·871

  2·625

  22·727

  1·049

  Powys

  19·616

  0·539

  20·858

  0·869

  21·627

  1·266

  22·951

  1·164

  26·197

  1·026

  27·185

  1·126

  South Glamorgan

  111·958

  2·951

  119·661

  6·111

  127·956

  3·754

  132·775

  5·789

  150·865

  5·205

  157·171

  2·652

  West Glamorgan

  65·067

  2·462

  66·436

  4·991

  75·450

  8·458

  82·415

  10·689

  91·735

  11·090

  99·905

  7·443

  Notes:

  1 The information provided relates to the actual or estimated cash spent by each authority in the period reviewed, for the years 1983–84 to 1986–87 it is taken from DHA annual accounts.

  2 The figures for 1987–88 are estimates; actual figures will not be available until after 30 June when the health authorities submit their annual financial statements for 1987–88.

  3 The figures provided for 1988–89 reflect current allocations. These will be subject to change in respect of funds for centrally directed developments, provision for which is currently held in central reserves, and for each authority's share of the extra money which has been made available in respect of the additional cost of this year's Review Bodies' awards over the allowance for inflation in their allocations. Authorities may also transfer funds between their revenue and capital allocations or borrow or lend funds under brokerage arrangements and such action would further effect the 1988–89 figures.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will provide a table showing the revenue expenditure of each district health authority in Wales for each year since 1979 both at 1988 and outturn prices.

  £ thousands

  District health authority

  1978–79

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–871

  Revenue expenditure at outturn prices

  Clwyd

  32,460

  38,998

  52,916

  59,244

  64,125

  66,898

  71,638

  76,293

  83,818

  290
  Mr. Grist
  The resources currently available to each authority for 1988–89 are detailed in the table. These allocations will be subject to change during the course of the year as funds for centrally directed developments are released and for the extra funds which have been made available for the additional costs of this year's review bodies' awards, over and above the allowance for inflation in authorities' initial allocations. Allocations may also be subject to further adjustment in the event of authorities transferring funds from revenue to capital or vice versa or borrowing or lending funds under brokerage arrangements.

  Revenue cash allocations

  Capital cash allocations

  £ million

  £ million

  Clwyd

  95·960

  4·918

  East Dyfed

  60·323

  2·180

  Gwent

  114·996

  5·166

  Gwynedd

  57·903

  1·964

  Mid Glamorgan

  134·556

  5·716

  Pembrokeshire

  22·727

  1·040

  Powys

  27·185

  1·120

  South Glamorgan

  157·171

  2·652

  West Glamorgan

  99·905

  7·443

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the expenditure levels forecast for each district health authority in Wales for the coming financial year, together with comparable expenditure for each of the preceding five years.

  Mr. Grist
  The information requested, which is expressed in cash terms for comparability with allocations in 1988–89, is as follows:

  Mr. Grist
  The revenue expenditure of each district health authority in Wales for each year since 1979, in income and expenditure terms estimated 1988–89 prices is as follows:
  291

  District health authority

  1978–79

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–871

  Dyfed (East Dyfed from 1982–83)

  27,984

  34,000

  42,425

  48,307

  39,698

  43,003

  46,076

  47,907

  52,641

  Pembrokeshire (from 1982–83)

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  12,942

  13,958

  15,163

  16,227

  17,550

  Gwent

  42,554

  50,809

  65,980

  73,047

  79,565

  84,567

  89,279

  93,560

  100,119

  Gwynedd

  19,137

  23,478

  30,445

  34,257

  37,236

  39,666

  44,204

  47,515

  51,389

  Mid Glamorgan

  49,244

  59,618

  76,760

  84,071

  90,806

  96,980

  104,022

  110,475

  119,411

  Powys

  9,661

  11,797

  15,062

  16,624

  18,516

  19,754

  20,627

  21,288

  23,152

  South Glamorgan

  59,063

  70,655

  88,892

  98,739

  107,438

  114,501

  119,313

  127,402

  134,842

  West Glamorgan

  32,025

  38,746

  50,435

  56,665

  61,508

  65,173

  68,667

  76,020

  83,091

  Wales2

  272,128

  328,096

  423,915

  471,008

  511,834

  544,500

  578,989

  516,697

  665,013

  Revenue expenditure at estimated 1988–89 prices3

  Clwyd

  69,512

  71,448

  31,776

  83,309

  84,180

  83,875

  86,019

  86,445

  89,872

  Dyfed (East Dyfed from 1982–83)

  59,927

  62,299

  67,109

  67,929

  52,114

  53,916

  55,325

  54,282

  57,760

  Pembrokeshire (from 1982–83)

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  16,990

  17,500

  18,207

  18,386

  19,257

  Gwent

  91,128

  93,099

  101,966

  102,718

  104,449

  106,028

  107,201

  106,021

  109,856

  Gwynedd

  40,981

  43,019

  47,050

  48,172

  48,882

  49,732

  53,078

  53,838

  56,387

  Mid Glamorgan

  105,455

  109,239

  118,625

  118,220

  119,206

  121,591

  124,904

  125,175

  131,024

  Powys

  20,869

  21,616

  23,277

  23,377

  24,307

  24,767

  24,768

  24,121

  25,404

  South Glamorgan

  126,482

  129,463

  137,374

  138,922

  141,039

  143,558

  143,264

  144,355

  147,905

  West Glamorgan

  68,581

  70,995

  77,942

  79,682

  80,745

  81,712

  82,451

  86,136

  91,172

  Wales2

  582,756

  601,178

  655,119

  662,327

  671,911

  682,678

  695,216

  698,759

  729,686

  Source: Health Authorities Annual Accounts.

  1 Latest year for which information in income and expenditure terms is available.

  2 Excludes the Welsh Health Common Services Authority.

  3 Adjusted for actual and expected inflation using the GDP deflator.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will provide a table, for 1987–88 and for each of the past 20 years, showing the total expenditure on the services provided by health authorities in Wales and their predecessors and by Gwynedd health authority and its predecessors, respectively.

  Health Authorities Expenditure in Wales: 1974–75 to 1986–87

  (£ thousands)

  Health Authorities

  1974–75

  1975–76

  1976–77

  1977–78

  1978–79

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  Clwyd

  18,108

  23,808

  26,341

  29,921

  34,380

  41,544

  55,419

  62,143

  66,761

  69,142

  76,112

  83,647

  88,784

  Dyfed (East Dyfed from 1982–83)

  14,351

  19,580

  21,859

  24,707

  28,949

  34,857

  44,218

  49,287

  40,972

  44,761

  48,280

  49,725

  55,202

  Pembrokeshire (from 1982–83)

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  13,288

  14,608

  16,423

  17,951

  19,936

  Gwent

  23,307

  30,667

  34,175

  38,799

  44,632

  53,176

  57,155

  76,003

  83,434

  88,186

  93,380

  97,599

  107·089

  Gwynedd

  10,459

  14,110

  15,563

  17,641

  19,538

  24,449

  31,781

  35,175

  38,175

  41,055

  47,015

  48,451

  52,637

  Mid Glamorgan

  26,439

  35,306

  39,339

  44,529

  51,008

  61,133

  78,004

  86,121

  92,912

  99,230

  107,035

  118,430

  124,609

  Powys

  5,200

  6,951

  7,633

  8,640

  10,114

  12,197

  15,371

  17,169

  19,063

  20,308

  21,576

  22,545

  24,338

  South Glamorgan

  34,113

  44,457

  48,287

  55,402

  62,081

  72,747

  92,648

  104,295

  112,869

  119,513

  125,558

  131,016

  142,283

  West Glamorgan

  17,621

  23,031

  25,995

  25,676

  33,869

  40,863

  52,622

  59,178

  64,422

  67,645

  73,926

  84,368

  93,926

  Welsh Health Services Authority

  10,444

  14,280

  13,600

  12,782

  13,620

  14,432

  22,461

  25,211

  31,675

  34,652

  25,766

  21,830

  23,612

  Wales

  160,042

  212,190

  232,798

  261,997

  298,391

  365,398

  459,679

  514,582

  563,511

  599,102

  635,070

  675,572

  731,416

  Source: Health Authorities Annual Accounts.

  Notes:

  1 It is not possible to provide information prior to 1974–75 since the boundaries of the hospital management committees which preceded the health authorities were not coterminus with those of the successor authorities.

  2 Latest year for which expenditure in income and expenditure terms is currently available.

  Private Treatment
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take steps to amend National Health Service procedures to enable area administrators of health authorities in Wales to know the numbers of patients treated privately by doctors and specialists employed on a part-time basis by the area health authority.

  Mr. Grist
  No, because in this matter district general managers need ensure only that consultants on part-time contracts honour their commitments to the National Health Service.

  Private Beds
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the number of private beds within National
  292
  Mr. Grist
  The total expenditure on the services provided by health authorities in Wales for the period 1974–751 to 1986–872 is given in the table:—

  Health Service hospitals in each area health authority in Wales, the percentage occupancy of these beds and the annual income to each health authority from charges made for boarding costs for their private beds for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Grist
  The information is given in the table:

  Health authority financial year

  1Number of private beds authorised

  2Percentage occupancy by private patients

  3Income from boarding costs private patients

  (£ thousands)

  Clwyd

  1979–80

  12

  56

  113·9

  1980–81

  12

  64

  161·7

  1981–82

  12

  60

  184·4

  1982–83

  12

  42

  13·1

  293

  Health authority financial year

  1 Number of private beds authorised

  2 Percentage occupancy by private patients

  3Income from boarding costs private patients (£ thousands)

  1983–84

  12

  56

  224·0

  1984–85

  12

  57

  251·3

  1985–86

  12

  55

  284·3

  1986–87

  12

  48

  256·9

  East Dyfed

  1979–80

  9

  35

  60·4

  1980–81

  9

  48

  107c1

  1981–82

  9

  42

  112·0

  1982–83

  7

  41

  102·9

  1983–84

  7

  34

  84·5

  1984–85

  7

  48

  130·0

  1985–86

  7

  41

  119·5

  1986–87

  7

  50

  164·0

  Pembrokeshire

  1979–80

  1980–81

  Figures included with East Dyfed

  1981–82

  1982–83

  3

  41

  35·9

  1983–84

  3

  10

  38·0

  1984–85

  3

  7

  46·6

  1985–86

  3

  43

  49·8

  1986–87

  3

  80

  67·8

  Gwent

  1979–80

  1

  13

  3·2

  1980–81

  1

  10

  2·2

  1981–82

  1

  5

  0·9

  1982–83

  1

  3

  0·4

  1983–84

  1

  —

  —

  1984–85

  1

  —

  —

  1985–86

  1

  —

  —

  1986–87

  6

  —

  —

  Gwynedd

  1979–80

  8

  43

  67·7

  1980–81

  8

  49

  95·8

  1981–82

  8

  43

  95·6

  1982–83

  8

  34

  92·9

  1983–84

  8

  36

  103·3

  1984–85

  8

  29

  91·6

  1985–86

  8

  49

  189·2

  1986–87

  8

  45

  190·8

  Mid Glamorgan

  1979–80

  3

  21

  11·1

  1980·81

  3

  17

  12·2

  1981–82

  3

  27

  20·0

  1982–83

  3

  13

  9·1

  1983–84

  3

  28

  24·7

  1984–85

  3

  13

  10·9

  1985–86

  3

  13

  18·2

  1986–87

  3

  28

  40·2

  South Glamorgan

  1979–80

  1

  94

  40·7

  1980–81

  1

  48

  26·4

  1981–824

  10

  5

  17·4

  1982–834

  10

  4

  26·2

  1983–844

  10

  4

  19·4

  1984–854

  11

  10

  22·3

  1985–864

  11

  16

  66·6

  1986–874

  11

  13

  73·5

  West Glamorgan

  1979–80

  2

  19

  7·0

  1980·81

  2

  22

  10·7

  1981–82

  2

  37

  20·6

  1982–83

  2

  29

  19·2

  1983–84

  2

  43

  32·0

  1984–855

  4

  23

  33·3

  1985–86

  4

  25

  43·1

  1986–87

  4

  23

  53·6

  294
  1 As at 31 December.

  2 Excludes occupancy of private beds by NHS patients.

  3 Private patient income has been shown on an accruals basis As such the amounts will reflect invoices raised throughout the accounting period and also take into account any provision for bad debts from previous years.

  4Excludes 2 beds for emergency use only.

  5Excludes 1 bed for emergency use only. Powys does not have any authorised private beds.

  District Health Authorities (Transport and Travelling Grant)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for each district health authority in Wales, the amount within the total grant which is provided to meet the transport and travelling needs of that authority.

  Mr. Grist
  District health authorities' resource allocations do not contain specific allowances for transport and travel costs. However, in the revenue formula, which is used in determining the revenue resource allocations to authorities, the ambulance component is weighted to take account of population sparsity as measured by road length per head of population. I have arranged for a copy of the 1988–89 revenue formula assessment to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Tourism (Ambulance Cover)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will seek to ensure that every area health authority in Wales makes resources available to ensure increased ambulance cover in summer for those areas which receive substantial influxes of tourists.

  Mr. Grist
  It is the responsibility of health authorities in Wales to ensure that adequate ambulance cover is available for their resident population and, in summer months, for any increases due to the influx of tourists. Each authority organises its ambulance service accordingly.

  Bilingual Health Staff
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will give the number of qualified speech therapists employed by each of the area health authorities in Wales; and how many of those currently employed are bilingual in Welsh and English;

  (2) what proportion of staff in each of the area health authorities in Wales is bilingual.

  Mr. Grist
  The number of speech therapists emploued by each of the district health authorities in Wales was given in my reply to the hon. Gentleman on 1 March 1988. Information on the number of staff employed in the National Health Service who are bilingual is not held centrally.

  Psychiatric Patients
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the numbers of persons in Wales who were ordered to be held in psychiatric hospitals under provisions of Mental Health Acts during 1987 or most recent available and the number of such persons detained under orders in Wales at the current time.

  Mr. Grist
  The latest available figures indicate that during 1986 there were 830 admissions to mental illness
  295
  and mental handicap hospitals and units in Wales under the various provisions of the Mental Health Act 1983. Details are as follows:

  Mental Health Act 1983 Section

  Number of people

  2

  333

  3

  121

  4

  254

  137

  17

  237

  3

  46

  1

  47

  2

  136

  31

  Other powers

  68

  TOTAL

  830

  1Without section 41 restriction.

  2With section 41 restriction.

  On 5 April 1987, there were 192 patients in these hospitals and units who were being detained under the Act.

  Ambulances
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the number of ambulances in working condition in each of the district health authorities in Wales; and what are the corresponding figures for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Grist
  This information is not held centrally.

  Area Health Authorities (Finance Allocation)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to give further recognition in deciding on allocation of finance to area health authorities in Wales of sparsity of population, impact of tourism, and costs associated with elderly population migration.

  Mr. Grist
  The revenue formula, used in determining the revenue resource allocations to district health authorities in Wales, takes account of population sparsity in the ambulance component, which is weighted by road length per head of population. The formula also takes account of the seasonal pattern of activity in accident and emergency services, reflecting the effects of tourism. Each element of the formula is weighted by the age and sex structure of the population and therefore incorporates the effects of the movement of elderly migrants into authorities' areas. A copy of the 1988–89 revenue formula assessment is in the Library of the House.

  The formula is kept under review by the joint NHS—Welsh Office resource allocation working group. This group is currently considering the need for and possible means of taking further account of population sparsity in the formula and will be reporting to my right hon. Friend in July.

  Single European Market
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what research has been undertaken by his Department into the effects on the Welsh economy of the completion of the single European market in 1992; and if he will make a statement.
  296
  Mr. Peter Walker
  Completion of the single European market will bring greater freedom of trade. I have not commissioned a formal study, but research from various sources has shown that this liberalisation of trade will offer great potential benefits to all nations and regions within the European Community. The effects within Wales will, however, depend very much on the response of individual businesses to the new opportunities which the single market will present. A major programme is planned to raise the awareness of industry in Wales to the opportunities and what can be done to realise them. Currently, I am in the process of writing to all exporting companies and potential exporters known to my Department—over 3,000 companies—encouraging them to respond to the challenge and sending them advice on how to do so.

  Expenditure Allocations
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much money remains unallocated under each expenditure heading for Wales for 1988–89.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  There are many areas of spending within my responsibility where resources remain which have not yet been specifically committed or allocated. These are far too numerous to detail.

  I envisage that these remaining resources will be wholly spent during the course of the current financial year in accordance with the plans which have been clearly set out in the Wales chapter of the Government's "Expenditure Plans 1988–89 to 1990–91" (Cm. 288—11) and the Supply Estimate booklet (HC 339-XVII) presented to Parliament on 15 March.

  Should circumstances change, it may be necessary for me to switch some of the uncommitted resources from one expenditure heading to another. Where these changes are significant, Parliament will be notified by means of the normal cash limit and Supplementary Estimate procedures.

  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what allocations of resources under each expenditure heading have been made to the south Wales valleys for the current year and for each of the next two years.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Most of the resources under my control are allocated to local authorities and health authorities whose areas do not correspond precisely to the valleys. Allocations are also made to agencies which operate on an all-Wales basis. Specific expenditure allocations have not therefore been made to the valleys.

  Water Pollution Offences
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what were the numbers of prosecutions and convictions arising from water pollution offences in 1984–85, 1985–86, 1986–87 and 1987–88, respectively, in Wales.

  Mr. Grist
  The Department has not instigated any prosecutions against the Welsh water authority in respect of discharges from sewage treatment works during the four years in question. Prosecution in respect of other discharges to water is the responsibility of the Welsh water authority and I have asked the chairman of the Welsh water authority to write to the hon. Gentleman.

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Raffan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he proposes to make any changes to the cash limits for class XVII, votes 5 and 8, for 1988–89.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Yes. Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimates, the cash limit for Class XVII, Vote 5 will be increased by £1,294,000 from £223,490,000 to £224,784,000 and the cash limit for Class XVII, Vote 8 will be increased by £33,366,000 from £743,259,000 to £776,625,000.

  The whole increase for Class XVII, Vote 8, together with £634,000 of the increase for Class XVII, Vote 5, follows the decision to implement 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. Those increases will be charged to the reserve and do not, therefore, add to the public expenditure planning total.

  A further increase of £600,000 is required for Class XVII, Vote 5 to augment the provision for the development and implementation of the education national curriculum in Wales. Provision for this service formed part of the last public expenditure survey and does not, therefore, constitute either an increase in the planning total or a claim on the reserve.

  The remaining increase of £60,000 for Class XVII, Vote 5 is required to meet preliminary costs of the privatisation of the Welsh Water Authority. A corresponding reduction of £60,000 is being made to the cash limit for Class X, Vote 9 (Sale of shares in the water services public limited companies, etc.).

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

  Mr. Peter Walker
  [holding answer 23 May 1988]: The information is not available. The involvement of Welsh Office staff in outside occupations is covered by several staff rules, including one which requires that without permission no officer may hold a directorship or engage in consulting work which has a connection with official duties or is on behalf of a firm or concern which is in contractual or other special relationship with the Department. There is no requirement to obtain consent where the activity does not impinge on the Welsh Office.

  Housing Statistics
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many houses in Wales are seriously in need of repair.

  Mr. Grist
  [holding answer 16 May 1988]: The number of dwellings in Wales in serious disrepair was 123,600 a substantial improvement over 1981, as a result of 130,210 renovation grants completed since that time.

ENVIRONMENT

  Ministerial Duties
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many meetings with the National Consumer Council concerning water privatisation 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 had no meetings with the National Consumer Council concerning privatisation, although I have had informal discussions with one of its representatives.

  I am content that, after flotation, consumers' interests will be satisfactorily served by the proposed Director General of Water Services.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many meetings with the National Federation of Anglers 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 representatives of the National Federation of Anglers on 25 February 1988, when they formed part of a delegation from the National Anglers' Council to discuss the proposed National Rivers Authority.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many meetings with the National Trust 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 visited a number of National Trust properties. My noble Friend the Minister for Environment, Countryside and Water has met members of the National Trust during the last year.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many meetings with the Council for the Protection of Rural England 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 attended any meetings of the Council for the Protection of Rural England in the last year. My noble Friend the Minister for Environment, Countryside and Water has met members of the Council for the Protection of Rural England during the last year.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many meetings with the Council for Environmental Conservation 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 attended any meetings of the Council for Environmental Conservation this year.

  North Sea
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State ior the Environment if he will make a statement on the progress
  299
  made nationally and internationally on action agreed at the first intergovernmental conference to protect the North sea.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Progress made nationally and internationally on action agreed at the first intergovernmental conference to protect the North sea (the Bremen conference) was reported on and reviewed by the second international conference on the protection of the North sea in London in November 1987. This is reflected in the programme of further action in many of the areas covered by the Bremen declaration which is set out in the ministerial declaration issued at the London conference, copies of which are in the Library.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the atmospheric pollutants which he believes need to be reduced, or, if appropriate, to be eliminated in order to protect the maritime environment of the North sea.

  Mr. Moynihan
  There is great uncertainty about the quantities of atmospheric pollutants entering the North sea and therefore uncertainty in the efficacy of reducing emissions in protecting the sea from pollution. However, the United Kingdom is already committed to a precautionary policy to reduce airborne emissions, illustrated by the investment of £1 billion by CEGB on flue-gas desulphurisation and on low-NOx burners. It also participates in the work of the Paris commission on the monitoring and deposition modelling of heavy metals and has increased its research efforts to improve our understanding of the interaction of atmospheric pollutants with the marine environment.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy towards the use of best available technology to reduce nutrients in discharges from waste water treatment plants whose effluent enters the North sea.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The Government are participating fully in the Paris commission working group on nutrients and in discussions in other international forums concerning nutrients discharged into marine waters. The North sea declaration calls for reduction of inputs of nutrients into areas where these are likely to cause pollution. A review of nutrient concentrations in United Kingdom estuarial and coastal waters is being carried out under the auspices of the marine pollution monitoring and management group. The Government will consider if there are specific actions needed in the light of this.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the most dangerous substances from which it is necessary to protect the North sea and for which adherence to a precautionary approach to pollution control is necessary.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The ministerial declaration following the second international conference on the protection of the North sea in London (copies of which are in the Library) identified substances which are persistent, toxic and liable to bioaccumulate. Annex A of the declaration lists examples of those substances which are already the subject of specific action. Annex B lists examples of other potentially significant pollutants where it was agreed to consider what further action might be taken to reduce 300
  inputs. The United Kingdom is drawing up a list of the most dangerous substances for priority action, which will be called the red list.

  The United Kingdom Government has taken an early lead in implementing this part of the declaration and their proposals are set out in the guidance note on the ministerial declaration published on 3 February 1988, copies of which are also in the Library.

  Phosphates
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has plans to regulate the use of phosphates in detergents; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The Government have no plans at present to regulate the use of phosphate in detergents.

  Pollution
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all the uniform emission standards presently in place for all the pollutants controlled in all the rivers and estuaries under United Kingdom jurisdiction entering the North sea.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The United Kingdom does not generally set uniform emission standards for discharges of particular substances. Under the present pollution control system for water in this country, the levels of a substance permitted in discharges may vary according to the nature and use of the receiving water, the degree of dilution available and the number of other inputs affecting the water. However, the Government have announced that they intend to introduce a requirement to use the best available technology not entailing excessive cost in relation to significant discharges of the most dangerous substances, and this would be reflected in emission standards for discharges of such substances.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all the environmental quality standards presently in place for all the pollutants controlled in all the rivers and estuaries under United Kingdom jurisdiction entering the North sea.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The following national environmental quality standards in microgrammes per litre have been set for the individual substances listed below in all United Kingdom waters:

  Mercury (rivers): 1·0, (estuaries): 0·5

  Cadmium (rivers): 5·0, (estuaries): 5·0

  Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) (rivers): 0·1, (estuaries): 0·02

  Lead; Chromium; Zinc; Copper; Nickel; Arsenic—The ranges of environmental quality standards for these substances are set out in Appendix 2 of Department of the Environment Circular 18/85, a copy of which is available in the Library.

  National quality standards for a number of additional substances will be set in the near future.

  In addition, quality standards for a range of substances and other parameters apply to waters specifically designated under or falling within the scope of the following EC directives:

  76/160/EEC concerning the quality of bathing water,

  78/659/EEC on the quality of fresh water needing protection or improvement in order to support fish life,

  79/923/EEC on the quality required of shellfish waters,

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  75/440/EEC concerning the quality required of surface water intended for the abstraction of drinking water in the Member States.

  The quality standards applied to these waters are those set down in the directives, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Water authorities may also in some cases set local quality standards where national standards are not currently in place.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the key industrial and other sectors where he intends to achieve a reduction in aerial emissions using strict emission standards, if practicable, within the next four years; and how large a reduction he hopes to achieve.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Control over atmospheric emissions is effected by applying emission standards and by other mechanisms. Standards apply primarily to emissions from those industrial processes controlled by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution (mainly in the fuel and power industry, production and processing of metals, non-metallic mineral production, and the chemical manufacturing industry) and to emissions from vehicles. gnhe extent to which emission standards will bring about reductions in aerial emissions of a wide range of pollutants over the next four years will depend on many different factors, but new standards for power station and vehicle emissions will result in substantial long-term reductions in air pollution.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what improvements are necessary in the scientific base and monitoring data, which exist for the North sea, to allow a more thorough assessment of its condition.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Improvements in the scientific base and monitoring of data were among the issues discussed at the second international conference for the protection of the North sea, and some of the areas where improvements were felt to be required are set out in annex G to the ministerial declaration, which is available in the Library. The conference also asked the Oslo and Paris commissions and ICES jointly to consider the setting up of a scientific task force to take forward this work and the United Kingdom hosted an inaugural meeting of the task force in March.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the details of the agreed criteria which have to be met to ensure that the knowledge of behaviour of pollutants in the North sea is sufficient to allow these pollutants to be continuously discharged into the North Sea.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The principal criterion governing the issue of discharge consents, whether for discharges to rivers and estuaries or direct to marine waters, is the need to protect the aquatic environment and to safeguard legitimate uses of water. Where environmental quality standards are set for specific substances. These are derived from the available date about the ecotoxicological effects of the substance of sensitive species, with a suitable safety factor built in. Regular monitoring also takes place to assess the effects of discharges. A major research programme is being undertaken by the United Kingdom and other countries bordering the North sea to add to our knowledge about the behaviour and impact of potential pollutants in the North sea.
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  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what action he is taking to reduce the quantity of substances that are persistent and toxic from reaching the North sea; what reduction he expects to achieve by 1995; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will detail the measures taken to reduce the inputs into the North sea of (a) mercury, (b) cadmium, (c) carbon tetrachlorides, (d) organic compounds, (e) pentachlorophenol, (f) polychlorinated camphino and (g) drins, wastes from titanitum oxide industry and oil from refineries and reception facilities; what steps will he taken to reduce them further; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Discharges to water of these and other substances that are persistent and toxic are already subject to control under part II of the Control of Pollution Act 1974. These controls are operated by the relevant pollution control authorities. In addition, some substances are subject to environmental quality standards laid down in EC directives.

  Further action was agreed upon in the declaration following the second international North sea conference which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State chaired in the United Kingdom last November. The United Kingdom is taking an early lead in the implementation of the declaration. We have opened discussions with the water industry on the measures to be taken in order to achieve a substantial reduction (of the order of 50 per cent.) by 1995, in total inputs to the North sea, of substances that are toxic, persistent and liable to bioaccumulate. Such measures will be applied consistently throughout all United Kingdom coastal waters.

  The United Kingdom's reduction programme will forcus on a priority list of the most dangerous substances, selected on the basis of strict scientific criteria, to be termed the red list. Substances on this list will be subject to stringent controls under the new unified approach to the control of dangerous substances which I announced on 18 November. The detailed proposals will be set out in a forthcoming consultation paper.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what alternative plans he has for the incineration of waste currently incinerated at sea.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The United Kingdom accounts for a very small proportion of the total waste incinerated in the North sea. In 1986, the last year for which comparable figures are available, the United Kingdom accounted for 3,754 tonnes or about 3·2 per cent. of the total. This amounts to only 5 per cent. of the total waste incinerated on land, but for logistical and local nuisance reasons marine incineration is currently the preferred option for these wastes. As indicated in paragraph 30 of the guidance note on the ministerial declaration following the second international North sea conference, the licensing authorities, advised by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution, will seek reductions in the use of this option where practicable and seek to ensure that adequate alternative disposal capacity is available by the end of 1994.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has plans to issue advice on the action required by regulatory authorities and companies to follow up the declaration agreed at the end of the second intergovernmental conference on the North sea.
  303
  Mr. Moynihan
  Follow-up action by regulatory authorities, industrial interests and others to implement the ministerial declaration following the second international conference on the North sea is the subject of a guidance note on the ministerial declaration issued by the Department on 3 February. Copies have been placed in the Library.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to whether pollution from the United Kingdom has contributed to the ecological deterioration of the Wadden sea; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  None of the assessments or models so far used in North sea studies indicate that discharges from United Kingdom rivers are serious factors in the condition of the Wadden sea or other contaminated areas on the eastern side of the North sea. The main sources of pollution of these waters are the major load bearing continental rivers.

  Houses of Parliament (Legionella)
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what checks have been made recently for the presence of Legionella in the water systems of the Houses of Parliament; and what were the results.

  Mr. Chope
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Ports (Oils and Chemicals)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how often he reviews the availability, capacity and standards of service of oil and chemical reception facilities operating at British ports.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Legislation requiring ports and terminals to provide reception facilities for oil residues came into force in July 1984 and the availability and capacity of these facilities have since been assessed annually by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport. In the case of other noxious residues, including chemicals, legislation was enacted in April 1987 and the same monitoring arrangements are being put into place. There have been no reports of inadequate standards of service, but if such a report were received, it would of course be investigated.

  Disabled Persons
  Mr. Heddle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the initiatives his Department is taking to assist the disabled with their house adaptations.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Local authorities give grants of £40 million each year for the adaptation of houses for disabled people. My Department has published today a manual which will provide practical advice for all those engaged in this work. Copies have been sent to all housing, social services and health authorities in England and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales is taking similar action. A copy has been placed in the Library.

  Local Government Superannuation Scheme
  Mr. Bell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will take steps to ensure that new 304
  entrants to the local government superannuation scheme should be treated as members unless they elect to the contrary; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what resources are available in the local government superannuation scheme to make improvements, including pensions for widowers, children of married women, dependants of single persons, spouses of post-retirement marriages, and a guaranteed pension for five years as well as a minimum death-in-service lump sum of two years' pay; and what the total cost would be of these improvements on top of current liabilities;

  (3) what plans he has to terminate the difference in the local government superannuation scheme whereby women contributors pay into the scheme at the same rate as men for unequal benefit;

  (4) why women receive less than their male counterparts when paying into the local government superannuation scheme; and if he will make a statement.

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

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he has taken to remedy past inequalities in employment practices in his Department, in compliance with the codes of the Commission for Racial Equality and the Equal Opportunities Commission, respectively.

  Mr. Ridley
  My Department has taken measures to reduce under-representation of women in the higher grades and of black and Asian staff. These measures include women-only development training; advertising opportunities for job-share, part-time work and career breaks; using the ethnic minority press for advertising local vacancies; participating in feature articles to publicise the Department's work; taking part in schools liaison; using inner city job centres and other types of outreach work; and participating in a central training review and promotion monitoring projects.

  Somerset Wetlands (SSSI)
  Mr. Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how long he estimates the site of special scientific interest in the Somerset wetlands will continue to qualify as such, at current rates of drying out; and whether he will introduce a system of water table management, aimed at preserving the levels, and moors, wetland status.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The results of recent surveys commissioned by the NCC into the possible lowering of water levels and a decline in the density of breeding wading birds on the Somerset levels and moors over the last 10 years are currently under examination. The NCC has no plans at present to denotify any of the SSSIs. It has recently met Wessex water authority to discuss the position and will be having further consultations with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Wessex water authority, internal drainage boards, other environmental interests and farming representatives.

  Rating Reform
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether community charge officers will be able to ask for information concerning an individual from
  305
  gas, water and electricity boards; and whether those boards could exchange information about individuals to the community charge officer.

  Mr. Howard
  No. The powers of community charge registration officers to request information are set out in schedule 2 to the Local Government Finance Bill. They do not include power to request information from the bodies mentioned. Nor will registration officers have any power to pass information to those bodies.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment why Price Waterhouse was chosen to carry out a study concerning the costs of implementing the community charge; how many companies tendered for the study; and why the actual cost of implementing the community charge in Scotland was not used as a basis for a reliable estimate as to the likely true cost of introducing the legislation in England and Wales.

  Mr. Howard
  The actual cost of preparing for and implementing rates reform in Scotland will not be known until after April 1989. Our estimates of these costs in England and Wales have been questioned by local authority associations and some individual authorities have made their own forecasts. Price Waterhouse was selected to undertake an independent study of these costs after we had examined tenders and written proposals from six firms of consultants.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment why, pursuant to the answer of 16 May, the information requested relating to illustrative community charges for 1988–89 was given by reference to figures for 1987–88; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  Because estimates for 1988–89 are not yet available for England. I apologise for not making that clear.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has had from Community Service Volunteers with regard to exemption from the community charge; what reply he is sending; what action he will be taking; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  I have received a number of such representations from various organisations. This matter was also discussed during the consideration of the Local Government Finance Bill in Committee in another place. My noble Friend the Minister of State agreed to consider the possibility of making special provision for residential voluntary workers.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what percentage of single pensioners he estimates will be adversely affected by the introduction of the community charge;

  (2) what percentage of pensioners he estimates will be adversely affected by the community charge.

  Mr. Howard
  I shall write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Local Government (Wage Earners)
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to how many wage earners currently make no direct contribution towards the cost of local government.
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  Mr. Howard
  On the basis of data contained in the family expenditure survey, I estimate that about 10 million wage earners currently do not receive rate bills.

  European Directives
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the Official Report a list of the proposed European directives that he has vetoed in the Council of Ministers since 1979.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The Council does not keep records of votes on a national basis. The information requested is therefore not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Wetlands (Ramar Convention)
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) pursuant to his reply of 11 May,Official Report, column 128, whether he will make it his policy that sites meeting the revised criteria and guidelines for the identification of wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar convention should be listed under article 2 of the convention;

  (2) pursuant to his reply of 11 May, Official Report column 127, whether he will make it his policy that sites confirmed by the Nature Conservancy Council as qualifying for designation as special protection areas under EC directive 79/409 or wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar convention should be so designated.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The Government consider the formal classification under the Ramsar convention and/or the EC birds directive of all sites which the Nature Conservancy Council concludes meet the relevant criteria when the necessary preparatory work is completed. Our aim is to designate those sites which are necessary to meet the conservation objectives of the convention and the directive.

  Housing Stock
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to implement a detailed inventory of the existing housing stock with estimates of replacement costs.

  Mrs. Roe
  No.

  Cross-Bradford Rail Link
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the reasons given by the Property Services Agency why a cross-Bradford rail link could not be accommodated on the proposed Bradford courthouse site; and if he will make a statement

  Mr. Chope
  A cross-Bradford rail link could not be accommodated on the proposed Bradford courthouse site because its closeness to the courthouse would produce unacceptable levels of noise and vibration, would create unsurmountable security problems, and would be visually intrusive.

  Water Environment
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has amended his plans, in the event of privatisation of the water authorities, for the legal framework protecting the water environment.

  Mr. Moynihan
  No. It remains the Government's firm intention to strengthen protection of the water environment, in particular by providing a statutory framework of quality objectives and standards for rivers and estuaries; and by establishing the National Rivers Authority, for the management and protection of the water environment. Detailed provisions will be brought forward in the forthcoming water privatisation Bill.

  London Docklands Development Corporation
  Ms. Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give the name of the main contractors for any development, including infrastructure and building works, for each site sold by the London Docklands Development Corporation since July 1981.

  Mr. Trippier
  Appointment of contractors by developers of sites sold by the LDDC is a matter for the developers.

  Ms. Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will give the name of the main contractor, the value of the contract and the date when the contract was signed for each site where the London Docklands Development Corporation has let a contract for infrastructure works, including land reclamation and the provision of drainage or other services, since July 1981;

  (2) if he will name the purchaser for each site sold by the London Dockland Development Corporation since July 1981.

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

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will place in the Library a copy of any letter written to the London Docklands Development Corporation by Messrs Robson Rhodes concerning the annual accounts of the corporation, together with any respective responses which have been made.

  Mr. Trippier
  [pursuant to his reply, 2 March 1988, c. 579]: The Department has examined the management letter sent by Messrs Robson Rhodes in relation to the LDDC's 1985/86 external audit, and the corporation's response and has consulted Messrs Robson Rhodes and officers of the corporation on both. Having considered the results of these consultations carefully I have reached the following conclusions:

  (i) Management letters, which are the formal means by which external auditors draw the attention of the audited body to various aspects of that body's systems of internal control, do not deal with matters of substance which materially affect the annual accounts. Such matters are properly dealt with by qualification of the accounts. Robson Rhodes made it clear that none of the issues raised in its letter was of such substance in relation to the 1985/86 accounts.

  (ii) None of the issues raised in the management letter alleged or implied irregularity or impropriety by the corporation, or misuse of public funds.

  (iii) The auditors accept that the corporation's use of financing mechanisms was not improper or
  308
  irregular. They pointed out, however, that such mechanisms are generally complex, somewhat open to misinterpretation and if multiplied in future years could increasingly press against the legal constraints by which the corporation is bound. Such timely advice is one of the purposes and benefits of external audit.

  (iv) On consultancy appointments, I am satisifed that LDDC has in fact operated within the current guidelines laid down by the Department for ensuring proper competition. Robson Rhodes' main concern was that, under the internal approval procedures for appointment of consultants, full documentary evidence of the competitive process that had been carried out was not always immediately available to those ratifying appointments. LDDC has made it clear, however, that such evidence was always available for inspection, and has agreed to review supporting documentation more thoroughly.

  (v) Where the award of a consultancy contract is based on a comparison of competitive rates (as distinct from the submission of tenders) there should be a full and explicit definition of the criteria used for selection. The Department will discuss this further with LDDC, and agree revised procedures as necessary.

  (vi) Proper procedures were employed by LDDC in awarding consultancy appointments to three former employees of the corporation. In view of the comments made by Messrs Robson Rhodes, however, the corporation accepts that additional arrangements are required to fully demonstrate propriety in all such cases. The corporation has therefore reviewed its procedures, and now requires that all such cases should go to the board for approval.

  (vii) Messrs Robson Rhodes suggested that the corporation should obtain clarification from the Department on competition requirements and how they should best be satisfied. My officials are reviewing the existing guidance to the corporation on this and will bring forward revised proposals.

  (viii) The other issues raised in the management letter related to negotiated land disposals, reporting and seeking approval for project overspends, and actioning internal and external audit recommendations. I am satisfied that LDDC has taken appropriate follow-up action in each case and, where necessary, has revised and strengthened its procedures.

  My Department's primary concern is that the LDDC should always respond fully and effectively to the matters raised in management letters. These letters are intended to raise issues which require detailed consideration by the body under audit and the Department and to lead to agreement on ways in which procedures could be further improved or adjusted to meet changing circumstances. But I should add that the unauthorised disclosure of such letters undermines their effectiveness for this purpose.

  I am satisfied that in relation to the 1985–86 letter that the corporation has paid proper attention to the issues raised, and that a full and effective response has been made.

  Youth Projects (Kensington)
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those youth projects in existence in the Kensington parliamentary constituency for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  My Department does not keep comprehensive information on youth projects in Kensington or any other area. A number of projects in Kensington aimed at benefiting young people have been
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  supported by my Department through the urban programme in the past five years. These are listed as follows.

  Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Youth projects supported through the Urban Programme 1983–88.

  YTS Training Centre

  Construction of new training centre for borough wide youth training scheme.

  Glissando Steel Orchestra

  To build a sound-proofed rehearsal centre for orchestra.

  Outward Bound Courses

  12 Outward Bound places on courses.

  Cremorne Riverside Centre

  Training centre for water based activities.

  St. Stephen's Intermediate Treatment Centre

  Centre for the prevention and treatment of delinquency.

  North Kensington Family Centre

  Family centre with a Caribbean focus.

  North Kensington Students Hostel Ltd.

  Accommodation for homeless students.

  Unemployed Centre (Venture Community Association)

  Drop in centre for the unemployed.

  Holiday Projects

  Provision of play projects during the school summer holidays.

  Stopgap

  Holiday project.

  Unity Association Hostel

  Accommodation and support for young people.

  Tabernacle Community Association Ltd.

  Community Centre.

  Harvey IT/Education Centre.

  Water Pollution Offences
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for. the Environment what were the numbers of prosecutions and convictions arising from water pollution offences in each English water authority during 1984–85, 1985–86, 1986–87 and 1987–88; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  No prosecutions have so far been taken out against water authorities by the Department. The number of prosecutions for water pollution offences taken by each English water authority during 1984–85 and 1985–86 were:

  1984–851

  1985–861

  Anglian

  17

  14

  Northumbrian

  2

  1

  North West

  70

  26

  Severn Trent

  23

  33

  Southern

  15

  6

  South West

  12

  34

  Thames

  5

  12

  Wessex

  29

  38

  Yorkshire

  33

  40

  Totals

  206

  204

  1 Some data is for calendar year.

  Details for 1987 are not yet available but will be published later in the year.

  Information about convictions following prosecutions is collected by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department but is not collected in a comparable form. I understand, however, that in general over 90 per cent. of these cases result in convictions.

  Decisions on whether or not to prosecute rest with water authorities and will depend upon factors such as the severity of the pollution and whether the source can be clearly identified.

  Berne Convention
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment in which way the United Kingdom representative voted at the sixth meeting of the standing committee of the Berne convention in Strasbourg when considering the proposal to include Lululla arborea in appendix II of the convention; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The Government accepted the Nature Consevancy Council's advice to support the listing of the Lululla arborea in appendix II to the Berne convention. However, the species is already listed in annex I of the birds directive (79/409 EEC) and therefore comes within Community competence. I understand that, following consultations with all members states at the sixth meeting of the standing committee to the Berne convention, the Commission abstained from voting on the proposal to include the Lululla arborea in appendix II.

  Dover Castle (Officers' Mess)
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) when the officers' mess in Dover castle was last used; and for what purpose;

  (2) on how many occasions (a) he, (b) his officials and (c) English Heritage have had discussions with interested parties in the last 12 months concerning proposals to bring the officers' mess in Dover castle back into commercial use;

  (3) whether he will review the progress being made by English Heritage in processing proposals for developing the officers' mess in Dover castle; and if he will make a statement;

  (4) what assistance his Department is prepared to give to English Heritage and Dover district council in order to assist private proposals for bringing the officers' mess in Dover castle into commercial use;

  (5) when his officials last discussed with English Heritage proposals for developing and using the officers' mess in Dover castle; and what specifically they discussed.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The management, presentation and future development of Dover castle are matters for English Heritage. The former officers' mess ceased to be used for that purpose some years before the castle was placed in the care of the Ministry of Public Building and Works in 1965. It has remained empty ever since. Various proposals have been considered at different times for its re-use and I understand that English Heritage has had discussions with several potential developers. At English Heritage's request last March, my officials offered informal advice on a question of tendering procedure. Apart from that, the Department has had no discussions with English Heritage or any other party about the future use of the officers' mess building since the transfer of responsibility to English Heritage on 1 April 1984. I am sure the chairman will be happy to provide my hon. Friend with further details of his plans.

  Water Industry Privatisation
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what powers are being currently proposed for him with regard to the setting of initial water quality standards prior to the privatisation of the water industry; and if he will make a statement.
  311
  Mr. Moynihan
  In its 1986 consultation paper, "The Water Environment; The Next Steps", the Government indicated:"In order to launch [the new Statutory Quality Objective System] on a firmly established clear basis, the Government proposes to use initially the objectives which the Water Authorities have adopted. These objectives are widely understood, have been the subject of local consultation, and can be related to the classifications used as a basis for water quality measurement in the [1980 and 1985] River Quality Surveys. Using them at the outset will ensure continuity and provide a good basis for comparison between progress in different … areas, and between the present situation and any future review".

  This remains the Government's position. Legislation to give effect to it will be brought before Parliament in due course.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether it is intended to make provision for water protection zones following the privatisation of the water industry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  It remains the Government's intention to re-enact and simplify the existing legislative provisions relating to water protection zones in the forthcoming water privatisation Bill.

  National Rivers Authority Advisory Committee (Chairman)
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how widely the vacancy for the position of chairman of the National Rivers Authority advisory committee was advertised; and how many applicants were considered.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The position of chairman of the National Rivers Authority advisory committee was not advertised. But a number of candidates were considered before the decision was taken to appoint my right hon. and noble Friend Lord Crickhowell.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what expenses the chairman of the national rivers authority advisory committee will be eligible to claim.

  Mr. Moynihan
  As chairman of the National Rivers Authority advisory committee, my right hon. and noble Friend, Lord Crickhowell, will be eligible to claim current Civil Service class I travelling and subsistence allowances.

  Local Authorities (Investments)
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Hendon, South (Mr. Marshall) of 3 December,Official Report, column 642, what progress he has made in consideration of options to control further the investment of local government pension fund moneys in the light of the failure of the News on Sunday newspaper.

  Mr. Chope
  My right hon. Friend is still considering the matter and will be consulting representatives of local government and others in due course.

  Planning Enforcement Notice Appeals
  Mr. Day
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the report of the efficiency 312
  scrutiny of his Department's handling of planning enforcement notice appeals, carried out in 1987, and his response to the report's recommendations.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  A volume incorporating the report and the action plan which we have agreed is being published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office today. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House. The scrutiny examined the procedures under which local planning authorities issue planning enforcement notices and the Department deals with appeals to my right hon. Friend against such notices. The report makes 51 recommendations for more efficient and effective handling of these appeals.

  We have accepted many of the report's key recommendations and one of the main objectives of the action plan will be to ensure that the majority of enforcement appeals decided by planning inspectors are eventually processed, and the decision issued, within 22 weeks from receipt of the appeal.

  Some of the recommendations involve proposals to amend provisions in part V of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971 and to adapt existing administrative procedures for processing enforcement appeals. My Department will shortly be consulting the local authority associations, and the professional and other organisations with an interest in the planning control process, about the feasibility of implementing these recommendations.

  We have also said that we shall now he undertaking urgently a full review of the enforcement powers available to local planning authorities. This review will build on the detailed analysis in the enforcement scrutiny report.

  Spent Magnox Fuel
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if the studies recommended by the Select Committee on the Environment on dry storage and direct disposal of spent Magnox fuel have been completed.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The reports and an independent review have today been deposited in the Library of the House of Commons and with the British Library. Copies have been sent to members of the Environment Committee and to other interested organisations.

  The reports and the review confirm that a change to a strategy of long-term storage and direct disposal of spent Magnox fuel would not give rise to significant reductions in radiation exposures to the public or to the work force in the nuclear industry, and uncertainties would remain about the suitability of the chemically reactive fuel for direct disposal. At this late stage in the life of Magnox power stations the extra costs which would be entailed cannot, therefore, be justified. A continuation of fuel reprocessing to the end of the Magnox programme remains prudent policy.

  Discharges of radioactivity from fuel reprocessing at Sellafield have been considerably reduced; they are now only one tenth of the level in 1978. Further reductions are planned from about 1991 when the enhanced actinide removal plant (EARP) becomes operational. This should enable discharges to alpha emitters to be reduced further.

  The length of time for which the Magnox programme continues will depend on financial considerations, the reviews of safety of the reactors and the fuel reprocessing plant, waste management and energy strategy considerations.

  Water Privatisation
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has taken any steps to prevent water authorities from acquiring stocks in statutory water companies in anticipation of the privatisation of the industry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  [holding answer 23 May 1988]: It is in the first instance for the water authorities to decide in the light of the facts and circumstances of each case whether they have the legal powers and the resources to acquire water company shares.

  Homeless Persons
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what surveys have taken place as to the number of people who sleep rough in London each night; when such surveys were conducted; and what was the number of people found to be sleeping rough.

  Mrs. Currie
  I have been asked to reply.

  I am not aware of any more recent official survey than the one in 1965 by the National Assistance Board which found that there were then approximately 275 people sleeping rough in London. There are extreme methodological difficulties in counting accurately the number of people sleeping rough because of their constant mobility and lack of willingness to respond to official inquiries.

EMPLOYMENT

  ILO Convention 45
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether the Government has reached any decision with regard to the current opportunity to denounce International Labour Organisation (ILO) convention 45 as mentioned in his Department's recent consultative document.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The Government are considering carefully the many responses to the consultative document on restrictions on employment of young people and the removal of sex discrimination in legislation, including these of the CBI and TUC.

  A clear majority of the responses favoured changes to many aspects of the legislation. In order to clear the way for possible changes to the statutory restrictions on women in mining which could not take place within the constraints of the convention, the Government propose to denounce ILO convention 45. Denunciation will take effect 12 months after the date on which it is registered with the ILO.

  Remploy
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to ensure that Remploy pays rates of pay to its workers consistent with the standard rates of pay for the work undertaken and rates of pay for jobs considered to be of similar value; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lee
  Within a framework of wider public spending considerations, it is for the hoard of Remploy to determine 314
  wage rates for the company's workers. I am pleased to say that Remploy's manual work force has now voted by a sizeable majority to accept the pay offer which the board put to it recently.

  Dock Labour Scheme
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State For Employment what estimates he has as to the likely number of retirements from the dock labour scheme in each year until 1995 and the number of new entrants who will be required in each year until 1995.

  Mr. Nicholls
  It is not possible to make such estimates since the numbers will depend upon the choices of individuals and a variety of commercial and other factors.

  Job Release Scheme
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State For Employment how many people in each year have taken advantage of the job release scheme since its inception.

  Mr. Lee
  The information requested is set out in the table:

  Number

  1976–77

  9,979

  1977–78

  14,529

  1978–79

  25,643

  1979–80

  68,164

  1980–81

  24,239

  1981–82

  38,674

  1982–83

  46,134

  1983–84

  44,045

  1984–85

  14,895

  1985–86

  11,960

  1986–87

  12,046

  1987–88

  10,005

  Perivale Skillcentre
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State For Employment what steps he is taking to secure the future of the Perivale skillcentre; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced a review of the skills training agency at the end of last year and has received an initial report which he is considering.

  Penlee Quarry
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Bradford, South,Official Report, column 285, 13 May, what was the date of the last visit to Penlee quarry by a mines and quarry inspector prior to 28 January 1987; whether the inspector was satisfied that all troughed belt conveyors at the quarry were to the British Standard; and whether the 1974 British Standard for machinery guards was required, reached or imposed.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The date of the last visit to Penlee quarry by a mines and quarries inspector prior to 28 January 1987 was on 5 January 1987. This visit was to deal with a matter relating to the security of stockpiles. The inspector did not deal with any other matters during that visit.

  Quarries (Investigations)
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will place in the Library(a) a copy of the Health and Safety Executive metallurgical laboratory report on the broken derricking pawl shaft boss from the Anderson and Grice 15-tonne Scotch derrick crane at Hantergantick quarry, St. Bernard and (b) a copy of the investigation report into the accident at Penlee quarry, Newlyn, on 28 January 1987.

  Mr. Nicholls
  No. The Health and Safety Executive is still considering whether or not to instigate proceedings following the Hantergantick accident. Individual accident investigation reports, which may contain personal information and opinion, are not usually made public.

  Scotch Derrick Cranes
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will place in the Library a list of all scotch derrick cranes in use and their location and age so far as is known in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The Health and Safety Executive does not hold a list of all Scotch derrick cranes currently in use in the United Kingdom. A list of all those cranes known to be located at quarries has been placed in the Library.

  List of Scotch derrick cranes located at quarries as at May 1988

  Name of Quarry

  Crane make and Safe Working Load

  Date of Manufacture (if known)

  Watson

  Anderson Grice 5 ton

  —

  Bolton Wood

  Butters 10 ton

  —

  Britannia

  Morgan 20 ton

  1950-approx

  Britannia

  Henderson 15 ton

  1969

  Britannia

  Henderson 15 ton

  1972

  Deep Lane

  Butters 6 ton

  1940's

  Squire Hill

  Bradley 7 ton

  —

  Naylor Hill

  Morgan 10 ton

  —

  Dunhouse

  Morgan 10 ton

  —

  Dunhouse

  Butters 15 ton

  —

  Stainton

  Butters 10 ton

  1964

  Locharbriggs

  Anderson Grice 15 ton

  —

  Stoneraise

  Butters 5 ton

  —

  Darney Crag

  Morgan 7 ton

  —

  Whitestone and Quarry Lane

  Balmforth 4 ton

  1920's

  Trannach

  Rushworth 4 ton

  —

  Trannach

  Rushworth 2 ton

  —

  De Lank

  Henderson 15 ton

  1975

  Bosahan

  Henderson 15 ton

  1939

  Merrivale

  Butters 35 ton

  1975

  Hantergantick

  Butters 15 ton

  1960

  Hantergantick

  Butters 20 ton

  1975

  Bowers

  Butters

  1942

  Doulting

  Henderson 15 ton

  1968

  Maesgwyn

  Butters 20 ton

  1960

  Independent No. 1

  Henderson 35 ton

  1964

  Independent No. 1

  Sangster 10 ton

  —

  Portland No. 6

  Anderson Grice 15 ton

  —

  Portland No. 4

  Anderson Grice 15 ton

  —

  Holywell

  Butters 7 ton

  1953

  Holywell

  Smith 4 ton

  —

  Holywell

  Smith 4 ton

  —

  Mines and Quarries Inspectorate
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what training individual inspectors in the mines and quarries inspectorate have received to enable them to prepare all the necessary documents for a prosecution to be taken on indictment in the Crown court.
  316
  Mr. Nicholls
  As a result of a comprehensive training programme, all inspectors of the mines and quarries inspectorate have the necessary knowledge and skills to prepare the documentation for consideration for prosecution.

  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when the next meeting is to take place between the Health and Safety Executive and the Chief Inspector of Mines and Quarries to review progress in reducing the number of fatal and serious accidents; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  When the chief inspector saw the executive on 23 March, he described a number of measures already in train to improve health and safety in quarries, and they were discussed. The measures in train are the responsibility of the chief inspector and need time to develop before a meeting to review progress could be useful.

  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many prohibition and improvement notices have been issued by the Mines and Quarries Inspectorate; and how many prosecutions there are now pending following the meeting in April between Dr. Mike Jones and the health and safety executive.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The information requested is listed for the period 14 April 1988 to 20 May 1988.

  Number

  Improvement Notices issued

  13

  Deferred Prohibition Notices issued

  9

  Immediate Prohibition Notices issued

  30

  Prosecutions Pending

  2

  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will introduce legislation to transfer the duty to prosecute under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 from the mines and quarries inspectorate to the Crown Prosecution Service; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  There is no need to change the existing arrangements since the Director of Public Prosecutions in England and Wales and the Procurator Fiscal in Scotland can already initiate proceedings in respect of contraventions of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act.

  Escalators
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what consideration he has given to making regulations under section 15 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to impose requirements with respect to the construction, maintenance and examination of escalators similar to those contained in Offices, Shops and Railway Premises (Hoists and Lifts) Regulations 1968 (S.I., 1968, No. 849).

  Mr. Nicholls
  I have received no such proposal from the Health and Safety Commission. I am not aware of any reason to take a substantially different view from that taken by my predecessor in replying to the Adjournment debate held on 23 December 1981 at column 1043.

  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will discuss with the Health and
  317
  Safety Executive the case for revising its guidance notes relating to escalators with respect to (a) uniformity in the siting, size and content of escalator warning notices and (b) the fitting of stand-off skirt guards or other deflector devices to all existing escalators to minimise trapping accidents.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The Health and Safety Executive will review its guidance note "Safety in the use of escalators" when it has received a report on research which is being undertaken on their behalf by the Institute for Consumer Ergonomics and which includes(a) an appraisal of escalator warning signs and (b) an evaluation of deflector devices on escalators in shopping centres and department stores.

  Ceramic Industry
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people are employed in the ceramic industry at present; and how many have been employed in that industry over each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Lee
  The available information is as follows:

  Employees in Employment in the Refractory and Ceramic Goods industry in Great Britain (Group 248 of the Standard Industrial Classification 1980)

  Thousands

  December of each year

  Number

  1978

  75·1

  1979

  72·2

  1980

  66·2

  1981

  58·8

  1982

  56·6

  1983

  59·1

  1984

  64·2

  1985

  67·4

  1986

  68·5

  11987

  70·0

  1The latest date for which figures are available.

  These estimates are subject to considerable potential estimation error due to the relatively small number of employees in the industry.

  Separate estimates for the ceramic goods industry are not available.

  MSC (Grants)
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects the Manpower Services Commission to finalise supplementary grant levels to local Manpower Services Commission areas; and whether inner city areas will receive a higher level of supplementary grant to take account of the cost of premises and salaries.

  Mr. Cope
  The Training Commission (formerly the Manpower Services Commission) is currently in the process of determining the distribution of training places and supplementary grants to its areas. I expect the process to be completed shortly. The grants are intended to meet the higher costs of training provision associated with a wide variety of need, including the special need of the inner cities.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what is the total number of people under 318
  the age of 25 years who are unemployed in the Kensington constituency (a) as a percentage of all people under the age of 25 years and (b) as a percentage of the total number of unemployed people in the constituency;

  (2) how many people under the ages of (a) 23 years and (b) 25 years have been unemployed in Kensington for (i) less than six months, (ii) between six months and one year, (iii) between one year and two years and (iv) over two years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lee
  The following information is in the Library. The table shows the number of unemployed claimants under 25 years in Kensington constituency on 14 April 1988 for the requested durations, together with the under 25 years unemployment level expressed as a percentage of the total unemployed in the constituency. Separate figures are not available for those aged under 23. Data are not available on the number of people in Kensington aged under 25.

  Unemployed claimants, Kensington constituency, April 1988

  Under 25 years

  Under 25 as a percentage of total unemployed Per cent.

  Less than six months

  503

  —

  Six to twelve months

  216

  —

  One to two years

  120

  —

  Over two years

  149

  —

  All durations

  988

  23.8

  YTS (Kensington)
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the numbers of young people who have obtained full-time jobs on leaving YTS schemes in the Kensington constituency for each of the past three years; and what percentage this is of all those who have completed YTS schemes during that period; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cope
  Figures for the Kensington constituency are not available. The table gives details of leavers from YTS schemes in the royal borough of Kensington and Chelsea and nationally. The figures have been obtained from the 100 per cent. postal follow-up surveys of young people three months after leaving YTS schemes.

  Per cent, in full time work Kensington and Chelsea

  Per cent, in full-time work Great Britain

  April 1985 to March 1986

  53

  53

  April 1986 to March 1987

  63

  60

  April 1987 to December 1987

  56

  51

  In Kensington and Chelsea, as in the country as a whole, large numbers of trainees also leave YTS for further education and training.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people have been on YTS schemes in the Kensington parliamentary constituency for each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cope
  The number of people who have been on YTS schemes in the royal borough of Kensington and Chelsea for the past three years is:
  319

  Number

  1985–86

  30

  1986–87

  102

  1987–88

  154

  I am pleased to see that an increasing number of young people are entering work via a structured training programme in this area.

  Construction Industry (Deaths)
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many(a) deaths (b) serious and major injuries and (c) employees there were in (i) the public and (ii) the private construction industries for each year from 1970 to 1987.

  Mr. Nicholls
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher) on Monday 18 April 1988, at column 317.

  Stallite Batteries
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will itemise the number and year of each visit the number, type and year of each notice, and the offence by year and resultant fine with regard to Health and Safety Executive action at Stallite Batteries, Worsborough Dale, Barnsley in each of the years from 1958 to 1987.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The following table shows the number and year of visits to Stallite Batteries, Worsborough Dale, Barnsley, from 1965 to 1986. During 1986 the company moved to new premises in Bolton-on-Dearne.

  Year

  Number of visits

  1965

  5

  1966

  4

  1967

  3

  1968

  4

  1969

  3

  1970

  1

  1971

  16

  1972

  13

  1973

  4

  1974

  25

  1975

  14

  1976

  12

  1977

  12

  1978

  22

  1979

  7

  1980

  5

  1981

  11

  1982

  4

  1983

  5

  1984

  4

  1985

  18

  1986

  17

  The factory was not known to Her Majesty's factory inspectorate, now part of the Health and Safety Executive, prior to 1965.

  The following enforcement notices were served during the same period.
  320

  Year

  Number of notices issued

  1975

  1 Prohibition notice

  1 Improvement notice

  1978

  2 Improvement notices

  1 Prohibition notice

  1981

  2 Improvement notices

  1982

  1 Improvement notice

  1983

  2 Improvement notices

  1985

  1 Improvement notice

  Prosecutions by year with resultant fines are as follows:

  Year and Offence

  Total fine

  £

  1965

  Failure to notify occupation and illegal employment on a lead process:

  21–18–0

  1973

  Failure to control fumes and failure to have an employee medically examined.

  100

  1988 (offence in 1986)

  Failure to suspend person who was issued with a certificate of unfitness for work with lead.

  750

  Building Sites (London)
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many prosecutions in connection with construction sites there were in London in 1987; how many offences were committed; and what was the fine for each offence.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The table shows the available information.

  The number of prosecutions 1: informations laid in 1986–872

  The number of convictions

  The average penalty per conviction £

  533

  39

  810

  1 Data are for construction related prosecutions taken by Factory and Agricultural Inspectorates of the Health and Safety Executive London area offices. They exclude any that may have been taken by other enforcing authorities.

  2 Provisional data for the 12 month period April 1986 to March 1987.

  3 The outcome of eight of these informations laid is not yet known.

  Building Sites
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many prosecutions in connection with construction sites there were in 1987; what regulations were broken; and what was the fine for each offence.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The table shows the available information, concerning prosecutions associated with the construction industry.
  321

  Regulation

  The number of prosecutions 1: informations laid in 1986–872

  The number of convictions

  The average penally per conviction £

  Construction (General Provisions) Regs 1961

  52

  44

  792

  Construction (Lifting Operations) Regs 1961

  40

  27

  649

  Construction (Working Places) Regs 1966

  181

  145

  347

  Construction (Health and Welfare) Regs 1966

  11

  8

  288

  Other Regulations 3

  112

  92

  325

  Specific Regulations not Quoted

  254

  166

  688

  Grand Total

  4650

  482

  517

  1 Data are for construction related prosecutions taken by Factory and Agricultural Inspectorates of the Health and Safety Executive London area offices. They exclude any that may have been taken by other enforcing authorities.

  2 Provisional data for the 12 month period April 1986 to March 1987.

  3 Information separately distinguishing each of the other regulations can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  4The outcome of 29 of these informations laid is not yet known.

  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how frequently the average building site has been inspected, each year, in each of the years from 1970 to 1987.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The information requested is not available.

  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what were(a) the estimated number of building sites and (b) the number of construction Health and Safety Executive inspectors for each of the years from 1970 to 1987.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The Health and Safety Executive does not keep estimates of the number of building sites. All inspectors in the factory inspectorate division of the HSE may work in construction groups. The number of experienced inspectors employed on construction work for the years as at 1 January 1979–86 was as follows:

  Number

  1979

  86

  1980

  87

  1981

  90

  1982

  89

  1983

  88

  1984

  88

  1985

  86

  1986

  84·5

  In September 1987 there were 92 qualified inspectors employed on construction work.

  No information is available centrally for the years 1970–78.

  Sellafield (Safety Allegations)
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will arrange for independent interviews and investigations to be carried out into recent allegations by employees of BNFL of safety breaches at Sellafield.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I have been asked to reply.

  I understand that various anonymous allegations have been made of breaches in safety rules in certain buildings at BNFL's Sellafield site. BNFL and the Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate will both be looking into these allegations and undertaking any further necessary investigations.

DEFENCE

  Small Firms (Research Information)
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress in making available the results of research sponsored by his Department to small firms.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  We attach high importance to the fullest possible exploitation of research carried out by, or on behalf of, the Ministry of Defence. Defence Technology Enterprises Limited is specifically charged with the commercial exploitation of this research and now has some 265 members, mostly in the small firms sector. The defence research information centre also plays a very important role.

  Tucano
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the latest cost estimate for the Tucano trainer project; what were the original estimates; when the trainers are expected to be in operation; what was the original estimate; what financial and operational contingency plans have been made; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The estimated cost for the Tucano trainer project has not changed since the contract was let. Aircraft were ordered on a firm price basis, with payment to be made on delivery. Consequently, there is no increase in the contract price as a result of delays in the programme. The value of the contract is, however, commercially confidential. We expect deliveries of Tucano to the RAF to commence shortly. Deliveries were initially scheduled to begin in January 1987. As a result of the delay, the RAF's Jet Provost fleet is continuing in service for longer than originally planned.

  Radar Station (Bradwell)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a further statement on the role and function of the trial radar station near Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex; which unit or agency is responsible for operating this installation and its experiments; what is the estimated cost of the activities at this location; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  As I have already explained in my reply to the hon. Member for Cunninghame, North (Mr. Wilson) on 29 April, the facility is used for high-frequency
  323
  surface wave radar technology studies. The site is managed by Marconi Radar Systems Ltd. and has been sub-let to the Royal Signals Research Establishment (amongst other users) to undertake research work. They are paying a proportional element of the total maintenance costs of the site currently estimated to be about £70,000 a year, together with costs of dedicated Marconi personnel incurred in supporting these studies.

  Tornado
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Air Force Tornados have been destroyed or seriously damaged in a flying accident since the Tornado entered Royal Air Force service; in which countries they occurred; how many were on low-flying exercises; how many lives have been lost; and what has been the cost of the Tornados involved.

  Mr. Freeman
  Since entering service with the Royal Air Force, 17 major Tornado accidents have resulted in 15 aircraft being lost and a further three sustaining major damage. In these accidents, six aircrew were killed. Eleven of the accidents occurred in the United Kingdom or surrounding waters, four took place in the Federal Republic of Germany, and the remaining two were in Canada and the United States of America. Eleven of the aircraft were involved in low-flying operations when the accident occurred. In respect of the cost of the aircraft involved, it is now our practice not to publish unit production costs, but I refer the hon. Member to table 3.2 of volume 2 of the "Statement on Defence Estimates 1988" (Cm. 344–11).

  Flying Accidents
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the accident on 10 May involving a Tornado GR1 which crashed near Ankum. in northern Germany.

  Mr. Freeman
  On 10 May, during the course of a training exercise, a Royal Air Force Tornado GR1 of 17 Squadron, RAF Bruggen crashed some five miles north west of Ankum in the Federal Republic of Germany. Both members of the crew were killed. There were no civilian casualties, but there was minor damage to a farm building near the crash site. The RAF has convened a board of inquiry to examine fully all the circumstances of the accident, with a view to establishing its cause, and preventing recurrence. A summary of the board's findings will be published in due course and a copy placed in the Library of the House.

  Army Strength (Northern Ireland)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the manpower strength of the British Army in Northern Ireland, giving details of the number of operatives for the following categories: Ulster Defence Regiment, regular British Army and British Territorial Army, on 31 December 1987.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  The figures requested are as follows:

  Number

  Ulster Defence Regiment

  6,364

  Regular Army

  9,645

  Territorial Army

  3,744

  324
  The figures for the Ulster Defence Regiment include both full-time and part-time soldiers. Soldiers of the Territorial Army are not used in support of the RUC in counter-terrorist operations.

  Ulster Defence Regiment
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the average time served by officers and other ranks of the Ulster Defence Regiment separately for full-time and part-time officers as at 31 December 1987.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  The information on the average time in years served by UDR personnel on strength as at 31 December 1987 is as follows:

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Officers

  Male

  4·6

  9·4

  Female

  4·5

  4·1

  Other ranks

  Male

  7·6

  6·9

  Female

  6·9

  4·6

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give details of the numbers of operatives by rank, separately of those who have joined the Ulster Defence Regiment and its reserve, and of those who have resigned from the Ulster Defence Regiment and its reserve, in the calendar years 1986 and 1987.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  The information is not available in the form requested. However, the following figures are available for those male and female officers and other ranks who have joined the UDR and who have left the UDR for reasons other than medical or disciplinary or on death:

  1986

  1987

  Intake

  Outflow

  Intake

  Outflow

  Officers

  Male

  29

  29

  18

  30

  Female

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Other ranks

  Male

  880

  694

  738

  701

  Female

  156

  117

  117

  119

  South African Armed Forces
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what training facilities are, or have been provided at the 4th Parachute Regiment's premises at Leeds road, Bradford, for members of the South African armed forces; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  There is no Territorial Army centre in Leeds Road, Bradford; Headquarters Company of 4 Parachute Regiment has its premises in Thornbury barracks, Pudsey. No training facilities have been extended to South African armed forces within these premises, nor are there any plans to do so.

  P and O
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, East (Mr. Strang)Official Report, 20 May,

  325
  column 611, how many P and O company personnel have been allowed use of Ministry of Defence facilities; if he will list the facilities so used; over what period of time they have been used; what has been the charge to the company; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The P and O company has hired the swimming pool belonging to the Royal Marines school of music thrice-weekly since 9 May. On each occasion about 20 P and O employees have used the pool and changing facilities. The company has been charged at the normal rate of £7·75 per 45-minute session for use of the pool. The hire of the pool to P and O is consistent with long-standing arrangements which I referred to in my reply to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, East (Mr. Strang) on the 20 May at column 611.

  Major Cory
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a further statement on his Department's handling of the case of Major Cory, in the light of the inaccuracies now acknowledged by his Department in the statement made by Mr. James Ramsden in the House on 17 December 1963, with particular reference to the judgment of the court martial appeals court.

  Mr. Freeman
  Mr. Ramsden made certain omissions in his statement to the House in his account of the internal investigation in 1963 into the trial of Major Cory but these were made in the interests of brevity. Major Cory has also drawn attention to the fact that certain references in the statement were at variance with certain statements in the judgment of the courts-martial appeals court. I wish to make it quite clear that if any statements were made to the House which were open to misinterpretation, or if any facts were omitted, thereby allowing an interpretation to Major Cory's discredit, there was no intention to mislead and the statement made should not be taken to contradict or minimise Major Cory's complete exoneration by the courts-martial appeal court's judgment. Major Cory is innocent of all the charges and an ex gratia payment was made to him in 1963 in respect of this miscarriage of justice. I regret that due to an administrative error by the MOD Major Cory's name was not removed from the records held at the national identification bureau. I can assure my hon. Friend that this has now been rectified.

  "Tumbledown"
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what advice and assistance was sought of his Department during the production of the British Broadcasting Corporation film "Tumbledown"; what assessment was made of the extent to which the proposed portrayal of the treatment of Lieutenant Robert Lawrence following his wounding during the Falklands war was(a) accurate and (b) in conformity with standard military procedure; what representations he has received on this matter; what action has been taken as a result; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  At an early stage, the BBC sought assistance in making the drama "Tumbledown" and gave the MOD a copy of the playwright's script and asked for facilities including permission to film within MOD establishments and for equipment, aircraft and helicopters to be made available. The BBC was told, however, that the 326
  MOD was unhappy about the script mixing fact with fiction and that it could cause offence to individuals who would consider themselves portrayed and who had no means of defending themselves or their reputations. Since the BBC were adamant the script was a work of drama and were unwilling to consider any rewriting, the MOD declined to offer any assistance with "Tumbledown'. and, consequently, made no detailed analysis of how accurately the script reflected events or military procedures. There has been no further contact with the BBC on the subject. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received two letters from private individuals expressing concern that "Tumbledown" might misrepresent actual events.

  Military Land (Rally Sports)
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much gross income was derived in each of the last five years by the use of military controlled land and facilities by all forms of rally sport.

  Mr. Freeman
  I regret the information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Glasgow Airport
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many military operations and excercises, by month and for each year since 1974 have in any way used Glasgow airport.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  "British Defence Policy 1988–89"
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the total cost of preparing and printing "British Defence Policy 1988–89"; how many copies have been printed; whether there will be a charge made for copies; and what is the expected readership.

  Mr. Freeman
  The estimated costs of producing "British Defence Policy 1988–89" were approximately £69,000; 80,000 copies of the booklet have been printed initially, for issues free of charge to Members of Parliament, peers, journalists, foreign defence attaches and advisers, diplomatic posts abroad, officials and members of the armed forces, recruits to the services and members of the public who request it.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Social Fund
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the first full month's operation of the social fund in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Needham
  Information about social fund applications is collected on the basis of calendar months, and I will place details in the Library on a similar basis to that announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services on 6 May.

  Unemployment Levels
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he has to monitor changes in relative unemployment levels among Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland over the next five years; and what goals and timetables he intends to set for reduction of existing inequalities.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the Government will set goals and timetables for the eradication of present inequalities in levels of unemployment among Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland; and what steps are proposed to monitor changes in relative levels.

  Mr. Viggers
  The Government's plans for evaluating the impact of our fair employment policies are set out in the White Paper on fair employment which was published yesterday. It would be inappropriate to set targets for unemployment levels.

  Michael Tighe
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received about the validity of the legal authority under which a bug was placed in the hay shed where Michael Tighe was killed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Tom King
  I have answered three parliamentary questions on this subject from the hon. Member.

  West Belfast (Job Creation)
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he intends to announce further proposals for job creation in west Belfast; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  As my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland told the House on 28 April, the Government are considering what additional steps, in which the private sector must have a major role, could be taken to strengthen economic activity in west Belfast. However, the biggest single boost to job creation would come from a renunciation of violence.

  Jobcentres
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what contribution is being made by jobcentres in Northern Ireland to the provision of opportunities for equal and fair employment.

  Mr. Viggers
  Job markets provide employment services to all persons regardless of sex, or religion. The "Guide to Effective Practice" issued by the Department of Economic Development last year encouraged employers to use job markets to fill job vacancies. Special help is given to disabled persons through the Department's disablement resettlement officer service.

  Explosives and Arms Caches
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the number of explosive and arms caches discovered since 1 January.
  328
  Mr. Tom King
  The determined efforts of the security forces throughout the island of Ireland have led to the recovery of a substantial amount of arms, ammunition and explosives. Since 1 January this year there have been over 100 caches of various sizes discovered in Northern Ireland. The most significant of these were the discovery of 91 assorted weapons, 150 hand grenades and 11,500 rounds of ammunition at Portadown on 8 January; 27 weapons, 20 hand grenades, two rocket launchers and 11,000 rounds of ammunition at Lisburn on 3 February; and 53 weapons, 126 hand grenades, one rocket launcher and 40,500 rounds of ammunition in north Belfast the following day.

  Overall, a total of 296 weapons, just over 70,000 rounds of ammunition and approximately 4,100 lb of explosives have been recovered in Northern Ireland. Some 200 weapons, about 139,000 rounds of ammunition and 600 lb of commercial explosives have also been recovered by the Garda Siochana.

  Security
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he remains satisfied with the implementation of security in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir John Biggs-Davison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the security of the Province.

  Mr. Tom King
  I refer the hon. Gentleman and my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to the right hon. Member for Lagan Valley (Mr. Molyneaux).

  Rev. William McCrea
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on security in Northern Ireland, with special reference to Mid-Ulster.

  Mr. Tom King
  Since the beginning of this year, two people have been killed in Mid-Ulster as a result of terrorist activity. Both were members of the security forces; Private Gibson a part-time member of UDR and Gunner Morgan from 19th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, who were murdered by the Provisional IRA in separate incidents on 26 April.

  School Meals
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has on the number of children taking school meals; and if he will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  At the annual census on a day in October 1987, 165,387 pupils were taking school meals.

  Benefits
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland who were in receipt of social security benefit at 31 March are now(a) no longer in receipt of benefit and (b) in receipt of benefit at a reduced rate; and what is the range, in money terms, of such loss of benefit suffered by the above categories.

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

  Anglo-Irish Agreement
  Mr. McCusker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the achievements of the Anglo-Irish Agreement.

  Mr. Tom King
  The agreement has offered reassurance to members of both traditions that their rights and identities will be respected; it has opened the way to intensified cross-border co-operation on a wide range of matters, and in particular in the security field offers the opportunity for fundamentally improved links between the security forces; and it has permitted Anglo-Irish relations to be conducted on a closer and more informal basis and provides a more immediate forum for the discussion of problems that arise either between north and south or between the two traditions.

  Intergovernmental Conference
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what reforms in the administration of justice were discussed at the recent meeting of the Intergovernmental Conference; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Tom King
  I refer the hon. Member to the statement issued after the last meeting of the Intergovernmental Conference on 4 May. The Government attach great importance to ensuring that where there are genuine concerns about justice issues, everything possible is done to tackle those issues so as further to enhance the confidence of the whole community in Northern Ireland in the administration of justice.

  Schoolchildren (Integration)
  Mr. Favell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a further statement on progress towards the greater integration of schoolchildren of different denominations.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a further statement on the progress towards integrated schools in Northern Ireland.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The Government are encouraged by the growing evidence of the willingness of parents to have their children educated in the integrated schools. The Government's proposals to facilitate the creation of grant-maintained integrated schools will offer a further opportunity for the expression of parental wishes.

  Benefit System
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent discussions he has with pensioners' organisations concerning the changes in the social security benefit system; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  None.

  Political Parties (Consultations)
  Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last consulted the leaders of the Northern Ireland political parties represented at Westminster.
  330
  Mr. Tom King
  I regularly consult the leaders of the constitutional political parties in Northern Ireland on legislative and other proposals. I last discussed prospects for political progress with the hon. Member for Foyle (Mr. Hume) and party colleagues on 26 April, and with the right hon. Member for Lagan Valley (Mr. Molyneaux) and the hon. Member for Antrim, North (Rev. Ian Paisley) on 11 May. I expect to meet the Unionist leaders again today.

  Intergovernmental Conference
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on matters discussed at the last meeting of the Intergovernmental Conference.

  Mr. Tom King
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to a reply I gave earlier to a question from the hon. Member for Falkirk, West (Mr. Canavan).

  Health and Social Services
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about his plans for health and social services in the Province for the next year; and whether he has yet met the chairman of the four area boards.

  Mr. Needham
  My long-term strategy for the health and personal social services remains as set out in the regional strategy which I published in August 1987.

  I met the chairman of the Western health and social services board on 16 May in the course of the 1988 accountability reviews and I have made arrangements to meet the other chairmen soon. One of my aims will be to consider and agree with them on detailed plans for 1988–89.

  Harland and Wolff
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last met representatives of Harland and Wolff; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Viggers
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Heywood and Middleton (Mr. Callaghan).

  Rating Reform
  Mr. Clifford Forsythe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had regarding the possible introduction of a community charge to replace the existing Northern Ireland rating system.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I have had no discussions on this matter.

  Irish Republican Army
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will seek to procure from right hon. and hon. Members representing Northern Ireland who attend this House, and from Protestant and Catholic leaders, a common declaration against the Irish Republican Army.

  Mr. Tom King
  I trust that all right hon. and hon. Members who represent the constitutional political parties
  331
  in Northern Ireland, as well as the leaders of the Churches in the Province, will continue to make clear their condemnation and detestation, which the Government fully share, of all acts of terrorism in Northern Ireland.

  Fair Employment (Code)
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will take steps to ensure that the principles upon which the new code of conduct on fair employment will be based will be included in the proposed legislation in this area.

  Mr. Viggers
  The White Paper on fair employment indicates that the future code of practice will be a comprehensive guide to the ways in which employers can discharge their responsibilities under the proposed legislation. As such, the code will reflect the principles of that legislation.

  Gibraltar Shootings (BBC Programme)
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with the British Broadcasting Corporation prior to the broadcast of the Spotlight programme on the Gibraltar shootings.

  Mr. Tom King
  None.

  Police (Discussions)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last met the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the Commissioner of the Garda Siochana; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Tom King
  I last met the Chief Constable and the Garda Commissioner at the meeting of the Intergovernmental Conference on 4 May. As the statement which was issued after the meeting made clear, we discussed a number of matters relating to security co-operation including joint action against racketeering and smuggling.

  RUC (Recruitment)
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the implications for security in Northern Ireland of recruitment to the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

  Mr. Tom King
  The Royal Ulster Constabulary has no difficulty in attracting the necessary number of high calibre recruits required to maintain the level of manpower in the force at its full establishment. Last year 4,872 applications were received for the regular force, a substantial increase on previous years, with 246 officers appointed including 17 graduates. 3,909 applications were received for the full-time reserve with 403 appointed. The increased establishment of 250 officers, announced on 6 May 1987, was reached by 31 January 1988.

  Republic of Ireland (Ministers)
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will next have meetings with Ministers of the Republic of Ireland; and what subjects he will discuss.

  Mr. Tom King
  I hope to meet Irish Ministers shortly, at a meeting of the Intergovernmental Conference. The 332
  final agenda is not yet fixed but security co-operation will certainly be one of the subjects and as announced after the last meeting, the problems of west Belfast and other disadvantaged areas will be discussed together with a number of other matters.

  The joint statement issued after the last meeting of the Intergovernmental Conference on 4 May sets out the matters discussed. A copy has been placed in the Library.

  West Belfast (Job Creation)
  Mr. Jim Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he intends to announce further proposals for job creation in west Belfast and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  As my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Northern Ireland told the House on 28 April the Government are considering what additional steps, in which the private sector must have a major role, could be taken to strengthen economic activity in west Belfast. However, the biggest single boost to job creation would come from a renunciation of violence.

  Terrorism Cases (Appeals)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases concerning scheduled offences were referred to the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal in 1986 and 1987; and in how many of these referred cases the original conviction was(a) quashed and (b) upheld.

  Mr. Stanley
  Outcome of appeals disposed of in the Court of Appeal (Criminal Appeals) following conviction for scheduled offences.

  1986

  1987

  Appeal abandoned

  30

  26

  Appeal dismissed

  58

  92

  Conviction quashed

  70

  2

  Sentence varied

  5

  25

  Total number disposed of

  163

  145

  Irish Language
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many times the role of Irish in the curriculum was discussed at the curriculum conferences of the inspectorate of education since 1968; and if he will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The role of individual subjects is not normally discussed at the full conference of the Inspectorate. However, in recent years the inspectorate's panel for languages other than English has discussed various aspects relating to the teaching of Irish including the initial and in-service training of teachers of Irish, the development of resource materials for teachers and pupils in Irish language classes, the assessment of Irish through the graded objectives approach and the introduction of GCSE Irish.

  West Belfast
  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last met community groups in west Belfast to discuss the economic and social problems of the area: and if he will make a statement.
  333
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last met community groups in west Belfast to discuss its economic and social problems; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  Ministers and officials frequently meet Community and other groups to discuss how to improve economic, social and physical conditions. I believe that further measures taken must include a role for the voluntary and private sectors.

  Crime Statistics
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were convicted in 1987, either on their own admission of guilt or following a plea of not guilty, on the basis of evidence on behalf of the Crown given by alleged accomplices in cases concerning scheduled offences in Northern Ireland; how many suspects arrested on the basis of such evidence have been released as a result of the retraction of evidence given by accomplices; how many people are presently awaiting trial as a result of evidence obtained from alleged accomplices; and how many people have been found not guilty, or not guilty on appeal, on the basis of such evidence.

  Mr. Stanley
  In 1987, none.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons were remanded in custody before trial for scheduled and non-scheduled offences and both together in the second half of 1987.

  Mr. Stanley
  A total of 939 persons were remanded in custody in the scond half of 1987, 542 of whom were charged with scheduled offences and 397 with non-scheduled offences.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of prisoners on custodial remand for scheduled and non-scheduled offences, respectively, were(a) given a non-custodial sentence, (b) given a custodial sentence and (c) found not guilty or not proceeded against in 1987.

  Mr. Stanley
  Following is the information:

  Disposal

  Scheduled offences

  Non-scheduled offences

  per cent.

  per cent.

  Non-custodial sentence

  12·9

  17·4

  Custodial sentence

  74·6

  64·2

  Found not guilty or not proceeded against

  12·5

  18·4

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the average number of days that prisoners spent on custodial remand for scheduled and non-scheduled offences and both together in 1987.

  Mr. Stanley
  For persons who were tried in 1987 and who were in custody at the time of their trial, the average time spent on custodial remand was 178 days for persons charged with scheduled offences and 46 days for persons charged with non-scheduled offences.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications for bail by those held on remand for scheduled and non-scheduled offences and both together were refused bail in 1987.
  334
  Mr. Stanley
  A total of 576 bail applications were refused in 1987 in respect of persons charged with scheduled offences and 228 in respect of persons charged with non-scheduled offences. The latter includes a corrected figure of 111 refusals in the first six months of the year rather than 110 as stated in my reply to the hon. Member on 18 December 1987, at column 800.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the average number of days spent on remand for both scheduled and non-scheduled offences together, in the second half of 1987;what was the total number of persons remanded in custody before trial for both scheduled and non-scheduled offences together in the second half of 1987; and what was the number of bail applications refused for(a) scheduled offences, (b) non-sheduled offences and (c) both together in the second half of 1987.

  Mr. Stanley
  In the second half of 1987, 939 persons were remanded in custody, 341 bail applications were refused in respect of persons charged with scheduled offences and 117 in respect of persons charged with non-scheduled offences. The average length of time spent on custodial remand for persons tried in the second half of 1987 and who were in custody at the date of the trial was 108 days.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons were detained under the Emergency Provisions (Northern Ireland) Acts 1973 and 1978 in the first six months of 1987 and in the second half of 1987; and how many of these persons were subsequently charged with(a) scheduled offences and (b) non-scheduled offences.

  Mr. Stanley
  In the first half of 1987, 48 persons were arrested under section 14 of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1978, and 378 under section 11. The power of arrest under section 11 was repealed from 15 June 1987. Nobody was arrested under section 13. Fourty-four of those arrested were subsequently charged with scheduled offences and two with non-scheduled offences.

  In the second half of 1987, nine persons were arrested under section 13 of the Act and 47 under Section 14. I shall write to the hon. Member with the numbers subsequently charged.

  Prisoners (Statistics)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the average period of custodial remand for female custodial remand prisoners in Northern Ireland for the years 1986 and 1987.

  Mr. Stanley
  The information is as follows.

  The average length of time spent on custodial remand by female prisoners who were in custody at the time of their trial was 129 days for those tried in 1986, and 43 days for those tried in 1987.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prisoners were remanded in custody prior to trial for scheduled and non-scheduled offences, respectively, in 1987.

  Mr. Stanley
  A total of 1,813 persons were remanded in custody in 1987, 1,043 of whom were charged with scheduled offences and 770 with non-scheduled offences.
  335
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give details of the number of prisoners in Northern Ireland's prisons as at 31 December 1987, detailing the numbers by sex, in prison and in young offenders centres separately.

  Mr. Stanley
  On 31 December 1987 there were 1,871 inmates in Northern Ireland prison establishments of whom 1,844 were males and 27 were females; 1,673 were in prisons and 198 in young offenders centres.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the size of the present prison population in Northern Ireland, divided into terrorist type offenders and other offenders, categorised by age and by sex in the following groups(a) under 18 years of age, (b)18 to 25 years, (c) 25 to 30 years, (d) 30 to 40 years, (e) 40 to 50 years, (f) 50 to 60 years and (g) over 60 years;

  Breakdown by sex, age and length of sentence

  MALES

  Sentence Length

  Offence Type

  Up to 18

  18 up to 25

  25 up to 30

  30 up to 40

  40 up to 50

  50 up to 60

  Over 60

  Up to three months

  Scheduled

  1

  8

  3

  1

  1

  1

  0

  Non-scheduled

  0

  29

  12

  16

  6

  3

  0

  Three up to six months

  Scheduled

  3

  4

  3

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Non-scheduled

  14

  43

  17

  5

  4

  1

  1

  Six up to 12 months

  Scheduled

  4

  20

  7

  2

  2

  0

  0

  Non-scheduled

  23

  62

  22

  18

  1

  1

  2

  12 up to 18 months

  Scheduled

  1

  15

  6

  1

  1

  0

  0

  Non-scheduled

  2

  26

  12

  4

  2

  1

  0

  18 months up to four years

  Scheduled

  6

  106

  48

  21

  7

  0

  0

  Non-scheduled

  4

  73

  32

  39

  14

  6

  1

  Four up to eight years

  Scheduled

  0

  76

  56

  25

  4

  1

  1

  Non-scheduled

  1

  22

  17

  13

  14

  2

  0

  More than eight years

  Scheduled

  0

  69

  107

  85

  9

  0

  0

  Non-scheduled

  0

  5

  6

  4

  1

  3

  0

  Life1

  Scheduled

  2

  18

  121

  251

  39

  5

  1

  Non-scheduled

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Total

  61

  576

  469

  485

  107

  24

  6

  1 Including those detained at the pleasure of the Secretary of State.

  Sentence Length: as imposed by Court.

  Sentence Length

  Offence Type

  Up to 18

  18 up to 25

  25 up to 30

  30 up to 40

  40 up to 50

  50 up to 60

  Over 60

  Up to three months

  Scheduled

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Non-scheduled

  0

  1

  2

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Three up to six months

  Scheduled

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Non-scheduled

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Six up to 12 months

  Scheduled

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Non-scheduled

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  12 up to 18 months

  Scheduled

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Non-scheduled

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  18 months up to four years

  Scheduled

  0

  2

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Non-scheduled

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Four up to eight years

  Scheduled

  0

  2

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Non-scheduled

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  More than eight years

  Scheduled

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Non-scheduled

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Life1

  Scheduled

  0

  1

  3

  0

  2

  0

  0

  Non-scheduled

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  1

  8

  9

  3

  3

  1

  0

  1 Including those detained at the pleasure of the Secretary of State.

  Sentence Length: as imposed by Court.

  336
  and if he will give a breakdown of the length of sentence being served by each age group under the following headings: (i) up to three months, (ii) over three months and up to six months, (iii) over six months and under 12 months, (iv) over 12 months and under 18 months, (v) over 18 months and up to four years, (vi) over four years and up to eight years, (vii) over eight years and (viii) life, together with a breakdown, divided into terrorist-type offenders and other offenders under the same sentence headings, of the numbers as a percentage of the total prison population.

  Mr. Stanley
  On 1 April 1988 (the latest date for which figures in such detail are available) there were 1,753 sentenced inmates in Northern Ireland prison establishments. This includes those detained in the young offenders centres. The requested breakdowns of the population are set out in the tables below.
  337

  Scheduled and non-scheduled offenders, by sentence length, as a percentage of the total sentenced prison population

  Sentence length

  Scheduled offences

  Non-scheduled offences

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Less than three months

  0·9

  4·0

  Three up to six months

  0·7

  4·9

  Six up to 12 months

  2·0

  7·5

  12 up to 18 months

  1·4

  2·7

  18 months up to four years

  11·0

  9·6

  Four up to eight years

  9·5

  3·9

  Over eight years

  15·5

  1·1

  Life (including SOSP)

  25·3

  0·1

  Total

  66·2

  33·8

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prisoners charged with scheduled offences in the latest calendar year were remanded in custody prior to trial for periods between(a) nil to three months, (b) three to six months, (c) six to nine months, (d) nine to 12 months, (e) 12 to 18 months and (f) over 18 months, for scheduled and non-scheduled offences, respectively.

  Mr. Stanley
  The length of time spent on custodial remand for persons tried during 1987 and who were in custody at the time of their trial and charged with scheduled and non-scheduled offences respectively was as follows:

  Time in Custody

  Scheduled offences

  Non-scheduled offences

  Less than three months

  249

  397

  Three months up to six months

  71

  47

  Six months up to nine months

  64

  20

  Nine months up to 12 months

  47

  4

  12 months up to 18 months

  53

  5

  Over 18 months

  20

  4

  Total

  504

  477

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the average length of custodial sentence of female prisoners in Northern Ireland in 1986 and 1987.

  Mr. Stanley
  The information is as follows: The average determinate sentence imposed on female prisoners in 1986 was 12.8 months, and in 1987 10 months. Four women prisoners were sentenced to life imprisonment in 1986, none in 1987.

  Plastic Bullets
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many formal complaints have been made about incidents of police use of plastic baton rounds in 1987; in how many cases the complaint has been upheld; and in how many cases disciplinary action has been taken against the officers involved.

  Mr. Stanley
  During 1987, seven formal complaints were made concerning the use of plastic baton rounds by the Royal Ulster Constabulary. Two were later withdrawn. Police reports on four others were sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions who directed no prosecution on each. The question of disciplinary action is now being considered by the deputy Chief Constable, and 338
  in due course the papers will be referred to the Independent Commission for Police Complaints. The remaining complaint is still under investigation.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many plastic bullets were fired in Northern Ireland in 1987 and in what circumstances: in what location the bullets were fired; and how many persons were injured as a result of the use of plastic bullets.

  Mr. Stanley
  During 1987, 2,575 plastic baton rounds were fired in Northern Ireland; 40 people were allegedly injured in the period. I am writing to the hon. Member with the information he has requested about the circumstances and places in which the baton rounds were fired. A copy of my letter will be placed in the Library.

  Security (Fatalities)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many fatal casualties there were in 1987 arising from incidents where security forces in Northern Ireland opened fire on vehicles taken without their owners' consent.

  Mr. Stanley
  There was one such incident in 1987. On 8 May, eight terrorists attacked the RUC station at Loughgall using vehicles which had been hijacked earlier. All the terrorists were killed. An innocent passer-by was also killed during this attack.

  Royal Ulster Constabulary
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give details of the manpower strength of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, and its Reserve, as between full-time, part-time, male and female, operatives as at 31 December 1987.

  Mr. Stanley
  The information is as follows:

  Strength of RUC and RUC reserve as at 31 December 1987

  Male

  Female

  Total

  RUC

  7,591

  645

  8,236

  RUC reserve (full-time)

  2,983

  4

  2,987

  RUC reserve (part-time)

  1,336

  321

  1,657

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will detail how many attacks on Royal Ulster Constabulary personnel took place in 1987, showing whether the attack was on(a) a foot patrol and (b) a mobile patrol and the total attacked while on duty each month together with details of the type of attack, namely (i) physical assault, (ii) stone throwing, (iii) petrol bomb, (iv) explosion and (v) shooting, and the number of persons made amenable.

  Mr. Stanley
  Information is not readily available in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, in 1987 there were over 950 incidents in which the police were attacked either on or off duty. Of these, 105 incidents involved the use of explosives and 92 the use of firearms.

  Firearms
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will detail the number of arms found in 1987 under the headings of(a) machine guns" (b) rifles, (c) shotguns, (d) pistols/revolvers and (e) others.
  339
  Mr. Stanley
  The information is as follows:

  Number

  Machine Guns

  23

  Rifles

  223

  Shotguns

  76

  Pistols/Revolvers

  152

  Others

  108

  Note:

  "Others" include—Antique weapons, anti-tank weapons, blank firing pistols, replica pistols, replical revolvers, replica sub-machine guns, starting pistols and starting revolvers.

  Bullet Firing

  Shotgun

  Air weapons/miscellaneous2

  Royal Ulster Constabulary and Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve1

  10

  —

  —

  Ulster Defence Regiment

  178

  —

  4

  Regular Army

  —

  —

  —

  Civilians

  35

  91

  14

  1 Ulster Special Constabulary were disbanded in 1970.

  2 Also included in this category are air rifles, humane killers and flare pistols.

  Security Forces (Offences)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of the security forces convicted of offences in Northern Ireland and sentenced to custodial sentences have been allowed to return to Great Britain to serve their sentences for humanitarian reasons in 1987; and how many members of the security forces secured early release from their sentences in 1987.

  Mr. Stanley
  There were no transfers of sentenced members of the security forces to Great Britain during 1987, and in that year no such person was released in Northern Ireland except under normal release procedures.
  340
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will show in a table how many legally held firearms were stolen in Northern Ireland during 1987 from (i) Royal Ulster Constabulary/Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve and Special Constabulary, (ii) Ulster Defence Regiment, (iii) British Army and (iv) civilians; and if he will give a breakdown of weapons stolen as in (i) bullet firing, (ii) shotguns and (iii) air weapons and miscellaneous, to include blank firing weapons, muzzle loading weapons and antique weapons.

  Mr. Stanley
  The information is as follows:

  Fair Employment
  Mr. Snape
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the proposed legislation on equality of opportunity in employment in Northern Ireland will include the principles upon which a revised code of conduct on fair employment will be based.

  Mr. Viggers
  The White Paper on fair employment indicates that the future code of practice will be a comprehensive guide to the ways in which employers can discharge their responsibilities under the proposed legislation. As such the code will reflect the principles of that legislation.

  RATEABLE VALUES: RIGHT OF APPEAL
  RATEABLE VALUES: RIGHT OF APPEAL
  RATEABLE VALUES OF LET PROPERTY: PROPOSALS FOR CHANGE
  RATEABLE VALUES OF LET PROPERTY: PROPOSALS FOR CHANGE
  VALUATION OF PROPERTIES IN ENTERPRISE ZONES
  VALUATION OF PROPERTIES IN ENTERPRISE ZONES
  PLANNING: EFFECTS OF NEW CHANGE OF USE PROVISIONS
  PLANNING: EFFECTS OF NEW CHANGE OF USE PROVISIONS
  MAGNOX FUEL REPROCESSING: REPORT
  MAGNOX FUEL REPROCESSING: REPORT
  FOOD PRICES AND THE RPI
  FOOD PRICES AND THE RPI
  VOLUNTARY SCHOOLS: MODIFICATION OF TRUST DEED
  VOLUNTARY SCHOOLS: MODIFICATION OF TRUST DEED
  SCHOOLS' APPLICATIONS FOR GRANT AIDED STATUS: POLICY
  SCHOOLS' APPLICATIONS FOR GRANT AIDED STATUS: POLICY
  TURKEY: HUMAN RIGHTS
  TURKEY: HUMAN RIGHTS
  ERITREA AND TIGRÉ: AID
  ERITREA AND TIGRÉ: AID
  CROWN PROSECUTION SERVICE AND THE POLICE
  CROWN PROSECUTION SERVICE AND THE POLICE
  SCOTTISH DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT: EFFICIENCY SCRUTINY REPORT
  SCOTTISH DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT: EFFICIENCY SCRUTINY REPORT
  WAR CRIMES INQUIRY: ADVERTISEMENT
  WAR CRIMES INQUIRY: ADVERTISEMENT
  MR. LUIS GARCIA
  MR. LUIS GARCIA
  MR. WINSTON HOLLETT
  MR. WINSTON HOLLETT