Written Answers of 4 April 1989

THE ARTS

  Computer Consultants
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what was the total amount spent by his Department in 1988 on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases; and if he will list each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by his Department in 1988, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment.

  Mr. Luce
  In 1988, £23,391 was spent by my office on computer consultancy contracts. The sum was the balance of expenditure payable to AMTEC consulting for work on the Government art collection database project, commissioned in 1987. No money was spent on management consultancy contracts, and no management or consultancy contracts were awarded in the year.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Central Bank Base Rate
  Mr. Gould
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table in the Official Report showing for each quarter since the first quarter of 1979 Britain's central bank base rate as a percentage of the G7 average.

  Mr. Lilley
  Interest rates in the United Kingdom from the first quarter of 1979 are shown in the table along with the average interest rate in the Group of Seven major industrialised countries.

  Three month interest rates

  United Kingdom1

  G7 average2

  1979

  Q1

  12·8

  8·6

  Q2

  12·6

  8·9

  Q3

  14·2

  10·0

  Q4

  16·1

  12·2

  1980

  Ql

  17·9

  13·5

  Q2

  17·1

  12·5

  Q3

  16·0

  11·2

  Q4

  15·4

  13·5

  1981

  Ql

  13·0

  13·6

  Q2

  12·4

  14·5

  Q3

  15·0

  15·3

  Q4

  15·7

  13·1

  1982

  Ql

  14·1

  12·9

  Q2

  13·4

  13·0

  Q3

  11·2

  11·4

  Q4

  10·1

  9·7

  2

  United Kingdom1

  G7 average2

  1983

  Ql

  11·2

  9·2

  Q2

  10·2

  9·1

  Q3

  9·8

  9·4

  Q4

  9·4

  9·4

  1984

  Ql

  9·3

  9·5

  Q2

  9·3

  10·0

  Q3

  11·1

  10·3

  Q4

  10·1

  9·2

  1985

  Q1

  13·0

  9·1

  Q2

  12·6

  8·6

  Q3

  11·7

  8·2

  Q4

  11·6

  8·3

  1986

  Ql

  12·4

  8·2

  Q2

  10·2

  7·0

  Q3

  10·0

  6·5

  Q4

  11·2

  6·6

  1987

  Q1

  10·6

  6·6

  Q2

  9·2

  6·6

  Q3

  9·8

  6·8

  Q4

  9·2

  7·1

  1988

  Q1

  9·0

  6·5

  Q2

  8·4

  6·7

  Q3

  11·3

  7·7

  Q4

  12·5

  8·1

  1989

  3Q1

  13·0

  8·9

  1 Three month interbank rate.

  2 Certificate of deposit or interbank rate.

  3 Average of Monday rates for January, February and first three Mondays of March.

  Public Sector Debt
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the outstanding total of sterling debt of the public sector on(a) 6 April 1988 and (b) 1 February 1989.

  Mr. Lilley
  Figures for the outstanding stock of public sector debt are only compiled for the end of each calendar and financial year. The latest available estimate is for the end of 1987–88 when the sterling component of net public sector debt outstanding was £188·2 billion.

  Premium Bonds
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer why he reduced the percentage calculation of prize money for premium bonds from 7¾ per cent. to 7 per cent.; and if there is any current review of the scheme.

  Mr. Lilley
  The premium bond prize fund rate, like national savings other variable rates, is kept under continuous review and adjusted from time to time in the light of a number of factors.

  Excise Duties
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government with respect to the consultation procedure
  3
  with the European Economic Community Commission in relation to the revision of excise duties as set out in "Common Market Reports" page 2435; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lilley
  The procedure to which my hon. Friend refers formed part of the European Commission's proposal of 7 March 1972 for a directive on the harmonisation of excise duty structures. The proposal has not been adopted and Her Majesty's Government are not, therefore, bound by any such consultation procedure.

  Alcohol and Tobacco (Taxes)
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if Her Majesty's Government have accepted any European Economic Community rules which ensure that changes in its taxes in alcohol and tobacco do not involve non-convergence from the European Economic Community proposals; and if he will make a statement.

  Child benefit (£ per week per child)

  Single person's tax allowance (£ per annum)

  Married man 's tax allowance (£ per annum)

  April

  Current prices

  1979 prices1

  Current prices

  1979 prices1

  Current prices

  1979 prices1

  1979

  4·00

  4·00

  1,165

  1,165

  1,815

  1,815

  1980

  4·00

  3·29

  1,375

  1,129

  2,145

  1,762

  1981

  4·75

  3·48

  1,375

  1,008

  2,145

  1,572

  1982

  5·25

  3·52

  1,565

  1,049

  2,445

  1,638

  1983

  5·85

  3·77

  1,785

  1,150

  2,795

  1,801

  1984

  6·50

  3·98

  2,005

  1,228

  3,155

  1,933

  1985

  6·85

  3·92

  2,205

  1,263

  3,455

  1,979

  1986

  7·00

  3·89

  2,335

  1,298

  3,655

  2,032

  1987

  7·25

  3·87

  2,425

  1,293

  3,795

  2,024

  1988

  7·25

  3·72

  2,605

  1,337

  4,095

  2,102

  1989

  7·25

  23·45

  2,785

  21,326

  4,375

  22,083

  1 Figures converted to 1979 prices using the movements in the RPI between April of each year.

  2 This will depend on the level of the RPI in April 1989. The figure given is derived by applying the annual increase in the year to February 1989 (the latest month available) to the level of the RPI in April 1988.

  Computer Consultants
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what was the total amount spent by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise in 1988 on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases; and if he will list each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise in 1988, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment.

  Mr. Lilley
  The total amount spent by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise in 1988 was £3,527,225.

  The consultancy firms awarded contracts in management and computer consultancy, excluding hardware and software purchases are as follows:

  Firm

  Assignments

  Advanced Computer Services Limited

  Intelligence networks

  Apricot

  Network upgrading

  Arthur Andersen

  VAT work planning systems

  Arthur Young

  Strategic database

  BIS Applied Systems

  Cabling requirements

  British Telecom

  Customs handling of import and export freight (CHIEF)

  Bull (Honeywell)

  Extension of computerised intelligence system

  Computer Centre

  Network upgrading study

  4
  Mr. Lilley
  Since we do not accept the Commission's proposals for harmonisation of taxes/excise duties on alcohol and tobacco we have not accepted, nor are we bound by, any current EC Commission proposals involving the convergence of rates of tax on these items. All such proposals on matters of taxation would require unanimity before they could be binding on member states.

  Benefits and Allowances
  Sir Ian Gilmour
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table, on the same basis as his reply to the then hon. Member for Kensington,Official Report, 3 December 1985, columns 173–4, showing the rates of child benefit, single person's tax allowance and married man's allowance at current and at 1979 prices, in April each year from 1979 to 1989.

  Mr. Lawson
  The information is in the table.

  Firm

  Assignments

  Comshare

  Operational planning system

  Coopers and Lybrand

  Board's information system

  Deloitte Haskins & Sells

  Personnel information development

  E O S Y S Ernst & Whinney

  Local office technology system VAT visit assistant expert system Mini strategy study Personnel information system

  Essex & City Computers PLC

  Data capture system

  FCMC PLC Ferranti Computer Systems Ltd.

  Personnel information development Customs entries—post clearance adjustments

  Hoskyns Hunterskill South

  CHIEF Registry computerisation

  ICL

  Senior collectorate information Networking Documentation and planning program VME performance

  Inforem

  Gaming machine licence system Local area networks

  Kerman Associates

  GDN implementation

  Logica

  Integrated tariff

  Mindworks Partnership

  Investigation division operational planning system

  5

  Firm

  Assignments

  NCC

  CBT training study

  Octagon

  Telephone initiative study

  PA Consultants

  Project management: CHIEF

  PACTEL

  CHIEF

  Peat Marwick & McLintock

  Activity costing study Budget data capture Accounting controls

  Praxis

  Budget and manpower planning system

  Regional Software & Support Services

  Computer ordering and account systems

  RPT Computer Installation Limited

  Cabling requirements

  SPI Limited

  Operational planning systems

  System designers

  Management information systems

  Touche Ross

  Operational planning systems Reliability study: mainframes

  University of Bath

  Application of the financial management initiative

  University of Bristol

  Report on monitoring VAT

  Welcome Software Technology

  Database study

  Yale Data

  CHIEF

  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount spent by Her Majesty's Stationery Office in 1988 on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases; and if he will list each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by Her Majesty's Stationery Office in 1988, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment.

  Mr. Lilley
  In 1988 total HMSO expenditure for these purposes was £230,000. Contracts awarded during 1988 were:

  Firm

  Subject of assignment

  Metron Technology Limited

  Capacity planning for mainframe computers

  MCP Management Consultants

  Development of revised remuneration scheme

  Touche Ross Management Consultants

  Review of customer coding system

  National Debt
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list those organisations which have received or will receive repayments arising from his Budget decision to repay £14 billion of the national debt and the payment for each organisation.

  Mr. Lilley
  Detailed information about an individual's or organisation's holdings of debt is confidential. However, figures for net transactions in public sector debt by the main sectors of the economy are given in "Financial Statistics" table 2.6 and the Bank of England Quarterly Bulletin table 8.

  Public Sector Borrowing Requirement
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the public sector borrowing requirement five, 10, 15 and 20 years ago; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lilley
  The information requested is as follows:

  Public sector borrowing requirement

  £ billion

  Ratio to GDP (per cent.)

  1968–69

  0·4

  ¾

  1973–74

  4·3

  5¾

  1978–79

  9–2

  5¼

  1983–84

  9–7

  3¼

  These are in marked contrast to 1988–89 when the public sector is expected to show a net repayment of £14 billion, equivalent to 3 per cent. of GDP. The Government have also been able to budget for a £14 billion surplus in 1989–90.

  Pensions Schemes (Abatement)
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will describe the purposes of the curent review of the policy of abatement in public service pension schemes; whether it will take account of shortages in qualified manpower, including the shortages of qualified teachers identified by the Department of Education and Science; whether it will take account of the abolition of the earnings rule for national insurance pensioners; when he expects the review to be concluded; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  The long-standing policy of abating the public service pensions of people who are re-employed in the public service is currently being reviewed to see whether it needs to be modified in the light of the wider pensions choices now available and current management needs. Particular attention is being given, among other things, to the implications of the introduction of personal pensions and the effects which the existing policy has on recruitment and retention. The abolition of the earnings rule for national insurance pensioners is not immediately relevant to the abatement of public service pensions. The Government Departments responsible for the major public service schemes, including the teachers' superannuation scheme, are contributing to the review. It is expected to be completed this summer.

  Taxpayers (Confidentiality)
  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will ensure that the new safeguards of confidentiality for taxpayers, to be included in the Finance Bill, in no way interfere with the Government's efforts to trace and seize the illegally gained assets of drug traffickers.

  Mr. Lilley
  Safeguarding the confidentiality of taxpayer information will not interfere with efforts to trace and seize illegally gained assets of drug traffickers. Provision in the Finance Bill 1989 will be confined to unauthorised disclosure of information held in the exercise of tax functions and relevant to tax or duty and, as drafted, does not include such matters as illegal trafficking in dangerous drugs which are not subject to tax or duty.

  Johnson Mathey
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in the light of the allegations contained in the book "The Marcos Dynasty" by Sterling Seagrove he will set up an inquiry into Johnson Mathey's bullion dealing.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 22 March 1989]: No.

  Public Sector Debt
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how he computed the figure for the percentage of public sector debt to have been repaid by 31 March 1990 referred to in the Official Report, 15 March, column 431.

  Mr. Major
  [holding answer 23 March 1989]: The "Financial Statement and Budget Report" (paragraph 6.04) forecast that the stock of net public sector debt would be £157 billion at the end of 1988–89. On the assumption that the change in the stock of debt in 1989–90 will be the same as the PSDR forecast for that year, the stock of debt will be £143 billion at the end of the year. This is some 16 per cent. lower than the stock of debt at the beginning of 1987–88, estimated to have been £171 billion.

  OPCS (Interviewers)
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any plans to introduce Civil Service pension provisions for interviewers employed by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys.

  Mr. Brooke
  [holding answer 23 March 1989]: Office of Population Censuses and Surveys interviewers, in common with other staff engaged on a fee-paid basis, are not eligible for membership of the principal Civil Service pension scheme. Their level of fees, out of which they are

  Reduction( + )/Increase( - ) in income tax compared with 1978–79 indexed regime (£ million)

  Range of total income in 1989–90 (£)

  Number of units paying tax in 1989–90 (million)

  1979–80

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  Under 5,000

  2·1

  170

  -30

  80

  170

  200

  240

  350

  350

  5,000 to 10,000

  6·5

  930

  210

  510

  810

  1,050

  1,500

  2,160

  2,160

  10,000 to 15,000

  5·2

  1,400

  750

  1,100

  1,390

  1,770

  2,480

  3,400

  3,410

  15,000 to 20,000

  3·3

  1,230

  750

  1,060

  1,280

  1,620

  2,290

  3,100

  3,100

  20,000 to 30,000

  2·8

  1,730

  1,170

  1,580

  1,800

  2,260

  3,140

  4,220

  4,220

  30,000 to 50,000

  1·1

  1,790

  1,290

  1,630

  1,760

  2,010

  2,490

  3,500

  3,500

  50,000 to 70,000

  0·2

  1,000

  820

  970

  1,000

  1,040

  1,120

  1,790

  1,790

  Over 70,000

  0·1

  2,400

  2,230

  2,690

  2,720

  2,730

  2,780

  4,720

  4,720

  Total

  21·3

  10,660

  7,190

  9,620

  10,920

  12,690

  16,040

  23,250

  23,260

  Average gain( + )/loss ( - ) per tax unit1 (£ per annum)

  Range of total income in 1989–90 (£)

  1979–80

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  Under 5,000

  60

  -10

  30

  60

  70

  80

  120

  120

  5,000 to 10,000

  140

  30

  80

  120

  160

  220

  320

  320

  10,000 to 15,000

  270

  140

  210

  270

  340

  480

  660

  660

  15,000 to 20,000

  380

  230

  330

  390

  500

  700

  950

  950

  20,000 to 30,000

  610

  410

  560

  640

  800

  1,110

  1,490

  1,490

  30,000 to 50,000

  1,580

  1,130

  1,440

  1,560

  1,780

  2,190

  3,090

  3,090

  50,000 to 70,000

  4,550

  3,730

  4,410

  4,570

  4,740

  5,090

  8,130

  8,130

  Over 70,000

  16,670

  15,510

  18,680

  18,870

  18,990

  19,280

  32,790

  32,790

  Total

  470

  320

  430

  490

  560

  710

  1,030

  1,030

  1 Average gains and losses are calculated by reference to the estimated number who would be liable to pay tax under the indexed 1978–79 regime; this number is some 1,200,000 greater than the numbers paying tax in 1989–90, some 900,000 in the income range below £5,000 and 300,000 in the range £5,000 to £10,000.

  Note: All information is in terms of tax units—that is, married couples are counted as one and their incomes combined.
  8
  able to make their own pension arrangements, was set in the knowledge that the employment is not pensionable; and, in management's view, interviewers are paid the appropriate remuneration for the job. However, the trade union representing the staff concerned intend to submit evidence to support a claim that the total remuneration package for interviewers employed by OPCS should be substantially uplifted by providing for their membership of the PCSPS. The Treasury and OPCS management will consider further the claim for pension ability very carefully in the light of this evidence; but it would be necessary to look for an offsetting adjustment to the present level of fees in order to provide for membership of the PCSPS, or some other pension arrangement, unless an increase in the remuneration for interviewers were found to be justified.

  Tax Changes
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update, to take account of the 1989 Budget, the information on tax changes contained in his reply to the hon. Member for Oldham, West of 21 October 1986,Official Report, columns 807–8.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 23 March 1989]: The information is in the tables. For each financial year shown, the tables compare the yield from the tax regime in that year with the 1978–79 tax regime. All estimates are based on a provisional 1989–90 income base projected from the 1986–87 survey of personal incomes and all tax regimes have been indexed to 1989–90 levels by reference to the statutory formula. The comparisons therefore allow for budgetary changes in income tax rates and allowances, but not for any changes since 1978–79 in the definition of the income tax base. Further information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Taxable Income
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish his best estimates of the aggregate taxable income for 1988–89 in each(a) county, (b) former metropolitan county, (c) the Greater London area, (d) metropolitan district and (e) London borough area.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 22 March 1989]: The latest year for which estimates for counties in Great Britain are available is 1986–87: they are provided in the accompanying table. I regret that estimates for Northern Ireland counties, for metropolitan districts and for London boroughs are not available.

  County

  Taxable income £ million

  English counties

  Cleveland

  1,320

  Cumbria

  1,340

  Durham

  1,150

  Northumberland

  850

  Humberside

  1,590

  North Yorkshire

  2,090

  Cheshire

  3,660

  Lancashire

  4,440

  Derbyshire

  1,990

  Leicestershire

  1,980

  Lincolnshire

  1,170

  Northamptonshire

  1,180

  Nottinghamshire

  2,070

  Herefordshire and Worcestershire

  1,530

  Shropshire

  906

  Staffordshire

  2,180

  Warwickshire

  1,360

  Cambridgeshire

  1,490

  Norfolk

  1,650

  Suffolk

  1,380

  Bedfordshire

  1,360

  Berkshire

  2,600

  Buckinghamshire

  1,950

  East Sussex

  1,530

  Essex

  5,690

  Hampshire

  3,870

  Hertfordshire

  3,240

  10

  County

  Taxable income £ million

  Kent

  5,620

  Oxfordshire

  1,310

  Surrey

  6,360

  West Sussex

  2,190

  Isle of Wight

  258

  Avon

  2,330

  Cornwall

  773

  Devon

  2,070

  Dorset

  1,720

  Gloucestershire

  1,420

  Somerset

  1,060

  Wiltshire

  1,400

  English metropolitan counties

  Tyne and Wear

  2,020

  South Yorkshire

  2,330

  West Yorkshire

  4,450

  Greater London

  16,300

  West Midlands

  5,310

  Greater Manchester

  3,440

  Merseyside

  2,600

  Welsh counties

  Clwyd

  837

  Dyfed

  575

  Gwent

  729

  Gwynedd

  431

  Mid Glamorgan

  737

  Powys

  249

  South Glamorgan

  909

  West Glamorgan

  577

  Scottish regions

  Borders

  213

  Central

  650

  Dumfries

  237

  Fife

  797

  Grampian

  1,290

  Highland

  337

  Lothian

  1,690

  Strathclyde

  4,440

  Tayside

  810

  Island authorities

  153

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Brazilian Rain Forest
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with Brazil about the destruction of the rain forest.

  Mr. Eggar
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs raised this question during the visit to London on 9–10 March by the Secretary General of the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He left Sr Flecha de Lima in no doubt as to the strength of feeling in this country about the rate of destruction. I also conveyed our concerns during that visit, as I also had done earlier in conversation with the President of Brazil during my visit in November 1988.

  I refer the hon. Member to my speech on the rain forests issue in the debate on 13 March following the Consolidated Fund Bill.

  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further programmes he intends supporting in Brazil to assist in arresting the destruction of the tropical rain forest.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  Following discussions with the Secretary-General of the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs during his recent visit to London, we are considering, at his request, what support further to that being provided for the Maraca rainforest we could give to scientific work or technical assistance for the rain forests. We shall also be discussing these issues with the Secretary-General of the Brazilian Ministry of the Interior when he visits London later this month.

  Sudan
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further measures he is taking to assist the United Nations Organisation's and other efforts to achieve peace and relief in the Sudan, following the recent United Nations conference in Khartoum; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  On 3 April my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Overseas Development announced a further contribution of £5 million towards relief operations in Southern Sudan. Of this, £2 million will be channelled through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), £2 million through United Nations Agencies (UNICEF and the World Food Programme) and £1 million through British non-government organisations. This is in addition to the £14·4 million in emergency aid provided to Sudan in 1988. We continue to urge all parties in Sudan to work for the speedy implementation of the plan of action agreed at last month's United Nations conference in Khartoum.

  West German Foreign Minister
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next expects to meet his West German counterpart; and what matters will be discussed.
  12
  Mrs. Chalker
  My right hon. and learned Friend will next meet Herr Genscher at the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 24–25 April where a range of European Community issues will be discussed.

  Iran
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to European Economic Community Governments about the decision of those member states who have replaced their ambassadors in Iran; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  EC Foreign Ministers agreed on 20 March that their heads of mission, who had been temporarily withdrawn from Tehran for consultations, could return to Iran if national circumstances required this. Returning heads of mission will carry the strong message that the Iranian death threats remain unacceptable.

  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the recent agreement of the Council of Foreign Ministers on relations with Iran made provision for member states to consult the United Kingdom if they wished to reappoint ambassadors to Iran; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We have kept in close contact with our European partners over our response to the Iranian threats against Salman Rushdie and his publishers. We have been heartened by the solidarity shown by the Twelve. The strong position of principle adopted on 20 February was reaffirmed by EC Foreign Ministers on 20 March. It was never intended that heads of mission should stay away indefinitely. The decision that heads of mission could return to Iran was taken after full consultation between the EC Foreign Ministers. The ban on high level contacts remains in place.

  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many member states of the European Economic Community closed their embassies in Iran following the decision of the United Kingdom to break off diplomatic relations with Iran.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  No member states of the EC closed their embassies in Iran following the break in diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and Iran. All EC member states withdrew their heads of mission in Tehran for consultations in response to the Iranian threats against Salman Rushdie and his publishers.

  Crete Campaign (Medal)
  Dr. Glyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in the light of the feelings of those who fought in the Crete campaign in 1940–41, who have not had official recognition in the form of a medal, he will waive any formalities which debar the award or acceptance of such a medal.

  Mr. Eggar
  Any official foreign medal designed to be worn which might be offered to British subjects in connection with the Crete campaign 1940–41 would be subject to the Foreign and Commonwealth Orders Regulations 1969, a copy of which was placed in the Library of the House in reply to a question by my right
  13
  hon. Friend the Member for Worthing (Mr. Higgins) answered on 27 May 1988. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not have discretion to waive the provisions of these regulations, which are applied consistently to all requests from foreign Governments to bestow honours, decorations and medals on United Kingdom citizens.

  Computer Consultants
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the total amount spent by his Department in 1988 on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases; and if he will list each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by his Department in 1988, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment.

  Mr. Eggar
  Expenditure for 1988–89 financial year on management and computer consultancy was:

  £

  Management consultancy

  68,699

  Computer consultancy

  1,422,900

  Individual contracts awarded during the year were:

  Management

  Moon Associates

  Study of FCO publications

  Market and Opinion Research International

  Staff communications survey

  Jaycroft Limited

  United Nations documents in the FCO

  Brian J. Stent

  Purchasing arrangements in FCO

  Pergamon Technical Services International

  Re-organisation of diplomatic services procedure

  Metier

  Resource and project management information study

  Computer consultancies

  Data General Ltd.

  Management information system

  Enever Systems Ltd.

  Management information system

  Phase 3 Systems Ltd.

  Management information system

  Kinesis Computing Ltd.

  Development of overseas systems

  BIS Applied Systems Ltd.

  Development of overseas systems

  Express Computer Consultants

  Development of financial system

  Logica UK Ltd.

  (i) Development of overseas systems

  (ii) FOLIOS consultancy studies

  Computer Sciences Co. Ltd.

  FOLIOS consultancy studies

  Systems Designers Ltd.

  FOLIOS consultancy studies

  Psychometric R & D Management Systems

  FOLIOS consultancy studies

  PA Consultancy Systems

  FOLIOS consultancy studies

  The Instruction Set

  (i) FOLIOS consultancy studies

  (ii) Administration records consultancy

  Price Waterhouse

  Administrative records consultancy

  14

  Computer consultancies

  Information Resources Ltd.

  (i) A financial estimates system

  (ii) An overseas estates financial system

  Kings Brook Information Associates

  Replacement of library and records system

  Discharged Prisoners
  Mr. Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will state against each member country of the European Community what amount of money, travel allowance or other benefit, is given by that country(a) to British citizens and (b) to its own nationals on discharge from prison in that country.

  Mr. Eggar
  Payments made to British nationals on discharge from prisons in other European Community countries are listed below. Except for Portugal, no member state makes a distinction between British and host nationals in their rules governing discharge from prison.Belgium: No discharge grant. Half of any earnings paid on release. Deportees with funds are required to pay their rail/ferry fares. In needy cases, prison social/welfare funds may contribute to homeward travel costs.
  Denmark: No discharge grant. Journey paid to place of residence within Denmark. Deportees' journey home paid for, if unable to pay themselves.
  France: No discharge grant. Prisoners can seek assistance from probation committees in their home towns. If no funds are forthcoming from prisoners' resources, prison can provide ticket to place of former residence, including country of origin.
  Federal Republic of Germany: Practice varies between states (Lander). No discharge grant. A proportion of any earnings paid on release. Access to social security benefits. Travel payments range from cost of travel to nearest consular/diplomatic representation to cost of travel to the United Kingdorn plus minimal subsistence.
  Greece: No discharge grant. If prisoners have no funds they are referred to the nearest Organisation for Employment and Manpower which may grant relief to cover board and lodging for maximum of three months. No travel expenses.
  Ireland: Gratuity paid on discharge, based on work carried out during period of incarceration. Surface travel is paid from prison to home address, the city where case was tried or to a convenient port. In exceptional circumstances ferry/air fares are paid to enable discharged prisoners to return to country of origin.
  Italy: No discharge grant or travel expenses. Where an expulsion order has been issued and the prisoner has no funds the Italian Government will pay for repatriation.
  Luxembourg: No discharge or travel expenses. Prisoners are expected to fund travel home etc. from money earned whilst in prison. However, prisoners without funds would get a ticket from a prison welfare group or the Ministry of Justice. Those resident in Luxembourg before their arrest are also eligible for accommodation costs to be paid while unemployed.
  The Netherlands: No discharge grant. Discharged prisoners without funds are entitled to social security income support. Travel home, within the Netherlands, is paid. Deportees with funds must contribute to the fare home.
  Portugal: No discharge grant or travel expenses are paid to prisoners of any nationality. In cases of real need, Portuguese nationals may receive basic subsistence and travel expenses.

  15
  Foreign nationals are referred to their embassies if they have no funds. The Portuguese Government will pay all or part of the repatriation costs of those prisoners served with expulsion orders who cannot pay themselves.
  Spain: No discharge grant paid automatically. In cases of need, prisoners may apply to Ministry of Justice for a travel allowance, accommodation expenses and family allowance. The Spanish Government pay for repatriation where expulsion is part of the sentence.

  British Citizens (Convictions and Imprisonment)
  Mr. Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set out for the last five years as at a common date, and against each country in which they are held, the number of British citizens convicted in those countries and imprisoned there and against each (i) the nature of the offence and (ii) the duration of the sentence.

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

  British Citizens (Imprisonment)
  Mr. Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens presently imprisoned overseas have dependent relatives in the United Kingdom who are in receipt of income support or other benefits.

  Mr. Eggar
  We have no knowledge of the personal financial circumstances of dependents of British citizens imprisoned overseas.

  Private Security Firms
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Brent, East on 8 February,Official Report, column 731, (a) which private security firms have been used by his Department, (b) where they have been deployed and (c) at what cost to his Department in each year from 1979 to the current date; what was the total cost to his Department of the duties undertaken by Zeus Security Guards Ltd. in 1982 and 1983; what were the access control duties performed by Zeus Security Guards Ltd. in 1982 and 1983.

  Mr. Eggar
  Detailed information on this subject is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Falkland Islands
  Dr. Hampson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in view of changes of fishing and commercial policy by the Falkland Islands Government, if he will make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards British fishing companies in the Falklands and the role to be played by British interests in maintaining the economic development of the islands.

  Mr. Eggar
  We welcome the opportunities which the Falklands fishery offers British fishing companies and 16
  encourage them to make the effort and commitment to participate in its successful exploitations. So do the Falkland Islands Government. British commercial interests are playing a key role in infrastructural development, including a new telecommunications system, secondary school, housing and other building works. We shall continue to encourage British participation in the expanding economy of the Falkland Islands.

  Lomé Conventions
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what Her Majesty's Government hopes will emerge from Lomé IV.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  We hope that the current renegotiation will produce a successor to Lomé III which will continue to provide a framework for effective co-operation between the Community and the ACP states in the spheres of both trade and aid.

  Mr. Faulds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now withdraw the British tranche to the Lomé conventions, in view of the conduct of the Ethiopian Government.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave him on 27 February at column 1.

  Private Investment
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the level of private capital funds invested overseas for development purposes as a percentage of gross national product during the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The latest available figures for private direct investment, bank lending and grants by voluntary agencies in developing countries, as a percentage of gross national product, are as follows:

  Per cent.

  1983

  0·64

  1984

  0·55

  1985

  0·18

  1986

  0·77

  1987

  -0·05

TRANSPORT

  Road Casualties
  Mr. Thornton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the number of fatal and serious road casualties among children aged 5 to 14 years for each year from 1965 to the nearest available year between October and February for the following hours of the day(a) 7 to 8 am, (b) 8 to 9 am, (c) 9 to 10 am, (d) 3 to 4 pm, (e) 5 to 6 pm and (f) 6 to 7 pm.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The information requested is available only from 1979. This is given in the table.
  17

  Fatal and serious casualties among children aged 5–14 years by time of day between October and February: 1979–87

  7–8 am

  8–9 am

  9–10 am

  3–4 pm

  4–5 pm

  5–6 pm

  6–7 pm

  Rest

  Total

  1979–80

  47

  404

  108

  418

  729

  423

  263

  1,295

  3,687

  1980–81

  63

  354

  79

  415

  586

  383

  232

  1,286

  3,398

  1981–82

  46

  260

  79

  400

  562

  325

  232

  1,204

  3,108

  1982–83

  39

  346

  81

  471

  553

  365

  231

  1,237

  3,323

  1983–84

  50

  356

  60

  487

  581

  372

  261

  1,227

  3,394

  1984–85

  48

  324

  78

  434

  492

  356

  271

  1,143

  3,146

  1985–86

  46

  309

  88

  469

  489

  348

  244

  1,192

  3,185

  1986–87

  37

  267

  68

  355

  402

  286

  223

  960

  2,598

  Heavy Lorries
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations have been made to him regarding(a) exceeding the speed limit and (b) hazardous overtaking involving heavy lorries; what prosecutions have taken place in the past years with regard to these two offences; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The Department receives many representations about the full range of road safety issues.

  We devote considerable effort to improving driver behaviour. Last year my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport announced a package of measures dealing specifically with motorway safety, and aimed in particular at improving driver behaviour.

  Hazardous overtaking is not a specific offence in road traffic law, but drivers who perform dangerous manoeuvres can be prosecuted for either reckless or careless driving.

  Statistics on road traffic offences are published annually by the Government statistical service in the supplementary tables on offences relating to motor vehicles England and Wales.

  Lydd Airport
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration he has given to plans to extend Lydd airport in terms of the increased air traffic over south-east England.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  A planning application by Lydd Airport Group Limited to extend the airport runway was called in for determination by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment in July last year. The inspector who conducted the inquiry into the proposal has now reported to my right hon. Friend, who will announce his decision as soon as possible.

  Random Breath Testing
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has relating to New South Wales regarding(a) the percentage reduction in the average number of fatal crashes in the five years after the introduction of random breath testing, (b) the percentage reduction in the average number of alcohol-related fatal and serious accidents in the four years after the introduction of random breath testing and (c) the percentage reduction in the average number of drivers and riders killed over the legal limit in the four years after the introduction of random breath testing.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Random breath testing was introduced in New South Wales in December 1982. It has 18
  been accompanied by a sustained publicity campaign and a high level of police enforcement activity which aims to test one in every three drivers per year.

  Since 1982 the percentage of drivers killed while over the legal limit has fallen from 40 to 34 per cent. in 1986—a drop of 6 per cent.

  Over the same period in this country, the decline has been from 36 to 25 per cent., a drop of 11 per cent—nearly double that of New South Wales.

  Assessments of enforcement strategy in New South Wales and other Australian states where RBT is used frequently draw attention to the impact of high levels of police activity and publicity as important factors, as distinct from the actual method of enforcement.

  Research carried out by the school of behavioural sciences, Macquarie university, and the traffic authority of New South Wales in 1988 gives the following information:

  (a) the number of fatal crashes fell by 22 per cent., from an average of 22·12 per week in the five years before the introduction of random breath testing to an average of 17·23 per week in the five years after;

  (b) the number of alcohol-related fatal and serious injury accidents fell from an average of 13·43 per week in the five years before to 8·67 in the four years after, a decline of 35 per cent.;

  (c) the average number of drivers and riders killed while over the legal limit dropped from 4–36 per week in the three years before RBT to 2–81 in the four years after, a fall of 36 per cent.

  Simple comparisons and statistics may be misleading; for instance, the legal limit for blood alcohol content in New South Wales is 50 mg/ml and in this country it is 80 mg/ml.

  Microlight Aircraft
  Mr. Colin Shepherd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many prosecutions have been made under section 48 (1)(a) of the Civil Aviation Act 1949; how many of these involved microlight aircraft; and, in this respect:, what was the outcome of each.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Section 48 of the Civil Aviation Act 1949, which provided power to give effect in the United Kingdom to the Rome convention 1933 relating to damage caused by aircraft to third parties on the surface, was never brought into operation. It was repealed by section 26 of the Civil Aviation Act 1968.

  Goods Vehicles (Speed limiters)
  Mr. Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set out, in tabular form, in respect of each of the countries of the EEC, in respect of goods vehicles with a weight greater than 3·5 tonnes: the maximum speed in miles per hour on motorways and the maximum speed in miles per hour on non-motorway roads; whether there is currently a mandatory requirement to fit speed limiters;
  19
  and what is the proportion of all such vehicles registered within that country which are estimated to have been fitted with such speed limiters.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The following is derived from a table provided by the EC Commission in January 1989, in respect of heavy goods vehicles:

  Maximum speeds (mph)

  Member State

  Motorway

  Expressway

  Other Road

  Belgium

  56

  56

  37

  Denmark

  43

  43

  43

  FR Germany

  50

  37

  43

  France

  50

  50

  37

  Greece

  37

  37

  37

  Republic of Ireland

  35

  35

  35

  Italy

  50

  37

  37

  Luxembourg

  37

  37

  37

  Netherlands

  50

  50

  37

  United Kingdom

  60

  50

  140

  Spain

  62

  50

  43

  Portugal

  50

  43

  37

  1 30 mph in built-up areas.

  There are a few variations according to operating weights. The information must be treated with some caution because the classification of roads varies between member states.

  The information requested on speed limiters is not available, although I understand that in France new vehicles over 10 tonnes gross vehicle weight must be fitted with speed limiters and that in the Federal Republic of Germany mobile cranes must be so fitted. In the United Kingdom, coaches are required to be fitted with speed limiters over the next two years. The number of speed limiters fitted voluntarily to heavy goods vehicles is not known.

  Service Areas (Baby Changing)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to ensure that facilities provided for the changing and feeding of babies at motorway service areas can be used by male as well as female parents or carers.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  At new motorway service areas we require a nursing mothers' room. Operators are not required by their leases to provide such facilities at older motorway service areas. Some already do so voluntarily and others will be encouraged to provide them when other alterations are being made.

  Considerations of privacy, in particular for breast feeding, preclude any general sharing of such facilities by men looking after babies. We do not currently propose to require any separate provision for men. If demand builds up for this, we will reconsider the position in consultation with the operators.

  Cross-Channel Freight Traffic
  Mr. Favell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Stockport,Official Report, 20 March, column 399, whether he is proposing to make any assessment of cross-Channel freight traffic in total and by mode by 1992; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  The Department has no plans to make such an assessment.

  Passenger Ferries
  Sir David Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if, further to his reply of 13 March,Official Report, columns 120–1, he will list the names of the small number of roll-on/roll off passenger ferries built before 1980, where modification is not a realistic proposition and the names of their owners; and when in each case they plan to withdraw them from service.

  Mr. Portillo
  All 73 pre-1980 ferries in use at the moment comply fully with the current international convention for safety of life at sea (SOLAS). The Sheen report recommended that a higher standard of stability in the damaged condition should be applied to these ships. The majority of the ships which did not comply with this higher standard have been, or will be, modified by their owners to achieve compliance.

  The owners have made known the names of the ships for which we understand modification is not a realistic proposition. These are (registered owner's name in brackets):

  Darnia—(James Fisher & Sons Ltd.)

  Earl Granville—(W & G Industrial Leasing Ltd.)

  Earl Harold—(Sealink UK Ltd.)

  Tynwald—(Sealink UK Ltd.)

  St. Ola—(P & O Ferries Ltd.)

  Pride of Canterbury—(P & O European Ferries (Dover) Ltd.)

  Pride of Hythe—(P & O European Ferries (Dover) Ltd.)

  Initial indications are that the owners will not retain these ships for more than about another three years. Discussions on that continue.

  Airline Safety (Departmental Warning)
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will publish the full text of the warning and the supplementary circular his Department issued on airline safety following the discovery of a bomb in a radio cassette player in Frankfurt in October 1988.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  No. It is not our practice to publish communications between the Department and the industry about aviation security matters. To do so only benefits terrorists and hinders security.

  Thames Line River Services
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Newham, South,Official Report, 16 March, column 284, he will give the considerations and calculations relating to his decision to provide approximately £400,000 of public support to Thames Line River Services in central London, together with the relevant vote in the current estimates, the expected means of payment and any conditions relating to the grant.

  Mr. Portillo
  The decision to provide up to £500,000 of grant took into account the benefits to the community of relief of road congestion and the encouragement of development of riverside areas in need of regeneration. The grant will be met from the administration and transport services vote (class VIII, vote 2). Payment of grant is limited to is application to the promotion and improvement of the services, and is conditional upon a private sector contribution of up to £2 million, to be paid on a pro rata basis, and to the provision of appropriate management reports and accounts.
  21
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the estimated or actual number of passengers and passenger miles, respectively, carried by Thames Line River Services in the year 1988, or financial year 1988–89, together with the comparable estimates for the financial year 1989–90; and what is the expected public subsidy, or its range, per passenger and per passenger mile, respectively.

  Mr. Portillo
  Thames Line estimates that some 138,000 passengers were carried in its first nine months of operation to February 1989. A progressive and substantial increase in patronage is expected during the next three years, but the forecast of the business are commercially confidential.

  Sir Keith Bright (Resignation)
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he can now announce the terms on which Sir Keith Bright resigned from London Transport.

  Mr. Portillo
  The terms are still under discussion.

  European Maritime Policy
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to receive the proposals from the Commission of the EEC for a second stage of European maritime policy; what time limit he has set for the production of such proposals; whether such proposals have yet been forwarded by the Commission to the Council; and if he will make representations to the Commission on the need for greater urgency in dealing with this matter.

  Mr. Portillo
  We continue to press the Commission. We understand that it aims to produce proposals for the June Council of Transport Ministers.

  Trunk Roads (Review)
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has completed his review of the trunk road network; and if he is now in a position to further improve roads benefiting Suffolk and Norfolk.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The review of the trunk road programme is in progress. Possible improvements to trunk roads benefiting Suffolk and Norfolk are being considered along with many other candidates for inclusion on their merits for a share of the resources available. We expect to make an announcement by early summer.

  Railway Accident (Warrington)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to place in the Library a copy of the detailed report of the accident at Arpley sidings, Warrington, on 27 February, when this has been submitted by the British Railways Board to the railway inspectorate at the Department of Transport.

  Mr. Portillo
  The railway inspectorate is to hold an inquiry into this accident. The report will be published.

  Britannia Bridge, Limehouse
  Ms. Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who was consulted on the effects on safety or a reversible lane on the Britannia bridge on the Commercial road at Limehouse; and if he will make the documents containing the advice available in the Library.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The decision that site restrictions and safety considerations rule out the use of a reversible lane at Britannia bridge was based on the professional judgment of the Department's officials.

  British Rail (Provincial Services)
  Mr. Irvine
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he proposes to authorise any further investment in British Rail's provincial services.

  Mr. Portillo
  We have authorised the purchase by British Rail of another 56 class 158 express vehicles at a cost of about £20 million. They will be built at BREL immediately after the 138 vehicles which we approved in January. The first of all these new vehicles should be entering service by early 1991.

  London Assessment Studies
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many visits he has made to any of the route options of the east London assessment study; how many meetings he has had with hon. Members of constituencies affected; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  I have not made any such visits. It is for the consultants to assess their options at this stage. I have had meetings with most hon. Members concerned.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information his Department has about the use of routes in the east London assessment study area by heavy lorries, commuter cars and public transport; and if he will make a statement on comparative figures for each of the last eight years.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The information that the hon. Member requests is not available except at disproportionate cost.

  The most comprehensive sources of information for the east London assessment study area is the consultants' stage 1 report, copies of which are in the Library.

  Figures available for traffic entering central London in the morning peak hours for the following years are:

  Cars

  Heavy goods vehicles

  Buses/coaches

  1979

  128,400

  3,300

  4,200

  1981

  129,500

  2,750

  4,350

  1983

  124,400

  2,450

  4,500

  1985

  127,000

  2,000

  4,300

  1987

  123,350

  1,900

  3,650

  Source: DTP.

  Similar figures for the numbers of commuters in the morning peak are:

  23

  Cars Thousands

  British Rail Thousands

  London Regional Transport rail Thousands

  London Regional Transport bus Thousands

  Total including coaches and cycles Thousands

  1980

  184

  412

  305

  103

  1,031

  1981

  173

  394

  336

  105

  1,037

  1982

  197

  390

  283

  99

  1,013

  1983

  180

  384

  323

  97

  1,026

  1984

  180

  386

  351

  94

  1,049

  1985

  171

  401

  364

  94

  1,069

  1986

  166

  421

  381

  91

  1,093

  1987

  162

  449

  403

  79

  1,125

  Sources: British Rail/London Regional Transport.

  The figures show that the total number of commuters has increased by 91 per cent. since 1980, that the number commuting by car has fallen substantially and that road traffic entering central London in the morning peak has decreased.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many representations he has received against the public walk road option in the east London assessment study; how many phone calls, have been made to his Department; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  A number of representations, including phone calls, have been received from action groups, amenity groups, residents associations, members of the public and hon. Members about the consultant's options that involve use of the public walk.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to announce his intentions with regard to any routes affected by the assessment studies in London.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  It is too soon to say.

  Highgate—Finsbury Park (Public Walk)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department has any plans for a light railway development along the route of the public walk between Highgate and Finsbury Park; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  No. A light railway is one of the options being considered by the consultants for the east London assessment study.

  Trawlers (Medical Supplies)
  Mr. Barry Fields
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the medical supplies required by the latest European Economic Community directive for(a) a trawler at sea for more than eight hours and (b) a trawler at sea for more than 24 hours.

  Mr. Portillo
  No such directive has been adopted; nor has any proposal for a draft directive yet been made by the Commission to the Council of Ministers.

  Lindane Container (Channel)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he anticipates the recovery of the Lindane container lost in the Channel.

  Mr. Portillo
  The commercial container of Lindane was lost in an area of the Channel in which under a bilateral 24
  agreement the French authorities are responsible for taking counter-pollution action. They are undertaking an extensive search for the lost container and the Department's marine pollution control unit is maintaining close contact with them. As the container has not yet been located, a time scale for recovery cannot be predicted.

  Departmental Mail (Bomb Attack)
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) whether he gave any indication to the Post Office on or before 16 March as to when his Department believed that the letters to airport authorities and Pan American Airlines had been posted; and what representations he made to the Post Office in relation to the Post Office's plans to make a statement refuting allegations that the letters had been lost;

  (2) what contact took place between the Post Office and his Department on matters relating to the letter he sent to airport authorities and Pan American Airlines warning them of the threatened bomb attack in the week beginning 12 March; and what assurances were sought by, or given to, the Post Office by his Department on whether a statement would be made on 16 March by his Department on this matter.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  [holding answer 23 March 1989]: Post Office officials were in touch with those of the Department during the afternoon and evening of 16 March. We made it clear that the circular dated 19 December had not been posted until later and that the Department had no complaints about the way the Post Office had handled it. My right hon. Friend said so that afternoon.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Category A Prisoners
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the breakdown of category A prisoners in England and Wales under the groupings(a) convicted Irish Republican Army terrorists, (b) international terrorists, (c) murderers, (d) armed robbers, (e) rapists, (f) drug dealers, and (g) others (i) in total and (ii) listed by each prison.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The information readily available centrally is given in the following table. Further figures could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.
  25

  Convicted adult male prisoners in category A in prisons in England and Wales on 31 December 1988: by type of offender

  IRA terrorists

  Other terrorists

  Sex offenders including some murderers

  Armed robbers and drugs dealers

  Others (mainly murderers)

  Totals

  Albany

  7

  5

  27

  17

  7

  63

  Birmingham

  —

  —

  —

  2

  2

  4

  Bristol

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  2

  Chelmsford

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Coldingley

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Frankland

  7

  4

  11

  22

  15

  59

  Full Sutton

  4

  1

  7

  11

  8

  31

  Gartree

  9

  4

  3

  19

  15

  50

  Hull

  —

  —

  1

  —

  3

  4

  Leeds

  —

  —

  2

  —

  1

  3

  Leicester

  3

  —

  2

  4

  1

  10

  Lincoln

  —

  —

  2

  —

  3

  5

  Liverpool

  —

  —

  1

  1

  1

  3

  Long Lartin

  7

  5

  16

  22

  19

  69

  Manchester

  —

  —

  1

  1

  2

  4

  Parkhurst

  7

  2

  2

  14

  17

  42

  Wakefield

  —

  2

  49

  1

  18

  70

  Wandsworth

  —

  —

  2

  18

  2

  22

  Winchester

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Wormwood Scrubs

  2

  —

  13

  3

  8

  26

  Totals

  46

  23

  139

  135

  127

  470

  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) successful escapes and (b) unsuccessful escape attempts there have been from prisons in England and Wales by category A prisoners in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  During this period, there have been two incidents involving escapes from within prison establishments. In 1980, three unconvicted prisoners who had been provisionally placed in category A escaped from Brixton prison. In 1987, one provisional and one confirmed category A prisoner escaped from Gartree prison in a helicopter. Detailed inquiries were conducted following both incidents and measures were taken to prevent a similar escape in the future.

  The other information is not available in the form requested by my hon. Friend. Maximum security prisons have a high level of physical security designed to deter and prevent either an assisted or an unassisted escape attempt. Security measures are constantly under review.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy towards(a) parole and (b) rehabilitation for category A prisoners.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  No prisoner, whatever his security category, is prevented from having his case considered for release on parole. However since one of the main concerns in considering suitability for parole is the safety of the

  Population1 of adult male sentenced prisoners in prisons and remand centres in England and Wales on 31 December 1988: by security category and prison

  Prison or remand centre (County)

  A

  B

  C

  D

  Not recorded

  Total population

  Remand centres

  Latchmere House (London)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  27

  27

  Risley (Cheshire)

  —

  1

  30

  1

  35

  67

  Local prisons

  Ashford (Surrey)

  —

  —

  4

  1

  16

  21

  Bedford (Bedford)

  —

  3

  47

  21

  23

  94

  Birmingham (West Midlands)

  4

  58

  297

  82

  88

  529

  Bristol (Avon)

  2

  104

  133

  30

  110

  379

  Brixton (London)

  —

  3

  8

  2

  113

  126

  Canterbury (Kent)

  —

  5

  33

  21

  38

  97

  26
  public, it is unlikely that a prisoner whilst in category A—the highest security category—would be released on licence.

  Category A prisoners are offered as full and constructive a regime as is consistent with the requirements of security and there are many opportunities for them to improve, for example, work and social skins and education. The aim, as with all prisoners, is to help them lead law-abiding and useful lives in custody and after release.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether category A prisoners are provided with assistance in drawing up their resettlement plans.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Yes. Assistance is freely available on request to all prisoners, regardless of security category, from the probation service and welfare organisations.

  Prisoner (Statistics)
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the numbers of category A, B and other prisoners in each prison in England and Wales. listed by prison and by county address.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The latest information readily available centrally is given in the following table.
  27

  Prison or remand centre (County)

  A

  B

  C

  D

  Not recorded

  Total population

  Cardiff (South Glamorgan)

  —

  14

  62

  16

  184

  276

  Chelmsford (Essex)

  1

  1

  3

  3

  88

  96

  Dorchester (Dorset)

  —

  31

  33

  2

  17

  83

  Durham (Durham)

  —

  57

  287

  50

  320

  714

  Exeter (Devon)

  —

  21

  40

  13

  130

  204

  Gloucester (Gloucester)

  —

  10

  100

  36

  52

  198

  Hull (Humberside)

  4

  29

  113

  59

  34

  239

  Leeds (West Yorkshire)

  3

  69

  207

  44

  208

  531

  Leicester (Leicestershire)

  10

  28

  91

  20

  37

  186

  Lewes (East Sussex)

  —

  13

  49

  11

  52

  125

  Lincoln (Lincolnshire)

  5

  21

  196

  35

  34

  291

  Liverpool (Merseyside)

  3

  147

  608

  53

  424

  1,235

  Manchester (Greater Manchester)

  4

  100

  434

  77

  248

  863

  Norwich (Norfolk)

  —

  12

  120

  14

  46

  192

  Oxford (Oxfordshire)

  —

  7

  51

  39

  28

  125

  Pentonville (London)

  —

  10

  144

  47

  397

  598

  Reading (Berkshire)

  —

  10

  48

  19

  49

  126

  Shrewsbury (Salop)

  —

  8

  83

  10

  77

  178

  Swansea (West Glamorgan)

  —

  13

  51

  10

  64

  138

  Wandsworth (London)

  22

  222

  400

  51

  761

  1,456

  Winchester (Hampshire)

  1

  71

  158

  16

  47

  293

  Wormwood Scrubs (London)

  26

  52

  18

  28

  271

  395

  Closed training prisons

  Acklington (Northumberland)

  —

  —

  394

  8

  23

  425

  Albany (Isle of Wight)

  63

  215

  58

  3

  45

  384

  Aldington (Kent)

  —

  —

  79

  20

  20

  119

  Ashwell (Leicestershire)

  —

  —

  310

  31

  24

  365

  Blantyre House (Kent)

  —

  —

  77

  1

  —

  78

  Blundeston (Suffolk)

  —

  151

  162

  36

  61

  410

  Camp Hill (Isle of Wight)

  —

  —

  382

  41

  66

  489

  Channings Wood (Devon)

  —

  —

  457

  41

  24

  522

  Coldingley (Surrey)

  1

  64

  151

  46

  35

  297

  Dartmoor (Devon)

  —

  352

  220

  26

  28

  626

  Erlestoke (Wiltshire)

  —

  3

  168

  25

  15

  211

  Featherstone (West Midlands)

  —

  —

  482

  44

  11

  537

  Frankland (Durham)

  59

  303

  17

  —

  16

  395

  Full Sutton (North Yorkshire)

  31

  147

  69

  2

  7

  256

  Garth (Lancashire)

  —

  207

  23

  —

  106

  336

  Gartree (Leicestershire)

  50

  228

  18

  —

  13

  309

  Grendon (Buckinghamshire)

  —

  116

  71

  5

  11

  203

  Haverigg (Cumbria)

  —

  —

  246

  11

  18

  275

  Highpoint (Suffolk)

  —

  —

  384

  88

  253

  725

  Lancaster (Lancashire)

  —

  —

  234

  15

  9

  258

  Lewes (East Sussex)

  —

  80

  22

  3

  20

  125

  Lindholme (South Yorkshire)

  —

  —

  527

  131

  44

  702

  Littlehey (Cambridgeshire)

  —

  —

  403

  14

  24

  441

  Long Lartin (Hereford and Worcester)

  69

  308

  12

  2

  10

  401

  Maidstone (Kent)

  —

  334

  144

  35

  27

  540

  Northeye (East Sussex)

  —

  —

  101

  33

  89

  223

  Norwich (Britannia) (Norfolk)

  —

  —

  119

  36

  39

  194

  Nottingham (Nottinghamshire)

  —

  115

  154

  15

  11

  295

  Parkhurst (Isle of Wight)

  42

  168

  14

  1

  10

  235

  Portsmouth (Kingston) (Hampshire)

  —

  122

  7

  5

  9

  143

  Preston (Lancashire)

  —

  1

  303

  19

  23

  346

  Ranby (Nottinghamshire)

  —

  —

  331

  12

  —

  343

  Send (Surrey)

  —

  —

  62

  16

  24

  102

  Shepton Mallet (Somerset)

  —

  —

  210

  16

  13

  239

  Stafford (Staffordshire)

  —

  —

  695

  50

  53

  798

  Stocken (Leicestershire)

  —

  —

  283

  7

  4

  294

  Swaleside (Kent)

  —

  171

  19

  8

  194

  392

  Thorp Arch (West Yorkshire)

  —

  —

  126

  21

  8

  155

  The Verne (Dorset)

  —

  —

  552

  20

  22

  594

  Wakefield (West Yorkshire)

  70

  563

  36

  17

  43

  729

  Wayland (Norfolk)

  —

  —

  362

  58

  55

  475

  Wymott (Lancashire)

  —

  —

  606

  49

  71

  726

  28 29

  Prison or remand centre (County)

  A

  B

  C

  D

  Not recorded

  Total population

  Open training prisons

  Ford (West Sussex)

  —

  —

  —

  493

  —

  493

  Highpoint (Suffolk)

  —

  —

  —

  69

  —

  69

  Kirkham (Lancashire)

  —

  —

  —

  537

  —

  537

  Leyhill (Gloucestershire)

  —

  —

  —

  370

  —

  370

  Morton Hall (Lincolnshire)

  —

  —

  —

  155

  —

  155

  North Sea Camp (Lincolnshire)

  —

  —

  —

  89

  —

  89

  Rudgate (West Yorkshire)

  —

  —

  —

  305

  —

  305

  Spring Hill (Buckinghamshire)

  —

  —

  —

  199

  —

  199

  Standford Hill (Kent)

  —

  —

  —

  387

  —

  387

  Sudbury (Derbyshire)

  —

  —

  —

  496

  —

  496

  All prisons and remand centres

  470

  4,768

  12,938

  4,922

  5,596

  28,694

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

  Crime (South Wales)
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what factors account for the fact that the incidence of crime has risen in south Wales when it has fallen nationally.

  Mr. John Patten
  In south Wales in 1988, 116,988 offences were recorded compared to 111,642 in 1987. Burglaries fell by 5 per cent., but there were 7,000 more thefts of or from motor vehicles. The south Wales police will be targeting car crime in the coming year. Members of the public can help by taking sensible crime prevention measures.

  Prisoners (AIDS)
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what social or medical studies are being made of prisoners identified as HIV positive, with or without symptoms, in Her Majesty's prisons.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Statistical monitoring of reported cases is undertaken by the directorate of prison medical services for management purposes.

  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training and how frequently prison officers, other staff and prisoners at Her Majesty's prison, Winson Green receive on AIDS-related illnesses; and by whom this is carried out.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Health care staff have received specialised training in the care and support of patients with AIDS and AIDS-related conditions, including in some cases practical experience in a National Health Service AIDS unit. External AIDS counselling courses have been attended by some staff including chaplains. A more general training programme, provided by the establishment's own training staff and intended for all operational

  Consultancy

  Assignment

  Express Computer Consultancy

  Software development for Financial Division

  Grafton

  Benchmark preparation for Police National Computer

  Grafton

  Software support for Police national computer

  Captain Hannant, Captain Stubbs

  Study on the application of cir legislation to police operations

  Hunterskill

  Programming support for Prison Service

  30
  staff, provides basic health and safety information and an understanding of the nature of AIDS and HIV infection at a level appropriate to their task of managing infected prisoners with no signs or symptons of illness. All operational staff have received some training of this kind and over 75 per cent. have seen a specially made prison service training film. This is a continuing programme. Prisoners have access to a wide range of educational material including videofilms and leaflets. A new educational package produced by the Department centrally for use throughout the prison service will be brought into use in the near future.

  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners at Her Majesty's prison Winson Green, identified as HIV positive(a) with symptoms and (b) without symptoms are being kept in prison hospital or other special accommodation.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  For reasons of medical confidentiality it is not our practice to disclose the number of current cases reported by individual establishments.

  Computer Consultants
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total amount spent by his Department in 1988 on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases; and if he will list each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by his Department in 1988, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment.

  Mr. Hurd
  The Home Office spent approximately £3,572,000 on management and computer consultancies in 1988. The following contracts were awarded to management or computer consultancy firms by the Home Office in 1988:
  31

  Consultancy

  Assignment

  ICL

  Systems analysis for Immigration and Nationality Department

  ICL

  Bootle Computer Bureau Network Support

  ICL

  System sizing for Immigration and Nationality Department

  IN2

  Post Administration programming support

  JSB

  Database support for computerisation of central records

  Kerman Associates

  IT Division technical support

  Logica

  Fire Department Brigade requirements study

  Logica

  Local Area Network study for Immigration and Nationality Department

  Metier

  Bootle Computer Bureau project management tool support

  Oasis

  Intelligency Knowledge Based Systems study

  Oracle

  Bootle Computer Bureau software support

  PA Management Consultants

  WARC project management

  PA Consulting

  Investment Appraisal support for Immigration and Nationality Department

  PA Consulting

  Police National Computer Office project management support

  PA Technology

  Proposal Evaluation: Automatic Fingerprint Recognition

  P-E Computer Services

  Bootle Computer Bureau programming support

  Peat Marwick McClintock

  Review of laundry service

  Peat Marwick McClintock

  IND Relocation Study

  SIA

  Fire Statistics Section hardware sizing trial

  Software AG

  Police National Computer Office software support (two contracts)

  St. George's Medical School

  Technical support from Forensic Science Service

  Touche Ross

  Management systems strategy for prison industries

  TSC Ltd.

  Police National Computer Office Operating System Support

  Thornhill Computer Services

  Bootle Computer Bureau programming support

  Dr. R. L. Williams

  Reviewing fingerprint evidence

  Yale Data

  IT Division technical support

  Aberdeen University

  Technical support for Scientific Research and Development Branch

  Ampex

  Videofile testing

  Batalas

  Police National Computer Office Quality Assurance support

  BBN

  Technical support for Scientific Research and Development Branch

  BIS

  Magistrates Court contingency study

  BIS

  Financial Systems support

  Cooper and Lybrand

  Assistance with training seminars in Prison Service

  Computer Search and Selection

  Immigration programming support

  CCTA

  IT Division Post Implementation Review

  Data Logic

  Local Area Networks study

  Dataflex

  Programming support for Prison Service

  Deloitte Haskins and Sells

  Improving Clerical Support Services to Her Majesty's Prison forms

  Deloitte Haskins and Sells

  Study of potential feasibility of private sector involvement in the remand system

  32

  33

  Consultancy

  Assignment

  Digitus

  IT Division technical support

  Eosys

  Police Requirements Network study

  Ewbank Preece

  Microwave study

  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total amount spent by the Metropolitan police in 1988 on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases; and if he will list each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by the Metropolitan police in 1988, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment.

  Firm

  Contracts

  Geoff Ford

  Consultancy on Mechanical and Electrical Branch Control Information Systems.

  Digitus

  Programming advice on Territorial Operations Systems.

  Safe Computing

  Setting up software for police payroll.

  Chess Valley

  Enhancement to G10 crime statistics input system.

  Carnell

  Consultancy on civil staff payroll.

  ICL

  Technical support on hardware and software including installation of new system and super-dualling of two ICL 2988 machines.

  ICL

  Software enhancement.

  Gerard Systems

  Artemis Consultancy.

  Gresham Software Skills Ltd

  Operating system conversion from DME to VME.

  STS Nescourse

  Consultancy advice on Querymaster software package.

  Hoskyns

  Technical advice on VMS operating system

  Prolog

  Programming work on cheque reconciliation suites.

  Pergamon Infotech

  Provision of documentation etc. for Cautions Index project.

  Unisys

  Software enhancement for police computers at outer London magistrates' courts.

  CCTA

  Crime Report Information System (CRIS) benefits evaluation.

  Deloitte Haskins & Sells

  Data modelling consultancy.

  Intra Systems

  Consultancy to review CRIS training programme.

  Scicon Ltd

  Production of simulation model of a CID office.

  Ernst & Whinney

  Data envelope. Study of MP divisions.

  Unisys

  Manpower services in connection with replacement command and control system.

  Peat Marwick McLintock

  Re-location of stores.

  Peat Marwick McLintock

  Review of options for direct supply of goods to users.

  Wolff Olins

  Corporate Identity consultancy.

  D.W.J. Consultants

  Procurement consultancy

  Touche Ross

  Catering consultancy.

  Hay Management Consultants Ltd

  Alternative civil staff pay arrangements.

  Police National Computer (Report)
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make it his policy to
  34
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the Metropolitan police spent an estimated £1,220,000 on management and computer consultancies in 1988–89.

  The following contracts were awarded in 1988

  publish the report of the review of the police national computer being carried out by Country Nat West when it has been completed.
  35
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  This report has only just been received and we have yet to decide how best to carry out consultations on its conclusion.

  Fatal Accidents (Police Vehicles)
  Mr. Fry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fatal accidents during 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1988 involved motor vehicles driven by suspected criminals who were being chased by the police.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The information requested is not recorded centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Data Protection Act 1987
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Brent, East of 1 February,Official Report, column 254, what representations he has received concerning amendments to the terms of the Data Protection Act 1987.

  Mr. Renton
  I have received no other representations on those aspects of the Data Protection Act 1984 to which the hon. Member's earlier question referred.

  British Citizens
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received concerning information supplied by Her Majesty's Government to the San Francisco immigration and naturalisation service about Mrs. Nina Hutchinson which formed the basis of the decision to refuse her entry into the United States of America in December 1988; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what representations he has received concerning exchanges of information under the proposed incorporation of the European treaty on mutual assistance into British law; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what information on British citizens is made available by Her Majesty's Government to other countries;

  (4) how many complaints have been received from British citizens who have travelled abroad concerning information about them supplied by Her Majesty's Government to other Governments.

  Mr. Hurd
  Two hon. Members have forwarded representations from the Troops Out movement claiming that one of its members was detained and removed from the United States of America on the basis of information provided by the Government. I am not prepared to comment on particular arrangements for exchanging information with other Governments or on individual cases. Apart from these representations, we are not aware of any other complaints about information supplied to other Governments.

  The Troops Out movement also expressed concern about the effect, as regards the exchange of information, of the United Kingdom's ratifying the European convention on mutual assistance in criminal matters. Legislation would be required before the United Kingdom could accede to this convention, the purpose of which is to enable one state to assist another in the investigation and prosecution of criminal offences. It is a precondition of
  36
  such assistance that criminal proceedings should be pending in the requesting state, or that initial investigations should have begun with a reasonable expectation that such proceedings will ensue.

  Category A Committee
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the role and composition of the category A committee.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The role of the committee is twofold:

  (i) to consider whether prisoners recently convicted of very serious crimes should be placed in security category A, which is reserved for those inmates whose escape from prison custody would be highly dangerous to the public or to the police or to the security of the State;

  (ii) to review, at least annually, the cases of all those who have been made category A;

  and to make recommendations to the Director General of the Prison Service.

  The committee comprises senior officials of prison service headquarters, governors of prisons normally holding category A prisoners, and a senior police officer.

  Mr. Albert Baker
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received since 1979 concerning the case of Mr. Albert Baker, currently prisoner No. 241254 in Her Majesty's prison Long Lartin.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Numerous inquiries and letters from hon. Members and noble Lords and members of the public have been received in support of Mr. Baker's requests to be transferred to Northern Ireland, but a detailed enumeration could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  Metropolitan Police (Public Relations)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the cost to the Metropolitan police of the public relations budget for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that expenditure by the Metropolitan police on all forms of recruitment and other advertising, and other promotional literature, in each financial year since 1979–80 is as follows:

  £

  1979–80

  759,000

  1980–81

  967,000

  1981–82

  1,062,000

  1982–83

  1,028,000

  1983–84

  1,675,000

  1984–85

  1,747,000

  1985–86

  1,868,000

  1986–87

  2,269,000

  1987–88

  2,836,000

  11988–89

  3,397,000

  1 Estimate.

  Foleshill Information and Advice Centre, Coventry
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the
  37
  compatibility of that part of his Department's letter of 20 January, reference RDI 88 622/56/5, to Mr. Christopher Farmer, director of education at Coventry city council, which rejected section 11 funding for posts at the Foleshill information and advice centre, on the grounds that they would be assisting all sections of the community, with that part of the letter which rejected section 11 funding for a development work for the Asian sheltered residential accommodation on the grounds that the postholder would be working just for Asian clients; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  [holding answer 16 March 1989]: I am satisfied that the extracts from this Department's letter, which have been taken out of context, as can be seen from the full text which I have placed in the Library, are in no way incompatible. Coventry city council's applications for the posts in question did not identify what special need, particular to the relevant Commonwealth community, the proposed posts would address. Identification of such need is an essential pre-requisite for approval of section 11 grant. If Coventry city council requires further clarification, officials at the Home Office will be pleased to explain the reasons for refusal in greater detail.

EMPLOYMENT

  Employment Training
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of those referred by the employment service to ET complete their assessment with a training agent; what percentage of those who complete their assessment stay six days with a training manager; and what percentage of those originally referred by the employment service stay six days with a training manager.

  Mr. Nicholls
  It is estimated that to the end of January 1989 about 55 per cent. of those referred from the Employment Service to training agents agreed action plans. The number of people staying at least six days with a training manager is estimated to be about 80 per cent. of the total number of those who agree action plans. The number of trainees who stay at least six days with training managers is about 45 per cent. of the total of those referred from the Employment Service to training agents.

  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what have been the numbers and percentages of those who started on ET who did not complete their course.

  Mr. Nicholls
  It is estimated that of the 153,300 unemployed people who had started on employment training between 5 September 1988 and the end of January, about 23,000 or 15 per cent. had left the programme early without completing their planned programme of training. People leave the programme for a number of reasons including starting work.

  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the qualifications gained by trainees in the ET programme.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The information requested is available only at disproportionate cost.

  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what funds his Department has allocated for 38
  paying training bonuses to employment training trainees; how much has been paid out to date; and if he will give a breakdown showing how much of that money has been paid out in each of the local areas administered by the Training Agency.

  Mr. Nicholls
  These arrangements are funded from the overall resources available for employment training and there are no separate area budgets for this purpose. Up to end of February 1989 £84,518 has been paid.

  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how much has been paid out through the underpinning arrangements to ET managers and agents since the start of employment training; and if he will give a breakdown showing how much of that money was paid out in each of the local areas administered by the Training Agency.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The underpinning arrangements are funded from the overall resource available for employment training and there are no separate area budgets for this purpose. Up to the end of February 1989 a total of £9,159,751 has been paid out to training managers, and £422,613 to training agents.

  Vocational Training
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what were the total numbers of(a) adult employees receiving vocational training, (b) young persons 18 years and under receiving vocational training and (c) all persons of employment age receiving vocational training in each year since 1970 or in those years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Cope
  Estimates from labour force surveys of persons receiving job-related training, are shown in the table. The labour force survey did not include questions on training which can be used to produce comparable estimates prior to 1984.

  Job-related training1—Great Britain, spring estimates

  thousands

  Year

  Employee of working age2

  Persons aged 16 to 18 years

  Persons of working age2

  1984

  1,806

  461

  2,518

  1985

  2,088

  574

  2,897

  1986

  2,176

  530

  3,003

  1987

  2,380

  530

  3,313

  31988

  2,776

  589

  3,806

  1 Persons who said that in the four week period prior to interview, they had taken part in any education or training connected with either their current job or a job they might be able to do in the future.

  2 Men aged 16 to 64, women aged 16 to 59.

  3 Preliminary estimates.

  Repetitive Strain Injury
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to fund research into the causes and effects of repetitive strain injury, and into preventive measures for it.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The Health and Safety Executive is currently supporting two projects investigating repetitive strain injury through its extramural biomedical research programme, at the Institute of Occupational Medicine in Edinburgh and the university of Birmingham.

  Computer Consultants
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total amount spent by his Department in 1988 on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases; and if he will list each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by his Department in 1988, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment.

  Firm

  Subject of assignment

  AIMS Systems

  Quality Assurance review for major system

  AMP

  Software support for small firms centres system

  Arthur Andersen

  Benefit related payments system

  Arthur Young

  Consultancy for review of anti-fraud measures in selected systems

  Consultancy for management information systems

  Work on ES payments manual and testing of market

  National unemployment benefit system terminal study

  Glasgow Jobseeker

  Central processing in London and the South-East (SUPERVACS project)

  Colin Minton and Associates

  PER privatisation

  Coopers and Lybrand

  Consultancy and advice on major system

  D. E. Barnard Systems

  SUPERVACS—Technical assurance co-ordination

  SUPERVACS—Risk analysis for disaster site

  Falkman Communications

  Advice on ES internal communications

  Datasolve

  Computer-based training for the national unemployment benefit system

  Ferrari Software

  Consultancy for local area network specification

  Hoskyns

  Management of computer systems Software enhancements to major systems

  HUSAT

  National unemployment benefit system

  ICL

  Use of new techniques on major systems

  IDMS X consultancy

  Resolution of mainframe loading problems

  Quickbuild and data specification requirements

  ITM Ltd.

  Restart

  Kennedy Robinson Business Development Ltd.

  ES executive board workshop

  Learmouth and Burchett Management Systems

  PROMPT study

  Lloyd Northover

  Work on ES corporate identity

  Makrotest

  A study of the small firms service

  Michael Wesley Associates

  Production of careers service publicity guide

  PA Consultants

  A review of Government support for the tourism industry

  IT strategy for ES

  SEPACS study

  Feasibility study on SUPERVACS enhancements

  Pannell Kerr Foster Associates

  A review of the statistical needs of the tourism sector

  Peter Seal

  Quantity surveyor for structural surveys

  Professor Colin Gallagher (Newcastle University)

  Research into the role of small firms in job generation in the United Kingdom

  Sphinx Ltd.

  Adjudication office automation

  Thurrock Computing Services

  RESTART study

  Yale Data

  SSADM consultancy for major personnel project Advice on standards for testing critical systems Adjudication office automation

  40
  Mr. Cope
  The total amount spent by my Department (excluding the Training Commission/Agency) in 1988 on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases, was £2·3 million.

  The following firms were awarded consultancy contracts by the Department of Employment group, excluding the Training Commission/Agency, during 1988:
  41
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total amount spent by the Training Commission in 1988 on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases; and if he will list each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by the Training Commission in 1988, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment.

  Consultants

  Subject of Assignment

  J. Ackroyd

  A consultant to enhance the existing database for the YTS expenditure forecasting model

  Bacie

  A consultant to look after a database of "LCP" information

  Butler Cox

  A consultancy to assist the Training Commission in evaluating the office technology project

  Camtec

  To provide assistance with the development of the MSC network

  CCTA

  To put a business case together (including investment appraisal aspects) for a local area network for the Training Commission at Moorfoot

  To undertake a scoping study of funding, charging, and management aspects of the MSC network

  Codd & Date

  To advise the Training Commission on the definition of a relational database

  Compact Business Computers LTD

  A consultant to develop a database for the employment training underpinning system

  Compsoft

  A consultant to provide guidance on the most efficient way to design and implement an accident database

  Coopers and Lybrand Associates

  A consultant to review the commission's corporate financial management strategy Consultant to provide project management support

  CMG Information Services

  System analysts to assist FSR with their development work

  EOYSYS

  A consultant to carry out a strategic review of the videoconferencing requirements within the DE Group

  GTC Project Ltd.

  Creation of a database for the employment training initiative monitoring system

  Harwell Computer Power

  Consultancy advice on the use of "STATUS"

  Hunterskill

  A consultant to provide SSADM support on the PDP project

  I-NET

  A consultant to review the Training Commission's network

  The Instruction Set

  To provide the Training Agency with advice and guidance on the selection of a software environment

  The Instruction Set

  A consultant to assist in the evaluation of the software environment

  National Council for Education

  To provide TAP with consultancy in the areas of strategy, planning, R and D projects

  The Networking Centre

  A consultant to produce a business analysis for the Moorfoot site

  Omicron

  A consultant to write a purchase order management system, and train staff in its use

  PA Computers and Telecommunications

  To provide advice and assistance in deciding where, and how, MSCs "MASCOT" system should be replicated in MSC HO

  A study to look into the office technology input to the infrastructure project

  PE Consulting Services

  System analyst to assist FSR with their development work

  Presenting with Style

  A consultant to provide training in the use of "Wordperfect" software for senior officers' secretaries

  Sherington Software

  A study to evaluate packages for transferring data from "ALL" to micros Programmers to assist the Training Agency on the maintenance and development of the TOPS MINIS System

  Chrissie Strickland

  A consultant to look after a database of "LCP" information

  42
  Mr. Cope
  The Training Agency spent a total of £1·1 million during the calendar year 1988 on mangement and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases. No management consultancy contracts were awarded during 1988. The list of computer consultancy contracts awarded during 1988 is as follows:
  43

  Consultants

  Subject of Assignment

  R. H. Wilmott

  A study into the Training Agency's X.400 profile and messaging requirements taking into account "COSIP" message handling system

  M. Wilson

  A consultant to carry out changes to the "Supercalc" system for the staff deployment survey

  Xentec

  Contract programmers for spectrum development work

  Yale Data

  Systems analyst to assist FSR with their development work Consultant to support in-house technical assurance coordinator

  Arthur Young

  A study into the information needs of senior management

  Training Premiums
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has any plans to increase the level of ET premiums in 1989 or 1990.

  Mr. Nicholls
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to increase the training premium part of trainees' allowances. However trainee allowances on employment training (ET) will increase from April 1989 when benefits are uprated.

  Training (Health and Safety)
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he will take following the judgement in the Cain case, to ensure that the establishment of training and enterprise councils will not diminish his final responsibility for the health and safety of both YTS and ET trainees; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cope
  The contract between the Training Agency and training and enterprise councils (TECs) will require each TEC to meet the Government's requirements for the health, safety and welfare of trainees. The TECs will also be required to include conditions and acceptable standards relating to the health, safety and welfare of trainees in their contracts with providers of training. The Department has worked to ensure a high level of health and safety on all its programmes. The TECs will be required through their contract to continue this commitment.

  Redundancy Payments
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how much money has been reimbursed to(a) community programme agents and sponsors; (b) new job training scheme providers; and (c) ET training managers and agents, for redundancy payments during the period from 1 September 1988, up to the most recently available date.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The amounts reimbursed for redundancy payments from 1 September 1988 up to and including February 1989, are as follows:

  (a) —£ 1,683,495;

  (b) —Nil; and

  (c) —£37,250

  Political Vetting
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Brent, East of 1 February,Official Report, column 261, what representations he has received concerning amendments to the terms of the Employment Protection Act 1975 in relation to the political vetting of employees.
  44
  Mr. Nicholls
  My right hon Friend has received five such representations in the last 12 months.

  Youth Training
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the number of deaths and reportable injuries incurred by young workers on YTS schemes for each year of the scheme since inception; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cope
  The YTS accident statistics cannot be broken down into employed and non-employed status. Studies of YTS accidents by independent researchers have, however, shown that YTS trainees are not more at risk than young people of equivalent age in employment outside the programme.

  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many young people aged 16 and 17 years have been unable to obtain, or to take advantage of, an offer of a youth training scheme; and how many of these have been left without benefits.

  Mr. Cope
  The guarantee of an offer of a YTS place to all 16 and 17-year-olds not in full-time education or employment means that there is now no need for young people to be unemployed. I am satisfied that the Training Agency has more than sufficient YTS places available in all parts of the country for those who apply for one.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish forecasts of(a) the numbers unemployed and (b) unemployment rates for 1989–90 to 1991–92 for Scotland, Wales and by region in England.

  Mr. Lee
  The information is not available. The Department does not forecast future levels or rates of unemployment.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish forecasts of the numbers in employment for 1989–90 to 1991–92 for Scotland, Wales and by region in England.

  Mr. Lee
  The information is not available. The Department does not produce forecasts of employment, either in total or by region.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Food Colours
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his Department will provide an estimate of how many food colours at present in use in Britain are not listed in United Kingdom regulations.

  Mr. Ryder
  No food sold may contain any colouring matter other than a colouring matter permitted by the Colouring Matter in Food Regulations 1973, as amended. Enforcement of the regulations is a matter for local authorities. I am not aware of any reports of non-permitted colouring matter being used in food.

  Set-aside
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total estimated cost of set-aside.

  Mr. Ryder
  Payments on land in the United Kingdom set aside in the current crop year will total about £ 11 million. The cost in future years will depend on the extent of further uptake of the scheme.

  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any plans to increase the amount of set-aside for United Kingdom farmers.

  Mr. Ryder
  I shall be inviting further applications under the scheme later this spring. I have no plans to increase the levels of payment.

  Hedgerows
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he intends to introduce any legislation in the next parliamentary session which will provide statutory protection for hedgerows in England and Wales.

  Mr. Ryder
  I have no plans to do so.

  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Denton and Reddish,Official Report 16 February, column 370, whether he has seen the research paper entitled, "Hedgerows: Still a cause for concern," published in the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds conservation review, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement on the conclusions contained in that paper.

  Mr. Ryder
  I was pleased to receive the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds conservation review of 1988, and read with interest the article on hedgerows.

  The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds surveys in north Hertfordshire and west Oxfordshire add to the number of recent surveys on hedgerow loss which have produced varying estimates. I am sure the hon. Member is aware that work is being carried out on improving survey methodologies and that my Department is contributing to this work. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds figures on hedgerow loss are of course related only to a small area, unrepresentative of the country as a whole.

  Nevertheless we are concerned that hedgerows should be maintained in good order if they are to retain their value
  46
  as wildlife habitat, as a landscape feature and as a stock-proof barrier. While this must be a matter for the individual farmers concerned, my Department encourages the maintenance of hedgerows in good condition. Through my agricultural development and advisory service advice is offered to farmers on hedgerow trimming and maintenance and on the time of year when cutting and trimming is best carried out for the benefit of wildlife.

  Slaughtering
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many of the recommendations of the Farm Animal Welfare Council relating to the slaughter of animals have been accepted by him.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The Farm Animal Welfare council has published four reports relating to the slaughter of animals. These contained a total of 185 recommendations on slaughter of which 167 have been accepted, in whole or in part, for implementation by means of legislation, codes of practice, guidance to local authorities or research, as appropriate.

  All but one of 45 recommendations in the report on the welfare of poultry at the time of slaughter (1982) were accepted. The report on the welfare of livestock (red meat animals) at the time of slaughter (1984) contained 117 recommendations of which only 13 were rejected in full. Fifteen of 17 recommendations in the report on the religious slaughter of livestock (1985) and four of six recommendations on slaughter in the report on the welfare of farmed deer (1985) have also been accepted.

  Small Companies (Payments)
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what advice has been given to him by the Intervention Board of the EEC on the payment on account of payments that may be due.

  (2) whether, in the case of non-annex II products, he intends to accelerate payments to British producers under the terms of regulation 3665/87;

  (3) whether he is satisfied that in the case of complex claims by small companies for payments under Commission regulation 3665/87 no delays are currently taking place;

  (4) what representations he has received from smaller companies on delays in payments due under the terms of Commission regulation 3665/87.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The Intervention Board is now in general paying claims for export refunds within 60 days of receipt of appropriate documentation. Exceptionally, more complex claims for non-annex II goods and claims for victualling supplies continue to be delayed. The payment position will be restored for the former in coming weeks and for the latter by the autumn. Payment on account would contravene the provision of EC regulations which require that the conformity of claims with the regulations should be verified prior to payment. This view has been confirmed by European Commission services. The board continues however to make compensation payments on all claims whose payment since 1 January 1988 has been unreasonably delayed under the compensation scheme announced to the House last July.

  Exporters may apply under article 22 of Commission regulation (EEC) No. 3665/87 for advance payment once an export declaration has been accepted, and providing

  47
  that a security is lodged. In practice, the arrangement allows the provisional payment of premium rates of export refund in the same timescale as payments of standard rates. However, the Intervention Board is still required to check conformity with the relevant Community legislation before making the payment. The relative benefit of these different payment procedures is for commercial evaluation.

  Lambs
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what is his Department's response to the practice of using staging posts to facilitate the transport of live exported lambs across Europe.

  (2) if he has any plans to limit the length of time permitted for lambs to spend in transit immediately prior to slaughter;

  (3) what representations he has received calling for the maximum travelling time for lambs prior to slaughter to be limited to 12 hours.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Over the years my Department has received a number of representations calling for maximum travelling times for live food animals to be limited to 12 hours. However EC legislation requires that animals in international transport, should be offered food and water at suitable intervals and should not be left more than 24 hours without being fed and watered. Staging posts exist to fulfil this requirement, and my Department seeks to ensure that they are used on long journeys. The Commission is expected to propose a new regulation on welfare in transit shortly, and meanwhile I have no plans to introduce new measures.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what steps he is taking to encourage the slaughter of lambs prior to export to the countries of the southern European Economic Community;

  (2) what is his Department's response to the increasing practice of transporting live lambs considerable distances across Europe prior to slaughter;

  (3) if he will raise at the next Council of Ministers the increasing practice of transporting live lambs across Europe prior to slaughter;

  (4) whether his Department plans to take steps to encourage the slaughter of lambs for export as close to the farm of origin as possible.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Sheep and lambs have been exported to other member states of the Community for slaughter for many years. Provided that United Kingdom and EC welfare legislation is complied with, I see no need to interfere with this trade.

  Research Funding
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those food and agricultural research programmes and institutes from which funding has been withdrawn during 1987–88, 1988–89 and 1989–90.

  Mr. Ryder
  Overall funding of agricultural, fisheries and food research and development by the Agriculture departments was reduced by £10 million in 1987–88, as part of the Government's policy to encourage industry to 48
  make a greater contribution towards the costs of R and D from which it benefits. Public support remained unchanged in 1988–89, and will be reduced by a further £5 million in 1989–90 under the Government's plans progressively to withdraw funding from near market research. A list of projects indicative of the work considered to be near market in the agriculture and food sectors was deposited in the Library of the House in November 1988. Funding of individual projects within the research programme is under continuous review, and in the natural course of events funding is withdrawn from particular projects as they reach a conclusion. The allocation of available funds for commissioned work to particular institutes is a matter for the Agriculture and Food Research council.

  Pesticides
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many scientists are currently employed by his Department reviewing pesticides currently in use which were in use prior to the Food and Environmental Protection Act 1986.

  Mr. Ryder
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 23 March to the hon. Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark) at column 726.

  Deer
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department is currently sponsoring into the incidence of tuberculosis in deer; and whether he has any programme for the development of vaccine or live-testing techniques; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  A survey is being carried out in selected areas of south-west England on culled wild deer to estimate the prevalence of tuberculosis in free living deer. In addition all wildlife material, including that from deer, that comes to the Ministry's notice, is examined for tuberculosis should there be any cause to suspect its presence. All reports of tuberculosis in farmed deer are investigated. More complete information on the prevalence of the disease will become available when it is made notifiable.

  There is no programme for the development of a vaccine for deer as vaccination would adversely affect the interpretation of tuberculin tests. Work is being carried out at the central veterinary laboratory on the development of a blood test for tuberculosis in deer.

  BST Product Licences
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which scientific or other committees in the United Kingdom or the European Economic Community will be responsible for assessing any application for a BST product licence.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  In the United Kingdom such product licence applications are examined by the veterinary products committee established under section 4 of the Medicines Act. At Community level they are referred to the Committee on Veterinary Medicinal Products for an opinion, in accordance with directive 87/22/EEC on high technology medicinal products, before national licensing authorities reach any decision.

  Strychnine
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether his Department's guidance in the use of strychnine compounds includes reference to the use of such poisons for the control of wild rabbits.

  Mr. Ryder
  My Ministry's guidance makes it clear that strychnine may be used only for the control of moles. We take a very serious view of any abuse of strychnine to poison other creatures.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what criteria have to be met by individuals wishing to obtain permission for the purchase of strychnine compounds for pest control purposes.

  Mr. Ryder
  Authorities to purchase strychnine are issued under the poisons rules only if the applicant demonstrates a need for strychnine for the destruction of moles, is a competent and suitable person, and does not occupy land on which moles are dealt with by a rabbit clearance society. The authority is limited to the amount of strychnine needed to deal with the infestation.

  Company

  Subject

  Management consultancy contracts awarded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in 1988

  Deloitte, Haskins and Sells

  Survey on fees to local veterinary inspectors

  Deloitte, Haskins and Sells

  Relocation of work study

  Agro—Economic Services Ltd.

  Study of impact of single market on agricultural research and development priorities

  Computer consultancy contracts awarded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in 1988

  Kerridge Computer Company Ltd.

  Transfer of work to new computer

  Wootton Jeffreys plc

  Transfer of project control system

  Learmouth and Burchett Management Systems

  Farm survey system full study

  Touche Ross Management Consultants

  Deloitte, Haskins and Sells

  Asterisk Computer Systems Ltd.

  Support to regional administrauve data flow pilot project

  Quanta Learning Systems

  Pergammon Infotech

  Godfrey Durham

  Logica UK Ltd.

  Support to national food survey project

  Asterisk Computer Systems

  System development for Harpenden laboratory

  Asterisk Computer Systems

  System development for legal branch

  Spicer and Oppenheim

  Financial system study for National Institute of Agricultural Botany, Cambridge

  Oracle UK

  Transfer of work to new computer

  Keith London Associates

  PA Consulting Services Ltd.

  Agricultural Development and Advisory Service IT sub-strategy study

  Fisheries sub-strategy study

  Deloitte, Haskins and Sells

  Cost awareness information system development

  Deloitte, Haskins and Sells

  Technical consultancies

  Nolan Norton and Co.

  Software AG of UK

  Deloitte, Haskins and Sells

  IT strategy review

  50
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether strychnine alkaloid has any approved agricultural uses.

  Mr. Ryder
  Strychnine alkaloid is not approved for agricultural use under the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986.

  Computer Consultants
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total amount spent by his Department in 1988 on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases; and if he will list each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by his Department in 1988, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The total amount spent by my Department in 1988 on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases, was £522,735. Contracts awarded in 1988 are as follows:

  Bovine Tuberculosis
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what controls exist to ensure that live cattle imported into the United Kingdom are free from bovine tuberculosis.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Under European Community rules cattle intended for breeding or production imported from other member states must originate from officially tuberculosis-free herds and they must be tested for bovine tuberculosis with negative results in the 30 days before export. Additionally, such cattle imported from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland must be tested again, with negative results, 60 days after import. Cattle intended for slaughter imported from other member states must either originate from officially tuberculosis-free herds or be tested for bovine tuberculosis with negative results in the 30 days before export.

  Head of cattle

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  Breeding cattle

  489

  614

  342

  229

  413

  413

  2,306

  Fats and stores

  133,607

  187,227

  213,253

  217,705

  231,087

  150,573

  174,887

  Calves

  2,394

  2,207

  1,627

  2,625

  429

  109

  510

  Total

  136,490

  190,048

  215,222

  220,559

  231,929

  151,095

  177,703

  Porcine Somatotropin
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has concerning trials of porcine somatotropin.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  No field trials of porcine somatotropin are currently authorised in the United Kingdom.

  Eggs
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is proposing to take to ensure that imported eggs meet the production standards he has set for British eggs.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Egg imports normally come from other EC member states and for both home produced and imported eggs the EC quality requirements are enforced by the agricultural departments and trading standards officers. Using their powers under the Imported Food Regulations 1984 some port health authorities have tested imported eggs for salmonella recently. A more systematic monitoring of imported eggs for salmonella is being set up in consultation with the port health authorities and the public health laboratory service.

  Salmonella should be tackled on an EC-wide basis. Preliminary discussions have already taken place in Brussels on a Commission proposal to deal with a range of zoonoses including salmonella.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list in the Official Report the number of egg packers receiving money under the egg industry scheme of (a) over £200,000, (b) £100 to £200,000, (c) £75 to £100,000 and (d) £50 to £75,000 and less than £50,000.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  [holding answer 23 March 1989]: I am unable to give these details in the form
  52
  Cattle imported from third countries are required to originate from premises which have been free from bovine tuberculosis for the previous 12 months and to be tested for bovine tuberculosis with negative results during a period of at least 30 days isolation on their premises of origin. Cattle from Canada are subject to an additional test during pre-export quarantine.

  Live Cattle Imports
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the numbers of live cattle imported from Ireland for each of the last seven years.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The numbers of cattle imported into the United Kingdom from the Republic of Ireland were as follows:

  requested as this would lead to the disclosure of information that could be attributed to particular packers. But six egg packers in the United Kingdom received total payments of £50,000 or more; and 657 egg packers received smaller sums.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has made any assessment of the likely hazard to human health from the consumption of animal production derived from cattle incubating bovine spongiform encephalopathy prior to the onset of clinical signs of bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The Southwood report concludes that it is most unlikely that bovine spongiform encephalopathy will have any implications for human health.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) whether he has any estimate of the likely future incidence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy;

  (2) what evidence he has of the likely incidence of cattle incubation of bovine spongiform encephalopathy but not showing clinical signs.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Stretford (Mr. Lloyd) on 13 March at column 78.

  Quarantine
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to announce revised regulations for animal quarantine premises; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Quarantine premises must meet prescribed standards and be aproved by my Department as
  53
  providing appropriate safeguards against the introduction of animal diseases. My Department will shortly be writing to the operators of quarantine kennels about revised conditions for their operation.

  Potatoes
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has as to the average price of potatoes per kilo to the domestic consumer in each European Community country in each of the past five years.

  Mr. Ryder
  I regret that the information requested is not readily available.

  Slaughterhouses
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many prosecutions for breaches of the Slaughterhouse Act 1974 there have been in(a) 1987 and (b)

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Enforcement of the Slaughterhouses Act 1974 is the responsibility of local authorities. Information on the number of prosecutions is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is proposing to improve the inspection of slaughterhouses; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Local authorities are responsible for enforcing the legislation and members of the state veterinary service visit abattoirs to monitor standards and give advice.

  The Government propose to make it a statutory requirement for local authorities to designate an official to be formally responsible for the supervision and enforcement of welfare requirements in slaughterhouses.

  Slaughterhouse Workers
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will consider outlawing the piece rate method of paying slaughterhouse workers.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  No. It is the responsibility of all involved to ensure that welfare and hygiene requirements are observed irrespective of the methods of payment to workers in abattoirs.

  Livestock (Slaughter)
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research is being carried out into the advantages of high voltage stun and kill systems as recommended by the Farm Animal Welfare Council's 1984 report on the welfare of livestock at the time of slaughter.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The research which the Farm Animal Welfare Council recommended was commissioned by my Department. This has shown that the high current required to induce cardiac arrest in sheep and pigs will always instantaneously render the animals insensible to pain. Work into other aspects of high voltage stunning is continuing.
  54
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he intends to introduce the legislation and codes referred to in the Government response to the Farm Animal Welfare Council's 1984 report on the welfare of livestock animals at the time of slaughter; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I expect to issue proposals For new regulations on the welfare of all animals at slaughter shortly. The codes of practice will be issued under new enabling powers which is it is proposed to take in primary legislation as soon as parliamentary time permits.

  Sole
  Mr. Anthony Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total volume of imported sole from Holland landed in the United Kingdom in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The total tonnage of fresh, chilled and frozen sole imported from the Netherlands into the United Kingdom was as follows:

  Year

  Tonnes

  1986

  667

  1987

  589

  1988

  1613

  1 Provisional.

  Source: Customs and Excise Overseas Trade Statistics.

  Imports are unrestricted, and levels reflect market supply and demand.

  Eggs
  Mr. Crowther
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, pursuant to his answer of 16 January,Official Report, column 51, he will ensure that all eggs are marked so as to show whether they are produced in a battery, free range or otherwise.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  EC regulations on marketing standards for eggs do not permit the method of production to be stamped on the egg although, as I indicated in my previous answer, eggs produced under alternative systems to the battery may be marketed in packs bearing the appropriate designation of the production system.

  Consumer interests have indicated that they would not welcome a change in the legislation to require the marking of eggs.

  Bovine Tuberculosis (Badgers)
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what has been the annual cost of the bovine tuberculosis eradication scheme for each of the last seven years;

  (2) when he intends to review the progress of the bovine tuberculosis eradication scheme; what is his assessment of the success of the scheme to date; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what research his Department is currently funding into the development of a vaccine against bovine tuberculosis in badgers;

  (4) when he proposes to authorise field trials for vaccine against bovine tuberculosis in badgers;
  55
  (5) how many badgers were removed in 1988, by parish; and how many were subsequently proved to be tuberculoid in those cases where prior approval of the consultative panel was required;

  (6) if he will publish a table showing for each parish in 1988 the number of badgers taken by his Department under his badger control strategy and the number subsequently shown by post-mortem examination to be tuberculoid;

  (7) what proportion of those badgers killed in the bovine tuberculosis eradication scheme have subsequently been proven to be infected with tuberculosis;

  (8) how many badgers have been killed in the bovine tuberculosis eradication scheme over each of the last seven years;

  (9) what information he has on the proportion of badgers infected with tuberculosis that are infective to cattle and other badgers;

  (10) what progress his Department is making on the live testing of badgers for tuberculosis; and when he expects the results of field trials to be available;

  (11) what is the proportion of cattle slaughtered as suspected cases of bovine tuberculosis which are subsequently discovered not to be suffering from the

  Total Cost of the Scheme (£ million)

  Of which Compensation £

  Cattle

  Badgers

  1982

  n/a

  250,782

  614

  1,005

  1983

  n/a

  295,469

  677

  1,239

  1984

  6·3

  284,613

  746

  1,337

  1985

  7·6

  337,806

  863

  1,115

  1986

  7·1

  310,399

  645

  782

  1987

  6·7

  525,447

  1,173

  711

  1988

  6·5

  368,158

  782

  774

  All animals in which disease is confirmed must be considered as potentially infective to other cattle and badgers. Of the cattle slaughtered in 1988, disease was confirmed by laboratory examination in 36 per cent. Disease was confirmed in 29 per cent. of the badgers taken in the same year. It cannot be assumed, in the case of either cattle or badgers, that the remainder were unaffected.

  Details, by parish, of the number of badgers killed in 1988 and the number in which tuberculosis was confirmed are given in the table.

  County and parish

  Number taken

  Number positive

  Type I

  Avon

  Balheaston

  4

  0

  Cold Ashton

  23

  1

  Hawkesbury

  25

  18

  Marshfield

  17

  8

  St. Catherine

  2

  1

  Yate

  36

  9

  Cornwall

  Feock

  8

  5

  Lanlivery

  17

  6

  Linkinhorne

  31

  3

  Mabe

  9

  2

  St. Cleer

  2

  0

  St. Ive

  1

  0

  St. Teath

  4

  2

  Sancreed

  1

  0

  South Hill

  1

  1

  56
  disease; and what is the number of cattle slaughtered as suspected cases of bovine tuberculosis in each of the last seven years;

  (12) what is the total disbursed in each of the last seven years as compensation to farmers whose cattle have been slaughtered as suspected cases of bovine tuberculosis;

  (13) whether he intends commissioning a formal review of the badger control element of his bovine tuberculosis eradication programme;

  (14) if he willlist the members of his badger panel and indicate for each member his qualification and expertise;

  (15) whether he has made any assessment of the effectiveness of the badger including element of his bovine tuberculosis eradication programme;

  (16) what evaluation he has made of the cost-effectiveness of the development and possible applications of live-testing techniques for bovine tuberculosis in badgers;

  (17) whether he is currently considering any alternatives to budger culling in his programme to eradicate bovine tuberculosis in badger areas.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The annual cost of the bovine tuberculosis eradication scheme (which relates to action taken in respect of tuberculosis in cattle, badgers and latterly deer), including compensation for cattle, and the number of cattle and badgers killed under it during the last seven years are set out in the table.

  County and parish

  Number taken

  Number positive

  Week St. Mary

  5

  0

  Devon

  Bradworthy

  10

  2

  Chagford

  35

  11

  Hartland

  4

  1

  Holne

  24

  6

  Holsworthy Hamlets

  17

  3

  Lustleigh

  13

  0

  Milton Damorel

  22

  0

  North Bovey

  31

  7

  Sutcombe

  1

  1

  Widecombe in the Moor

  9

  3

  Woolfordisworthy near Bideford

  11

  2

  Dorset

  Beaminster

  4

  1

  Burleston

  2

  1

  Dewlish

  4

  1

  Puddletown

  7

  2

  Stoke Abbott

  13

  2

  Gloucester

  Boxwell with Leighterton

  7

  3

  Brockworth

  6

  4

  Edgeworth

  56

  28

  Long Newnton

  28

  8

  Newent

  6

  0

  Owlpen

  7

  2

  Painswick

  2

  0

  Pauntley

  13

  5

  Prestbury

  37

  28

  57

  County and parish

  Number taken

  Number positive

  Shipton Moyne

  28

  5

  Stroud

  4

  0

  Tetbury Upton

  3

  2

  Uley

  24

  9

  Somerset

  Cheddar

  6

  0

  Rodney Stoke

  15

  1

  Westbury

  2

  0

  Wiltshire

  Luckington

  1

  0

  3

  0

  St. Paul Malmesbury Without

  1

  0

  Type II

  Cornwall

  Newquay

  7

  0

  Menheniot

  1

  0

  St. Martin

  13

  0

  Devon

  Hollacombe

  3

  0

  Thornbury

  5

  0

  Dartmoor Forest*

  8

  0

  Avon

  Swainswick*

  3

  1

  Name

  Mr. M. T. Thomasin-Foster

  Chairman (Vice-Chairman of the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group)

  Representing:

  Mr. R. J. Badcock

  National Farmers' Union

  Lady Bolitho

  County Landowners' Association

  Mr. C. P. Booty

  Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

  Mr. R. Ewbank

  Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

  Dr. D. Jefferies

  Nature Conservancy Council

  Professor H. E. M. Kay

  Royal Society for Nature Conservation

  Dr. D. W. MacDonald

  Fauna and Flora Preservation Society

  Dr. A. McDiarmid

  Expert on Diseases in Wildlife

  Mr. R. M. Meyer

  National Federation of Badger Groups

  Dr. E. Neal

  Eminent Authority on Badgers

  Mr. R. Neville

  TGWU Agricultural and Allied Workers National Trade Group

  Dr. J. L. Stanford

  Microbiologist, Middlesex Hospital

  Mr. J. Sterry

  British Veterinary Association

  Mr. E. R. Thomas

  Dairy Farmer, Carmarthen

  Mr. H. V. Thompson

  Mammal Society

  Possible alternative methods of badger control are being investigated. Research work to develop a reliable vaccine has been carried out at the Middlesex hospital. Further work will be necessary before field trials to determine the efficacy of such a vaccine can commence. Work is also under way on the development of a test in the live animal. If such a test can be developed it should enable control operations to be targeted more effectively.

  The badger panel is responsible for keeping under review the evidence relating to bovine tuberculosis in badgers. This is an ongoing process designed to supplement the formal reviews undertaken by Lord Zuckerman and Professor Dunnet. In his 1986 report, Professor Dunnet recommended that the badger strategy should be considered either three or five years after its adoption if there was evidence of a significant increase in herd breakdowns. It is intended to follow this recommendation in considering future policy.

  The scheme has resulted in a significant reduction in the incidence of disease in cattle. Many areas of the country
  58

  County and parish

  Number taken

  Number positive

  Dorset

  Milton Abbas

  45

  8

  Netherbury

  2

  0

  Gloucester

  Southrop

  1

  0

  Upton St. Leonards*

  10

  7

  Cheltenham Borough*

  5

  0

  Kingswood*

  5

  1

  Wiltshire

  Christian Malford

  1

  0

  Dyfed

  Castlebythe

  6

  0

  Little Newcastle

  15

  0

  Puncheston

  2

  0

  * Formed part of Type I operations where adjoining land was involved.

  Type I operations are those which are approved departmentally and take place within badger problem areas. These are defined as parishes in which there has been at least one cattle breakdown of apparent badger origin within the previous six years. Type II operations take place in areas outside badger problem areas and require the agreement of the badger panel.

  The current membership of the panel is as follows:

  are now virtually free from the disease, although it is proving more difficult in the south-west because of infection in the local badger population.

  Sheep Dip
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what grants are available for farmers to re-site their sheep-dipping facilities away from the edge of water courses.

  Mr. Ryder
  [holding answer 23 March 1989]: Under the farm and conservation grant scheme grant is not available for farm buildings and associated animal husbandry facilities, including those intended for use in the gathering and treatment of livestock. Thus, for example, sheep dips and associated gathering pens are not eligible for grant aid. Where a farmer has an existing plan approved under one of the earlier grant schemes, this may contain sheep

  59
  dipping facilities. In these circumstances grant is still payable. The present capital grant scheme continues to aid facilities for the safe disposal of spent sheepdip.

  Abattoirs (Statistics)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the number and type of animals which were processed in the United Kingdom in

  (Million head)

  Adult Cattle and Calves

  Sheep

  Pigs

  Total

  EC Export Approved

  Non EC Export Approved

  EC Export Approved

  Non EC Export Approved

  EC Export Approved

  Non EC Export Approved

  EC Export Approved

  Non EC Export Approved

  1985

  2·4

  1·9

  6·7

  9·2

  5·4

  9·9

  14·5

  21·0

  1986

  2·1

  1·8

  6·6

  8·9

  5·7

  9·9

  14·4

  20·6

  19871

  2·2

  1·9

  7·1

  8·7

  5·9

  10·0

  15·2

  20·6

  1988

  1·8

  1·6

  8·2

  8·9

  6·2

  9·5

  16·2

  20·0

  Figures of the numbers of horses and goats slaughtered at abattoirs are not collected.

  1 53 weeks.

  Meat Statistics
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much meat was consumed in the United Kingdom from the non-European Community approved abattoirs in 1988.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  [holding answer 20 March 1989]: It is provisionally estimated that just over 1·2 million tonnes of carcase meat (cattle, sheep, pigs) was produced in non-EC export-approved abattoirs in the United Kingdom in 1988. Most of this will have been consumed or processed in the United Kingdom.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much meat from European Community approved abattoirs in the United Kingdom was(a) exported and (b) consumed in the United Kingdom in 1988.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  [holding answer 20 March 1989]: It is provisionally estimated that just over 1·1 million tonnes of carcase meat (cattle, pigs and sheep) was produced in EC export-approved abattoirs in the United Kingdom in 1988. Of this about 23 per cent. will have been exported and 3½ per cent. sold into intervention. The remainder will have been sold for consumption or processing in the United Kingdom.

PRIME MINISTER

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations she has received regarding the current level of employment.

  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations she has received regarding the current level of employment.

  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations she has received regarding the current level of employment.

  The Prime Minister
  I have received a number of representations about the level of employment. The workforce in employment has been on a rising trend for more than five years and now stands at the highest level ever seen at 25,807,000.
  60
  (a) European Community approved abattoirs and

  (b) non-European Community approved abattoirs for each of the last eight years.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  [holding answer 20 March 1989]: Figures are available only for the last four years and are based on abattoirs with EC export approval as at the end of 1988. Latest estimates are:

  President Gorbachev
  Mr. Marland
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations she has received regarding the visit of President Gorbachev.

  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations she has received regarding the visit of President Gorbachev.

  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations she has received regarding the visit of President Gorbachev.

  The Prime Minister
  I have received representations about a wide range of issues, in particular human rights in the Soviet Union. I shall of course be taking up this question with Mr. Gorbachev.

  NATO
  Mr. Neil Thorne
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations she has received regarding the United Kingdom relationship with its allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

  Mr. Iain Mills
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations she has received regarding the United Kingdom relationship with its allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

  Sir Anthony Grant
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations she has received regarding the United Kingdom relationship with its allies in NATO.

  The Prime Minister
  I have not received any recent representations, although I am regularly involved in a range of matters regarding the United Kingdom's relationship with the Allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. Today, of course, marks the 40th anniversary of NATO's foundation. During that time, the Alliance has been uniquely successful in preserving peace in Europe and in providing the basis for the prosperity and stability that we all enjoy.

  Rain Forests
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government on the
  61
  arrangements known as debt-for-nature swap, in relation to helping Governments with substantial areas of rain forest at risk.

  The Prime Minister
  We welcome debt for nature swaps agreed voluntarily between commercial banks and debtors. Arrangements whereby conservation organisations can benefit from the secondary market discount on commercial bank debt can provide valuable additional resources for the environment. But their role is likely to remain limited.

  Kington Magna
  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will pay an official visit to Kington Magna.

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

  Willoughby
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has any plans to make an official visit to Willoughby near Ruby.

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

  Select Committee Reports
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Prime Minister what is the average length of time it has taken each Government Department respectively, to reply to Select Committee reports; what is the shortest time taken to respond; and what is the longest, since May 1979.

  The Prime Minister
  On the basis of material readily available, the departmental estimates of information requested are as follows:

  Time in days

  Department

  Average

  Shortest

  Longest

  Agriculture

  94

  77

  120

  Defence

  98

  23

  323

  Education

  153

  15

  450

  Employment

  97

  5

  209

  Energy

  65

  11

  147

  Environment

  139

  12

  397

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office (including ODA)

  87

  11

  272

  Health and Social Security1

  148

  14

  365

  Home Office

  140

  26

  365

  Office of the Minister for the Civil Service

  82

  63

  105

  Scottish Office

  128

  33

  392

  Trade and Industry

  78

  14

  224

  Transport

  155

  31

  351

  Treasury

  69

  28

  232

  Welsh Office

  156

  36

  360

  1 Became two separate departments in July 1988.

  Homelessness
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Prime Minister whether she intends to take any initiatives to reduce the level of homelessness amongst young people under 21 years of age.

  The Prime Minister
  The Government are currently reviewing the homelessness legislation. It is too early to comment on any specific initiatives which may follow.

  Economy (Press Notice)
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will give fixed capital expenditure of the economy at current and 1985 prices for division 0 to 9, both in total and individually for each year 1986, 1987 and 1988 consistent with the figures published by the CSO in the 17 March 1989 press notice (89) 28, "Gross Domestic Product Fourth Quarter and Year 1988".

  The Prime Minister
  The latest estimates of fixed capital expenditure by the industries classified to divisions 0 to 9 are given in total in the table. An industrial analysis of these figures is not yet available. Some industrial detail will be published, as usual, in the regular "National Income and Expenditure" article in the CSO'sEconomic Trends for April 1989.

  Gross domestic fixed capital formation by all industries in divisions 0 to 9, (excluding dwellings and net purchases of land and existing buildings and associated transfer costs).

  £ million

  1986

  1987

  1988

  Current prices

  47,258

  53,834

  62,494

  Constant 1985 prices

  45,416

  49,600

  55,880

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will give a source, date and reference specifying to which set of earlier figures the upward adjustments given on page 7 of the CSO press notice of 17 March 1989 (89) 28 "Gross Domestic Product Fourth Quarter and Year 1988" refer.

  The Prime Minister
  The adjustments attach to the latest estimates of gross domestic fixed capital formation derived from CSO's quarterly data collection system, not to previously published estimates. They are designed to anticipate better the final figures when full information is available from annual inquiries.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Prime Minister when she anticipates the full information of a fixed investment and its sectoral and industrial composition mentioned on page 7 of the LSO press notice of 17 March 1989 will be available.

  The Prime Minister
  More detailed estimates than those currently available will be published in "UK National Accounts" 1989 edition in September. Estimates for 1988 will as usual still be provisional at that stage. Such additional information as is available before then will be incorporated in the figures in the regular quarterly articles on "national income and expenditure" in the CSO'sEconomic Trends, April and July 1989 issues.

  Computer Consultants
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister what was the total amount spent by the Cabinet Office in 1988 on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases; and if she will list each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by the Cabinet Office in 1988, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment.

  The Prime Minister
  The following is the information.
  63

  Firm

  Assignment

  Training Development Approaches Ltd.

  Design of a manual in support of the young people programme

  Industrial Training Service Ltd.

  Production of a guide on conducting training needs analyses

  Erwin Scheider

  Feasibility study for a computerised management information system

  WRM Ltd.

  Training information and communications study

  Arthur Young Management Consultants

  Evaluation of future information technology requirements

  PA Personnel Services

  Analysis of executive officer and fast stream recruitments

  Questel Qualitative Studies Ltd.1

  Audit of recruitment publicity

  Anne Hughes Hallett1

  Research into career attitudes

  University of London Institute of Education

  Analysis of recruitment competition data

  Human Assets Ltd.

  Study of information officers recruitment procedures

  Equalities Associates

  Guidelines for trainers on equal opportunities issues

  Fact Index Ltd.

  Enhancements to computer network system

  Ashbridge Management College

  Study of Women's National Commission

  Central Legal Systems Ltd.1; Yale Data Computer Consultants1

  User requirement and business case for statute law database

  1 Costs for these studies were shared with other Government Departments.

  Security
  Mr. Ken Livingstone
  To ask the Prime Minister, if she will make a statement on the progress in implementing each of the recommendations contained in the statement on the recommendations of the Security Commission; Cmnd. 8540, May 1982.

  The Prime Minister
  All the recommendations have been implemented.

  Mr. Colin Wallace
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Prime Minister, if she will publish in the Official Report the text of the letter from her to the hon. Member for Brent, East on 13 February about Mr. Colin Wallace and related matters.

  The Prime Minister
  No. It is not my usual practice to publish exchanges of this kind.

  Security Vetting (Indecency)
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will make it her policy that a conviction for indecency shall be grounds for refusing vetting clearance.

  The Prime Minister
  Each case is considered on its merits.

  Life Sentences
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Prime Minister what is the average length of a life sentence served in(a) England and (b)Northern Ireland.

  The Prime Minister
  The average time served under sentence in prison service establishments in England and Wales by those first released on licence from a life sentence in the three years 1985 to 1987 was about 104 years. A comparable figure for Northern Ireland is not readily available. The average time spent in custody, including on remand, by those first released from prison service establishments in Northern Ireland from a life sentence in the same three years was just over 11 years. These average figures do not take account of the longest periods being served by some of those given life sentences following abolition of capital punishment who have not yet been released.

  Engagements
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 4 April.
  64
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 4 April.

  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Prime Minister, if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 4 April.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 4 April.

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

TRANSPORT

  Cambridge-King's Lynn Line
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library the basis and calculations used to determine the discounted rate of return on the £20 million expenditure in the electrification of the Cambridge-King's Lynn railway line.

  Mr. Portillo
  The scheme was appraised in the normal way, as described in paragraphs 61 and 62 of the Department of Transport's memorandum to the Select Committee on Transport's examination of the financing of rail services. The board evaluated many options including bus substitution, a DMU shuttle service between Cambridge and King's Lynn, and full electrification. The additional cost of electrification was shown to earn a financial return, at a 7 per cent. discount rate, when compared with all other options, and the project was approved on that basis.

  Computer Consultants
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the total amount spent by his Department in 1988 on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases; and if he will list each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by his Department in 1988, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The total amount spent by the Department in 1988 on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases, was £1·89 million.

  Comprehensive records of all contracts with consultancy firms are not at present held centrally. It would be

  65
  disproportionately expensive to collect all the information

  Firm

  Subject of Assignment

  AIMS

  Structured systems analysis design and methodology

  B. T. Marketing Services

  Sale of vehicle registration marks

  CACI

  Data administrator

  CACI

  Land/property management

  CACI

  NIS Stage 1 + development

  CCTA

  H & T security review

  Computer Search & Selection

  Fishing vessels system developments

  Coopers & Lybrand

  Advice on the Department's IT strategy

  Coopers & Lybrand

  Executive Agency (DVL)

  D. E. Barnard Systems

  QA/technical review

  Dunsmore Data & Info

  NIS works data site application

  EASAMS

  NIS works data application

  EASAMS

  NIS database administration

  FORVUS

  Advice to statistics on access to DVLC data

  Halcrow Fox Association

  QUADRO development

  Howard Humphries

  Bridges database merge

  KPMG

  NIS design configuration

  KPMG

  RMMS support/testing

  Logsys

  RCPI database

  Logsys

  Highways inquiries system

  Logsys

  Severn bridge tolls database

  Mott Hay & Anderson

  HRM enhancement/maintenance

  Mott Hay & Anderson

  STRAND/GRIDS maintenance

  Mott Hay & Anderson

  ARCADY/PICADY maintanence

  MVA Systematica

  COBA10 development

  MVA Systematica

  CIDEL maintenance

  MVA Systematica

  OSCADY maintenance

  Peat Marwick McLintock

  Design of IFCOS accounting system

  Peat Marwick McLintock

  Vehicle inspectorate accounting system—project control

  Perth Crest

  Winter fleet stock control

  Price Waterhouse

  H & T IT strategy development

  RTI

  INGRES database review

  SCICON

  Enhancement to chemical and oil spill system

  S. G. Bisson

  Geotechnical database

  S. G. Bisson

  NaRIS enhancement

  S. G. Bisson

  Consultants' performance database

  SIA

  NISL CHART interface Stage II

  Software AG

  Drivers 90's harmonisation project

  Transport Planning Association

  ROADWAY maintenance

  Transport Planning Association

  ROADWAY enhancement

  W. S. Atkins

  SCRIM project definition

  Wootton Jeffreys

  URECA enhancement

  Wootton Jeffreys

  COBA/QUADRO maintenance

  Dangerous Loads
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce regulations to provide training for drivers of motor vehicles carrying dangerous, inflammable and explosive substances, and compulsory notices of the contents of motor vehicles listing the contents with criminal sanctions for failure to comply; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The Dangerous Substances (Conveyance by Road in Road Tankers and Tank Containers) Regulations 1981 and the Road Traffic (Carriage of Dangerous Substances in Packages etc.) Regulations 1986 require drivers to be trained so that they understand both the nature of the dangers to which the substance(s) being carried may give rise and any emergency action which should be taken as well as their duties under the regulations.

  The new Carriage of Explosives by Road Regulations will contain a similar provision.

  The national (dangerous substances) driver training scheme, sponsored by industry, provides a network of
  66
  required. The following list identifies those management and computing consultancies which began in 1988 and are valued at 10,000 or more.

  training centres throughout the United Kingdom which offer courses for drivers on different types of dangerous loads. This system works well.

  The road tanker regulations require tank vehicles to display placards indicating by means of known code numbers the substances carried and the appropriate emergency response action. Vehicles carrying more than 500kg of packaged dangerous goods must display the blank orange plate to alert the emergency services, but listing such dangerous goods would not be practicable. As I told the House on 23 March, the new carriage of explosives regulations will require the display of the orange plate, as well as descriptive placards for the most dangerous explosives.

  Failure to comply with any United Kingdom legislation in this field is an offence. It is a matter for the courts to decide upon the level of appropriate fines, which can be unlimited upon indictment.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to prohibit the transportation of detonators, fuses and explosives together; and if he will make a statement.
  67
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The new regulations to be laid before the House, governing the carriage of explosives by road, are based on the internationally recognised UN system of classification of danger in transport. So are the other United Kingdom road regulations in this field.

  Under the UN system, explosives are assigned to compatibility groups by either the Health and Safety Executive or the Ministry of Defence. This allocation into groups depends upon, for example, the sensitivity of the explosive, whether or not it contains its own means of ignition and whether or not it has any independent safety feature.

  During drafting of the new regulations careful consideration was given to the question of ensuring safety when mixed loads are carried on the same vehicle. The requirement will be that where detonators, fuses and other explosives are carried together, effective measures must be taken to ensure that such carriage is as safe as if only one type of explosive were being carried.

  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what new steps he is taking to ensure that in future local fire chiefs receive advance warning of explosive or dangerous loads travelling through an area by road or rail.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  It would not be practicable for fire or police services to be notified prior to every movement of a dangerous substance.

  The new Carriage of Explosives by Road Regulations, which should be laid before the House next week, will contain a requirement for the route to be followed to be agreed with the relevant chief officers of police when a large load of the most dangerous types of explosive is being carried.

  Cleaning (Stoke-on-Trent)
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much extra money will be paid to highway authorities in Stoke-on-Trent, north; and which sites will be covered under his clean-up.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  A £1 million litter clearing campaign on motorways and trunk roads was launched by the Department on 17 March. The A500 and A34/A50 trunk roads in Stoke-on-Trent, north will be cleaned during the next few weeks by Staffordshire county council, acting as our agent. Detailed costs are not available.

  Mrs. Edwina Crantham (Heavy Goods Licence)
  Mr. Jessel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when he intends to reissue a heavy goods vehicle licence to replace licence 14/N/A 008 618 for Mrs. Edwina Crantham;

  (2) if he will call for a report from the Metropolitan traffic commissioners as to when they intend to replace heavy goods vehicle licence No. 14/N/A 008 618, class 3 and 3A for Mrs. Edwina Crantham.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The licence was renewed for three years on 14 March 1989.

  Headcorn Aerodrome
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress he has made in deciding whether to designate Headcorn aerodrome for consultative purposes.
  68
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport is considering the designation of several new aerodromes including Headcorn for consultation purposes. He hopes to make an order shortly.

  Mr. Fry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many motor vehicles involved in fatal accidents during 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1988 were driven by disqualified drivers;

  (2) how many motor vehicles involved in fatal accidents during 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1988 have been stolen or taken illegally without the owner's consent;

  (3) how many motor vehicles involved in fatal accidents during 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1988 were driven by uninsured drivers.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The information requested is not collected on the STATS19 road accident report form.

  Mr. Fry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many motor vehicles involved in fatal accidents in 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1988 were driven by drivers who were under legal age to drive on public roads or who were otherwise driving without legal authority.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  In fatal road accidents in 1985 there were 42 motor vehicles whose driver or rider was under the legal age to drive that vehicle; in 1986 there were 38 such vehicles and in 1987 there were 40. Figures for 1988 are not yet available.

  It is not possible to obtain figures for those drivers who were otherwise driving without legal authority.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Bottles and Papers
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Leader of the House what plans he has to stage collection points for bottles and papers in the House.

  Mr. Wakeham
  Arrangements already exist in the Palace of Westminster for the collection of bottles and papers. The Property Services Agency has commissioned a study into the effective collection and disposal of all types of waste and have had discussions with the relevant departments of both Houses. Their recommendations will be considered in due course by the relevant sub-committee of the Services Committee.

  Recycled Paper
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Leader of the House what percentage of paper used in the House of Commons is recycled paper.

  Mr. Wakeham
  It is not possible to identify this percentage.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what plans he has to use recycled paper in the House of Commons.

  Mr. Wakeham
  Her Majesty's Stationery Office already supplies the House with buff envelopes, ruled writing paper, file covers, note books, index books, lavatory paper and waste paper sacks, which all contain at least 50 per cent. recycled material. The Accommodation and
  69
  Administration Sub-Committee has instructed the House authorities and HMSO to keep it informed of any significant developments which will enable the use of recycled paper to be extended.

  Division Bells
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what information he has as to how many authorisations have been granted for the installation of Division bells in research assistants' private flats and homes.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Workington (Mr. Campbell-Savours) on 23 March at column 696.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Selective Investment Brokers Limited
  Sir Charles Morrison
  To ask the Attorney-General what advice regarding further inquiries into the affairs of Selective Investment Brokers Limited was recommended by the Wiltshire police to the Director of Public Prosecutions in their report; and what action was taken.

  The Attorney-General
  In May 1987 the Wiltshire constabulary submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions a report regarding their inquiries into the affairs of Selective Investment Brokers Limited. That report did not disclose sufficient evidence to justify the institution of criminal proceedings. Subsequently, further evidence became available which has resulted in Mr. Anthony Wheeler, the sole director of Selective Investment Brokers Limited, being charged with theft. Investigations into the matter are continuing.

  Computer Consultants
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Attorney-General what was the total amount spent by the Land Registry in 1988 on management and computer consultancy contracts excluding hardware and software purchases.

  The Attorney-General
  The total amount spent by the Land Registry in 1988 on management consultancy contracts was £1,372 and on computer consultancy contracts £13,080, excluding hardware and software purchases.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by the Land Registry in 1988, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment.

  The Attorney-General
  Management and computer consultancy contracts were awarded by the Land Registry in 1988 as follows:

  (i) Management Consultancy

  Roland Long Limited:

  A survey designed to improve staff and management communication at one district land registry.

  (ii) Computer Consultancy

  IBM (UK) Limited:

  A system evaluation to investigate and improve the use of the central processing unit of the department's main computer.

  70

  Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency:

  A Departmental Support Agreement to provide continuing technical advice, support and an information technology procurement service.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Attorney-General what was the total amount spent by his Department in 1988 on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases.

  The Attorney-General
  Nil.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by his Department in 1988, giving in each case he name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment.

  The Attorney-General
  No management or computer consultancy contract was awarded by the Law Officers' Department in 1988.

  Mr. Martin Foran
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Attorney-General whether he will paaaacute for assaulting Martin Foran the four prison officers from Walton prison against whom £750 damages were awarded in favour of Mr. Foran at Newport county court.

  The Attorney-General
  No. Such proceedings would not be in conformity with the code for Crown paaaacutors. I add, in the interests of accuracy, that in the civil proceedings to which the hon. Member refers the action was stayed upon terms that £750 be paid to the plaintiff, with costs. No admission of liability was made.

  Middlesex Guildhall Collection
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Attorney-General what items from the Middlesex Guildhall collection will be on display in time for the official opening of the refurbished court house on 5 April; and what financial contribution has been made to the London residuary body in respect of the display of such items.

  The Attorney-General
  The items from the Middlesex Guildhall collection which will be on display for the official opening of the refurbished court house on 5 April are:

  Gilt framed oil painting of Sir Montague Sharpe by G. Spencer Watson.

  Gilt framed oil painting of Sir Filfred Craig by Harold Knight.

  Gilt framed oil painting of Sir Ralph Littler by Beatrice Offor.

  Gilt framed oil painting of Thomas Forster by T. C. Dugdale.

  Gilt framed oil painting of the Duke of Bedford by John Collier.

  Gilt framed oil painting of Francis Const by unknown artist.

  Gilt framed oil painting of Sir Baptist Hikes attributed to Paul Van Somer.

  Three framed documents commemorating the first authorisation by the British Parliament of the Establishment of Maritime Courts by the Allied and Associated Foreign Powers in the United Kingdom during the Second World War.

  The Lord Chancellor's Department has agreed to meet the costs of removing these items from the county hall to Middlesex Guildhall, the hanging of the items in the Middlesex Guildhall and the cost of insuring the items against loss or damage by fire and theft.

HEALTH

  Occupational Therapists
  Mr. Gow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many additional occupational therapists are required by the south east Thames regional health authority; and what steps are being taken to diminish the shortage.

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

  Food Poisoning
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give a breakdown of figures within the Trent regional health authority for the latest year that he has figures for food poisoning according to numbers and types of cases associated with(a) fish, (b) meat,(c) vegetables, (d) eggs and (e) other foods; and if he will give figures for each district health authority.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The information is not available centrally in precisely the form requested.

  The table gives the total number of notifications of food poisoning for Trent regional health authority by county for 1987, the latest year for which figures are available. No information is available centrally on the cause of infection.

  Number

  Lincolnshire

  227

  Leicestershire

  327

  Nottinghamshire

  621

  Derbyshire

  400

  South Yorkshire

  674

  Total Trent RHA

  2,249

  Residential Homes
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many registrations have been cancelled under the provisions of section 30 of the Residential Homes Act 1984 in each year since its implementation.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many registrations by region have been(a) made and (b) cancelled under the provision of section 30 of the Residential Homes Act 1984 in each year since its implementation.

  Mr. Mellor
  The number of cancelled registrations notified to the Department in respect of each region under the provisions of section 30 of the Registered Homes Act 1984 since it came into operation on 1 January 1985 is as follows.

  Type of home

  Number of residents as at 31 March 1987 (provisional)

  Costs to LAs for year

  Under 65 Years

  65 years and over

  1986–87

  supported by local authority

  Total

  supported by local authority

  Total

  Gross1 £ million

  Net2 £ million

  Local authority

  4,234

  4,234

  100,594

  100,594

  697·9

  415·7

  Private

  93

  33,214

  558

  484,852

  529·1

  521·3

  Voluntary

  2,373

  34,848

  3,277

  425,068

  1 Excludes expenditure on administration, training and field work.

  2 Of charges paid by residents.

  3 Includes residents whose age is not known in homes for younger physically handicapped people.

  72

  Region

  Year

  Number

  Trent regional health authority

  1985

  1

  South East Thames regional health authority

  1986

  1

  Wessex regional health authority

  South East Thames regional health authority

  1987

  2

  Northern regional health authority

  Yorkshire regional health authority

  South West Thames regional health authority

  1988

  3

  Registration is a function of district health authorities and local authorities. The number of new reigstrations is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many persons have had applications for registration rejected under the Residential Homes Act 1984 in each year since its implementation;

  (2) how many unregistered residential homes have been discovered by registering authorities under the Residential Homes Act 1984 in each year since its implementation;

  (3) how many persons, on a full-time equivalent basis, are employed in inspection of residential homes under the Residential Homes Act 1984 in each of the registration authorities.

  Mr. Mellor
  We do not hold this information centrally.

  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many persons aged 65 yearsand over were in(a) local authority, (b) voluntary and (c) private residential homes in the latest year for which statistics are available;

  (2) what was the total cost of maintaining persons aged 65 years and over in residential homes run by local authorities in the lates year for which statistics are available; and what was the average cost per person;

  (3) what was the total cost to local authorities of maintaining persons aged 65 years and over in private residential homes in the latest year for which statistics are available; and what was the average cost per person.

  Mr. Mellor
  Information on the number of persons aged 65 years and over in homes for the elderly and younger physically handicapped is published in "Residential Accommodation for Elderly and Younger Physically Handicapped People: All Residents in Local Authority, Voluntary and Private Homes Year Ending 31 March 1986" a copy of which is available in the Library. Provisional information as at 31 March 1987 is given in the table, which also shows the available information about local authorities' gross and net expenditure on residential care homes for elderly and younger physically handicapped people for the financial year 1986–87.
  73
  4 Includes residents whose age is not known in homes for elderly people.

  5 Includes costs for both residents fully supported by the local authority and those receiving partial support.

  The average annual costs per resident for local authority homes were £6,658 gross and £3,966 net. It is not possible to give average costs for private and voluntary homes as the cost of residents fully supported by local authorities and the cost of partial support cannot be disaggregated.

  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many persons have had registrations cancelled under the Residential Homes Act 1984 in each year since its implementation.

  Mr. Mellor
  The number of persons notified to the Department whose registrations have been cancelled, under the Registered Homes Act 1984, since it came into operation on 1 January 1985 is as follows:

  Residential Care Homes

  Nursing Homes

  Dually Registered

  1985

  2

  3

  1986

  16

  5

  1987

  28

  4

  1988

  54

  15

  2

  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much financial provision has been made by each of the registering authorities for the inspection of residential homes under the terms of the Residential Homes Act 1984.

  Mr. Mellor
  The latest available figures are shown in the table.

  Expenditure on the registration and inspection of residental homes under Regislered Homes Act 1984 in 1987–88

  (£ thousand cash)

  Administration Costs

  Avon

  92

  Bedfordshire

  n/a

  Berkshire

  n/a

  Buckinghamshire

  n/a

  Cambridgeshire

  174

  Cheshire

  n/a

  Cleveland

  28

  Cornwall

  164

  Cumbria

  3

  Derbyshire

  72

  Devon

  260

  Dorset

  97

  Durham

  13

  East Sussex

  176

  Essex

  182

  Gloucestershire

  33

  Hampshire

  157

  Hereford and Worcester

  84

  Hertfordshire

  77

  Humberside

  n/a

  Isle of Wight

  60

  Kent

  61

  Lancashire

  280

  Leicestershire

  52

  Lincolnshire

  64

  Norfolk

  75

  Northamptonshire

  58

  Northumberland

  n/a

  North Yorkshire

  94

  Nottinghamshire

  58

  Oxfordshire

  20

  Shropshire

  34

  Somerset

  n/a

  Staffordshire

  57

  Suffolk

  42

  Surrey

  83

  Warwickshire

  62

  West Sussex

  95

  Wiltshire

  25

  Isles of Scilly

  n/a

  74

  Administration Costs

  Bolton

  27

  Bury

  9

  Manchester

  n/a

  Oldham

  21

  Rochdale

  n/a

  Salford

  n/a

  Stockport

  20

  Tameside

  n/a

  Trafford

  39

  Wigan

  23

  Knowsley

  n/a

  Liverpool

  31

  St. Helens

  n/a

  Sefton

  79

  Wirral

  59

  Barnsley

  8

  Doncaster

  29

  Rotherham

  n/a

  Sheffield

  n/a

  Gateshead

  17

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  21

  North Tyneside

  n/a

  South Tyneside

  14

  Sunderland

  9

  Birmingham

  78

  Coventry

  1

  Dudley

  n/a

  Sandwell

  12

  Solihull

  n/a

  Walsall

  27

  Wolverhampton

  n/a

  Bradford

  62

  Calderdale

  20

  Kirklees

  16

  Leeds

  n/a

  Wakefield

  21

  City of London

  n/a

  Camden

  9

  Greenwich

  n/a

  Hackney

  n/a

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  n/a

  Islington

  8

  Kensington and Chelsea

  20

  Lambeth

  n/a

  Lewisham

  33

  Southwark

  n/a

  Tower Hamlets

  n/a

  Wandsworth

  8

  Westminster

  n/a

  Barking and Dagenham

  n/a

  Barnet

  48

  Bexley

  2

  Brent

  6

  Bromley

  40

  Croydon

  38

  Ealing

  n/a

  Enfield

  38

  Haringey

  n/a

  Harrow

  n/a

  Havering

  20

  Hillingdon

  33

  Hounslow

  n/a

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  n/a

  Merton

  13

  Newham

  n/a

  Redbridge

  15

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  9

  75

  Administration Costs

  Sutton

  21

  Waltham Forest

  17

  n/a = not available.

  Number of residential care homes registered with local authorities as at 31 March 1987 (provisional)

  Registering local authority

  Homes for elderly and younger physically handicapped people

  Homes for other client groups

  Total homes

  Cleveland

  31

  2

  33

  Cumbria

  75

  5

  80

  Durham

  37

  1

  38

  Northumberland

  40

  3

  43

  Gateshead

  9

  3

  12

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  27

  3

  30

  North Tyneside

  37

  9

  46

  South Tyneside

  11

  2

  13

  Sunderland

  23

  0

  23

  Humberside

  166

  21

  187

  North Yorkshire

  234

  30

  264

  Barnsley

  11

  1

  12

  Doncaster

  22

  1

  23

  Rotherham

  6

  7

  13

  Sheffield

  22

  9

  31

  Bradford

  91

  3

  94

  Calderdale

  28

  1

  29

  Kirklees

  36

  3

  39

  Leeds

  55

  9

  64

  Wakefield

  21

  7

  28

  Cheshire

  76

  13

  89

  Lancashire

  483

  26

  509

  Bolton

  28

  0

  28

  Bury

  14

  1

  15

  Manchester

  56

  8

  64

  Oldham

  28

  2

  30

  Rochdale

  15

  0

  15

  Salford

  15

  3

  18

  Stockport

  42

  1

  43

  Tameside

  21

  1

  22

  Trafford

  48

  8

  56

  Wigan

  13

  2

  15

  Knowsley

  4

  0

  4

  Liverpool

  45

  12

  57

  Sefton

  133

  9

  142

  St. Helens

  6

  0

  6

  Wirral

  65

  20

  85

  Hereford and Worcester

  149

  34

  183

  Shropshire

  82

  7

  89

  Staffordshire

  118

  5

  123

  Warwickshire

  74

  30

  104

  Birmingham

  130

  34

  164

  Coventry

  49

  15

  64

  Dudley

  40

  12

  52

  Sandwell

  10

  3

  13

  Solihull

  11

  5

  16

  Walsall

  19

  3

  22

  Wolverhampton

  29

  3

  32

  Derbyshire

  130

  5

  135

  Leicestershire

  96

  26

  122

  Lincolnshire

  114

  12

  126

  Northamptonshire

  88

  15

  103

  Nottinghamshire

  89

  61

  150

  Bedfordshire

  54

  7

  61

  Berkshire

  90

  23

  113

  Buckinghamshire

  47

  17

  64

  Cambridgeshire

  63

  11

  74

  Essex

  228

  24

  252

  Hertfordshire

  96

  6

  102

  Norfolk

  184

  56

  240

  Oxfordshire

  36

  5

  41

  Suffolk

  103

  19

  122

  Camden

  11

  3

  14

  Greenwich

  4

  2

  6

  Hackney

  3

  5

  8

  76
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many residential homes are currently registered under the Residential Homes Act 1984 in each of the registering authorities.

  Mr. Mellor
  The latest available figures for the number of residential care homes registered with each local authority are given in the table.
  77

  Registering local authority

  Homes for elderly and younger physically handicapped people

  Homes for other client groups

  Total homes

  Hammersmith

  2

  0

  2

  Islington

  2

  4

  6

  Kensington

  10

  8

  18

  Lambeth

  18

  11

  29

  Lewisham

  19

  3

  22

  Southwark

  9

  2

  11

  Tower Hamlets

  3

  1

  4

  Wandsworth

  15

  10

  25

  Westminster

  2

  9

  11

  Barking

  2

  0

  2

  Barnet

  57

  4

  61

  Bexley

  5

  0

  5

  Brent

  13

  3

  16

  Bromley

  43

  11

  54

  Croydon

  60

  10

  70

  Ealing

  33

  5

  38

  Enfield

  31

  5

  36

  Haringey

  18

  14

  32

  Harrow

  30

  2

  32

  Havering

  18

  1

  19

  Hillingdon

  8

  0

  8

  Hounslow

  3

  3

  6

  Kingston upon Thames

  26

  3

  29

  Merton

  21

  2

  23

  Newham

  6

  0

  6

  Redbridge

  21

  1

  22

  Richmond upon Thames

  13

  7

  20

  Sutton

  25

  1

  26

  Waltham Forest

  16

  2

  18

  Dorset

  352

  13

  365

  Hampshire

  429

  26

  455

  Isle of Wight

  85

  8

  93

  Kent

  185

  50

  235

  Surrey

  180

  25

  205

  East Sussex

  378

  44

  422

  West Sussex

  320

  32

  352

  Wiltshire

  97

  26

  123

  Avon

  198

  59

  257

  Cornwall

  183

  23

  206

  Devon

  618

  68

  686

  Gloucestershire

  97

  11

  108

  Somerset

  96

  9

  105

  England

  7,968

  1,190

  9,158

  Note: Figures include certain homes which are exempt from registration under Section 1(5)(i) of the Registered Homes Act, including homes managed by bodies incorporated by royal charter.

  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he has taken to ensure that the level of inspection of residential homes provided by registering authorities under the provisions of the Residential Homes Act 1984 is sufficient.

  Mr. Mellor
  From 1 August 1988 the fees payable in respect of registration and inspection of residential care homes were substantially increased to enable local authorities to carry out their duties effectively. The minimum number of inspections was increased from one to two a year. In addition, the Department, in conjunction with the Welsh Office has commissioned training material for registration and inspection staff of authorities from the centre for environmental and social studies in aging at the polytechnic of north London. This material should be available later this year.

  The Department's social services inspectorate has carried out a study of the implementation of the Registered Homes Act 1984 by local authorities. Its report "Certain Standards" was published last year. The Wagner report, "Residential Care: A Positive Choice" which was also published last year, contained recommendations on
  78
  the regulation of these homes. Both reports are in the Library. We are giving careful consideration to the findings of these reports before deciding whether any change is desirable in the current arrangements.

  School Medicine
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each of the last five years for the Trent regional health authority, the number of nurses engaged in school medicine and related care of children.

  Mr. Mellor
  The numbers of staff in post working in school health and special schools are shown in the table.

  National Health Service staff in post in Trent regional health authority

  Nursing staff in primary health care at 30 September

  Whole-time equivalents1

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  School health

  350

  360

  340

  340

  320

  Special schools

  20

  20

  20

  10

  20

  School health and special schools

  370

  380

  360

  350

  340

  79
  Source: Department of Health (SR7) annual census of National Health Service non-medical manpower.

  1 Figures independently rounded to nearest 10 whole-time equivalents.

  Some nursing staff working in hospitals and the community will be engaged in the care of children as part of their general nursing duties. These staff cannot, however, be identified centrally.

  Trent Regional Health Authority
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the services provided by the Trent regional health authority; and what is the catchment area.

  Mr. Mellor
  Provision of local services is a matter for the health authorities concerned. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of Trent regional health authority's latest annual report which contains the information he seeks.

  Sex Change Operations
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the number of sex change operations performed by the National Health Service in the Trent regional health authority for(a) male to female and (b) female to male, for the last 20 years; and what has been the cost to public funds in each case.

  Mr. Freeman
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 22 February at column 674.

  Electors
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Derbyshire, North-East 28 February,Official Report, column 134, if he will supply a pre-publication list of the numbers of electors registered for each constituency in England and Wales for 1989–90.

  Mr. Freeman
  Statistics from the electoral registers for 1989–90 are still being assembled centrally. Figures relating to local government areas will be published in an OPCS Monitor (EL 89/1) at the end of April; those relating to parliamentary constituencies in "Electoral Statistics: 1989" (Series EL No. 16) at the end of May. I do not propose to supply pre-publication lists of numbers of electors.

  Glenside Hospital
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if, with reference to his answers to the hon. Member for Livingston (Mr. Cook),Official Report, 9 June 1988, columns 666–68 and to the hon. Member for Eddisbury (Mr. Goodlad), Official Report, 5 December 1988, column 88, he will now clarify the status of Glenside hospital in the South West regional health authority.

  Mr. Freeman
  The future role of Glenside hospital together with all other mental health units in Avon is being reviewed in the light of the White Paper "Working for Patients" and an Avon-wide mental health paper. A regional secure unit, Fromeside clinic, was opened in October 1988 on the Glenside site.

  Psychogeriatrics
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many consultants there are working full-time in psychogeriatrics in the United Kingdom; and how many people over the age of 65 years there are per consultant.

  Mr. Mellor
  We do not hold this information centrally at present. Psychogeriatrics has been established recently as a separate specialty and there are plans to collect manpower figures in the future. In a joint report published in February this year, the Royal Colleges of Psychiatrists and Physicians estimated that there are currently 243 consultants working in old-age psychiatry and that at the end of 1986 about 70 per cent. of the United Kingdom elderly population had a specialist psychogeriatric service available to them. These figures represent a considerable advance in recent years.

  Heart Disease
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has on the cost to the National Health Service of health problems due to heart disease; and whether he will take the initiative to develop policy on the prevention of the disease.

  Mr. Mellor
  The cost to the National Health Service in this country of the treatment of coronary heart disease is estimated to be over £500 million a year.

  It was the Government's concern about the high incidence of disease and premature death caused by coronary heart disease that led to the launch in April 1987 of the "Look After Your Heart" campaign, promoted jointly by the Department of Health and the Health Education Authority. This campaign has the long-term objective of contributing to a substantial reduction in the incidence of coronary heart disease in England by the year 2000. The campaign, which adopts a multi-faced approach involving mass media publicity and community and workplace strategies, is, we believe, proving highly successful in raising awareness of risk factors and stimulating widespread activity at national and local level aimed at encouraging and supporting the adoption of healthier lifestyles on smoking, alcohol, nutrition and exercise.

  In addition, the Standing Medical Advisory Committee has been asked to look at the cost-effectiveness of cholesterol screening. The primary care White Paper has emphasised the enhanced role of general practitioners in health promotion and prevention. The reports to be produced by the new local and regional directors of public health will provide each district and region with an epidemiological overview of the health of the local population, from which districts will be better able to identify the main health problems (including coronary heart disease) which their policies and programmes need to address.

  New Parent-Infant Network Charity
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when his Department expects to complete its study of the New Parent-Infant Network charity.

  Mr. Freeman
  My hon. and learned Friend the Minister for Health expects to reach a decision on the New Parent-Infant Network's application for grant aid within the next few weeks.

  Operating Theatres
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the available theatre operating time in the National Health Service in England in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Freeman
  I regret that the information is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the number of theatre sessions available for operating in the National Health Service in England in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Freeman
  Information on the use of operating theatres was not collected centrally prior to 1987–88. In 1987–88 the total number of sessions held in NHS hospitals in England was 692,804.

  Ambulances (Emergency Calls)
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give the average response times for emergency ambulance calls in 1979 and the latest year available in(a) London, (b) Birmingham, (c) Liverpool, (d) Glasgow, (e) Cornwall and (f) East Anglia.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information available on response times is not precisely in the form requested. Data are collected about the times within which(a) 50 per cent. and (b) 95 per cent. of calls are responded to, rather than the average response times.

  The latest figures relate to the financial year 1987–88, and are shown in the table. Figures for 1979 were not collected centrally. Figures relating to the financial years 1983–84 to 1986–87 are included in the package of health service indicators provided by the Department, which is in the Library. Information concerning provision of services in Glasgow is the responsibility of my right hon. and learned Friend, the Secretary of State for Scotland.

  Patient Transport Services

  Response times within which 50 per cent. and 95 per cent. of calls are responded to

  Ambulance authority

  50 per cent. Minutes

  95 per cent. Minutes

  London

  10·00

  19·00

  Mersey Metropolitan

  6·50

  13·80

  West Midlands Metropolitan

  7·60

  13·80

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  9·00

  25·00

  Cambridgeshire

  8·00

  18·00

  Norfolk

  6·40

  17·70

  Suffolk

  7·50

  20·50

  Source: DH form KA34

  (a) Perinatal mortality rate by country 1979 to 1987

  Country

  Year

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  England

  14·6

  13·4

  11·7

  11·2

  10·3

  10·0

  9·8

  9·5

  8·9

  Wales

  15·6

  12·8

  14·1

  11·1

  11·3

  10·5

  10·2

  10·3

  9·2

  Scotland

  14·1

  13·1

  11·6

  11·5

  10·6

  11·0

  9·8

  10·2

  8·9

  Germany, Federal Republic

  312·6

  311·6

  310·5

  39·6

  39·3

  38·6

  37·9

  37·6

  n.a.

  Sweden

  19·1

  18·7

  17·7

  17·8

  17·3

  17·3

  47·3

  n.a.

  n.a.

  France

  33·8

  312·9

  312·3

  311·9

  311·4

  311·2

  310·7

  310·4

  n.a.

  United States of America

  213·9

  414·1

  113·4

  415·2

  414·5

  414·0

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  Hospital Closures
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give the number of(a) hospitals, (b) casualty units and (c) ante-natal units that have been closed since 1979 in (i) London, (ii) Birmingham, (iii) Manchester, (iv) Coventry, (v) Derby, (vi) Reading, (vii) Glasgow, (viii) Leicester, (ix) Leeds and (x) Edinburgh.

  Mr. Freeman
  The following table gives the numbers of hospitals or units which we are aware have been approved for total closure from 1979—end 1987, the latest date for which figures are available.

  Information on casualty units and ante-natal clinics is not collected centrally.

  Number

  London

  63

  Birmingham

  3

  Manchester

  3

  Coventry

  1

  Derby

  8

  Reading

  1

  Leicester

  6

  Leeds

  6

  Information on hospitals in Glasgow and Edinburgh is the responsibility of my hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish a list of all National Health Service hospitals(a) closed and (b) agreed for closure each year since 1979, for each regional health authority in England.

  Mr. Freeman
  I have placed in the Library a list of all hospitals or facilities approved for total closure for the period 1979—to the end of 1987. Many of these hospitals were closed in conjunction with the opening of new hospitals or facilities in the area.

  Mortality Rates
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will provide(a) perinatal, (b) neonatal and (c) infant mortality rates for each year since 1979 in Scotland, England and Wales separately with comparable figures for Germany, Sweden, France and the United States of America.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information for each year for England, Wales and Scotland is shown in the tables, which also give comparable data for the other countries. These latter data have been taken from a number of international publications as indicated1. Where no figure is given, this indicates that insufficient data were available from these publications.
  83
  Rates provided are as published in:

  1 United Nations "Demographic Yearbook".

  2 World Health Organisation "World Health Statistics Annual".

  3 The Statistical Office of the European Community "Eurostat Demographic Statistics".

  4 No rate published in volumes, calculation made from data provided in 1 and 2 above.

  (b) Neonatal mortality rate by country 1979 to 1987

  Country

  Year

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  England

  8·2

  7·6

  6·6

  6·2

  5·8

  5·5

  5·3

  5·2

  5·0

  Wales

  8·4

  7·9

  8·1

  6·9

  6·7

  5·7

  5·8

  5·6

  5·0

  Scotland

  8·7

  7·8

  6·9

  7·1

  5·8

  6·4

  5·5

  5·2

  4·7

  Germany, Federal Republic

  38·6

  37·8

  37·0

  36·3

  35·9

  35·5

  35·0

  34·8

  n.a.

  Sweden

  25·3

  24·9

  34·5

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  44·1

  n.a.

  n.a.

  France

  36·0

  35·8

  35·5

  35·3

  35·0

  34·7

  34·6

  34·3

  n.a.

  United States of America

  28·9

  48·5

  48·0

  27·7

  47·3

  47·0

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  Rates provided are as published in:

  1 United Nations "Demographic Yearbook".

  2 World Health Organisation "World Health Statistics Annual".

  3 The Statistical Office of the European Community "Eurostat Demographic Statistics".

  4 No rate published in volumes, calculation made from data provided in 1 and 2 above.

  (c) Infant mortality rate by country 1979 to 1987

  Country

  Year

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  England

  12·8

  12·0

  10·9

  10·8

  10·0

  9·4

  9·2

  9·5

  9·1

  Wales

  12·4

  11·4

  12·6

  10·6

  10·7

  8·8

  9·8

  9·5

  9·5

  Scotland

  12·8

  12·1

  11·3

  11·4

  9·9

  10·3

  9·4

  8·8

  8·5

  Germany, Federal Republic

  313·6

  312·7

  311·6

  310·9

  310·2

  39·6

  39·0

  28·5

  n.a.

  Sweden

  17·5

  16·9

  47·0

  16·8

  27·2

  26·4

  26·7

  25·9

  n.a.

  France

  310·0

  310·0

  39·7

  39·5

  39·1

  38·3

  38·3

  27·9

  n.a.

  United States of America

  112·9

  112·6

  211·9

  111·5

  210·9

  110·6

  210·5

  210·4

  n.a.

  Rates provided are as published in:

  1 United Nations "Demographic Yearbook".

  2 World Health Organisation "World Health Statistics Annual".

  3 The Statistical Office of the European Community "Eurostat Demographic Statistics".

  4 No rate published in volumes, calculation made from data provided in 1 and 2 above.

  National Health Service (Staff Training)
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will provide an estimate of the cost of training(a) a state registered nurse, (b) an operating theatre nurse, (c) a speech therapist, (d) a consultant and (e) a junior hospital doctor.

  Mr. Mellor
  The estimated cost of training a registered general nurse over a three-year course is £14,000. The figure excludes that part of the cost of the trainee's remuneration and other costs estimated to represent the value of the contribution the trainee makes to patient services. The other costs requested are not held centrally.

  National Health Service Reform
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which interested parties will be consulted by his Department over the composition of the list of treatments included in budgets for general practitioners.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  My Department will be discussing the composition of the list of treatments included in practice budgets for general medical practitioners with the profession and with National Health Service managers. Specific invitations to discuss working papers 3 and 4 have been issued to the general medical services committee and the Royal College of General Practitioners.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the formula which will determine the weighting 84
  element of the capitation allowance payable to general practitioners under the terms of working paper and of the White Paper on the National Health Service.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The relative weights to be included in the capitation formula will be determined after the discussions with interested parties, referred to in the working paper on indicative prescribing budgets for general medical practitioners, have taken place.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if it is his intention that where a group practice opts out of the budget-holding scheme for general practitioners the practice income will be preserved at the level of the last year of budget holding.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  If a practice decides to leave the practice budget scheme, the normal remuneration arrangements for general medical practitioners will apply.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will publish the evidence relating to working paper 3 of the White Paper on the National Health Service, in respect of practice budgets offering general practitioners an opportunity to improve the quality of their services.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Practice budgets will offer general medical practitioners an opportunity to improve the quality and standard of service to patients. Those practices with budgets will be able to decide how to make the most effective use of funds in order to provide the best possible service to their patients. The proposed development of
  85
  medical audit should ensure the maintenance and indeed raising of standards both generally and in participating practices. Improving the quality of family doctor services is also a major objective of the White Paper "Promoting Better Health". The proposals set out in "General Practice in the NHS: A New Contract", published in February, should achieve that objective by better rewarding those doctors whose standards are high and who provide a wide range of high quality services geared to patients' needs.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what mechanisms will be introduced to ensure impartial judgments are made as to the appropriateness of patient referrals to accident and emergency units in order to meet the requirements of the White Paper on the National Health Service that accident and emergency referral would not be used as a substitute for out-patient referral.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Health authorities will be expected to make arrangements at hospital level to monitor attendances to ensure that referrals to accident and emergency units are not used as a substitute for out-patient referrals.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what formulae will be used to measure relative need for services provided by general practitioners who become budget-holders under the terms of the Government's White Paper on the National Health Service.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  We are now considering the precise method of determining the relative need for services by patients. The practice budget scheme will be structured so that general medical practitioners have no financial incentive to refuse to treat any categories of patients.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what mechanisms exist, or will be established, within regional health authorities, to enable them to adjudicate in disputes arising over the treatments to be included within general practitioner's budgets, as proposed in working paper 3 of the White Paper on the National Health Service.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Regional health authorities already have medical advice available to them which could he used for this purpose.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence he has collected on whether doctors will seek to remove patients from their lists on budgetary grounds where the costs of investigation and treatment are borne by general practitioner's practices.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Practice budgets will be set at a level which will reflect the relative need for services by patients registered with the practice. The elderly will attract a higher contribution to the budget than the young, and in exceptional cases adjustments will be made in respect of individual patients who need more costly treatment.

  The Government do not believe that doctors will seek to remove patients from their lists on budgetary grounds nor be slow to accept patients. If, however, a practice did adopt a policy of selective registration, it could have its budget withdrawn by the RHA.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how he proposes to adjust indicative budgets for general 86
  practitioners to accommodate practices which initially have below average prescribing costs but rapidly increase their diagnosis and treatment rates for common conditions.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  We accept that the properly planned introduction of improved patient services, such as screening for certain conditions, may lead to an increase in prescribing of particular drugs. Practices intending to introduce such services will need to discuss their plans in advance with the family practitioner committee so that the financial implications can be fully considered when allocating prescribing budgets to practices.

  As set out in working paper 4, "Indicative Prescribing Budgets for General Medical Practitioners", the FPC will be expected to compare expenditure with its budget profile and also information on what is prescribed and dispensed. They will be expected to investigate any significant diversions of actual and planned expenditure and take early and effective action. The FPC will be expected to accept and accommodate reasonable explanations for the variation.

  Preventive Services
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research has been conducted to establish the effect of attaching a financial cost to preventive services provided by general practitioners on uptake of these services.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Health promotion and illness prevention are central to the Government's objectives For general practitioner services. As made clear in "General Practice in the NHS: A New Contract", published in February, the Government will make the provision of health promotion a specific requirement in general practitioners' terms of service, and will introduce a health promotion sessional payment.

  As working paper 3, "Practice Budgets for General Medical Practitioners", makes clear, the Department will discuss with the medical profession whether budgets should be set at a level which includes the cost of diagnostic investigations associated with health prevention and screening or whether they should be excluded from the scope of the scheme and charged to the patient's DHA.

  Plastic Surgery
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average waiting time for plastic surgery patients who have not yet been admitted to hospital(a) in the Leicestershire health authority, (b) in the Trent region and (c) nationally.

  Mr. Mellor
  Average waiting times for those awaiting admission to hospital are not available centrally. The numbers on the waiting list are analysed by time waited and a percentage distribution based on this information is given in the table.
  87

  Percentage distribution of cases on the in-patient waiting list by time waited, as at 30 September 1988, Plastic surgery specialty

  Months waited

  0 to 2

  3 to 5

  6 to 8

  9 to 11

  12+

  Leicestershire District Health Authority

  18

  10

  10

  9

  53

  Trent Regional Health Authority

  12

  12

  10

  10

  57

  England

  14

  12

  9

  7

  58

  Smoking
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the level of expenditure by the Health Education Authority and the Health Education Council, in the last five years for which figures are available, on publicity and other materials designed to discourage smoking.

  Mr. Mellor
  The figures (actual expenditure) are as follows:

  Health Education Council

  Campaigns/ associated expenditure £

  1983–84

  2,629,708

  1984–85

  1,624,221

  1985–86

  2,345,704

  1986–87

  1,118,025

  Health Education Authority

  1987–88 £

  Campaigns/Promotion

  562,635

  Publications

  170,776

  These figures do not reflect total spending, since smoking health education is included in many other authority programmes, such as "Look After Your Heart", cancer, and the young people's programme.

  On 25 January 1989 my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced a new £2 million a year campaign over the next four years, to be run jointly by the Department of Health and the Health Education Authority, aimed at halving the proportion of teenagers who smoke.

  Lipid-lowering Drugs
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has on the level and cost of prescribing lipid-lowering drugs for the last 12 month period for which figures are available; and what were the comparable figures for the corresponding periods over the previous five years.

  Mr. Mellor
  The number of prescriptions for and net ingredient cost of lipid-lowering drugs dispensed by community pharmacists in England in each of the last six years was as follows:

  Number of Prescriptions (thousand)

  Net Ingredient Cost (£ million)

  1987

  261

  4·7

  1986

  241

  3·4

  1985

  238

  2·8

  88

  Number of Prescriptions (thousand)

  Net Ingredient Cost (£ million)

  1984

  239

  2·4

  1983

  240

  2·2

  1982

  264

  2·1

  Private Hospitals
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provision there is for the inspection of private hospitals.

  Mr. Mellor
  District health authorities are required to inspect each private hospital at least twice a year. Inspections may be unannounced and "out of hours".

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the names and ownership by company of private hospitals operating in each of the English health regions.

  Mr. Mellor
  This information is not collected centrally. However, "Laing's Review of Private Health Care 1988," a copy of which is in the Library, gives details of private hospitals.

  Water Supplies
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospitals or other National Health Service units receive water from(a) boreholes and (b) non-mains sources.

  Mr. Freeman
  Information on the number of hospitals or other NHS units receiving water from boreholes or other non-mains sources is not available. Health authorities are, however, required to comply with the water byelaws in force and comprehensive advice on water supply and quality was issued to them most recently in the DH code of practice, the control of legionellae in health care premises.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what inspection is undertaken of water supplies used(a) in the Queen's medical centre, Nottingham and (b) in National Health Service hospitals as standard procedure.

  Mr. Freeman
  In general, responsibility for the quality of water, from whatever source, rests with the appropriate water authority. The quality of water stored and distributed within all health care premises is mainly governed by inspection and maintenance of plant and equipment in those premises and I refer to my other reply to him today.

  Operation Statistics
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many operations were contracted out to private hospitals in the Trent regional health authority; and at what cost during 1988.

  Mr. Mellor
  The information is not available in the form requested. The latest available figures for Trent are for the 1986 calendar year and show a total of 816 discharges and deaths of patients receiving treatment under contractual arrangements with institutions outside the NHS. Expenditure in the Trent region on contractual
  89
  arrangements for patient treatment with non-NHS hospitals and homes was about £1,189,000 in 1986–87. This is a total figure and so includes sums incurred under contracts with voluntary and other organisations as well as private hospitals as such.

  Whitley Council Negotiating Machinery
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has any plans to review the Whitley council negotiating machinery.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Not at the moment. The White Paper "Working for Patients" records our objective progressively to introduce greater local flexibility into the determination of NHS pay and conditions of service. This will require changes in the nature and scope of national agreements but not necessarily in the present central negotiating machinery.

  Wakefield District Health Authority
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on how many occasions since its inception Wakefield district health authority has amended a policy decision in respect of a proposed closure or change of use of health buildings following public consultation in accordance with his Department's circular HSC(15)207.

  Mr. Freeman
  Such information is not collected centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman of Wakefield health authority in the event that such detail is held locally.

  Spina Bifida
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were treated for spina bifida during each of the last three years; what was the cost per patient; and if he will make a statement.

  Number of (a) conceptions, (b) terminations with central nervous system malformation in foetus1 as principal medical condition,

  England and Wales, Regional Health Authority of usual residence, 1985 to 1987

  1985

  1986

  1987

  (a) (000's)

  (b)

  (b) as a percentage of (a)

  (a) (000's)

  (b)

  (b) as a percentage of (a)

  (a) (000s)

  (b)

  (b) as a percentage of (a)

  England and Wales

  797·2

  520

  ·07

  818·9

  557

  ·07

  841·1

  531

  ·06

  Regional Health Authorities

  Northern

  46·1

  44

  ·1

  46·6

  36

  ·08

  47·1

  56

  ·12

  Yorkshire

  56·2

  27

  ·05

  57·4

  45

  ·08

  58·7

  33

  ·06

  Trent

  69·1

  45

  ·07

  70·9

  63

  ·09

  72·6

  56

  ·08

  East Anglian

  28·6

  21

  ·07

  30·1

  24

  ·08

  30·7

  23

  ·07

  North West Thames

  63·2

  23

  ·04

  64·5

  20

  ·03

  66·4

  25

  ·04

  North East Thames

  69·3

  40

  ·06

  71·2

  38

  ·05

  74·5

  43

  ·06

  South East Thames

  59·4

  25

  ·04

  62·9

  25

  ·04

  65·0

  29

  ·04

  South West Thames

  46·0

  22

  ·05

  47·5

  20

  ·04

  48·9

  18

  ·04

  Wessex

  41·8

  34

  ·08

  43·5

  45

  ·1

  44·5

  29

  ·07

  Oxford

  39·3

  24

  ·06

  40·9

  34

  ·08

  42·1

  25

  ·06

  South Western

  44·7

  21

  ·05

  45·9

  36

  ·08

  47·3

  28

  ·06

  West Midland

  85·6

  66

  ·08

  87·3

  42

  ·05

  89·6

  45

  ·05

  Mersey

  38·8

  36

  ·09

  39·4

  25

  ·06

  40·0

  45

  ·11

  North Western

  65·9

  49

  ·07

  66·5

  49

  ·07

  68·5

  46

  ·07

  1 International classification of diseases (9th revision) 655·0

  90
  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested for the East three years for which data are available centrally is given in the following table.

  Estimated number of in-patients with main diagnosis of spina bifida (ICD 741 )1, discharged from National Health Service non- psychiatric hospitals, England

  Number

  1983

  2,390

  1984

  1,960

  1985

  2,070

  1 ICD—International Classification of Diseases: 9th revision.

  The cost of hospital treatment is estimated at £1,500 per in-patient stay at 1987—88 prices. Expenditure on care of patients in the community cannot reliably be estimated from data held centrally.

  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what percentage of pregnant woman were screened for spina bifida during the last three years, listed by regions;

  (2) how many pregnant mothers were screened for spina bifida during the last three years; what was the cost per patient; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  This information is not collected centrally. However, I understand that it is common clinical practice to offer screening for spina bifida to pregnant women.

  Neural Tube Defects
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many pregnancies were terminated because of neural tube defects during each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what percentage of pregnant women had terminations for neural tube defects during each of the last three years, listed by regions.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information is shown in the table.

  Nursing Home Owners (Payments)
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what payments are made by nursing home owners to general practitioners to facilitate their provision of primary care and other services.

  Mr. Mellor
  Under his terms of service a general practitioner, except in certain specified circumstances which are not relevant here, may not accept a fee or any other remuneration for any treatment which he gives to a person for whom he is responsible to provide general medical service.

  Nurses (Regrading)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if nurses who commenced post-registration training on or after 1 April 1988 have the right of appeal concerning their recent clinical grading; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  Yes. All nursing and midwifery staff whose posts were regraded have the right of appeal under the general Whitley council appeals procedure.

  Skin and Hair Cream
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has on the levels of chlorinated biphenyls and organophosphates found in lanolin-based skin and hair creams with particular reference to nipple and breast creams.

  Mr. Freeman
  None. Chlorinated biphenyls are not used for animal treatment and organophosphates are used

  Table 1

  Net current expenditure by local authorities (i) Cash

  £ thousands

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  (d)

  Day nurseries

  Playgroups

  Child minding

  Family centres

  Year

  Local authority

  Other

  Local authority

  Other

  Local authority

  Other

  All

  1975–76

  23,919

  433

  1,489

  420

  —

  —

  854

  1976–77

  29,555

  581

  1,866

  523

  —

  —

  1,017

  1977–78

  32,769

  726

  2,177

  486

  —

  —

  1,160

  1978–79

  36,704

  950

  2,222

  743

  —

  —

  1,832

  1979–80

  43,034

  1,119

  3,200

  688

  —

  —

  2,247

  1980–81

  56,952

  1,147

  4,019

  524

  —

  —

  3,081

  1981–82

  64,657

  1,570

  4,708

  670

  —

  —

  3,948

  1982–83

  71,427

  1,657

  5,265

  524

  934

  842

  5,170

  1983–84

  77,830

  1,619

  5,417

  530

  1,505

  1,258

  6,291

  1984–85

  83,030

  1,713

  5,686

  613

  1,917

  1,489

  7,655

  1985–86

  84,180

  1,914

  6,037

  804

  2,831

  1,418

  13,526

  1986–87

  95,779

  1,972

  8,008

  967

  3,517

  1,496

  13,367

  (ii) In real terms at 1986–87 prices (GDP deflator)

  1975–76

  66,480

  1,202

  4,140

  1,168

  —

  —

  2,374

  1976–77

  72,511

  1,425

  4,577

  1,283

  —

  —

  2,496

  1977–78

  70,693

  1,567

  4,696

  1,047

  —

  —

  2,502

  1978–79

  71,404

  1,849

  4,323

  1,445

  —

  —

  3,564

  1979–80

  71,774

  1,866

  5,337

  1,148

  —

  —

  3,748

  1980–81

  80,123

  1,614

  5,654

  737

  —

  —

  4,335

  1981–82

  82,882

  2,013

  6,035

  859

  —

  —

  5,061

  1982–83

  85,507

  1,984

  6,303

  627

  1,118

  1,008

  6,189

  1983–84

  89,046

  1,852

  6,198

  606

  1,722

  1,439

  7,198

  1984–85

  90,523

  1,868

  6,199

  668

  2,090

  1,623

  8,346

  1985–86

  87,012

  1,978

  6,240

  831

  2,926

  1,466

  13,981

  1986–87

  95,779

  1,972

  8,008

  967

  3,517

  1,496

  13,367

  92
  in a way that should leave minimal residues in the lanolin used for manufacturing these creams. The main supplies provide very tight specifications for lanolin used in cosmetics.

  Child Care
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total public expenditure on(a) local authority day nurseries, (b) local authority playgroups and (c) other day care facilities for each year from 1975 to 1988 in (i) cash and (ii) real terms; and what was the total number of children participating in each type of provision for each year, together with the percentage that total was of all children in the three to four years age group.

  Mr. Mellor
  Information is not collected centrally on the exact age of children participating in each type of day care.

  Table 1 gives the net current expenditure by local authorities for the years 1975–76 to 1986–87 inclusive. Data for 1987–88 are not yet available.

  The information available centrally on the numbers of children participating in local authority provision for children under five is published annually in "Children's day care facilities, at 31 March, England" (A/F/6), copies of which are available in the Library.

  Table 2 gives these figures, expressed as a percentage of all children aged three and four years.

  Information for 1988 is not yet available.
  93

  Table 2: Local authority provision of day care for children, England, 1975–87: Numbers as a percentage of children aged three and four1

  Day nurseries

  Playgroups

  Child minding

  As at 31 March

  Children on registers of facilities provided by local authorities

  Children placed and paid for by local authorities in other facilities

  Children on registers of facilities provided by local authorities

  Children placed and paid for by local authorities in other facilities

  Places available with local authority provided childminders

  Children placed and paid for by local authorities with other childminders

  1975

  1·81

  0·08

  0·20

  0·30

  2—

  0·05

  1976

  1·97

  0·11

  0·20

  0·31

  2—

  0·07

  1977

  2·19

  0·12

  0·19

  0·36

  2—

  0·09

  1978

  2·35

  0·12

  0·20

  3—

  3—

  3—

  1979

  2·48

  0·14

  3—

  0·44

  3—

  3—

  1980

  2·68

  0·17

  0·22

  0·40

  3—

  3—

  1981

  2·90

  0·18

  0·24

  0·39

  3—

  3—

  1982

  3·00

  0·15

  0·26

  0·49

  0·23

  0·18

  1983

  2·91

  0·13

  0·28

  0·63

  0·20

  0·22

  1984

  2·87

  0·12

  0·25

  0·78

  0·19

  0·18

  1985

  2·76

  0·13

  0·27

  0·81

  0·10

  0·25

  1986

  2·95

  0·15

  0·27

  0·97

  0·13

  0·33

  1987

  2·93

  0·15

  0·28

  1·03

  0·15

  0·42

  1 Information on the exact age of children using each type of provision is not collected centrally; some children using day care provision are aged under three

  2 Data not available

  3 Data available, but not reliable

  Notes:

  Information about the number of children attending family centres is not collected.

  General Practitioners
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many general practitioner practices there are in each family practitioner area; and what is the average list size in each family practitioner area to England;

  (2) how many general practitioner practices there are with 11.000 or more patients for each family practitioner committee area in England.

  Mr. Mellor
  A table giving the information requested as at 1 October 1987 (the latest date for which figures are available) has been placed in the Library.

  Hospital Trusts
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the level of remuneration proposed for chairs and non-executive directors of National Health Service hospital trusts will be in line with the existing payments made to chairs of health authorities.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I am considering the question of remuneration for the chairmen and non-executive members of National Health Service hospital trusts.

  Community Health Councils
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what will be the rights of community health councils in relation to non-National Health Service agencies providing hospital services under contract to health authorities as proposed by the National Health Service White Paper; and how they will be resourced to meet the additional work load arising.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Rights of community health councils will not change as a result of the White Paper proposals. I do not therefore foresee that they will experience any problem over carrying out their statutory duty to represent the interests of National Health Service patients in their districts. They receive adequate resources for that purpose and the White Paper does not impose any additional duties or burdens upon them.

  Ambulances (Costs)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the current average cost of purchase of an ambulance.

  Mr. Freeman
  Based on annual returns from all regional health authorities the average overall cost of purchase of first line ambulances in 1988–89, including VAT, was £21,568 for glass reinforced plastic vehicles and £20,291 for van conversions.

  Eyes and Teeth (Tests)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give the cost in 1988 of providing free tests for eyes and teeth.

  Mr. Mellor
  Information on costs is available only by financial year. The estimated cost in England of sight tests provided under the general ophthalmic service in 1988–89, the final 12 months before withdrawal of the universal entitlement to National Health Service sight tests is £114 million. The cost to the general dental service of National Health Service dental examinations in 1987–88, the last full year in which no patient charges were levied for examinations, was £113 million.

  Computer Consultants
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total amount spent by his Department in 1988 on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases; and if he will list each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by his Department in 1988, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment.

  Mr. Mellor
  The estimated total expenditure in 1988 on health-related consultancy contracts was £2·413 million.

  Expenditure was from a joint health and social security budget and has had to be apportioned where consultants were engaged on projects covering both health and social security matters.
  95
  A list giving details of each health-related management or computer consultancy awarded in 1988 has been placed in the Library.

  Blood Transfusion Service (West Midlands)
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much blood has(a) been at the disposal of (b) been provided to private hospitals by the West Midlands regional blood transfusion service for each of the years; 1988–89, 1987–88 and 1986–87.

  Mr. Freeman
  The latest information held centrally for the West Midlands regional blood transfusion service is as follows:

  Number of useable blood donations collected

  Number of units of blood supplied to non-NHS hospitals

  1986

  192,599

  10,154

  19871

  192,468

  9,086

  1 Provisional figures.

  Operating Department Assistants
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Warrington, North of Friday, 17 March,Official Report, column 388, when the working group of the management side of the professional and technical staff B Whitley council examining the pay and grade structures of operating department assistants will make its report.

  Mr. Mellor
  I understand that the PTB management side's working group expects to report back in time for its conclusions to influence pay negotiations this year.

  Hon. Member for Derbyshire, South
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Warrington North, of 20 February,Official Report, column 525, who will pay the £170 for the administrative officer who is managing and safeguarding papers which are being consulted by the former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at his Department.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The cost of £170 for managing and safeguarding the papers being consulted by the former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State will be met by my Department in accordance with long standing practice in these matters.

  Chemotherapy
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list all the centres of research into chemotherapy to treat cancer, the means of financing such centres and research papers published arising from the research.

  Mr. Freeman
  This information is not held centrally.

  Children Bill [Lords]
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the estimated amount of extra grant aid needed by local authorities to implement the provisions of the Children Bill[Lords]; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  Discussions have taken place with the local authority associations about the additional costs to local 96
  authorities of the provisions of the Children Bill, and the estimates are set out in the financial memorandum to the Bill. The estimates and any further comments by the associations will be taken into account in determining the level of central Government support to local authorities at the appropriate time.

  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the proposed timetable for the introduction of any Act resulting from the Children Bill[Lords]; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor at Second Reading in the other place on 6 December at column 535.

  Guardians ad Litem
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the four panels of guardians ad litem currently being surveyed by the social services inspectorate; if he will give the terms of reference for this survey; and if he will place a copy of the report of the survey in the Library.

  Mr. Mellor
  The social services inspectorate is conducting(a) a postal survey of all panels of guardians ad litem and reporting officers in England and (b) more detailed inspections of panels administered singly by Dorset and Cumbria local authorities and in consortia by Wigan, Salford and Bolton and Leeds, Bradford and Calderdale authorities.

  The inspectorate will study demand for the services of panel members and how this is being met including the resources utilised, the skills required and the workloads of individual panel members; examine how individual members fulfil their role and arrangements for monitoring; and report with recommendations of national relevance.

  I expect to be able to publish the report later this year.

  Pharmaceutical Prices
  Mr. Michael Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many pharmaceutical companies have not applied for any price increases in the last two, three and five years.

  Mr. Mellor
  For companies who have provided full financial returns under the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme for each year since 1984, the numbers of companies not applying for any price increase from the date shown to 31 December 1988 is as follows:

  Number

  1 January 1987

  17

  1 January 1986

  15

  1 January 1984

  10

  Sight Testing
  Mr. Haselhurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will publish the report of his Department's optical adviser on the accuracy and reliability of autorefraction and auto optitesters for testing sight;

  (2) if he will permit the lower tier sight test proposed in his recent consultative letter to be conducted by staff who are not qualified opticians using an autorefractor and an auto optitester.
  97
  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 23 March 1989]: The Opticians Act 1958 provides that sight tests may only be conducted by a registered medical practitioner or registered ophthalmic optician. We have no plans at present to change this requirement. I am not aware of any report on autorefractors or auto optitesters but I understand that autorefractors and auto optitesters offer a reasonably accurate method of testing sight although they cannot provide a test for binocular vision.

  Sheep Dips
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the Medical Research Council on the link between sheep dip and cot deaths.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 23 March 1989]: There have been no discussions between the Secretary of State and the Medical Research Council (MRC) on the possibility of a link between sheep dip and cot deaths.

  The MRC, which is the main agency through which the Government supports medical research, receives a grant-in-aid from the Department of Education and Science. Over the years, the MRC has funded a wide range of research related to cot deaths. Officials will be discussing with the MRC what further avenues can be fruitfully pursued.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Production and Employment
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what has been the growth in production, employment and productivity for(a) manufacturing industry and (b) pharmaceuticals over the period 1979 to the present; and if he will in each case estimate what part (i) changes in employment and (ii) changes in production have had on productivity changes.

  Mr. Maude
  The official data series on productivity are published by the Department of Employment in the Employment Gazette but these do not include separately identifiable figures for the pharmaceutical industry. The following data from the annual census of production provide the required information for manufacturing industry and the pharmaceutical industry. These figures may show different movements from the official series which are derived from other sources. Full data for years after 1986 are not yet available.

  Year

  Production (Gross value added) (1985 prices)

  Employment

  Productivity (Gross value added per head) (1985 prices)

  £ billion

  thousands

  £ thousands

  Manufacturing industry

  1979

  85·4

  6,910

  12·4

  1980

  75·9

  6,495

  11·7

  1981

  70·3

  5,778

  12·2

  1982

  68·2

  5,360

  12·7

  1983

  72·7

  5,070

  14·3

  1984

  76·0

  5,059

  15·0

  1985

  76·5

  4,976

  15·4

  1986

  75·9

  4,878

  15·6

  Pharmaceutical products1

  1979

  1·67

  74·4

  22·4

  1980

  1·58

  73·3

  21·6

  98

  Year

  Production (Gross value added) (1985 prices)

  Employment

  Productivity (Gross value added per head) (1985 prices)

  £ billion

  thousands

  £ thousands

  1981

  1·52

  69·8

  21·8

  1982

  1·69

  68·6

  24·6

  1983

  1·75

  67·9

  25·7

  1984

  1·92

  67·6

  28·5

  1985

  1·95

  66·9

  29·1

  1986

  20·6

  68·4

  30·1

  1 The pharmaceutical products industry comprises Group 257 of the Standard Industrial Classification (Revised 1980).

  1 The pharmaceutical products industry comprises Group 257 of the Standard Industrial Classification (Revised 1980).

  Source Annual Census of Production.

  Bicycle Imports
  Mr. Brandon-Bravo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) what consideration he has given to the Bicycle Association's Official Report for the year ended 1988, and if, in the light of the increase in cycle imports from 600,000 in 1986 to 1,305,000 in 1988, he will seek a review of the European Economic Community duty-free provisions for underdeveloped or developing nations;

  (2) if he will review China's developing nation status in view of changes in its industrial output.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The Bicycle Association's annual report does not refer to the developing country imports nor have I received representations. The European Community's generalised system of preference for developing countries is reviewed each year. The competitiveness of products is one of the factors taken into account in the decision to renew the arrangements.

  Mr. Brandon-Bravo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will review the duties on Taiwanese and Singapore components which can be imported free of duty as components of cycles imported from underdeveloped countries, but become subject to duty if imported for use in British cycle manufacture.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  There is no tariff concession for imports of bicycles and components from Taiwan. Both bicycles and components from Singapore are covered by the EC's generalised system of preferences.

  EFTA
  Mr. Greg Knight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's relations with the EFTA countries.

  Mr. Maude
  United Kingdom relations with the EFTA countries are already very close—both bilaterally and through EC/EFTA co-operation. We are firmly committed to strengthening these relations still further. The EFTA countries are a major trading partner and all have free trade agreements with the EC. Close co-operation continues under the framework of the Luxembourg declaration agreed by EC and EFTA Ministers in 1984. This has already resulted in worthwhile practical achievements in reducing and eliminating remaining barriers to trade. At an informal EC/EFTA ministerial meeting on 20 March, ways of broadening and deepening the relationship were discussed. There will be a further ministerial meeting before the end of the year. The United Kingdom welcomes this intensification of activities and will play a full role in it.

  Link Scheme
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will give the Government funds committed in 1987 and 1988 under the link scheme.

  Mr. Forth
  The first five link programmes were announced on 3 February 1988 and subsequently another five programmes were announced during the year. Total Government funding authorised under the 10 link programmes announced in 1988 amounted to £59·3 million.

  Expenditure at current prices

  £ millions

  1978–79

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1.Regional development grants1

  East Midlands

  2·3

  2·4

  3·2

  7·2

  8·8

  8·2

  3·8

  4·4

  8·4

  7·1

  Northern

  135·2

  122·4

  117·5

  143·9

  127·2

  101·3

  89·0

  67·3

  102·2

  61·7

  North West

  64·3

  58·7

  105·7

  143·4

  97·3

  83·0

  79·9

  62·1

  101·3

  45·7

  South West

  6·0

  5·0

  8·5

  10·3

  11·0

  7·8

  9·5

  8·6

  15·3

  7·0

  West Midlands

  0·1

  neg

  0·1

  neg

  0·1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  30·2

  21·5

  38·7

  47·1

  36·4

  23·5

  26·8

  24·2

  27·1

  17·8

  England2

  238·1

  210·0

  273·8

  351·8

  280·7

  223·8

  209·1

  166·5

  254·3

  139·3

  2. Regional selective assistance

  East Midlands

  0·7

  0·9

  0·6

  1·0

  4·2

  8·7

  6·4

  3·9

  2·2

  2·3

  Northern

  10·7

  11·5

  15·6

  22·6

  21·1

  15·4

  15 3

  16·2

  18·1

  24·7

  North West

  40·1

  23·3

  19·3

  14·6

  18·3

  13·6

  13·7

  12·7

  18·4

  19·6

  South West

  2·4

  2·7

  2·5

  1·7

  2·7

  2·0

  2·1

  2·5

  5·2

  4·3

  West Midlands

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5·5

  9·8

  18·3

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  5·2

  6·8

  6·6

  7·1

  10·6

  8·8

  9·7

  8·3

  10·1

  14·1

  England3

  59·1

  46·7

  48·6

  54·4

  68·7

  62·2

  72·9

  74·8

  100·6

  122·9

  Expenditure at constant (1987–88 = 100) prices

  3.Regional development grants1

  East Midlands

  4·7

  4·2

  4·7

  9·7

  11·1

  9·9

  4·4

  4·8

  8·8

  7·1

  Northern

  276·5

  214·4

  173·6

  193·7

  160·0

  121·8

  101·9

  73·1

  107·4

  61·7

  North West

  131·5

  102·8

  156·1

  193·0

  122·4

  99·8

  91·5

  67·4

  106·4

  45·7

  South West

  12·3

  8·8

  12·6

  13·0

  13·8

  9·4

  10·9

  9·3

  16·1

  7·0

  West Midlands

  0·2

  neg

  0·1

  neg

  0·1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  62·8

  37·7

  57·2

  63·4

  45·8

  28·2

  30·7

  26·3

  28·5

  17·8

  England2

  486·9

  367·8

  404·4

  473·5

  353·1

  269·0

  239·5

  180·8

  267·1

  139·3

  4.Regional selective assistance

  East Midlands

  1·4

  1·6

  0·9

  1·3

  5·3

  10·5

  7·3

  4·2

  2·3

  2·3

  Northern

  21·8

  20·1

  23·0

  30·4

  26·5

  18·5

  17·5

  17·6

  19·3

  24·7

  North West

  82·0

  40·8

  28·5

  19·7

  23·0

  16·3

  15·7

  13·8

  19·3

  19·6

  South West

  4·9

  4·7

  3·7

  2·3

  3·4

  2·4

  2·4

  2·7

  5·5

  4·3

  West Midlands

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  6·0

  10·3

  18·3

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  10·6

  11·9

  9·7

  9·6

  13·3

  10·6

  11·1

  9·0

  10·6

  14·1

  England3

  120·9

  81·8

  71·8

  73·2

  86·4

  74·8

  83·5

  81·2

  105·7

  122·9

  Notes:

  1 RDG figures cover expenditure under the original and revised schemes.

  2 Totals do not always equal component parts due to rounding.

  3 At the regional level RSA figures include only industrial and training grants: England figures include some unallocated project grants and expenditure under the business improvement services and exchange risk guarantee schemes. Expenditure under these two schemes cannot be broken down to the regional level.

  The provisional gross outturn for RDG for England as a whole in 1988–89 is £155 million at current prices, £144 million at constant 1987–88 prices; and for RSA £135 million (current), £126 million (constant).

  The planned provision (net of domestic receipts) for RDG and RSA in the period 1989–90 to 1991–92 is as follows:

  Regional Assistance
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will provide figures for spending on(a) regional assistance and (b) regional development grants for England, by region, for each year from 1978–79 to 1988–89 and plans for 1989–90 to 1991–92, in cash and at 1987–88 prices.

  Mr. Atkins
  Gross annual expenditure on regional development grants and regional selective assistance by English region from 1978–79 to 1987–88 at current and constant (1987–88= 100) prices was as follows:

  1989–901 £ million

  1990–912 £ million

  1991–922 £ million

  Planned provision at current prices

  Regional development grants

  125

  110

  55

  Regional selective assistance3

  145

  150

  160

  Planned provision at constant prices

  Regional development grants

  111

  93

  45

  Regional selective assistance3

  128

  127

  132

  101
  1 Supply estimates.

  2 As underlying the 1989 public expenditure White Paper.

  3 Includes expenditure on industrial and training grants, and the business improvement services and exchange risk guarantee schemes.

  Petrol Sales
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether, in the light of the absence of a breakdown of United Kingdom petrol sales by company type, he will refer the industry to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

  Mr. Maude
  The Director General of Fair Trading referred the wholesale supply of petrol in the United Kingdom to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on 9 November 1988. The commission was given 12 months in which to report.

  Rating Reform (Royal Mail)
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what restrictions are there on the use of the words "Royal Mail" in marketing services in relation to the implementation of the community charge.

  Mr. Forth
  Only standard services currently offered by the Post Office to any of its customers are being offered to local authorities to assist them in the implementation of the community charge. Royal Mail Letters, like Royal Mail Parcels, uses the words Royal Mail in marketing these standard services.

  Mr. Anthony Wheeler and Mr. Richard Savill
  Sir Charles Morrison
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, whether any of his Department's

  Table A

  Imports at current prices (£ million)

  SIC Class

  1978

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  21 Melalliferous ores extraction and preparation

  686

  758

  733

  738

  628

  799

  837

  907

  716

  749

  22 Metal manufacluring

  2,340

  3,021

  4,716

  3,151

  3,229

  4,055

  3,947

  4,065

  4,413

  4,276

  23 Extraction of minerals N.E.S.

  1,070

  1,462

  1,364

  991

  1,031

  1,427

  1,435

  1,544

  1,789

  1,674

  24 Non-metallic mineral products

  348

  437

  422

  463

  546

  683

  819

  891

  989

  1,140

  25 Chemical industry

  2,757

  3,462

  3,302

  3,818

  4,430

  5,331

  6,542

  7,034

  7,311

  8,358

  26 Man-madc fibres

  222

  263

  233

  255

  284

  322

  346

  383

  420

  471

  31 Metal goods N.E.S.

  600

  718

  768

  741

  880

  1,030

  1,246

  1,380

  1,519

  1,778

  32 Mechanical engineering

  3,446

  3,517

  3,540

  3,632

  4,102

  4,720

  5,543

  6,158

  6,593

  7,578

  33 Office machinery and data processing equipment

  984

  1,205

  1,265

  1,489

  1,934

  2,767

  3,827

  4,213

  4,230

  5,098

  34 Electrical and electronic engineering

  2,420

  2,898

  3,139

  3,984

  4,871

  6,038

  7,309

  8,246

  8,732

  10,018

  35 Motor vehicles and their parts

  2,714

  3,854

  3,233

  3,369

  4,505

  5,772

  6,058

  6,963

  8,178

  9,058

  36 Other transport equipment

  1,114

  1,362

  2,173

  1,769

  2,054

  2,146

  2,534

  3,035

  2,889

  3,212

  37 Instrument engineering

  686

  757

  772

  881

  988

  1,195

  1,401

  1,503

  1,617

  1,696

  41–42 Food, drink and tabacco

  4,372

  4,918

  4,626

  4,979

  5,548

  6,095

  7,013

  7,294

  7,666

  7,951

  43 Textile industry

  1,520

  1,739

  1,608

  1,865

  2,026

  2,439

  2,927

  3,192

  3,400

  3,831

  44 Leather and leather goods

  182

  265

  202

  220

  227

  272

  348

  406

  420

  499

  45 Footwear and clothing industries

  1,052

  1,417

  1,442

  1,662

  1,758

  1,909

  2,358

  2,488

  2,715

  3,114

  46 Timber and wooden furniture

  1,175

  1,456

  1,324

  1,389

  1,488

  1,981

  2,186

  2,124

  2,383

  2,751

  47 Paper, printing and publishing

  1,557

  1,816

  1,910

  2,224

  2,376

  2,679

  3,338

  3,537

  3,768

  4,569

  48 Rubber and plastics processing

  695

  858

  849

  951

  1,126

  1,412

  1,653

  1,895

  2,180

  2,652

  49 Other manufacturing

  903

  1,165

  1,607

  1,544

  1,311

  1,465

  1,713

  1,300

  1,589

  1,646

  102
  officials were in communication with (a) the police or (b) any statutory or regulatory body, prior to December 1986, with respect to the business affairs of Mr. Anthony Wheeler and Mr. Richard Savill in respect of (a) the Wessex Trust, (b) Selective Investment Brokers and (c) any other companies of which they were directors; what information his officials received concerning any of those individuals or brokers; and what action was taken in respect of them, and on what dates.

  Mr. Maude
  Selective Investment Brokers was a trading name used as part of the operation of the Wessex Trust, an unincorporated body. It is not the same entity as Selective Investment Brokers Ltd.

  Before December 1986 my Department was in communication with the Director of Public Prosecutions about Wessex Trust and companies concerned in the affairs of the trust which included companies of which Mr. Wheeler was a director. It is not the practice to comment on the affairs of individual companies.

  Persons concerned with the Wessex Trust are at present subject to criminal proceedings brought by the Director of Public Prosecutions.

  Manufacturing Statistics
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will publish import figures and import penetration figures from 1973 to date for manufacturing industries at SIC two-digit level.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Data are available only for the years 1978 to 1987 inclusive. The information is given in the following tables:
  103

  Table B

  Import penetration ratio

  (Percentages)

  SIC class

  1978

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  21 Metalliferous ores extraction and preparation

  108

  111

  103

  102

  102

  101

  98

  100

  n/a

  n/a

  22 Metal manufacturing

  25

  27

  29

  25

  28

  31

  37

  39

  43

  42

  23 Extraction of minerals N.E.S.

  32

  35

  33

  32

  39

  42

  42

  43

  37

  36

  24 Non-metallic mineral products

  9

  10

  9

  9

  10

  11

  12

  13

  13

  16

  25 Chemical industry

  28

  29

  28

  30

  33

  35

  38

  40

  40

  41

  26 Man-made fibres

  41

  45

  56

  59

  67

  70

  68

  71

  68

  66

  31 Metal goods N.E.S.

  10

  10

  11

  11

  12

  13

  14

  16

  16

  18

  32 Mechanical engineering

  32

  29

  29

  32

  31

  32

  34

  36

  37

  38

  33 Office machinery and data processing equipment

  92

  92

  96

  96

  105

  106

  105

  100

  100

  93

  34 Electrical and electronic engineering

  31

  31

  31

  36

  39

  42

  44

  47

  47

  49

  35 Motor vehicles and their parts

  35

  41

  39

  42

  47

  52

  51

  50

  51

  48

  36 Other transport equipment

  41

  38

  38

  41

  39

  42

  51

  45

  45

  42

  37 Instrument engineering

  52

  53

  52

  58

  56

  55

  58

  57

  56

  58

  41–42 Food, drink and tobacco

  18

  18

  16

  16

  16

  17

  18

  18

  18

  18

  43 Textile industry

  31

  33

  34

  39

  39

  41

  44

  44

  45

  47

  44 Leather and leather goods

  34

  40

  40

  42

  42

  44

  44

  49

  46

  49

  45 Footwear and clothing industries

  26

  29

  29

  33

  33

  33

  36

  35

  36

  39

  46 Timber and wooden furniture

  27

  29

  27

  29

  29

  32

  32

  30

  31

  31

  47 Paper, printing and publishing

  19

  19

  19

  20

  19

  20

  21

  21

  21

  22

  48 Rubber and plastics processing

  18

  18

  18

  21

  22

  24

  25

  26

  27

  28

  49 Other manufacturing

  35

  36

  41

  48

  38

  38

  39

  38

  39

  46

  n/a—Not available.

  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will publish the export figures and export-sales ratios from 1973 to date for manufacturing industries at SIC two-digit level.

  Table A

  Exports at current prices

  (£ million)

  SIC Class

  1978

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  21 Metalliferous ores extraction and preparation

  67

  91

  39

  42

  41

  34

  36

  36

  73

  17

  22 Metal manufacturing

  2,104

  2,634

  3,135

  2,919

  2,893

  3,526

  3,766

  3,860

  3,953

  4,097

  23 Extraction of minerals N.E.S.

  818

  1,045

  1,288

  795

  888

  1,158

  1,356

  1,209

  1,554

  1,648

  24 Non-metallic mineral products

  636

  652

  731

  824

  838

  878

  985

  1,120

  1,127

  1,183

  25 Chemical industry

  3,969

  4,601

  5,104

  5,531

  6,077

  6,949

  8,273

  9,471

  9,617

  10,539

  26 Man-made fibres

  304

  361

  373

  305

  300

  376

  419

  435

  416

  422

  31 Metal goods N.E.S.

  859

  901

  996

  960

  1,006

  969

  1,093

  1,218

  1,180

  1,287

  32 Mechanical engineering

  5,792

  6,078

  6,924

  7,079

  7,372

  6,658

  7,493

  8,295

  8,385

  8,984

  33 Office machinery and data processing equipment

  770

  967

  1,095

  1,056

  1,332

  1,821

  2,787

  3,543

  3,344

  4,211

  34 Electrical and electronic engineering

  3,117

  3,170

  3,663

  3,942

  4,537

  5,004

  5,909

  7,025

  7,414

  7,993

  35 Motor vehicles and their parts

  3,048

  3,136

  3,230

  3,277

  3,212

  3,248

  3,563

  4,066

  4,076

  5003

  36 Other transport equipment

  1,640

  1,817

  2,422

  2,733

  3,213

  3,323

  3,745

  4,178

  4,642

  5,478

  37 Instrument engineering

  651

  753

  874

  918

  1,024

  1,013

  1,133

  1,194

  1,230

  1,346

  41/42 Food, drink and tobacco

  2,419

  2,480

  2,772

  2,929

  3,182

  3,489

  3,695

  4,058

  4,161

  4,741

  43 Textile industry

  1,250

  1,332

  1,382

  1,317

  1,321

  1,380

  1,621

  1,859

  1,855

  2,069

  44 Leather and leather goods

  128

  162

  141

  131

  150

  175

  232

  260

  273

  345

  45 Footwear and clothing industries

  735

  835

  872

  880

  848

  889

  1,041

  1,165

  1,210

  1,405

  46 Timber and wooden furniture

  279

  279

  292

  272

  293

  311

  358

  397

  380

  416

  47 Paper, printing and publishing

  783

  869

  965

  984

  1,065

  1,183

  1,465

  1,620

  1,704

  2,004

  48 Rubber and plastics processing

  849

  946

  1,137

  1,113

  1,117

  1,212

  1,369

  1,522

  1,646

  1,974

  49 Other manufacturing

  764

  1,010

  1,255

  954

  909

  1,018

  1,222

  1,051

  1,195

  1,303

  104
  Mr. Alan Clark
  Data are available only for the years 1978 to 1987 inclusive. The information is given in the following tables:
  105

  Table B

  Export sales ratio (percentages)

  SIC Class

  1978

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  21 Metalliferous ores extraction and preparation

  391

  556

  257

  163

  154

  145

  70

  95

  ‥

  ‥

  22 Metal manufacturing

  21

  22

  21

  22

  23

  25

  32

  34

  38

  41

  23 Extraction of minerals N.E.S.

  25

  29

  28

  28

  14

  13

  13

  13

  9

  12

  24 Non-metallic mineral products

  15

  14

  14

  13

  14

  14

  14

  15

  15

  17

  25 Chemical industry

  36

  35

  37

  39

  40

  41

  44

  47

  47

  46

  26 Man-made fibres

  49

  53

  67

  63

  69

  74

  72

  73

  68

  64

  31 Metal goods N.E.S.

  13

  12

  14

  14

  14

  12

  13

  14

  13

  13

  32 Mechanical engineering

  44

  42

  45

  47

  45

  40

  42

  43

  42

  42

  33 Office machinery and data processing equipment

  90

  90

  96

  94

  108

  110

  107

  100

  100

  91

  34 Electrical and electronic engineering

  37

  33

  34

  36

  38

  37

  39

  43

  43

  43

  35 Motor vehicles and their parts

  38

  36

  38

  41

  38

  37

  37

  37

  34

  34

  36 Other transport equipment

  45

  43

  42

  50

  53

  55

  63

  55

  59

  57

  37 Instrument engineering

  51

  53

  55

  59

  56

  51

  53

  50

  48

  52

  41–42 Food, drink and tobacco

  11

  10

  10

  10

  10

  10

  10

  11

  11

  12

  43 Textile industry

  27

  27

  30

  30

  29

  28

  30

  31

  30

  32

  44 Leather and leather goods

  26

  29

  32

  30

  32

  33

  35

  38

  36

  40

  45 Footwear and clothing industries

  18

  18

  19

  20

  18

  18

  18

  19

  18

  21

  46 Timber and wooden furniture

  7

  6

  7

  6

  6

  6

  6

  6

  5

  5

  47 Paper, printing and publishing

  11

  10

  10

  10

  10

  10

  10

  11

  11

  11

  48 Rubber and plastics processing

  21

  20

  23

  24

  22

  22

  22

  22

  21

  22

  49 Other manufacturing

  38

  36

  36

  38

  28

  28

  28

  28

  28

  34

  ‥= not available.

  ‥=n.a. Not available.

  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will publish manufacturing output figures in constant prices from 1973 to date at SIC two-digit level.

  Index of production (1985 = 100)

  SIC Class

  1973

  1974

  1975

  1976

  1977

  1978

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  21 Metalliferous ores extraction and preparation

  180

  136

  146

  145

  160

  127

  119

  70

  83

  84

  81

  99

  100

  88

  80

  76

  22 Metal manufacturing

  138

  126

  109

  115

  114

  114

  118

  91

  97

  94

  94

  93

  100

  101

  109

  122

  23 Extraction of minerals N.E.S.

  148

  138

  123

  118

  117

  110

  108

  95

  85

  99

  92

  98

  100

  101

  104

  109

  24 Non-metallic mineral products

  136

  127

  119

  117

  115

  116

  115

  104

  93

  93

  98

  101

  100

  102

  108

  119

  25 Chemical industry

  81

  86

  77

  87

  90

  91

  93

  84

  84

  85

  91

  97

  100

  102

  109

  114

  26 Man-made fibres

  226

  194

  175

  193

  172

  184

  176

  129

  109

  87

  101

  105

  100

  104

  110

  107

  31 Metal goods N.E.S.

  143

  138

  125

  126

  130

  125

  123

  101

  93

  94

  96

  104

  100

  99

  103

  110

  32 Mechanical engineering

  125

  133

  131

  125

  125

  122

  117

  108

  96

  98

  94

  96

  100

  97

  97

  106

  33 Office machinery and data processing equipment

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  34 Electrical and electronic engineering

  87

  90

  85

  84

  86

  89

  88

  85

  81

  84

  89

  97

  100

  102

  104

  111

  35 Motor vehicles and their parts

  158

  146

  132

  133

  144

  136

  133

  115

  95

  92

  96

  95

  100

  98

  105

  117

  36 Other transport equipment

  110

  112

  107

  103

  98

  103

  100

  108

  112

  109

  103

  100

  100

  104

  112

  108

  37 Instrument engineering

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  41–42 Food, drink and tobacco

  95

  94

  92

  95

  96

  98

  100

  99

  97

  99

  100

  101

  100

  101

  103

  106

  43 Textile industry

  152

  139

  128

  132

  133

  129

  124

  102

  94

  92

  94

  96

  100

  100

  105

  102

  44 Leather and leather goods

  157

  145

  148

  153

  147

  144

  125

  99

  92

  87

  97

  103

  100

  107

  109

  100

  45 Footwear and clothing industries

  101

  99

  99

  96

  101

  104

  106

  95

  88

  88

  91

  95

  100

  101

  102

  102

  46 Timber and wooden furniture

  137

  117

  115

  118

  110

  114

  116

  100

  90

  88

  96

  101

  100

  103

  112

  127

  47 Paper, printing and publishing

  111

  111

  96

  99

  103

  105

  109

  101

  96

  93

  93

  98

  100

  104

  114

  126

  48 Rubber and plastics processing

  97

  94

  86

  94

  99

  102

  104

  93

  85

  85

  92

  97

  100

  107

  120

  130

  49 Other manufacturing

  161

  158

  144

  152

  166

  167

  158

  126

  114

  106

  94

  99

  100

  101

  102

  113

  n.a. Not available.

  Waste Paper Imports
  Mr. Crowther
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what information he has as to whether waste paper subsidised by Government funds, collected in the United States of America, is being imported into the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Atkins
  I understand that mandatory collection of waste paper and other recyclable materials is now in operation in several states of the United States of America. It is not possible separately to identify the volumes of waste paper obtained by this route and subsequently exported to the United Kingdom. However, there is
  106
  Mr. Atkins
  The information is in the following table:

  currently no evidence that imports of waste paper from the United States of America into the United Kingdom are having an adverse effect on our domestic market.

  Pittard Garnar plc
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he expects to receive the report from the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on the proposed takeover of Pittard Garnar plc by(a) Strong and Fisher (Holdings) plc. and (b) Hilisdown Holdings plc.

  Mr. Maude
  The Monopolies and Mergers Commission submitted its separate reports on the respective proposed acquisition of Pittard Garnar plc, by Strong and Fisher
  107
  (Holdings) plc and Hillsdown Holdings plc to my right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 10 March 1989.

  Companies Registration Office
  Mr. John Hughes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, since computerisation of search facilities at Companies Registration Office(a) how many times the computers have gone down, (b) what is the average time the computers have been down and (c) what is the longest and shortest time the computers have been down.

  Mr. Maude
  The chief executive of Companies House tells me that, since the computerised search facilities were established on 19 September 1988, there have been four instances when the computer has gone down. However, other factors such as failure in data communications links have also, from time to time, resulted in the loss of the search service.

  Altogether there have been 35 incidents which have resulted in some or all of the search room computer terminals being inoperable. The average duration of each incident has been 49 minutes. The longest interruption, lasting 62 hours and caused by a simultaneous failure in a primary and standby communications link, affected only the terminals in the London search room. The shortest recorded incident lasted 10 minutes.

  Mr. John Hughes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether there are any plans to provide back up computer facilities for when the Companies Registration Office computer search system goes down.

  Mr. Maude
  The chief executive attaches great importance to maximising the availability of computerised services and ways of reducing the risk of failure of all elements of the service are kept constantly under review. Currently, steps being taken to provide increased protection against computer failure include the installation of a second mainframe processor to provide back-up for the primary machine. Plans are also being prepared to enable the agency's computerised systems to be transferred to my Department's computer installation in Middlesex in the event of a major disaster at the agency's own computer installation.

  Mr. John Hughes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the average delay before documents received at Companies Registration Office are available on microfiche; and what steps are being taken by the Companies Registration Office to reduce the delay.

  Mr. Maude
  The chief executive of Companies House tells me that the average delay for making documents available for public inspection on microfiche over the 51 weeks of 1988–89 to the 24 March has been 25 working days. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced on 23 March 1989 targets for Companies House including one for an improvement in the time taken to process documents to an average 18 working days during 1990–91. Under the new agency arrangements, it is for the chief executive to take steps to meet this target.

  Mr. John Hughes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he expects the BAA shareholder register received by the Companies Registration Office on 30 September 1988, to be available for public inspection on microfiche.
  108
  Mr. Maude
  The chief executive tells me that this register was received by him in computer output microfilm form from which it was not possible to take good quality microfiche copies in the usual way. However, it has been available for inspection in Cardiff from 30 September. If a London searcher had wished to inspect it I understand that arrangements could have been made. The chief executive's staff has, as a result of the hon. Member's interest, been experimenting with a number of alternative ways of providing a copy to the London office and I am pleased to say that they have now found a technique that will enable them to do so. This shareholders register is now therefore available for inspection on request at the London search room.

  Mr. John Hughes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much it costs to produce the average company microfiche at Companies Registration Office.

  Mr. Maude
  The chief executive of Companies House tells me that, on a memorandum trading account basis, the estimated average cost of producing a company record on microfiche in 1988–89 was £2·46.

  Mr. John Hughes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what were the staffing levels at(a) Companies Registration Office, Cardiff and (b) Companies Registration Office, London, for the period 1979 to 1988.

  Mr. Maude
  The chief executive Companies House tells me that at 1 April each year the numbers of permanent staff in post were as follows:

  Cardiff

  London

  1979

  866·5

  224

  1980

  828·5

  204·5

  1981

  770·5

  213

  1982

  772

  196

  1983

  766

  193

  1984

  768·5

  181·5

  1985

  853

  180·5

  1986

  857

  181·5

  1987

  851·5

  189

  1988

  795

  178

  Company Documents
  Mr. John Hughes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what charges are made by the United Kingdom and each EEC country to the public for inspecting documents relating to companies and what they obtain for their money.

  Mr. Maude
  The chief executive of Companies House tells me that, in Great Britain, a searcher receives for the £2·50 statutory inspection fee, a microfiche copy of the filmed contents of one company record held by the registrar. Historical documents not filmed may be inspected by arrangement at one of the search rooms within the same search fee.

  Under the provisions of the first council directive dated 9 March 1968, European Community member states are required to make available for inspection company information for a fee which does not exceed the administrative cost of providing it.

  The system of company searches throughout EC member states varies considerably and complete up-to-date information about all search facilities is not currently held. The chief executive has in hand a project to consider

  109
  closer working links with providers of company registration and search facilities throughout the European Community. Meantime, if the hon. Member has any particular point in mind, the chief executive would be pleased to consider what he might do to help.

  Unsecured Loans
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what proportion of the respondents to the Office of Fair Trading survey published last autumn understood unprompted that an unsecured loan could result in the loss of the borrower's home.

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 23 March 1989]: The Office of Fair Trading, following the survey "Consumers' Use of Credit", has not published the proportion of respondents who, unprompted, understood that an unsecured loan could result in the loss of the borrower's home. However the survey did show that 44 per cent. of respondents claimed to have no idea of the difference between a secured loan and an unsecured loan.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster why he does not propose to include unsecured loans in regulations under the Consumer Credit Act 1974, requiring advertisements for loans to carry a health warning.

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 23 March 1989]: Evidence suggests that many consumers do not understand the difference between a secured loan and an unsecured loan. The report of the review body on civil justice (Cm. 394), concluded that sales of property following the granting of a charging order very rarely took place. I do not believe therefore that there is any justification for extending a "health" warning to cover unsecured loans.

  Loans
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) what proportion of loans secured against a second mortgage resulted in repossession of the borrower's home in the last year for which figures are available;

  (2) what proportion of unsecured loans resulted in repossession of the borrower's home in the last year for which figures are available;

  (3) how many charging orders for unsecured loans were issued in the last year for which figures are available.

  (a) Land authority for Wales

  Membership

  Salaries £

  Chairman:

  Mr. G. D. Inkin

  124,008

  Deputy Chairman:

  Mr. J. D. Allen CBE

  26,816

  Members:

  Mr. R. P. V. Rees

  34,790

  Mr. G. Jones

  Mr. R. F. Watkiss CBE

  Mr. W. Rhys Webb

  Mr. R. G. Owen

  Mr. A. Edmunds

  1 Based on 2·5 days per week.

  2 Based on 1 day per week.

  3 Based on 3 days per month.

  110
  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 23 March 1989]: The collection of statistics on court proceedings is a matter for the Lord Chancellor's Department, but I understand that information is not available in the form requested.

WALES

  House Grants
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what income level it is his policy to set as the figure below which a house owner will receive a 100 per cent. grant for renovations or repairs, and what percentage grant will be received by those with incomes over the threshold.

  Mr. Grist
  Our recent consultation paper on the test of resources proposed that households with weekly net incomes below a threshold figure would qualify for 100 per cent. assistance. Grant would be progressively reduced for households with incomes above the threshold.

  The test of resources we have proposed suggests that the threshold should be set at housing benefit level plus a premium of £20 per week. For those with incomes above that level we have proposed a sliding scale of grant entitlement determined by the cost of works and applicant's financial resources.

  Forestry Commission Holdings (Wales)
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what information his office holds on the location and extent of the Forestry Commission's holdings in Wales.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Information on the land managed by the Forestry Commission in Wales, set out by forest districts, is contained in table 16 of the commission's annual reports.

  Copies of these reports are in the Library of the House.

  Housing and Development Agencies
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the chairman and members of(a) the Land Authority for Wales, (b) Housing for Wales, (c) the Welsh Development Agency and (d) Cardiff Bay development corporation, together with their salaries and expenses.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The list of names and current salaries is given in the table. Expenses are paid in accordance with Treasury guidelines on payments to members of public bodies.
  111

  (b) Housing for Wales

  Membership

  Salaries £

  Chairman:

  Mr. J. Allen CBE

  122,135

  Deputy Chairman:

  Mr. J. Evans

  26,851

  Members:

  Mr. G. Lloyd

  33,000

  Professor P. Williams

  Mr. J. Proctor

  Mrs. A. Mainwaring

  Mr. A. E. Peat

  4—

  1 Based on 2·5 days per week.

  2 Based on 1 day per week.

  3 Based on 2 days per month.

  4 Salary paid as Chief Executive.

  (c) Welsh Development Agency

  Members

  Salaries £

  Chairman:

  Dr. Gwyn Jones

  132,990

  Deputy Chairman:

  Sir Donald Walters

  217,046

  Members:

  Mr. David Waterstone

  4—

  Cllr. E. Glyn Davies

  5—

  Mr. Idwal Symonds JP

  34,825

  Mr. Colin Ivor Cooke

  Mr. Ralph Phillip Vinon Rees

  Mr. David Griffiths Roberts OBE

  Mr. David Claude Neville Cole CBE

  Mr.B.Hugh R.Hudson-Davies

  Mr. John Foley MBE

  1 Based on 2·5 days per week.

  2 Based on 2 days per week.

  3 Based on 2 days per month.

  4 Salary paid as Chief Executive of Agency.

  5 As Chairman of Development Board of Rural Wales receives no emoluments in his capacitv as an ex officio board member of the Agency.

  (d) Cardiff Bay Development Corporation

  Members

  Salaries £

  Chairman:

  Geoffrey Inkin OBE

  124,290

  Deputy Chairman:

  Cllr. Lord Brooks of Tremorfa

  213,702

  Members:

  Mrs. Mair Barnes

  33,866

  Mrs. Honor Chapman

  Cllor. Percy Chappel

  Mr. Alan Cox CBE

  Sir Alex Gordon

  Mr. B. Hugh R. Hudson-Davies

  Cllr. Paddy Kitson

  Mr. Patrick de Pelet

  Cllr. John Reynolds

  Cllr. Ron Watkiss

  1 Based on 2·5 days per week.

  2 Based on 2 days per week.

  3 Based on 0·5 day per week.

  Cefn Coed Hospital (Psychiatric Unit)
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when a medium-secure psychiatic unit at Cefn Coed hospital, Swansea will be established in the light of the undertaking given by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary on 25 April 1988,Official Report, column 1.

  Mr. Grist
  The provision of a medium secure psychiatric service for south-west Wales is under consideration by the Welsh Office in the light of the comments of the three health authorities most concerned.

  Housing for Wales
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he has appointed any members of Housing for Wales who possess a local government background.

  Mr. Grist
  No.

  Computer Consultants
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total amount spent by his Department in
  113
  1988 on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases; and if he will list each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by his Department in 1988, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The total amount spent on management and computer consultancies in 1988 was £195,280. Details of those consultancies awarded in that year are as follows:

  Firm

  Subject of assignment

  BIS Ltd.

  To assist with the performance of the Department's mainframe computer.

  HMSO

  To review the layout of the Department's reprographic unit.

  Ernst and Whinney Ltd.

  To advise on the implementation of the Department's computerised financial systems.

  Frank Griffiths Associates

  Review of purchasing

  Touche Ross

  Review of the NHS directorate

  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total amount spent by the Welsh Development Agency in 1988 on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases; and if he will list each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by the Welsh Development Agency in 1988, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The Welsh Development Agency has spent £99,000 on the following consultancy contracts:

  Company

  Assignment

  Grant Thornton

  Evaluation and testing of new computer systems

  Ernst Whinney

  Documentation for users of new computer systems and advice on implementing new systems

  P. Sullivan

  Development of integrated data bases from existing computer systems

  Touche Ross

  Corporate planning advice

  Numbers Research Ltd.

  Monitoring effectiveness of agency marketing campaign outside of Wales

  Henry Zarb of Holder &Co.

  Beaufort Research Ltd.

  Monitoring effectiveness of agency marketing campaign within Wales

  Taylor Nelson Research

  Monitoring effectiveness of agency food initiative marketing campaign

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  (a) Welsh Office direct funding of voluntary organisations

  231,043

  413,938

  601,796

  465,335

  260,110

  140,231

  (b) Total Welsh Office payment under the mental handicap strategy

  0·75 million

  2·41 million

  4·02 million

  6·88 million

  10·06 million

  113·80 million

  Proportion of (a) to (b)

  28·4 per cent.

  17·2 per cent.

  15·0 per cent.

  6·8 per cent.

  2·6 per cent.

  1·0 per cent.

  1 Provisional.

  The declining proportion of direct central funding reflects the development of effective county planning, which provides the basis for the social services and health authorities to support directly relevant voluntary sector activity.

  Tree Preservation Orders
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many tree preservation orders have been made in each county of Wales(a) for individual trees and (b) for groups of trees or woods; and what area is covered by the latter case.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  Local planning authorities are responsible for making and confirming tree preservation orders and the information requested is not held centrally.

  All-Wales Strategy
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what is the number and designation of staff employed through all-Wales strategy funding in Clwyd since the inception of the strategy, on a year-by-year basis;

  (2) how much all-Wales strategy funding Clwyd county council has allocated to its education service.

  Mr. Grist
  The responsibility for planning and developing services under the all-Wales mental handicap strategy lies with county joint planning teams. These teams consist of representatives of local and health authorities, voluntary organisations and representatives of service users in each county, and are coordinated by local authority social services departments. In addition to the resources of the local and health authorities, special Welsh Office grants are made available to counties to assist in the development of new patterns of services. Detailed information on individual services, including staffing, in Clwyd is available from the county council.

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what voluntary sector initiatives are funded by the all-Wales strategy county by county; and what percentage of the counties allocations this represents on a year-by-year basis.

  Mr. Grist
  The allocation of funds under the all-Wales mental handicap strategy for the voluntary sector within each county is primarily a matter for the social services and health authorities, and detailed information is not held centrally. The Department funds directly a limited number of voluntary bodies for them to provide or pilot services relevant to more that one county area. Information in respect of these is as follows:

  Local Authority Housing
  Mr. Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what, at the latest available date, was the average selling price before discount of a local authority unit of accommodation; and what is the average cost of building a new local authority unit of accommodation.
  115
  Mr. Grist
  The average selling price before discount of local authority dwellings sold during 1988 was £20,115. The average cost of building a new local authority unit of accommodation during the same period is estimated to have been £35,450.

  Water Standards
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will provide details of the Welsh water authority's funding allocated to improvements in standards of(a) drinking water quality, (b) sewage treatment and disposal and (c) bathing water quality through its existing capital programme for each of the next 10 years;

  (2) what percentage of the projected necessary funding for improvements in standards of (a) drinking water quality, (b) sewage treatment and disposal and (c) bathing water quality is contained within the existing capital programme of the Welsh water authority.

  Mr. Grist
  The information requested by the hon. Gentleman is not available.

ENERGY

  Nuclear Power (Report)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to his reply of 13 February,Official Report, column 40, what analysis has been made of the report, "Greenhouse Warming: A Rationale for Nuclear Power"; what action he proposes to take as a result; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The paper "Greenhouse Warming: Comparative Analysis of Two Abatement Strategies" has been examined by my Department. The paper is United States oriented. The scope for cost-effective energy efficiency measures and the means by which they might be implemented are not sufficiently addressed.

  Nuclear power has a positive role to play in helping to curtail future CO2 emissions, but is not going to solve the threat of global warming on its own. Cost-effective energy efficiency measures will also have an important role and the Energy Efficiency Office will continue to promote them vigorously.

  Computer Consultants
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what was the total amount spent by his Department in 1988 on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases; and if he will list each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by his Department in 1988, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment.

  Mr. Parkinson
  My Department spent £217,000 on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases, in the financial year 1988–89.

  Contracts placed with private sector firms and companies for management or computer consultancies during 1988 were:
  116

  Consultants

  Subject

  Price Waterhouse

  Offshore supplies office: computerisation project

  Dataserv

  Computerisation of petroleum licence records

  BIS

  Cabling design for new HQ building

  Price Waterhouse

  Feasibility Study of computerisation of offshore drilling applications and approvals

  IML

  Assistance in setting up computer system for technical investigation into Piper Alpha disaster

  Price Waterhouse

  Reporting instructions for United Kingdom oil and gas production statistics

  Data Solve Ltd.

  Computer training

  Stuart McKechnie Ltd.

  Management training

  Training and Development Approaches Ltd.

  Advice on management training and appraisal

  Kleinwort Benson

  Financial advice including computer modelling

  Russell Reynolds

  Recruitment consultants for chairman of North Eastern electricity board

  Security Firms
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his policy towards his Department's involvement with private security firms.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  The policy of my Department is to use the services of private security firms where it is to the public advantage to do so, within the limits set by Government policy and after consulting other Departments as appropriate.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Parent Governors
  Mr. Hind
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schools have set up governing bodies containing elected parent governors; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  A recent survey for the Department suggests that about 99 per cent. of parent-governor places at county and maintained special schools have been filled, almost all of these through election or nomination. This is a tremendous achievement.

  Student Loans
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will estimate at what date the Government will recover its spending outlay on the student loans scheme proposed in the White Paper "Top-up Loans for Students".

  Mr. Jackson
  On the basis of the assumptions outlined in annex E of the White Paper and measured in terms of the cumulative net PSBR effect, the spending outlay will be recovered by 2013. If the cost of the access funds are included, the outlay will be recovered by 2015.

  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about the number of representations he has received for and against the Government's students loan plans.
  117
  Mr. Jackson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend on 22 March 1989 to the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner) at column 605.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what effect his proposals laid down in "Top-Up Loans for Students" (Cm. 520) will have in relation to(a) nursing students pursuing degree courses in nursing in colleges of higher education and (b) nursing students pursuing nursing education courses under the Project 2000 proposals, in receipt of a bursary; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  The precise arrangements for bursaries for student nurses have not yet been decided.

  Education Statistics
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what analysis he has carried out of the 10 local education authorities with the lowest record of (i) examination results and (ii) expenditure per pupil.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Three of the 10 highest spending authorities in 1986–87 were among the 10 authorities with the lowest proportions of school leavers achieving five or more higher grades. None of the 10 lowest spending authorities were in this category.

  Drugs
  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has for Government funding of drugs education coordinators.

  Mr. Butcher
  Drugs education coordinators are employed by local education authorities; they have been funded jointly by LEAs and the DES since 1986 under the education support grants programme. Consideration is currently being given to the nature of the ESG programme in 1990–91. A decision on this will be announced shortly.

  Japanese Language Training
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of state for Education and Science what progress is being made in expanding the demand for the network of language export training centres' Japanese services; and what other steps he is taking to enhance Japanese language training for exporters.

  Mr. Jackson
  The network of language export centres is planning to produce an audio briefing package which will enhance its Japanese services. The package will include Japanese language training as well as advice on business practice in Japan. It will be aimed at businesses wishing to penetrate the Japanese market and should be available from all the centres in the early summer.

  Classroom Behaviour
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps his Department is taking to assist schools in securing a more orderly atmosphere in the classroom.

  Mr. Butcher
  My Department is currently taking action on a number of key recommendations made in the recent report from the committee of inquiry into discipline in 118
  schools. This includes measures to improve teacher training; financial support for projects to tackle the problems of difficult pupils and truancy; and close monitoring of the procedures for excluding pupils from school. Fuller details were given to the House on 13 March by my right hon. Friend.

  Grant Maintained Schools
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the number of schools which have so far applied for grant-maintained status; and what action he intends to take to encourage further applications.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  A total of 22 schools have so far published statutory proposals to become grant-maintained; many more are on the way. My right hon. Friend will continue to do all he can to encourage the development of a healthy grant-maintained sector and greater choice for parents.

  Schools Outreach Programme
  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about the funding of the schools outreach programme.

  Mr. Butcher
  My right hon. Friend has offered funding for a three-year pilot project to be conducted by schools outreach. This is dependent upon funding also being provided by a local education authority. In the long term, funding for schools outreach must be a matter for local determination.

  Student Loans
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has received any representations from banking institutions in the last month in regard to the proposed introduction of student loans; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  Yes. Constructive discussions are being held with a range of financial institutions about their possible participation in the administration of top-up loans.

  Parent Governors
  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the latest figures for the number of parents who have become school governors.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Lancashire, West (Mr. Hind).

  Essex Education Committee
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he last met the chairman of Essex county council education committee; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Butcher
  My right hon. Friend last met the chairman of the Essex county council education committee on official business at the golden jubilee celebrations of St. Helena school on 28 January 1988.

  Engineering (A-level Syllabus)
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has as to how many examination boards provide an A-level examination syllabus for engineering.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  I understand that seven of the eight GCE examining boards offer A-level syllabuses in engineering subjects.

  Capital Allocations
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many local education authorities have made representations to his Department since the 1989–90 capital allocations were announced.

  Mr. Butcher
  A total of 17 local education authorities have made representations about their 1989–90 capital allocations. Four of these relate to the allocations for voluntary aided and special agreement schools only.

  Lecturers (Dispute)
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what provisions are being made for Liverpool students whose exams are in danger because of the Association of University Teachers' dispute.

  Mr. Jackson
  That is a matter for the authorities at the university.

  Lecturers (Pay and Conditions)
  Mr. David Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received about university lecturers' pay and conditions; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  My right hon. Friend has received representations from the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals and the Association of University Teachers seeking additional funding for pay increases for university staff. He has also had many letters both about salary levels in universities and in criticism of the boycott of examination work by lecturers.

  Student Maintenance
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give figures for total Government spending on student maintenance for each of the last 10 years in(a) cash terms and (b) in real terms, indexed so that 1979–80 = 100.

  Mr. Jackson
  Expenditure on the maintenance element of mandatory awards has been as follows:

  Academic year

  (a) Expendilure in cash terms £m

  (b) Expenditure in real terms £m (1979–80 prices)

  1979–80

  332

  332

  1980–81

  398

  349

  1981–82

  443

  355

  1982–83

  472

  359

  1983–84

  502

  362

  1984–85

  480

  332

  120

  Academic year

  (a) Expenditure in cash terms £m

  (b) Expenditure in real terms £m (1979–80 prices)

  1985–86

  458

  302

  1986–87

  480

  302

  1987–881

  497

  295

  1988–891

  523

  292

  1 Estimated.

  Polytechnics and Colleges
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1), pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Oxford, East,Official Report, 15 March, column 219, if he will list the separate figures for the total capital allocations from the advanced further education pool and capital expenditure by local authorities on polytechnics and colleges in each year since 1979–80 (a) in cash terms and (b) indexed in real terms with 1979–80 = 100;

  (2) pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Oxford East, Official Report, 15 March, column 220, if he will list capital expenditure (a) funded by the University Grants Committee, and (b) the same figures for capital expenditure on polytechnics and other colleges for each of the last 10 years in cash terms, as well as indexed in real terms with 1979–80 = 100.

  Mr. Jackson
  The following information takes account of the gross domestic product deflator updated as at 15 March and also corrects an error in the earlier answer, for which I apologise, in the index for polytechnics and colleges in 1987–88.

  Capital Expenditure on Financial years

  Universities (Great Britain)

  Polytechnics and other Colleges (England)

  £ million

  Index

  £ million

  Index

  1979–80

  87·8

  100

  78·0

  100

  1980–81

  97·9

  94

  100·7

  109

  1981–82

  103·1

  90

  99·9

  98

  1982–83

  106·8

  87

  125·5

  115

  1983–84

  103·1

  81

  125·5

  110

  1984·85

  106·7

  79

  137·4

  115

  1985–86

  118·2

  83

  145·5

  116

  1986–87

  130·2

  89

  159·5

  123

  1987–88

  128·8

  84

  1124·9

  191

  1988–89

  140·1

  85

  n/a

  n/a

  1 Estimated.

  n/a Not available.

  The figures for polytechnics and colleges are gross capital expenditure on all further and higher education by local authorities as returned by them together with capital grants to voluntary and direct grant colleges. The advanced further education pool is for recurrent expenditure only. There is a separate pool for elements of capital-related expenditure on AFE as laid down by regulations.

  Teacher Conversion Courses
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science for what reasons the allocation of funds to the University Grants Committee and National Advisory Board for teacher conversion courses has been discontinued.
  121
  Mrs. Rumbold
  The allocation of funds has not been discontinued.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many places were allocated for teacher conversion courses in 1987–88 and 1988–89; and how many of these places were taken up.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  This information is not available.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he or Ministers in his Department have held a meeting of the trustees of the grant-maintained schools trust.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Neither I nor my Ministerial colleagues have held any such meeting. From time to time my right hon. Friend and I have had discussions with the chairman and director of the grant-maintained schools trust.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he first learnt that the grant-maintained schools trust had described itself in its literature as a registered charity; and if his Department took any action to point out the error.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The point was brought to my right hon. Friend's attention some weeks after the issue of the document, when he was also informed that the grant-maintained schools trust was itself taking steps to correct the error.

  Information Technology
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will seek to amend the education support grant guidelines governing information technology in schools to permit local education authorities freedom to purchase information technology equipment of their choice without restriction on the country of origin of the manufacturers.

  Mr. Butcher
  The guidelines contain no such restriction.

  Badgers
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what research his Department is currently funding into the development of a vaccine against bovine tuberculosis in badgers.

  Mr. Jackson
  This Department is not currently funding any such research.

  Child Sexual Abuse
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what Government-funded research by the Economic and Social Research Council into the sexual abuse of children(a) has taken place since 1979, (b) is currently taking place and (c) is under consideration, giving the cost of each project listed.
  122
  Mr. Jackson
  Since 1979 the Economic and Social Research Council has provided funds from its grant-in-aid in support of the following research projects relating to child sexual abuse:1 January 1982 to 31 December 1983: £23,130 for a project entitled "The Social Sensitivity of Abused Children and Their Mothers", under the direction of Dr. C. E. Davies and Miss R. M. Calam, department of psychology, Manchester university.
  1 April 1985 to 31 March 1987: £11,620 for a project entitled "A Social Anthropological Study of Cases of Child Sex Abuse in Britain", under the direction of Professor J. S. La fontaine, institute of child health, London university.
  1 December 1988 to 30 November 1990: £49,490 for a project entitled "Child Sex Abuse", under the direction of Dr. N. G. Fielding and Ms. J. Tunstall, department of sociology, university of Surrey. [In progress].
  1 January 1989 to 31 December 1990: £44,842 for a project entitled "The Effect of Social Worker/Family Relationships on Child Abuse Case Outcomes", under the direction of Dr. T. K. Pitcairn, department of social policy and social work, Edinburgh university. [in progress].

  A further grant of £43,000 has recently been awarded to Dr. L. Kelly, polytechnic of north London, for a 20-month project to begin later this year, entitled "The Prevalence of Child Abuse in the UK". The council is giving consideration to the possibility of a new research initiative in this area.

  Teachers (Statistics)
  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many teachers are employed in schools in the state sector; and if he will break the figures down according to age and sex.

  Mr. Butcher
  The total number of teachers and instructors employed in the maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools sector in England in January 1988 (the latest date for which figues are available) was 425·5 thousand, including those employed part-time or on an occasional basis. Their total full-time equivalent was 401·5 thousand.

  More detailed information by age and sex on the breakdown of teachers is available only in relation to qualified teachers in full-time regular service and at an earlier date (March 1986). The figures (in thousands) are:

  Men

  Women

  Men and women

  Under 30

  17·0

  41·8

  58·7

  30–34

  27·9

  35·6

  63·5

  35–39

  37·3

  39·6

  76·9

  40–44

  23·7

  33·5

  57·2

  45–49

  18·4

  32·9

  51·3

  50–54

  14·0

  26·8

  40·8

  55 or over

  11·7

  16·8

  28·6

  All ages

  150·0

  226·9

  376·9

  Computer Consultants
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the total amount spent by his Department in 1988 on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases; and if he will list each management or

  Consultant

  Assignment

  Logica Ltd.

  Technical study in connection with the Department's education information strategy

  Logica Ltd.

  Review of teacher information needs

  Peat, Marwick McLintock

  Study of requirements for an integrated vote and management accounting system

  CMG

  Specification of needs for the Departments core resource information system

  BIS Applied Systems

  Communications strategy for HMI

  FI Group

  Study of ORACLE implementation

  Ernst Whinney

  Management system for HMI travelling and subsistence

  ITS Ltd.

  Training review

  Coopers and Lybrand

  Study of holding board models for the ABRC

  Coopers and Lybrand

  Management framework for the control of information systems projects

  Deloitte Haskins and Sells

  Advice on computer accounting systems for the Department

  Deloitte Haskins and Sells

  Financial management advice and assistance to the University Grants Committee (UGC)

  Loughborough Consultants Ltd.

  Research selectivity project for the UGC

  City University

  Financial services for the UGC

  Royal Society

  Analysis of the earth science review for the UGC

  Over-16s
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for. Education and Science what percentage of young persons in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) Durham continue in formal education beyond their 16th year.

  Participation in education, 1986–87

  Percentage of population

  Age 16

  Age 17

  full-time

  part-time day

  full-time

  part-time day

  United Kingdom1

  50

  15

  32

  12

  Durham2

  39

  15

  26

  14

  1 Home students only.

  2 Excludes independent schools and private further education establishments.

  Higher Education
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of young persons in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) Durham attend full-time higher education.

  Mr. Jackson
  The available data are listed below. The percentages are based on the numbers of students in 1986–87 who received a new full-value award from an LEA. Comparable figures are not available for the United Kingdom.

  New full-value awards1 to students as a percentage2 of 18 to 19-year-old population: 1986–87

  Per cent.

  Durham LEA

  14·9

  English and Welsh LEAs

  21·3

  124
  computer consultancy contract awarded by his Department in 1988, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment.

  Mr. Butcher
  This Department spent £438,127 on computer and management consultancies in 1988. Contracts awarded in that year were as follows:

  Mr. Jackson
  The available information is given in the table.

  1 Includes awards made to students attending universities, polytechnics and other colleges.

  2 The percentage is based on the number of new award holders as a proportion of the relevant single year age group; this was calculated by adding half of all l8-year-olds to half of all l9-year-olds.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to encourage more students to enter full-time higher education.

  Mr. Jackson
  We already have record participation in all forms of higher education. The Government's policies for better schools and greater flexibility in further and higher education will build on this, helping to offset the effects of the substantial decline in the young entrant age group.

  Students and Academic Staff
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many full-time students, undergraduates and post-graduates there were at universities studying(a) arts, (b) business, (c) science and (d) engineering for the years 1975, 1980, 1985 and 1988;

  (2) how many full-time academic staff were employed by universities for art, business, science and engineering for the years 1975, 1980, 1985 and 1988.

  Mr. Jackson
  The information is shown in the table:

  Full-time equivalent student load and full-time academic staff, in universities

  Great Britain

  Academic year beginning in

  19751 2

  19801

  1985

  19873

  Full-time equivalent student load

  Total of which

  272,865

  311,985

  307,741

  318,496

  Arts

  128,897

  146,367

  129,669

  135,569

  Business

  6,051

  7,720

  14,237

  15,715

  Science

  91,376

  102,224

  106,110

  108,083

  Engineering

  28,072

  34,267

  35,949

  37,379

  Other5

  18,469

  21,407

  21,776

  21,750

  Full-time academic staff4

  Total of which

  31,094

  42,478

  43,435

  45,348

  Arts

  12,199

  14,620

  12,702

  12,633

  Business

  576

  852

  1,275

  1,395

  Science

  11,495

  15,964

  16,642

  17,447

  Engineering

  3,480

  5,042

  5,731

  6,058

  Other5

  3,344

  6,000

  7,085

  7,815

  1 Information for 1975 and 1980 is based on subject group of academic department that for later years is based on cost centres.

  2 Information for academic staff in 1975 are full-time staff paid directly from university funds.

  3 Provisional.

  4 Excluding a small number of staff in adult education departments, libraries and museums. In 1987–88 these numbered 530.

  5 Clinical medicine, dentistry and veterinary science.

  Licensed Teachers
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will make a statement on his policy on providing financial support to local education authorities in(a) 1989–90 and (b) 1990–91 in connection with his proposals to introduce licensed teachers; whether he has yet held any discussions about financial support arrangements for these proposals; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will describe the expenditure consequences of his present proposals to introduce licensed teachers, including an illustrative cost of training for one such teacher; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The cost of providing training for licensed teachers will vary considerably according to the previous experience and training needs of the individual concerned. The costs of such training will be eligible for support under the local education authority training grants scheme.

  Pensions (Abatement Provisions)
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science, pursuant to his answer to the hon.126
  Member for Bridgend of 15 March, Official Report, column 223, what was the total number of notifications from teachers received by the Paymaster General's Office in the year ended 31 March 1988 concerning re-employment after retirement; in what circumstances individual cases among this total number were considered under the abatement provisions; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Butcher
  The Paymaster General's Office does not keep the detailed information requested but I understand that inquiries are received from some 2,000 teachers each year about re-employment after retirement. Individual cases are considered under the abatement provisions when the employment is of the kind to which the abatement provisions can apply and the income from it approaches the earnings margin.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Bridgend of 15 March,Official Report, column 223, whether the current review of the policy of abatement is taking account of the problems of teacher shortages identified by his Department; when he expects this review to reach a conclusion in relation to teachers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Butcher
  The review will take account of factors relating to recruitment and retention in all of the main public services including education. The review is expected to be completed this summer.

  Voluntary Youth Workers
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will reinstate eligibility for voluntary youth workers under the local authority training grant scheme.

  Mr. Butcher
  The eligibility of these workers is under review.

  London Residuary Body
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from the London residuary body in respect of the draft Education (Reorganisation in Inner London) (Compensation) Regulations 1989; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Letters have been received from the chairman of the board of the London residuary body and from the LRB's director of personnel. These acknowledge that the terms proposed under the draft regulations are very similar to those available under the Local Government Reorganisation (Compensation) Regulations 1986, but make a number of suggestions for the most part reflecting the experience of the board in operating the 1986 regulations.

DEFENCE

  Military Equipment (Export)
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what provision is made by his Department for measuring and regulating the export of military equipment from the
  127
  United Kingdom through collaborative projects; what provision is made for measuring and regulating the re-export of this equipment to third countries; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Exports from the United Kingdom of goods controlled under the Exports of Goods (Control) Order 1987, as amended, are subject to export licensing in accordance with procedures operated by the Department of Trade and Industry.

  There are no special provisions for collaborative projects; the same export requirements and procedures apply to them as to any other export of defence equipment.

  In general, the export or re-export of collaborative equipment to third countries calls for the agreement of all the collaborative partners although each project has its own memorandum of understanding and procedures differ slightly between them.

  Headquarters Contracts
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list in the Official Report the precise amounts paid to each of the 10 contractors which received the largest shares of headquarters contracts awarded by his Department in each of the five years to 31 March 1988.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The 10 contractors receiving the most payment in respect of headquarters contracts in the five years to 31 March 1988 were as follows:

  £ million

  1983–84

  1. The General Electric Co plc

  690

  2. British Aerospace plc (Dynamics)

  615

  3. Rolls Royce Ltd

  485

  4. British Shipbuilders

  400

  5. The Plessey Co plc

  365

  6. Royal Ordnance Factories

  340

  7. British Aerospace plc (Aircraft)

  340

  8. Ferranti plc

  180

  9. The British Petroleum Co plc

  170

  10. Westland plc

  155

  1984–85

  1. The General Electric Co plc

  805

  2. British Aerospace plc (Dynamics)

  685

  3. British Shipbuilders

  535

  4. The Plessey Co plc

  415

  5. Royal Ordnance plc

  410

  6. Rolls Royce Ltd

  410

  7. British Aerospace plc (Aircraft)

  320

  8. Ferranti plc

  215

  9. Esso UK plc

  205

  10. British Petroleum Co plc

  175

  1985–86

  1. The General Electric Co plc

  800

  2. British Aerospace plc (Dynamics)

  715

  3. British Shipbuilders

  590

  4. The Plessey Co plc

  440

  5. Rolls Royce Ltd

  435

  6. Royal Ordnance plc

  370

  7. British Aerospace plc (Aircraft)

  300

  8. Ferranti plc

  225

  9. Westland plc

  180

  10. Hunting Associated Industries plc

  160

  1986–87

  1. The General Electric Co plc

  850

  2. British Aerospace plc (Dynamics)

  610

  3. Rolls Royce Ltd

  425

  4. The Plessey Co plc

  365

  5. Vickers Shipbuilders and Engineering

  345

  6. British Aerospace plc (Aircraft)

  320

  128

  £ million

  7. Royal Ordnance plc

  245

  8. Hunting Associated Industries plc

  205

  9. Ferranti plc

  200

  10. Thorn EMI plc

  155

  1987–88

  1. The General Electric Co plc

  1,035

  2. British Aerospace plc (Dynamics)

  545

  3. Vickers Shipbuilders and Engineering Ltd

  465

  4. Rolls Royce plc

  420

  5. British Aerospace plc (Aircraft)

  330

  6. The Plessey Co plc

  305

  7. Royal Ordnance plc

  225

  8. Devonport Management Ltd

  225

  9. Ferranti plc

  200

  10. Hunting Associated Industries plc

  195

  Contractors
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list in the Official Report the precise amounts paid to each of the following contractors by his Department in the year ended 31 March 1988: (a) J. S. Chinn & Co. Ltd., (b) Abbey Panels Ltd., (c) Self Changing Gears Ltd., (d) Noel Penny Turbines Ltd.(e) National Plastics Ltd., (f) Commercial Hydraulics Keelavite Ltd., (g) Coventry Motor & Sundries Ltd. and (h) Armstrong Equipment plc.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The payments made to each of these companies in the year ended 31 March 1988 in respect of headquarters contracts were as follows:

  1987

  £ million

  J. S. Chinn & Co. Ltd.

  0·06

  Self Changing Gears Ltd.

  0·40

  Noel Penny Turbines Ltd.

  0·04

  National Plastics Ltd.

  5·71

  Commercial Hydraulics Keelavite

  2·03

  Coventry Motor & Sundries Ltd.

  0·16

  We have no record of any headquarters contracts having been placed with either Abbey Panels Ltd. or Armstrong Equipment plc.

  Missiles
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the current purchase costs of(a) one Exocet MM38 missile and (b) one Trident 2D5 missile.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  It is no longer our practice to publish unit production costs for equipment purchased by the Ministry of Defence.

  Submarines
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what claims for damages caused to boats by submarines are currently being considered; what total sum is involved; and what sums have been paid for damages in each year since 1979 and for the current year to date.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Ministry of Defence deals on a legal liability basis with claims for compensation arising from incidents involving Royal Navy submarines. In each of the last 10 years, the following sums have been paid out as compensation:
  129

  Year

  £

  1979

  750

  1980

  Nil

  1981

  Nil

  1982

  Nil

  1983

  2,800

  1984

  157,850

  1985

  236,100

  1986

  15,000

  1987

  100,400

  1988

  Nil

  Four claims are currently being considered, the details of which are regarded as private between the claimants and the Department.

  Vehicles
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the current purchase costs of(a) one FV432 armoured personnel carrier and(b) one FV18067 ambulance (Rover 75 tonne).

  Mr. Sainsbury
  It is no longer our practice to publish unit production costs. No recent purchases have, however, been made of either of these vehicles.

  Multiple-launch Rocket System
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the current purchase cost of one M270 multiple-launch rocket system.

  Management consultancy contracts

  Firm

  Subject of assignment

  Arthur Anderson & Co

  Support to the RAF TOPMIS Team

  W. S. Atkins & Partners

  Support to the PE TOPMIS Team

  W. S. Atkins & Partners

  Assistance for the Defence Works Planning Team

  Charles Barker plc

  Implementation of the Internal Communications Strategy for DGA(N)

  Deloitte Haskins & Sells

  Study into Spares Procurement

  Deloitte Haskins & Sells

  Study into Spares Procurement

  Deloitte Haskins & Sells

  Support to the Army TOPMIS Team

  Deloitte Haskins & Sells

  Follow on Study into Initial Provisioning

  P. A. Consulting Services Ltd

  Study into the Long Term Support for Tri Star

  P. A. Consulting Services Ltd

  Study into the Management and Control of Consumable Air Stores

  Peat Marwick McLintock

  Study into the RN Representational Task

  Peat Marwick McLintock

  Support to the Navy TOPMIS Team

  Peat Marwick McLintock

  Study into Ethnic Minority Recruitment to the Armed Forces

  P. E. Consulting Services Ltd

  Support to the PE TOPMIS Team

  Touche Ross & Company

  Assistance with Financial Management in the DGA(N) Area

  Touche Ross & Company

  Assistance with Next Steps and the Meteorological Office

  Touche Ross & Company

  Assistance to the British Forces Germany Financial Scrutiny

  Harold Whitehead & Partners

  Review of Productivity Scheme

  Harold Whitehead & Partners

  Review of Productivity Scheme

  Arthur Young

  Study into EX Works Transport

  130
  Mr. Sainsbury
  It is no longer our practice to publish unit production costs for equipment purchased by the Ministry of Defence.

  Computer Consultants
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total amount spent by his Department in 1988 on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases; and if he will list each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by his Department in 1988, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The Ministry of Defence is estimated to spend £8·5 million in the financial year 1988–89 on management and computer consultancy contracts. Details of the management consultancy contracts are listed. Contractual responsibility for computer consultancy contracts has been transferred from the Ministry of Defence to the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency. CCTA does not currently maintain separate details of consultancy contracts, which, in many cases, form part of wider computer procurement and support contracts. Details of individual contracts could therefore be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  United States Competitive Strategies Doctrine
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with his United States counterparts regarding the new United States competitive strategies doctrine.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend has not recently discussed the subject of competitive strategies with his US counterparts.

  Private Security Firms
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer to the Member for Brent, East of 7 March,Official Report, column 517 (a) which private security firms have been used by his Department, (b) where they have been deployed and (c) at what cost to his Department in each year from 1979 to the current date.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The following private companies have been employed by the Department to provide security guarding services:

  Airwork Ltd

  Burns International Security Services (UK) Ltd

  Care Security Services Ltd.

  Centuryan Security Ltd

  Chubb Wardens Ltd

  Custodian Security Guards Ltd

  Medway (Chatham) Dock Co Ltd

  Shorrock Guards Ltd (Formerly Pritchard Security Services Ltd)

  RCO Contract Services Ltd

  Reliance Security Services Ltd

  Royal British Legion Attendants Co Ltd

  Securiguard Services Ltd

  Securi-Guard (SW)

  Securicor Ltd

  SERCO Ltd

  Thorn EMI Electronics Ltd

  UK Security Ltd

  These firms have been employed at more than 30 establishments but it would not be in the interests of security to reveal their locations.

  In addition, I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Knowsley, South (Mr. Hughes) on 23 March at column 761.

  Northern Ireland (Border Crossings)
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Brent, East of 10 January,Official Report, column 541, how many service personnel have (a) breached regulations governing off-duty soldiers crossing into the Republic of Ireland and (b) been dealt with by the service authorities, in each year from 1972 to the current date.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The information is not available in the form requested, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Contractors
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Brent, East of 1 February,Official Report, column 244, how the prior agreement of his Department is sought by contractors wishing to employ persons with access to classified information.
  132
  Mr. Sainsbury
  It would not be appropriate to give details.

  Economic League
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Brent, East of 1 February,Official Report, column 244, whether any speakers have been provided by the Economic League for training courses for military personnel in each year from 1979 to the current date.

  Mr. Neubert
  No record of guest speakers is held centrally and there is no requirement for permanent records to be maintained locally. However, inquiries have been made at staff colleges and other training establishments where guest speakers are regularly invited. The staff of those colleges and establishments have been unable to identify any invitations to the Economic League to provide speakers for their courses.

  Army Operations (Forged Materials)
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy towards the use of forged materials in Army operations at home and abroad.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  It is not the practice to comment on operational matters.

  Keenie Meenie Services
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish in the Official Report the text of the letter from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Hove (Mr. Sainsbury) to the hon. Member for Brent, East on 9 February about Keenie Meenie Services and related matters.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The letter was sent openly and is therefore in the public domain; the text is as follows:Thank you for your letter of 23 January concerning my written reply to you of 15 December (Col. 684 of the Official Record).
  In that reply I stated that I was not aware of any advertisements having been procured or placed in the Ministry of Defence publications by KMS and that remains the case.
  The extracts you provided with your letter were from a brochure which was produced as a commercial venture by International Military Services Ltd. (IMS) in 1985. Although wholly owned by MOD, IMS is a private Limited company incorporated under the Companies Act and is a distinct and separate entity from MOD. In contracting for Defence Exports it adheres to Government policies and to guidelines issued by the MOD. But within these limitations it is free to pursue business and to take initiatives in exactly the same way as any other commercial company. It can be engaged by other private companies and on occasions by HMG in connection with contracts for the export of British defence equipment and associated services in the commercial environment.
  The brochure concerned was entitled Internal Security —Counter Insurgency'. Entries were paid for by various advertisers as a means of publicising the services they offered. Presumably IMS at the time regarded the publication as a viable commercial venture but I understand that it was not a regular publication and has not reappeared since 1985. This was a matter for the commercial judgment of IMS and there is no suggestion that they in any way transgressed the guidelines under which they operate.
  You also asked about the nature of the services provided by IMS to overseas armed forces and paramilitary organisations. This can and does cover a wide range of activities but it can be defined in general terms and in the

  133
  words of the pamphlet itself as the supply of military equipment and the provision of "associated support such as the installation, commissioning and maintenance of equipment and the training of personnel". I must emphasise that IMS works within the constraints of Government policies which in this field, as you know, take account of a wide range of political, security and humanitarian conditions.
  MOD was not and did not expect to be involved in either the publication of the brochure by IMS or the placing of the K MS advertisement and there is therefore no question of correcting or amending the Official Record of my answer of 15 December 1988.

  Guns
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the current purchase costs of(a) one 9mm L34A1 sub machine gun and 34 round magazine, (b) one 5–56mm individual weapon L85 (Endeavour) and 30-round magazine and (c) one 12 bore, L32A1 automatic shotgun and five rounds.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  It is no longer our practice to publish unit production costs.

ENVIRONMENT

  Government Cars
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many gallons of petrol were consumed for 1987 and 1988 by cars in the Government car pool.

  Mr. Chope
  Figures for the number of gallons of fuel consumed are not readily available and could be obtained

  Consultancy Firm

  Subject of Assignment

  Management consultancy

  P A Computers and Telecommunications Ltd

  To carry out an analysis of PSA financial and management accounting processes as they would be performed under a full commercial accounting regime.

  P A Computers and Telecommunications Ltd

  To examine the impact of existing IT systems relating to Directly Employed Labour (DEL) performance

  Price Waterhouse

  Business and Finance Development

  Samuel Montagu and Co Ltd

  Advice on effecting the sale of the Crown Suppliers

  Write Solutions Ltd

  Assistance with development of the marketing strategy for QEII Conference Centre

  Michael Rines Associates

  Public Relations Support for QEII Conference Centre

  MCP Management Consultants

  Software support

  Farnfield Marketing Consultants Ltd

  Establishing the sales potential of publications produced by PSA's Director General of Design Services

  Duffy, Eley Giffone and Worthington

  Impact of New Technology on Accommodation Standards

  Peat Marwick McLintock

  Assessment of tenders for contracting out management of maintenance and minor works activities

  BIS Applied Systems Ltd

  Support in the development of a Quality Support Framework

  BIS Applied Systems Ltd

  Support in the production of a statement of requirement for PSA's Regional Computing Standards

  BIS Applied Systems Ltd

  Support in the development of a Configuration Management Framework

  Dialatron Business Systems Ltd

  Evaluation, implementation and development of facilities on text processing equipment

  Systems Designers plc

  Software support

  Oracle Corporation UK Ltd

  Software support

  Peat Marwick McLintock

  Introduction of Low Cost 2-dimensional computer aided draughting (CAD) system

  Dr Stanley Port

  Support for General Draughting Management Study

  ICL (UK) Ltd

  Support for computer communications

  Norbec (Microfilm) Ltd

  Support for installation of microfilming system

  BIS Applied Systems Ltd

  Assistance in the review, development and evaluation of IT standards

  ICL (UK) Ltd

  Software support

  ICL (UK) Ltd

  Technical support to link computer operating systems

  Computer Consultancy

  Applied Network Technology Ltd

  Transfer of priority data from an Apple microcomputer to an IBM PC

  P A Computers and Telecommunications Ltd

  Evaluation of PC-based software for project management requirements

  Peter Downes Ltd

  To develop proposals for a comprehensive register of computing, telecoms and office machinery held by PSA

  134
  only at disproportionate cost. But in 1987 the Government car service spent £190,317 on petrol. In 1988 that figure was £183,008 (both figures are exclusive of VAT)

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many cars there are in the Government car pool; and how many of those use unleaded petrol.

  Mr. Chope
  The Government car service operate 181 vehicles. By the middle of this year we intend to have 128 vehicles capable of using unleaded petrol. At present 39 have this capability.

  Computer Consultants
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total amount spent by the Property Services Agency in 1988 on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases; and if he will list each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by the Property Services Agency in 1988, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment.

  Mr. Ridley
  Expenditure by the Property Services Agency, on management and computer consultancy contracts in 1988, excluding hardware and software purchases, was £6,462,582.

  The list of each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by the Property Services Agency in 1988, giving the name of each consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment, is as follows:
  135

  Consultancy Firm

  Subject of Assignment

  John Evans & Associates Ltd

  Implementation of revised methods for planning and control of Directly Employed Labour

  CAP Industry Ltd (SEMA Group)

  Public Health Engineering Computerisation

  Prime Computer (UK) Ltd

  Software support

  P A Computers and Telecommunications Ltd

  Support to the planning of the Infrastructure Computer Services Project

  BIS Applied Systems Ltd

  Support in the evaluation of security requirements of PSA's Strategic Infrastructure

  BIS Applied Systems Ltd

  Support in the evaluation of the security requirements of PSA's Interim Systems and Central Hastings Processes

  K P G Computer Support Services Ltd

  Software support

  Peat Marwick McLintock

  Professional Computing Strategy Study

  Metascybe Systems Ltd

  Enhancement to financial control computer system

  Digital Equipment Co. Ltd

  Technical support to link computer operating systems

  Digital Equipment Co. Ltd

  Assistance in the procurement of IT equipment

  ICL (UK) Ltd

  Audit of accounting systems

  P A Computers and Telecommunications Ltd

  Evaluation of short-listed suppliers for computing equipment

  ICL (UK) Ltd

  Specialist support for accounting (LAFIS) software package

  Sports Clubs
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations he has had with sporting associations and local authorities relating to mandatory and discretionary relief from non-domestic rates to sports clubs; and what guidance he has issued.

  Mr. Ridley
  My Department is issuing today a consultation letter on the content of proposed regulations about the period for which discretionary rate relief may be granted and the notice which must be given if relief is varied or terminated. I am placing a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Also the Department has discussed with the local authority associations and with the Sports Council what guidance should be given to local authorities on the use of their powers to grant discretionary relief. We plan to consult separately on this subject.

  Rating Reform
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the initial one-off costs of art-work and creative design of "You and the Community Charge: Exemptions" published on 22 March; what further subsidiary leaflets are planned on aspects of the community charge; when these will be published; and what is the total budgetary provision in his Department's estimates for these publications.

  Mr. Ridley
  The initial design and art-work costs of the exemptions leaflet were £2,200.

  Further leaflets are in preparation on rebates—"The Collective Community Charge", "Students and the Community Charge," "Appeals and Second Homes." These will be published variously over the next few weeks. The total estimated cost of all these publications, including that on exemptions, is approximately £113,100.

  Water
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will state for each water authority what percentage of the projected necessary funding for improvements in standards of(a) drinking water quality, (b) sewage treatment and disposal and (c) bathing water quality is contained within existing capital programmes.

  Mr. Ridley
  The information requested by the hon. Member is not available. I refer the hon. Member to the 136
  answer given to the hon. Member for Dunfermline, East (Mr. Brown) by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Lewisham, East (Mr. Moynihan) on 25 January 1989.

  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide details for each water authority of the funding allocated to improvements in(a) drinking water quality, (b) sewage treatment and disposal and (c) bathing water quality standards through existing capital programmes for each of the next 10 years.

  Mr. Ridley
  The information requested by the hon. Member is not available.

  Concierge Systems (Tower Blocks)
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make funds available for a concierge system on the two remaining tower blocks on Edward Woods estate in Shepherds Bush.

  Mr. Trippier
  [holding answer 23 March 1989]: The estate action programme has already provided resources for a pilot scheme at Stebbing house involving a concierge system. The council's outline bid for further resources for similar facilities at the two other tower blocks on the estate is under consideration.

  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment what assessment he has made of the extent to which the existence of concierge systems on tower blocks is a useful deterrent to crime.

  Mr. Trippier
  [holding answer 23 March 1989]: The report "A Better Reception", published by the Department of the Environment in March last year pointed to evidence that concierge schemes do deter crime as well as making blocks of flats more pleasant places in which to live. A further study of concierge and other schemes in local authority high rise blocks of flats is in progress.

  Housing (Transfers)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice be given to the London borough of Redbridge concerning the choice to be given to tenants in relation to estate transfers.

  Mr. Trippier
  [holding answer 23 March 1989]: It is for the council to decide what proposal it wishes to put before its tenants.
  137
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment whether he has had any meetings with the London borough of Redbridge to discuss its proposed transfer of housing.

  Mr. Trippier
  [holding answer 23 March 19891: Council officers had a meeting with officials of the Department on 3317 January 1989 to discuss in general terms the Department's guidelines on voluntary transfers. There have been no meetings since the Department was sent on 9 March a copy of the report approved by the council's housing services committee on 1 March.

  £ thousands

  1981–82 1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  Voluntary

  63

  130

  86

  781

  808

  839

  Health

  9

  84

  25

  —

  —

  —

  Education and Training

  445

  563

  852

  415

  1,634

  791

  Other

  926

  2,843

  2,201

  1,374

  1,669

  2,195

  Sports Arena

  —

  124

  1,207

  1,012

  3

  —

  Housing Improvements

  416

  390

  22

  208

  1,671

  2,287

  Housing

  1,056

  2,228

  63

  25

  —

  —

  TOTALS

  2,915

  6,362

  4,456

  3,815

  5,785

  6,112

  Air Pollution
  Mr. Alan Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he intends to take to control air pollution from(a) National Health Service incinerators and boiler plants and (b) other Crown properties.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Clean Air Acts already provide statutory contols over atmospheric emissions from National Health Service incinerators and boilers and other combustion processes on Crown premises. Where there is potential for significant air pollution Crown premises are controlled like any other industrial site by the national pollution inspectorates. Regulations due to come into force on 31 March will bring National Health Service incinerators with an hourly capacity of more than one tonne under their control. A consultation paper in December 1988 proposed further amendment to the schedule of processes subject to prior approval by the national inspectorates and the introduction of a parallel schedule for local authority control. A copy is in the Library of the House.

  Waste Management '89
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what departmental representation was made, anti what papers from the United Kingdom were presented, at the Waste Management '89 conference held in Tuscon, Arizona, the United States of America, between 26 February and 2 March.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Department was not represented at this conference.

  Hinckley C (Inquiry)
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what departmental resources have been

  London Docklands
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much money the London Docklands development corporation has spent on social regeneration in each year of its existence; and what projects it has initiated or supported.

  Mr. Trippier
  The information is as follows:

  All London Docklands development corporation's expenditure on regeneration should improve local social conditions directly or indirectly. It is not practicable to identify a clear "social" category or to list the projects. Subject to that the following table gives a indication of expenditure in this area.

  committed to the Hinckley C public inquiry in terms of official presence, the monitoring of evidence and the production of evidence.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Departmental officials gave evidence at the Hinckley Point C public inquiry on 9 and 10 February under topic 2 and expect to give evidence under topics 3 and 4. The Department has submitted three proofs of evidence to the inquiry. All evidence submitted to the inquiry is monitored by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution.

  Radioactive Waste
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he received the proposals from the Nuclear Industry Radioactive Waste Executive for low and intermediate level radioactive waste disposal repositories; and when he expects to make an announcement on the issue.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Government received Nirex's report and recommendations on 28 February. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced the Government's response in the answer he gave on 21 March to my hon. Friend the Member for Banbury (Mr. Baldry.) at column 506.

  Urban Development Grants
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the value of urban development grants by metropolitan district council area in the north-west of England for each year since 1979 at constant prices.

  Mr. Trippier
  Urban development grant was launched in 1982. The table shows the amount of grant in schemes approved in each year in each metropolitan district council area, adjusted to 1988–89 prices.
  139

  Value of approved urban development grant at 1988–89 prices in £ millions

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  Total

  Bolton

  —

  5·160

  0·146

  0·152

  0·684

  0·014

  6·156

  Knowsley

  0·704

  —

  —

  3·499

  —

  —

  4·203

  Liverpool

  1·181

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1·181

  Greater Manchester

  —

  —

  2·543

  —

  —

  —

  2·543

  Manchester

  2·720

  1·052

  —

  0·471

  0·901

  —

  5·144

  Merseyside

  2·049

  0·216

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2·265

  Oldham

  0·939

  0·607

  0·032

  0·199

  0·236

  0·390

  2·403

  Rochdale

  0·293

  0·061

  0·043

  —

  0·339

  —

  0·736

  Salford

  0·512

  —

  —

  0·694

  —

  0·995

  2·201

  Sefton

  —

  —

  0·190

  —

  0·372

  —

  0·562

  Trafford

  —

  0·035

  0·520

  —

  —

  —

  0·555

  Wigan

  0·435

  —

  —

  —

  0·048

  —

  0·483

  Wirral

  —

  0·295

  —

  3·317

  0·460

  0·031

  4·103

  Water Quality
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give since 1979, and by division within the Severn-Trent water authority, the number of breaches of European directives for mercury and cadmium in river sediment, in addition to breaches for the pesticide lindane; and what action he has taken to rectify this.

  Mr. Moynihan
  There have been no known breaches of the European directives for mercury, cadmium and lindane within the Severn-Trent water authority since the relevant directives came into effect in 1986. Nevertheless, steps are being taken to reduce further inputs of these substances in line with the undertakings given at the 1987 North sea conference.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list information available to him, by division, within the Severn-Trent water authority, as to the number of miles of prime, game and course fishing rivers which have been unsuitable for fishing since 1979.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Since 1980, the Severn-Trent water authority has designated around 2000 km of rivers and canals for the purposes of EEC Directive 78/659/EEC on the quality of freshwater needed to support fish life. These waters are classified as either salmonoid (game fisheries) or cyprinid (coarse fisheries).

  I understand that no stretches have become unsuitable for fishing since 1979.

  Rivers (Grading)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list by rivers the classification grades of rivers by each division within the Severn-Trent water authority.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The latest available information is in the form of maps showing the classification of all rivers included in the 1985 river quality survey of England and Wales. This has been published for each water authority, including Severn-Trent. Copies are available in the Library of the House.

  Water Authorities (Performance Targets)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the criteria on the performance targets set for each chairman of the national water authorities.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Targets set and achievement against them, are published each year in water authority's annual report and accounts. Copies are available in the Library of the House. In setting these targets the Government take account of past performance, the characteristics of the region within which the authority operates, and an assessment of the scope for improvement in performance.

  Severn-Trent Water Authority (Chairman)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for the past five years for the chairman of Severn-Trent water authority(a) the annual bonus he received based on the performance targets set him and (b) his basic salary.

  Mr. Moynihan
  In response to the first part of the hon. Member's question, I refer him to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Derbyshire, North-East (Mr. Barnes) on 28 February at columns 109–110.

  The basic salary of the chairman of the Severn-Trent water authority in each of the past five years has been as follows:

  Year (1 July lo 30 June)

  Salary (£)

  1984–85

  33,600

  1985–86

  35,480

  1986–87

  37,608

  1987–88

  41,604

  1988–89

  45,600

  Drought
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the present levels of water reserves in the Severn-Trent water authority; have they applied for any drought orders; what are the risks of drought conditions arising during the coming months of 1989; and if he will list by location and area division the areas most susceptible to drought conditions.
  141
  Mr. Moynihan
  Reservoir storage levels are now generally satisfactory throughout the Severn-Trent water authority area. Groundwater resources are also adequate except for some spring sources in Gloucestershire. The authority has not applied for any drought orders and foresees no difficulty in meeting demand unless a dry summer occurs. In that event, the east midlands will continue to be vulnerable pending completion of Carsington reservoir due in 1933. Water supplies in limited areas of Gloucestershire could also be affected by drought conditions this summer.

  South Yorkshire (Strategic Guidance)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what strategic guidance exists for South Yorkshire; to whom this has been made available; and if he will make a statement.

  Employment at May 1983 (a)

  Employment at September 1984 (b)

  Employment at December 1985 (c)

  Employment at December 1986 (c)

  Allerdale

  —

  600

  1,400

  2,000

  North-East Lancashire

  —

  740

  1,900

  2,400

  Salford/Trafford

  3,306

  3,100

  4,200

  5,200

  Speke

  1,018

  800

  700

  1,200

  Sources: (a) Roger Tym and Partners, 1984, monitoring enterprise zones year three report.

  (b) Enterprise zone information 1983–84, DOE July 1985.

  (c) Department of Employment.

  Raleigh Site (Nottingham)
  Mr. Brandon-Bravo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list those with whom he has considered the benefits of providing a city grant to assist the redevelopment of the Raleigh site in the inner city area of Nottingham; and whether the case for facilitating an export-led expansion of the company's activities has been taken into account;

  (2) if, when considering the city grant application from Raleigh Industries, Nottingham, he will make it his policy to take into account both the normal employment criteria and its overall impact on the relocation and development of this site.

  Mr. Trippier
  The Department has not received an application in respect of the Raleigh site. If an application is received it will be fully appraised in the usual way, taking into account both the direct employment implications and the wider urban regenerative impact on inner Nottingham.

  Sewage Works
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list the sewage works by division within the Severn-Trent water authority which are to be allowed relaxation in breaching the legal limits on effluent set by him; and what is the time scale for this relaxation;

  (2) if he will list the water authorities who have replied to his document dated 1 February, asking them to speed up applications for relaxation of pollution controls on discharges from sewage works; if he will list the locations of each application so far received; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The Severn-Trent water authority, and the other water authorities have been invited to apply for time-limited variations to discharge consents for those
  142
  Mr. Chope
  No strategic guidance exists for South Yorkshire at the present time. I shall be issuing draft strategic guidance in the near future and will welcome the views of the general public, local authorities and other interested organisations.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the change in the level of employment in each of the enterprise zones in the north-west in each of the past three years.

  Mr. Trippier
  The table below shows how employment levels changed between May 1983 and December 1986, the latest date for which information is available. Information on employment at October 1987 will be published shortly.

  sewage treatment works where they plan to complete improvement schemes designed to bring these works up to standard by March 1992.

  In addition, water authorities may also apply for longer-term variations in respect of a limited number of minor works, where it can be demonstrated that investment to meet current consent requirements would produce negligible environmental benefits.

  In all cases, Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution will consider applications on their merits before deciding whether to grant revised consent conditions. Time limits on these temporary variations will normally be imposed to run from approval of the authority's application to the expected commissioning date of the improved works.

  The Department and Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution are in discussion with the water authorities about these applications. When applications are made and consents given, details are entered on the authority's register which may be inspected, free of charge, by anyone at all reasonable hours. Responses to the Departments letter of 1 February were obtained from all water authorities by telephone.

  Gipsies
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will state for the latest date for which he has figures, the numbers of travellers' children of school age within the Doncaster metropolitan borough council area, as detailed in the statistics gathered by his Department's gipsy sites branch; and what were the figures for(a) 10 and (b) five years ago.

  Mr. Trippier
  Providing these statistics is a voluntary exercise, and I regret to say that Doncaster has not
  143
  provided information on the numbers of travellers' children of school age in its borough since the bi-annual count began in 1979.

  Government Buildings (Drinking Water)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list by location all Government buildings where the drinking water supply from the mains is unsuitable for drinking and alternative sources have to be used; what are those sources; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  I have no information which indicates any cases where the water supplied to Government buildings from water undertakers mains is unsuitable for drinking and alternative sources have to be used.

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what advice and information, in the form of a code of guidance, is currently available to owners and occupiers of sites of special scientific interest under the provision of section 33 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981; what price is charged for such a code; whether the Nature Conservancy Council issues the code to all owners and occupiers of sites of special scientific interest notified after the passing of the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1985; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) pursuant to his reply of 10 February, to the hon. Member for Don Valley, Official Report, column 816, on how many occasions a revised code of guidance on sites of special scientific interest has been laid before Parliament since the passing of the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1985; what was the reason for withdrawal of the previous code in each case; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) pursuant to his answer of 10 February to the hon. Member for Don Valley, Official Report, column 816, how many items in the current code of guidance on sites of special scientific interest have been superseded by the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1985; and whether contravention of the current code constitutes a breach of the amended codes.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Section 33 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 provides for the preparation and issue, subject to parliamentary approval, of a code of guidance for sites of special scientific interest to interested parties and the general public. The original version of the code was published in 1982 and the Nature Conservancy Council supplied copies free of charge to all owners and occupiers notified of SSSIs under the Act.

  Amendments to the notification procedures were introduced by the Wildlife and Countryside (Amendment) Act 1985 and the Wildlife and Countryside (Service of Notices) Act 1985. The code of guidance has not been reprinted. A revised version incorporating appropriate amendments is in preparation and will be submitted for approval by Parliament later this year. In the meantime NCC has provided advice to owners and occupiers on initial notifications of an SSSI in the form of its own publication "Sites of Special Scientific Interest".

  The code of guidance is advisory; its provisions carry no legal force.

  Hadrian's Wall
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to preserve and restore Hadrian's wall.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Responsibility for Hadrian 's wall rests with a number of public and private owners. English Heritage acts on behalf of the Government to ensure that those sections of the wall which it owns are properly conserved. It has also provided grants for conservation work on those stretches of the wall owned by others, including the National Trust. The known parts of the wall are scheduled as ancient monuments so that the Secretary of State decides whether to grant consent on all work affecting the wall. In this he is advised by English Heritage.

  Microlight Aircraft
  Mr. Colin Shepherd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if it is his intention to bring the use of land for the purpose of taking off and landing of microlight aircraft within the scope of the general development order.

  Mr. Chope
  The use of land for this purpose is already permitted for up to 28 days in any calendar year by class B of part 4 of schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning General Development Order 1988.

  Churston Golf Club
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for South Hams,Official Report, 21 March, what further information on the planning appeal with regard to Churston golf club, Torbay, he is waiting for; what are the reasons for his delay in reaching a decision on the appeal; and what factors are required to bring him to a decision.

  Mr. Chope
  Although pressure of planning business has meant that this appeal has taken longer than I would wish, it is also necessary to consider highway amendments proposed by the developer after the appeal had been lodged. The appeal cannot be determined until interested parties have had an opportunity to comment in writing on the proposed amendments. A decision on the appeal will be issued as quickly as possible when this process has been completed.

  Housing Investment Programme
  Mr. Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has decided on the additional housing investment programme resources to be made available to local authorities with substantial housing defects obligations.

  Mr. Trippier
  We have decided to allocate the £15 million of HIP resources to 75 local authorities, which are today being notified individually by my Department's regional controllers. The authorities receiving such allocations are as follows:

  Region

  Amount (£)

  Northern

  Newcastle-upon Tyne

  100,000

  Chester-le-Street

  40,000

  145

  Region

  Amount (£)

  Gateshead

  40,000

  Teesdale

  40,000

  Tynedale

  14,000

  Total

  234,000

  North West

  Salford

  75,000

  Wigan

  90,000

  South Ribble

  60,000

  Tameside

  20,000

  Stockport

  45,000

  Rossendale

  60,000

  Crewe

  40,000

  Bury

  50,000

  Total

  440,000

  Merseyside Task Force

  Ellesmere Port

  245,000

  Liverpool

  545,000

  St. Helens

  25,000

  Total

  815,000

  East Midlands

  Boston

  78,000

  Chesterfield

  186,000

  Corby

  182,000

  Derbyshire Dales

  236,000

  Gedling

  262,000

  North East Derbyshire

  218,000

  North Kesteven

  79,000

  South Holland

  195,000

  Total

  1,436,000

  Eastern

  Thurrock

  400,000

  Epping Forest

  400,000

  East Herts

  149,000

  Three Rivers

  140,000

  Total

  1,089,000

  South East

  Eastleigh

  150,000

  Reading

  130,000

  Rochester

  390,000

  Runnymede

  135,000

  Southampton

  650,000

  Total

  1,455,000

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Barnsley

  125,000

  Doncaster

  50,000

  Harrogate

  25,000

  Leeds

  400,000

  Rotherham

  360,000

  Sheffield

  100,000

  Wakefield

  170,000

  Total

  1,230,000

  West Midlands

  Birmingham

  445,000

  Dudley

  169,000

  Hereford City

  134,000

  Newcastle-under-Lyme

  389,000

  North Warwickshire

  260,000

  Nuneaton and Bedworth

  251,000

  Redditch

  58,000

  Sandwell

  667,000

  Staffordshire Moorlands

  690,000

  Stoke-on-Trent

  54,000

  Walsall

  125,000

  146

  Region

  Amount (£)

  Warwick

  69,000

  Wolverhampton

  171,000

  Worcester City

  114,000

  Total

  3,596,000

  South West

  Bristol

  1,250,000

  Cotswold

  100,000

  Kerrier

  100,000

  Mid Devon

  130,000

  Northavon

  350,000

  North Cornwall

  100,000

  North Wiltshire

  180,000

  Restormel

  100,000

  Salisbury

  200,000

  Stroud

  150,000

  Tewkesbury

  400,000

  Thamesdown

  213,000

  West Wiltshire

  100,000

  Weymouth and Portland

  170,000

  Woodspring

  150,000

  Total

  3,639,000

  London region

  Barking

  150,000

  Havering

  150,000

  Merton

  100,000

  Redbridge

  200,000

  Richmond

  262,000

  Waltham Forest

  150,000

  Total

  1,012,000

  Empty Dwellings
  Mr. Allan Roberts
  To ask the secretary of state for the environment if he will list each scheme to bring empty housing association dwellings into use for homeless households, where these dwellings were developed with local authority funding but the local authority is unable to fund the necessary major repairs, financed by the Housing Corporation under the initiative announced on 24 March 1988,Official Report, columns 191–92; and if he will state for each scheme (a) the number of units of accommodation provided, (b) the housing association involved, (c) the local authorities with nomination rights to these units, (d) the scheme's date of completion and (e) the scheme's capital cost.

  Mr. Trippier
  This information is not held centrally. I have asked the Housing Corporation to supply so much of it as it can provide without disproportionate cost, to the hon. Member direct.

  Housing Investment
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list at 1989–90 prices his Department's gross provision for local authority housing capital investment for each year since 1980–81, together with an estimate for 1989–90.

  Mr. Trippier
  The public expenditure surveys have made the following gross provision for local authority housing capital investment.
  147

  1989–90 prices1

  Year

  £ million

  1980–81

  23,690

  1981–82

  23,350

  1982–83

  3,515

  1983–84

  3,383

  1984–85

  3,230

  1985–86

  2,851

  1986–87

  3,009

  1987–88

  3,306

  1988–89

  33,216

  1989–90

  33,303

  1 Revalued using the GDP deflator.

  2 The White Paper figures have been converted from survey prices to outturn prices and then converted to 1989–90 outturn prices using the GDP deflator.

  3 Includes local authority lending to housing associations shown under "Central Government" in Cm 288 and 609.

  Unused Sites (Thamesdown)
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for the environment if he will list all the unused sites owned by public bodies within the borough of Thamesdown, together with their owners and sizes in hectares as detailed in the land register.

  Mr. Trippier
  The information about all the sites, grouped by owner, is listed below:

  Site name

  Size in hectares

  Thamesdown Borough Council

  Land at Groundwell Farm, Cricklade Road, Swindon

  70·82

  Land on West Side of Swindon to Highworth Road

  44·52

  Land South West of Akers Way/South East of Purton Road, Swindon

  41·68

  Land at Sparcells, Roughmoor and Lower Shaw Farm, Shaw, Swindon

  41·58

  Land at Home Farm, Highworth

  33·19

  Land at Wick Farm, Lydiard and Upper Shaw Farm, Shaw, Swindon

  12·91

  Land at Broome Farm, Swindon

  11·74

  Land on North East Side of Kite Hill, Wanborough

  4·86

  Land on South West Side of Kite Hill, Wanborough

  2·05

  Land at Elm Grove, Shaw, Swindon

  1·52

  Wiltshire County Council

  Former Moredon Railway Line

  15·38

  Land at Kingshill, Swindon (Rushey Platt)

  9·63

  Land at Hughes Street, Swindon

  9·51

  Land at Dorcan School Swindon

  8·22

  Land South of Church Street, Stratton St. Margaret

  7·49

  Land at Haydon Wick

  2·21

  Land at the Rear of Beatrice Street, Swindon

  1·86

  Land at Belmont Farm, Codrington, Near Wroughton

  1·82

  Land at Ruskin Junior School Annexe, Stratton St. Margaret

  1·62

  Land at Kingsdown High School, Stratton St. Margaret

  1·62

  Land at Meadway/Stonehill Green, Westlea Down, Swindon

  1·60

  Land at Baker's Field, Lower Wanborough

  1·47

  Land adjoining Attlee Crescent, Stratton St. Margaret

  1·38

  Park Farm, Moredon, Swindon

  1·32

  Land at Scarborough Road, Swindon

  0·66

  Former Queenstown Infants School/6–10 Turl Street/ 15–17 Oriel Street, Swindon

  0·43

  Swindon Health Authority

  Land at Cricklade Road, Gorse Hill, Swindon

  2·16

  Department of Transport

  Land at Stratton St. Margaret, Swindon

  5·16

  148

  Site name

  Size in hectares

  British Rail

  Land Rear of Dean Street, Swindon

  5·46

  Tree Preservation Orders
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many tree preservation orders have been made in each county in England(a) for individual trees and (b) for groups of trees or woods; and what area is covered by the latter case.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  This information is not held centrally. A recent sample survey of 31 districts and boroughs in England found that more than 90 per cent. of tree preservation orders related to trees in or on the fringe of urban areas, and that a large number were on single trees in front gardens. The consultants who carried out the survey for the Department concluded that a typical authority in their sample had over 5,000 trees protected by over 200 orders.

  Insulation
  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will include the inspection of loft roof, cavity wall and under floor insulation in the statutory requirements for which local authority buildings inspectors are responsible.

  Mr. Trippier
  The Building Regulations 1985 include requirements relating to the conservation of fuel and power which can be met in a variety of ways, including loft roof, cavity wall and under floor insulation. There are also specific requirements relating to the way in which cavity wall insulation is undertaken. Local authority building control officers are already responsible for ensuring that building work to which the regulations apply complies with these requirements.

  Development Corporations
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether, following the National Audit Office's report, the Merseyside development corporation has introduced a greater price competition for any contracts going out to consultants;

  (2) whether the Merseyside development corporation has changed its marketing strategy following the National Audit Office report on urban development corporations;

  (3) if, following the National Audit Office's report, the Merseyside development corporation has changed its tendering policy for works contracts;

  (4) if any changes have taken place in the monitoring of the developer of the Albert dock following the report of the National Audit Office; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  The work of all UDCs is continuously monitored and the NAO findings are taken into account in that process. The report of the Public Accounts Committee is awaited. In the meantime the Merseyside development corporation has:

  (i) reviewed its procedures for the competitive selection of consultants to place greater emphasis on price competition in addition to the factors such as relevant experience and past performance. Commissions are

  149
  awarded on the basis of best value for money and with rare exception firms submitting the lowest fees and expenses receive the commission;

  (ii) strengthened its marketing team and activities, including the new appointment of a marketing manager. The MDC is taking a much more active role in promoting Merseyside, as part of Merseyside integrated development operations, the business opportunities on Merseyside initiative and north-west promotions such as INWARD and Fast Forward, as well as continuing its support for the Merseyside tourism board;

  (iii) continued to place all of its work contracts by competitive tender to suitable firms with proven contract performance. Tender lists are now compiled to ensure that at least one firm is included which has not had a recent tendering opportunity;

  (iv) met regularly the Albert dock company at both chairman and director level to plan and to monitor the property management and service arrangements and to review charges and income.

  Merseyside Development Corporation
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the current members of the Merseyside development corporation; and if he intends to make any new appointments.

  Mr. Trippier
  The members of the Merseyside development corporation board are:

  Mr. Philip Carter CBE—Chairman

  Mr. John Smith CBE—Deputy Chairman

  Professor Graham Ashworth CBE

  Mr. Brian Thaxter

  Professor Patrick Minford

  Mr. Clive Lewis, FRICS, FSVA

  Councillor Thomas Glover

  Councillor John Hale

  Dr. John Ritchie MBE

  New appointments will be announced shortly.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each year since its establishment the amount of private investment attracted into the Merseyside development corporation area; and if he will give the investment in(a) Liverpool and (b) the Wirral.

  Mr. Trippier
  Private investment in Merseyside development corporation's area is as follows:

  Liverpool (including Bootle)

  Wirral

  Total

  (£ million)

  (£ million)

  (£ million)

  1981–82

  —

  —

  —

  1982–83

  —

  —

  —

  1983–84

  2·535

  —

  2·535

  1984–85

  4·995

  —

  4·995

  1985–86

  4·138

  —

  4·138

  1986–87

  6·413

  —

  6·413

  1987–88

  7·600

  0·500

  8·100

  1988–89

  10·200

  4·500

  14·700

  Expenditure (£ million)

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  Liverpool (including Bootle)

  2·875

  18·043

  28·309

  23·783

  24·115

  19·896

  20·710

  11·939

  Wirral

  1·072

  0·118

  0·643

  1·105

  0·839

  0·854

  2·597

  3·685

  TOTAL PROJECTS

  3·947

  18·161

  28·952

  24·888

  24·954

  20·750

  23·307

  15·624

  Administration, estate management and contributions to voluntary organisations

  1·086

  2·597

  3·048

  4·353

  3·039

  4·147

  4·968

  5·376

  TOTAL MDC EXPENDITURE

  5·033

  20·758

  32·000

  29·241

  27·993

  24·897

  28·275

  21·000

  150
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each year since its establishment the amount of commercial or industrial floor space owned by the Merseyside development corporation which was(a) let (b) under refurbishment (c) awaiting refurbishment, and (d) awaiting demolition.

  Mr. Trippier
  The information is as follows. Figures are not readily available for years prior to 1987.

  Industrial/Commercial Floorspace owned by Merseyside Development Corporation

  March 1987 (000s sq ft)

  March 1988 (000s sq ft)

  March 1989 (000s sq ft)

  Let

  1,074

  1,193

  1,477

  Awaiting/under Refurbishment1

  1327

  1,431

  805

  Awaiting Demolition

  791

  78

  610

  Total

  3,192

  2,702

  2,892

  1 These two categories cannot be disaggregated.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the projected number of new jobs which will be created in the next two years by the Merseyside development corporation; and if he will divide this figure between(a) construction and (b) the longer term jobs.

  Mr. Trippier
  The Merseyside development corporation's programme is expected to provide an estimated 3,500 man years of construction work and 3,200 longer-term jobs over the next two years.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many construction jobs will be created by the work of the Merseyside development corporation; and how many will go to local workers.

  Mr. Trippier
  Investment by the Merseyside development corporation has led to on-site construction jobs providing between 800–1000 man years' work annually since 1981. This is expected to grow to 1,400–1,600 jobs a year during further phases of the redevelopment programme. Merseyside contractors win competitively over 90 per cent. of MDC contracts by value and the vast majority of employees are Merseyside residents.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the sums of money spent in each year since its inception by the Merseyside development corporation; and if he will give the sums for(a) Liverpool and (b) Wirral.

  Mr. Trippier
  The information is as follows:
  151
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the numbers of jobs created each year of its existence by the Merseyside development corporation; and if he will give separate figures for(a) Liverpool and (b) Wirral.

  £ thousands

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  Merseyside/MDC Image Advertising

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  585

  310

  380

  279

  366

  Site-Specific Advertising

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  110

  282

  130

  62

  262

  Support for the Merseyside Tourism Board

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  250

  250

  281

  Press/Information Service

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  25

  12

  56

  58

  62

  TOTAL

  31

  423

  603

  720

  604

  816

  649

  971

  Housing Statistics
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authority houses were built in(a) Warrington, (b) Macclesfield, (c) Congleton, (d) Crewe and Nantwich, (e) Vale Royal and (f) Staffordshire Moorlands in (i) 1978 and (ii) 1988; and how many it is estimated will be built in these areas in 1989.

  Mr. Trippier
  Local authority housebuilding completions reported as taking place in these housing authorities in 1978 appear in "Local Housing Statistics", issue 49, a copy of which is available in the Library. Figures reported for 1988 are as follows:

  Number of local authority housebuilding completions

  Staffordshire Moorlands

  15

  Congleton

  8

  Crewe and Nantwich

  8

  Macclesfield

  26

  Vale Royal

  57

  Warrington

  164

  1 January to November only

  The Department does not have estimates of 1989 housebuilding activity by local authorities.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many(a) private sector houses and (b) public sector housing units there are currently on (i) Notting Hill housing trust-owned estates and (ii) other housing association estates; how many such units are proposed by these bodies in the next year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  This information is not held by the Department, the Housing Corporation is responsible for monitoring, supervising and distributing funds to registered housing associations in England. I have, therefore, asked the Housing Corporation to supply to my hon. Friend direct information about existing and planned developments in his constituency involving the Notting Hill housing trust and other housing associations.

  Council House Building
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities currently have a council house building programme.

  Mr. Trippier
  A total of 355 local authorities indicated on their housing investment programme returns (HIP2),
  152
  Mr. Trippier
  The promotion and marketing budget for the Merseyside development corporation is shown below. The figures can be broken down only from 1984–84 onwards.

  completed in April 1988, that they expected to incur expenditure on new housebuilding construction in 1988–89.

  Housing Shortages
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will assess the extent to which Waveney district council can benefit from recent Government initiatives of policy on the co-operation between local authorities and the private and housing association sectors to reduce housing shortages.

  Mr. Trippier
  Waveney district council, along with all other housing authorities, will benefit from our policies designed to promote authorities' enabling role in ensuring an adequate supply of houses for sale and rent in urban and rural areas.

  Lindane Container (Loss)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the policy implications of the loss of the lindane container in the Channel.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Lindane is a pesticide with wood preservative and agricultural uses. As such it is subject to control as a pesticide under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985. It has been identified among the group of substances known as organochlorines which are considered most hazardous to the aquatic environment in view of their toxicity, persistence and capacity for bio-accumulation. Lindane is included in the provisional priority list of dangerous substances (the Red List) whose release to United Kingdom coastal and inland waters should be minimised and which will be the subject of new and tighter controls.

  A major accidental discharge of the substance would be of serious environmental concern. There are national and international requirements for the loss or likely loss of this substance to be reported without delay by the fastest telecommunication channels available and with the highest possible priority to the nearest coastal state. If a marine accident occurs which threatens United Kingdom interests, the responsibility for combating a potential pollution hazard at sea rests with the marine pollution control unit of the Department of Transport, which takes account of advice from the fisheries Departments and others concerned with protection of the marine environment.

  Development (Islington)
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will indicate, for all housing associations and co-operatives carrying out approved development work within the London borough of Islington, what block 2 tender approvals have been issued and for which schemes for financial year 1989–90, and for how many units of accommodation in each case; and what criteria have been used in reaching decisions about which projects to select for such tender approval.

  Mr. Trippier
  This information is not held by the Department. The Housing Corporation is responsible for allocating its capital programme to individual housing associations and schemes within the broad framework agreed annually by my right hon. Friend. I have, therefore, asked the Housing Corporation to reply to the hon. Member direct.

  Gloucester District Council
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on what authority officials in his Department recently phoned Gloucester district council with consent for a proposed voluntary transfer; and on what grounds the valuation of the sale was changed.

  Mr. Trippier
  Gloucester city council has not applied for consent to dispose of its housing nor could it do so before consulting tenants as required by schedule 3A to the Housing Act 1985.

  On the instructions of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, officials informed the council that he continued to take the view that sales of tenanted council housing should be at tenanted market value; but that he would expect to be willing in this particular case to consider sympathetically any application from the city council for consent under section of the Local Government Act 1988 to assist a purchaser of its housing where the assistance was in respect of specified works on the property being transferred, firm arrangements were in place to ensure that it was used only in connection with those works and the amount of any assistance did not exceed £1,500 in respect of each dwelling.

  London Docklands
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will state the numbers of jobs within the area of the London docklands development corporation from 1981 to the latest convenient date which(a) have ceased to exist within the area, (b) have been transferred into the area from elsewhere, (c) have been originated in the area as new employment and (d) now exist in the area, and the number in (c) above expressed as a percentage of (d).

  Mr. Trippier
  The LDDC/RISU employment survey, conducted in 1987, showed that 36,385 jobs existed in the LDDC area in companies responding to the survey. Of this total, 15,724 jobs were in companies which had moved to London Docklands since 1981; 4,593 jobs were in companies originating in the area since 1981; and 16,068 were in companies present throughout the period. Jobs in companies originating in the area since 1981 therefore accounted for 12·6 per cent. of the total number of jobs at the time of the survey.
  154
  The 1981 annual census of employment counted 27,123 jobs in London Docklands. There was therefore a net increase of 9,172 jobs in the area between 1981 and 1987. By 1987 companies which were not present in 1981 accounted for 20,318 jobs.

  The survey report deduces that 11,145 jobs were lost in companies present throughout the period and in companies which ceased trading in the area.

  All figures from the 1987 survey relate to jobs recorded in "employment establishments" only. In addition, there were 5,668 people employed in "other employments". The estimated response rate to the survey was 93 per cent.

  Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to protect areas of outstanding natural beauty from untoward development(a) by strengthening controls or (b) by adding certain of them to national parks.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Controls over development in areas of outstanding natural beauty are already the same as those in national parks. Permitted development rights are restricted in those areas, and planning policy guidance note 7 (Rural Enterprise and Development), a copy of which is in the Library, recognises that the location, design and external appearance of development in these areas should be subject to special scrutiny, and that major industrial or commercial development would generally be inconsistent with their designation.

  There are no plans to designate any AONB as a national park.

  Norfolk Broads
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to extend the number of national parks by including the Norfolk Broads.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The new Broads Authority established under the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads Act 1988 exercises the same range of powers and functions as those conferred on national park authorities and will receive the same rate of Government grant.

  Ivory
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he takes any measures to ensure that imported ivory products do not originate from illegally taken ivory.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The United Kingdom strictly implements controls on trade in ivory in accordance with the convention on international trade in endangered species which is applied in the European Community under EC Regulations 3626/82 and 3418/83.

  Office of Water Supply and National Rivers Authority
  Sir Neil Macfarlane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated cost for the Office of Water Supply and the National Rivers Authority in 1990; how many staff will he required; and how many offices will be required.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 23 March 1989]: The current estimated costs of the water services office and the

  155
  customer services committees will be about £3·7 million in the year 1990–91; the staff will number about 80. The number of offices required is a matter for the Director General of Water Services to decide in due course.

  The estimated cost of the National Rivers Authority in 1990–91 is £290 million. It is expected to employ some 6,500 staff. The vast majority of the NRA's staff will be based in the regions, mainly in accommodation which will transfer to it from the water authorities but a central policy unit of about 60 will be located in London in the offices currently occupied by the National Rivers Authority advisory committee.

  Archaeological Sites
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Evironment if he will take steps to ensure that unscheduled archaeological sites of importance discovered in the course of site clearance following the granting of planning permission for redevelopment can be excavated and recorded prior to redevelopment.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [pursuant to her answer 22 March 1989 c. 643]: The desirability of preserving an ancient monument and its setting is a material consideration for the determination of planning applications, whether or not that monument is scheduled. Local planning authorities may also wish to impose conditions requiring developers to allow access for archaeologists to observe work and record items of interest, when granting planning permission affecting unscheduled sites of archaeological interest.

  It remains open to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, after consultation with English Heritage, to schedule monuments which he considers to be of national importance even after planning permission for redevelopment has been granted. In such cases scheduled monument consent would then be needed before either archaeological or development work could proceed. Where significant finds are made before or during the course of development, it is usually preferable to resolve the situation by non-statutory means. We commend the growing practice of voluntary agreements between developers and archaeologists to enable archaeological evaluations to be carried out before redevelopment.

  Director General of Water Services
  Mr. Bevan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment where the Office of the Director General of Water Services will be located.

  Mr. Ridley
  [pursuant to the reply, 23 March 1989, c. 782]: I am pleased to announce that the first Director General of Water Services will be Ian Byatt, currently deputy chief economic adviser at the Treasury.

  The establishment of a new independent regulator for the water industry is a key component of our plans for the industry. The new water plcs will be regional monopolies and the regulator's function will be to ensure that neither the newly privatised nor the existing water companies can unfairly exploit this. The Director General of Water Services will protect consumers of all the companies, compare the performance of the different companies and ensure that each company has clear incentives to improve its efficiency.

  The director general will ensure that the companies carry out their functions effectively and that they can raise
  156
  the finance they need to do so. He will be responsible for ensuring that companies comply with the conditions of their appointments.

  Consumer protection will be a central part of the new director general's functions. His responsibilities will include:

  —regulation of charges by setting a ceiling for price increases;

  —monitoring of service standards, and enforcement of higher standards where necessary;

  —establishment of customer service committees to investigate complaints and provide a forum for consumers to make known their views; and

  —encouraging greater efficiency by promoting competition within the industry so that all may aspire to the standards of service delivery and cost-effectiveness of the best.

  The director general will take up these duties once companies have been appointed as water and sewerage undertakers in September, under the proposals in the Water Bill currently being considered by Parliament. In the meantime Ian Byatt will be preparing for his new responsibilities. We shall be liaising closely with him to ensure a smooth transition to the new regime, and he will be a source of advice to me in setting up the regulatory framework for the companies on their appointment in September.

SCOTLAND

  Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total amount of hill livestock compensatory allowances paid in 1988; what was the total number of claimants; and how many individuals claimed more than £6,750.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Hill livestock compensatory allowances amounting to just over £43·5 million were paid in 1988 to 18,365 applicants. Of these, 1,793 received payments of more than £6,750.

  Farm Sizes
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total number of farming units in Scotland; and how many are between(a) four and eight British size units, (b) eight and 12 British size units and (c) 12 and 16 British size units.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The number of farms included in the June 1988 agricultural census in Scotland was 26,239. Within this total the numbers of farms in the ranges for which information is sought are as follows:

  British size units

  Number of farms

  4 to 8

  3,170

  8 to 12

  2,354

  12 to 16

  1,967

  Public Defender System
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made in implementing a public defender in Scotland as recommended by the Hughes royal commission.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Provision has been made in the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986 for the
  157
  employment by the Scottish Legal Aid Board of solicitors to act for clients. My right hon. and learned Friend intends to undertake full consultations before bringing the provision into force.

  Operations (Private Hospitals)
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many operations were contracted out to private hospitals in Scotland, region by region; and at what cost during 1988.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information requested is not collected centrally. However, the health boards which are making use of private sector facilities with support from the funds allocated to reduce waiting lists in 1988–89, the number of patients to be treated and the costs, are as follows:

  Health Board

  Specialty

  Patients

  Cost (£)

  Greater Glasgow

  Urology

  30

  20,000

  Orthopaedics

  113

  154,781

  Highland

  Orthopaedics

  12

  45,324

  Lanarkshire

  Urology

  10

  15,000

  Lothian

  Orthopaedics

  14

  57,282

  Ophthalmology

  8

  20,000

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Gynaecology

  39

  17,300

  Establishment

  Region

  A

  B

  C

  D

  Total

  Aberdeen

  Grampian

  2

  91

  57

  2

  152

  Barlinnie

  Strathclyde

  —

  840

  6

  —

  846

  Castle Huntly

  Tayside

  —

  —

  —

  118

  118

  Cornton Vale

  Central

  —

  36

  102

  13

  151

  Dumfries

  Dumfries and Galloway

  —

  96

  16

  —

  112

  Dungavel

  Strathclyde

  —

  —

  28

  84

  112

  Edinburgh

  Lothians

  1

  311

  265

  31

  608

  Friarton

  Tayside

  —

  —

  68

  9

  77

  Glenochil

  Central

  —

  177

  126

  —

  303

  Glenochil YOI

  Central

  —

  1

  97

  —

  98

  Greenock

  Strathclyde

  —

  143

  15

  —

  158

  Inverness

  Highland

  —

  67

  38

  —

  105

  Longriggend

  Strathclyde

  —

  178

  24

  —

  202

  Low Moss

  Strathclyde

  —

  —

  394

  —

  394

  Noranside

  Tayside

  —

  —

  —

  110

  110

  Penninghame

  Dumfries and Galloway

  —

  —

  —

  73

  73

  Perth

  Tayside

  2

  313

  142

  6

  463

  Peterhead

  Grampian

  20

  101

  —

  —

  121

  Polmont

  Central

  —

  259

  94

  26

  379

  Shotts

  Strathclyde

  —

  350

  150

  1

  501

  Highland Regional Council (Structure Plan)
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy to reject policy No. 53 of the Highland regional council's structure plan.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  As Highland regional council's structure plan review is only at the consultative draft stage this proposed policy concerning skiing at Cairngorm has not yet been submitted to my right hon. and learned Friend for his approval. Only when the council has considered the representations submitted to it in response to its consultative draft will it formally submit the structure plan to my right hon. and learned Friend for 158
  Health boards which make use of private sector facilities do so if they are cost-effective or if there are constraints which prevent a board from increasing the number of patients they can treat in-house.

  Prisoners
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the breakdown of category A prisoners in Scotland under the groupings(a) convicted Irish Republican Army terrorists, (b) international terrorists, (c) murderers, (d) armed robbers, (e) rapists, (f) drug dealers, and (g) others (i) in total and (ii) listed by each prison.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information as at 30 March 1989 is as follows:

  Grouping

  Total

  Peterhead

  Prison Aberdeen

  Perth

  Murderers

  12

  10

  1

  1

  Armed Robbers

  3

  2

  0

  1

  Drug Dealers

  1

  1

  0

  0

  Others

  8

  7

  1

  0

  There are no category A prisoners in Scotland in the groupings (a), (b) or (e). The figures exclude one untried category A prisoner.

  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the numbers of category A, B and other prisoners in each prison in Scotland, listed by prison and by county address.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The numbers of prisoners in Scottish prisons listed by category, prison and region as at 24 March 1989 are:

  his approval. There is then a statutory period during which objections to the plan can he made. In view of the role which my right hon. and learned Friend will have to play in the future consideration of the plan he cannot at this stage comment on policy No. 53 in the consultative draft.

  Nurse Grading
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if nurses who commenced post-registration training on or after 1 April 1988 have the right of appeal over their recent clinical grading; and if he will make a statement.
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  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  All nurses assimilated to the new clinical grading structure last year—including post-registration students—have the right to appeal under the agreed Whitley procedures.

  Porcine Somatotropin
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has concerning the use of porcine somatotropin in Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Limited trials on the use of porcine somatotropin were carried out in Scotland up to 1988 under an animal test certificate (ATC) issued by MAFF. This ATC has now expired and, as no product licence has subsequently been issued, it would be illegal to sell or supply porcine somatotropin in Scotland, as it would be elsewhere in the United Kingdom.

  Child Abuse
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what Government-funded research into the sexual abuse of children(a) has taken place since 1979, (b) is currently taking place and (c) is under consideration, giving the cost of each project listed.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  In recent years the Scottish Office has funded or contributed to the funding of three research projects on the subject of child abuse, two of which included aspects of child sexual abuse and a third which focused specifically on that problem. Details of the projects and their costs, and of further research currently under consideration, are as follows:

  Research undertaken since 1979

  1. Dr. A. Soddy and Mr. D. Gough: University of Glasgow, "Child abuse interventions: a review of the research literature". Total cost £23,000. (Funded by the Department of Health and Social Security with a Scottish Office contribution; project completed.)

  2. Dr. A. Boddy and Mr. D. Gough: University of Glasgow, "A longitudinal study of child abuse in Glasgow". Total cost £80,000. (Research completed; final report awaited.)

  Research currently taking place

  3. Mrs. L. Waterhouse: University of Edinburgh, "Management of intra-familial child sexual abuse". Total cost £69,400.

  4. A research brief inviting bids to undertake research into child sexual abuse, issued on 28 February 1989, has resulted in four proposals which are under consideration. Estimated cost £100,000.

  Sand Eels
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if, pursuant to his reply of 6 February,Official Report, columns 561–562, he will state the critical level of spawning stock size for Shetland sand eels, below which recruitment will be affected by the abundance of spawning fish; and how this is estimated.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  It is not possible to state precisely the critical size of spawning stock required to protect recruitment from stock-related effects. However it seems unlikely that it is higher than the lowest recorded level that has produced average recruitment or better. For the Shetland stocks, that suggests a spawning stock biomass of around 20,000 tonnes.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment his Department has made as to whether 160
  the voluntary measures taken by Shetland fishermen to reduce catches of young sand eels are likely to conserve stocks of O group and I group sand eels; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Estimates of the abundance of young O group sand eels are based on the accumulated catches of the respective year class in successive years, and it will therefore be two or three years before a full assessment of the effects of the voluntary measures is possible. Landing samples have revealed a very low incidence of very small sand eels in 1987 and 1988 catches but this could be due to the effects of the voluntary restrictions, or to low levels of recruitment of young sand eels, or to both.

  Recent scientific data support the earlier view that the decline in stocks is likely to be due primarily to recent low levels of recruitment rather than the effects of the fishery. However, given current concern about the health of the stocks, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland has today announced proposals to introduce statutory controls on sand eel fisheries in Scottish inshore waters. Comments on the proposals are being invited from interested parties.

  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the total catch by weight, fishing effort and proportions of both O group and 1 group fish, by weight, for the Minch sand eel fishery since 1980.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information requested for ICES division VIa (West of Scotland including the Minch) is as follows:

  Total catch (tones)

  Fishing effort (Days fishing)

  Percentage (by weight)

  O group

  1 Group

  1980

  180

  26

  30

  46

  1981

  5,972

  303

  21

  33

  1982

  10,786

  588

  15

  13

  1983

  13,051

  447

  34

  20

  1984

  14,166

  446

  13

  28

  1985

  18,586

  475

  22

  3

  1986

  24,469

  530

  21

  33

  1987

  14,479

  290

  11

  52

  1988

  24,465

  455

  3

  4

  Computer Consultants
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total amount spent by the Scottish Development Agency in 1988 on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases; and if he will list each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by the Scottish Development Agency in 1988, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment.

  Mr. Lang
  Expenditure by the Scottish Development Agency on management and computer consultancy contracts in the year to 31 March 1989 amounted to £5,925,311. This includes fees for research and development, advisory services, appraisal and administration, such as tax and accounting advice, pension and legal consultancies, as well as management and computer consultancies.

  A detailed breakdown comprising the names of companies which have been successfully tendered for contracts and the subject of these assignments cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate expense.

  "Working for Patients"
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the total cost for the launch of the White Paper "Working for Patients", itemising as far as possible the cost in respect of each specific part.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Wallace) on 16 February 1989.

  Ambulance Services
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has given any directive to the Common Services Agency in respect of competitive tendering for non-emergency ambulance services in Scotland; and what is his policy as to whether such services should be put out to private tender.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Hillhead (Mr. Galbraith) on 20 July 1988 at column 509.

  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what change there has been in the demands upon the ambulance service in the Highlands and Islands following the recent changes in the Highland and Islands hospital patients travel scheme.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The demand for ambulance transport in the Highland and Western Isles area has shown a decline since the changes to the patients' travel expenses scheme, which came into effect on 11 April 1988.

  Woodland Grants
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many occasions the Forestry Commission awarded grants under the broadleaved woodland grant scheme in Scotland, between the inception in 1985 and closure in 1988; and on how many occasions the grant of £100 was for obtaining professional advice in the preparation of a plan of operations under the broadleaved woodland grant scheme awarded.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  To date, the Forestry Commission has approved 1,257 applications for grant under the broadleaved woodland grant scheme in Scotland. The grant of 100 has been paid on 158 of these applications.

  New Towns
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the organisations and bodies which have responded to the consultation document, "The Scottish New Towns—Maintaining the Momentum."

  Mr. Lang
  The following are the organisations and bodies which have responded to the consultation document:

  Abron Community Council (Cumbernauld)

  Ardrossan, Saltcoats, Stevenston Enterprise Trust

  Ayrshire and Arran Health Board

  Ayrshire Chamber of Industries

  Barclay and Cameron Way Residents Association (Livingston)

  Bathgate Area Support for Enterprise Ltd (BASE)

  Beckman Industrial Ltd

  162

  Bellsquarry Community Council (Livingston)

  Broomlands and Bourtreehill Residents Assocition

  Busby East Church

  Calderwood Community Council

  Church of Scotland Department of Ministry and Mission

  City of Glasgow District Council

  Coleman Ballantine Architects, Glasgow

  Collydean Residents/Tenants Association (Glenrothes)

  Condorrat Community Council (Cumbernauld)

  Convention of Scottish Local Authorities

  Craigshill Initiative (Livingston)

  Crofthead Farm Community Centre

  Cumbernauld Business Associations Cumbernauld Citizens Advice Bureau Cumbernauld Development Corporation

  Cumbernauld and District Trades Council

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth Constituency Association Scottish National Party

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth Constituency Labour Party

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth District Council

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth Enterprise Trust

  Cumbernauld Ministers' Fraternal

  Cumbernauld Theatre Trust Ltd

  Cunninghame District Council

  Deans Community High School (Livingston)

  Deans and District Labour Party (Livingston)

  Deans Senior Citizens' Club (Livingston)

  Dedridge Community Council (Livingston)

  Donaldsons

  Dreghorn (IDC) Tenants/Residents Association

  Dundee and Tayside Chamber of Commerce and industry, Fife Branch

  East Kilbride Central Branch, Scottish National Party

  East Kilbride Chamber of Commerce

  East Kilbride Christian Council

  East Kilbride Citizens Advice Bureau

  East Kilbride Development Corporation

  East Kilbride District Council

  East Kilbride Fabian Society

  East Kilbride Old Parish Church

  East Kilbride Residents Federation

  East Kilbride Voluntary Organisation's Council

  Fife Regional Council

  Fraser and Partner, Business Managers, Glenrothes

  Girdle Toll and Bourtreehill Community Council (Cumbernauld)

  Glenrothes Development Agency

  Glenrothes Development Corporation

  Glenrothes Enterprise Trust Ltd.

  Glenrothes Residents Council

  Greenhills East Resident Association

  Hamilton District Council

  Housing Architects Group Irvine Development Corporation

  Institute of Housing in Scotland

  Institute of Civil Engineers

  Inveralmond Community High School

  Irvine Development Corporation

  Kildrum Parish Church

  King and Co.

  Kirkcaldy District Council

  Knightsridge Community Council (Livingston)

  Knightsridge West Residents Association (Livingston)

  Labour Party Scottish Council

  Landscape Institute Scotland

  Livingston Constituency Labour Party

  Livingston Development Corporation

  Livingston East Branch, Scottish National Party

  Livingston Ecumenical Parish

  Livingston Federation of Residents and Tenants Association

  Livingston Industrial and Commercial Association

  Livingston Justice and Peace Group

  Livingston Voluntary Organisations Council

  Livingston YWCA

  Lothian Regional Council

  Motherwell District Council

  Murieston Residents' Association (Livingston)

  Murray Community Council

  National Mobility Office

  National and Local Government Officers Association (NALGO)

  163

  National and Local Government Officers Association—Cumbernauld

  Neighbourhood Care Networks (Livingston)

  Planning Section Livingston

  Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors

  ScotRail, British Railways Board

  Scottish Building Employers' Federation

  Scottish Church's Industrial Mission

  Scottish Community Woods Campaign

  Scottish Consumer Council

  Scottish Council for Single Homeless

  Scottish Democrats

  Scottish Development Agency

  Scottish Engineering Employers' Association

  Scottish Federation of Housing Associations

  Scottish Homes

  Scottish Local Authorities with New Towns (SLANT)

  Scottish National Party

  Scottish New Towns Housing Association

  Scottish New Towns Housing Managers Group

  Scottish Old Age Pensions Association

  Scottish Society of Directors of Planning

  Scottish Special Housing Association

  Scottish Trades Union Congress

  Scottish Wildlife Trust

  Sealand Industries PLC Cumbernauld

  Sixth Year Cumbernauld High School

  St. Mungos Parish Church

  Strathclyde Regional Council

  The Building Societies Association

  The Kirk Session of Livingston Old Parish

  The Royal Town Planning Institute

  Town and Country Planning Association

  West Lothian College of Further Education

  West Lothian District Council

  Whinneyknowe and Balgeddie Meadows Residents Association (Glenrothes)

  Local Health Councils
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to publish his proposals on the future of local health councils.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I shall make an announcement about the representation of consumer views in the NHS when consideration of the management consultants' report and other proposals and comments which have been received has been completed.

  Pupil-Teacher Ratios
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were(a) pupil-teacher ratios and (b) university staff-student ratios in Scotland in 1978–79 and 1987–88.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 23 March 1989]: The pupil-teacher ratios in education authority schools (nursery, primary, secondary and special) were 17·7 in 1978–79 and 16·1 in 1987–88. Universities throughout Great Britain are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science.

  Teaching Posts
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total number of teaching posts in(a) Scottish schools and (b) Scottish higher education in 1978, 1979, 1987 and 1988.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 23 March 1989]: Comprehensive information about the numbers of teaching posts is not available centrally.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Single Mothers (Income Support)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidance is given to social security officers as to the age at which it is deemed appropriate for pre-school children of single mothers to be placed with child minders when assessing the mothers' eligibility for income support.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  None. There is no requirement for children of any age to be placed with child minders as a condition of receiving income support.

  Mr. George Metters
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he hopes to reply to letters dated 27 January and 7 February from the hon. Member for South Hams, in relation to his constituent Mr. George Metters of Marians' Maples, Stoke Gabriel, Totnes, Devon, and his claim for attendance allowance.

  Mr. Scott
  A reply was sent on 22 March.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) for the week starting 10 April, and each ensuing week, how many people currently in receipt of housing benefit transitional payments in the Leeds, West constituency will cease to become eligible; and what this is as a percentage of the total number of those claiming transitional payments in the constituency;

  (2) for the week starting 10 April, and each ensuing week, how many people currently in receipt of housing benefit transitional payments will cease to become eligible; and what this is as a percentage of the total number of those claiming transitional payments.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Until the closing date of 30 June 1989 is reached and all applications for housing benefit transitional payments have been received and assessed, it will not be possible to state how many people will no longer receive transitional payments from 10 April 1989 because of the £2 flat rate reduction, but we estimate that around 40 per cent. will no longer qualify for payments. The information requested is not available by constituency area.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people have been paid housing benefit transitional payments; of these, how many will lose their transitional protection after 9 April because they have capital in excess of £8,000; and how many others will lose their transitional protection because the amount of their payments is less than £2 per week.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Up to 24 March 188,095 people had been awarded housing benefit transitional payments and payments have been made in 180,874 cases. Until the closing date of 30 June 1989 is reached and all applications have been received and assessed it will not be possible to state how many people will no longer receive transitional protection from 10 April because of the £2 flat rate reduction, but we estimate that around 40 per cent. will no longer qualify for payments. It will not be possible to say how many people will no longer qualify for transitional
  165
  protection because their capital has risen above £8,000 since April 1988 until all renewal application forms have been returned to the transitional payments unit.

  Family Credit
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a table showing how many people were(a) eligible for and (b) in receipt of family credit in 1988–89, broken down into (i) employees and (ii)

  Employees

  Self-employed

  Total

  Eligible

  Receiving

  Receiving

  Receiving

  October 1987

  Forecast for 1988–891

  2675,000

  405,000

  45,000

  450,000

  March 1989

  Estimate for 1988

  500,000

  253,000 (actual)

  24,000 (actual)

  277,000 (actual)

  Notes:

  1 As revised to take account of the March 1988 Budget.

  2 No direct estimate of the eligible population was made in October 1987, when a projection of the 1988–89 caseload was made on the assumption that the take up rate would be one fifth higher than the FIS take up rate. However, an eligible employee population of 675,000 would follow from the assumption of a FIS take up rate of 50 per cent.

  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the latest estimate of the number of people receiving family credit; and how much he expects to spend on family credit in the financial year 1988–89.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  At the end of March 253,500 families were receiving family credit, and a further 47,000 claims were awaiting determination. The outturn of expenditure for 1988–89 is now expected to be slightly less than forecast in Cm. 615.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people would be entitled to family credit in 1989 if there was no compensation for free school meals or welfare milk in the child credit rates.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 20 March 1989]: A specific amount in respect of compensation for free school meals and free welfare milk and vitamins was included on a once-and-for-all basis in the child credit rates set at the start of the family credit scheme in April 1988 but, following the uprating, this element is no longer separately identifiable within the April 1989 rates. The information requested is therefore not available.

  Firm

  Subject of assignment

  Anderson Consulting

  Overseas Branch Computer Requirement

  Anderson Consulting

  Operational Strategy Training Development

  Anderson Consulting

  Benefit Branch Computerisation

  Answerpoint

  Local Office Project

  Applied Systems Engineering

  Local Office Project

  Applied Systems Engineering

  Service Management Group

  Applied Systems Engineering

  Central Design Authority

  Applied Systems Engineering

  Family Credit Project

  Arthur Young

  Integrated Complementing System

  Arthur Young

  Performance Based Systems

  Arthur Young

  Quality Assurance Package for Social Security Offices

  166
  self-employed, using the first assumption of eligibility and take-up made in October 1987 and the second assumption as described in his answer to the hon. Member for Bolton North-East (Mr. Thurnham), 17 March, Official Report, column 392.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The available information is shown in the table. Reliable estimates cannot be made of the numbers of self-employed people eligible for family credit.

  Computer Consultants
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total amount spent by his Department in 1988 on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases; and if he will list each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by his Department in 1988, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The estimated total amount spent by the Department in 1988 on social security-related management and computer consultancy was £35·391 million. The expenditure came partly from the combined DHSS budgets for the financial years 1987–88 and 1988–89. Where appropriate the cost of projects has been apportioned when the work involved both social security and health aspects.

  Details of each consultancy awarded by the Department on social security-related matters are as follows:
  167

  Firm

  Subject of assignment

  Bell Software

  Local Office Project

  B.I.S. Limited

  Tools Feasibility Study

  B.I.S. Limited

  Database Design Support

  B.I.S. Limited

  Strategy Data Administration

  British Telecom

  Local Office Microcomputer Project

  Cap Industry Limited

  Local Office Project

  Cavendish Tricorne

  Overbearing Model (Operational Research Service)

  Computer Search

  National Unemployment Benefit System

  Computer People

  Local Office Project

  Coopers and Lybrand

  Department of Social Security Agency Study

  C.S.C.

  Product Assurance (North Fylde Central Office)

  C.S.C.

  Strategy Security

  Dataflex

  Local Office Microcomputer Project

  D. E. Barnard Systems

  Scrutiny of Printing and Publications

  Digitus

  Self Instruction Unit Computerisation

  ENATOR

  Performance Based Systems

  ENATOR

  Integrated Complementing System

  EOSYS

  Cable Management

  Falcon Systems

  Local Office Microcomputer Project

  Forvus

  Database Management System

  Gallup

  Staff Attitude Survey of Local Offices

  Gallup

  Staff Attitude Survey of Headquarters

  I.C.L.

  National Unemployment Benefit System

  I.C.L.

  Local Office Project

  Infologistix

  Capacity Planning (North Fylde Central Office)

  Jones Lang Wood

  Scrutiny of the Social Security Regional Organisation

  Logica

  Aggregate Performance Indicators

  Logica

  Scrutiny of the Social Security Regional Organisation

  L.B.M.S.

  Quality Assurance

  M.O.M.

  Program Information Control—Artemis

  M.F.T.

  Federal Budgetary Control System

  NESCO

  Local Office Project

  OASIS

  Superannuation Study (North Fylde Central Office)

  Oxford Centre for Management Studies

  Workload Experiment

  PACTEL

  Information Centre (Prototype)

  P.E. Computer Services

  Local Office Project

  Peat Marwick McLintock

  Analysis of Questionnaires for Scrutiny of Overseas Branch and for Contributions and Compiiance Study

  Peat Marwick McLintock

  Performance Based Systems

  Peat Marwick McLintock

  Integrated Complementing System

  168 169

  Firm

  Subject of assignment

  Price Waterhouse

  Financial Management

  Price Waterhouse

  Integrated Complementing System

  Price Waterhouse

  Disaster Planning

  Price Waterhouse

  Career Development

  Price Waterhouse

  Integrated Complementing System

  Protocol

  Service Management (North Fylde Central Office)

  Resources

  Local Office Project

  R.E.L.

  Tempest Testing

  Rowe and Maw

  Model Rules for Guaranteed Minimum Pensions in Occupational Pension Schemes

  S.B.S.

  National Unemployment Benefit System

  Scopec

  Program Information Controls

  S.D.S.

  Local Office Project

  Slaughter and May

  Model Rules for Guaranteed Minimum Pensions in Occupational Pension Schemes

  Systems Designers

  Performance Based Systems Regional Trials

  Task Force

  Local Office Project

  Task Force

  Monitoring Income Support

  Task Force

  National Unemployment Benefit System

  Telfast

  Local Office Project

  Touche Ross

  Recovery of Social Security Benefits from Tort Damage Awards

  Touche Ross

  Performance Based Systems

  Touche Ross

  Financial Information Strategy Study

  Touche Ross

  Integrated Complementing System

  V.N.G.

  Local Office Project

  W.S. Atkins

  Communications Wiring Building Survey

  Community Care
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what percentage of total budget of the Neasden integrated local office has been spent on community care grants;

  (2) how many community care grant applications have been made and refused at the Neasden integrated local office;

  (3) how much has been allocated for the 1989–90 budget from the social fund for community care grants at the Neasden integrated local office;

  (4) how many social fund loans applications have been made and refused at the Neasden integrated local office.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Information on the numbers of applications for social fund loans and grants processed and awarded, listed by local office, including information on budget allocations and expenditure, may be obtained from the details held in the Library.
  170
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish the assumptions and bases on which the social fund community care grants budgets for the Department of Social Security ILOs of Redcar, Eston, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool and Stockton were set for the year 1989–90; and if he will give the reasons why four of these offices have received a lower budget than for the current financial year.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The note that I placed in the Library on 22 February in response to the question from my hon. Friend the Member for Bury, North (Mr. Burt) at column 682 explains the basis on which the social fund allocations for 1988–89 were made.

  The combined effect of the three components in the allocation formula ((i) 1988–89 allocations; (ii) income support caseload; (iii) value of awards and the estimated value of refusals for budgetary reasons) means that some offices will gain in 1989–90 in comparison with their 1988–89 allocations and some will lose.
  171
  The allocation formula was applied in the same way to all local offices.

  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will consider reducing the minimum award of social fund community care grant and budgeting loan payments in respect of fuel reconnection charges, in order to bring the minimum social fund awards into line with the typical reconnection charge.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  No, we believe that the existing arrangements already provide the necessary help.

  People on income support are provided with a sum of money within which to budget for their everyday needs, in the same way as others on low incomes. Budgeting loans and community care grants are intended to help with larger items of expenditure. We consider £30 a reasonable sum for a person to accumulate from their benefit.

  If a person runs into difficulties in meeting his fuel bills the Department can arrange to pay a certain amount of his income support direct to the fuel board so as to avoid disconnection. Where, however, a disconnection has taken place help is available in the form of a crisis loan which may be made if it is the only means of avoiding a risk to health and safety.

  Claim Forms
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what arrangements have been made for local authorities and advice groups to receive bulk copies of his Department's claim forms.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  There are no arrangements for local authorities and advice groups to receive bulk copies of the Department's claim forms. All claim forms are readily available from the Department's local offices. Additionally, those for family credit and income support can be obtained from Post Offices. Social fund application form SF100, (maternity payment) is available from ante-natal clinics, and SF200 (funeral payment) is available from registrars.

  Kidney Failure (Benefits)
  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what benefits a person who suffers kidney failure and is forced to give up work will currently receive; what level of benefits applied to a person in a similar situation before April 1988; what special allowances existed for items, including food, heating, laundry and baths for such people before April 1988; and what equivalent benefits are now available.

  Mr. Scott
  People who become incapable of work due to kidney failure whose contract of service with their employer continues would usually be entitled to statutory sick pay from the fourth consecutive day of incapacity. Where the employment terminates, the person is self-employed, or statutory sick pay is not payable for any reason, sickness benefit would be payable instead, provided that the usual contribution conditions were satisfied. After 28 weeks of incapacity, invalidity benefit replaces sickness benefit automatically. It would also replace statutory sick pay in cases where the contribution conditions for sickness benefit would have been satisfied at the beginning of the incapacity. In addition to these benefits, people suffering with renal failure who require 172
  help dialysing for at least two occasions a week, either at home, as an in-patient in a private hospital or in a self-care unit may qualify for lower rate attendance allowance. There has been no change in the level of any of these benefits since April 1988 other than the usual uprating.

  Depending on their circumstances people with renal failure may also receive income support, which replaced supplementary benefit in April 1988. The level of supplementary benefit paid reflected the individual's circumstances such as size of family, if any, housing costs, special needs, and other income. There was no fixed level of benefit for any claimant. The only special allowance particular to people with renal failure was a dietary addition. All other special allowances, for example, for heating, laundry and baths were available to all claimants on the same terms. The system of special allowances has been replaced by one of flat rate premiums. The disability premium is available to people receiving attendance allowance, mobility allowance or supplement, invalidity benefit or severe disablement benefit. It is also available to people with an invalid carriage, those registered blind and those incapable of work for 28 weeks or more. In addition attendance allowance recipients who live alone qualify for the severe disability premium, providing no-one is receiving invalid care allowance for their care.

  Young People (Benefits)
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what effects of the changes to young people's benefits, introduced in April and September 1988, his Department is monitoring;

  (2) how his Department is monitoring the effects of the 1988 benefits changes on young people aged 16 and 17 years and 18 to 24 years.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Department is monitoring all the effects of the 1988 benefit changes on young people through the usual statistical sources, and through representations made by local authorities, voluntary organisations and other groups concerned with young people. As a result of his monitoring a package of measures to assist those of this group identified as having particular difficulties was announced in my hon. Friend's reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Broxtowe (Mr. Lester) on 13 March at columns 27–28.

  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give the latest estimates of(a) how many young people aged 16 and 17 years have applied for discretionary payments of income support in order to avoid severe hardship, (b) how many young people have been awarded such payments, (c) what is the average time taken from the point of application to the point of payment of such awards and (d) what is the average duration of such awards.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  During the period 12 September 1988, when general entitlement to income support was withdrawn from 16 and 17-year-olds, to 23 March 1989 a total of 6,027 decisions were made under the Secretary of State's discretionary power to avoid severe hardship. A direction to enable income support to be paid was given in 3,908 instances. These figures relate to the number of decisions made, not to the number of young people involved. Some young people have made more than one application. Processing times are not available for these cases separately from other income support claims, but the
  173
  commitment to make decisions within 24 hours of the full details of the case being referred to headquarters has been met. The length of direction given in each case is normally linked to an estimate of when a YTS place is likely to be available for the young person concerned. Information to calculate the average durations of directions is not collected.

  Income Support
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in what circumstances single parents in receipt of income support have to make themselves available for work; and whether he has any plans to require that single parents in receipt of income support whose youngest child reaches the age of 12 years will have to make themselves available for work.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Single parents claiming income support have to be available for work only if there is no child under 16 living as a member of the household. We have no plans to change that.

  AIDS
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) whether people with HIV on income support qualify for any specific benefits related to the needs caused by their HIV antibody status;

  (2) if he is intending to review the six month qualification period necessary to receive the disability premium for people with HIV infection on income support.

  Mr. Scott
  People whose HIV antibody status renders them incapable of work can qualify for the income support disability premiums on the same basis as all other sick and disabled people. There are no benefits specifically for people with HIV. But those who receive payments from the Macfarlane trust receive the full benefit of such payments, which are disregarded in the calculation of their income support entitlement. We have given a commitment to review the qualifying conditions for the disability, and other, premiums in the light of our continued monitoring of the scheme and the results of the OPCS surveys into disabilities.

  Nursing Homes (Elderly People)
  Mr. Lord
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures he is taking to reduce the gap between Government funds provided for elderly residents of nursing homes and the cost of their accommodation.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 21 March 1989]: Under income support, payments can be made to people in nursing homes to help them meet the fees, subject to maximum limits.

  From 10 April the limits are being increased. Elderly people in nursing homes will be able to claim up to £190 per week, or up to £213 in London, plus a personal expenses allowance of £10·05.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Water Privatisation
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he has for the privatisation of water supplies; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  The Government have no present plans to privatise water supplies in Northern Ireland.

  Queen's University
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many part-time courses are available at Queen's university, Belfast.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  A total of 590 part-time courses were available during the 1987–88 academic year.

  Goat Milk
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to introduce measures to control the standard of hygiene of goat milk production.

  Mr. Viggers
  The Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland will shortly be issuing an agreed code of practice on the hygienic production of goats' milk.

  Life Imprisonment
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) republican and (b) loyalist prisoners serving sentences of life imprisonment or at the Secretary of State's pleasure have been reviewed since January 1988; and how many have been released.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  The information requested is set out in the following table.

  Indeterminate sentence prisoners reviewed, recommended for release and released since January 1988 by believed paramilitary affiliation at the time of their offence

  Number

  'Loyalist' cases reviewed

  106

  Number recommended for release

  52

  'Republican' cases reviewed

  86

  Number recommended for release

  40

  'Loyalist' prisoners released

  19

  'Republican' prisoners released

  8

  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) republican and (b) loyalist prisoners serving sentences of life imprisonment or at the Secretary of State's pleasure who have been reviewed and put back for further review are to be reconsidered in (i) one, (ii) two, (iii) three, (iv) four and (v) five years.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  The information requested is set out in the following table.
  175

  Indeterminate sentence prisoners who have been reviewed by the life sentence review board and deferred to be reconsidered in 1–5 years from the time of the last review. By believed paramilitary affiliation at time of offence

  0–1 Year

  1–2 Years

  2–3 Years

  3–4 Years

  4–5 Years

  Republican

  13

  15

  14

  14

  32

  Loyalist

  4

  18

  14

  18

  10

  Wildlife Poisoning
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list for each of the last five years the number of cases of wildlife poisoning in Northern Ireland caused by the illegal use of pesticides or poisons; and if he will identify the species involved and if possible the poison or pesticide involved.

  Mr. Needham
  The Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland is not aware of any cases of wildlife poisoning where the illegal use of pesticides or poisons has been proven.

  However, in 1986 the death of one peregrine falcon was probably caused by high levels of the pesticides DDT and DDE. In 1986 another peregrine falcon and a sparrowhawk died, possibly through ingesting pesticides, and in 1987 a further sparrowhawk died from what may have been the same cause. In these cases it is not possible to state how or where the birds ingested these substances.

  Neither DDT nor DDE were illegal prior to 1 January 1988 when the Control of Pesticides Regulations (NI) 1987 came into operation.

  A case earlier this year of about 100 feral pigeons dying through ingesting alpha-chloralose (a stupefying bait) is being investigated. The deliberate use of alpha-chloralose against wild birds is illegal except under licence.

  Social Security Payments
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many families in Northern Ireland were in receipt of family income supplement in the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Needham
  The number was 14,415 families at 1 March 1988.

  Elderly People (Residential Homes)
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will call for a report from the Department of Health and Social Services for Northern Ireland on the extent to which social security payments and state pensions are adequate to meet the costs of elderly people in private residential homes; and as to the extent of the practice of using residents' pocket money to meet the extra costs of staying in such homes.

  Mr. Needham
  Information is not held centrally about the numbers of residents in private homes for persons in need whose charges exceed the amounts of their benefits and who may use their personal expenses allowance towards the excess. From 10 April 1989, the relevant income support limits will range from £140 to £200 a week.

  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has as to the average income of an elderly person in a residential home in Northern Ireland, excluding any private source of income.

  Mr. Needham
  None.
  176
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the latest available information that he has as to the costs of maintaining a resident in(a) a private residential home for the elderly in Northern Ireland, (b) a residential home for the elderly run by a social services board and (c) a private nursing home in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Needham
  Information is available only on(b) the average cost, excluding capital and central administration costs, being some £162 a week in the year ended 31 March 1988.

  Rates
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the average percentage increase in the regional rates levied by the Department of Environment for Northern Ireland in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Needham
  The regional rate, which is struck by the Department of Finance and Personnel each February, has increased as follows in each of the last three years.

  Per cent.

  1987–88

  2·9

  1988–89

  7·98

  1989–90

  12·63

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the average percentage increase in rates struck by district councils in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Needham
  The average percentage increase in rates struck by district councils in Northern Ireland over the last three years is as follows:

  Per cent.

  1987–8

  4·98

  1988–9

  4·26

  1989–90

  2·36

  Married Teachers
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for how long married women teachers have been paying exactly the same contributions from salary as married male teachers for pension and benefit purposes.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  All teachers, whether male or female, married or single, have paid similar basic percentage contributions since the introduction of the teachers' superannuation scheme in the 1920s.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether contributions for pensions and benefits already paid by married women teachers prior to 6 April 1988 require to be supplemented by buying back all or part of previous service to provide equality of pension and benefit provision for a widower with that to which the widow of a teacher is entitled.
  177
  Dr. Mawhinney
  Married women teachers may, by making the appropriate payments, have all or part of their service prior to 6 April 1988 counted for widowers' pension purposes.

  Firearms
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table in the Official Report to show for each year from 1976 to 1988, the number of (a) shotguns, (b) rifles, (c) handguns, (d) air and gas-powered weapons held on firearms certificates in Northern Ireland or as much of such information as is available to him.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  [holding answer 23 March 1989]: The information requested is as follows:

  Year

  (a) Shotguns

  (b) Rifles

  (c) Handguns

  (d) Air Weapons

  1976

  67,148

  13,877

  10,189

  11,830

  1977

  69,525

  13,914

  10,322

  12,112

  1978

  71,119

  13,834

  9,978

  12,491

  1979

  72,843

  13,839

  9,946

  13,362

  1980

  74,836

  13,550

  10,257

  14,450

  1981

  76,087

  13,765

  10,184

  15,103

  (a) Police officers and ranks

  Superintendent

  Chief Inspector

  Inspector

  Sergeant

  Constable

  1976

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1977

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1978

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1979

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1980

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1981

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1982

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1983

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1984

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1985

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1986

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1987

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1988

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Note: Figures are not available for 1976 and 1977.

  Pay

  Year1

  Salaries

  Overtime and Allowances

  Superannuation and ERNI

  Total Cost of Remuneration

  (£'000s)

  (£'000s)

  (£'000s)

  (£'000s)

  1976–77

  64·3

  19·8

  21·5

  105·6

  1977–78

  72·3

  15·3

  24·6

  112·2

  1978–79

  98·6

  16·1

  31·7

  146·4

  1979–80

  102·8

  14·5

  32·9

  150·2

  1980–81

  132·2

  17·2

  41·9

  191·3

  1981–82

  143·2

  17·2

  45·2

  205·6

  1982–83

  159·8

  26·4

  51·2

  237·4

  1983–84

  181·0

  28·2

  59·5

  268·7

  1984–85

  183·1

  34·1

  61·3

  278·5

  1985–86

  243·8

  30·6

  75·9

  350·3

  1986–87

  272·1

  24·3

  83·4

  379·8

  1987–88

  315·0

  26·9

  90·7

  432·6

  1 Pay calculated on basis of financial year, 1 April to 31 March.

  Year

  (i) Firearm Certificates Granted

  (ii) Firearm Certificates Renewed

  (iii) Firearm Certificates Varied

  1976

  5,116

  15,361

  9,283

  1977

  5,484

  13,065

  9,539

  1978

  4,318

  28,710

  6,465

  1979

  4,389

  19,121

  10,278

  1980

  4,362

  14,201

  8,934

  1981

  3,639

  29,704

  9,140

  1982

  4,297

  21,685

  9,246

  178

  Year

  (a) Shotguns

  (b) Rifles

  (c) Handguns

  (d) Air Weapons

  1982

  77,392

  13,691

  10,288

  15,635

  1983

  78,587

  13,691

  10,246

  16,071

  1984

  79,845

  13,654

  10,188

  16,659

  1985

  81,247

  13,642

  10,238

  17,240

  1986

  82,601

  13,596

  10,427

  17,701

  1987

  82,554

  13,414

  10,566

  17,858

  1988

  82,913

  13,321

  10,752

  18,114

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table in the Official Report to show how many (a) police officers by rank and (b) civilian staff by grade have been engaged at police headquarters in processing firearms certificates for each year since 1976 to the latest available date; what has been the total costs of remunerating such staff in each year; in each year how many firearms certificates were (i) issued, (ii) renewed, and (iii) varied; how many applications were refused for (a) issues of a new certificate, (b) renewals and (c) variation; and how many certificates were withdrawn.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  [holding answer 23 March 1989: The information requested is as follows:

  Year

  (i) Firearm Certificates Granted

  (ii) Firearm Certificates Renewed

  (iii) Firearm Certificates Varied

  1983

  3,714

  17,016

  7,748

  1984

  4,011

  30,066

  8,574

  1985

  4,222

  22,463

  7,082

  1986

  3,895

  17,933

  7,197

  1987

  3,743

  29,296

  8,903

  1988

  3,672

  22,164

  8,800

  179

  Year

  (a) Refused to grant new firearm certificate

  (b) Refused to renew firearm certificate

  (c) Refused to vary firearm certificate

  Firearm certificate revoked

  1976

  281

  49

  510

  192

  1977

  293

  58

  504

  23

  1978

  229

  48

  428

  100

  1979

  267

  92

  331

  101

  1980

  294

  79

  387

  123

  1981

  360

  79

  390

  103

  1982

  377

  78

  439

  124

  1983

  336

  79

  389

  157

  1984

  313

  88

  465

  154

  1985

  326

  61

  374

  178

  1986

  308

  43

  320

  147

  1987

  308

  53

  420

  146

  1988

  262

  62

  471

  148

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many rifles held on firearms certificates in Northern Ireland are of ·22 calibre; and how many are of larger calibre; and how many in each category are held under the condition, possession only.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  [holding answer 23 March 1989]: The information requested is as follows:

  Total Numbers

  Possession only

  Rifles of ·22 calibre

  12,146

  974

  Rifles of larger calibre

  1,175

  786

  Note: Figures refer to 31 December 1988.

  Special Category Prisoners
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information is available to indicate how many prisoners gave up special category status in each of the past four years; for how many of these prisoners the

  Year

  Numbers relinquishing special category status

  Numbers who went to LSRB within 1 year

  Number of reviews since relinquishing special category status

  Release dates set

  Referred to judiciary

  Deferred (by number of years)

  Numbers released

  0–1

  1–2

  2–3

  1985

  19

  9

  6 and 1 review

  2

  12

  —

  —

  —

  —

  7 and 2 reviews

  1 had 3 reviews

  1 had 4 reviews

  4 had NIL reviews

  —see note below

  1986

  23

  6

  5 had 1 review

  15

  11

  5

  —

  1

  3

  5 had 2 reviews

  13 had no reviews

  —see note below

  1987

  5

  1

  1 had 2 reviews

  8

  10

  6

  3

  —

  16

  4 had no reviews

  —see note below

  1988–89

  3

  NIL

  None have had a review

  8

  10

  2

  3

  —

  9

  Note: The 24 prisoners who relinquished Special Category status in the four years 23 March 1985–22 March 1989 and have not since been reviewed were all recommended for consultation with the judiciary prior to their decision to relinquish Special Category status.

  Statistical Staff
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions
  180
  case went to the life sentence review board within a year of giving up their status; how many reviews these prisoners have had; how many in each year (a) were given release dates, (b) had their cases referred to the judiciary, and (c) had their cases referred back for further review after one year, two years or three years; and how many have been released.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  [holding answer 23 March 1989]: No fixed sentence prisoners have relinquished their special category status in the last four years. Fifty indeterminate sentence prisoners have relinquished their special category status since March 1985, of whom 28 have been released and 15 either have provisional release dates or are at consultation with the judiciary with a view to setting dates. The remaining seven prisoners all transferred to segregated "Republican" or "Loyalist" wings after relinquishing their special category status and have remained in segregated accommodation. The detailed information requested is set out in the following table.

  in the Northern Ireland Office; if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts; and if he will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1989–90.
  181
  Mr. Ian Stewart
  [holding answer 13 March 1989]: The Northern Ireland Office has one statistical division which is located in Belfast. The division has a complement of nine, which consists of three specialist grades (one principal economist, one deputy economist, one senior assistant economist) and six administrative grades (two executive officers, two administrative officers, two administrative assistants), a programmer is also attached to the division on loan.

  The division is fully up to strength and the complement is not expected to change in the foreseeable future.

  Management Consultants
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the total fees paid out by his Department to management consultants in 1979–80 and each year to date; and what is the estimate for the current year.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  [holding answer 13 March 1989]: The information for 1979–80 to 1983–84 is available throughout Northern Ireland Departments only at disproportionate cost. Information for the year 1984–85 to date is as follows:

  £

  1984–85

  2,352,311

  1985–86

  2,427,200

  1986–87

  2,742,192

  1987–88

  3,363,213

  1988–89

  13,273,430

  1 Estimate.

  In addition, the Northern Ireland Office and the Department of Finance and Personnel jointly shared the cost of a review of the Northern Ireland information services carried out in 1988. The review cost approximately £8,000.

  Wages Councils
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish in the Official Report

  (b) (i) The number, and percentage of register, of establishments checked in 1988 and those found to be underpaying are as follows:

  Wages Council

  Establishments

  Number checked by all methods

  Per cent. of register

  Number checked by visit

  Per cent. of register

  Number found to be underpaying

  Per cent. of register

  Baking

  78

  22·9

  78

  22·9

  16

  4·7

  Boot and shoe repairing

  21

  21·0

  21

  21·0

  1

  1·0

  Catering

  583

  13·0

  488

  10·9

  68

  1·5

  Clothing manufacturing

  27

  15·8

  27

  15·8

  12

  7·0

  Laundry

  6

  40·0

  6

  40·0

  —

  —

  Linen and cotton handkerchief and household goods and linen piece goods

  19

  38·8

  19

  38·8

  2

  4·1

  Paper box

  5

  29·4

  5

  29·4

  —

  —

  Road haulage

  310

  12·2

  296

  11·7

  13

  0·5

  Sugar confectionery and food preserving

  4

  13·8

  4

  13·8

  —

  —

  NORTHERN IRELAND TOTALS

  1,053

  13·6

  944

  12·2

  112

  1·4

  182
  (a) the number and percentage of establishments and services covered by wages councils in 1979 and 1988, (i) by wages council and (ii) nationally, (b) the number, and percentage of register, of establishments and workers (i) checked by all methods and (ii) visited and the number and percentage in (i) and (ii) found to be illegally underpaying, nationally and by wages council, (c) the number and percentage of registers of establishments found to be illegally underpaying and prosecuted in each year from 1979 to 1988, and (d) the number of inspectors employed by wages council and nationally, in each year from 1979 to 1988.

  Mr. Viggers
  [holding answer 22 March 1989]: The information requested is:
  (a) The number and percentage of establishments covered by wages councils in Northern Ireland in 1979 and 1988 are as follows:

  Wages Council

  1979

  Per cent.

  1988

  Per cent.

  Baking

  255

  4·0

  341

  4·4

  Boot and Shoe Repairing

  29

  0·5

  100

  1·3

  Catering

  3,825

  60·6

  4,469

  57·9

  Clothing Manufacturing

  —

  —

  171

  2·2

  Dressmaking and Women's Light Clothing1

  122

  2·0

  —

  —

  Laundry

  17

  0·3

  15

  0·2

  Linen and Cotton Handkerchief and Household goods and Linen Piece goods

  84

  1·3

  49

  0·6

  Paper Box

  17

  0·3

  17

  0·2

  Ready made and Wholesale Bespoke1 Tailoring

  58

  0·9

  —

  —

  Retail Bespoke Tailoring2

  4

  0·1

  —

  —

  Road Haulage

  1,756

  27·8

  2,536

  32·8

  Shirtmaking1

  85

  1·3

  —

  —

  Sugar Confectionery and Food Preserving

  55

  0·9

  29

  0·4

  Northern Ireland Totals

  6,307

  100

  7,727

  100

  1 These wages councils were abolished in 1982 and one new wages councils (Clothing Manufacturing Wages Council) was established in their place.

  2 This wages council was abolished in 1981.

  183

  (b) (ii) The number, and percentage of register, of workers checked in 1988 and the number found to be underpaid are as follows:

  Wages Council

  Workers

  Number checked by all methods

  Per cent. of register

  Number checked by visit

  Per cent. of register

  Number found to be underpaying

  Per cent. of register

  Baking

  283

  29·5

  283

  29·5

  17

  1·8

  Boot and shoe repairing

  23

  30·7

  23

  30·7

  2

  2·7

  Catering

  2,785

  17·4

  2,385

  14·9

  104

  0·7

  Clothing manufacturing

  1,537

  14·0

  1,537

  14·0

  118

  1·1

  Laundry

  29

  10·0

  29

  10·0

  —

  —

  Linen and cotton handkerchief and household goods and linen piece goods

  612

  46·5

  612

  46·5

  2

  0·2

  Paper box

  217

  25·2

  217

  25·2

  —

  —

  Road haulage

  982

  18·2

  771

  14·3

  15

  0·3

  Sugar confectionery and food preserving

  23

  14·8

  23

  14·8

  —

  —

  NORTHERN IRELAND TOTALS

  6,491

  18·0

  5,880

  16·3

  258

  0·7

  (c) The number and percentage of register of establishments found to be underpaying since 1982 are as follows:

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  Wages Council

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Baking

  12

  4·8

  8

  3·0

  5

  1·9

  11

  4·0

  14

  3·3

  9

  2·4

  16

  4·7

  Boot and Shoe Repairing

  1

  3·2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1·0

  Catering

  16

  0·5

  17

  0·5

  32

  1·0

  28

  0·9

  35

  0·8

  76

  1·5

  68

  1·5

  Clothing Manufacturing

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4

  2·9

  1

  0·8

  6

  4·7

  10

  5·4

  12

  7·0

  Dressmaking and Women's Light Clothing1

  —

  —

  1

  1·9

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Laundry

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  8·3

  1

  7·1

  —

  —

  Linen and Cotton Handkerchief and Household Goods and Linen Piece Goods

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2·0

  —

  —

  1

  2·2

  2

  4·2

  2

  4·1

  Paper Bfox

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Ready Made and Wholesale Bespoke1 Tailoring

  —

  —

  1

  3·3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Road Haulage

  9

  0·6

  6

  0·4

  10

  0·8

  5

  0·4

  7

  0·4

  6

  0·3

  13

  0·5

  Shirtmaking1

  —

  —

  1

  2·0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Sugar Confectionery and Food Preserving

  1

  2·4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Northern Ireland Totals

  39

  0·7

  34

  0·7

  52

  1·0

  45

  0·9

  64

  0·9

  104

  1·3

  112

  1·4

  Notes:

  These Wages Councils were abolished in 1982 and one new Wages Council (Clothing Manufacturing Wages Council) was established in their place. Figures are not available for the period prior to 1982. There have been no paaaacutions in this period.

  (d) Since 1979 there have been two wages inspectors employed to enforce wages councils orders in Northern Ireland.

  Royal Ulster Constabulary-Gardai Meetings
  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether meetings between officers of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and Gardai about border security take place, turn about, at rendezvous north and south of the Border; and how many meetings have taken place since the Anglo-Irish Agreement was signed.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  Meetings take place frequently both in Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland, but no record is kept of the number of meetings which have taken place.

  Election Expenses
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table in the Official Report showing how much a candidate may expend for election purposes in the local government elections this year for each district electoral area in each council area in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  No. As in the rest of the United Kingdom it is for individual candidates to satisfy themselves that their expenses are kept within the limits prescribed.

  PRELIMINARY COURT PROCEEDINGS IN NORTHERN IRELAND
  PRELIMINARY COURT PROCEEDINGS IN NORTHERN IRELAND
  WOMEN OFFENDERS: SENTENCING POLICY
  WOMEN OFFENDERS: SENTENCING POLICY
  COVENT GARDEN: CAR PARK PROPOSAL
  COVENT GARDEN: CAR PARK PROPOSAL
  GROUND WATER BENEATH LONDON
  GROUND WATER BENEATH LONDON
  WATER INDUSTRY PRIVATISATION
  WATER INDUSTRY PRIVATISATION
  CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT: EC DIRECTIVE
  CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT: EC DIRECTIVE
  TRANSGENIC ANIMALS AND ANIMAL FEED
  TRANSGENIC ANIMALS AND ANIMAL FEED
  PARLIAMENTARY PRIVATE SECRETARIES
  PARLIAMENTARY PRIVATE SECRETARIES