Written Answers of 10 April 1989

CIVIL SERVICE

  Pensions (Retail Prices Index Error)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service when he last met or had correspondence with each of the Civil Service pension organisations that are awaiting the payable order awarded to them following an error in the calculation of the retail prices index about this matter; and when he expects Parliament to approve payment of the supplementary estimate for funds for those three organisations.

  Mr. Luce
  My Department wrote to each of the organisations awaiting awards from the RPI error funds on 16 March enclosing a payable order for the sums due.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  DNA Testing
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received about the introduction of DNA testing for the purposes of the immigration rules; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Renton
  We have received various representations from Members of Parliament and others concerning the possible introduction of DNA testing into the entry clearance process, and the operation of the immigration rules in relation to reapplicants previously refused entry clearance. We hope to make an announcement on both these matters in the relatively near future.

  Wandsworth Prison
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last visited Wandsworth prison.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  My right hon. Friend visited Her Majesty's prison Wandsworth on Monday 6 February 1989.

  Press Council
  Mr. Greg Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last met the chairman of the Press Council; and what subjects were discussed.

  Mr. Hurd
  I last met the chairman of the Press Council on 18 January. We discussed the chairman's recent appointment to the council, the forthcoming review of the council's role and procedures and the issues raised by the Right of Reply Bill and the Protection of Privacy Bill.

  Prison Quarters
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison quarters remain unusable.
  322
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Only a few prison quarters which are structurally unsound or substandard are considered to be unusable. National figures are not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost, but the number of such properties on the Isle of Wight is seven.

  Electronic Tagging
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations he has received on the electronic tagging of offenders; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  In the last 12 months 26 letters have been received, including nine from Members of Parliament, together with a number of representations from interested individuals and organisations. One of the objectives of the forthcoming field trials involving the monitoring of defendants remanded on bail will be to enable decisions to be reached on the use of electronic monitoring in respect of convicted offenders.

  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations he has had with interested parties regarding the introduction of electronic tagging; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  We have consulted the magistrates courts, the police and the Crown Prosecution Service in the three areas where we propose to conduct field trials of electronic monitoring. We shall shortly be arranging meetings at which the procedures envisaged can be explained to local legal practitioners and others with an interest. A meeting has also been arranged with representatives of the probation services in the areas concerned.

  Video Recordings
  Mr. Bright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many prosecutions have been brought and how many convictions obtained for hiring or selling video recordings to young people below the relevant minimim age classification in the last 12 months.

  (2) how many prosecutions for hiring or selling unclassified video recordings have been brought (a) in the London borough of Newham (b) in the City of Westminster and (c) in England by trading standards officers in the last three months.

  Mr. Renton
  The latest information available centrally, which may be incomplete, relates to 1987. This indicates that in England and Wales there were six prosecutions under sections 9 and 10 of the Video Recordings Act 1984 for hiring or selling video recordings containing unclassified video works and two prosecutions under section 11 for hiring or selling video recordings to persons below the minimum age specified on the classification certificates issued in respect of works contained in the recordings. None of these prosecutions was in the City of Westminster; one under section 10 was in the London borough of Newham. The extension of enforcement powers to trading standards officers from September 1988 will result in far more prosecutions. I understand in several hundred cases already the British Board of Film Classification has been asked to certify (as evidence for use in criminal proceedings) whether works have been classified and, if so, under what classification.
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  Mr. Bright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he has received representations from the British Videogram Association about delays in classifying video titles by the British Board of Film Classification; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) when his officials last met representatives of the British Board of Film Classification to discuss delays on classifying video titles.

  Mr. Renton
  I am not aware of any recent representations from the British Videogram Association about delays at the British Board of Film Classification in classifying video works. Home Office officials are in regular contact with the board about the administration of

  Police forces in England and Wales

  31 December 1988

  Chief Constable1

  Deputy Chief Constable2

  Assistant Chief Constable3

  Chief Superintendent

  Avon and Somerset

  1

  1

  3

  14

  Bedfordshire

  1

  1

  1

  5

  Cambridgeshire

  1

  1

  1

  5

  Cheshire

  1

  1

  2

  8

  City of London

  1

  1

  1

  6

  Cleveland

  1

  1

  2

  7

  Cumbria

  1

  1

  1

  7

  Derbyshire

  1

  1

  2

  9

  Devon and Cornwall

  1

  1

  3

  13

  Dorset

  1

  1

  1

  6

  Durham

  1

  1

  2

  7

  Dyfed-Powys

  1

  1

  1

  7

  Essex

  1

  1

  3

  11

  Gloucestershire

  1

  1

  1

  6

  Greater Manchester

  1

  1

  6

  27

  Gwent

  1

  1

  1

  5

  Hampshire

  1

  1

  3

  10

  Hertfordshire

  1

  1

  2

  9

  Humberside

  1

  1

  2

  8

  Kent

  1

  1

  4

  10

  Lancashire

  1

  1

  3

  13

  Leicestershire

  1

  1

  2

  7

  Lincolnshire

  1

  1

  1

  5

  Merseyside

  1

  1

  4

  19

  Metropolitan

  1

  16

  38

  158

  Norfolk

  1

  1

  1

  7

  Northamptonshire

  1

  1

  1

  6

  Northumbria

  1

  1

  3

  13

  North Wales

  1

  1

  1

  7

  North Yorkshire

  1

  1

  1

  7

  Nottinghamshire

  1

  1

  2

  8

  South Wales

  1

  1

  3

  14

  South Yorkshire

  1

  1

  3

  11

  Staffordshire

  1

  1

  1

  11

  Suffolk

  1

  1

  1

  6

  Surrey

  1

  1

  2

  7

  Sussex

  1

  1

  3

  12

  Thames Valley

  1

  1

  3

  12

  Warwickshire

  1

  1

  1

  5

  West Mercia

  1

  1

  2

  10

  West Midlands

  1

  1

  5

  21

  West Yorkshire

  1

  1

  4

  20

  Wiltshire

  1

  1

  1

  6

  Total

  48

  58

  128

  565

  1 Includes ranks of assistant commissioner and above in the Metropolitan police and commissioner in the City of London police.

  2 Includes deputy assistant commissioner in the Metropolitan police and assistant commissioner in the City of London police.

  3 Includes commanders in the Metropolitan police and the City of London police.

  Child Safety
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to extend local authority access to police records to enable checks to be made on the background of all staff to be employed in areas where they have substantial access to children.324
  the Video Recordings Act 1984 and discussed with its officials on 22 March the length of time taken to issue classification certificates for video works.

  Police (Ethnic Minorities)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has for each police force of the number of officers of chief superintendent level and above, and as to the number of black and Asian officers holding such posts.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The information requested is set out in the table. There are no black or Asian officers in these ranks.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Local authorities are already able to seek the disclosure of information from police records about all those seeking employment in posts with substantial access to children.

  Surveillance Equipment
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any plans to seek to change the law on the availability of surveillance and counter-surveillance equipment.

  Mr. Renton
  No, for the reasons given in my response to the debate on electronic surveillance devices initiated by my hon. Friend on 13 March at column 183.

  Policing (Lancashire)
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the measures to improve policing in Lancashire for 1988.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I understand that among the measures taken in 1988 by the chief constable and his police authority are the civilianisation of 52 posts previously occupied by police officers; successful operations against crime, including one focusing on crimes committed mainly against the elderly by persons posing as officials; a number of schemes to streamline administrative procedures; the trial use of a computerised custody office system; and a number of successful community and crime prevention initiatives.

  The chief constable would be pleased to discuss with my hon. Friend these and other examples of effective and efficient policing in Lancashire.

  Suicide (Leeds Prison)
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library a copy of the report of the deputy director-general of the prison service of his inquiry into suicide at Leeds prison.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The report was written as a guide for action within the Department rather than as a public document, but my right hon. Friend announced its main recommendations and his acceptance of them in reply to a question from the hon. Member for Leeds, West (Mr. Battle) on 7 March at columns 45–6.

  Independent Television
  Mr. McCrindle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to include in legislation a timetable for achieving 25 per cent. independent television production; if he will make it his policy that once this target is reached he will seek to increase it; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Renton
  We have sought and received a commitment from the BBC and IBA that, subject to satisfaction in cost and quality, 25 per cent. of original television output will be commissioned from independent producers by the end of 1992. There are no plans to include that target in legislation, but we attach great importance to its achievement and are in close touch with broadcasters and independent producers to monitor progress.

  Our White Paper on broadcasting proposes that from 1993 there should be a statutory requirement on all Channel 3 and 5 licensees for a minimum of 25 per cent. of original programming to come from independent producers. We will discuss with the BBC in due course the appropriate level of their commissioning from independent producers from 1993.

  Criminal Injuries Compensation Board
  Mr. Gow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the established staff for the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board; by how many the actual staff is below that figure; and what steps he is taking to reduce the delays of the board in dealing with claims.

  Mr. John Patten
  On 3 April 1989, the board had 312·5 whole-time equivalent staff (7·5 whole-time equivalent staff below its complement of 320), including 31 casual staff engaged as part of the gradual relocation of about 100 posts from London to Glasgow. We have increased staff by about 100 since 1987 to meet the increase in workload, and with the board we are reviewing administrative procedures with the aim of reducing the time taken to resolve claims.

  Amusement Arcade Burnings
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has on the identity of the victims of the recent amusement arcade burnings.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metroplis that the persons who died were Mr. Kandiahkanapathy Vinayagamoorthy, who was born on 2 June 1960 in Sri Lanka and Mr. Ambikaipahan Anapayan, born on 13 February 1968 in Sri Lanka. The injured persons were Miss Deborah Bernadine Alvares, born 20 August 1962 in east Africa, and Mr. Yurev Alejandro Gomez, born 25 November 1965 in Chile.

  Gambling (Young People)
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the new evidence on the harmful effects on children and young people of the addiction to fruit machines and similar gambling practices and on Her Majesty's Government support for local authorities which are trying to control these activities.

  Mr. John Patten
  The results of the Home Office research study "Amusement Machines: Dependency and Delinquency" published last year showed that very few young people are at risk of becoming dependent on amusement machines and there is no clear evidence of any association between the playing of machines and delinquency. We have received no reliable new evidence to contradict these results or to throw doubt on the conclusion we reached that further legislative controls are therefore not justified.

  The Government fully support local authorities in their efforts to ensure the proper control of amusement-with-prizes machines. We issued a circular to all local authorities on 18 November to remind them of the considerable powers already available to them under the Gaming Act 1968 to regulate such machines in their areas. We have also consulted the local authority and trade associations on draft model byelaws controlling, among other things, the opening hours of amusement arcades and it is expected that model byelaws will be available for adoption in the summer.

  Mrs. Nighat Nisar
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when Mrs. Nighat Nisar, Ref A 412514 and IMM/90791, applied to the British post in Islamabad for permission to join her husband in the United Kingdom; on what date her application was referred to him; and when he expects to take a decision on this application.

  Mr. Renton
  Mrs. Nisar applied for entry clearance on 20 July 1987. She and the sponsor, Mr. Ahmed, were interviewed in Islamabad on 28 October 1987 and the application was referred to the Home Office on 16 December 1987. It was found necessary to interview Mr. Ahmed further in order to establish where he was domiciled at the time the marriage was celebrated; this was undertaken by the entry clearance officer in Islamabad on 2 June 1988. Mrs. Nisar's application was refused on 14 March 1989 because her husband did not meet the domicile requirements for the marriage to be valid under English law. Mrs. Nisar has been informed of this decision and her right of appeal to the independent appellate authorities. This was not a straightforward case, but I regret the considerable delay in deciding it.

  Rape Victims
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on measures to protect the anonymity of rape victims in civil cases.

  Mr. John Patten
  Under section 4 of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1976, as amended by section 158 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988, it is an offence to publish or broadcast the name or address or a still or moving picture of a woman after an allegation has been made that she has been the victim of a rape offence, if that is likely to lead members of the public to identify her as an alleged victim of such an offence. The prohibition applies during the whole of the woman's lifetime, unless the courts make a specific direction to the contrary, and it applies whether proceedings follow or not; if they do, it applies in relation to civil as well as criminal proceedings. It is, however, a defence that the woman has given written consent for the matter to appear, provided that no person has unreasonably interfered with her peace or comfort with intent to obtain the consent. Prosecutions require the consent of my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General. The maximum penalty is a £2,000 fine.

ENERGY

  Roof Insulation
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his latest estimate of the amount of energy that would be saved by the implementation across the United Kingdom housing stock of the recommendation of the Building Research Establishment on the thickness of roof insulation.

  Mr. Peter Morris
  Where loft insulation is one inch or less, installation of an extra four inches could lead to an annual energy saving of some 0·73 million tonnes oil equivalent. However, householders are likely to want to opt at least in part for greater warmth rather than simply saving energy.
  328
  Mr. Ray Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his latest estimate of the tonnes of oil or coal equivalent that would be saved if 10 inches thickness of roof insulation were installed in every domestic property in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  It is estimated that installation of 10 inches of insulation in all domestic buildings with accessible lofts would lead to a potential annual saving of 2·6 million tonnes of coal equivalent (1·5 million tonnes of oil equivalent). However, insulation to that thickness would not be cost effective.

  CEGB
  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met the chairman of the Central Electricity Generating Board; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met the chairman of the Central Electricity Generating Board; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My right hon. Friend and I regularly meet the chairman of the CEGB to discuss matters of common interest.

  Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant
  Mr. Norris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will invite the right hon. Member who was the Secretary of State for Energy when the Government gave planning permission for the thermal oxide reprocessing plant to open on its completion in 1992.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his interesting suggestion which I have passed on to the chairman of British Nuclear fuels plc.

  French Energy Minister
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met his French opposite number; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State last met his French opposite number very briefly in December 1987 to discuss the fast reactor.

  AGR Stations
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his latest estimate of the dates of full commissioning to their design capacity of the advanced gas-cooled reactor stations at Dungeness B, Hartlepool and Heysham I and II.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  This is an operational matter for the CEGB. The board informs me that both reactor units at Heysham II have operated at their design capacity and the station is expected to be commissioned in 1989. The reactor units at Hartlepool, Heysham I and Dungeness B have operated at substantial load but have not reached their design rating. The CEGB intends to declare interim capacities for these units during 1989.

  West Burton Power Station
  Mr. Haynes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his latest estimate of the date when the
  329
  Central Electricity Generating Board, or either of its successor generating companies, will submit a planning application for the proposed West Burton 1800 MW coal-fired power station.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The CEGB submitted an application last year for my right hon. Friend's consent to construct a new electricity generating station at West Burton.

  My right hon. Friend is awaiting confirmation from the Nottinghamshire county council, the Bassetlaw district council and the CEGB that agreement has been reached between them on certain outstanding matters before proceeding with his consideration of the application. These matters relate to access to the proposed site during construction of the station.

  Energy Prices
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has received concerning the effects of increased energy prices on pensioners and the low paid.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  I have received a number of representations, amounting to 38 cases raised by hon. Members during the last three years and in the same period an average of one letter a week from the general public. However, over the past five years the fuel bills of pensioners and the low paid have fallen in real terms by 15 per cent., while pensions have risen in line with the retail price index.

  Power Station Capacity
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will estimate the size of the ordering programme for new power station capacity to the year 2000.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  In evidence to the Hinkley Point C public inquiry the Central Electricity Generating Board estimated that an additional 15·5 GW of generating capacity would be required by the year 2000.

  Small Mines
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what plans he has to amend the legislation governing the operation of small mines.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Such plans will form part of our privatisation programme in the next Parliament.

  European Market (Competition)
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement concerning the possible effects of the European Commission initiative announced on 9 March demanding greater competition in Europe's electricity and coal markets.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The European Commission has publicised an intention to make proposals on these matters. However, none has yet been received by Her Majesty's Government. We would welcome effective moves towards greater competition in the Community's coal and electricity markets.

  Standing Charges
  Mr. Buckley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his latest estimate of the revenue total in 1989–90 according to British Gas and to the 12 area boards and two Scottish boards in the electricity supply industry from domestic standing charges.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  Forward estimates of revenue from standing charges are not available to my Department. They are matters for British Gas plc and the electricity boards.

  Electricity Privatisation
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what proposals are being considered for an employee share ownership scheme following privatisation of the electricity industry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  We shall make sure that special terms are available to enable employees to purchase shares in their companies. However, no decision on the type of offers that will be made to employees has yet been taken.

  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his latest estimate of the direct cost of privatisation to the two Scottish boards and the 12 area boards in the electricity supply industry in 1989–90 when compiled on the same basis as the £76 million proposed to be shown in the accounts of the Central Electricity Generating Board and its successor companies.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My right hon. and learned Friend, the Secretary of State for Scotland is responsible for the two Scottish boards. The costs of preparing for the forthcoming privatisation, incurred by any of the 12 area boards or the two Scottish boards, are the responsibility of the boards themselves.

  Mr. David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what proposals are being considered for customer rights following privatisation of the electricity industry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The Electricity Bill currently before Parliament provides customers with a whole range of new rights which they have never had before, including a new system of guaranteed standards of performance with automatic compensation for failures to meet these standards, special consideration for the elderly and disabled and help for those who have difficulty in paying bills. The Director General of Electricity Supply will have the key role of protecting the consumers' interests, and he will be advised on all issues affecting the consumer by the new regional consumer committees.

  Mr. Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his latest estimate of the impact of privatisation on the number of employees employed by the electricity supply industry for 1988, 1990 and 1992.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Manning levels after privatisation will be a matter for the industry, as is the case now.

  Energy Conservation
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what information he has about how much an average householder's fuel bills could be reduced if tried and tested measures of energy conservation were adopted.
  331
  Mr. Peter Morrison
  The scope for improvements in energy efficiency in individual dwellings varies considerably, depending on such factors as existing installations and the lifestyle of the occupants. However, over the country as a whole the scope for cost-effective energy efficiency improvements in the domestic sector estimated to allow savings of at least 20 per cent.

  Electricity Supply Industry
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he next proposes to meet the electricity supply industry trade unions; and whether he will discuss the future of Marchwood Engineering Laboratories and the other research and development activities of the boards.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My right hon. Friend and I meet the electricity supply industry trade unions from time to time. The future of Marchwood Engineering Laboratories is a matter for the CEGB and its successor companies, which have said that the decision to vacate this site would have been the same, whichever successor company Marchwood had been allocated to. I have been assured that this will in no way prejudice essential research into nuclear safety matters, which will either be completed or transferred elsewhere before the site is closed.

  Fuel Prices
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what information he has about the impact on the average pensioner of fuel price increases over the last five years.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Between 1983 and 1988 the fuel bills both of pensioners and of the low paid are estimated to have fallen by 15 per cent. in real terms. Over the same period, the state pension has risen in line with the retail price index.

  Low-energy Domestic Appliances
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met the 12 area board chairmen and the chairman of the Electricity Council; and whether the future of the research work at the Capenhurst laboratory into low energy domestic appliances was discussed.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My right hon. Friend and I meet the chairman of the area boards and the chairman of the Electricity Council regularly to discuss a range of issues of mutual interest. My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy, Baroness Hooper, has recently visited the Capenhurst laboratory and we appreciate the value of the work carried out there.

  Magnox Power Stations
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his latest estimate of the cost of decommissioning the Magnox nuclear power stations(a) in the shortest technologically feasible time and (b) by the lowest book-keeping cost technique.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Decommissioning Magnox nuclear power stations is an operational matter for the CEGB. I have asked the chairman to write to the hon. Member about the estimates of cost.

  Wind Parks
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what would be the estimated size of a wind park with an output capacity of 1200 MW; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr Michael Spicer
  It is estimated that the land area required for a wind farm with an installed capacity of 1200 MW might be between 110 and 140 square miles although there is still considerable uncertainty about this. It is likely that the machines required would be grouped within smaller wind farms, however. Currently, within my Department's research and development programme on wind energy, we are examining the environmental implications and public acceptability of wind farms. The programme is also examining constraints on the United Kingdom's total wind energy resource that would be imposed by such significant environmental factors as national parks, areas designated as being of outstanding natural beauty and urban land.

  Deep-mined Coal (Scotland)
  Mr. Douglas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the progress of negotiations between British Coal and the South of Scotland electricity board with regard to the future of deep mining coal burn in Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland recently announced that British Coal and the South of Scotland Electricity Board have been able to make substantial progress in their negotiations on a new coal deal. Negotiations on the details of an agreement, including the question of price, are however continuing, and are matters for commercial agreement. Pending completion of the detailed negotiations, the South of Scotland Electricity Board has confirmed that it will continue to take supplies from British Coal at the rate of 2 million tonnes per annum and British Coal has confirmed that it will continue to supply at this rate.

  Electricity Prices
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his latest estimate of the impact on the retail prices index of the 1989–90 increases in domestc electricity prices.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The reported average increase of 6·4 per cent. in domestic electricity prices will add one sixth of 1 per cent. to the retail price index.

  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his latest estimate of where domestic electricity prices in(a) England and Wales and (b) Scotland will stand in 1989–90 in the league table of such prices in the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development countries.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The Electricity Council undertakes an annual survey of electricity prices in 20 countries. This includes domestic electricity prices. On the basis of the latest comparison at 1 July 1988, prices in England and Wales were in the mid-range of domestic prices in the developed world generally. Domestic prices in Scotland are slightly lower than those in England and Wales.
  333
  On current projections of international prices, the United Kingdom will remain in the mid-range of prices after the 1989 tariff revision.

  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what were the changes in real terms of(a) domestic and (b) industrial prices between the periods 1974 to 1979 and 1983 to 1988; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  In the last five years of Labour Government, between May 1974 and May 1979, domestic electricity prices rose by 9 per cent. and industrial prices by 6 per cent. in real terms.

  In the last five years of Conservative Government, between December 1983 and December 1988, domestic electricity prices fell by 9 per cent. and industrial prices by 12 per cent. in real terms.

  Offshore Licensing
  Mr. Carrington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many applications he has received for the 11th offshore licensing round; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  A total of 125 applications were received for the 212 blocks on offer from groups involving 84 companies. In terms of the number of applications received, this was a large response and has been exceeded in only one other licensing round in the past 25 years. I hope to announce awards later this year, probably in the early summer.

  British Coal
  Mr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met the chairman of British Coal and what subjects were discussed.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My right hon. Friend and I meet the chairman of British Coal regularly to discuss all aspects of the coal industry.

  Alternative Energy
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has any plans to further encourage the private sector to research sources of alternative energy.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Energy paper 55, published in June 1988, laid out a strategy for encouraging the private sector to become involved in research, development and demonstration activities and eventually take these functions over from Government. The strategy is aimed at ensuring the full and timely commercial development of those renewable technologies shown to be economic, environmentally acceptable and capable of making a contribution to United Kingdom energy supply. It envisages a collaborative programme to the late 1990s involving Government and the manufacturing and energy supply industries to achieve the twin aims of encouraging and promoting the commercialisation of those technologies which are economically attractive, and reducing the uncertainty in the economics of those technologies currently classed as promising but uncertain so that, where possible, they become economic and confidence is created in them.

  Already 20 per cent. of the cost of our programme is met by external contributions and we expect this proportion to grow over the next few years as the private sector increases its involvement.

  Electricity Bills
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the most up-to-date estimate of the percentage of all quarterly electricity bills sent out by estimation without a meter reading in 1980, 1983, 1986 and 1989.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  This is a matter for the electricity supply industry. I have asked the chairman of the Electricity Council to write to the hon. Member with the information requested in respect of England and Wales. The question of estimated electricity bills in Scotland should be pursued through my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

  Greenhouse Effect
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what further action he plans to take in order to increase his departmental contribution to alleviating the greenhouse effect.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My Department has effective research and development programmes in energy efficiency and renewable energy. There is to be a new campaign to improve energy efficiency within Government and the public sector generally. Electricity privatisation will encourage greater efficiency, will maintain the level of non-fossil generation and will encourage the introduction of new, more efficient and less polluting technology including CHP and combined cycle gas turbines.

  Such actions, alongside funding of some of the work of the intergovernmental panel on climate change, are prudent now. When scientific understanding of this complex topic improves we, in conjunction with the wider international community, shall be in a position to undertake further appropriate action.

  Energy Sources
  Mr. Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what progress has been made by his Department in exploiting new and renewable sources of energy following the publication in 1988 of "Renewable Energy in the U.K.: The Way Forward".

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Since the publication of energy paper 55 in June 1988, 70 projects committing a further 14 million have been initiated as part of our strategy to develop economically attractive and environmentally acceptable renewable sources of energy. These include a number of collaborative projects with industry aimed at encouraging and promoting the commercialisation of those technologies which are economically attractive, and improving technical performance and reducing capital cost for those technologies currently classed as promising but uncertain.

  A comprehensive range of promotional literature is now available directed at both lay public audiences to raise general awareness about the prospects for renewable energy, and target professional audiences in particular market sectors to stimulate greater interest in the development of these technologies. Technology transfer plans are now being developed for each technology classed as economically attractive. Over the next year or two, increased effort will be placed on stimulating increased

  335
  industrial and commercial involvement in both the R and D programme and the uptake of economic technologies by industrial and commercial concerns.

  Redundant Miners
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will make a statement on any proposed changes to the redundant mineworkers' payments scheme.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner) earlier today.

  Steel Industry (Electricity Costs)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his latest estimate of the cost of electricity supplied to the steel industry in England and Wales; what is the EEC average; and what is his latest estimate of the position of England and Wales in the EEC league table of electricity prices supplied to the steel industry.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The information is not available in the detail sought.

  The latest Electricity Council survey of electricity prices in 20 countries, including the EEC, indicates that for a typical high voltage industrial customer electricity prices in England and Wales at 1 July 1988 were in the mid-range of prices in the EEC States and the developed world generally.

  Current estimates of industrial electricity prices internationally indicate that England and Wales will remain in the mid-range of prices in the EEC after the 1 April tariff revision.

  Electricity Demand
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy by what percentage he expects demands for electricity to increase over the next five years; how this compares with five, 10, 15, and 20 years ago; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  In evidence to the Hinkley Point public inquiry, the CEGB estimated that electricity demand would rise by 2·1 per cent. per annum over the period to 1997, which represents a capacity requirement of 53·6 GW. This figure compares with peak capacity demands in 1984 of 41·9 GW; 1979–42·2 GW; 1974—40·9 GW and 1969—37·8 GW.

  European Community Energy Commissioner
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met the EEC Commissioner for energy; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State met Commissioner Cardoso e Cunha on 16 March in London. Discussions covered arrangements for common carriage of electricity, prospects for coal in the United Kingdom, the JET project, the renewables and energy efficiency programmes and the Community directive on gas burn in power stations.

  Nuclear Power Stations (Inquiries)
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will indicate the criteria used in determining when a public inquiry should be held into an application to build a nuclear power station in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Before reaching his decision on any application for his consent to construct an electricity generating station my right hon. Friend is obliged to hold a public inquiry into the application if a relevant local planning authority has objected to it.

  Even if there is no objection from a relevant local planning authority, my right hon. Friend can still call for a public inquiry to be held, if he thinks it appropriate, in the light of other objections received.

  Integrated Reactors
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what assessment he has made of the proposed Anglo-American consortium plans for a safe integrated reactor.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Last December the Atomic Energy Authority signed a memorandum of understanding with Rolls-Royce Associates and others to proceed with the design and development of a 300 MW pressurised water reactor known as the safe integrated reactor. The Department is continuing to keep itself informed of developments.

  Fossil Fuel Imports
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his Department's estimate of the level of fossil fuel imports for the year 1990.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The Department does not publish forecasts of fossil fuel imports.

  Tidal Barriers
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what proportion of the nation's energy requirements could be met by tidal barriers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Warrington, South (Mr. Butler) on 30 January at column 88.

  EC Competition Commissioner
  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met the EEC Commissioner for competition; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  Neither my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State nor I have met the EC Commissioner for competition since his appointment.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his latest estimate of the contribution of renewables to the supply of electricity in Britain by the year 2000 and 2010.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Renewable energy technologies are at an early stage of development and there is great uncertainty about future projections. The most recent estimates of the contribution that could be made by each renewable energy source in the year 2025 have been published in energy paper 55, copies of which are in the Libraries of the House. Energy paper 55 estimates that by the year 2025 renewable energy might provide up to the equivalent of around 24 per cent. of supply electricity requirements if the technologies can be proven and applied commercially. No estimates are available for the years 2000 and 2010. It is Government policy to encourage the maximum exploitation of renewable sources of energy wherever they have prospects of being economically viable and environmentally acceptable.

  Sellafield (Visitors Centre)
  Mr. Arbuthnot
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the total number of people to have visited the visitors centre at Sellafield.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Nearly 145,000 people have visited the visitors centre at Sellafield since it was opened in June 1988.

  Gas Prices
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will meet the director general of Ofgas to discuss implementation of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on gas prices.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  My right hon. Friend is due to meet the Director General of Gas Supply later this month when they will discuss a range of issues of mutual interest.

  Tritium
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the current stockpile of tritium in the United 338
  Kingdom intended for (a) fusion energy reseach and (b) luminosity use; and what information he has of the amounts of tritium stockpiled and used for non-military purposes in other OECD countries.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  There is no stockpile of tritium in the United Kingdom for fusion research. No central records of commercial stocks of tritium are kept, but users have to be registered under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960 and are limited in the amount of tritium they are allowed to store on their premises. Their records are subject to regular inspections by the Department of the Environment. I have no information concerning overseas stockpiles of tritium.

  Wave Energy
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will give the date of the start of work on the oscillating water column project on Islay, the date of the completion of civil construction work on that project; and the date of the formal signature by his Department of the papers authorising this work.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My Department announced the construction of the shoreline wave energy project in Islay on 1 July 1987.

  Construction work was started at the beginning of August 1987. The construction and preliminary monitoring phase was successfully completed by the end of March this year. I announced to the House on 23 March that the next phase of the project, to install an air driven power turbine and generator, will now proceed, subject to contract, on the basis of the data acquired so far.

  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he will list the number and amounts of payments for work on wave energy in which settlement of the invoice by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority was more than a year after the submission of the invoice; and if he will give the length of the delay in each case;

  (2) if he will list those contracts on wave energy research in which final signatures of the papers by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority officials was more than a year after the start of the contract; and if he will give the length of the delay in each instance.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The information can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Dungeness B
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what will be the cost, in terms of repairs and lost output, of the minor accident at Dungeness B nuclear power station on 5 February, in which a fuel rod fell into the reactor from the refuelling winch; and for how long the reactor will be out of service.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  This is an operational matter for the CEGB and I have asked the chairman to reply diret to the hon. Member.

  Coal Imports
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he will give the projected figure for the import of coal from the Soviet Union for each of the next five years; and if he will make a statement;
  339
  (2) if he will give figures for levels of coal imports from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics for each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Coal imports from the USSR since 1984 have been as follows:

  thousand tonnes

  1984

  11

  1985

  23

  1986

  48

  1987

  89

  1988

  375

  Source: Her Majesty's Customs and Excise.

  In 1988 these imports accounted for 0·3 per cent. of the United Kingdom market for coal. The Government do not make projections of these coal imports.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Medical Research Council
  Mr. Peter Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what sum of the grant-in-aid to the Medical Research Council was specifically directed to the study of the problems of sufferers from myalgic encephalomyelitis in the year 1988–89.

  Mr. Jackson
  The Medical Research Council did not support any research specifically concerning myalgic encephalomyelitis in 1988–89. It did, however, support some work on immune responses to muscles, nerve cells and related structures which may be relevant to the understanding and treatment of this condition. The Medical Research Council is always ready to consider soundly-based scientific proposals for funding of new research, in competition with other applications.

  Education Reform Act
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when the Government intend to issue orders under section 222 of the Education Reform Act 1988.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The Government intend to make an order under section 222 of the Education Reform Act towards the end of May this year.

  Marine Engineering
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science which universities, polytechnics and colleges of technology had departments of marine engineering in 1968 and in 1988; and how many undergraduate and postgraduate students each department had in 1968 and 1988.

  Mr. Jackson
  Figures for 1988–89 are not yet available. In 1987–88 there were no postgraduate or first degree students studying marine engineering at polytechnics and colleges in England, although there were 471 sub-degree higher education students; information for 1968 is not available. Published statistics for university students studying mechanical engineering include students studying marine engineering and are shown in the following table. Comprehensive information for individual departments of marine engineering is not readily available.
  340

  University students studying mechanical engineering1

  1968–89 United Kingdom universities

  1987–88 Great Britain universities

  Full-time

  Postgraduate

  698

  875

  Undergraduate

  5,100

  5,872

  Part-time

  Postgraduate

  445

  461

  Undergraduate

  38

  20

  1 Includes marine engineering.

  School Budgets
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what safeguards exist under the provisions for delegated schools budgets to ensure that governors do not misuse their positions in respect of the placing of contracts with private companies.

  Mr. Butcher
  Governers are free to place contracts with whichever company offers the service which best meets their school's needs. There are a number of safeguards: the Education (School Government) Regulations prevent individual governors from participating in any decision in which they have a pecuniary interest; governors acting in bad faith over the placing of contracts, whether for gain or otherwise, would not be protected from personal liability; and the use of improper influence in the placing of contracts would also constitute grounds for the withdrawal of delegated responsibility.

  Student Unions
  Mr Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what arrangements he intends to make for consultation on the forthcoming publication of Government proposals on student unions;

  (2) when he intends to publish the Government's proposals arising from its survey of student unions; and what form the publication will take.

  Mr. Jackson
  My Department has prepared a factual analysis of responses to the survey of student unions announced by my right hon. Friend in his reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Thurrock (Mr. Janman) on 18 April 1988 at column 292. The analysis will be sent shortly for comment to the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals, the Committee of Directors of Polytechnics, the Standing Conference of Principals, the Association of Principals of Colleges and the National Union of Students. Thereafter, it will be published. As I indicated in my reply to my hon. Friend the member for Basildon (Mr. Amess) on 17 February 1989 at column 415, the Government will now consider what action might be taken and in due course will consult all those concerned. The form of the consultations will depend on the nature of the conclusions reached.

  Teachers' Pay and Conditions
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the average rise in salary for each of the last 10 years expressed in relation to the rise in average professional earnings for(a) scale 1 primary school teachers, (b) the average primary school teacher and (c) the heads of primary schools.
  341
  Mrs. Rumbold
  [holding answer 23 March 1989]: The information is as follows:

  Increases in average full-time primary teachers' salaries [relative to increases in professional earnings]

  Annual percentage increases:

  All Primary teachers1

  Relative to professional earnings2

  Scale One3

  Relative to professional earnings2

  Heads

  Relative to professional earnings2

  As at 1 April

  1980

  36·9

  + 8·7

  36·0

  + 7·9

  40·2

  + 11·2

  1981

  9·0

  -7·7

  9·9

  -6·9

  6·0

  -10·2

  1982

  7·6

  -0·2

  8·0

  + 0·2

  7·4

  -0·4

  1983

  5·8

  -2·3

  6·7

  -1·5

  3·9

  -4·1

  1984

  5·7

  -1·1

  6·3

  -0·5

  5·1

  -1·7

  1985

  7·3

  + 0·5

  7·7

  + 0·8

  6·8

  0

  1986

  7·3

  -2·1

  7·7

  -1·7

  7·1

  -2·3

  1987

  16·5

  + 7·4

  —

  —

  19·9

  + 10·6

  1988

  4·2

  -6·3

  —

  —

  4·2

  -6·3

  19894

  7·2

  —

  —

  —

  7·5

  —

  1 Based on the database of teacher records and relevant salary scales. Figures take account of salary drift and incentive allowances, and include the salaries of heads and deputies.

  2 Data is from the average gross earnings of full-time employees for combined occupation groups II, III & V, new earnings survey. Data for 1 April 1989 not yet available.

  3 Scale One teachers were incorporated on to the main scale on October 1987.

  4 Assuming adoption of the recommendations in the second report of the Interim Advisory Committee on School Teachers' Pay and Conditions.

  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the average primary schoolteacher's rise in salary for each of the last 10 years in absolute cash terms, in real terms and in relation to the rise in average earnings.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  [holding answer 23 March 1989]: The information is as follows:

  Increases in average full-time primary teachers' salaries

  Annual percentage increase:

  actual1

  in real terms2

  in relation to average earnings3

  As at 1 April

  1980

  36·9

  12·5

  +11·4

  1981

  9·0

  -2·7

  -3·9

  1982

  7·6

  -1·6

  -1·6

  1983

  5·8

  1·7

  -2·6

  1984

  5·7

  0·5

  -2·2

  1985

  7·3

  0·4

  0

  1986

  7·3

  4·2

  -0·6

  1987

  16·5

  11·7

  + 8·2

  1988

  4·2

  0·3

  -5·1

  19894

  7·2

  —

  —

  1 Based on database of teacher records and relevant salary scales. Figures take account of salary drift and incentive allowances, and include the salaries of heads and deputies.

  2 Derived from the retail price index. Data for 1 April 1989 not yet available.

  3 Data is from the average gross earnings of full-time employees (all occupations), new earnings survey. Data for 1 April 1989 not yet available.

  4 Assuming adoption of the recommendations in the second report of the Interim Advisory Committee on School Teachers' Pay and Conditions.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Teachers
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what will be the estimated number of people graduating with first degrees in each of the years 1989 to 1995; and what number and what proportion of these 342
  totals for each year will need to be recruited into teaching to maintain current pupil to teacher ratios, on the assumption that relative pay and wastage continues at current levels.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  [holding answer 6 April 1989]: The latest available projections of the total numbers of first degree graduates in Great Britain, including Open university and overseas graduates, were published in the Government's expenditure plans 1989–90 to 1991–92 (Cm. 612). The numbers are shown below.

  Thousands

  1989

  133

  1990

  135

  1991

  136

  1992

  138

  The proportions of these graduates who will need to be recruited into teaching in order to maintain current pupil-teacher ratios will depend in part on the number of recruits from sources other than newly trained graduates.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Aid (Environmental Factors)
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations has he received regarding the attention paid to environmental factors in the aid programme.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  Environmental aspects of aid, including our commitment to sustainable development and such specific matters as rain forest conservation, are frequently raised by hon. Members and members of the public, as well as by the non-governmental organisations with which we have regular contact.

  Forestry
  Mr. Wood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support for forestry is provided under the overseas aid programme.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  We have committed about £80 million to forestry projects currently underway. We are encouraging aid recipients to direct more of our aid to forestry and we are increasing our support through British charities and for forestry research. We shall also encourage other donors, including multilateral agencies, to give more support to forestry.

  British Undergraduate Fellowship Scheme (South Africa)
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the future plans for the British undergraduate fellowship scheme, South Africa.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  We are increasing the number of awards available for undergraduate level studies by disadvantaged South Africans, some of whom will continue to be sponsored on courses in this country under the British undergraduate fellowship scheme.

  Namibia
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria will determine(a) which organisations in Namibia may receive development aid and (b) the amount of development aid available to Namibia in the run-up to the independence of that country.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  From 1 April 1990 we expect to provide aid to Namibia on the same basis as to other independent countries. In the meantime, we plan to continue with the existing programme and to make preparations for future activities. In the financial year just ended disbursements on our Namibian programme amounted to about £1·5 million.

  Sri Lanka
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last visited Sri Lanka; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  I visited Sri Lanka in March 1988, when I signed a £20 million reconstruction grant for projects and programmes in the north and east of the island.

  Amazonia
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support is being given to Dr. John Proctor and the forest regeneration team at Maraca on their work on management of regeneration where rain forests have been destroyed and abandoned and on why rain forests end abruptly and give way to natural savanna.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  Since 1987 the ODA has committed £80,500 in support of the forest regeneration team which forms part of the Maraca rain forest project organised by the Royal Geographical Society.
  344
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what studies he is financing in the Maraca project or elsewhere to help stem forest destruction by better understanding of the significance of different soil types.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The soil studies of the Maraca project, which the ODA helps to fund, are directed to this end by, for example, helping to understand the relationships between the forest and the soil in the critical boundary zone between the rainforest and the savanna woodland. Examples of other ODA activities include the Overseas Development Natural Resources Institute's land use work in Belize, Cameroon, Indonesia and Sri Lanka and the ODA-supported land use studies being carried out by the World Wide Fund for Nature in Cameroon and Nigeria.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to monitor the work of the joint Brazil—United Kingdom research project on Maraca Island in the Amazon.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The ODA's forestry and environment advisers have been monitoring the project on the basis of regular reports from the research team since April 1987. A review conference took place in Brazil from 3 to 5 April; we expect a report from the Royal Geographical Society.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consideration he has given, pursuant to the statement on 13 March Official Report, column 170, to the report of Mr. Philip Morrice on fire-fighting and related equipment for saving the Amazon forest; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  Mr. Morrice reported that the Brazilian authorities needed aircraft, vehicles, patrol boats and telecommunications equipment for fire fighting. I understand that the Brazilian Government are formulating an environmental project, which would cover fire fighting equipment, for consideration by the World Bank. We are discussing with the Brazilians what technical cooperation we could offer in the area of rain forest management and protection.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on(a) multilateral and (b) bilateral research with Brazil on rainforest problems.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  Multilateral assistance for research in the Brazilian rain forest has been provided over a number of years through the FAO. Additional proposals are being considered by the International Tropical Timber Organisation and the World Bank. Bilaterally we are currently considering with the Brazilian authorities how and where we might provide further support for their programmes of research on rainforest problems.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the statement of 13 March,Official Report, column 172, to what debt-for-nature swop the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Enfield, North (Mr. Eggar), was referring following his visit to Bolivia; and what lessons have been learned.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  My hon. Friend was referring to the arrangement agreed between the United States charity,
  345
  Conservation International, and the Bolivian Government in July 1987. I understand that Conservation International bought $650,000 of Bolivia's commercial bank debt at an 85 per cent. discount. In return for cancellation of the debt the Bolivian Government undertook to implement conservation measures in the Beni Biosphere reserve in northern Bolivia. Although it is too early to judge the outcome of the scheme, we believe that this type of market based debt reduction mechanism can play a modest but useful role in augmenting the resources available for conservation.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what request he has received from the Brazilian Government for(a) further technical co-operation and (b) co-operation to understand the genetic potential of the Amazon; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  During his visit to London in March, the Secretary-General of the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs asked us to suggest further work under the aid programme to help cope with problems of the rainforests. We shall be writing shortly offering assistance in one or more of several areas: genetic resources, social forestry and forestry management and further help for research projects like the Maraca project. The Secretary-General of the Brazilian Ministry of the Interior called on me on 6 April and undertook to send proposals for additional aid projects in this area. We offered help in training and institutional links. I hope to send out professional advisers shortly to discuss the details with the Brazilian authorities.

  Ethiopia and Sudan (Aid)
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on United Kingdom aid to Ethiopia and the Sudan.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  We maintain a small technical co-operation programme for Ethiopia, but the bulk of our aid has been in the form of emergency and relief assistance (more than £21 million in 1988 through bilateral and European Community channels).

  In the case of Sudan, we have a substantial development aid programme, totalling about £18 million in 1988. We also gave an additional £14·4 million last year, through bilateral and European Community channels, in emergency and relief aid.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Legal Reform
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Attorney-General how many local prosecutors have issued instructions to their staff not to comment on the Lord Chancellor's Green Papers on legal reform; and whether he has issued such an instruction.

  The Attorney-General
  The Director of Public Prosecutions has reminded all members of the Crown prosecution service that, in accordance with standard Civil Service practice, they should not comment publicly on matters of current political controversy. The director has expressed the view that if members of staff wish to make comments on issues raised in the Green Paper, the most appropriate course is to send them to the working party 346
  which has been set up under the chairmanship of the deputy director-chief executive to consider the Department's response to the Lord Chancellor's proposals.

  All chief crown prosecutors have taken steps to ensure that their staff are aware of the director's views. In addition, one chief Crown prosecutor has informed staff that he will forward their views to the Director of Public Prosecutions, but that they are not otherwise to comment, and one chief Crown prosecutor has issued instructions that his staff should consult him before commenting.

  I have not issued any such instruction.

  Mr. Favell
  To ask the Attorney-General what assessment he has made of the savings to clients in the cost of provision of legal services which would arise from the Lord Chancellor's proposals for the legal profession.

  The Attorney-General
  The purpose of the Government's provisional proposals is to ensure that the public are provided with the most efficient and effective network of legal services at the most economical price. No assessment has yet been made of the potential savings to clients.

  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Attorney-General what representations he has received on the Green Paper proposals on reforming the legal system with respect to their effect on the constitutional relationship between the Government and the judiciary.

  The Attorney-General
  As at 31 March 1989 a total of 72 such responses had been received.

  Land Registry
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Attorney-General when he expects the Land Registry to become an agency.

  The Attorney-General
  The Land Registry's candidacy as an agency has been announced, but no date has yet been fixed for it to assume agency status.

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Mr. Austin Michell
  To ask the Attorney-General how many qualified lawyers are employed by the Crown prosecution service; and how many of these are also qualified as barristers.

  The Attorney-General
  The latest figures available were given to the hon. Gentleman in my written answer of 16 March 1989. On 31 December 1988 the Crown prosecution service had 1,539 qualified lawyers in its employment, of whom 549 were barristers.

  Appeals
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Attorney-General what is his estimate of the costs to the Crown prosecution service of employing barristers in Crown court appeals againt sentence or conviction and committals for sentence in(a) Greater London and (b) Manchester at the latest available year.

  The Attorney-General
  Barristers employed by the Crown prosecution service do not have rights of audience in the Crown court. The average fees paid to counsel instructed to appear on behalf of the CPS in such cases for the period 1 April to 31 December 1988, the only period for which such information is available were:
  347

  £

  Appeals against sentence

  72

  Appeals against conviction

  121

  Committals for sentence

  74

  The information given is for the three London Crown prosecution service areas, whose boundaries extend beyond Greater London. Separate figures for Greater London are not available.

  The equivalent figures for Greater Manchester are:

  £

  Appeals against sentence

  81

  Appeals against conviction

  132

  Committals for sentence

  84

  Public Defender System
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will arrange for an experiment with a public defender service as recommended by the Hughes royal commission.

  The Attorney-General
  The experiment recommended by the Royal Commission on legal services in Scotland (Cmnd. 7846) was limited to the Scottish jurisdiction. There are no plans to examine the case for a public defender service in England and Wales.

  Serious Fraud Office
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Attorney-General when he last met the director of the serious fraud office; and what matters were discussed.

  The Attorney-General
  On Monday 3 April. We discussed matters of departmental interest.

  Legal Profession (Complaints)
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Attorney-General what representations he has received on the case for renewing the procedure for making complaints against members of the legal profession, and for dealing with such complaints more effectively.

  The Attorney-General
  As at 31 March a total of 56 such responses had been received.

  Director of Public Prosecutions
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Attorney-General when he last met the Director of Public Prosecutions; and what matters were discussed.

  The Attorney-General
  On 3 April. We discussed matters relating to the Department.

  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Attorney-General when he next intends to meet the Director of Public Prosecutions; and what matters will be discussed.

  The Attorney-General
  On 27 April. We intend to discuss a variety of matters of departmental interest.

  Incitement to Murder
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Attorney-General what representations he has received regarding the range of penalties available to the court for incitement to murder.

  The Attorney-General
  None.

  "Fighting on Two Fronts"
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Attorney-General what representations he has received concerning the legal implications of the forthcoming publication of the book entitled, "Fighting on Two Fronts", by Fred Holroyd.

  The Attorney-General
  None.

  Immigration
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Attorney-General when the appeal on behalf of Mr. Shaukat Ali (Ref: IMM/82875) into the refusal to grant him entry clearance into the United Kingdom for marriage is expected to be heard in the United Kingdom.

  The Attorney-General
  The appeal papers were received at the immigration appellate authorities headquarters on 25 January 1989. There has been a delay in processing the papers, but they have now been sent to the IAA's office in Leeds. They will be forwarded to the appellant's representatives in the United Kingdom and to the respondent within the next few days. Thereafter, when both parties indicate their readiness to proceed, the appeal will be listed for hearing in Leeds within six weeks.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Relief Agencies
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to encourage voluntary giving to relief agencies.

  Mr. Lilley
  I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to charitable relief agencies. If so, I refer him to the reply that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Beaconsfield (Mr. Smith) on 16 March at columns 300–1.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for single persons, one-earner married couples and two-earner married couples above and below pension age the number of tax units in each revenue band of £1,000 to £15,000, £2,500 to £25,000 and in available bands thereafter, together with the forecast revenue from income tax in each case.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  Provisional estimates for the 1989–90 tax regime, based on a projection of the 1986–87 survey of personal incomes, are given in the table.
  349

  Number of tax units and tax liability by range of total income 1989–90

  Single

  Married couple with wife's earnings

  Married couple without wife's earnings

  Total income (lower limit (£pa)

  Number of units paying tax ('000s)

  Tax yield (£ millions)

  Number of units paying tax ('000s)

  Tax yield (£ millions)

  Number of units paying tax ('000s)

  Tax yield (£ millions)

  Tax units under 65

  2,000

  140

  1—

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3,000

  790

  150

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4,000

  740

  300

  —

  —

  60

  10

  5,000

  790

  500

  10

  1

  150

  40

  6,000

  900

  760

  20

  10

  230

  90

  7,000

  910

  880

  40

  10

  230

  140

  8,000

  810

  950

  90

  40

  210

  130

  9,000

  580

  790

  80

  40

  270

  230

  10,000

  1,080

  1,910

  290

  240

  590

  690

  12,000

  1,070

  2,460

  740

  970

  880

  1,540

  15,000

  700

  2,060

  1,460

  3,130

  860

  2,240

  20,000

  350

  1,520

  1,690

  6,200

  560

  2,310

  30,000

  90

  760

  700

  5,020

  230

  2,030

  50,000

  30

  850

  180

  3,920

  100

  2,650

  Tax units aged 65 and over

  2,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3,000

  120

  10

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4,000

  220

  50

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5,000

  200

  100

  10

  1

  40

  1

  6,000

  170

  130

  20

  1

  80

  20

  7,000

  100

  100

  20

  10

  120

  60

  8,000

  90

  110

  30

  10

  100

  70

  9,000

  50

  70

  50

  30

  80

  80

  10,000

  90

  160

  90

  90

  90

  120

  12,000

  70

  190

  90

  160

  90

  190

  15,000

  70

  250

  100

  260

  80

  240

  20,000

  50

  250

  130

  570

  50

  250

  30,000

  20

  210

  60

  520

  30

  300

  50,000

  20

  430

  20

  490

  20

  500

  1 Less than £5 million or 5,000.

  Schedule E Taxation
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many individuals in salary bands of £20,000 to £30,000, £30,000 to £40,000, £40,000 to £50,000, £50,000 to £6,000, £60,000 to £70,000 and £70,000 upwards are assessed on an accounts basis rather than an accruals basis for schedule E purposes.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  I regret that the information is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the number of higher rate taxpayers on Schedule E and their average income.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  In 1989–90, about 1·2 million tax units (single people and married couples) whose main source of income is schedule E are liable to higher rate income tax. Their average income is just under £45,000 per annum. This estimate is based on a projection of the 1986–87 survey of personal incomes and is provisional.

  London Tax Districts
  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many London tax districts are being moved from London under the exit London programme; to which locations they are being moved; and how many staff are involved in each case.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  Under the exit London programme, nine London tax districts have already moved 350
  and a further 12 are planned to be moved in the next two years. The receiving locations are Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Bristol and Solihull and the approximate numbers of posts involved are 16, 35, 23, 33, 26 and 33 respectively.

  Computer Consultants
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount spent by the Inland Revenue 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 Inland Revenue in 1988, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 4 April 1989]: The amount spent by the Inland Revenue in 1988 on management and computer consultancy contracts excluding hardware and software purchases was £14·6 million.

  The Inland Revenue awarded the following consultancy contracts in 1988:

  Arthur Young—Financial Systems

  Panacea—Projects Support

  ICS (Sales) Ltd—Development of local systems

  Compass Ltd—Capacity planning

  Coopers & Lybrand—Review of Payroll System

  BIS Applied Systems—Contingency Planning

  Industrial Society—Assistance with "Team Briefing"

  Inforam—BROCS Project Office consultancy

  Expertech—Expert System development in Information Centre

  351

  F1 Group—Leeds Underwriters unit development

  Nicol, Jones & Lomax—Matheson House Planning

  Oasis—Customer support activities

  The Plan—Matheson House planning

  Humphrey & Associates—Review of cost control package

  NRPB—VDU radiation survey

  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, (1) 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;

  (2) what was the total amount spent by the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency in 1988 on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases; and if he will

  Firm

  Subject of assignment

  Motivation Strategy Limited

  Non-cash incentives.

  Moody International Developments

  Materials handling.

  Peat Marwick McLintock

  Assistance with GAD Management Review.

  ICL

  Computer Software Modification.

  Scicon

  Computer Software Modification.

  B Toyn

  Preparation of CUP guidance on planning and progress monitoring in relation to capital expenditure contracts.

  M N Pickett

  Advice on contracts and contract conditions and preparation of CUP guidance on de-briefing.

  M W King

  Preparation of CUP guidance on contracting out of departmental purchasing activities.

  F Griffiths

  Preparation of CUP guidance on the appointment of consultants, engineers and architects.

  P A Gee

  Preparation of CUP guidance on stock management and computer systems for purchasing and supply.

  A N Fegent

  Preparation of CUP guidance on stock control.

  R Davidson

  Production of CUP guidances on quality assurance—principles and terminology; quality systems; project sponsorship—planning and progress monitoring; and project sponsorship—role of project sponsor and relationship with PSA.

  D S Collins

  Advice on CUP guidance on good buying practice and model conditions of contract.

  I Billson

  Production of CUP guidance on Performance Measurement.

  C D Boylan

  Advice on issues relating to the introduction of project sponsorship and "untying" of services from PSA.

  Treehouse International Ltd.

  Production of Standards and Quality Assurance Procedures.

  Treehouse International Ltd.

  Infrastructure Library Presentation Design Study.

  Treehouse International Ltd.

  Information Systems Strategy Guidelines.

  Computer System Architects

  Provision of a Systems Consultant.

  Castel Computers and Systems Telecommunication Ltd.

  Verification of Electronically Reproduced Data in Court (VERDICT).

  R M O'Connor

  IT Standards Catalogue updates and enhancements.

  PA Consulting Services Ltd.

  Consultancy for Information Systems Evaluation Guides.

  Praxis System Plc

  Technical Writing and Production of Information Systems Guides.

  352
  list each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency in 1988, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment.

  Mr Peter Brooke
  [holding answers 4 April 1989]: Total Treasury expenditure in 1988 was some £6·0 million (including some £5·6 million by the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency). Figures given include the cost of development studies, which in turn included the cost of associated hardware and software; the latter items are not separately identifiable.

  The following management or computer consultancy contracts were awarded by Her Majesty's Treasury in 1988. With the exception of the first 15, all were placed by the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency.
  353

  Firm

  Subject of assignment

  Proteo Software Inc.

  Study on User System Interaction Tools and Techniques.

  Rede Group Consultancy and Training

  Audit Procedures for Quality Assurance.

  Batalas Ltd.

  Quality Review

  Rede Group Consultancy and Training

  Development of Government Quality Management Systems.

  Rede Group Consultancy and Training

  Development of Audit Procedures for Quality Manual (Phase 2).

  Rede Group Consultancy and Training

  Study on Quality Standards.

  Rede Group Consultancy and Training

  ISO 9001 Certification work.

  Logica UK Ltd.

  Study of the Feasibility of developing a Computer Based Tool to aid the development and exposition of Methods.

  Lloyds Register Quality Assurance Ltd.

  Comparison of Quality Standards.

  Digitex Ltd.

  Production of Infrastructure Management Guides.

  Logica UK Ltd.

  Production of Honeywell Bull Profile.

  Logica UK Ltd.

  Production of Digital Equipment Company Profile.

  SIA Ltd.

  Provision of a Systems Consultant.

  British Telecom plc

  Structured Systems Analysis and Design Method (SSADM) version 4.

  Babelease Ltd.

  Study of the role of Standards within the Architecture of Infrastructure Management Tools.

  Babelease Ltd.

  Information Model for Infrastructure Management Support Tools.

  Protocol International Ltd.

  Technical and Quality Assurance Consultancy.

  Yale Data Management Consultants Ltd.

  Provision of a Systems Consultant.

  Deloitte Haskins & Sells

  Assistance with Government IT Infrastructure Management Methodology (GITTIMM) Network Management Module.

  Arthur Andersen & Co.

  Government IT Infrastructure Management Methodology (GITTIMM) Development Study—Quality Assurance Module.

  PA Consulting Services Ltd.

  Government IT Infrastructure Management Methodology (GITTIMM) Development Study—Software Control and Distribution Module.

  Computer Sciences Co. Ltd.

  Development of Government IT Infrastructure Management Methodology (GITTIMM) Modules.

  BIS Applied System Ltd.

  IT organisation and Change Management.

  PA Consulting Services Ltd.

  Government Data Network (GDN) Evaluation Contract.

  Amtec Consulting Ltd.

  Consultancy for providing a Catalogue of Standard.

  EOSYS Ltd.

  Consultancy support for the Network Management System (NMS) Project.

  BIS Applied Systems Ltd.

  SSADM/CRAMM Compatibility Study.

  Deuce Computer Systems Ltd.

  Support and Production of CRAMM User Guide.

  Deuce Computer Systems Ltd.

  Production of PEIPS Documents.

  Touche Ross

  Provision of a System Consultant.

  PE Computer Services Ltd.

  Provision of a Systems Consultant.

  Sergent Baker

  Production of Information Systems Guide A4.

  Insight International Ltd.

  Adaptation and extension of Plexus Software for incorporation into IMSE Demonstrator.

  354 355

  Firm

  Subject of assignment

  Logica Consultancy Ltd.

  Consultant for Documentation of draft Requirements for Infrastructure Management Support Tools.

  System Designers Scientific

  Public Domain Expert Systems Methodology.

  The Instruction Set Ltd.

  Common Applications Environment for Government Study.

  Electronic Facilities Design Ltd.

  Consultancy for the Revision of MEVIOTS—Method for Evaluating the Impact of Office Systems.

  Logica Communications and Electronic Systems Ltd.

  Development Study into Network Service Access Point (NSAP)— address allocation requirement in Government.

  Kermon Associates Ltd.

  Government Data Network (GDN) Strategic Planning.

  Ultracomp Ltd.

  Development of a Service Level Agreement Manager.

  Metron Technology Ltd.

  Development of a Computer-Based Link between GITTIMM support tool and SSADM support tool.

  Martin Ashley Design Associates

  Symbol Design for the Advanced Technology Group.

  Birmingham Polytechnic

  Development Contract for SSADM Conformance Scheme.

  CAP Industry Ltd.

  Study into the practicalities of harmonising SSADM and MERISE.

  Babelease Ltd.

  Development Study to produce a generic Model of Expert System Tools.

  British Telecom plc

  CBX System Design Study.

  Stage 3 Solutions Ltd.

  Completion of Must 3.

  Software Sciences Ltd.

  Development of ECLIPSE Software.

  International Computers Ltd (ICL)

  Computer Aide Support Environment (CASE) phase 2 and Phase 3.

  Interest Rates
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what have been the effects on British industry of increased interest rates over the last six months.

  Mr. Major
  Inflation is the greatest threat to corporate prosperity. British industry will greatly benefit from the Government's firm anti-inflationary policy.

  EC Finance
  Dr. Hampson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out Britain's net payment to the European Community for each of the financial years 1980, 1984 and 1988, with the equivalent figures for France and Germany in constant money terms.

  Mr. Brooke
  [holding answer 7 April 1989]: The information requested for the United Kingdom is set out below. Equivalent figures for other member states are not available.

  Net contributions to the EC budget

  (£ million)

  Year

  Cash Value

  At constant 1988 prices1

  1980

  706

  1,138

  1984

  656

  802

  21988

  1,362

  1,362

  1 Constant prices have been constructed using the GDP deflator at market prices.

  2 Provisional figure.

PRIME MINISTER

  Right of Silence
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Prime Minister whether the speech made by the Lord Chancellor in Washington, United States of America, to members of the United States legal profession represented Her Majesty's Government's policy in respect of the right of silence.

  The Prime Minister
  Government policy continues to be that there is a strong case for substantial changes in the law of England and Wales, but that their precise nature will be decided in the light of the recommendations made by the Home Secretary's working group, whose report is due shortly.

  Ministers (House of Lords)
  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Prime Minister how many government Ministers were members of the House of Lords; and what percentage of the total those ministers represented in(a) 1959, (b) 1964, (c) 1966, (d) 1970, (e) 1974, (f) 1979, (g) 1985, (h) 1986 and (i)

  The Prime Minister
  The figures are as follows:

  Number of Ministers who were Members of the House of Lords

  Year1

  Total number of Ministers

  Ministers in the House of Lords

  Percentage

  1959

  89

  19

  21

  1964

  97

  24

  25

  1966

  110

  20

  18

  1970

  99

  17

  17

  1974

  99

  21

  21

  1979

  108

  16

  15

  1985

  106

  20

  19

  357

  Year1

  Total number of Ministers

  Ministers in the House of Lords

  Percentage

  1986

  107

  21

  20

  1987

  107

  21

  20

  1 Figures relate to 1 January in each year.

  Mr. Charles Powell
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list the duties and responsibility of Mr. Charles Powell in January 1986 and the position he has since occupied in her office.

  The Prime Minister
  Mr. Powell was appointed to my office in June 1984 as my private secretary responsible for foreign affairs.

  Sir Leon Brittan
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister whether, in the light of Sir Leon Brittan's recent remarks, she will make a further statement on the approval which was given by her office for the leaking of the then Solicitor-General's letter regarding the Westland affair.

  The Prime Minister
  I have nothing to add to the many answers given in statements and in reply to questions on this subject.

  Mr. B. Ingham
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister whether she will now transfer Mr. B. Ingham from her office.

  The Prime Minister
  No.

  Namibia
  Mr. Caborn
  To ask the Prime Minister when the Secretary General of the United Nations informed her that his report to the United Nations Security Council on Namibia should be kept confidential.

  The Prime Minister
  As my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House said during business questions on 6 April 1989, I was not aware that the document in question was confidential until after I referred to it in the House on 4 April 1989.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Turkey (Human Rights)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what recent representations Her Majesty's Government have made to the Turkish authorities about the persistent abuse of human rights in Turkey;

  (2) if Her Majesty's Government will urge the Turkish Government to take specific measures against the use of torture in their country, including limiting the length of incommunicado detention, rejecting as evidence in court confessions extracted under torture and reforming the Turkish penal code to allow full freedom of expression and association;

  (3) when he will next meet representatives of the Turkish Government to discuss the concern raised by hon. and right hon. Members about the human rights situation in Turkey.
  358
  Mrs. Chalker
  As I informed the House on 7 and 8 February, my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State discussed human rights with the Turkish ambassador on 1 February, as I did the following day. We urged him that his Government should respect and abide by the terms of the international human rights conventions to which Turkey is a party. The Turkish ambassador readily accepted this point, and reaffirmed the determination of his Government to secure further improvements. We also expect Turkey to live up to internationally accepted standards concerning the treatment of prisoners. We have no immediate plans to meet any other representative of the Turkish Government.

  Palestine Liberation Organisation
  Mr. Latham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has raised with the Palestine Liberation Organisation the implications for the peace process in the middle east of the statement in call number 37, broadcast by PLO Central Radio on 31 March, that 5 April was to be a day of violent struggle involving knives, axes and large stones pushed from rooftops and 8 and 9 April were to be devoted to violent militant activities.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  No. The Palestinians are already aware of our view that the intifada should be pursued with the utmost restraint.

  European Parliament
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the total amount for each of the last four years spent by the European Parliament on Members of the European Parliament's private expenses, broken down into(a) secretarial, (b) hotel and accommodation, (c) travel and (d) other expenses; and what was the average amount in each category per Member for the last available year.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The information requested is not immediately available. A further reply will be given in due course.

  Sir Geoffrey Finsberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response he will make to the European Parliament report containd in document A2–425/88 which calls for the merging of the European Community and Western European Union.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The report in question is a Committee report which has not been debated at a European Parliament plenary session. There are no plans for such a merger.

  Sir Geoffrey Finsberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to request the Council of Ministers of the European Community to draw to the attention of the European Parliament and its Committees the exclusion of defence matters from their competence.

  Mrs. Chalker
  No. The European Parliament is an independent Community institution. It is not for the Council to determine what the Parliament may discuss.

  Namibia
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the United Kingdom
  359
  contribution to the European Community grant to promote democracy in Namibia; and if he will make a statement on how it is to be distributed to the parties concerned in the forthcoming elections.

  Mrs. Chalker
  We have checked with the European Commission, which is not aware of any such grant. Provision for measures in preparation for Namibian independence was written into the Community's 1989 budget, but no money has yet been allocated to that budget line.

  European Community assistance to Namibia to date has consisted of support for non-governmental organisations, food aid and assistance to Namibian refugees.

  Sugar
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the United Kingdom Government will support proposals to maintain the price of sugar imported under the sugar protocol from African, Caribbean and Pacific states; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The guaranteed price paid to the ACP for imports of sugar under the Lomé sugar protocol is related to the level of support prices for EC-produced sugar. The latter are set annually as part of the CAP price fixing exercise. Discussions are continuing in Brussels on this year's prices.

  European Assembly
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent decisions have been taken by the European Economic Community Council about the attendance of ministers and officials of national Governments at meetings and committees of the European Assembly.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Apart from normal presidency contacts with the European Parliament, representatives of EC Member states may accept invitations to attend and speak at plenary meetings and committees of the European Parliament.

  Immigration
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why Mrs. Shahnaz Akhtar, (ref: IMM/96739), who was born on 5 July 1966 was not given a re-entry visa at the British port at Islamabad to return with her husband to the United Kingdom where they have both lived for some years, after their recent holiday in Pakistan; why was she told she would have to apply for entry clearance to the United Kingdom and issued with an entry clearance reference number; why her husband was told to send various documents to the post on his return to the United Kingdom; and if he will compensate Mrs. Akhtar and her husband for the inconvenience and distress caused by their separation as a result of the refusal of the post to assist Mrs. Akhtar to return to the United Kingdom with her husband.

  Mr. Eggar
  This information is not immediately available. I will write to the hon. Member when a full report is received from the embassy in Islamabad.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Mrs. Rubina Kausar,360
  who was born on 3 March 1968, applied to the British post in Islamabad for entry clearance to join her husband in the United Kingdom; and when a decision will be taken on her application.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Embassy in Islamabad is unable to trace an application for entry clearance from Mrs. Kauser. If the hon. Member can supply the immigration section file reference number and date of application I will ask the embassy to make a further search.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Mr. Abdul Sattar (ref: IMM/77322) applied to the British post in Islamabad for entry clearance to join his wife in the United Kingdom; and when a decision will be taken on his application.

  Mr. Eggar
  Mr. Sattar re-applied for a settlement entry clearance at the embassy in Islamabad on 13 May 1987 and was refused a visa on 9 August 1988. Mr. Sattar appealed against the refusal and the entry clearance officer's explanatory statement was forwarded to the appellate authority on 8 February 1989.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Mr. Shaukat Ali, ref: IMM/82875, applied to the British post in Islamabad for entry into the United Kingdom for marriage; when his application was refused; and when the British post sent a statement to the United Kingdom appellate authorities explaining why his application was refused.

  Mr. Eggar
  Mr. Ali applied for an entry clearance at the embassy in Islamabad on 17 September 1986. His application was refused on 25 April 1988 and the entry clearance officer's explanatory statement was sent to the appellate authorities on 12 January 1989.

  Semtex
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response he has received to requests made to the Czechoslovak Government to ensure that future production of Semtex is given a readily readable signature to assist in the fight against air terrorism.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  As part of a wider initiative for an international convention on the subject the Czechoslovak Government have expressed willingness to mark Semtex. We are currently discussing with them how to take this forward. Both we and the Czechoslovak Government were represented at an expert meeting under ICAO auspices from 6 to 10 March. The Czechoslovak Government have informed us that they have never knowingly supplied explosives to terrorists and ceased all exports of Semtex in 1982.

  European Court of Human Rights
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much has been spent by the Government since 1979 in fighting cases before the European Court of Human Rights up to and including the hearing of 28 March; how much has been paid for the instruction of lawyers; what are the estimated costs in employees' time, travelling and accommodation costs of officials involved in these cases; how much has been paid out in costs or expenses and compensation by the
  361
  Government following rulings by the court; and if he will list the sums involved in each case which has reached a ruling stage.

  Mrs. Chalker
  This information is not immediately available. I will reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Sheep Dip
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce an amnesty scheme whereby farmers can return to his Department's offices partly used or unused containers of sheep dip of a lindane base.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I have no plans to do so. Farmers wishing to dispose of such chemicals are advised to consult a reputable waste disposal company.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will revise his booklet, "Guidelines for the Disposal of Unwanted Pesticides and Containers on Farms and Holdings", especially in regard to sheep dip.

  Mr. MacGregor
  In consultation with the working group on the disposal of pesticides, my Department is reviewing and revising the guidance available to farmers. A revised code of practice on pesticide use should be available at the end of the year. Sheep dips are veterinary medicines and are being considered separately. Any changes in the guidance offered to farmers will be reflected in the labelling of sheep dips, in the code of conduct for the safe use of veterinary medicines on farms and in my Department's leaflets and booklets on sheep dipping.

  Farm Incomes
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farmers in(a) England and (b) Wales received annual incomes from farming of (i) less than £4,999, (ii) £5,000 to £7,499, (iii) £7,500 to £9,999, (iv) £10,000 to £14,999, (v) £15,000 to £19,999 and (vi) £20,000, respectively, for the latest convenient year.

  Mr. Ryder
  I regret that this information is not available in the precise form requested. The farm business survey does, however, allow estimates to be made of the proportional breakdown of full-time farm businesses by income band. Information relating to the latest available year, 1987–88, is shown in the table.

  Percentage distribution of full-time farm businesses in England and Wales by net farm income: 1 2 All types of farm—1987–88

  Level of net farm income

  England

  Wales3

  Below £5,000

  40

  38

  £5,000 to £7,499

  8

  13

  £7,500 to £9,999

  9

  6

  £10,000 to £14,999

  11

  14

  £15,000 to £19,999

  9

  9

  £20,000 and above

  21

  19

  All income bands

  100

  100

  1 Figures are derived from data collected in the farm business survey by universities and agricultural colleges in England and Wales.

  362
  2 Net farm income represents the return to the farmer and spouse for their manual and managerial labour and on tenant type capital in livestock, crops, machinery etc. but excluding land and buildings. It is calculated before the deduction of interest on any farming loans. All farms are treated as rented in the derivation of net farm income and an imputed rental value for owner-occupied land is charged as an expense in the accounts.

  3 Figures for Wales relate to all dairy and livestock farms only.

  Tropical Timber
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from local authorities concerning their powers to accept other than the lowest tenders for sea defence schemes constructed of tropical timber, in order that the timber can be obtained from sources that can be guaranteed to be sustainable and non-destructive of tropical rain forests; and what advice has been given to any such authorities.

  Mr. Ryder
  There has been one occasion when a local authority has wished to accept a tender, which was other than the lowest submitted, utilising timber obtained from a sustainable source. On this occasion, it was possible for the purposes of Ministry grant aid to the scheme to agree to the council's wishes, as this was justified on both the longer-term durability and economic advantage of the preferred timber, and also on the grounds of ensuring, where possible, that timber is obtained from sustainable sources.

  Potatoes
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what recent representations he has received regarding the advisability of abolishing the Potato Marketing Board;

  (2) what plans he has to meet members of the Potato Marketing Board to discuss its future;

  (3) when he expects to announce the action to be taken by his Department as a result of the recent review of the Potato Marketing Board;

  (4) if he will make a statement on the future of the Potato Marketing Board.

  Mr. Ryder
  The Government's consultation paper on future potato market policy was issued on 6 September 1988 and invited comments by 31 December 1988. By the closing date, 93 individuals and organisations (including the Potato Marketing Board) had commented, and I have received numerous representations since then. In addition, I met the chairman, vice chairman and chief executive of the Potato Marketing Board on 8 March. We are now considering what conclusions to draw from this exercise, and an announcement will not be unduly delayed.

  Food Irradiation
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy concerning the irradiation of food; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health on 21 February at column 600.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the number of cattle currently incubating bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

  Mr. MacGregor
  Any estimate must be tentative. However, the report of the Southwood working party on BSE estimates that by 1993, the cumulative total of confirmed BSE cases may be about 17,000 to 20,000.

  Edible Dormice
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on how many occasions during each of the last three years he has issued licences to trap edible dormice; to whom those licences were issued; and what information he records about the number of animals so taken.

  Mr. Ryder
  Licences to trap glis glis (edible dormouse) were issued under section 16(3) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 on four occasions in the last three years. The licences were issued to occupiers of commercial forests where this non-indigenous animal was causing serious damage. It was a condition of each licence that the numbers of glis glis taken should be reported to the Ministry. Details are as follows:

  Year

  Number taken

  1986 1 Licence

  4

  1987 lst Licence

  43

  2nd Licence

  14

  1988 1 Licence

  6

  Committee on Food Safety
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) whether he intends to appoint some independent consumers to his committee on food safety;

  (2) when he intends to announce the membership of the committee on food safety; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Health to my hon. Friend the Member for Staffordshire, Moorlands (Mr. Knox) on 23 March at column 771.

  Organic Farming
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research he is currently funding into organic farming.

  Mr. Ryder
  The following projects are currently being funded by my Department:

  1. Winter wheat: disease control in crops grown to organic standards (ADAS).

  2. Winter wheat varieties and seed rates for organic systems (ADAS).

  3. The nitrogen cycle on organic farms. (University College of Wales—Aberystwyth).

  4. The use of under sown forage legumes in cereals for nitrogen accumulation in organic arable systems. (Elm Farm Research Centre).

  5. The availability of water insoluble phosphate and potash sources in organic farming systems. (Elm Farm Research Centre).

  364

  6. Mixed cropping of cereals and grain legumes (in organic farming). (Reading University/Elm Farm Research Centre).

  In addition, other research funded by my Department is relevant because it is directed at reducing the use of artificial fertilizers and pesticides, or improving the use of organic wastes from animals and crops.

  Farming Industry
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will outline the Government's long-term intentions for the British farming industry, separately for each sector; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The Government continue to provide substantial direct and indirect financial support to the agriculture industry.

  The Government's intention is that the United Kingdom agriculture industry should be soundly based and competitive in marketing its products. In particular, the industry needs to prepare itself to take full advantage of the opportunities and challenges which the completion of the single European market of 320 million consumers will bring.

  In EC negotiations and domestically the Government will continue to:

  promote the role of the market as the key determinant of farmers' choice of action;

  press for measures which bring supply and demand into better balance;

  seek to reduce further the role of institutional support; demand fair competition with no discrimination between member states.

  The Government also advocate policies aimed at helping to achieve a better balance between agricultural production and the needs of the rural economy and environment as a whole.

  A number of new initiatives have been introduced to encourage farmers to consider ways of utilising their assets to augument their income in ways which reduce surplus production. These include set aside, and the farm woodlands and diversification schemes.

  Grain Supplies
  Mr. Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many days' supply of grain are currently in store in the United Kingdom(a) in intervention storage and (b) in all storage.

  Mr. Ryder
  Current United Kingdom intervention stocks of wheat and barley represent around 21·5 days' supply of grain. Information on the quantity of grain currently in commercial storage is not available.

  Mr. Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what is the latest estimate of the stocks of grain which will be in store in July 1989(a) in Britain, (b) in the European Economic Community and (c) in the world, expressed in tonnes and days' supply;

  (2) what is the latest estimate of the stocks of grain at the present time (a) in Britain, (b) in the European Economic Community and (c) in the world, expressed in tonnes and days' supply.

  Mr. Ryder
  Estimates of stocks of grain in store are only available for the end of the cereals marketing year. For the Community, the marketing year ends on 30 June
  365
  and the latest estimates for the United Kingdom and the European Community as a whole at the end of June are as follows:

  Million tonnes

  Days' supply

  United Kingdom

  5·6

  105

  EC

  39·4

  106

  The International Wheat Council's estimate of world stocks of grain is an aggregate of national figures based on different definitions of marketing years and therefore does not relate to any particular month. The council's latest estimate for world stocks for the end of the 1988–89 crop year is 228 million tonnes or around 60 days' supply.

  Horticulture
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what policy is followed by his Department to help small horticultural companies sell into the markets of the European Economic Community; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food backs the export efforts of horticultural companies of all sizes. Small companies can benefit particularly from the help we give for the establishment of co-operatives and from half price plant health services.

  My ADAS export technical adviser provides free advice to exporters. Food from Britain, whose establishment costs are met by my Department, develops and promotes export opportunities in the Community, and gives exporters advice and help. It also acts as our agent in the administration of the agricultural and horticultural co-operation scheme, under which we provide non-capital grants towards formation and initial management costs of new marketing co-operatives and capital grants on a range of buildings and equipment. My officials in the horticultural marketing inspectorate provide advice on the Community quality standards which apply to most horticultural produce and issue export certificates free of charge. My Department also provides a number of plant health services for companies selling within the Community, including provision of the necessary phytosanitary certificates; small exporters are eligibile for a half price concession on these services. My officials also provide for exporters a summary of the plant health requirements of member states, and have set up the voluntary export nursery approval scheme which facilitates the export of high quality produce.

  In addition, my Department tries to help horticulturists to respond to specific challenges. They recently held a conference on horticulture and the single European market to promote awareness of the EC Commission's 1992 initiative, and its implications for all aspects of horticultural businesses.

  "Nuclear Accidents and the Farmer"
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list by location the farmers who have received his Department's leaflet, "Nuclear Accidents and the Farmer"; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave on 20 March 1989 at column 472 to the hon. Member
  366
  for South Shields (Dr. Clark). Our initial distribution was to holdings in England in the vicinity of nuclear power stations operated by the Central Electricity Generating Board, licensed nuclear sites of British Nuclear Fuels plc and the various nuclear facilities run by the Ministry of Defence, the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and Amersham International plc. Large numbers of copies have also been distributed at meetings held by my officials and in response to individual requests. Distribution has been carried out principally through my Department's regional organisation and no central record has been maintained. Further copies remain available free of charge on request from any of my Department's regional offices.

EMPLOYMENT

  Wages Inspectorate
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what reasons other than at the request of he workers involved for not pursuing arrears of wages underpayment were discovered by the wages inspectorate in the midlands in 1988.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Specific information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, in the small minority of cases where the inspectorate does not pursue arrears the decision is taken only after careful consideration of all the circumstances, including the likelihood of success bearing in mind such factors as the employers' ability to pay and the adequacy of evidence.

  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what level of arrears of pay has been discovered by the wages inspectorate as not pursued at the request of workers; what assessment he has made of the reasons which lie behind the requests of workers not to recover their arrears; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  In 1988 arrears of pay amounting to £295,746 were not pursued by the wages inspectorate at the request of workers. No comprehensive record is kept of the reasons given by workers for requesting non-pursuance. However, the decisions typically reflect the good personal relationships between employer and worker, concern about the viability of the business, contentment with the rate paid prior to the inspection, or the fact that the underpayment resulted from ignorance or inadvertance. Inspectors must, however, inform the worker of the sum involved and must satisfy themselves that the worker's decision not to pursue payment is made voluntarily.

  It is also made clear to the worker that a request not to pursue arrears at a particular time does not prevent them obtaining the inspectorate's help in seeking payment at a later date.

  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many establishments were found by the wages inspectorate to be underpaying in(a) north Staffordshire and (b) the Stoke-on-Trent travel-to-work area; what percentage this was of all checked; how many workers were covered; and what was the total and weekly pay involved in the latest year for which figures are available.
  367
  Mr. Nicholls
  Wages inspectorate statistics are not compiled for areas smaller than the inspectorate's nine divisions, of which the midlands is one. Information on the midlands for 1988 is as follows:

  Information

  Number of establishments found underpaying

  747

  Percentage of all establishments checked found underpaying

  14·9 per cent.

  Number of workers found underpaid

  1,425

  Total arrears of pay assessed

  £190,698

  No statistics are kept on weekly underpayment.

  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the 10 worst cases of underpayment of wages by midlands employers discovered by the wages inspectorate in 1988, setting out both the weekly and total amounts involved.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Job Clubs
  Mr. Allason
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give his reasons for reducing the number of job clubs; and why the job club in Paignton is under threat of imminent closure.

  Mr. Lee
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Bury, North (Mr. Burt) on 27 January 1989 at column 810, by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.

  Employment service regional directors are currently considering how the job club network should be reshaped so as most effectively to achieve the objective of increasing numbers of people helped while making more efficient use of resources. There is spare capacity at present in the network in Paignton, Torquay and adjoining areas. This will be taken into account in reaching decisions about its future shape, together with the need to maintain access to the programme for longer term unemployed people in these areas.

  September 1978

  September 19811

  September 1983

  September 19841

  September 1988

  Males

  Females

  All

  Males

  Females

  All

  Males

  Females

  All

  Males

  Females

  All

  Males

  Females

  All

  Coal extraction and manufacture of solid fuels (class 11)2

  76·4

  3·3

  79·8

  76·2

  3·3

  79·5

  68·0

  3·0

  71·0

  63·3

  2·9

  66·1

  31·9

  1·5

  33·4

  Iron and steel industry (activity heading 2210)2

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  37·5

  3·9

  41·5

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  26·1

  2·1

  28·2

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Steel tubes (activity heading 2220)2

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  0·5

  0·2

  0·7

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  0·5

  0·1

  0·6

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Drawing, cold rolling and cold forming of steel (group 223)2

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  5·8

  1·1

  6·9

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  4·4

  0·8

  5·2

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Railways (activity heading 7100)2

  18·5

  1·5

  20·0

  16·8

  1·4

  18·2

  15·2

  1·2

  16·4

  14·6

  1·2

  15·9

  13·3

  0·8

  14·1

  1 Census of employment data.

  2 Sub division of the 1980 Standard Industrial Classification.

  n/a—Not available.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the annual number of(a) full-time and (b) part-time working women for each year since 1979 in the Yorkshire and Humberside region; and what was the annual percentage change.

  Mr. Lee
  For the dates specified the only available information about female full and part-time employment in regions is for employees in employment. The latest date for which estimates are available is September 1988. The information is as follows:

  Working Mothers
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of mothers with children aged under five years go to work in(a) each of the EEC countries, and (b) Sweden; what is the average number of hours worked by mothers of children aged under five years in (a) each of the EEC countries, and (b) Sweden; and what is the comparable information for the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Cope
  It is estimated from the preliminary results of the 1988 labour force survey (LFS) that in spring 1988, 36·4 per cent. of women in the United Kingdom with at least one child aged under five were in employment and their average total usual hours worked were 23·5 hours per week.

  Comparable information for other countries is not available in my Department.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the number of people employed in(a) the mining industry; (b) the steel industry and (c) on the railways for the Yorkshire and Humberside region, what was the comparable figure five years and 10 years ago; and if he will break down the answer by sex.

  Mr. Lee
  The available information for the mining industry and railways for the dates specified is given in the following table. The figures are subject to considerable potential estimation error as the monthly and quarterly employment surveys carried out between censuses of employment are based on samples which are not large enough to provide reliable estimates at regional level for individual industries. Comparable regional estimates of employment in the steel industry are available only from the censuses of employment held in September 1981 and September 1984, and these are included in the table.

  Female employees in employment in Yorkshire and Humberside region

  Thousand

  Full-time

  Part-time

  September each year

  Number

  Percentage change since previous September

  Number

  Percentage change since previous September

  1979

  457

  -1

  356

  4

  1980

  441

  -4

  353

  -1

  1981

  418

  -5

  347

  -2

  1982

  404

  -3

  349

  1

  1983

  403

  0

  352

  1

  1984

  408

  1

  361

  3

  369

  Full-time

  Part-time

  September each year

  Number

  Percentage change since previous September

  Number

  Percentage change since previous September

  1985

  411

  1

  373

  3

  1986

  410

  0

  387

  4

  1987

  427

  4

  391

  1

  1988

  452

  6

  395

  1

  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people have been out of work for over(a) 12 months, (b) two years and (c) three years for the most recent date for which figures are available; and what are the comparable figures for similar dates in 1984 and 1979.

  Mr. Lee
  Direct comparisons of unemployment by duration since 1979 are not possible because of changes in the coverage of the count. The following is the available information, which is also obtainable from the Library.

  Unemployment by duration in the United Kingdom

  January 1979

  January 1984

  January 1989

  Duration of unemployment

  Unemployed registrants1

  Unemployed claimants

  Unemployed claimants

  Over 1 year

  354,204

  1,188,040

  821,419

  Over 2 years

  n/a

  616,411

  544,507

  Over 3 years

  n/a

  332,199

  410,667

  1 In October 1982 registration at jobcentres became voluntary, necessitating a change to counting claimants at unemployment benefit offices.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the fall in unemployment in East Anglia during the last 12 months for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lee
  In February 1989 the level of unemployment, seasonally adjusted, in East Anglia was 37,100 compared with 57,200 in February 1988, a fall of 20,100 or 35·1 per cent.

  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were employed in Cleveland in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Lee
  The latest available employment estimates for the county are from the September 1984 census of employment. There were then 183,600 employees in employment in Cleveland. This compares with a figure of 207,000 in September 1981 when the previous census of employment was taken.

  More up-to-date county employee estimates, from the September 1987 census of employment, will become available later this year.

  Re-start Scheme
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on progress on the re-start scheme in the Doncaster and Mexborough areas of South Yorkshire.

  Mr. Lee
  From 28 March 1988 to 24 February 1989 just over 12,000 interviews have been carried out in Doncaster, of which 91 per cent. have resulted in an offer of positive help being made. Nearly 4,000 interviews have been carried out in Mexborough, of which 90 per cent. have resulted in an offer of positive help being made.
  370
  The re-start programme now offers interviews at six-monthly intervals to everyone who has been unemployed for six months or more. In addition, certain clients are now offered follow-up interviews in order to provide further guidance and support.

  Since September 1988 the programme has delivered the Government's guarantee to people aged between 18 and 24 who have been unemployed for between six and 12 months, of the offer of a place on employment training, in a job club or on the enterprise allowance scheme.

  Single Parents
  Mr. Clelland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what were the numbers of single parents on employment training schemes on(a) 28 February and (b) 31 January in (i) the south Tyne area, (ii) the north Tyne area, (iii) the Gateshead local authority area and (iv) the Newcastle local authority area.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The information requested is not available.

  Pneumoconiosis (Compensation)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many applications he has received for compensation during 1988 under the provisions of the 1979 Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers' Compensation) Act; how many of these were approved and what is the total money paid out for these cases; how many applications were rejected; and how many are still waiting to be determined.

  Mr. Nicholls
  During 1988, 108 applications were received for compensation under the Pneumoconiosis etc (Workers' Compensation) Act 1979. Of these, 50 were approved, totalling £443,257 in compensation payments, 53 were not accepted and one was withdrawn; four of the 1988 applications are still awaiting determination.

  Low Pay Unit (West Yorkshire)
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any plans to visit the West Yorkshire low pay unit.

  Mr. Nicholls
  My right hon. Friend has no such plans.

  Labour Statistics (East Midlands)
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the average monthly fall in the number of unemployed in the east midlands during the last quarter for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lee
  The information is available from the Library. In the quarter ending February 1989, the average monthly fall in unemployment, seasonally adjusted, in the east midlands was 3,600. Unemployment in the east midlands has fallen by 35,300 or 22.8 per cent. over the last 12 months.

  Self-employed
  Mr. Andrew MacKay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the increase in the number of self-employed since June 1987; and if he will make a statement.
  371
  Mr. Lee
  Between June 1987 and September 1988, the latest date for which estimates are available, there was a net increase of 156,000 in the estimated number of self-employed people in Great Britain. It is estimated that nearly 3 million people are now self-employed and the number is still rising. The numbers of self-employed people have risen by over 60 per cent. since 1979 and they now represent almost one in nine of the work force in employment.

  Birds Eye
  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any plans to meet the General Secretary of the Transport and General Workers Union to discuss the closure of the Birds Eye factory at Kirkby; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  I have no such plans. The decision to close the factory was made by the company on commercial grounds and I cannot see that such a meeting would serve any useful purpose.

  Closed Shop
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any plans to meet the General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress to discuss his Green Paper on the closed shop; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no current plans for such a meeting.

  Labour Statistics (South-East)
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the rise in the number of people in employment in the south-east since June 1987.

  Mr. Lee
  Between June 1987 and September 1988, the latest date for which figures are available, there was an increase of 363,000 in the civilian work force in employment in the south-east region. The civilian work force in employment is the sum of employees in employment, the self-employed and participants in work-related Government training programmes. Comparisons of data for June 1987 and September 1988 are affected by seasonal variations. Seasonally adjusted employment estimates are not available for regions.

  Labour Statistics (West Midlands)
  Mr. Mills
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the fall in unemployment in the west midlands during the last 12 months for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lee
  In February 1989 the level of unemployment, seasonally adjusted, in the west midlands was 186,800 compared with 253,100 in February 1988, a fall of 66,300 or 26·2 per cent.

  Labour Statistics (Merseyside)
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the latest unemployment figures for Merseyside.
  372
  Mr. Lee
  The information is available from the Library. In February 1989, the latest available date, the number of unemployed claimants in Merseyside was 98,188, a fall of 19,438 over the last 12 months.

  Tourism
  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects to be able to make an announcement about the outcome of the review on tourism.

  Mr. Lee
  The tourism review report is still under consideration. An announcement will be made in due course.

  London Docklands
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects unemployment to begin to fall faster in the three London Docklands boroughs than the average rate for London.

  Mr. Lee
  There is a very large number of new jobs in prospect for London Docklands which should have a beneficial effect on unemployment in the area. However, my Department does not make estimates of future levels of unemployment.

  Training Agency (Staff)
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what were the numbers of staff in post in(a) the Inner London, North, (b) the Inner London, South, (c) the East London Training Agency offices and (d) the Docklands liaison group, during each of the past two years and currently.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The average numbers of staff-in-post for Inner London, North, Inner London, South and East London Training Agency area offices for the last two years and currently are listed in Table 1.

  When first set up in September 1987 the work of the Docklands liaison group was undertaken by Training Agency East London area office staff. It is not therefore possible to give precise numbers of staff engaged on that work. The group became self contained in April 1988 and the average number of Employment Department staff in post during that year was 10·5. The same number of staff were in post on 31 March 1989.

  Table 1

  1987

  1988

  Current (31 March 1989)

  Inner London North

  98

  110

  110

  Inner London South

  74·5

  83

  85

  East London

  58

  67

  65·5

  Training
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the average payment of benefit, plus the additional £10, per employment training place.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The average weekly training allowance including the training premium is estimated to be around £50 per trainee on employment training.

  Foreign Nationals
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of the labour force in the tourist, hotel and catering industry consists of foreign nationals.

  Mr. Lee
  According to preliminary results from the 1988 labour force survey, 8 per cent of all persons in employment in hotels and catering and other tourism-related industries are foreign nationals.

  Part-time Work
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has on the principal

  Persons in employment in construction industry1—occupational analysis Great Britain, Spring each year

  Thousands

  CODOT major groups

  1979

  1981

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  21988

  I Professional and related supporting management and administration

  32

  29

  31

  43

  56

  49

  40

  44

  II Professional and related in education, welfare and health

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  III Literary, artistic and sports

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  IV Professional and related in science, engineering, technology and similar fields

  90

  71

  98

  106

  132

  119

  130

  113

  V Managerial

  96

  91

  100

  107

  106

  101

  107

  121

  VI Clerical and related

  116

  101

  109

  129

  138

  132

  142

  149

  VII Selling

  13

  12

  15

  14

  16

  15

  17

  15

  VIII Security and protective service

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  IX Catering, cleaning, hairdressing and other personal service

  11

  13

  3—

  13

  13

  12

  15

  15

  X Farming, fishing and related

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  XI Materials processing, making and repairing (excluding metal and electrical)

  174

  177

  175

  191

  195

  187

  169

  167

  XII Processing, making, repairing and related (metal and electrical)

  353

  305

  310

  295

  268

  262

  330

  326

  XIII Painting, repetitive assembling, product inspecting, packaging and related

  158

  128

  155

  158

  155

  142

  145

  153

  XIV Construction, mining and related not identified elsewhere

  590

  549

  604

  619

  584

  592

  625

  670

  XV Transport operating, materials moving and storing and related

  103

  85

  83

  82

  66

  70

  82

  72

  XVI Miscellaneous

  35

  3—

  3—

  3—

  10

  14

  11

  3—

  All occupations

  1,782

  1,575

  1,699

  1,774

  1,753

  1,705

  1,828

  1,861

  1 1979: SIC '68, order XX 1981–88: SIC '80 division 5.

  2 Preliminary estimates (1988 only).

  3 Sample size too small for a reliable estimate.

  4 Includes inadequately described/not stated.

  Source: Labour Force Surveys.

  Trade Union Ballots
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has as to how many work forces balloted in 1988 by their trade union on whether to take industrial action voted against the proposal.

  Mr. Nicholls
  There is no statutory requirement for a union to notify such a ballot, or details of its result, other than to those given entitlement to vote. I understand, however, that the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service is aware of 23 union ballots in 1988 asking members whether they were willing to take part in, or continue with, industrial action which resulted in a majority against doing so.374
  differences between regulations and restrictions on part-time work in European Economic Community countries other than the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Cope
  My Department does not have comprehensive and up-to-date information on this subject. It could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Construction Industry
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish a table showing the size of the occupational categories for the construction industry for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Estimates from the labour force survey (LFS) of persons in employment in the construction industry in Great Britain by occupation, for LFS years since 1979, are as shown in the following table:

  Marine Fish Farms
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many inspections of marine fish farms have been made in each of the last five years by the Health and Safety Executive.

  Mr. Nicholls
  This information is not available in the form requested.

  Factory Inspectors
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many factory inspectors were conducting preventative inspections on the following dates: 6 June 1988, 7 September 1988 and 23 January 1989.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Factory inspectors in the Health and Safety Executives area office are not employed solely on
  375
  preventive inspection but also make visits in response to accidents or other incidents, complaints, inquiries or to follow up previously identified shortcomings.

  Staffing figures are recorded on the first of each month. The numbers of factory inspectors in area offices on 1 June 1988, 1 September 1988 and 1 February 1989 were 520, 522 and 533, respectively.

  Children (Injuries)
  Mr. Archer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if, pursuant to his answer of 16 February,Official Report, column 373–4, he will place in the Library anonymised summaries of the circumstances of (a) fatal, (b) major and (c) over three day injuries to children in 1987–88; and if he will make it his policy to make such summaries available in future years.

  Mr. Nicholls
  No. The cost would be disproportionately high.

  Unique Fresh, Swansea
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment why there has been a delay in paying the protective award of four weeks' pay agreed by a tribunal in February to workers made redundant by Unique Fresh in Swansea in August 1988; and when his Birmingham office will ensure that payment is made.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Because the firm is insolvent the amount of the protective award is payable from the redundancy fund subject to the various limits specified in part VII of the Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978. My Department is awaiting the insolvency practitioner's statement of the amount due. When this is available we shall pay the employees as soon as possible.

  Benefit (Suspensions)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many claims for unemployment benefit have been received since the increase in the maximum number of weeks' suspension of unemployment benefit from 13 weeks to 26 weeks at unemployment benefit offices in(a) Greenock and Port Glasgow, (b) Strathclyde and (c) Scotland as a whole; in how many of these cases the maximum 26 weeks' suspension has been initially applied by the adjudication officers; in how many cases where the maximum 26 weeks' suspension has been applied the length of suspension has been reduced on review of the case; and in how many cases where the 26 weeks' suspension has been initially applied, the suspension has been reduced on appeal.

  Mr. Lee
  [holding answer 6 April 1989]: The table shows, for the period April 1988 to February 1989, the number of claims for unemployment benefit that were received for the locations requested.

  Information is not available on how many of these claims were disqualified by the adjudication officer, nor on the numbers where the maximum period of disqualification was imposed or reduced on review or appeal.
  376

  Locations

  Number of claims taken for period April 1988 to February 1989

  Greenock and Port Glasgow

  6,788

  Strathclyde

  177,619

  Scotland

  456,063

  Departmental Advertising, Publicity and Publications
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is his Departmental budget for 1989–90 for spending on general publicity, including(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising (c) newspaper advertising, and (d) other promotional material; and what are the equivalent figures for the Training Agency.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [holding answer 7 April 1989]: The information on my departmental budget for 1989–90 for spending on general publicity, to include that for the Training Agency, will be found in table 7.29 on page 25 of the "Public Expenditure" White Paper, column 607, published January 1989.

  Detailed decisions on expenditure by media group for 1989–90 as requested have not yet been taken.

WALES

  River Quality
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales to what extent the new regulations for classifying the quality of rivers will specify requirements as to the substances that are to be present or absent from the water, and the concentration of such substances, for the purpose of ensuring the conditions needed for the survival of certain aquatic plant and invertebrate communities.

  Mr. Grist
  Regulations for classifying the quality of rivers have not yet been prepared. We will be consulting widely on proposals for possible revisions to the classification systems later in the spring. This represents the first stage in developing new systems of classification for rivers and estuaries which can, in due course, be embodied in regulations. I will arrange for the hon. Gentleman to receive a copy of the consultation paper when it is issued.

  Accidents in the Home
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he intends to place a duty on Welsh district councils for each authority to appoint a home safety officer to tackle the problem of accidents in Welsh homes.

  Mr. Grist
  No. Home safety officers who are appointed by local authorities make an important contribution to accident prevention, but it is for an individual local authority to decide whether such an appointment is appropriate for any accident prevention strategy in its own area.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he plans to place a mandatory duty on Welsh local authorities to devise preventive measures to reduce the level of accidents in Welsh homes.

  Mr. Grist
  No. Welsh local authorities already have a statutory duty to enforce the safety legislation. They also
  377
  engage in other accident prevention initiatives but decisions on what is appropriate or desirable in each area should be taken by the local authority itself in the light of local circumstances.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what education or training initiatives he is planning to reduce the level of fatal and other serious accidents in Welsh homes.

  Mr. Grist
  Since 1987 my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has run a series of safety awareness and education campaigns throughout the United Kingdom. These have included child safety initiatives; electrical safety awareness and, in particular, promoting the use of RCDs (residual current devices) and the publication of a guide to producing better instructions and warnings for consumer products. In Wales these campaigns have benefited greatly from the support of the Welsh local authorities. Some of the campaigns will be extended or repeated and over the next few months a number of further safety initiatives are planned.

  South Beach Hotel, Tenby
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects CADW to announce a decision on the appeal under the Town and Country Planning Act 1971 by Mr. P. T. Harris in respect of the South Beach hotel, Tenby.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  Mr. Harris has submitted four appeals in respect of the South Beach hotel. The appeals, made under section 88 and section 97 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971 are being considered concurrently.

  My right hon. Friend is aware of the need to reach speedy decisions on all planning matters which come before him and decisions on these appeals will be issued as soon as possible.

  Hospital Referrals
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the hospital referral rate per 1,000 of population for each family practitioner committee in Wales in the latest available year.

  Mr. Grist
  The information is not immediately available. I will write to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

  Prescribing Costs
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the per capita prescribing cost for each family practitioner committee in Wales for the latest available year.

  Mr. Grist
  The information which relates to prescriptions submitted for payment during 1988, is shown in the following table:

  Average total cost per person on NHS prescribing lists

  £

  Clwyd

  53·31

  Dyfed

  51·94

  Gwent

  53·77

  378

  £

  Gwynedd

  57·15

  Mid Glamorgan

  58·08

  Powys

  50·07

  South Glamorgan

  48·47

  West Glamorgan

  54·97

  Set-aside Schemes
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State For Wales how many farmers in(a) Pembrokeshire and (b) Wales have applied for set-aside payments; and what is the total acreage for which claims have been made and the total amount claimed in each category.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Fifteen farmers from the Preseli Pembrokeshire and South Pembrokeshire districts have applied to join the scheme, entering a total of 295 hectares. The figures for Wales are 35 farmers involving 1,008 hectares. Since payments are made annually in arreas, no claims are yet due.

  Farmers (Income)
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what information he has as to the total income of farmers in Wales, in the latest year for which figures are available, from(a) farming and (b) other activities; and what were the comparable figures for 1984 and 1979.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Based on the Inland Revenue's survey of personal incomes, details of which are to be published shortly in "Farm Incomes in the United Kingdom" the total incomes of self employed individuals in agriculture in Wales assessed for tax were as follows:

  £ million

  Income from Agriculture and Horticulture

  Income from other activities

  Total Income

  1985–86

  160·1

  94·9

  255·0

  1984–85

  159·3

  111·6

  270·9

  Figures for Wales for the year 1979–80 are not available except at disproportionate cost.

  Patients (Gwynedd)
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many patients in Gwynedd receive treatment for ileostomy, colostomy and urostomy; and if he will give the number in each category on a constituency basis.

  Mr. Grist
  Information in the form requested is not available.

  The available information on operations performed on residents from Gwynedd as in-patients or day cases at Welsh hospitals is shown in the following table. The information relates to 1987:

  Op Code/Description

  Number

  453 Enterostomy (ileostomy)

  0

  454 Anastomosis of intestine (including ileocolostomy)

  2

  460 Colectomy and resection (including colostomy and ileostomy)

  64

  462 Primary colostomy

  4

  464 Colon by-pass

  1

  379

  Op Code/Description

  Number

  533 Anastomosis of pancreatic duct (including ileo-pancreatostomy)

  0

  591 Urinary diversion to bladder

  2

  592 Urinary diversion to bowel

  0

  593 Urinary diversion: anastomosis

  1

  594 Urinary diversion: other

  1

  595 Repair of urinary tract

  2

  Total

  77

  Note: These figures include six Gwynedd residents treated in Clwyd and four Gwynedd residents treated in East Dyfed.

  NHS Reform
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will be publishing supplementary working papers on the future organisation of the National Health Service in Wales; what programme of consultation with which organisations will be undertaken; and how the general public will be informed of the details not included in the White Paper itself.

  Mr. Grist
  In addition to the working papers on the implementation of the proposals contained in the White Paper "Working For Patients" which the Welsh Office has already circulated to interested bodies in the NHS in Wales, further guidance will be issued during the course of the year as appropriate.

  We have already had discussions about the White Paper with the Wales TUC and are shortly to meet the chairman of district health authorities, family practitioner committees, and the statutory advisory committees and representatives of NHS staff organisations and health care professions. In addition, officials of the Welsh Office are engaged upon a round of discussions with a range of NHS interests.

  We have already announced that there will be public consultation later this year to provide clearer and more focused representation of consumer interests. We shall announce decisions on the details of particular proposals as appropriate.

  Report (Bristol University)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he proposes to publish the commissioned report of the School for Advanced Urban Studies, university of Bristol, made for his housing department; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  We are still awaiting the final report from the School for Advanced Urban Studies.

  Bed and Breakfast Accommodation
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a table showing for each area of Wales the number of people who are dependent on their local authority providing them with bed and breakfast.

  Mr. Grist
  The numbers of households accommodated in bed and breakfast accommodation at 31 December 1988 under part III of the Housing Act 1985 in each district authority is given in the following table. The number of persons in those households is not available centrally.
  380

  Number of households accommodated in bed and breakfast at 31 December 19881

  Number

  Aberconwy

  —

  Alyn and Deeside

  —

  Arfon

  —

  Blaenau Gwent

  —

  Brecknock

  1

  Cardiff

  23

  Carmarthen

  1

  Ceredigion

  1

  Colwyn

  —

  Cynon Valley

  —

  Delyn

  1

  Dinefwr

  2

  Dwyfor

  —

  Glyndwr

  —

  Islwyn

  1

  Llanelli

  —

  Lliw Valley

  —

  Meirionnydd

  —

  Merthyr Tydfil

  —

  Monmouth

  —

  Montgomery

  —

  Neath

  —

  Newport

  —

  Ogwr

  —

  Port Talbot

  —

  Preseli

  8

  Radnor

  —

  Rhondda

  —

  Rhuddlan

  —

  Rhymney Valley

  3

  South Pembrokeshire

  —

  Swansea

  —

  Taff-Ely

  —

  Torfaen

  —

  Vale of Glamorgan

  —

  Wrexham Maelor

  —

  Ynys Môn

  —

  Wales Total

  41

  1 Under Part III of the Housing Act 1985.

  Rating Reform
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Bridgend of 27 February,Official Report, column 19, concerning expenditure provision of £9 million in the 1989–90 rate support grant settlement to cover the cost of implementing the poll tax, what proportion of that sum the actual cash grant will represent.

  Mr. Grist
  Rate support grant is paid to all authorities in Wales in support of their expenditure generally and is not hypothecated. It is not therefore possible to calculate a notional allocation of grant to any particular function.

  Schools
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many schools there were in Wales in 1979; and how many there are in the current year.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The information requested is shown in the following table:

  Number of Schools in Wales

  January 1979

  January 1989

  Nursery

  70

  56

  Primary

  1,930

  1,744

  Secondary

  244

  232

  Special

  74

  64

  381

  January 1979

  January 1989

  Independent

  171

  65

  Total

  2,389

  2,161

  1 Includes three direct grant schools.

  Teachers
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many teachers there are in Wales(a) in primary schools and (b) in secondary schools in the current year; and what were the corresponding numbers in May 1979.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The information available relates to January 1979 and September 1988. At those dates the numbers in full-time equivalent terms, of teachers in Wales is shown in the following tables:

  January 1979

  September 1988

  Primary Schools

  13,581

  11,724

  Secondary Schools

  14,413

  12,504

  These figures must, of course, be considered in the light of falling pupil numbers as follows:

  January 1979

  September 1988

  Primary pupils

  298,196

  255,869

  Secondary pupils

  241,662

  192,803

  Pupil: teacher ratios have improved over the period as follows:

  January 1979

  September 1988

  Primary pupils/teacher

  22·0

  21·8

  Secondary pupils/teacher

  16·8

  15·4

  Hospital Closures
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many hospitals have been closed in Wales since may 1979; how many hospital beds there were in May 1979 in Wales; and what is the number for the present day.

  Mr. Grist
  Since 1 May 1979 the number of hospitals which have closed, and are still closed, is 22. However during the same period seven hospitals (including four district general hospitals) have opened.

  The available information on the number of staffed beds allocated, as at 31 March, is as follows:

  Number

  1979

  23,693

  1988

  21,242

  Council House Sales
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many council houses have been sold to sitting tenants in Wales since May 1979; what is the total value of the houses sold since 1979; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  A total of 66,593 local authority dwellings were sold to sitting tenants between April 1979 and 382
  December 1988. The value of these dwellings is not available. The capital value (net of discount) of the total of 66,875 dwellings sold during that period, which includes sales other than those to sitting tenants, was however £564 million.

  Council Houses
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many council houses have been built since May 1979; what is the estimated value; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  A total of 17,662 local authority dwellings have been built since May 1979. Information on the value of these buildings is not available centrally.

  Housing Waiting Lists
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the number of people currently on the waiting lists of Welsh housing authorities; and if he will make a statement.

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

  Homelessness
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many homeless persons there are estimated to be in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  The normal measure of statutory homelessness is given by cases accepted by local authorities under part III of the Housing Act 1985. The number of persons in households accepted as homeless during the third quarter of 1988 (July–September) was 4,534.

  Bristol Channel (Sewage)
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the Welsh Water Authority's intention to build a sewerage outlet one mile out into the Bristol channel from Swansea; if planning permission has been given; and if he will make a statement on the anticipated environmental effect of raw sewage flooding into the Bristol channel.

  Mr. Grist
  Welsh water authority has proposals for improving the quality of Swansea bay, which currently fails to meet the standards of the EC bathing water directive. Whilst the provision of a long sea outfall is likely to form part of the improvements, planning approval for which would not be required, details have yet to be finalised.

  Sewage discharged to sea is treated through the disinfecting action of salt water, sunlight and waves which together break down the bacteria as effectively as inland treatment. That is why the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution concluded in its 10th report that with well designed sewage outfalls, the discharge of sewage to the sea was not only acceptable but environmentally preferable in many cases to alternative means of disposal.

  "Roads in Wales"
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he plans to publish the new editions of "Roads in Wales".
  383
  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  I am pleased to say that it has been published today. Copies are available in the Vote Office, and have also been placed in the Library of the House.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Royal Ulster Constabulary (Firearms)
  Mr. McCusker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will state the conditions with regard to the carrying of firearms which have to be observed by Royal Ulster Constabulary officers whilst in the territory of the Irish Republic for the purpose of discussing anti-terrorist co-operation with their counterparts in the police force of the Republic.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  Authorisation for the carrying of firearms by officers of the Royal Ulster Constabulary whether on or off duty is confined to Northern Ireland.

  Advertising
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the latest figure for the estimated spending in 1988–89 by the Northern Ireland Office on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material; and what is the 1989–90 budget for each of these categories of spending.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 13 March 1989]: The information is not available in the form requested. However, the latest figure for the estimated spending on all advertising and other promotional material for my Department in 1988–89 is £4,782,821. The estimated budget for 1989–90 is £4,777,950.

  Press and Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, in the press and public relations office of the Northern Ireland Office; and what is the proposed complement for 1989–90.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 13 March 1989]: At present 50 staff are employed in the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments. The full complement, including vacant posts, is 52. The proposed complement for 1989–90 is 51.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the latest figure for(a) the estimated expenditure by his Department on press and public relations during 1988–89 and (b) the budget for 1989–90.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 13 March 1989]: The latest figure for the total estimated expenditure on press and public relations during 1988–89 is £1,174,402.

  The total budget for 1989–90 is £1,310,700.

  RUC Traffic Division
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the strength of the Royal Ulster Constabulary traffic division in each year since 1980 to the latest available date; and whether there are any plans to increase it.
  384
  Mr. Ian Stewart
  [holding answer 23 March 1989]: The information requested is not readily available prior to 1985 and could be obtained only at disproprtinate cost. The available information is as follows:

  Year

  RUC Traffic Division (Strength)

  31 December 1985

  401

  31 December 1986

  363

  31 December 1987

  361

  31 December 1988

  316

  20 March 1989

  312

  The operational strength of the RUC's traffic division is a matter for the chief constable.

  Kincora Boys' Home
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many civil servants investigated in the inquiry into the Kincora boys' home in 1982 by Sir George Terry are still employed by his Department.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  [holding answer 4 April 1988]: I have nothing to add to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member on 26 February 1988 at column 322.

  Information Units
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which parts of the information policy unit, the information liaison unit and the information planning unit are still in operation; and what was the status of each such unit within the structure of his Department at the time it was most recently in existence.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  [holding answer 4 April 1989]: I have nothing to add to the answer given to the hon. Member on 23 May 1988 at columns 36–37.

SCOTLAND

  Catholic Marriage Advisory Council
  Mr. Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the withdrawal of funding for the Scottish Catholic Marriage Advisory Council by the social work services group.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I am considering a number of representations made by and on behalf of the Scottish Catholic Marriage Advisory Council against the recent decision not to award it a training grant under section 9 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968. The council will be informed of my decision as soon as possible.

  Nurses (Grading)
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in the Official Report the total number of appeals against regrading which have been received in each Scottish health board area; how many have now been assessed; and how many have resulted in a subsequent upgrading of the nurse's grade.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Greenock and Port Glasgow (Dr. Godman) on 6 April 1989.

  Water Rates
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the representations he has had regarding the commercial effects of increased water rates; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Representations expressing concern about the effect of increased water rates have been received on behalf of 12 trade and business associations, eight companies and one community council group.

  I would refer to the answers I gave the hon. Member on 15 February at columns 218–20.

  Suicides
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish what information he has on the number of suicides and attempted suicides which have occurred in Scotland in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information available is as follows:

  Number of Suicides1

  Number of in-patient discharges for self-inflicted injury or poisoning2

  1979

  494

  9,916

  1980

  515

  8,609

  1981

  517

  9,474

  1982

  563

  9,269

  1983

  505

  8,707

  1984

  519

  9,337

  1985

  569

  9,118

  1986

  568

  8,963

  1987

  522

  9,306

  Data source:

  1 Registrar General for Scotland

  2 Scottish hospital data within admissions category "Emergency—Deliberate self inflicted injury or poisoning."

  Transport Users Consultative Committee
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report the names and addresses of the current members of the Transport Users Consultative Committee for Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The current membership of the committee was published in its annual report for 1987–88. Mr. John Corrie was appointed chairman to the committee in succession to Colonel W. A. Dalziel in December 1988. Copies of the report are available in the House of Commons Library and may also be obtained from:

  The Secretary

  Scottish Transport Users Consultative Committee

  249 West George Street

  Glasgow

  G2 4QE

  through whom contact with individual members may also be made.

  Head Injuries
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what facilities currently exist in Scotland for intensive specialised rehabilitation of traumatic brain damage caused by head injury; what plans he has to set up such a specialised unit; and if he will make a statement;
  386
  (2) what steps have been taken to implement the Mair report recommendation in 1972 that two specialised centres providing specialist rehabilitation treatment for traumatic brain damage through head injury were required in Scotland;

  (3) if he will estimate the annual additional need that arises every year in Scotland for places which provide specialist rehabilitation for patients who suffer traumatic brain damage through head injury;

  (4) what proportion of the population suffer from permanent long term disability following head injury; and what is the average age at the time of the injury and the average life expectancy thereafter;

  (5) what specialist training and advice is given to care professionals treating patients with traumatic brain damage caused by head injury;

  (6) what medical studies have been carried out into the special needs of those who suffer traumatic brain damage through injury;

  (7) what evidence exists to demonstrate the efficacy of specialist rehabilitation of patients who suffer traumatic brain damage through head injury;

  (8) what advice is given to area health boards regarding the provision of specialist rehabilitation of patients with traumatic brain damage caused by head injury, and what checks are made on the quality of long-term care provided to such patients by the area health boards.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Provision of specialist treatment and rehabilitation facilities for head injured patients in Scotland is a matter for individual health boards. The Scottish Home and Health Department is currently considering as a matter of urgency the needs of brain-injured patients and the most appropriate form of rehabilitation facility which is required. The Mair report did not make a specific recommendation that two specialised centres were required.

  It is understood that around 100 patients each year are left with severe disability following traumatic brain injury. The average age of these patients is around 28 and life expectancy is 30 or 40 years. All doctors, nurses and members of paramedical professions receive basic training in rehabilitation techniques. The two main centres for the treatment and rehabilitation of patients with traumatic brain injury are located in Edinburgh and Glasgow respectively and it is there that care professionals can gain training and experience. A wide range of studies has been carried out into the special needs of brain-damaged patients, and a number demonstrate the efficacy of specialist rehabilitation.

  Boards providing general rehabilitation services are aware of the more specialised facilities available in Edinburgh and Glasgow for more severe cases of head injury and can seek advice if necessary. Patients are referred from other boards to these specialised facilities. Long-term in-patient care is provided generally within psychiatric or geriatric hospitals. Both are inspected regularly by the Scottish Hospital Advisory Service; in addition the Mental Welfare Commission makes annual visits to all mental hospitals.

  New Towns
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those organisations which have asked that
  387
  their responses to the consultation document "The Scottish New Towns, Maintaining the Momentum" be treated in confidence.

  Mr. Lang
  No, since the respondents asked that their responses be treated in confidence; there were two such responses.

  Transport
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations he is now having with the trade unions, entrepreneurs and environmentalists regarding the case for fast trains between Scotland and the continent for the Scottish manufacturing industry, and the environmental requirements which the Scottish people demand from railways and motorways.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  None at the present time. British Rail is still working on its proposals for Channel Tunnel passenger and freight services and any associated investment. It is required by section 40 of the Channel Tunnel Act 1987 to publish a plan by the end of the year.

  As part of this process, British Rail is consulting with a wide range of interests in Scotland in a series of meetings.

DEFENCE

  Cruise Missiles
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, (1) what consideration he has given to the procurement of smart cruise missiles for British forces;

  (2) what consideration he has given to the procurement for the British forces of cruise missiles armed with cluster munitions; and what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government on the stationing of such missiles on British territory or in British territorial waters.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  A number of future missile options are under consideration.

  Unit Production Costs
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Denton and Reddish of 22 March,Official Report, column 616, when it became his policy not to publish unit production costs.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Rhondda (Mr. Rogers) on 14 January 1988 at column 373.

  Queen Elizabeth Military Hospital
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many National Health Service(a) in-patients and (b) out-patients have been treated at the Queen Elizabeth military hospital, Woolwich, during each of the past 10 years.

  Mr. Neubert
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given by my predecessor on 28 April at columns 242–43. It has not proved possible to produce reliable information for the years prior to 1983 when the records were maintained manually. The comparable figures for 1988 are: in-patients 6,507; day patients 1,575; out-patients 5,208.

  Armed Forces (Postal Voting)
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from members of the armed forces and their dependents serving overseas regarding the introduction of postal voting in United Kingdom elections; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Neubert
  I am not aware of any recent representations on postal voting overseas. The Representation of the People Act provides a separate registration procedure for service personnel enabling them to retain their right to vote when serving overseas and allows the spouses of service personnel to register under this procedure if they so wish. Currently service personnel and their spouses must vote by proxy when overseas. They can use either the proxy or the postal voting procedure if serving away from their constituency but within the United Kingdom.

  Royal Ordnance
  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what are the financial arrangements between his Department and Royal Ordnance plc for the deployment of Ministry of Defence police at Royal Ordnance Bishopton;

  (2) what financial arrangements exist between his Department and Royal Ordnance plc for providing the services of Ministry of Defence police at Royal Ordnance factories.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Under the terms of an agreement made in April 1985 on the deployment of MOD police at Royal Ordnance sites, including Bishopton, RO plc pays the equivalent of a commercial charge for the services of the MOD police.

  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether, in the light of recent developments and the announcement by Royal Ordnance plc that it is considering a partial reprieve of the site, it is intended to retain a complement of Ministry of Defence police at Royal Ordnance Bishopton; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  No decision has yet been taken on whether MOD police should remain at Royal Ordnance, Bishopton.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Prime Minister's Speeches
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will list the(a) statements and (b) other speeches in debate made by Prime Ministers in each of the last 15 years.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the relevant published indexes of the Official Report and to information held on POLIS in the House of Commons Library.

  Sir Leon Brittan
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Falkirk,
  389
  East (Mr. Ewing) on 6 April, concerning statements made by Sir Leon Brittan, he will give the name of any documents, together with appropriate references, that show that approval was given by two named officials to the disclosure of a letter from the Solicitor-General; and if he will place copies of any such documents in the Library.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I refer the Gentleman to the fourth report of the Select Committee on Defence for the 1985–86 Session.

  Food Consultants
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what is the policy of the Commission on the level of nutritional expertise which it will require in respect of the appointment of consultants on the provision of food in the House.

  Mr. Beith
  Policy matters concerning the Refreshment Department are the responsibility of the General Manager of the Department on the advice of the Catering Sub-Committee of the Select Committee on House of Commons (Services). The Commission considers proposals for expenditure from the Refreshment Department trading fund account in accordance with the general principles of financial prudence.

HEALTH

  Benzodiazepines
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prescriptions for benzodiazepines were prescribed in(a) January to June 1987, (b) July to December 1987, (c) January to June 1988 and (d) July to December 1988.

  Mr. Mellor
  The number of prescriptions for benzodiazepines dispensed by community pharmacists in Great Britain during the periods in question were as follows:

  Number of prescriptions (millions)

  January to June 1987

  12·7

  July to December 1987

  12·8

  January to June 1988

  11·9

  July to December 1988

  1

  1 Not yet available.

  Coronary Heart Disease
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out the mortality rate from coronary heart disease for men aged under 65 years from 1979 to the present time, analysed by socio-economic group.

  Mr. Freeman
  I regret that the information requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  AIDS
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment Sir Donald Acheson has made of the 390
  plant alkaloid Castanospermine, as a possible treatment for certain forms of AIDS, in the light of clinical tests at St. Mary's hospital in London; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  I understand that there have been some in vitro tests involving derivatives of Castanospermine, but none involving patients. If the hon. Member would like more information he may wish to approach the Medical Research Council.

  Office of Population Censuses and Surveys
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the information he has regarding problems in the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Office of Population Censuses and Surveys is responsible for recruiting staff below the executive officer (and equivalent) grades. No major recruitment problems are currently being encountered at its Titchfield and Southport locations but, in common with other Departments, there are difficulties in recruiting and retaining administrative officers, personal secretaries and administrative assistants at its London headquarters.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether interviewers employed by the Office of the Population Censuses and Surveys are termed employees of the Crown; and to what pension rights they are entitled to under existing legislation.

  Mr. Freeman
  Interviewers employed by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys are employees of the Crown. Under existing social security legislation, interviewers have a choice between contributing to SERPS (provided that their earnings are sufficient) or to a personal pension.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many men and women are employed as interviewers by the Office of the Population Censuses and Surveys on(a) a full-time and (b) a part-time basis.

  Mr. Freeman
  Interviewing work carried out by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys fluctuates with the demand for surveys and with the requirements of individual surveys. As a result the number of interviewers employed by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys is variable. At present, 476 hourly-paid interviewers are employed, of whom 52 are male and 424 are female.

  Interviewers are not guaranteed any fixed amount of work and are paid on an hourly fee basis for work undertaken. The nature of the work means that all interviewers are employed on a part-time basis.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list(a) the number of unfilled vacancies at the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys as a percentage of total employees and by job category and (b) the average length of time taken to fill a vacancy by job category at the office.

  Mr. Freeman
  (a) The information is in the table. The numbers of unfilled vacancies are the difference between staff in post and the staff profile, as at 1 March 1989, the latest date for which information is available. Casual staff are excluded.
  391

  Job category

  Vacancies

  Percentage of employees

  Percentage of profile

  Grade 7 and above

  (+4·0)

  (+4·7)

  (+4·9)

  Senior executive officer— executive officer and equivalents

  33·0

  5·6

  5·3

  Administrative officers and assistants

  39·5

  3·4

  3·3

  Other staff

  34·5

  15·4

  13·4

  Total

  103·0

  5·0

  4·8

  (b) Due to the different recruitment methods and wide variation between categories, this information is not collected and could not be obtained without incurring disproportionate cost.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list(a) the Civil Service pay rates applicable to interviewers employed by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys and (b) the starting times for shift work when applicable.

  Mr. Freeman
  Interviewers employed by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys are paid one of seven rates ranging at present from £3·69 to £5·38 per hour plus expenses. In addition, higher rates are paid for unsocial hours and to interviewers based in the London area.

  Interviewers' pay is linked to the pay spine agreed between HM Treasury and the Institution of Professional Civil Servants. This link is solely a means of determining pay movement.

  A minority of interviewers work on projects with fixed starting and finishing times. With the exception of a small group of interviewers whose starting time is normally 4.15 pm on weekdays and 9.30 am on Saturdays, starting times vary by location and to take account of the requirements of particular surveys.

  Social Work
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to ensure that the Government's rejection of the proposed three year qualification for social work does not jeopardise the achievement of parity of recognition of British social work qualifications alongside other European qualifications.

  Mr. Mellor
  The European Community directive on a general system for the recognition of higher education diplomas was adopted on 21 December 1988 and will be implemented in European Community member states on 4 January 1991. It will make it easier for members of a number of professional groups to practice in other member states.

  The Government and the European Commission support the principle of mutual recognition of qualifications irrespective of length of training and will be working towards this in the context of completing the single market by 1992.

  The Government, meanwhile, fully recognise the importance of achieving high standards of training for social workers and other staff employed in the personal social services. We are promoting, with full knowledge of the Directive and in co-operation with the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work and other organisations, a number of improvements to present arrangements.

  Health Care Providers
  Mr. McCrindle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consideration has been given to the effect on the need for patients with long-term care needs to develop a relationship of trust with health care providers of proposals for health authorities to buy in the necessary services from different sources; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Government fully recognise the importance of trust between patients and those caring for them. Under our proposals district health authorities will have a responsibility to ensure that the health care services available to their resident populations are comprehensive and of a high standard. Continuity of treatment will remain an important consideration. Contracts will specify periods of notice to ensure that any changes in the provision of services are introduced without disruption or inconvenience to patients.

  Family Practitioner Committees
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the hospital referral rate per 1,000 of population for each family practitioner committee in England in the latest available year.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  This information is not currently available.

  Electoral Registration Figures
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Derbyshire, North-East of 4 April, why he does not propose to supply a pre-publication list of the electoral registration figures for the local government areas of England and Wales due to be published in an OPUS monitor (EL 89/1) at the end of April.

  Mr. Freeman
  The list of 1989 electorate figures for local authority areas is still being assembled by OPCS. It will be published as soon as possible after all information has been received from electoral registration officers and queries have been resolved.

  Down's Syndrome
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give a breakdown by age of the mother of the numbers and rates of incidence of births of Down's syndrome babies in(a) the latest year for which figures are available and (b) 10 years previously.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information is shown in the table.

  Figures are derived from a voluntary system of notification which collects information on cases reported at birth or up to seven days thereafter. It is, therefore, likely to be an incomplete measure of the total number of babies affected.

  Number of babies born with Down's syndrome and rate per 10,000 births, by age of mother, England and Wales 1977 and 1987

  Age of mother

  Number

  Rate

  1977

  All ages

  425

  7·4

  Under 20

  28

  5·1

  393

  Age of mother

  Number

  Rate

  20–24

  80

  4·5

  25–29

  116

  5·5

  30–34

  81

  8·0

  35–39

  67

  25·9

  40–44

  39

  69·1

  45 +

  7

  149·6

  Not stated

  7

  n/a

  1987

  All ages

  459

  6·7

  Under 20

  33

  5·7

  20–24

  71

  3·7

  25–29

  118

  4·9

  30–34

  107

  7·8

  35–39

  89

  19·0

  40–44

  35

  42·7

  45 +

  3

  55·7

  Not stated

  3

  n/a

  n/a = Not available.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current incidence of Down's syndrome; and what it was(a) 10 years and (b) 20 years ago.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State what has been the incidence of Down's syndrome in newborn infants in(a) the latest year for which figures are available, (b) 10 years previously and (c) 20 years previously.

  Mr. Freeman
  [pursuant to his reply, 21 March, column 573]: The answer omitted nine Down's syndrome cases for 1987 for which information was not reported as to their being live or still births. The correct table should therefore read:

  Number of babies born with Down 's syndrome and rate per 10,000 total and live births in England and Wales for 1967, 1977 and 1987

  All births

  Live births

  Year

  Number

  Rate

  Number

  Rate

  1967

  613

  7·3

  594

  7·1

  1977

  425

  7·4

  413

  7·3

  1987

  459

  6·7

  443

  6·5

  Drug Budgets
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the savings to the National Health Service drugs bill from the introduction of indicative drug budgets.

  Mr. Mellor
  It is premature to try to determine the exact level of the savings.

  Medical Secretaries
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has any plans to introduce a national grading system for medical secretaries.

  Mr. Mellor
  No. The pay and grading of administrative and clerical staff (including medical secretaries) are matters for negotiation in the Administrative and Clerical Staffs Whitley Council. The management side of the council has made proposals for a new grading structure for all staff in the group. Negotiations on these proposals and on the staff side's pay claim will continue when the joint negotiating committee of the council meets next on 12 April.

  "Children in Danger Factfile"
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to deal with the problems identified in the National Children's Home publication, "Children in Danger Factfile 1989", a copy of which he has been sent.

  Mr. Mellor
  As the hon. Member may be aware, the factfile was launched on 21 March and is a detailed and wide-ranging document requiring careful consideration.

  Pharmaceutical Wholesalers
  Mr. Michael Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements are made to inspect the premises of pharmaceutical wholesaling establishments in the United Kingdom who import from countries which are not a party to the pharmaceutical inspection convention.

  Mr. Mellor
  No special arrangements are made. All licensed wholesale dealers in imported medicinal products are regularly inspected by medicines inspectors.

  Residential Homes (Mismanagement)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will bring forward proposals to prevent persons found guilty of mismanaging residential homes to go on caring for profit for up to three residents at a time.

  Mr. Mellor
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Wyre Forest (Mr. Coombs) on 23 February at column 793.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Residential Care
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his policy towards implementation of the recommendations made in the report by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, "Who Pays? Who Cares?" on the future funding of residential care; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The report is being taken into account in the Government's consideration of the future arrangements for community care.

  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received following the publication by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations of "Who Pays? Who Cares?" on the future funding of residential care.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We have received letters form Servite Houses Ltd., the Brendoncare Foundation, and the National Council for Voluntary Organisations itself, drawing attention to the report. Some individuals have also written in similar terms.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of first instance social fund decisions are taken(a) after a home visit or (b) after the social fund officer has interviewed the claimant.
  395
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The proportion of first instance social fund decisions cleared by visit is 1 per cent. The proportion cleared after interview is 25 per cent. Details of the number of applications processed are available in the Library.

  Family Credit
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average award of family credit; and what was the average award of family income supplement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The latest information on family credit is derived from an examination of amounts in payment at the end of February 1989. This indicated that the average amount in payment at that time was around £25 per week. The latest information on family income supplement relates to June 1987 when the average was £15·28 per week.

  Cold Weather Payments
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many payments have been made under the cold weather payments scheme for each of the weeks in 1989(a) in Nottingham and (b) the United Kingdom as a whole.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  None.

  Bed and Breakfast
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the number of people for whom bed and breakfast payments are being made in Doncaster and Mexborough; and whether they are(a) single, (b) single with children, (c) a couple or (d) a couple with children, for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I regret that the information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Injuries and Industrial Diseases
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a table showing, for the most

  Improvements in living standards percentage (individuals in households)1979 to 1985 Great Britain

  1979 to 1981

  1981 to 1983

  1983 to 1985

  1979 to 1985

  Non-pensioner couples with children

  -0·2

  2·6

  6·1

  8·6

  Non-pensioner couples without children

  1·7

  -1·5

  5·7

  5·9

  Non-pensioner single people

  4·8

  -8·7

  10·2

  5·5

  Non-pensioner single people with children

  5·9

  2·8

  0·7

  9·7

  Single pensioners

  7·3

  6·2

  1·1

  15·2

  Pensioner couples

  5·8

  5·7

  2·9

  15·1

  All individuals

  2·2

  0·2

  6·2

  8·8

  Notes:

  1. Based on the methods and assumptions of "Households Below Average Income: 1981–85" copies of which are in the Library.

  2. Improvements in living standards are measured by percentage changes in the real average household income of individuals (before housing costs). For further details see Cm. 523 "The Measurement of Living Standards For Households Below Average Income", November 1988.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Professional liability
  Mr. Heddle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he expects to announce the conclusion of his Department's study to establish the nature, scope, extent and implications of professional liability problems.
  396
  recent available date, the number of persons securing compensation for industrial diseases and injuries, analysed by percentage disability groupings.

  Mr. Scott
  At 2 April 1988, the provisional numbers of recipients of industrial injuries disablement pension, reduced earnings allowance or both were as shown in the table:

  Assessed Disablement Per cent.

  Number (thousands)

  All percentages

  262

  Less than 20

  103

  20 to 24

  64

  25 to 34

  46

  35 to44

  22

  45 to 54

  11

  55 to 64

  7

  65 to 74

  3

  75 to 84

  2

  85 to 94

  1

  95 to 100

  4

  Attendance Allowance (Halifax)
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people in Halifax who have claimed attendance allowance are currently within the six-month waiting period.

  Mr. Scott
  I regret that the information is not available.

  Household Incomes
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a table showing an estimate of the annual rise in living standards since 1980 for(a) non-pensioner couples with children, (b) non-pensioner couples without children, (c) non-pensioner single people, (d) non-pensioner single people with children, (e) single pensioners and (f) pensioner couples.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 15 March 1989]: The available information is set out in the table.

  Mr. Maude
  I expect the report of the studies of professional liability problems to be submitted to me in the near future.

  GATT
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the recent negotiations on the general agreement on tariffs and trade.
  397
  Mr. Alan Clark
  The trade negotiations committee of the GATT met in Geneva last week to deal with the four issues—agriculture, intellectual property, textiles and safeguards—left unresolved at its meeting in Montreal last December. The committee agreed frameworks of principles to guide further negotiation of these issues, and confirmed the agreements provisionally made in Montreal on the other 11 issues under negotiation in the Uruguay round.

  On agriculture, the committee agreed that the long-term objective of the negotiation should be to work towards substantial and progressive reductions in agricultural support and protection sustained over an agreed period of time. It agreed to realise this objective through strengthened GATT rules and disciplines applicable to all contracting parties and extending to all measures affecting import access and export competition. It also agreed that developed countries would not exceed their current levels of domestic and export support and protection before the end of the round.

  On the protection of intellectual property rights it agreed that the negotiations should cover effective enforcement, and dispute settlement, adequate standards, and the applicability of basic GATT principles. It confirmed that the negotiations on textiles and clothing should aim for a further general liberalisation of trade including progressive integration of this sector into the GATT on the basis of strengthened rules and disciplines. On the question of better safeguard arrangements to deal with sudden surges of imports the committee instructed negotiators to draw up a draft text for a comprehensive agreement.

  These four agreements, and the confirmation of those made in Montreal on such important issues as services, tariffs and dispute settlement, provide a firm basis for the negotiation of substantial strengthening and extension of liberal and multilateral rules for trade by the conclusion of the round around the end of 1990. The Government will continue to work with our European Community partners to ensure an effective outcome to the negotiations which reflects United Kingdom priorities.

  EC Committees (Chairmanship)
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many technical committees of the European Committee for Standardisation and of the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation are chaired by the United Kingdom, France and West Germany, respectively.

  Mr. Forth
  I am informed by BSI that the present position is as follows:

  United Kingdom

  France

  Germany

  CEN secretariats and chairmanships

  30

  25

  51

  CENELEC secretariats

  8

  9

  17

  CENELEC chairmanships

  9

  13

  5

  Hearing Aid Council Act
  Mrs. Rosie Barnes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations he has received concerning the reform of the Hearing Aid Council Act 1968.
  398
  Mr. Forth
  My Department received a large number of representations from bodies about the Hearing Aid Council (Amendment) Bill sponsored by the hon. Member for Ynys Môn (Mr. Jones). These bodies represent dispensers of hearing aids, consumers and those with specialised medical and audiological knowledge.

  Price Indication (Code of Practice)
  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, further to his answer of 20 March, to the hon. Member for Gateshead, East,Official Report, column 429, what is his estimate of the amount of time that will have to elapse before there is sufficient experience of the operation of the code of practice on price indication to enable an informed assessment on it to be made; and if he will make available in the Library the representations on the code which have been received since it came into operation on 1 March.

  Mr. Forth
  It would not be practicable to estimate when there will be sufficient experience of the operation of the code of practice for traders on price indications to enable an informed assessment of it to be made. However, as I said in my reply to the hon. Member on 20 March at column 249, I have suggested that a committee should be set up to monitor the operation of the legislation and the working of the code. It is important, however, that sufficient time should elapse to allow the effectiveness of part III of the Consumer Protection Act 1987 and the associated code of practice to be assessed before consideration is given to making any further changes.

  I have no plans to make available in the Library the representations which have been received on the code since it came into operation on 1 March.

  Arms Exports
  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what information he has on the volume of arms export business with Libya conducted by Lonrho or its subsidiary company, Tradewinds plc.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  [holding answer 7 April 1989]: It has been the practice of successive Governments not to comment on individual licensing matters. Licences are required for the export to all destinations, including Libya, of arms which are subject to control under the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1987 (SI 1987 No. 2070), as amended.

  Television Advertising
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the television advertising campaigns mounted by the Department of Trade and Industry in 1985–86, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1988–89 and those to be mounted in 1989–90 giving the cost or estimated cost in each case.

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 7 April 1989]: The details are as follows:

  1985–86 — None.

  1986–87 — None.

  1987–88 — Enterprise Initiative: £4·3 million. Single European Market: £0·3 million.

  1988–891— Enterprise Initiative: £6·1 million. Single European Market: £7·1 million.

  1Provisional.

  Allocations for 1989–90 have not been finalised.

  Publicity Campaigns
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will place in the Library details of each major publicity campaign mounted by the Department of Trade and Industry in 1985–86 and each succeeding year, including in each case the objects of the campaign, the intended audience and the outcome of the monitoring of the achievement of the intended objectives, together with a note of the intended objectives in the campaign to be mounted in 1989–90.

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 7 April 1989]: I shall arrange for the information requested to be placed in the Library as soon as possible.

ENVIRONMENT

  Waste
  Sir Trevor Skeet
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give the total volume per week of(a) domestic, (b) coal and (c) nuclear waste; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The amount of waste produced varies from week to week and year to year. The volume of waste produced may not be the same as that which is disposed of; some volumes may be reduced by compaction or incineration; others may be increased by solidification of liquids or stabilisation of reactive solids.

  Approximate figures for the volume of domestic, coal and nuclear waste are as follows:

  (a) Domestic (England and Wales)—120 million cu m per annum of loose waste or about 2,300,000 cu m per week (based on arisings of 18 million tonnes per annum and assuming a weight of 150 kgm per cu m).

  (b) Coal (British Coal deep mined: England, Scotland and Wales)—25 million cu m per annum of non toxic material which is not a controlled waste under the Control of Pollution Act 1974.

  (c) Nuclear (United Kingdom)—46,050 cu m per annum of waste conditioned for safe storage or disposal (of which 30 cu m is high-level waste, 1,920 cu m intermediate level waste, and 44,100 cu m low-level waste), or about 886 cu m per week.

  Hazardous Waste
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Copeland, 22 March,Official Report, column 651, he will make a statement about the recent United Nations environment programme conference in Basle on the international trade and regulation of hazardous and toxic wastes.

  Mr. Ridley
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 5 April.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will establish a national register of contaminated land sites.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  A Department of the Environment working party is currently examining the feasibility of compiling registers of contaminated land and their report is expected shortly. It would be unwise to pre-empt the recommendations of this working party.

  Kirkgate Market (Compulsory Purchase Order)
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to announce a decision in respect of(a) the City of Leeds (Kirkgate Market Area) Compulsory Purchase Order 1987 and (b) the City of Leeds (Kirkgate Market Area) Compulsory Purchase (No. 2) Order 1987, following the public inquiry held in April 1988.

  Mr. Ridley
  Decisions will be announced shortly.

  Water Industries (EC and US)
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to the structure of the water industry in other European Community states and in the United States of America and the level of investment and consumer charges in each of these countries.

  Mr. Howard
  I would refer the hon. Member to table 13C of the 1988 edition of the water authorities publication, "Waterfacts", a copy of which has been placed in the House of Commons Library. Further information, on a consistent basis is not available.

  Water Companies (Foreign Control)
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy towards the acquisition of United Kingdom statutory water companies by foreign-domiciled companies; and if he will list which foreign companies have acquired majority or controlling interests in which United Kingdom statutory water companies since 1 January 1988.

  Mr. Howard
  The following foreign companies have acquired controlling interests in United Kingdom statutory water companies since 1 January 1988:

  Foreign company

  Statutory water company

  Lyonnaise des Eaux

  East Anglian

  Essex

  Newcastle and Gateshead

  Sunderland and South Shields

  Generale des Eaux (through its subsidiary, General Utilities)

  Folkestone and District

  Lee Valley

  North Surrey

  Tendring Hundred

  SAUR

  Eastbourne

  Mid Southern

  Mid-Sussex

  West Kent

  We do not discriminate against foreign investment in the water industry. An important objective of privatisation is to enable English and Welsh water undertakers to compete with foreign companies in the world-wide market for water services. It would be contrary to our EC obligations to discriminate against investment by nationals of other member states.

  Mr. Gow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the percentage increases in water charges inforced by the statutory water companies since 1 January; which of these companies are French-owned; and which are owned by SAUR SA.
  401
  Mr. Howard
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave on 14 March to my hon. Friend the Member for Bedfordshire, South-West (Mr. Madel) and to the reply that I gave today to my right hon. Friend the Member for Tonbridge and Mailing (Sir J. Stanley).

  Clay Pigeon Shooting
  Mr. Colin Shepherd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what decision he has reached about the use of land for clay pigeon shooting without specific planning permission.

  Mr. Howard
  My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for the Environment and for Wales have considered carefully the responses to a consultation paper that we issued in December. They have concluded that the General Development Order 1988 should be amended to revert to 28 days permitted use of land for clay pigeon shooting. They propose to lay an amending order before the House today. In reaching their decision they have taken particular account of two arguments. First, the change from 28 to 14 days permitted use could result in less control and safety if shoots were to take place for 14 days on one piece of land and 14 days on another. Secondly, the Department has now concluded negotiations with the Clay Pigeon Shooting Association on a draft code of practice for clay pigeon shooting. This would apply to all clay pigeon shoots and would cover such matters as separation distances between shoots and noise sensitive premises, times of operation and sound reduction techniques. The draft code is now being issued for consultation. Subject to comments from consultees, when finalised it will be approved by my right hon. Friends under section 71 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974.

  Enterprise Zone (Sunderland)
  Mr. Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is now in a position to make an announcement about the designation of an enterprise zone for Sunderland.

  Mr. Trippier
  Statutory invitations under the terms of schedule 32 of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980, were issued today to Tyne and Wear Development Corporation and Sunderland borough council to prepare schemes with a view to designation as an enterprise zone of some 150 acres of land at Southwick Shipyard, Hylton Riverside, Castletown and Doxford Park. It is intended that the enterprise zone will last for 10 years from its designation. Copies of the invitations and maps showing the land specified are being placed in the Library of the House. The statutory procedures of consultation and then the hearing of representations will begin shortly.

  Public Bodies (Appointments)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration he gives to the possible conflict of interests when making appointments to public bodies responsible to his Department.

  Mr. Ridley
  [holding answer 7 April 1989]: The question of possible conflicts of interest is always considered when appointments are being made. The Department generally follows the guidance for dealing with conflicts of interest
  402
  on the part of board members set out in the HMSO publication "Non Departmental Public Bodies—A Guide for Departments".

  Planning Decisions
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce a decision in respect of(a) the Hythe (Kent) marina and (b) the implementation of the revocation procedure in respect of the irregular granting of ancient monument consent for the destruction of the eastern end of the Royal military canal.

  Mr. Ridley
  [holding answer 6 April 1989]: I hope to write to the parties about these matters soon.

  River Teign (Pollution)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what representations he has received about the level of sewage pumped into the River Teign; and what response he has made;

  (2) what information he has on the level of untreated and partly treated sewage pumped into the River Teign;

  (3) what steps he is taking to ensure that the River Teign is protected from pollution by sewage.

  Mr. Moynihan
  [holding answer 6 April 1989]: Information is not held by the Department in a form which would allow the identification of discharges in any particular area. Details of all consents granted a water authority are, however, held on the register maintained by the water authority which may be inspected free of charge at all reasonable hours.

  The only representations that my right hon. Friend has received concerning sewage disposal to the River Teign were submitted in response to the statutory advertising of a discharge consent application made by the South West water authority under the Control of Pollution Act 1974 for the repositioning of the sewage outfall at Shaldon occasioned by the blockage of the existing one by shifting sand. Consent was granted to this discharge on 29 November 1988.

  The only discharges of untreated sewage to inland waters are from storm and emergency overflows. By definition, the operation of these is intermittent and thus conditions imposed reflect this and prescribe when a discharge may take place.

  Many existing discharges to estuarial waters are of crude sewage or screened or macerated sewage and are of long standing. These discharges have deemed consent. It is the Department's intention that each should be reviewed by 1992 and where necessary, alternative arrangements considered.

  Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution issued guidelines on the environmental conditions new long sea outfalls should be designed to achieve. Copies of these guidelines have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Boundary Commission
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list any requests made to him for county council boundary reviews that involve the abolition of any county councils, other than Humberside; and if he will state his criteria for instructing the Local Government Boundary Commission to consider the abolition of any county councils as part of their reviews.
  403
  Mr. Ridley
  [holding answer 4 April 1989]: Since the Local Government Boundary Commission for England has a statutory duty to consider the abolition of counties when carrying out its periodic review of county boundaries, I do not keep records of any requests that I receive for this to be done and I do not have criteria for instructing it to consider that question.

  It was in view of the scale and strength of the representations that I received on the report of the Boundary Commission in which it concluded that, on the guidelines that it had been given, it could not recommend major change in the case of Humberside, that I decided to direct it to carry out a further review of that county without the limitation that it should propose the abolition of a principal area only where present arrangements clearly fail to provide effective and convenient local government.

  Rating Reform
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give details of(a) the responses he has had to his request to charging authorities for a progress report on implementing the community charge, (b) when he proposes to publish the responses to his Department's request for a progress report from local authorities on implementing the community charge, (c) whether the Department of Environment has any plans to undertake further surveys of local authorities in connection with implementation of the community charge, and (d) whether any future surveys of local authorities will ask them for information concerning the costs incurred by them in implementing the community charge.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 4 April 1989]: I have today placed in the Library a summary of progress on the implementation of the community charge. It is based on the responses from chief finance officers to the letter sent to them on 21 December 1988.

  The survey reveals an encouraging picture overall. All of the 90 per cent. of authorities which have responded to the letter so far have made plans for the implementation of the community charge, and the majority of these appear to be making good progress with their arrangements.

  I intend to issue a detailed questionnaire to all charging authorities later this month. The main purpose will be to obtain details of the implementation programme for each authority. I do not intend that this questionnaire should seek information about the cost of implementation.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people are currently registered homeless in(a) Warrington, (b) Macclesfield, (c) Congleton, (d) Crewe and Nantwich, (e) Vale Royal and (f) Staffordshire, Moorlands; and how many people were registered homeless in March 1979 in the same districts.

  Mr. Trippier
  [holding answer 4 April 1989]: The numbers of households accepted as homeless by each English local authority under the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977 in the first six months of 1979 appear in table A of "Homeless households reported by local authorities in England: Statistics for first half of 1979."

  Latest estimates appear in table 7 of the regular quarterly publication "Local authorities' action under the
  404
  homelessness provisions of the 1985 Housing Act: England. Results for the fourth quarter of 1988. Supplementary Tables."

  All these publications are available in the Library.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each year since its establishment the planned housing developments(a) the Wirral side and (b) the Liverpool side of the Merseyside development corporation area; and what progress has been made on the completion of these plans.

  Mr. Trippier
  [holding answer 4 April 1989]: Since the MDC was established in 1981, the corporation has intended that land would be made available for housing in its designated area. No figures were put on the annual number of dwellings planned and the following information records those completed or under construction in the period up to 1988–89. From 1989 to 1994 land zoned for housing development will provide for approximately 1330 dwellings in the MDC area (1,237 in Liverpool and 97 in Wirral). These will be provided by the private sector and housing associations, mainly on land reclaimed and serviced by the MDC.

  Dwellings Completed or Under Construction

  Liverpool

  Wirral

  1981–84

  8

  Nil

  1984–85

  100

  Nil

  1985–86

  19

  Nil

  1986–87

  32

  120

  1987–88

  11

  Nil

  1988–89

  305

  Nil

  1 A 20-bed single persons hostel was opened in December 1986.

  Docklands
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Newham North East of 16 March,Official Report, column 315, if he will list the several employment and training co-ordinating groups which have been set up in docklands; and if he will list their membership.

  Mr. Trippier
  The co-ordinating groups which have been set up are listed below, together with the organisations which attend. In addition there are regular contacts at working level.

  Joint LDDC/Bishop of Stepney Docklands Wide Group:

  —Bishop of Stepney, the Roman Catholic Bishop of East London, East London Church Leaders Group, LDDC, ILEA, LB Tower Hamlets, LB Southwark, LB Newham, Department of Employment (Training Agency, Employment Service and Docklands Liaison Group), Department of the Environment, LENTA, Docklands Forum, Skillnet.

  Tower Hamlets Education Employment and Training Co-ordination Group:

  —LB Tower Hamlets, LDDC, Department of Employment, Department of the Environment, Department of Education and Science, ILEA, New Start, Olympia and York, CITB.

  Southwark Employment and Training Co-ordination Group:

  —LB Southwark, LDDC, Department of Employment, Department of the Environment, North Peckham Task Force.

  LDDC has offered to set up similar new arrangements in

  405
  Newham.

  For the time being LDDC and the borough are continuing to liaise closely through existing arrangements.

  Industrial Pollution Control
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, what responses he has received to his consultation document on a new system of industrial pollution control for industry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [pursuant to her reply 28 February, Official Report, c. 110]: Our proposals for controlling inputs of the most dangerous substances to water—the "Red List"—were published last July. We have received responses from 80 organisations and individuals. A list of these has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. There was very widespread support for our proposals and it is now our intention to implement them. This will provide the regulatory framework for cleaning up our rivers, and for meeting our international obligations including those on cleaning up the North sea. It puts us in the forefront of developments in Europe in this area.

  Comments were sought and received on a number of points of detail, and these have been taken into account in reaching conclusions.

  We announced on 28 February (Official Report, column 110) our intention to proceed with the proposal that discharges from prescribed processes should be controlled by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution (HMIP) under the proposed new arrangements for integrated pollution control. Such discharges would be subject to a requirement, to be introduced progressively for existing plant, that the process should be operated according to the best available technology not entailing excessive costs with a view to minimising discharges of the most dangerous substances. However, discharge consents would also have to ensure that strict environmental quality standards were met and maintained in the receiving waters, and the proposed National Rivers Authority would have to be satisfied that this was the case before consent could be granted by HMIP.

  An important part of our proposals, welcomed by many respondents, was the establishment of a priority "Red List" of dangerous substances. As a result of consultation and of some new and corrected data received, we have slightly amended the provisional "Red List" set out in the consultation paper. The initial priority "Red List" will comprise the following substances:

  Substance

  CAS number

  Mercury and its compounds

  Cadmium and its compounds

  Gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane

  00058–89–9

  DDT

  00050–29–3

  Pentachlorophenol

  00087–86–5

  Hexachlorobenzene

  00118–74–1

  Hexachlorobutadiene

  00087–68–3

  Aldrin

  003090–00–2

  Dieldrin

  00060–57–1

  Endrin

  00072–20–8

  Polychlorinated Biphenyls

  01336–36–3

  Dichlorvos

  00062–73–7

  1,2-Dichloroethane

  00107–06–2

  Trichlorobenzene

  12002–48–1

  Altrazine

  01912–24–9

  Simazine

  00122–34–9

  Tributyltin compounds

  Triphenyltin compounds

  406

  Substance

  CAS number

  Trifluralin

  001582–09–8

  Fenitrothion

  00122–14–5

  Azinphos-methyl

  00086—50–0

  Malathion

  00121–75–5

  Endosulfan

  00115–29–7

  Further substances may be added to the list from time to time where there are sound scientific reasons for doing so. These will be identified broadly along the lines set down in the annex to the consultation paper. The selection scheme is being further developed and modified in the light of the comments received. Candidates substances identified by the scheme will be subject to a second-stage assessment, taking particular account of the risk posed for the aquatic environment, and to consultation before addition to the list.

  Many respondents confirmed the view expressed in the consultation paper that diffuse sources constitute an important input for many dangerous substances and that these merit greater attention. In the light of comments received we remain of the view that existing powers and arrangements for controlling the supply, use and disposal of substances should be sufficient to deal with any potential pollution problem from diffuse sources, but this position will remain under review. In the meantime, we have initiated more widespread environmental monitoring for priority substances and will consider the need for specific action where this proves necessary case by case.

  The consultation document also referred to earlier proposals issued by my Department for controlling discharges to sewer of the most dangerous substances after privatisation of the water authorities. There we have concluded that the Secretary of State, advised by HMIP, should authorise the discharge of these substances to sewer. However, dischargers need only make a single application to the sewage undertaker, who will refer any aspects involving dangerous substances to the Secretary of State. These arrangements are reflected in the Water Bill currently before Parliament, and regulations would be made under proposed powers in that Bill to prescribe the substances or processes to which they would apply.

  The full application of technology-based emission standards to discharges from prescribed processes under a system of integrated pollution control will require new legislation, which will be introduced at the earliest opportunity. However, provisions included in the Water Bill currently before Parliament would enable such controls to be introduced before then on an interim basis. We will make further announcements about this in due course.

  In the meantime the Department, together with the Welsh Office, has today issued a circular (DOE circular 7/89, Welsh Office circular 16/89) revising and extending existing guidance on the implementation of EC Directives concerning the discharge of dangerous substances into the aquatic environment. The circular includes environmental quality standards for a number of new list I and list II dangerous substances.

TRANSPORT

  Double Decker Buses
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many new double decker buses London Regional Transport has bought in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Portillo
  That is a matter for London Regional Transport's operating subsidiary, London Buses Ltd.

  London Regional Transport
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the salaries and expenses of the board members of London Regional Transport.

  Mr. Portillo
  Current annual salaries of the board members of London Regional Transport are as follows:

  Salary

  Time Commitment

  £

  Chairman

  Mr. Wilfrid Newton

  80,000

  Full time

  Full-lime Members

  Mr. John Telford-Beasley

  60,000

  Full time

  Mr. Michael Marsh

  60,000

  Full time

  Part-time Members

  Sir Neil Shields

  18,900

  2 days per week

  Mr. Oscar Roith

  9,450

  1 day per week

  Mr. Keith Brown

  5,775

  half day per week

  Dr. Stephen Glaister

  5,775

  half day per week

  Mrs. Helen Robinson

  5,775

  half day per week

  Miss Patricia Steel

  5,775

  half day per week

  Mr. Roy Thomas

  5,775

  half day per week

  Members' expenses are a matter for London Regional Transport.

  Dial-a-Ride
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much each local transport authority spent on its dial-a-ride services in 1987 and 1988; and what was the average number of journeys for each authority.

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

  Unleaded Petrol
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will consider making conversion of an engine to run on unleaded petrol compulsory as part of the MOT test.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Where cars are convertible we are encouraging owners to have this done right away. There are now significant tax advantages. From October 1990 all new petrol engined vehicles must be capable of running on unleaded petrol.

  Legislation leaves the choice with owners so compulsion would be impracticable. Some cars—especially older ones—cannot be converted to unleaded running.

  Road Tax Offences
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many motorists have been charged with driving without a road fund tax following the recent campaigns by his Department.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The 20 vehicle excise duty enforcement campaigns run by the Department in conjunction with police forces in England and Scotland during 1988 resulted in 12,000 motorists being reported for not having a valid tax disc.

  Some 8,000 of these have already been prosecuted and many more cases will be dealt with by the courts in the coming months.

  Accident Statistics
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road traffic accidents in(a) Suffolk, (b) Norfolk and (c) England were attributed to (i) roads requiring remedial works, (ii) alcohol, (iii) criminal driving and (iv) others in the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The STATS 19 return made to the Department of Transport does not record the causes of road accidents; it is therefore not possible to provide information on the number of accidents attributable to a particular factor.

  Information is available on the number of accidents in which a driver or rider failed a breath test, and this is shown in the table, along with the total number of accidents for 1987, the latest year for which these figures are available.

  Total accidents and those in which a driver or rider failed the breath test Norfolk, Suffolk, England—1987

  Failed breath test

  Total

  Norfolk

  155

  3,403

  Suffolk

  136

  2,715

  Rest of England

  9,041

  203,788

  England

  9,332

  209,906

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what were the total fatalities in motor vehicle accidents in(a) Suffolk, (b) Norfolk and (c) England every year from 1979 to the most recent year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The figures are as follows:

  Fatalities in motor vehicle and road accidents in Norfolk, Suffolk and England from 1979 to 1987

  Number of fatalities

  Norfolk

  Suffolk

  Rest of England

  England

  1979

  97

  76

  4,630

  4,803

  1980

  72

  72

  4,465

  4,609

  1981

  81

  63

  4,360

  4,504

  1982

  79

  60

  4,416

  4,555

  1983

  74

  58

  4,099

  4,231

  1984

  99

  71

  4,208

  4,378

  1985

  75

  67

  3,856

  3,998

  1986

  85

  53

  4,006

  4,144

  1987

  88

  58

  3,835

  3,981

  Noise Standards
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what is the policy of his Department with regard to acceptable noise standards in areas adjacent to major new rail and road projects; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) whether he will accept the noise standard of 65 dba for compensation purposes for the Docklands Railway Extension Bill; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  Noise insulation standards for new road schemes are laid down in the Noise Insulation Regulations 1975, made under part II of the Land Compensation Act 1973. Because major new rail schemes have been comparatively rare, no regulations have ever been made laying down noise insulation standards for such schemes. However. I am now setting in hand the work necessary to establish a national noise insulation standard for new railway construction. The objective will be to establish the standard at a level which equitably relates to the standard set by regulation for new highways.

  In connection with their proposal for a new rail link to the Channel tunnel, British Rail is offering to provide noise insulation on a similar basis to the scheme which operates in respect of new roads if noise resulting from the new link exceeds 70 dB(A) on the 24 hour Leq noise index. BR consider, on the basis of advice from independent experts, that this level is equivalent to the level at which insulation is provided for properties affected by new road schemes. LRT have also taken independent expert advice and share this view.

  Before promulgating any national standards for railway noise, the Government would wish to take its own independent view, and consult other interested parties on the appropriate standard to be adopted. We are therefore not yet in a position to take a view on the appropriateness of any particular noise standard, including that now proposed for the Docklands railway extension.

  Seat Belts
  Mr. McCrindle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has received any representations concerning exemption of children from the Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Rear Seat Belts by Children) Act 1988, where the available seat belts are being used by adult passengers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Responses so far favour exempting children where the available seat belts are being used by adults.

  This issue is discussed in our consultation document, "Rear Seat Belt Wearing by Children". Comments are invited by 2 May.

  Where belts exist they should be used, either by children or adults. Seat belt wearing saves lives.

  No responsible parent should wait for the law before properly restraining their children in the car.

  Taxis
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will consider, as part of his review of the operation of taxi services, the abolition of the power of local authorities to restrict the number of taxis which might be operated in their area.

  Mr. Portillo
  Yes.

  Railways (Privatisation)
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has as to the number of private national railways operated in different parts of the world and moves being made by national Governments to privatise existing state-owned railway networks; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  I am aware of privately owned railways in the United States of America and Canada, and of the privatisation process in Japan. These and other relevant international comparisons will be taken into account in our consideration of the case for privatising British Rail.

  Pollution (Alaska)
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assistance the marine pollution control unit is offering the authorities in Alaska; if he will list the United Kingdom equipment available to assist in cleaning up this disaster; if the Frogmat has been brought to the Alaskan authorities' attention; and if he will make a statement on the use of dispersants.

  Mr. Portillo
  The marine pollution control unit's resources exist to deal with oil spills around United Kingdom coasts. Some of these can be offered to assist neighbouring European states under an agreement for co-operation in dealing with pollution of the North sea by oil (the Bonn agreement). Assistance is not normally offered to an authority as far away as Alaska since to do so would reduce unacceptably our ability to respond to any incident at home. Any request for assistance from the Alaskan authorities would nevertheless by sympathetically considered. The United Kingdom developer of Frogmat has advised the marine pollution control unit that he has brought his product to the attention of the Alaskan authorities. The use of dispersants for dealing with oil spills is a well proved method, but their effectiveness depends on the type of oil, how quickly they can be applied, and the weather conditions.

  Channel Tunnel (Irish Link)
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what decision has been made by the Irish and British Governments, on a Belfast-Dublin-Dun Laoghaire-Holy-head link to the Channel tunnel; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  The planning of rail services in the United Kingdom is the responsiility of British Rail and Northern Ireland railways. Under section 40 of the Channel Tunnel Act 1987, British Rail is required to publish a plan by the end of 1989 setting out its proposals for Channel tunnel rail services serving various parts of the United Kingdom. It has not yet completed the regional consultations which it is undertaking in preparation for this plan.

  Thermal Neutron Analysis Machines
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider the encouragement of research and experimentation into thermal neutron analysis machines to detect Semtex.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  As explained to the hon. Member for St. Helens, South (Mr. Bermingham) on 8 March at
  411
  column 538, research and development work on this technique is being funded by a commercial organisation in the private sector under a contract with the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority's Harwell laboratory.

  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has assessed the efficiency of the recently produced thermal neutron analysis machines; whether he intends to introduce them at British airports; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  I refer to my reply to the question by the hon. Member for St. Helens, South (Mr. Bermingham) on 27 February at columns 55–6.

  Settle-Carlisle Railway
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with British Rail about the surcharging of charter trains using the Settle-Carlisle railway line; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  Decisions on the level of fares and charges are entirely a matter for BR's commercial judgment.

  New Drivers
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the Transport and Road Research 412
  Laboratory's current study into the performance and behaviour of new drivers will also include research into the experience of other countries including Australia.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The current study is confined to United Kingdom drivers.

  A specific study of new driver experience in other countries is not included in TRRL's research programme. We do keep in touch with relevant overseas research.

  A423 (Compulsory Purchases)
  Dr. Glyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the necessary compulsory purchases will be completed in relation to the A423 west of Maidenhead-Oxford trunk road (Maidenhead Thicket-Burchetts Green section) and work on the road able to commence.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Most of the land required for this scheme is covered by made compulsory purchase orders. An order for the remaining small area will be made shortly. Advance works for cable diversions at Maidenhead Thicket are in progress. The road works are programmed to start in the summer of next year.

  Public Service Obligation
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the PSO grant cash ceiling will be for 1989–90.

  Mr. Portillo
  The cash ceiling on PSO grant for 1989–90 will be £496 million.

  WRNS: RANKS
  WRNS: RANKS
  GATT NEGOTIATIONS
  GATT NEGOTIATIONS
  TAKE-OVER BIDS: COMPETITION POLICY
  TAKE-OVER BIDS: COMPETITION POLICY
  MILK MARKETING BOARDS
  MILK MARKETING BOARDS
  COVENT GARDEN: CAR PARK PROPOSAL
  COVENT GARDEN: CAR PARK PROPOSAL
  NEW PRISONS
  NEW PRISONS
  DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES IN WATER: CONTROL
  DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES IN WATER: CONTROL
  CLAY PIGEON SHOOTING
  CLAY PIGEON SHOOTING