Written Answers of 12 April 1989

NATIONAL FINANCE

  MEPs
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what payments are made to European Members of Parliament for(a) salary, (b) office, research and secretarial allowances, (c) daily allowances for attending meetings on parliamentary business and (d) allowance per mile for travel on parliamentary business, expressed in (i) pounds sterling and (ii) European currency units.

  Mr. Brooke
  The European Assembly (Pay and Pensions) Act 1979 stipulates that salary payable to United Kingdom Members of the European Parliament shall be the same as a member of this Parliament's ordinary salary (currently £24,107) except that, where an MEP is also a member of this Parliament, he or she will receive only one third of that salary in addition to his or her Member of Parliament's salary. The Act also stipulates that the salary be paid into a United Kingdom bank account in sterling.

  The European Parliament has laid down a number of allowances for its Members to defray the expenses which they incur in the performance of their parliamentary duties. These allowances are as follows at 1 January 1989 (sterling rates are approximate and will vary with exchange rate fluctuations; the rates used here are based on the average for 1988: £1·0 = ecu 1·51):

  (1) General Expenditure Allowances

  Ecu 2,246 per month (£ sterling 1,487). This allowance is intended to defray, for example, Members' expenses on office management costs, telephone, postage and travel within their member state. In respect of Members who, for no valid reason, have failed to attend half the number of plenary sittings, the allowance is halved.

  (2) Secretarial-Assistance Allowance

  Up to ecu 3,635 (£ sterling 2,407) per month. This allowance is intended to defray the expenses arising from the employment or the engagement of the services of one or more assistants. It is paid only upon production of supporting contracts.

  (3) Subsistence Allowance

  The daily allowances are:

  (a) For travel within the Community 156 ecu (£ sterling 103).

  (b) For travel outside the Community 78 ecu (£ sterling 52).

  (4) Travel Allowance

  (a) For official travel within the Community:

  0·6 ecu (40 pence) per km (1 km = 0·62 miles) for the first 400 km of both inward and outward journeys;

  and

  0·32 ecu (21 pence) per km thereafter.

  (b) For official travel outside the Community:

  return air fare by the most direct route on presentation of the ticket, plus a lump sum travel allowance (as at (a) above) in respect of the journey between the point of departure and the nearest international airport.

  Children
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in work and responsible for children will have earnings below the tax threshold in the current year.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  In 1989–90, it is estimated that some 1·8 million people in work (including part-time workers and self-employed) with children earn less than the weekly equivalent of the personal allowance to which they are entitled. Of these, 1·4 million are married women. This suggests that there are 400,000 tax units with children, where the head of the household is in work and has earnings below the tax threshold.

  These estimates are based on projections to 1989–90 of weekly earnings recorded in the 1986 family expenditure survey.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tax-paying units in the current year will contain children; and how many will be(a) married couples with the wife earning and (b) single-parent families with earned income.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  In 1989–90, it is estimated that there are some 5·3 million taxpaying tax units with children. Of these 3·4 million are married couples where the wife has earned income and 0·3 million are working single-parent families. These estimates are based on projections of data collected in the 1986–87 survey of personal incomes and 1986 family expenditure survey.

  Retirement Pensions (Tax)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the percentage of income tax revenue received from income tax paid on retirement pensions.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave the hon. Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell) on 14 November 1988 at column 525.

  Age Allowance
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many people will benefit by the extension of the higher rate of age allowance to those aged 75 and over;

  (2) if he will estimate the number of people who will benefit from the extension of the higher age allowance to those aged 75 and over in (a) the Brighton travel-to-work area, (b) the parliamentary constituency of Brighton, Kemptown and (c) the parliamentary constituency of Brighton, Pavilion.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  It is estimated that in 1989–90 about 400,000 single people and married couples, will benefit from the proposed extension of the higher level of age allowance to those aged 75 and over. Estimates are based on a projection of the 1986–87 survey of personal incomes and are provisional. I regret that corresponding information for Brighton and the surrounding area is not available.

  Scottish Grand Committee
  Mr. Steel
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the cost to public funds of the visit of a Lords
  521
  Commissioner of Her Majesty's Treasury, the hon. Member for Penrith and the Border (Mr. Maclean) to the meeting of the Scottish Grand Committee in Edinburgh on Monday 20 March; and from which vote the expense was met.

  Mr. Lawson
  [holding answer 4 April 1989]: I understand that the visit in question was made in connection with ministerial business. Consequently, the cost will be borne on the Cabinet Office (OMCS) Vote. Details of the cost of the visit are not yet available.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Medical Research Council
  Mr. Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much of the Medical Research Council's 1988–89 and 1989–90 budgets were committed to research on(a) mental health and (b) schizophrenia; and what percentages these figures represent of the total budgets.

  Mr. Jackson
  The most recent information available is for 1987–88, and I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave to him on 28 November at column 82–83.

  Polytechnics
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his Department's policy on the re-location of existing polytechnics from Inner London.

  Mr. Jackson
  It is for the institutions in the first instance, in collaboration with the Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council, to consider whether relocation would assist them in meeting their aims and objectives, and help secure more effective and economical provision of higher education in London, the south-east region and nationally. The PCFC is responsible for the effective investment in higher education of the substantial sums of public money available to the sector, and the Government look to the council to help secure, through its arrangements for the allocation of grant to institutions, higher education which meets the needs of students both regionally and nationally.

  Dyslexia
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many specialist teachers are provided for dyslexic children by Liverpool local education authority; what is the number per thousand pupils; what are the comparable figures in other local education authorities in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Butcher
  This information is not collected by the Department.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if his Department has recommended that local education authorities provide a minimum standard of specialist teaching for dyslexic children; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will make a statement on the provision of specialist teaching for dyslexic children.

  Mr. Butcher
  Under the 1981 Education Act, local education authorities are required to identify children with 522
  special educational needs and to make appropriate educational provision for them. In the exercise of these statutory duties, it is for individual local education authorities to decide on the level of employment of teachers and their deployment.

  National Union of Students
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many responses he has received concerning his inquiry into the status of the National Union of Students; what was the balance of opinion in these responses; and if he will list the organisations and institutions that have responded, and place their responses in the Library.

  Mr. Jackson
  My Department has conducted a survey on student unions and their links with the National Union of Students. Factual information was sought and received from 70 institutions of further and higher education. In addition, since the announcement of the survey in April 1988, we have received 109 separate representations about the National Union of Students, either in correspondence from the general public or forwarded by hon. Members on behalf of their constituents. Of these, 66 (60·6 per cent.) were in favour of a change in the status of the National Union of Students, 43 (39·4 per cent.) against.

  As I explained to my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Mr. Amess) on 10 June 1988 at column 691, I do not consider it appropriate to deposit such correspondence in the Library.

  Academics (Earnings)
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science, pursuant to his reply of 4 April,Official Report, column 7, what evidence he has that the earnings of academics have increased in the same way as the earnings of other people.

  Mr. Jackson
  The Department does not collect information about the levels of non-pay earnings among academics.

  Parent Registers
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list all those organisations who are to be allowed access to the parent registers presently being compiled by local education authorities; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  There is no legal requirement for local education authorities to compile parent registers. Access by local education authorities to school admission registers is governed by section 80 of the Education Act 1944 and the Pupils Registration Regulations 1956, as amended, which limit access to authorised officers and for the purposes of the Education Acts. Legislation and regulations on the community charge require local education authorities to supply information about individuals to community charge registration officers only where it is within their possession or control.

  National Curriculum
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science on what date his Department's document "National Curriculum: From Policy to Practice" was made available to schools in England.
  523
  Mrs. Rumbold
  "From Policy to Practice" was published on 23 February and copies were sent directly to maintained schools in England during the first week in March.

  Expenditure
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has as to the proportion of gross domestic product in 1975, 1979, 1983, and the latest available year which was represented by public expenditure on(a) schools for ages 5 to 16 years; (b) pre-five education; (c) further education and training; (d) higher education by each of the countries of the European Community, other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries, Korea, Taiwan and Singapore, on the best available and most comparable data.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  Some relevant data are given in the "UNESCO Statistical Yearbook" for 1988, tables 4.1 and 4.3 (pages 4.5 to 4.22 and 4.44 to 4.55). A copy is in the Library. Some care is needed in interpreting the figures, because countries have differing procedures for allocating expenditure between the various levels of education, and these procedures may have changed over the years.

  Teacher Training
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the total cost in 1988–89 of (i) initial teacher training and (ii) in-service training, of teachers.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  Funding for higher education institutions is not allocated according to subject. However, an estimated £145 million, including fees, was made available to institutions in England and Wales for initial teacher training in the financial year 1988–89. It will be for institutions to decide on how they spend the resources at their disposal. In addition, the total cost of the maintenance element of mandatory awards in respect of students on initial teacher training courses is estimated at around £49 million. In the same year, local education authorities in England planned to spend £290 million on in-service training for teachers and others employed in the education service.

  Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if his Department has conducted any research into(a)the cause and (b) the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus.

  Mr. Jackson
  The Medical Research Council, which receives its grant-in-aid from this Department, is the main agency through which the Government support medical research. It is funding research into the cause of systemic lupus erythematosus at its clinical research centre and at the clinical science laboratory of Guy's medical school. Other relevant research may also be supported by university medical schools from their general funding.

  Higher Education (Access)
  Mr. Greg Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps the Government are taking to widen access to higher education; and if he will make a statement.
  524
  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  Access courses provide an important means of increasing the participation in higher education of mature students without the traditional qualifications for entry to degree courses. My Department has encouraged the Council for National Academic Awards and the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals to devise a national framework for the recognition of such courses, and a steering committee was established to oversee this work. That committee has now proposed a transbinary framework to be administered by a central body which will invite higher education institutions and consortia validating access courses to apply for a franchise through which their courses will acquire a kitemark' of national recognition. I have written to the chairman of the CNAA, Sir Bryan Nicholson, and to the chairman of the CVCP, Sir Mark Richmond, to invite the CNAA and CVCP jointly to administer the recognition scheme on behalf of both the universities and the polytechnics and colleges. The establishment of a national framework marks an important step towards improving access opportunities for mature students.

  Nursery and Primary Education
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many nursery school places have been available in each local authority for each of the last 10 years both as a total number and as a percentage of all three and four-year-olds.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  [holding answer 23 March 1989]: Information on nursery school places is not collected centrally. The number of pupils under five in maintained nursery schools and the percentage of the estimated three and four-year-old population in January of each year from 1979 to 1988 in each local education authority in England is given in the table. The figures do not include pupils in nursery classes in primary schools.

  Number of pupils under five in maintained nursery schools January each year

  1979

  pupils

  percentage of estimated population aged 3 and 4

  Barking

  0

  0

  Barnet

  426

  6·4

  Bexley

  175

  3·3

  Brent

  282

  4·7

  Bromley

  0

  0

  Croydon

  316

  4·2

  Ealing

  438

  6·3

  Enfield

  0

  0

  Haringey

  247

  4·9

  Harrow

  92

  1·9

  Havering

  0

  0

  Hillingdon

  80

  1·5

  Hounslow

  0

  0

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  233

  7·9

  Merton

  399

  11·1

  Newham

  1,074

  18·1

  Redbridge

  0

  0

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  50

  1·5

  Sutton

  220

  5·7

  Waltham Forest

  433

  7·9

  ILEA

  3,876

  8·0

  Birmingham

  2,122

  8·4

  Coventry

  274

  3·4

  Dudley

  562

  7·5

  Sandwell

  223

  2·9

  Solihull

  0

  0

  525

  1979

  pupils

  percentage of estimated population aged 3 and 4

  Walsall

  893

  13·0

  Wolverhampton

  842

  12·6

  Knowsley

  0

  0

  Liverpool

  591

  5·0

  St. Helens

  63

  1·2

  Sefton

  291

  4·1

  Wirral

  251

  2·9

  Bolton

  566

  8·0

  Bury

  138

  2·9

  Manchester

  383

  3·7

  Oldham

  182

  3·1

  Rochdale

  812

  13·9

  Salford

  582

  9·9

  Stockport

  667

  9·1

  Tameside

  307

  5·4

  Trafford

  76

  1·4

  Wigan

  247

  2·8

  Barnsley

  320

  5·7

  Doncaster

  0

  0

  Rotherham

  362

  5·4

  Sheffield

  658

  5·6

  Bradford

  670

  5·3

  Calderdale

  73

  1·5

  Kirklees

  883

  8·8

  Leeds

  284

  1·6

  Wakefield

  503

  6·4

  Gateshead

  121

  2·4

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  533

  8·7

  North Tyneside

  239

  5·2

  South Tyneside

  817

  22·3

  Sunderland

  786

  10·1

  Avon

  1,425

  6·7

  Bedfordshire

  1,192

  8·4

  Berkshire

  1,661

  9·4

  Buckinghamshire

  498

  3·3

  Cambridgeshire

  735

  4·8

  Cheshire

  655

  2·8

  Cleveland

  659

  4·3

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  98

  1·0

  Cumbria

  658

  5·8

  Derbyshire

  975

  4·4

  Devon

  91

  0·4

  Dorset

  0

  0

  Durham

  2,034

  13·9

  East Sussex

  245

  2·0

  Essex

  247

  0·6

  Gloucestershire

  0

  0

  Hampshire

  240

  0·7

  Hereford and Worcester

  40

  0·2

  Hertfordshire

  1,734

  7·4

  Humberside

  926

  4·2

  Isle of Wight

  0

  0

  Kent

  84

  0·2

  Lancashire

  3,010

  8·9

  Leicestershire

  48

  0·2

  Lincolnshire

  319

  2·3

  Norfolk

  340

  2·0

  North Yorkshire

  282

  1·9

  Northamptonshire

  547

  3·8

  Northumberland

  140

  1·9

  Nottinghamshire

  465

  1·9

  Oxfordshire

  780

  6·0

  Shropshire

  220

  2·2

  Somerset

  77

  0·8

  Staffordshire

  1,839

  7·0

  Suffolk

  122

  0·8

  Surrey

  483

  2·1

  Warwickshire

  578

  4·8

  West Sussex

  368

  2·6

  Wiltshire

  0

  0

  England

  48,477

  4·3

  526

  1980

  pupils

  percentage of estimated population aged 3 and 4

  Barking

  0

  0

  Barnet

  428

  6·6

  Bexley

  175

  3·4

  Brent

  246

  4·2

  Bromley

  0

  0

  Croydon

  334

  4·6

  Ealing

  458

  6·7

  Enfield

  0

  0

  Haringey

  227

  4·7

  Harrow

  50

  1·1

  Havering

  0

  0

  Hillingdon

  80

  1·5

  Hounslow

  0

  0

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  234

  8·1

  Merton

  208

  5·9

  Newham

  1,062

  18·6

  Redbridge

  0

  0

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  58

  1·9

  Sutton

  228

  6·2

  Waltham Forest

  438

  8·3

  ILEA

  3,808

  8·1

  Birmingham

  2,086

  8·5

  Coventry

  244

  3·2

  Dudley

  537

  7·6

  Sandwell

  213

  2·9

  Solihull

  0

  0

  Walsall

  883

  13·6

  Wolverhampton

  832

  13·0

  Knowsley

  0

  0

  Liverpool

  558

  4·9

  St. Helens

  74

  1·5

  Sefton

  298

  4·4

  Wirral

  252

  3·1

  Bolton

  582

  8·7

  Bury

  134

  3·0

  Manchester

  387

  3·9

  Oldham

  181

  3·2

  Rochdale

  840

  14·7

  Salford

  687

  12·5

  Stockport

  660

  9·4

  Tameside

  295

  5·6

  Trafford

  75

  1·5

  Wigan

  247

  3·0

  Barnsley

  326

  6·2

  Doncaster

  0

  0

  Rotherham

  372

  5·8

  Sheffield

  665

  6·0

  Bradford

  672

  5·4

  Calderdale

  77

  1·7

  Kirklees

  879

  9·2

  Leeds

  268

  1·6

  Wakefield

  537

  7·2

  Gateshead

  124

  2·6

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  579

  9·7

  North Tyneside

  231

  5·4

  South Tyneside

  882

  25·2

  Sunderland

  734

  9·8

  Avon

  1,428

  6·9

  Bedfordshire

  1,258

  9·2

  Berkshire

  1,693

  9·8

  Buckinghamshire

  477

  3·2

  Cambridgeshire

  711

  4·8

  Cheshire

  670

  3·0

  Cleveland

  701

  4·7

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  98

  1·0

  Cumbria

  666

  6·2

  Derbyshire

  1,028

  4·8

  Devon

  91

  0·5

  Dorset

  0

  0

  Durham

  2,054

  14·6

  East Sussex

  254

  2·1

  Essex

  246

  0·7

  Gloucestershire

  0

  0

  Hampshire

  256

  0·7

  527

  1980

  pupils

  percentage of estimated population aged 3 and 4

  Hereford and Worcester

  40

  0·3

  Hertfordshire

  1,659

  7·3

  Humberside

  941

  4·5

  Isle of Wight

  0

  0

  Kent

  82

  0·2

  Lancashire

  3,018

  9·2

  Leicestershire

  49

  0·2

  Lincolnshire

  326

  2·5

  Norfolk

  351

  2·2

  North Yorkshire

  287

  2·0

  Northamptonshire

  539

  3·8

  Northumberland

  130

  1·8

  Nottinghamshire

  458

  2·0

  Oxfordshire

  801

  6·4

  Shropshire

  224

  2·4

  Somerset

  64

  0·7

  Staffordshire

  1,827

  7·4

  Suffolk

  132

  0·9

  Surrey

  488

  2·2

  Warwickshire

  590

  5·1

  West Sussex

  374

  2·7

  Wiltshire

  0

  0

  England

  48,456

  4·4

  1981

  Pupils

  Percentage of estimated population aged 3 and 4

  Barking

  0

  0

  Barnet

  452

  7·2

  Bexley

  175

  3·6

  Brent

  252

  4·4

  Bromley

  0

  0

  Croydon

  334

  4·6

  Ealing

  526

  8·0

  Enfield

  0

  0

  Haringey

  217

  4·6

  Harrow

  50

  1·1

  Havering

  0

  0

  Hillingdon

  87

  1·7

  Hounslow

  0

  0

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  230

  8·2

  Merton

  208

  6·1

  Newham

  1,008

  18·0

  Redbridge

  0

  0

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  72

  2·4

  Sutton

  228

  6·2

  Waltham Forest

  443

  8·5

  ILEA

  3,751

  8·1

  Birmingham

  2,126

  8·8

  Coventry

  392

  5·2

  Dudley

  503

  7·3

  Sandwell

  209

  2·9

  Solihull

  0

  0

  Walsall

  815

  13·1

  Wolverhampton

  818

  13·4

  Knowsley

  0

  0

  Liverpool

  561

  5·0

  St. Helens

  73

  1·6

  Sefton

  278

  4·2

  Wirral

  251

  3·2

  Bolton

  586

  9·0

  Bury

  127

  3·0

  Manchester

  365

  3·8

  Oldham

  179

  3·3

  Rochdale

  838

  15·0

  Salford

  706

  13·3

  Stockport

  696

  10·2

  Tameside

  287

  5·6

  528

  1981

  Pupils

  Percentage of estimated population aged 3 and 4

  Trafford

  80

  1·6

  Wigan

  227

  2·9

  Barnsley

  345

  6·8

  Doncaster

  0

  0

  Rotherham

  340

  5·5

  Sheffield

  713

  6·7

  Bradford

  641

  5·1

  Calderdale

  70

  1·6

  Kirklees

  713

  7·6

  Leeds

  268

  1·7

  Wakefield

  520

  7·1

  Gateshead

  115

  2·4

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  573

  9·7

  North Tyneside

  242

  5·6

  South Tyneside

  831

  24·4

  Sunderland

  749

  10·0

  Avon

  1,452

  7·3

  Bedfordshire

  1,260

  9·1

  Berkshire

  1,709

  10·1

  Buckinghamshire

  492

  3·3

  Cambridgeshire

  658

  4·5

  Cheshire

  740

  3·3

  Cleveland

  452

  3·1

  Cornwall + Isles of Scilly

  99

  1·1

  Cumbria

  625

  6·0

  Derbyshire

  1,023

  4·9

  Devon

  154

  0·8

  Dorset

  0

  0

  Durham

  2,089

  14·8

  East Sussex

  273

  2·4

  Essex

  246

  0·7

  Gloucestershire

  0

  0

  Hampshire

  257

  0·8

  Hereford and Worcester

  0

  0·0

  Hertfordshire

  1,651

  7·4

  Humberside

  951

  4·7

  Isle of Wight

  0

  0

  Kent

  82

  0·2

  Lancashire

  3,099

  9·8

  Leicestershire

  49

  0·2

  Lincolnshire

  329

  2·6

  Norfolk

  351

  2·3

  North Yorkshire

  302

  2·1

  Northamptonshire

  467

  3·4

  Northumberland

  117

  1·7

  Nottinghamshire

  482

  2·2

  Oxfordshire

  806

  6·6

  Shropshire

  224

  2·5

  Somerset

  27

  0·3

  Staffordshire

  1,820

  7·6

  Suffolk

  131

  0·9

  Surrey

  486

  2·3

  Warwickshire

  584

  5·4

  West Sussex

  397

  2·9

  Wiltshire

  0

  0

  England

  48,154

  4·5

  1982

  Pupils

  Percentage of estimated population aged 3 and 4

  Barking

  0

  0

  Barnet

  472

  7·3

  Bexley

  175

  3·6

  Brent

  267

  4·5

  Bromley

  0

  0

  Croydon

  358

  4·8

  Ealing

  622

  9·1

  Enfield

  0

  0

  529

  1982

  Pupils

  Percentage of estimated population aged 3 and 4

  Haringey

  227

  5·0

  Harrow

  0

  0

  Havering

  0

  0

  Hillingdon

  107

  2·0

  Hounslow

  0

  0

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  230

  7·9

  Merton

  207

  5·9

  Newham

  1,046

  18·4

  Redbridge

  0

  0

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  70

  2·3

  Sutton

  231

  6·2

  Waltham Forest

  452

  8·5

  ILEA

  3,916

  8·2

  Birmingham

  2,161

  8·7

  Coventry

  360

  4·8

  Dudley

  545

  7·8

  Sandwell

  155

  2·2

  Solihull

  0

  0

  Walsall

  855

  13·6

  Wolverhampton

  807

  13·0

  Knowsley

  0

  0

  Liverpool

  526

  4·6

  St. Helens

  78

  1·7

  Sefton

  315

  4·8

  Wirral

  256

  3·2

  Bolton

  598

  9·1

  Bury

  136

  3·2

  Manchester

  385

  3·8

  Oldham

  79

  1·4

  Rochdale

  846

  14·8

  Salford

  752

  14·2

  Stockport

  742

  10·9

  Tameside

  306

  6·0

  Trafford

  79

  1·6

  Wigan

  241

  3·1

  Barnsley

  147

  2·9

  Doncaster

  0

  0

  Rotherham

  332

  5·4

  Sheffield

  732

  6·8

  Bradford

  672

  5·3

  Calderdale

  71

  1·6

  Kirklees

  863

  9·2

  Leeds

  281

  1·8

  Wakefield

  517

  7·1

  Gateshead

  53

  1·1

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  565

  9·4

  North Tyneside

  259

  5·9

  South Tyneside

  762

  22·4

  Sunderland

  817

  10·6

  Avon

  1,410

  6·9

  Bedfordshire

  1,367

  9·6

  Berkshire

  1,715

  9·9

  Buckinghamshire

  501

  3·3

  Cambridgeshire

  640

  4·3

  Cheshire

  757

  3·4

  Cleveland

  441

  2·9

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  96

  1·0

  Cumbria

  642

  6·2

  Derbyshire

  1,099

  5·2

  Devon

  144

  0·7

  Dorset

  0

  0

  Durham

  2,121

  14·9

  East Sussex

  262

  2·2

  Essex

  246

  0·7

  Gloucestershire

  0

  0

  Hampshire

  255

  0·7

  Hereford and Worcester

  0

  0

  Hertfordshire

  1,704

  7·6

  Humberside

  951

  4·7

  Isle of Wight

  0

  0

  Kent

  85

  0·2

  Lancashire

  3,195

  10·0

  Leicestershire

  48

  0·2

  Lincolnshire

  342

  2·7

  530

  1982

  Pupils

  Percentage of estimated population aged 3 and4

  Norfolk

  332

  2·2

  North Yorkshire

  308

  2·2

  Northamptonshire

  474

  3·4

  Northumberland

  126

  1·8

  Nottinghamshire

  476

  2·1

  Oxfordshire

  834

  6·8

  Shropshire

  238

  2·6

  Somerset

  30

  0·3

  Staffordshire

  1,813

  7·4

  Suffolk

  127

  0·9

  Surrey

  485

  2·3

  Warwickshire

  605

  5·5

  West Sussex

  447

  3·1

  Wiltshire

  0

  0

  England

  48,989

  4·5

  1983

  Pupils

  Percentage of estimated population aged 3 and 4

  Barking

  0

  0

  Barnet

  489

  7·2

  Bexley

  175

  3·4

  Brent

  277

  4·5

  Bromley

  0

  0

  Croydon

  384

  4·9

  Ealing

  626

  8·8

  Enfield

  0

  0

  Haringey

  226

  4·8

  Harrow

  0

  0

  Havering

  0

  0

  Hillingdon

  101

  1·8

  Hounslow

  0

  0

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  231

  7·7

  Merton

  208

  5·6

  Newham

  1,038

  17·6

  Redbridge

  0

  0

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  70

  2·2

  Sutton

  232

  6·0

  Waltham Forest

  431

  7·7

  ILEA

  4,015

  8·1

  Birmingham

  2,092

  8·0

  Coventry

  387

  4·9

  Dudley

  475

  6·4

  Sandwell

  157

  2·1

  Solihull

  0

  0

  Walsall

  848

  12·7

  Wolverhampton

  823

  12·7

  Knowsley

  0

  0

  Liverpool

  565

  4·8

  St. Helens

  74

  1·5

  Sefton

  312

  4·5

  Wirral

  240

  2·8

  Bolton

  599

  8·6

  Bury

  157

  3·5

  Manchester

  386

  3·6

  Oldham

  0

  0

  Rochdale

  870

  14·3

  Salford

  776

  13·9

  Stockport

  736

  10·2

  Tameside

  318

  5·9

  Trafford

  80

  1·5

  Wigan

  183

  2·3

  Barnsley

  165

  3·1

  Doncaster

  0

  0

  Rotherham

  331

  5·0

  Sheffield

  741

  6·5

  Bradford

  571

  4·2

  Calderdale

  97

  2·0

  Kirklees

  849

  8·6

  531

  1983

  Pupils

  Percentage of estimated population aged 3 and 4

  Leeds

  272

  1·6

  Wakefield

  478

  6·2

  Gateshead

  59

  1·2

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  592

  9·4

  North Tyneside

  307

  6·7

  South Tyneside

  806

  22·4

  Sunderland

  905

  11·2

  Avon

  1,477

  6·9

  Bedfordshire

  1,358

  9·1

  Berkshire

  1,740

  9·5

  Buckinghamshire

  507

  3·1

  Cambridgeshire

  647

  4·0

  Cheshire

  796

  3·4

  Cleveland

  445

  2·8

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  103

  1·1

  Cumbria

  681

  6·2

  Derbyshire

  1,115

  5·0

  Devon

  142

  0·7

  Dorset

  0

  0

  Durham

  2,206

  14·7

  East Sussex

  272

  2·2

  Essex

  248

  0·7

  Gloucestershire

  0

  0

  Hampshire

  257

  0·7

  Hereford and Worcester

  0

  0·0

  Hertfordshire

  1,720

  7·2

  Humberside

  983

  4·6

  Isle of Wight

  0

  0

  Kent

  87

  0·2

  Lancashire

  3,229

  9·5

  Leicestershire

  48

  0·2

  Lincolnshire

  358

  2·7

  Norfolk

  365

  2·2

  North Yorkshire

  311

  2·1

  Northamptonshire

  494

  3·3

  Northumberland

  155

  2·0

  Nottinghamshire

  513

  2·1

  Oxfordshire

  794

  6·0

  Shropshire

  157

  1·6

  Somerset

  28

  0·3

  Staffordshire

  1,838

  7·1

  Suffolk

  144

  0·9

  Surrey

  502

  2·2

  Warwickshire

  623

  5·3

  West Sussex

  454

  3·0

  Wiltshire

  0

  0

  England

  49,551

  4·3

  1984

  Pupils

  Percentage of estimated population aged 3 and 4

  Barking

  0

  0

  Barnet

  496

  7·0

  Bexley

  174

  3·2

  Brent

  281

  4·3

  Bromley

  0

  0

  Croydon

  426

  5·3

  Ealing

  630

  8·2

  Enfield

  0

  0

  Haringey

  219

  4·5

  Harrow

  0

  0

  Havering

  0

  0

  Hillingdon

  119

  2·0

  Hounslow

  0

  0

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  237

  7·7

  Merton

  209

  5·4

  Newham

  982

  16·1

  Redbridge

  0

  0

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  75

  2·1

  532

  1984

  Pupils

  Percentage of estimated population aged 3 and 4

  Sutton

  233

  5·6

  Waltham Forest

  373

  6·4

  ILEA

  4,075

  7·8

  Birmingham

  1,973

  7·2

  Coventry

  402

  4·9

  Dudley

  472

  6·1

  Sandwell

  159

  2·0

  Solihull

  0

  0

  Walsall

  790

  11·1

  Wolverhampton

  831

  12·4

  Knowsley

  0

  0

  Liverpool

  528

  4·2

  St. Helens

  75

  1·5

  Sefton

  311

  4·3

  Wirral

  263

  2·9

  Bolton

  614

  8·3

  Bury

  152

  3·3

  Manchester

  425

  3·8

  Oldham

  0

  0

  Rochdale

  891

  14·1

  Salford

  780

  13·2

  Stockport

  759

  10·1

  Tameside

  335

  5·9

  Trafford

  0

  0

  Wigan

  183

  2·2

  Barnsley

  161

  2·9

  Doncaster

  0

  0

  Rotherham

  340

  4·9

  Sheffield

  735

  6·1

  Bradford

  565

  3·8

  Calderdale

  91

  1·8

  Kirklees

  751

  7·3

  Leeds

  265

  1·5

  Wakefield

  500

  6·2

  Gateshead

  59

  1·1

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  593

  8·9

  North Tyneside

  287

  5·9

  South Tyneside

  807

  20·7

  Sunderland

  927

  10·9

  Avon

  1,465

  6·6

  Bedfordshire

  1,366

  8·7

  Berkshire

  1,809

  9·3

  Buckinghamshire

  519

  3·0

  Cambridgeshire

  633

  3·8

  Cheshire

  810

  3·3

  Cleveland

  360

  2·2

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  96

  1·0

  Cumbria

  705

  6·1

  Derbyshire

  1,119

  4·8

  Devon

  140

  0·6

  Dorset

  0

  0·0

  Durham

  2,303

  15·0

  East Sussex

  274

  2·1

  Essex

  255

  0·6

  Gloucestershire

  0

  0·0

  Hampshire

  256

  0·7

  Hereford and Worcester

  0

  0·0

  Hertfordshire

  1,728

  6·9

  Humberside

  889

  4·1

  Isle of Wight

  0

  0·0

  Kent

  79

  0·2

  Lancashire

  3,330

  9·4

  Leicestershire

  50

  0·2

  Lincolnshire

  393

  2·8

  Norfolk

  363

  2·1

  North Yorkshire

  320

  2·1

  Northamptonshire

  499

  3·3

  Northumberland

  156

  2·0

  Nottinghamshire

  560

  2·2

  Oxfordshire

  539

  3·9

  Shropshire

  188

  1·9

  Somerset

  0

  0·0

  Staffordshire

  1,879

  6·9

  Suffolk

  172

  1·1

  533

  1984

  Pupils

  Percentage of estimated population aged 3 and 4

  Surrey

  497

  2·1

  Warwickshire

  649

  5·4

  West Sussex

  452

  2·9

  Wiltshire

  0

  0·0

  ENGLAND

  49,406

  4·1

  1985

  pupils

  percentage of estimated population aged 3 and 4

  Barking

  0

  0

  Barnet

  500

  6·9

  Bexley

  175

  3·2

  Brent

  271

  3·9

  Bromley

  0

  0

  Croydon

  410

  5·1

  Ealing

  605

  7·4

  Enfield

  0

  0

  Haringey

  216

  4·2

  Harrow

  0

  0

  Havering

  0

  0

  Hillingdon

  116

  1·9

  Hounslow

  0

  0

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  238

  7·7

  Merton

  180

  4·4

  Newham

  962

  14·8

  Redbridge

  0

  0

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  62

  1·6

  Sutton

  233

  5·6

  Waltham Forest

  339

  5·8

  ILEA

  4,208

  7·4

  Birmingham

  2,187

  7·9

  Coventry

  391

  4·9

  Dudley

  481

  6·2

  Sandwell

  155

  1·9

  Solihull

  0

  0

  Walsall

  753

  10·6

  Wolverhampton

  824

  12·3

  Knowsley

  0

  0

  Liverpool

  555

  4·3

  St. Helens

  70

  1·5

  Sefton

  315

  4·6

  Wirral

  221

  2·5

  Bolton

  618

  8·2

  Bury

  146

  3·3

  Manchester

  512

  4·3

  Oldham

  0

  0

  Rochdale

  894

  14·0

  Salford

  812

  13·8

  Stockport

  773

  10·7

  Tameside

  325

  5·5

  Trafford

  0

  0

  Wigan

  190

  2·4

  Barnsley

  167

  3·0

  Doncaster

  0

  0

  Rotherham

  365

  5·1

  Sheffield

  731

  6·1

  Bradford

  592

  3·9

  Calderdale

  95

  1·9

  Kirklees

  713

  7·0

  Leeds

  273

  1·6

  Wakefield

  472

  5·8

  Gateshead

  58

  1·1

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  579

  8·4

  North Tyneside

  276

  5·5

  South Tyneside

  797

  19·9

  Sunderland

  933

  11·2

  Avon

  1,465

  6·7

  Bedfordshire

  1,387

  8·8

  Berkshire

  1,941

  10·0

  534

  1985

  pupils

  percentage of estimated population aged 3 and 4

  Buckinghamshire

  514

  3·0

  Cambridgeshire

  631

  3·8

  Cheshire

  816

  3·5

  Cleveland

  279

  1·7

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  91

  0·9

  Cumbria

  701

  6·2

  Derbyshire

  1,127

  4·9

  Devon

  141

  0·7

  Dorset

  0

  0

  Durham

  2,272

  15·3

  East Sussex

  290

  2·2

  Essex

  259

  0·7

  Gloucestershire

  0

  0

  Hampshire

  259

  0·7

  Hereford and Worcester

  0

  0

  Hertfordshire

  1,734

  7·2

  Humberside

  897

  4·3

  Isle of Wight

  0

  0

  Kent

  90

  0·2

  Lancashire

  3,386

  9·7

  Leicestershire

  49

  0·2

  Lincolnshire

  335

  2·5

  Norfolk

  375

  2·3

  North Yorkshire

  322

  2·1

  Northamptonshire

  504

  3·4

  Northumberland

  131

  1·8

  Nottinghamshire

  557

  2·3

  Oxfordshire

  494

  3·5

  Shropshire

  160

  1·7

  Somerset

  0

  0

  Staffordshire

  1,836

  6·7

  Suffolk

  157

  1·0

  Surrey

  506

  2·2

  Warwickshire

  665

  5·8

  West Sussex

  454

  2·9

  Wiltshire

  0

  0

  ENGLAND

  49,613

  4·1

  1986

  pupils

  percentage of estimated population aged 3 and 4

  Barking

  0

  0

  Barnet

  495

  6·8

  Bexley

  175

  3·4

  Brent

  268

  3·9

  Bromley

  0

  0

  Croydon

  411

  4·8

  Ealing

  610

  7·7

  Enfield

  0

  0

  Haringey

  213

  4·0

  Harrow

  0

  0

  Havering

  0

  0

  Hillingdon

  117

  2·0

  Hounslow

  0

  0

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  238

  7·7

  Merton

  173

  4·2

  Newham

  979

  15·5

  Redbridge

  0

  0

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  68

  1·9

  Sutton

  240

  5·9

  Waltham Forest

  292

  5·0

  ILEA

  4,152

  7·6

  Birmingham

  2,245

  8·1

  Coventry

  464

  5·7

  Dudley

  471

  6·4

  Sandwell

  208

  2·6

  Solihull

  0

  0

  Walsall

  770

  11·7

  Wolverhampton

  810

  12·3

  535

  1986

  pupils

  percentage of estimated population aged 3and 4

  Knowsley

  0

  0

  Liverpool

  548

  4·6

  St. Helens

  76

  1·6

  Sefton

  316

  4·5

  Wirral

  219

  2·6

  Bolton

  601

  8·4

  Bury

  142

  3·2

  Manchester

  540

  4·7

  Oldham

  0

  0

  Rochdale

  885

  14·5

  Salford

  870

  15·0

  Stockport

  779

  10·7

  Tameside

  324

  5·9

  Trafford

  0

  0

  Wigan

  199

  2·4

  Barnsley

  173

  3·0

  Doncaster

  0

  0

  Rotherham

  352

  5·2

  Sheffield

  722

  6·3

  Bradford

  510

  3·6

  Calderdale

  87

  1·8

  Kirklees

  699

  6·7

  Leeds

  275

  1·6

  Wakefield

  484

  6·1

  Gateshead

  64

  1·3

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  586

  8·9

  North Tyneside

  315

  6·7

  South Tyneside

  688

  18·6

  Sunderland

  927

  11·0

  Avon

  1,461

  6·6

  Bedfordshire

  1,320

  8·7

  Berkshire

  1,938

  9·9

  Buckinghamshire

  515

  3·1

  Cambridgeshire

  635

  3·9

  Cheshire

  819

  3·4

  Cleveland

  156

  1·0

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  94

  1·0

  Cumbria

  694

  6·1

  Derbyshire

  1,129

  5·0

  Devon

  247

  1·1

  Dorset

  0

  0

  Durham

  2,266

  14·9

  East Sussex

  296

  2·1

  Essex

  249

  0·7

  Gloucestershire

  0

  0

  Hampshire

  260

  0·7

  Hereford and Worcester

  0

  0

  Hertfordshire

  1,701

  6·8

  Humberside

  910

  4·2

  Isle of Wight

  0

  0

  Kent

  84

  0·2

  Lancashire

  3,358

  9·5

  Leicestershire

  50

  0·2

  Lincolnshire

  284

  2·1

  Norfolk

  393

  2·4

  North Yorkshire

  315

  2·0

  Northamptonshire

  503

  3·4

  Northumberland

  136

  1·8

  Nottinghamshire

  536

  2·2

  Oxfordshire

  502

  3·6

  Shropshire

  160

  1·6

  Somerset

  0

  0

  Staffordshire

  1,844

  7·0

  Suffolk

  167

  1·1

  Surrey

  404

  1·8

  Warwickshire

  726

  6·2

  West Sussex

  451

  2·9

  Wiltshire

  0

  0

  ENGLAND

  49,383

  4·2

  536

  1987

  Pupils

  Percentage of estimated population aged 3 and 4

  Barking

  0

  0

  Barnet

  520

  6·9

  Bexley

  175

  3·4

  Brent

  278

  3·9

  Bromley

  0

  0

  Croydon

  404

  4·8

  Ealing

  577

  7·0

  Enfield

  0

  0

  Haringey

  201

  3·5

  Harrow

  0

  0

  Havering

  0

  0

  Hillingdon

  120

  2·0

  Hounslow

  0

  0

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  244

  7·9

  Merton

  0

  0

  Newham

  952

  13·8

  Redbridge

  0

  0

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  61

  1·7

  Sutton

  240

  5·7

  Waltham Forest

  329

  5·5

  ILEA

  4,150

  7·0

  Birmingham

  2,302

  8·0

  Coventry

  445

  5·4

  Dudley

  398

  5·4

  Sandwell

  203

  2·5

  Solihull

  0

  0

  Walsall

  727

  11·0

  Wolverhampton

  830

  12·6

  Knowsley

  0

  0

  Liverpool

  550

  4·5

  St. Helens

  73

  1·6

  Sefton

  319

  4·6

  Wirral

  226

  2·6

  Bolton

  549

  7·4

  Bury

  145

  3·2

  Manchester

  540

  4·4

  Oldham

  0

  0

  Rochdale

  910

  14·9

  Salford

  862

  14·4

  Stockport

  771

  10·7

  Tameside

  332

  5·9

  Trafford

  0

  0

  Wigan

  193

  2·4

  Barnsley

  175

  3·1

  Doncaster

  0

  0

  Rotherham

  336

  4·9

  Sheffield

  714

  6·2

  Bradford

  515

  3·6

  Calderdale

  88

  1·8

  Kirklees

  666

  6·4

  Leeds

  274

  1·6

  Wakefield

  464

  5·7

  Gateshead

  52

  1·1

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  621

  9·3

  North Tyneside

  286

  6·4

  South Tyneside

  695

  19·3

  Sunderland

  964

  11·3

  Avon

  1,459

  6·5

  Bedfordshire

  1,356

  8·9

  Berkshire

  2,015

  10·2

  Buckinghamshire

  512

  3·1

  Cambridgeshire

  655

  4·1

  Cheshire

  828

  3·5

  Cleveland

  156

  1·0

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  92

  1·0

  Cumbria

  738

  6·5

  Derbyshire

  1,162

  5·2

  Devon

  257

  1·2

  Dorset

  0

  0

  Durham

  2,405

  16·0

  East Sussex

  285

  2·1

  Essex

  254

  0·7

  Gloucestershire

  0

  0

  Hampshire

  258

  0·7

  537

  1987

  Pupils

  Percentage of estimated population aged 3 and 4

  Hereford and Worcester

  0

  0

  Hertfordshire

  1,663

  6·8

  Humberside

  946

  4·4

  Isle of Wight

  0

  0

  Kent

  78

  0·2

  Lancashire

  3,400

  9·4

  Leicestershire

  50

  0·2

  Lincolnshire

  282

  2·1

  Norfolk

  382

  2·4

  North Yorkshire

  314

  2·0

  Northamptonshire

  502

  3·4

  Northumberland

  134

  1·8

  Nottinghamshire

  500

  2·4

  Oxfordshire

  496

  3·5

  Shropshire

  160

  1·7

  Somerset

  0

  0

  Staffordshire

  1,843

  7·0

  Suffolk

  162

  1·1

  Surrey

  420

  1·9

  Warwickshire

  730

  6·3

  West Sussex

  452

  3·0

  Wiltshire

  0

  0

  England

  49,502

  4·2

  1988

  Pupils

  Percentage of estimated population aged 3 and 4

  Barking

  0

  0

  Barnet

  500

  6·6

  Bexley

  174

  3·2

  Brent

  274

  3·9

  Bromley

  0

  0

  Croydon

  400

  4·8

  Ealing

  535

  6·6

  Enfield

  0

  0

  Haringey

  246

  4·6

  Harrow

  0

  0

  Havering

  0

  0

  Hillingdon

  120

  2·0

  Hounslow

  0

  0

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  236

  7·6

  Merton

  0

  0

  Newham

  972

  14·5

  Redbridge

  0

  0

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  64

  1·8

  Sutton

  240

  5·9

  Waltham Forest

  329

  5·5

  ILEA

  4,232

  7·2

  Birmingham

  2,317

  8·1

  Coventry

  443

  5·3

  Dudley

  401

  5·4

  Sandwell

  209

  2·6

  Solihull

  0

  0

  Walsall

  755

  11·1

  Wolverhampton

  843

  12·8

  Knowsley

  0

  0

  Liverpool

  560

  4·6

  St. Helens

  66

  1·4

  Sefton

  315

  4·4

  Wirral

  262

  3·0

  Bolton

  553

  7·5

  Bury

  161

  3·6

  Manchester

  535

  4·4

  Oldham

  0

  0

  Rochdale

  910

  14·7

  Salford

  845

  14·3

  Stockport

  766

  10·4

  Tameside

  322

  5·6

  Trafford

  0

  0

  538

  1988

  Pupils

  Percentage of estimated population aged 3 and 4

  Wigan

  186

  2·3

  Barnsley

  181

  3·2

  Doncaster

  0

  0

  Rotherham

  355

  5·2

  Sheffield

  738

  6·3

  Bradford

  502

  3·5

  Calderdale

  88

  1·7

  Kirklees

  651

  6·3

  Leeds

  254

  1·5

  Wakefield

  463

  5·8

  Gateshead

  50

  1·0

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  623

  8·9

  North Tyneside

  291

  6·2

  South Tyneside

  713

  18·8

  Sunderland

  949

  11·3

  Avon

  1,420

  6·3

  Bedfordshire

  1,329

  8·8

  Berkshire

  2,021

  9·9

  Buckinghamshire

  512

  3·0

  Cambridgeshire

  637

  3·8

  Cheshire

  838

  3·4

  Cleveland

  153

  1·0

  Cornwall+Isles of Scilly

  101

  1·0

  Cumbria

  758

  6·6

  Derbyshire

  1,217

  5·4

  Devon

  255

  1·1

  Dorset

  0

  0

  Durham

  2,463

  16·5

  East Sussex

  284

  2·0

  Essex

  252

  0·7

  Gloucestershire

  0

  0

  Hampshire

  260

  0·7

  Hereford and Worcester

  0

  0

  Hertfordshire

  1,733

  6·9

  Humberside

  963

  4·4

  Isle of Wight

  0

  0

  Kent

  81

  0·2

  Lancashire

  3,399

  9·4

  Leicestershire

  50

  0·2

  Lincolnshire

  286

  2·2

  Norfolk

  399

  2·4

  North Yorkshire

  308

  2·0

  Northamptonshire

  525

  3·6

  Northumberland

  137

  1·8

  Nottinghamshire

  575

  2·3

  Oxfordshire

  499

  3·4

  Shropshire

  166

  1·7

  Somerset

  0

  0

  Staffordshire

  1,824

  6·9

  Suffolk

  95

  0·6

  Surrey

  416

  1·7

  Warwickshire

  755

  6·5

  West Sussex

  446

  2·9

  Wiltshire

  0

  0

  England

  49,786

  4·2

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Tropical Forests
  Dame Peggy Fenner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he has reached a conclusion on the proposals put forward by the Timber Trade Federation to help countries with tropical forests to adopt practical forest management policies.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Officials in Whitehall are still considering the proposal put forward by the Timber Trade Federation for a levy on imports of timber from the
  539
  tropical forests, particularly in the context of the effectiveness and cost of such a scheme, GATT and generalised scheme of preference tariff levels, and its acceptability on an international level.

  Spirits
  Mr. Sims
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he has received a copy of the European Community Spirits Producers Association's submission to the European Community Commission detailing the European Community spirit industry's objectives for the removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers facing their products during the current Uruguay round of general agreement on tariffs and trade negotiations; and if he will make it his policy to give maximum support to these objectives.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Yes. We have urged the Commission to give full weight in the Community's negotiating objectives to this submission and other representations from United Kingdom interests.

  Mr. Sims
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether during the recent visit of the Minister for Trade, the hon. Member for Plymouth, Sutton (Mr. Clark), to Austria, he raised with the Austrian authorities the problem of the proposed definition and labelling requirements for Scotch whisky; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Yes, I raised it with the Austrian Minister for Economic Affairs on 7 March. The Austrian authorities are actively pursuing this matter and I am optimistic that they will reach a solution that will satisfy the concerns of the United Kingdom industry.

  LINK Initiatives
  Mr. Patnick
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what resources were devoted to the LINK initiatives in 1988; and what resources are being committed in 1989.

  Mr. Forth
  Total Government funding authorised under the 10 LINK programmes announced in 1988 amounted to £59·3 million; additional support for programmes to be launched in 1989 is expected to exceed £70 million.

  House of Fraser
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on his urgent and thorough investigation of the leaking of the departmental inspectors' report on the acquisition of the House of Fraser.

  Mr. Maude
  The investigation is continuing.

  Inner Cities
  Dr. Twinn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on recent developments in the inner cities initiative.

  Mr. Newton
  Since the launch of Action for Cities in March 1988 progress in the inner cities has been immensely encouraging. Unemployment has fallen by more than 20 540
  per cent. major improvements in training, housing and the infrastructure are taking place and the Government's commitment to its Action for Cities programmes has increased to £3·5 billion for 1989–90.

  Particularly encouraging are the increasing involvement and commitment of the private sector, and the growing extent of partnership between public authorities, the private sector, voluntary bodies and local people.

  On 9 March this year I launched the report "Progress on Cities", which gives a more detailed picture of recent achievements in inner city areas.

  Post Office
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations he has received about the future of the Post Office monopoly.

  Mr. Forth
  I have received a number of representations in recent months from Members of Parliament and from organisations and individuals proposing changes in the Post Office letter monopoly, including proposals to lower the monopoly price level or temporarily to suspend the monopoly. We keep the monopoly under review taking account of the representations received and have made clear that we would seriously consider suspending the monopoly in the event of a cessation or serious decline in the quality of the letter service.

  Airbus Industrie
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what are the future financial prospects for Airbus Industrie; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  Airbus Industrie has more than 700 orders, options and commitments for its new A320 aircraft. It has some 250 orders, options and commitments for its planned A330 and A340 aircraft. A new management structure was inaugurated from 1 April 1989, with the aim of improving Airbus Industrie's efficiency and profitability. The future prospects of the consortium seem as bright now as at any time during its existence.

  Petrol Sales
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will refer to the Director General of Fair Trading the practice of petrol companies of putting up the price of leaded petrol rather than cutting the price of unleaded petrol in the light of the Budget tax changes.

  Mr. Maude
  No. The Government take the view that the level of petrol prices is a commercial matter for the companies involved. The Director General of Fair Trading has referred the wholesale supply of petrol to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. The Commission is due to report by 8 November.

  Privatisation (Accounting Practices)
  Mr. John Garrett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which of the accounting practices employed on privatisation schemes since 1979 have been criticised in Department of Trade and Industry reports.

  Mr. Maude
  None.

  Ford Sierra (Manufacture)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Barking (Ms. Richardson) of 6 February,Official Report, columns 458–59, whether he has received any information from the Ford Motor company relating to the effect on the balance of payments of the transfer of the manufacture of Sierra vehicles.

  Mr. Atkins
  My Department has regular discussions with Ford about its manufacturing strategy and has recently discussed the transfer of Sierra production to Genk and the associated increase of Fiesta production at Dagenham. However, as my hon. Friend the Minister for Trade replied to the hon. Member for Barking (Ms. Richardson) on 6 February at columns 458–59, the balance of payments impact of these changes will depend on a large number of variables.

  Manufacturing Productivity
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the increase in productivity in manufacturing industry per employee from 1979 to the latest figures available, expressed as a percentage.

  Mr. Forth
  In the three months to January 1989 manufacturing productivity, as measured by output per person employed, was 49 per cent. higher than the 1979average level.

  Visual Display Units
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the total number of visual display units marketed in Britain in each of the past three years; and in each year, what percentage was also manufactured in Britain.

  Mr. Forth
  The information available is shown in the table:

  Visual display units

  £ million

  1986

  1987

  31988

  Manufacturers' sales1

  388

  339

  253

  Exports (fob)

  56

  72

  50

  Imports (cif)

  189

  225

  227

  United Kingdom market2

  521

  492

  431

  United Kingdom manufacturers' share of market per cent.

  64

  54

  47

  Source: DTI.

  1 The sales data refer primarily to units in the United Kingdom with a minimum employment of 50.

  2 United Kingdom market is defined as manufacturers' sales plus imports less exports.

  3 January to September.

  North-East (Inward Investment)
  Mr. Hague
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if there are any new developments in inward investment in the north-east; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Newton
  I am very pleased to say that Fujitsu, the Japanese electronics company, is today announcing that it will be setting up its first European semiconductor manufacturing plant at Newton Aycliffe, near Durham.542
  My Department will be providing £30 million regional selective assistance for Fujitsu to become established in this development area.

  The project will cost at least £400 million and will be one of the largest of its kind in Europe. It is expected to create more than 1,500 jobs by the end of 1994. The Fujitsu semiconductor plant will undertake full wafer fabrication, assembly and final test of dynamic random access memories for applications such as mainframe and personal computers and computerised equipment. The company will also be expanding its United Kingdom design capability as part of this investment. Both the United Kingdom and European industry will benefit from the increased access to the semiconductors that this project will provide.

  National Engineering Laboratory (Pollution Research)
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on research being carried out by the national engineering laboratory into the elimination of pollution at source.

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 11 April 1989]: I have been asked to reply.

  Research at the national engineering laboratory addresses three major environmental concerns. These are the deterioration of the ozone layer, acid rain and the greenhouse effect.

  NEL is able to do this because it is a major centre of research into heat transfer, the properties of fluids and flow measurement. Research into these areas is necessary to achieve the elimination of pollution at source. The work is concerned with acquiring the data, developing analysis and design techniques, and providing the specialist test facilities needed to optimise pollution-reduction strategies. Furthermore it is evident that much of this research is of value in enabling industrial processes to become inherently more efficient and less hazardous.

  Ozone layer

  NEL is determining the physical properties of replacements for chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). This data is essential in order that equipment, particularly refrigeration/air conditioning plant, operates as efficiently using these replacement fluids as current equipment using CFC refrigerant.

  Acid rain

  NEL research on internal combustion engines is expanding the understanding of processes occurring within an engine. This will enable stricter emission targets to be met by improvements in engine design rather than by installing cleaning devices in the exhaust system.

  Greenhouse effect

  Research at NEL is concerned with understanding and improving both heat transfer and combustion of gaseous fluids. Increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide from the burning of fuel is recognised as the major contributor to the greenhouse effect. A reduction in emissions of carbon dioxide can be achieved by improving the efficiency of the extraction and transfer of thermal energy.

  NEL also manages the national wind turbine centre and has expertise in tidal power and water turbines.

  Glass
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will publish in the form of a table(a) the

  543
  amount of glass recycled by each west European country in 1988 and (b) the amount of glass recycled as a percentage of the total amount of glass used for packaging for each country.

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 11 April 1989]: Figures for the amount of glass recycled by each western European country in 1988 will not be available until June. The amount recycled in the United Kingdom increased to 275,000 tonnes, 16 per cent. of the total amount of glass used in packaging. Figures for the amounts recycled in 1987 in western Europe are recorded in the table.

  Amount recycled (thousand tonnes)

  Percentage of total amount of glass used for packaging

  Austria

  85

  44

  Belgium

  127

  39

  Denmark

  35

  32

  France

  646

  26

  West Germany

  1,102

  37

  United Kingdom

  233

  13

  Eire

  7

  8

  Italy

  580

  38

  Netherlands

  320

  62

  Portugal

  29

  14

  Spain

  261

  22

  Switzerland

  140

  47

  Turkey

  34

  27

  Figures supplied by FEVE—the European Glass Containers Federation.

  British Shipbuilders
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much was paid by his Department under a single contract in 1986–87 in connection with the sale of certain British Shipbuilders' yards.

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 7 April 1989]:I refer the hon. Member to my answer to him on 13 March 1989 at column 100. The information is commercially confidential. The amounts involved do not, however, add significantly to the total of privatisation expenses that I quoted on 13 March.

  Beverage Containers Directive
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on his Department's progress on implementing the requirements of the 1985 European Economic Community directive on beverage containers.

  Atkins
  [holding answer 10 April 1989]: The United Kingdom programme for implementing this directive was submitted by the DTI in November 1987 following consultations with other Government Departments, local authority associations and 28 trade and industry organisations. It consisted of sub-programmes for containers made of glass, metals, plastics and paper composites and a cross-material submission on the soft drinks industry. Copies of the programme are available from the Libraries of both Houses.

  The United Kingdom programme is based on voluntary agreements and in line with the Commission's assurance to the Government when the directive was adopted in June 1985, there is not discrimination between different types of container systems or between different types of packaging.
  544
  Good progress is being made in the recycling of beverage containers. There was agreement at a glass recycling commitment conference in July 1986 to double the number of bottle banks to 5,000 over the next five years, equivalent to one bottle bank per 10,000 people. Nationally we are on course to reach this target and the one per 10,000 figure has already been reached in the north of England. With more retailers agreeing to bottle banks being sited on their car parks, the amount of glass recycled is increasing rapidly and reached 275,000 tonnes in 1988.

  The amount of metal recovered from cans is also increasing. "Save-a-Can" run by the can makers operates nearly 200 skips in England and Wales whilst the newly formed Aluminium Can Recycling Association hopes to have 100 recovery centres operating nationally by this summer. British Steel is encouraging local authorities to become involved in recovering steel cans from incinerated household waste and about 900 million cans a year are now being recovered this way.

  A full progress report will be submitted by the Government to the Commission later this year, four years after the original programme was drawn up, and every subsequent four years thereafter.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Immigration
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis as to what have been the results of enlisting the assistance of managers of hotels used by homeless persons on establishing their residents' immigration status.

  Mr. Renton
  Under the Immigration (Hotel Records) Order, as amended, the keepers of hotels or similar establishments are required to keep a record of all persons aged 16 or over who stay at their premises. As part of their normal duties, the police may need to inspect these record 3 in order to establish the immigration status of any of the residents of such an establishment. We have no plans to seek any special report on the operation of these arrangements.

  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many illegal immigrants were detected, other than at airports and seaports, in the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Renton
  Information for 1988 on the numbers of illegal entrants detected and of persons dealt with under the deportation process is published in tables 13 and 14 of Home Office statistical bulletin 10/89 "Control of Immigration: Statistics—Fourth Quarter and Year 1988", a copy of which is in the Library. The great majority of persons dealt with under enforcement powers are identified after entry to the United Kingdom.

  The information in these tables does not include persons refused entry to and removed from the United Kingdom at airports and seaports: information on such persons is published in table 1 of the annual volume "Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom".

  Fire Authorities
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for each fire authority
  545
  (a) the date of first appointment of a brigade emergency planning officer and (b) the expenditure incurred on fire service civil defence activities and the amount of grant aid paid towards that expenditure for each year from 1979 to 1989.

  Mr. John Patten
  The dates of first appointments of brigade emergency planning staff officers are shown in the table.

  Employment

  Region

  Regional Fire Adviser

  At time of appointment

  Now

  Date of appointment

  2.

  T. F. Elton

  CFO Tyne and Wear

  CFO Tyne and Wear

  November 1981

  3.

  P. H. Wilson

  CFO Nottinghamshire

  Retired

  December 1981

  E. Patterson

  CFO Nottinghamshire

  CFO Nottinghamshire

  February 1989

  4.

  R. C. Paramor

  CFO Essex

  CFO Essex

  February 1979

  5.

  R. A. Bullers

  CFO London

  Retired

  April 1981

  G. D. Clarkson

  CFO london

  CFO London

  August 1987

  6.

  J. R. Pearson

  CFO Hampshire

  CFO Hampshire

  September 1984

  7.

  J. Killoran

  CFO Devon

  Retired

  April 1984

  N. Wallington

  CFO Devon

  CFO Devon

  August 1987

  8.

  K. Hayton

  CFO Clwyd

  CFO Clwyd

  April 1984

  9.

  B. L. Fuller

  CFO West Midlands

  CFO West Midlands

  October 1981

  10.

  M. Killoran

  CFO Greater Manchester

  Retired

  April 1981

  D. T. Davis

  CFO Cheshire

  CFO Cheshire

  September 1986

  Expenditure claimedfor grantaidin 1986–87

  Fire authority

  Date of first apppointment

  Total expenditure reported

  Grant aid paid

  Avon

  27 October 1986

  12,901

  9,727

  Bedfordshire

  14 March 1988

  —

  —

  Berkshire

  13 March 1985

  23,054

  17,368

  Buckinghamshire

  22 January 1985

  24,389

  18,369

  Cambridgeshire

  21 February 1985

  25,296

  19,093

  Cheshire

  19 December 1984

  43,982

  32,986

  Cleveland

  23 September 1986

  25,022

  19,066

  Clwyd

  30 November 1984

  54,158

  40,619

  Cornwall

  21 October 1985

  24,485

  18,364

  Cumbria

  20 July 1984

  31,495

  23,866

  Derbyshire

  No appointment

  —

  —

  Devon

  10 December 1984

  50,149

  38,385

  Dorset

  24 March 1985

  21,707

  16,621

  Durham

  24 July 1985

  28,559

  21,488

  Dyfed

  4 April 1984

  17,716

  13,309

  Essex

  6 August 1984

  69,333

  58,810

  Mid-Glamorgan

  27 October 1987

  —

  —

  South Glamorgan

  No appointment

  —

  —

  West Glamorgan

  23 September 1986

  15,456

  11,643

  Gloucestershire

  15 May 1985

  —

  —

  Gwent

  14 April 1988

  —

  —

  Gwynedd

  6 November 1984

  29,659

  22,244

  Hampshire

  28 August 1984

  55,299

  42,069

  Hereford and Worcester

  18 December 1984

  24,916

  18,689

  Hertfordshire

  22 August 1985

  18,783

  14,221

  Humberside

  5 June 1985

  27,106

  20,601

  Isle of Wight

  18 December 1984

  21,278

  15,958

  Kent

  12 June 1984

  26,229

  19,990

  Lancashire

  14 March 1985

  22,861

  17,190

  Leicestershire

  13 December 1985

  —

  —

  Lincolnshire

  26 October 1984

  22,551

  16,913

  London

  9 July 1986

  51,002

  39,085

  Greater Manchester

  18 March 1985

  —

  —

  Merseyside

  Appointment under consideration

  —

  —

  West Midlands

  16 February 1987

  28,030

  21,265

  546
  Figures for the expenditure incurred by each fire authority on civil defence activities and the amount of grant aid paid towards that expenditure for each year since 1979 could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Amounts for 1986–87, the last year for which all audited claims have been received, are in the second table.

  Expenditure claimed for grant aid in 1986–87

  Fire authority

  Date of first apppointment

  Total expenditure reported

  Grant aid paid

  Norfolk

  25 September 1985

  21,492

  16,215

  Northamptonshire

  23 November 1984

  25,444

  19,122

  Northumberland

  25 November 1987

  —

  —

  Nottinghamshire

  21 June 1984

  57,079

  43,160

  Oxfordshire

  31 May 1985

  22,451

  17,338

  Powys

  15 August 1985

  21,399

  16,049

  Shropshire

  26 March 1985

  —

  —

  Somerset

  11 June 1984

  29,033

  21,842

  Staffordshire

  14 September 1984

  20,462

  15,346

  Suffolk

  12 March 1985

  14,469

  11,066

  Surrey

  15 May 1985

  23,181

  17,657

  East Sussex

  11 June 1984

  —

  —

  West Sussex

  4 September 1986

  25,290

  19,050

  Tyne and Wear

  14 August 1987

  28,692

  21,519

  Warwickshire

  21 January 1985

  18,996

  14,361

  Wiltshire

  4 September 1986

  29,096

  23,061

  North Yorkshire

  23 September 1986

  15,876

  11,907

  South Yorkshire

  No appointment

  —

  —

  West Yorkshire

  8 May 1986

  27,001

  21,301

  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the dates of all regional fire advisers meetings since 1979; if he will give details of the topics discussed at such meetings; and what is the date of, and the topics to be covered at, the next regional fire advisers meeting.

  Mr. John Patten
  The dates of regional fire advisers' conferences since 1979 were as follows:

  18 May 1979

  27 October 1982

  11 December 1979

  27 January 1983

  19 October 1981

  13 April 1983

  13 April 1982

  13 October 1983

  13 July 1982

  12 January 1984

  547

  3 May 1984

  24 November 1986

  14 November 1984

  28 April 1987

  24 April 1985

  20 October 1987

  8 October 1985

  26 April 1988

  29 April 1986

  18 October 1988

  The next such conference is today, 12 April. These conferences cover a range of matters concerning civil defence planning and training. In addition, regional fire advisers attend various other meetings concerned with civil defence planning.

  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list(a) the name, present employment, date appointed and terms of reference of the regional fire adviser for each year from 1984 to 1989, (b) the name, present employment and date appointed of the staff officer to the regional fire adviser for each year from 1979 to 1989 and (c) the expenditure incurred by the regional fire adviser and his staff on civil defence duties and the amount of grant aid paid toward that expenditure for each year from 1979 to 1989, for each civil defence region.

  Employment

  Region

  Regional Fire Adviser

  At time of appointment

  Now

  Date of appointment

  2.

  T. F. Elton

  CFO Tyne and Wear

  CFO Tyne and Wear

  November 1981

  3.

  P. H. Wilson

  CFO Nottinghamshire

  Retired

  December 1981

  E. Patterson

  CFO Nottinghamshire

  CFO Nottinghamshire

  February 1989

  4.

  R. C. Paramor

  CFO Essex

  CFO Essex

  February 1979

  5.

  R. A. Bullers

  CFO London

  Retired

  April 1981

  G. D. Clarkson

  CFO London

  CFO London

  August 1987

  6.

  J. R. Pearson

  CFO Hampshire

  CFO Hampshire

  September 1984

  7.

  J. Killoran

  CFO Devon

  Retired

  April 1984

  N. Wallington

  CFO Devon

  CFO Devon

  August 1987

  8.

  K. Hayton

  CFO Clwyd

  CFO Clwyd

  April 1984

  9.

  B. L. Fuller

  CFO West Midlands

  CFO West Midlands

  October 1981

  10.

  M. Killoran

  CFO Greater Manchester

  Retired

  April 1981

  D. T. Davis

  CFO Cheshire

  CFO Cheshire

  September 1986

  Latchmere House
  Mr. Hanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the estimated additional annual net costs for the immigration and nationality department of moving immigration detainees from Latchmere house, Ham, to Haslar, Hampshire.

  Mr. Renton
  All aspects of the possible move, including costs, are being examined. The main additional cost for the immigration and nationality department would probably be some £60,000 a year for additional transport and escorts.

  Data Protection
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will seek to amend the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act to make it an offence for a third party to require a data subject to seek subject access under the terms of the Data Protection Act to personal data held by the police in order to show that third party the data subject's criminal record; and whether he will make a statement.
  548
  Mr. John Patten
  A list of regional fire advisers by region in England and Wales from 1984 to the present is given in the table.

  There are no formal terms of reference but a regional fire adviser is responsible for the co-ordination of emergency fire service planning in his region. The appointment of his staff officer is a matter for each regional fire adviser. Expenditure incurred in connection with regional fire advisers' responsibilities is not grant-aided, but is directly reimbursed by the Home Office.

  Figures for individual claims and those prior to 1984 could be calculated only at disproportionate cost but the total reimbursed expenditure since 1984 was:

  £

  1984–85

  7,206

  1985–86

  6,194

  1986–87

  7,170

  1987–88

  6,467

  1988–89

  5,169

  Mr. Renton
  No. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 protects rehabilitated persons by providing that, unless a post is exempted from the provisions of the Act, an employer may not refuse an applicant employment on the grounds of a spent conviction.

  Official Secrets Bill
  Mr. Ron Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has received any recent representations from the National Union of Journalists about the Official Secrets Bill; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hurd
  The most recent such representation which I received was sent in January.

  Mental Illness (Prisoners)
  Mr. Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has on the mental illness history of current occupants of Her Majesty's prisons in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.
  549
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a question by the hon. Member for The Wrekin (Mr. Grocott) on 8 December 1988 at column 283.

  Mr. Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information is collected by his Department about(a) the medical and (b) the mental illness history of persons found guilty of crimes by the courts; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Information is not collected centrally about the medical history, physical or mental, of persons found guilty by the courts.

  Woolwich (Court and Prison)
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects construction of the new prison at Woolwich and the associated court complex to be completed; and when each is now planned to come into operation.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The contract for construction of the prison is expected to be completed in December 1990. The target date for arrival of the first inmates is April 1991. The court complex is the responsibility of my right hon. and noble Friend the Lord Chancellor. I understand that it is currently estimated that the court complex will be completed towards the end of 1991 and come into operation shortly thereafter.

  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the latest estimated cost of(a) the new prison at Woolwich and (b) the associated court complex; and what were the original estimates.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The original estimated cost for constructing the prison was £59·94 million (at second quarter 1986 prices). Associated advance works were estimated at an additional £4·08 million (at third quarter 1985 prices). The latest estimate for the project as a whole is £88·90 million, at 1988–89 prices. This is subject to adjustment, in the light of further cost increases in the construction industry.

  The construction of the court complex is the responsibility of my right hon. and noble Friend, the Lord Chancellor. I understand that tenders for this project are being currently evaluated. The provisional pre-tender estimate at second quarter 1988 prices was about £17·5 million. This did not allow for any additional cost arising from the incorporation of the changes subsequently recommended by the Royal Fine Arts Commission.

  Animal Experiments
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what efforts are being made to discourage international and foreign regulatory bodies from requiring precise LD50 values.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Home Secretary is not responsible for the conditions under which LD50 tests are required: but I understand that the Departments concerned are making representations at EC, OECD and UN levels. In particular, the Department of Health is co-ordinating an international study on an alternative British approach to acute toxicity testing, which does not involve the generation of precise LD50 figures.
  550
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how effectively the project licensing system is being used to reduce and restrict performance of the classical LD50 test in Britain.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Applications to use animals for this purpose in this country are authorised only in strict accordance with the requirements of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. Before granting a licence, my right hon. Friend is required to consult an inspector appointed under the Act.

  Football Grounds (Arrests)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis as to what crowd trouble occurred inside and outside the ground at the Littlewoods Cup Final on 9 April; how many people were arrested, distinguishing between those arrested by mounted officers and others; how many people have subsequently been charged; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that no significant crowd trouble occurred inside Wembley stadium, but that there were incidents of crowd trouble outside the ground, the most serious of which happened at approximately 3 pm and required the assistance of mounted officers in order to separate rival supporters. Mounted officers were involved in 26 of the 66 arrests made. Sixty five people were subsequently charged. Such incidents demonstrate that further action is necessary in respect of football hooliganism. The Government believe that the proposed national membership scheme will help to break the link between violence and football by excluding from grounds, and thereby deterring from travelling to matches, those who cause trouble.

  Police Cells
  Mr. Hague
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of prisoners held in police cells at the end of each of the last six months; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hurd
  The information requested is as follows. The number of prisoners held in police cells continues downwards and the situation is better than it has been since the end of 1986.

  Prisoners held in Police cells at unlocking on the last day of each month

  Number

  1988

  October

  1,531

  November

  1,025

  December

  87

  1989

  January

  349

  February

  219

  March

  71

  Prison Escapes
  Mr. Latham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further measures have been taken
  551
  following his review of the circumstances which led to the escape by helicopter of two prisoners from Gartree prison in December 1987.

  Mr. Hurd
  In my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Harhorough (Sir J. Farr) on 21 January 1988 at columns 785–86 I said that a vigorous review of security measures had been carried out immediately at all establishments holding category A prisoners, and that a number of practical measures were taken quickly.

  I have now approved a number of other lines of action, including plans for the future shape of the dispersal system, and these are contained in a detailed statement of intention issued to the prison service by the deputy director general. A copy has been placed in the Library.

  Diplomatic Passports
  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether foreigners holding diplomatic passports, but not accredited in the United Kingdom, are exempt from normal entry procedures when visting this country.

  Mr. Renton
  [holding answer 6 April 1989]: Possession of a diplomatic passport does not, in itself, afford the holder any special status or entitlement.

  Under the Immigration Act 1971, certain persons, including members of diplomatic missions in the United Kingdom who meet the requirements of section 8(3) of that Act as amended by the Immigration Act 1988, are entitled to exemption from immigration control. Members of the family forming part of the household of such members similarly benefit.

  Certain members of diplomatic missions which are not based in the United Kingdom who are passing through this country while proceeding to take up or return to their posts, or who are returning to their own countries are, with their families, treated as being exempt from immigration control in order to meet the requirements of article 40 of the Vienna convention on diplomatic relations.

  London Underground
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assistance his Department has given towards reducing crime on the London Underground; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  The primary responsibility for reducing crime on the London Underground rests with the British Transport police and London Underground Ltd. The Home Office provides guidance and advice to BTP and LUL, as it does in this context to the Department of Transport. My right hon. Friend has approved arrangements under which Metropolitan police officers have been lent to help police the Underground while BTP recruit and train new officers to fill their increased establishment.

  Rape
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he has taken on the Women's National Commission's 1985 recommendation that the question of consent should be reconsidered with the aim of reforming the law on rape to make it clear that 552
  the alleged rapist's assumptions about the complainant's consent should be reasonable according to modern interpretations of women's rights to choose.

  Mr. John Patten
  [holding answer 23 March 1989]: The law on rape provides that a man is not guilty if he believes that the woman was consenting to intercourse. Section 1(2) of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1976 provides that any jury considering a defence based on consent should have regard to the presence of absence of reasonable grounds for such a belief. In R v. Pigg (1982), Lord Lane CJ also ruled that a man who was reckless as to whether the woman consented should also be held guilty. I am not persuaded that the recommendations of the Women's National Commission would improve the present law.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  El Salvador
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the conduct and outcome of the recent election in El Salvador.

  Mr. Haynes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is satisfied that the last presidential election in El Salvador was held under free and fair conditions.

  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is satisfied that the recent presidential election in El Salvador was held under free and fair conditions.

  Mr. Eggar
  Her Majesty's Government's official observer, Dr. David Browning, attended the presidential elections in El Salvador. He is currently preparing his report, a copy of which will be deposited in the Library in due course.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of the United States of America in relation to El Salvador.

  Mr. Eggar
  We have regular discussions with the United States on a wide range of topics, including El Salvador.

  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has any plans to visit El Salvador.

  Mr. Eggar
  My right hon. and learned Friend has no present plans to visit El Salvador.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to meet representatives of the new El Salvadorean Government.

  Mr. Eggar
  My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans at present to meet representatives of the new Government of El Salvador.

  Anglo-French Relations
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Anglo-French relations.
  553
  Mrs. Chalker
  Anglo-French relations are excellent.

  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister had useful talks with President Mitterrand at the Anglo-French summit meeting in Paris on 27 February. The two Governments consult closely on a wide range of issues. There are numerous ministerial and other contacts between the two countries.

  Middle East
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next intends to meet the Secretary of State of the United States of America to discuss the middle east.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  My right hon. and learned Friend will be visiting Washington on 16–17 April and looks forward to discussing a wide range of issues, including the middle east, with Mr. Baker.

  Sir Dennis Walters
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress towards a middle east peace settlement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  There have been a number of positive developments; the PLO's renunciation of terrorism; Israel's recognition that the status quo is untenable; the constructive attitude of the Soviet Union and the determination of the United States to work actively for a settlement. We continue to believe that an international conference remains the most suitable framework for negotiations between the parties.

  Horn of Africa
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement about political developments in the Horn of Africa.

  Mrs. Chalker
  We remain in contact with the Governments of the Horn about the problems of the region, both bilaterally and with our partners in the Twelve. We are also in touch with other Governments. My right hon. and learned Friend discussed the Horn with Mr. Shevardnadze on 6 April and urged the Soviet Union to use its considerable influence in the area in a positive direction.

  Prime Minister Bhutto
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has any plans to meet Prime Minister Bhutto of Pakistan.

  Mr. Eggar
  My right hon. and learned Friend met Miss Bhutto on 27 March during his visit to Islamabad. She has accepted an invitation to visit Britain later this year. We look forward to her visit.

  EC (Social Dimension)
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of state for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will now make it his policy to support the social dimension in European Community affairs.

  Mrs. Chalker
  It has always been our policy to ensure, by avoiding unnecessary regulation, that the single market programme generates additional economic growth, and so more jobs.
  554
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response he has made to calls among the United Kingdom European Community partners for greater emphasis on the social sphere in the run up to 1992.

  Mrs. Chalker
  We strongly support the single market programme, which, by reducing barriers to enterprise, will mean higher economic growth, and so more jobs.

  Conventional Force Levels
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of recent negotiations on conventional force levels in Europe.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Two negotiations—one on conventional armed forces in Europe and one on confidence and security-building measures—began in Vienna on 6 March. The discussions have got off to a good businesslike start. My right hon. and learned Friend presented radical western proposals for both sets of talks on 6 March. We now look for a response from the east.

  Mexican Foreign Minister
  Mr. Gregory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met his Mexican counterpart; and what was discussed.

  Mr. Eggar
  I met Mr. Solana in Caracas in January when we had a useful exchange of views on bilateral and international issues. I saw him again at the San Jose V conference in San Pedro Sula in February, and hope to continue our exchanges during my visit to Mexico later this month.

  Northern Ireland
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the United States Government to help stem the flow of funds and weapons to terrorist organisations in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The Government of the United States share our abhorrence of the activities of terrorist organisations in Northern Ireland. There is constant and continuing co-operation with them and this has significantly inhibited the flow of funds and arms into the Province. Our joint vigilance will not be relaxed as long as the terrorist threat remains.

  Cyprus
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has recently had with the President of Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Chalker
  My right hon. and learned Friend had a brief discussion with President Vassiliou on the telephone when he passed through London on 4 April, on his way to New York for his meeting with the United Nations Secretary-General and Mr. Denktash on 6 April. We welcome the agreement reached at that meeting to prepare a draft outline of an overall settlement by the end of May. We urge both sides to work constructively towards that end.

  United States Government
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the new United States Administration concerning foreign policy matters in particular in the middle east; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  My right hon. and learned Friend last met Mr. Baker in Vienna on 6 March. He looks forward to further discussions with him in Washington next week.

  Hungarian Foreign Minister
  Mr. Michael Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met the Hungarian Foreign Minister; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  My right hon. and learned Friend and I both had talks with the Hungarian Foreign Minister on Wednesday 15 March during his visit to the United Kingdom. We had a useful discussion on bilateral matters, including trade, and on international issue. We also discussed developments in the internal situation in Hungary.

  Third World Debt
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent meetings he has had with other Foreign Affairs Ministers regarding Third world debt; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Chalker
  I refer the hon. Member to the written reply I gave him on 8 February at column 739.

  Tibet
  Mr. McKelvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of China concerning recent events in Tibet.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last discussed Tibet with a representative of the Chinese Government.

  Mr. Eggar
  My right hon. and learned Friend discussed Tibet when he met the Chinese Foreign Minister in Tokyo in February. My noble Friend the Minister of State also discussed Tibet with Mr. Zhou Nan, the Chinese Vice Foreign Minister during the latter's visit in March.

  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received on the subject of human rights in Tibet.

  Mr. Eggar
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 23 March to the late hon. Member for Glasgow, Central, Mr. McTaggart, at column 728.

  Israeli Foreign Minister
  Mr. Ernie Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next expects to meet the Israeli Foreign Minister of State; and what matters will be discussed.
  556
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next expects to meet his counterpart in the Israeli Government; and what matters will be discussed.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  My right hon. and learned Friend hopes to visit Israel later this year, and looks forward to discussing bilateral and regional issues with Professor Arens then.

  Angola
  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has received any representations about the economic prospects for Angola.

  Mrs. Chalker
  No.

  South American Debt
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in the light of recent events in Venezuela, what new initiatives he is planning to help south American democracies with their debt problems.

  Mrs. Chalker
  At the recent spring meetings of the IMF and World Bank in Washington, Finance Ministers of the leading industrialised countries, including the United Kingdom, agreed that the key principles of the case-by-case growth-oriented debt strategy remain valid. They encouraged the IMF and World Bank to take appropriate steps to support efforts to reduce the debt burdens of countries which are committed to substantial economic reforms, while emphasising that concrete negotiations are a matter for the debtor countries and the commercial bank.

  EFTA and Eastern Bloc Countries (EC Links)
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what encouragement he will give to member countries of EFTA and Eastern bloc countries to forge closer links with the European Community.

  Mrs. Chalker
  We welcomed the agreement of EC and EFTA Ministers meeting in Brussels on 20 March, to consider jointly the promotion of closer and more extensive EC/EFTA co-operation. We also supported the establishment last year of official EC relations with all Eastern European countries except Romania, and are in favour of the trade or trade and co-operation agreements currently concluded or under negotiation with these countries.

  EC (Fraud)
  Mr. Hague
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent proposals he has made to combat fraud in the European Community.

  Mr. Chalker
  I refer my hon. Friend to the anti-fraud proposals endorsed by the Economic and Finance Council on 13 March and reported by my right hon. Friend the Paymaster General in his reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Kent (Mr. Rowe) on 15 March at
  557
  column 245. Those measures were based on suggestions put forward by the United Kingdom in the run-up to the Council.

  Pakistan
  Mr. Hanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement concerning relations between Britain and Pakistan.

  Mr. Eggar
  Britain and Pakistan enjoy a warm and friendly relationship based on strong historical ties. These have been reinforced by the restoration of democracy in Pakistan. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State paid a useful visit to Islamabad from 27 to 28 March. We look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Bhutto to Britain later this year.

  Portugal
  Mr. Ron Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about relations with Portugal.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Our relations with Portugal are excellent. Portugal is our oldest ally, and we work closely together within NATO and the European Community. We are delighted that Portugal has also acceded to the WEU and that this took place under the British presidency.

  South-West Africa
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any plans to make representations to the South African Government on its policy towards South-West Africa.

  Mrs. Chalker
  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister discussed Namibia when she met the South African Foreign Minister in Windhoek on 1 April. Subsequently we have been in daily, often hourly, contact with the South African Government in support of the United Nation's efforts to restore peace to Namibia.

  South Africa (Political Detainees)
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations Her Majesty's Government have made to the Government of the Republic of South Africa for the release of political detainees.

  Mrs. Chalker
  We have made frequent high level representations on behalf of those detained without charge in South Africa. We believe all those so detained should be charged or released unconditionally.

  Official Information
  Mr. Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in achieving better targeting and improved dissemination of official information to overseas media.

  Mr. Eggar
  Our posts abroad are required regularly to report back on the impact of official information on the overseas media, in particular through a full annual return which reviews output against objectives. We are refining posts' annual information reporting procedures to give greater emphasis to the definition of targets and objectives.

  The performance of suppliers is also monitored to ensure that services provided and resources used support FCO information objectives.

  Central America
  Mr. Irvine
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's relations with the countries of central America.

  Mr. Eggar
  We have normal diplomatic relations with all the countries of central America. Our policy towards the region is based on support for democracy and respect for human rights and the need for a peaceful, negotiated settlement of regional conflicts. We have therefore consistently supported the efforts of the central American states to resolve their problems within the framework of the Esquipulas II peace process.

  Spain
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's relations with Spain.

  Mrs. Chalker
  We enjoy excellent relations with Spain, which is a valued partner and ally in the European Community, NATO and the Western European Union. The importance and strength of our relations was well demonstrated by the visits to Spain by Her Majesty the Queen and my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister last autumn.

  Drug Trafficking
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps have been taken to help counteract international drug trafficking.

  Mr. Eggar
  A United Nations convention against illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances was adopted in December 1988. The United Kingdom has signed subject to ratification. We have also signed bilateral asset seizure agreements with five countries, the most recent with Switzerland on 8 March. Similar arrangements have also been concluded with Bermuda.

  Mr. Jacques Delors
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met M. Jacques Delors to discuss developments within the European Community; and what specific matters were discussed.
  560
  Mrs. Chalker
  My right hon. and learned Friend and I last met M. Delors at the meeting of the Council of Ministers on 20 March. I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply of my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of 22 March to my hon. Friend the Member for Wyre Forest (Mr. Coombs) at column 623–24.

  Southern Africa
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last discussed southern African affairs with the South African ambassador; and what specific matters were discussed.

  Mrs. Chalker
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State last met the South African ambassador during the visit of the South African Foreign Minister, Mr. Pik Botha, on 15 March. They discussed a wide range of issues.

  Hong Kong
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has any plans to visit Hong Kong.

  Mr. Eggar
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State has at present no plans to visit Hong Kong.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has recently received concerning the future of' Hong Kong.

  Mr. Eggar
  We regularly receive representations from organisations and individual members of the public, both in this country and in Hong Kong, about a wide range of issues connected with the future of Hong Kong. We are also in close contact with the Hong Kong Government, who have their own channels for consultation and monitoring of public opinion in Hong Kong.

  East Timor
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on human rights in East Timor.

  Mr. Eggar
  We believe that respect for human rights in East Timor has significantly improved in recent years.

  Turkey
  Mr. Jessel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on United Kingdom relations with Turkey.

  Mrs. Chalker
  I cannot add to the answer I gave on this subject to my hon. Friend on 8 March at column 556.

  Council of Ministers
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what issues he will raise at the next meeting of the Council of Ministers.

  Mrs. Chalker
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply of 23 March to the hon. Member for Kilmarnock and
  561
  Loudoun (Mr. McKelvey) and to my hon. Friend the Member for Cambridgeshire, South-East (Mr. Paice) at columns 728–29.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations with Zimbabwe following the Prime Minister's recent visit.

  Mrs. Chalker
  We enjoy excellent relations with Zimbabwe. This was clearly evident during the Prime Minister's recent, highly successful visit.

  Gulf States
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the current state of relations with the Gulf states.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Our relations with the Arab states of the Gulf are, without exception, excellent.

  Syria (Terrorism)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, during his meetings with Soviet leaders last week, the continuation of Syrian involvement in international terrorism was discussed.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Yes. And as at previous meetings we encouraged the soviet authorities to support our firm line.

  Turkey (Human Rights)
  Sir Russell Johnston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last made representations to the Turkish Government regarding human rights abuse in Turkey.

  Mrs. Chalker
  I last raised the matter of human rights in Turkey with the Turkish ambassador on 2 February. He readily accepted the need for Turkey to abide by the terms and conditions of the human rights conventions to which Turkey is a party, and reaffirmed the determination of his Government to secure further improvements in the respect for human rights in Turkey.

  Pakistan (Afghan Refugees)
  Mr. Holt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to help relieve the Afghan refugee problem in Pakistan.

  Mr. Eggar
  Refugees in Pakistan benefit from British humanitarian aid to the Afghans through international and non-governmental organisations. This totalled £10·5 million last year. We have so far announced a contribution of £2 million this year and are ready to provide further assistance as the need is established.

  USSR (Human Rights)
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Soviet Foreign Minister on the question of human rights.
  562
  Mr. Waldegrave
  Human rights questions are a part of the regular agenda for our discussions with the Soviet authorities. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State made our views clear when he met Mr. Shevardnadze last week. A list of cases of public concern was handed over.

  NATO
  Mr. Madel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met the Secretary General of NATO; and what issues he discussed with him.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The Secretary General of NATO and my right hon. and learned Friend both participated in the ministerial meeting of the North Atlantic Council, held in Brussels on 8–9 December, at which a full range of Alliance security and arms control issues was discussed.

  Brazil
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has for Ministers in his Department to visit Brazil.

  Mr. Eggar
  There are no immediate plans for any Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers to visit Brazil. I visited Brazil in November 1988, and my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary visited in July 1985.

  Israel
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he plans to hold further discussions with the Israeli authorities on middle east peace problems following the recent visit by the Minister of State.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Yes. The next move will be the visit of Mr. Shamir next month. We shall continue to play our full part in efforts to prepare for negotiations. We have an active dialogue with all the parties.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Strychnine
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list by year since 1979 for each of the three counties of Yorkshire the number of cases of abuse of pesticides involving strychnine; and if he will identify the domestic farm and wild animal species involved.

  Mr. Ryder
  The information requested is as follows:

  Year

  Number of incidents

  Animals involved

  County

  1979

  Nil

  —

  —

  1980

  1

  1 dog

  North Yorkshire

  1981

  1

  1 dog

  South Yorkshire

  2

  1 dog, 1 cat

  North Yorkshire

  1982

  1

  1 dog

  South Yorkshire

  1

  1 dog

  North Yorkshire

  1983

  2

  2 dogs, 1 cat

  North Yorkshire

  1984

  4

  4 dogs

  North Yorkshire

  1985

  1

  1 fox

  North Yorkshire

  1986

  1

  1 dog

  North Yorkshire

  1987

  1

  1 dog

  South Yorkshire

  563

  Year

  Number of incidents

  Animals involved

  County

  1988

  1

  1 woodpigeon

  North Yorkshire

  1989

  Nil

  —

  —

  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 initiated action following illegal use of strychnine-based pesticides.

  Mr. Ryder
  The information requested is as follows:

  Number

  1986

  10

  1987

  7

  1988

  8

  White Willow Watermark Disease
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department is undertaking on White Willow Watermark disease and its impact upon cricket bat manufacture; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  Research into the watermark disease of cricket bat willow is being carried out at the university of East Anglia and the Forestry Commission has provided some of the funding for this. It is not, however, undertaking any additional in-house research into the disease.

  Meetings held recently between growers of willow and the cricket bat manufacturers, which have been attended by a representative from the Forestry Commission, seem likely to result in a voluntary levy being applied to the clefts from which the bats are made. This will enable further research to be carried out.

  There has been a significant reduction in the number of diseased trees found in Britain over the last 15 years, largely because of control measures carried out under the Watermark Disease (Local Authorities) Order 1986 and its predecessors.

  Forestry Commission (Yorkshire)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the names, locations and purchase dates of blocks of land of areas greater than 100 hectares in the three counties of Yorkshire, which were newly planted by the Forestry Commission in 1987–88.

  Mr. Ryder
  I have been asked to reply.

  There were none.

  Potatoes
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has as to how many European Economic Community countries impose quantitative restrictions upon the level of potato production.

  Mr. Ryder
  The United Kingdom is the only member state to impose quantitative restrictions. These are operated by the Potato Marketing Board, which controls production in Great Britain by regulating plantings under a quota system.

  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what studies have been made of the 564
  impact of the intervention policies of the Potato Marketing Board upon (a) the prices paid by the consumer and (b) profitability for growers.

  Mr. Ryder
  I am not aware of any studies on these specific points, but I refer my hon. Friend to two more general studies: "Potatoes in Surplus" by L. Hinton (Occasional Paper No. 37, Department of Land Economy, Cambridge University, 1987) and "An Econometric Model of the Maincrop Potato Market in Great Britain", by C. Ennew and B. White (Report No. 1/88, Department of Agricultural Economics and Food Marketing, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.).

  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the level of imports of potato products during each of the past five years.

  Mr. Ryder
  The following tonnages of potato products were imported into the United Kingdom:

  Crop year (June/May)

  '000 tonnes

  1983–84

  411

  1984–85

  369

  1985–86

  348

  1986–87

  377

  1987–88

  430

  Source: Customs and Excise Overseas Trade Statistics.

  Organic Farming
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has made any financial appraisal of organic farming vis-á-vis existing production systems.

  Mr. Ryder
  [holding answer 11 April 1989]: No, but I am considering whether and how best to obtain the information required for such appraisals.

TRANSPORT

  M40
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State far Transport when the M40 from west London to Oxford was available for use along its complete length for the first time.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  On 28 March 1974.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of the M40 are concrete and how many miles tarmac.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The answer is:

  Miles

  Concrete

  15·3

  Tarmac

  13·8

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what has been the total cost of repair and maintenance of(a) the tarmac sections and (b) the concrete sections of the M40 since the motorway was first opened for use.
  565
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The answer is:

  £

  Tarmac

  1,888,000

  Concrete

  3,629,000

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, since the M40 was first opened for use, how many months have been taken up with one or more lanes on the concrete sections closed for repairs.

  British Transport Police
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many British Transport police have been in post in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Portillo
  BTP figures for officers in post are as follows:

  End years

  Total

  1979

  1,899

  1980

  1,948

  1981

  2,138

  1982

  2,128

  1983

  2,052

  1984

  1,961

  1985

  1,817

  1986

  1,834

  1987

  1,846

  1988

  1,830

  11989

  1,820

  1 At 31 March 1989.

  The change in the total between 1984 and 1985 reflected the termination of arrangements between Associated British Ports and the BTP.

  Road Standards
  Mr. Snape
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assumptions are made about minimum road standards serving conurbations of more than 25,000 inhabitants.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  It is Government policy that communities with more than 100,000 inhabitants should have easy access although not necessarily direct connection to a trunk road. The justification for trunk road schemes is based on a comprehensive appraisal of costs and benefits. Selection of the appropriate carriageway standards forms a part of the process.

  London Underground (Fires)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what instructions are given to drivers on underground trains in the event of a fire occuring in the middle of the train with particular regard to helping passengers(a) between the driver and the fire and (b) between the fire and the end of the train; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  Every effort is made to design underground rolling stock so that the risk of fire breaking out is minimized—or, if fire does occur, that it will not disable the train. In the event of a fire the driver's first responsibility is to get the train to the nearest station and inform the line controller by radio. No passenger has been injured by a fire on a train within the period 1984 to date.566
  I understand from London Underground Ltd. that a programme to remove inflammable material from rolling stock has begun.

  London Underground (Heart Attacks)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what facilities are available on the London Underground in the event of an individual suffering a heart attack on a train; and what instructions are given to staff on whether or not to move the sufferer.

  Mr. Portillo
  I understand that stretchers and first aid kits are available on the Underground but that staff are instructed to summon expert medical assistance in the event of someone being taken seriously ill. Staff are advised not to move any passenger suspected of suffering a heart attack.

  Central Line (Communications)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration has been given to the age and adequacy of current radio communications between drivers and guards on Central line underground trains; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  Communication between driver and guard on the Central line is by "Loudaphone". This is a microphone and loudspeaker system, operated by a push button, which is built into trains. The railway inspectorate is investigating reports of poor quality voice transmissions. As an added safety measure, the driver is also in radio communication with the line controller.

  Heavy Goods Vehicles
  Mr. Moate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the increase in the numbers of heavy goods vehicles taxed of the 38 tonne limit, expressed both numerically and as a percentage, as at year end 1988 compared with 1987; and how he measures the objective of reducing the numbers of heavy lorries in the light of these figures.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The stock of 38 tonne goods vehicles increased by 9,900 (24 per cent.) between the end of 1987 and the end of 1988. It is estimated that the introduction of 38-tonne vehicles since 1983 has led to a saving of about 9,000 other heavy goods vehicles that would have been required to cope with the current level of haulage activity. This saving is estimated by assuming that a 38 tonne vehicle has a 20 per cent. greater payload, by weight, than a 32·5 tonne vehicle, that in other respects, eg journey length, load factors, etc. the vehicles operate in the same way, and that no new traffic is generated by 38-tonners.

  Motor Car Statistics
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he possesses concerning the numbers of motor cars registered in Great Britain in the years 1959, 1969, 1979, and 1989, respectively, together with the estimated cumulative motor car miles run in each year and his projections of both figures for the year 2000 and beyond.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The available information is as follows:
  567

  Year

  Cars1 currently licensed: (million)

  Vehicle kilometres (miles) Cars3 and taxis: (billion)

  1959

  5·2

  54·7 (34·0)

  1969

  11·0

  132·0 (82·0)

  1979

  14·5

  184·9(114·9)

  1988

  18·9

  270·4 (168·0)

  Forecasts2

  2000

  21·1–22·7

  294–335 (183–208)

  2005

  22·0–23·9

  304–356 (189–221)

  2010

  22·7–25·0

  315–377 (196–234)

  2015

  23·4–26·1

  325–395 (202–245)

  1Figures are for vehicles with a car body type. Figures for years before 1988 are not available on this basis and estimates have been made from the number of cars taxed as private in those years.

  2Upper and lower forecasts are taken from the assumptions for car ownership used in the national road traffic forecasts.

  3The definition of cars is slightly broader than that used for cars currently licensed.

  The forecasts of car ownership and vehicle mileage are based on the national road traffic forecasts of 1984. It is expected that revised forecasts will be issued shortly.

  Transport Planning (Greater London)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what statutory powers were possessed by the former Greater London council in respect of transport planning in Greater London which are not now possessed by Her Majesty's Government.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The Greater London council had a duty under section 2 of the Transport (London) Act 1969 to prepare transport plans for Greater London. This duty was revoked by the London Regional Transport Act 1984 which established London Regional Transport and charged it with the duty of planning and providing passenger transport services for Greater London.

  The highways and traffic powers of the council in respect of roads in London were reallocated to the London boroughs under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1985, apart from 70 miles of former metropolitan roads which were transferred to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State under the Metropolitan Roads Trunking Order 1986. At the request of the London boroughs, he is also responsible for the control, management, development and extension of London's traffic signals and urban traffic control system.

  Normans Heath (Bypass)
  Mr. Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to be able to announce his decision about a bypass scheme on the A41 at Normans Heath.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  This is among the many candidates nationally for possible inclusion in the trunk road programme following the current review. We hope to make an announcement later this spring.

  Motorways (Noise Barriers)
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his policy on the provision of noise barriers alongside motorways close to a new housing development.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  When a motorway is built near to houses, the Department provides barriers in circumstances 568
  where these are cost-effective and cheaper and more effective than providing secondary glazing under the Noise Insulation Regulations.

  We will also, in appropriate cases, agree to a developer siting a noise barrier on motorway land, subject to our being satisfied on details and the developer bearing the cost.

  Any proposal for a barrier alongside a motorway, but on other land, is a matter for decision by the local planning authority, which may consult the Department about its effects on the highway.

  East London River Crossing
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about the current position of the east London river crossing, indicating when he expects to announce the revised design of the new bridge and when he now expects construction to begin.

  Mr. Channon
  Further progress with the scheme is dependent on the outcome of the review of the River Thames bridge design being undertaken by consultants. I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Newham, South (Mr. Spearing) on 23 March at columns 708–9 for the current position on that study.

  Airport Security
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration his Department has given to the report entitled "Airport Security: the Experience of Manchester Airport", a copy of which has been sent to him; what action he will be taking; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  We received a copy of the report from the hon. Member on 7 April. It has been read with interest. The report was prepared by the TGWU branch at Manchester airport. The Union's representative on the National Aviation Security Committee (NASC) will be asked whether the union as a whole endorses the recommendations made by its Manchester branch, and if so whether, as a result, it intends to put forward proposals for consideration by the National Aviation Security Committee.

  Automatic Ticket Barriers (London Underground)
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received concerning the safety implications of installing automatic ticket barriers on the London Underground; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  In addition to three early-day motions, about 30 representations have been received from members of Parliament and members of the public since 1 January.

  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has concerning the failure rate of those automatic ticket barriers which have been installed on the London Underground; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  I understand from London Underground Ltd. that, on average, gates fail once for every 79,000 passengers using them. This represents approximately 16 single gate failures per day, each of which takes between 10 and 15 minutes for a fitter to rectify.
  569
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he is aware of any circumstances in which, in the event of a power failure, any of the new automatic ticket gates in London Underground stations would remain closed; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if London Underground Ltd. has informed him of any occasion on which difficulties occurring in the new automatic ticket gates at King's Cross station on the day of their official inauguration, 27 February, which would lead him to reconsider his assurances that in the event of a power failure, all the gates would open automatically;

  (3) if London Underground Ltd has informed him of any occasion on which an actual or simulated power failure has resulted in any of the new automatic ticket gates in London Underground stations remaining closed.

  Mr. Portillo
  As I told the hon. Lady in my letter of 4 April 1989, London Underground Ltd. (LUL) told me recently that in certain most unlikely circumstances failure of a single phase in the power supply would mean that not all the ticket gates would open automatically. It has assured me that, should such a failure occur, staff have been instructed to open all gates immediately by using the emergency opening arrangements which are unaffected by single-phase power failures. LUL is rectifying this problem by a programme of modification which will be complete within three months.

  I can add that the problem was first identified at King's Cross.

  Explosives (Carriage by Road)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the planned new regulations for Conveyance of Explosives by Road Regulations will(a) restrict traffic movements during severe weather or during periods of peak traffic, (b) introduce new standards to strengthen gas-carrying vehicles to withstand roll-over accidents, (c) insist on third party insurance that will be adequate to cover accidents such as the one at the Los Alfaques campsite, San Carlos, Spain, (d) impose new requirements for advance warning of planned journeys and routes to emergency services and (e) require escorts for vehicles paid by commercial companies.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  [holding answer 11 April 1989]: The Road Traffic (Carriage of Explosives) Regulations laid before Parliament cover the transport of substances and articles classified as "explosives" only. The flammable gases are not covered. The regulations do not cover the matter of insurance.

  The regulations require that where more than 5 tonnes of particular explosives are carried on a vehicle, the route must be agreed with the appropriate chief officer of police. An approved code of practice which gives practical guidance on methods of compliance accompanies the regulations. Vehicle operators undertaking journeys involving explosives should take care in selecting routes, and consider security, roadworks, congestion and weather. Routes through built-up areas should not be used except when necessary to make a delivery. A two-man crew is required on the vehicle. A separate escort vehicle is not.

  Hazardous Cargoes
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if his Department is monitoring the incidence 570
  with which containers of hazardous goods are lashed to the decks of cargo vessels when the hold is full; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 11 April 1989]: The Department does not monitor the incidence with which cargoes are carried on the decks of cargo vessels, but in the course of their inspections marine surveyors in the Department may check that deck cargoes have been lashed and stowed correctly.

  Perishable Goods
  Mr. Roger King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the enforcement of standards within road haulage vehicles used for the conveyance of perishable goods.

  Mr. Freeman
  I have been asked to reply.

  The carriage of all foodstuffs within the United Kingdom is subject to the requirements of the Food Hygiene (Markets, Stalls and Delivery Vehicles) Regulations, 1966, as amended. Responsibility for the enforcement of these regulations rests entirely with local authorities. Wider application of the storage temperature controls in these regulations is currently being considered and revised draft regulations will be issued for consultation shortly.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Family Credit
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will deposit in the Library the results of BMP Davidson Pearce's market research on attitudes to family credit.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We are arranging with the Central Office of Information for a copy of the results of the research, and some other background material relating to the family credit advertising campaign, to be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many family credit claimants are also in receipt of housing benefit; how much of each £1 gained in family credit by these claimants is lost in housing benefit; and what effects he estimates this will have on the propensity of low income families to claim family credit.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Information on the number of family credit recipients who also get housing benefit is not available.

  Up to the point that housing benefit is extinguished, rate rebate recipients will lose 20p housing benefit for each £1 gained in family credit. Similarly, rent allowance and rebate recipients would lose 65p for each £1 gained in family credit.

  Some families may not realise that, although their housing benefit might change, they will nevertheless be better off overall if they qualify for family credit. This is one of the points which our forthcoming advertising campaign will address.

  Chief Adjudication Officer (Annual Report)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement about the Chief
  571
  Adjudication Officer's annual report for 1987–88 in respect of his comments on supplementary benefit claims, urgent need payments, sickness benefits and industrial disablement benefit.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The chief adjudication officer's annual report for 1987–88 makes it clear that there were certain areas of the supplementary benefit scheme which were complicated to administer and to understand. The advent of income support in April 1988 has resulted in a simplification of the benefit system. Furthermore under income support the urgent cases provisions referred to are no longer present. A direct result of the changes is that the chief adjudication officer has noted that he finds that the overall level of performance on income support is encouraging.

  The chief adjudication officer's report also identified that there is still room for improvement in the standard of adjudication on sickness benefit and disablement benefit. Further guidance will be issued where it is considered appropriate.

  Industrial Injuries and Diseases
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will widen the definition of industrial diseases, for the purposes of pneumoconiosis and workers' compensation legislation, so as to include associated lung diseases such as chronic bronchitis where there is evidence that such a condition exists in a person who has evidence of any dust whatsoever on his lungs.

  Mr. Scott
  We are advised on the list of prescribed industrial diseases by the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council. Its report on bronchitis and emphysema published in May last year (Cm. 379) concluded that it is at present impossible to distinguish airflow limitation caused by dust from that due to other causes such as smoking (the most common cause of bronchitis and emphysema) and that the available evidence is that the scale of the effects of dust is in any case relatively small. It did not recommend any extension of the current prescribed industrial diseases provisions, and we agree with that view.

  Pensions
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement about the percentage of gross domestic product devoted to pensioners; and what is the percentage in other countries.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The latest information available indicates that in 1983 spending on the elderly in the United Kingdom was third highest in the European Community as a share of GDP (9·6 per cent.), just behind Denmark and France. Partial figures for 1984 show increased spending in the United Kingdom, while spending in other states has decreased.

  Income Support
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claimants in the Doncaster and Mexborough area of South Yorkshire, currently placed in board and lodging accommodation by local authorities and entitled to income support, will(a) have to make a
  572
  second, separate, claim for living expenses from the local Department of Social Security offices and (b) have to claim money for their housing costs from local authority housing benefits sections after April.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Claimants in this group already receiving income support will not have to make a new claim for income support in April. Local offices are sending them the necessary forms to claim housing benefit from April. The number placed in board and lodging accommodation by local authorities is not available.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many young people who have been in local authority care during the previous two years in Doncaster and Mexborough have lost entitlement to income support.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I regret that the information is not available.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many of those on income support will receive(a) a partial increase and (b) no increase at all in their incomes because of being in receipt of transitional protection and in the current year (i) for the United Kingdom as a whole and (ii) for the social security area covering Nottingham.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I regret that the information is not available. The estimated number of income support claimants in Great Britain who will benefit from a partial increase at this year's up-rating is 610,000. An estimated 600,000 will remain at the same level of benefit. No estimates are available on a regional or local basis.

  Information for Northern Ireland is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Training (Refusals)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many young people in Doncaster and Mexborough in the county of Yorkshire have been referred to an adjudication officer for consideration of refusal of approved training during the last 12 months.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  During the 12 months ended 31 March 1989, a total of 106 claims for benefit have been referred to the adjudication office covering the Doncaster and Mexborough area for consideration of the question of refusal of approved training. Thirty two of the references were decided in the claimant's favour and 74 against. These figures, which are based on a 100 per cent. count of adjudication officer decisions, refer to the number of claims rather than to the number of individuals claiming. Some individuals may have had more than one claim referred for adjudication.

  Staff Statistics
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the present number of staff at his Department's offices at Irene house, Tooting; Arndale house, Wandsworth, and Crown house, Streatham; and what was the number of vacancies at each of these offices on 31 March.
  573
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The information requested is as follows:

  Complement 1988–89

  Staff in post 31 March 1989

  Irene house, Tooting

  121

  118·5

  Arndale house, Wandsworth

  172

  179·0

  Crown house, Streatham

  120

  121·5

  Community Care
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide figures for the Walthamstow, Leytonstone and Woodgrange Park offices of his Department for the year ended 31 March of(a) their social fund amounts allocated sub-divided between community care grants and loans, (b) the amounts paid out, similarly sub-divided, (c) the amount which was paid out by each office in the previous year and (d) their allocation for the forthcoming year, similarly sub-divided.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Information about local office budgetallocations is available in the Library.

  Information about the numbers of social fund applications processed and amounts paid is available in the Library for the period April 1988 to February 1989. Information for March 1989 will be placed in the Library later this month.

  Information about local office expenditure on single payments for the period 1987–88 is also available in the Library.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what additional publicity his Department is giving to the availability of community care grants, following the low initial take-up of such grants.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Local office managers have been asked to improve and maintain liaison with local statutory and voluntary organisations since these are often best placed to identify people who may be eligible for help. We also intend to produce additional information material on the social fund aimed at potential applicants. This will supplement the information already available in leaflet SB16 "A Guide to the Social Fund" as well as a variety of other leaflets and forms.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the percentage of take-up of community care grants from the social fund.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Take-up of community care grants has continued to rise steadily. In February 1989, 42,000 applications were received compared with 24,000 in August 1988. Expenditure over the same period rose from £2 million to just over £6 million, representing 110 per cent. of anticipated monthly expenditure. Total expenditure to the end of February was £34·1 million.

  Disabled Persons
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what consultations he has had with local authority associations and voluntary organisations on the implementation of sections 1, 2 and 3 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  We agreed with the local authority associations last year that sections 1, 2 and 3 should be 574
  implemented together, and that detailed work on these should follow the conclusion of discussions on the implementation of section 7. Work on section 7 is still under way.

  Disability Benefits
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he plans to introduce legislation to reform the system of disability benefits.

  Mr. Scott
  We need to wait until all the reports have been published on the OPCS surveys of disability, and their findings considered, before deciding whether and when to introduce legislation to reform disability benefits.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has any plans to introduce a partial incapacity benefit following the publication of all Office of Population Censuses and Surveys surveys on disability.

  Mr. Scott
  We shall look at the need for a partial incapacity benefit when we examine existing benefit provision against the findings of the OPCS surveys.

  Grants and Loans
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications were received in each month since 11 April 1988 for(a) community care grants, (b) budgeting loans and (c) crisis loans in (i) Greenock and Port Glasgow, (ii) Strathclyde and (iii) Scotland as a whole.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Details of the numbers of social fund applications received are not recorded. However, information on the numbers of applications for social fund loans and grants processed and awarded, listed by local office, including information on budget allocations and expenditure, may be obtained from the details held in the Library.

  Social Fund (Staff Ratios)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the staff-to-claimant ratios for social fund departments in(a) Greenock and Port Glasgow, (b) Strathclyde and (c) Scotland as a whole.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Information is not available in the format requested. Details of the staff days spent on social fund activity are, however, recorded monthly. The information available to 28 February 1989 is given in the table.

  February 1989

  Staff days spent on social fund

  lncome support load

  Scotland

  10,839

  512,671

  Strathclyde

  6,884

  276,125

  Greenock

  211

  11,394

  Port Glasgow

  147

  4,890

  Young Persons (Benefits)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many 16 and 17-year-olds in(a) Greenock and Port Glasgow, (b) Strathclyde and (c) Scotland as a whole have lost benefits since September 1988 because they are unemployed or have been unable to take advantage of guaranteed YTS places; and if he will make a statement.
  575
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The guaranteed offer of a YTS place to all 16 and 17-year-olds not in full-time education or employment means that there is now no need for young people to be unemployed. We are satisfied that the training agency has more than sufficient YTS places available in Greenock and Port Glasgow, Strathclyde, and in Scotland as a whole.

  Disability (Survey)
  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the third report by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys on disability in Great Britain will be published.

  Mr. Scott
  The Office of Population Censuses and Surveys (OPCS) has today published the third report on the findings of the surveys of disability in Great Britain carried out between 1985 and 1988. The report covers the prevalence of disability among children. It is the third of six reports on the surveys' findings which will be published by the OPCS over the next three months.

  The report provides prevalence estimates from the OPCS surveys of disabled children under 16 in private households and communal establishments. OPCS estimates that 360,000 children in Great Britain have disabilities. Five thousand six hundred of the children live in communal establishments, the remainder in private households.

  We will welcome comments on this and the further OPCS reports as they are published.

ENVIRONMENT

  Trichlorophenols
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans his Department has to prevent the contamination of water supplies with trichlorophenols.

  Mr. Moynihan
  It is currently the responsibility of the water authorities to take steps to prevent drinking water sources becoming contaminated with phenolic compounds which can be transformed by the chlorination process into trichlorophenol. The Water Bill will transfer this function to the National Rivers Authority and will provide strengthened powers of pollution control.

  Catalytic Converters
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has received any representations concerning the fitting of catalytic converters to all new vehicles in order to reduce air pollution; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 6 April 1989]: We have received a number of representations on the matter of catalysts to reduce motor vehicle pollution. The so-called Luxembourg package of vehicle exhaust emission standards was adopted by the Council of Ministers in December 1987 and last year we played a major role in the achievement of a common position on tighter standards for small cars. The common position now awaits further consideration by the European Parliament under the co-operation procedure. The directives specify the tightest standards that may be applied by Member states and, subject to confirmation of
  576
  the common position on small cars, we have decided to apply them all in the United Kingdom. We expect them to result in almost all cars in the United Kingdom requiring catalysts and to lead to a substantial improvement in air quality. It will, however, be possible for cars of less than 2 litres to meet these standards with lean-burn engines coupled with simple and robust oxidation catalysts. Lean-burn engines offer the prospect of significant fuel savings.

  Sewage Outfalls
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list, by location, the sewage outfalls to the sea in(a) the Yorkshire water authority and (b) the Severn-Trent water authority; and of these, if he will show in his answer (i) those that are primary treatment works and (ii) those that are long outfall.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The Yorkshire water authority currently has the following outfalls which discharge direct to the North Sea:

  Scarborough (Northern, Southern, Wheatcroft)

  Bridlington

  Filey (Brigg)

  Whitby

  Hornsea

  Scalby (Scarborough)

  Staithes

  Robin Hood's Bay

  Runswick Bay

  Sandsend

  Ravenscar

  Withernsea

  At Withernsea, sewage currently receives primary treatment before discharge. There are long sea outfalls at Bridlington and Hornsea and a new long sea outfall is under construction at Scarborough to replace the existing outfalls. There are new sewage outfalls to the sea in the Severn-Trent water authority area.

  Employee Share Ownership
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment what discussions have taken place as to the feasibility of introducing an employee share ownership scheme in any future privatisation that his Department may sponsor.

  Mr. Ridley
  In his reply on 15 March to a written question by my hon. Friend the Member for Gainsborough and Horncastle (Mr. Leigh), at column 238, my hon. and learned Friend the Minister for Water and Planning announced that there will be special share offer arrangements for the employees of the new water plcs when the present water authorities are floated later this year. Discussions are in progress between my Department and the Water Authorities Association on the establishment of share schemes, approved by the Inland Revenue, as part of those share arrangements.

  In his statement to the House on 3 February 1988 at column 983 my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State, the Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr. Chope) made it clear that in evaluating private sector bids for the Crown Suppliers he would pay particular attention to proposals for the involvement of the staff in the success of the enterprise.

  Housing Associations
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the differences in standards of construction between dwellings constructed and completed wholly by the housing association grant system and those either planned or completed through mixed housing association grant and private finance; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  To receive housing association grant from the Housing Corporation all schemes must meet appropriate standards of construction and provide accommodation appropriate for the intended use. The same design and contracting requirements are specified by the Housing Corporation, irrespective of whether the schemes are financed wholly by public funds or by a mixture of HAG and loans from the private sector.

  Community Charge
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment to what extent section 11(7) of the proposed Community Charges (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations allows a community charge registration officer to provide the police, immigration authorities and the Inland Revenue with a copy of the publicly available extract of the register.

  Mr. Gummer
  Not to any extent whatsoever.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what timetable for implementation of the Community Charge (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1989, (S.I., 1989, No. 438) his Department is working to.

  Mr. Gummer
  The operative dates of the regulations are set out at the beginning of the statutory instrument. The regulations are all now in force except for regulations 4 and 5, which will come into effect on 22 May. These two regulations will enable registration officers to require information from individuals for the purpose of compiling their registers.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether young people over the age of 18 years who are either(a) studying on a discretionary grant or (b) on employment training or a similar scheme will have their income adjusted to take account of their obligation to pay the community charge from April 1989 in Scotland and from April 1990–91 in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer, 6 April 1989]: Full-time students wil pay only 20 per cent. of the community charge, and people undertaking employment training will be entitled to claim rebates of up to 80 per cent. The level of discretionary grants is a matter for local education authorities and the level of training allowances is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment.

  Rights of Way
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to seek powers to enable him to charge for public inspection of definitive maps and statements of public rights of way, contained in section 57(5) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
  578
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  No.

  Beaches
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what will be the cost of bringing beaches in Yorkshire up to European Economic Community standards; and from what date he is expects the standards to be met.

  Mr. Howard
  The costs and completion date of capital works currently planned by Yorkshire water authority for improving bathing waters are set out below:

  Water

  Cost £ million

  Completion

  Robin Hood's Bay

  1·3

  Spring 1993

  Scarborough (North and South Bays)

  26·2

  Summer 1991

  Flamborough South Landing

  1·0

  Spring 1992

  Withernsea

  3·8

  Spring 1992

  Only one of these waters—that at Flamborough south landing—failed to comply with EEC standards in 1988. However, it is expected that all Yorkshire Water bathing waters will reliably meet those standards once the improvement works have been completed.

  Dog Registration Scheme
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list the considerations which caused him to incorporate section 37 into the Local Government Act 1988;

  (2) pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Uxbridge (Mr. Shersby) of 14 February, on dog registration, Official Report, column 186, if he has any plans to repeal section 37 of the Local Government Act 1988;

  (3) if he has consulted local authorities and other organisations on the question of dog registration, as required by section 37 of the Local Government Act 1988.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Section 37 was inserted into the Act by another place against Government advice. We accepted it so as not to delay Royal Assent. We have no plans to repeal section 37. We do not intend to introduce a dog registration scheme so that the requirement to consult local authorities does not arise.

  Rates
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of total personal disposable income was expended on domestic rates in the years 1959–60, 1979–80, 1984–85 and 1987–88.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Domestic rate payments as a percentage of total personal disposable income in the United Kingdom are estimated to be 2 per cent. in 1979–80, 2·4 per cent. in 1984–85 and 2·6 per cent. in 1987–88. Information for 1959–60 is not available.

  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate what the level of the uniform business rate in England would have been(a) in 1987–88 and (b) in 1988–89, if introduced on existing business rateable valuations.
  579
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  A uniform business rate for England set at the average level for 1987–88 would have been 224p in the pound. For 1988–89 it would have been 239·5p in the pound.

  Strategic Planning (London)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those statutory powers in respect of strategic planning in the Greater London area which were formerly held by the Greater London council which are now not possessed by Her Majesty's Government.

  Mr. Chope
  The Local Government Act 1985 replaced the Greater London council's responsibility for preparing a structure plan under the former two-tier development plan system by providing that London borough councils prepare unitary development plans. Each plan, when it becomes operative will, for the area covered by the plan, supersede the Greater London developement plan. Since 1 April 1986 the boroughs have been responsible for handling all planning applications for which the former GLC held statutory responsibility.

  Rating Reform
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if, further to his answer of 2 February,Official Report, columns 359–64, to the hon. Member for Leeds, West (Mr. Battle), he will update the information provided where appropriate.

  Mr. Gummer
  The information I provided on 2 February remains the latest available.

  Pesticides
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will publish a list of those pesticides which he views as persistent and toxic and with a liability to bio-accumulate;

  (2) if he will publish a list of those pesticides which are on his Red List for priority review.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 10 April, which included the initial list of priority substances posing a particular risk for the aquatic environment (the Red List) selected primarily on the basis of their toxicity, persistence, and liability to bio-accumulate. Of the substances on that list, the following have been or can be used as pesticides:

  Some Mercury compounds

  gamma-Hexachlorocyclohexane

  DDT

  Pentachlorophenol

  Hexachlorobenzene

  Aldrin

  Dieldrin

  Endrin

  Dichlorvos

  Atrizine

  Simazine

  Tributyltin and triphenyltin compounds

  Trifluralin

  Fenitrothion

  Azinphos-methyl

  Malathion

  Endosulfan

  Loughborough and Angell Town Estates
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how he intends to conduct a ballot of the tenants of the Angell town and Loughborough estates in Lambeth in relation to a housing action trust.

  Mr. Trippier
  Tenants in proposed housing action trust areas will be fully consulted before any ballots are held. We have already announced that the Electoral Reform Society has agreed to conduct ballots under the terms of section 61(3)(a) of the Housing Act 1988.

  New Dwellings
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many dwellings were completed by local authorities and new towns in England and Wales in 1988.

  Mr. Trippier
  It is provisionally estimated that there were 15,400 local authority and new town completions in England for 1988. For information on housebuilding in Wales, I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Empty Houses
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authority voids there were in England at the latest available date; and of this total, how many were(a) actually available for letting, (b) in various stages of repair and (c) empty for over 12 months.

  Mr. Trippier
  The information for April 1988 was reported by local authorities in the annual housing investment programme return (HIP 1) and appears in the "Housing Needs Appraisal: HIP 1 for 1988, Grossed for England", a copy of which is in the Library.

  Stocken Hall, Rutland
  Mr. Latham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when a representative of his Department or of the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission last visited Stocken hall, Rutland, to investigate the condition of that grade 2 listed building; and what action was taken as a result of those visits.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  An inspector from the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission visited Stocken hall in April 1988, at which time certain wind and weather-proofing works were being carried out. Officials from the Department carried out a brief external inspection of the building in January 1989 following discussions with the local planning authority on future action in connection with Stocken hall. We understand that the building is being offered for sale.

  Mr. Latham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to use the statutory powers available to him, or encourage the use of similar powers by the local planning authority, to bring about the immediate protection and preservation of Stocken hall, Rutland, a grade 2 listed building; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Department has held discussions with the local planning authority about the possibility of serving a notice under section 101 of the
  581
  Town and Country Planning Act 1971 on the owner of Stocken hall. My right hon. Friend will consider whether he should authorise the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission to serve such a notice when the outcome of present attempts to sell the building is known.

  Mr. Latham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will list the specific action which has been taken since the reply by my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, West (Mr. Waldegrave) to the hon. Member for Rutland and Melton on 3 December 1986,Official Report, column 688, to repair and restore the grade 2 listed building, Stocken hall, Rutland; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We understand that since December 1986 the owners have carried out urgent repairs to wind and weather-proof Stocken hall. These works include patching a large hole in the roof with bitumen felt secured with wooden battens and boarding up and covering with plastic sheeting windows which were broken. These are the type of repairs which would in many circumstances meet the requirements of section 101 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971.

  Berne Convention
  Mrs. Rosie Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether it is possible to keep, breed, sell, and kill for commercial purposes those animals listed in appendix 2 of the convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats known as the Berne convention.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  In certain circumstances. I have written to the hon. Member with full details.

  Boreholes (Drinking Water)
  Mr. John Garrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the public buildings in Whitehall and Westminster in the care of the Property Services Agency which take drinking water from boreholes.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 22 March 1989]: Thames house south, Church house.

  Amazonia
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to the statement made on 13 March,Official Report, column 168 if he will make a further statement on the role Her Majesty's Government are playing in the intergovernmental panel on the climate change, and their work on clarifying the climatic consequences of deforestation in eastern Amazonia.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 10 April 1989]: The United Kingdom's delegate to the UNEP/WMO intergovernmental panel on climate change is Dr. John Houghton, Director General of the Meteorological Office. The IPCC has set up three working groups, on the science of climate change, on the impacts of climate and on formulation of response strategies. All are to report by mid-1990. Dr. Houghton leads the science working group. The Government are supporting a central unit for this group, based on the Meteorological Office, and is funding working and plenary meetings. It is also supporting Dr.
  582
  Martin Parry of the university of Birmingham, an internationally recognised expert on the impact of climate change, to contribute to the working group on impacts. Officials and experts from several Government Departments are contributing to the working group on response strategies. We have been assured that change in vegetation cover, which includes tropical deforestation, is one of the climate forcing factors being reviewed by the science working group.

EMPLOYMENT

  Training Agency (Computer Information)
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what information is available to employers on computer assisted local labour information, developed by the Training Agency; what is the extent of the use of the system by employers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cope
  The key information, in the main collected from employers, held on the computer assisted local labour market information system (CALLMI), includes work force characteristics, recruitment practices and difficulties, use of new technology, and training-related data. The system itself is not directly accessible to employers, but summary analyses and reports by the Training Agency are readily available to employers and employer organisations. It is not possible to say how many employers have received copies of these reports nor to what use they have been put.

  My Department, through the Training Agency and the establishment of training and enterprise councils, is committed to ensuring that all concerned with training, vocational education and enterprise have access to relevant and readily available information. CALLMI is a key tool in this process. We shall continue to seek ways of developing effective means of co-operation with other collectors and users of local labour market information, at the same time respecting the need for confidentiality concerning individual employers' data.

  Agriculture (Accidents)
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will estimate the number of accidents that go unreported in the agriculture industry.

  Mr. Nicholls
  All cases of fatal injury in the course of agricultural work activities are reported to the Health and Safety Executive's Her Majesty's agricultural inspectorate. It is not known what proportion of other reportable accidents from agricultural activities go unreported, but it is thought to be more than 50 per cent.

  Career Development Loans
  Mr. Carrington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people have taken up career development loans since the launch of the scheme in 1986; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cope
  Since April 1986, 2,740 career development loans have been approved, 655 during the pilot phase and 2,085 since the scheme was launched nationally in July 1988. The total approved loan value is currently some £6·5 million.

  The growth in the number of career development loans since they became available nationally last year has been

  583
  very encouraging. It has shown that many people both employed and unemployed, are willing to invest in their own future by paying for vocational training of their own choice to improve their job prospects.

  Advertising
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the cost to his Department of producing the information leaflet "You and Your Union: The Employment Act 1988", and what has been the cost of advertising this package.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The cost to the Department of Employment of producing the information booklet "You and Your Union: the 1988 Employment Act" was £9,395. A further reprint of the booklet has been ordered to meet demand but the cost of this is not known yet. The total media cost was £277,337, excluding VAT.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the latest measurement of long-term unemployment in East Sussex.

  Mr. Lee
  The information is available from the Library. In January 1989 the number of unemployed claimants in East Sussex who had been unemployed for 12 months or more was 5,143.

  Mental Illness
  Mr. Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has about the loss of working time resulting from mental illness; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  There are no firm figures but the booklet "Mental Health at Work", published by the Health and Safety Executive, estimated that some 30–40 per cent. of all sickness absence from work is attributable to some form of mental or emotional disturbance.

  University College of Wales
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give his support to the application by the University College of Wales Swansea (Computeraid Ltd.) for European social fund grant funding.

  Mr. Cope
  My Department supports all European social fund applications which meet the European Commission's eligibility criteria.

  Although my Department has not yet received formal notification of the European Commission's decision on United Kingdom social fund applications for 1989, we understand that the scheme to which the hon. Member refers was refused funding on what appears to be a technicality. A request therefore has been forwarded to the European Commission to review its decision.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects to publish his Department's internal review of employment services for disabled people; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lee
  I refer the right hon. Member to the reply that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Exeter (Mr. Hannam) on 7 November 1988 at column 54.

  Tourism (Bristol)
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any plans further to assist Bristol city council to increase employment in tourism-related industries.

  Mr. Lee
  The English Tourist Board, on behalf of the Department of Employment, will be running one of its "Vision for the Cities" seminars in Bristol on 20 April 1989, as part of the Government's action for cities campaign. The aim of the seminar is to stimulate further development and investment which will expand tourism employment within the city.

  Accidents
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of reported accidents were investigated by the factories inspectorate in 1988.

  Mr. Nicholls
  In 1987–88. 4·9 per cent. of reportable accidents reported to the factory inspectorate were investigated. All accidents involving fatal injuries were investigated. Reported accidents are selected for investigation after considering the gravity of the apparent breach, the need to give advice and the value of any information that would be obtained to prevent similar accidents.

  EC Labour and Social Affairs Council
  Dr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the European Community Labour and Social Affairs Council held in Luxembourg on 5 April.

  Mr. Cope
  It was a very constructive meeting. The Council reached agreement on a common position on three draft directives concerning the minimum safety and health requirements in the workplace. These cover the workplace; the use by workers of machines, equipment and installations; and the use by workers of personal protective equipment. There was some discussion of a proposal for social measures to assist workers in the shipbuilding industry who are made redundant or threatened with redundancy; and family benefits for migrant workers. The Commissioner gave an oral presentation on a possible community charter of fundamental social rights. Finally, the Council reached agreement on a text of a resolution on continuing vocational training.

WALES

  Baglan Road
  Mr. John Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received regarding the congestion along the Baglan road; and what further urgent work will be put in hand, in addition to the work on traffic lights to be installed by the West Glamorgan county council.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  A petition has been received from the Port Talbot Ratepayers Association regarding congestion at Baglan. The scheme to install part-time traffic lights at Baglan roundabout which will start in the summer, includes provision for increased carriageway widths.

  Domestic Rates
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of total personal disposable income in Wales was expended on domestic rates in the years 1959–60, 1979–80, 1984–85 and 1987–88.

  Mr. Grist
  The estimated percentages of total personal disposable income in Wales expended on domestic rates in the years 1979–80, 1984–85 and 1987–88 are as follows. Information is not available for the year 1959–60.

  Percentage

  1979–80

  1·47

  1984–85

  1·61

  1987–88

  1·90

  Pollution
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a table showing for each county in Wales for each of the last three years the number of pollution incidents caused by(a) silage liquor, (b) farmyard slurry and (c) other pollutants.

  Mr. Grist
  This information is not held by the Welsh Office. I will ask the chairman of the Welsh Water Authority to write to the hon. Gentleman.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many households were accepted as homeless in Wales in the calendar years 1987 and 1988; and how many applications by households there were in those years.

  Mr. Grist
  The numbers of households accepted as homeless in Wales in the calendar years 1987 and 1988 were 5,683 and 6,818 respectively. The numbers of cases presented during those years were 8,423 and 10,018, respectively.

  Bathing Water Survey
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he is now in a position to place in the Library the results of the 1988 bathing water survey.

  Mr. Grist
  The results of the 1988 bathing water survey have already been placed in the Library. I refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement made by my hon. and learned Friend the Minister of State for the Environment to the House on 21 February.

  Sewage (Sea Discharges)
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if the project on research that would determine the fate of viruses discharged into the sea in sewage has now started.

  Mr. Grist
  Yes.

  Inward Investment (Report)
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he intends to publish his response to the Select Committee on Welsh Affairs' report on inward investment.
  586
  Mr. Peter Walker
  Shortly.

  Tony Ball Associates
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what payments have been made by his Department, in each of the financial years 1987–88 and 1988–89, to Mr. Tony Ball and Tony Ball Associates, respectively; and in respect of what work or services.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Mr. Tony Ball undertook a study of the craft industry free of fees. He was paid £2,154 in 1987–88 and £350 in 1988–89 to meet his expenses. In addition, Tony Ball Associates were paid £63,269 in 1987–88 and £21,673 in 1988–89 exclusive of VAT in respect of the craft industry, the enterprise Wales and the Wales land of quality initiatives. All of this work was undertaken following a competitive tender, except for the craft industry element (£3,269 in 1987–88) which was paid for at cost.

  National Curriculum
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when his Department will make available to schools in Wales, the document "National Curriculum: From Policy to Practice."

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Because there are some differences in the content and implementation of the national curriculum in Wales, my right hon. Friend does not intend to circulate the Department of Education and Science document, "National Curriculum: From Policy to Practice" to schools in Wales. An equivalent Welsh Office document is being produced and will be issued to schools in the current term.

  Community Nursing Services (Report)
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he will publish his response to the report of the review of community nursing services in Wales.

  Mr. Grist
  A circular is being issued today giving the Departmental reaction to the Community Nursing Review (CNR) report "Nursing in the Community—A Team Approach for Wales" and guidance and information as to what the next steps are to be. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

  The report was, in my view, an excellent one and reaction to it has been overwhelmingly favourable. I am very grateful to Mrs. Noreen Edwards CBE, under whose chairmanship the review was conducted, and to her team for providing such a thorough analysis of community nursing in Wales and I am glad to be able to respond favourably to almost all the report's recommendations.

  I have been made particularly aware of the importance of proper training and education for community nurses in Wales and we will be making additional funding available for this and for specific support for them in the operational context.

  I am sure that the work stimulated by the report will have a major beneficial impact on the community nursing service in Wales for many years to come.

  Population Movement
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what information he has on the numbers of people who have moved to live(a) into and (b) out of each district authority area in Wales in each year since 1979.

  Movements between family practitioner committee areas

  (in thousands)

  Year ended September

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  (a) Movements into:

  Clwyd

  13·4

  11·8

  10·7

  11·4

  11·1

  10·9

  12·1

  12·0

  13·4

  15·7

  Dyfed

  11·5

  11·6

  10·4

  10·0

  10·4

  10·3

  10·5

  11·6

  13·1

  15·3

  Gwent

  8·5

  8·1

  8·0

  7·7

  7·2

  7·8

  8·5

  8·4

  9·4

  11·0

  Gwynedd

  8·1

  8·2

  7·8

  7·8

  7·8

  8·4

  8·8

  8·4

  9·6

  11·1

  Mid Glamorgan

  9·3

  9·4

  8·8

  8·4

  8·1

  8·3

  9·2

  8·3

  9·2

  11·1

  Powys

  5·0

  4·1

  3·8

  4·2

  3·7

  3·9

  4·8

  5·0

  5·5

  5·9

  South Glamorgan

  12·0

  11·4

  11·7

  11·4

  12·9

  10·0

  12·2

  13·8

  13·6

  15·8

  West Glamorgan

  8·0

  7·0

  6·9

  5·9

  6·1

  6·7

  7·1

  7·3

  7·6

  8·7

  (b) Movements out of:

  Clwyd

  9·7

  9·4

  9·7

  9·3

  9·2

  9·5

  9·8

  10·1

  10·2

  11·6

  Dyfed

  8·9

  8·8

  8·4

  8·4

  8·4

  9·0

  8·9

  9·2

  9·6

  10·4

  Gwent

  9·3

  8·5

  8·9

  8·0

  8·2

  8·2

  8·8

  8·8

  9·1

  9·5

  Gwynedd

  7·4

  7·1

  6·8

  6·6

  7·0

  7·1

  7·0

  7·2

  7·7

  8·1

  Mid Glamorgan

  10·6

  9·9

  10·2

  9·2

  10·0

  9·5

  10·1

  10·5

  10·6

  11·3

  Powys

  3·9

  3·4

  3·3

  3·4

  3·4

  3·6

  3·7

  3·9

  4·0

  4·3

  South Glamorgan

  12·8

  11·9

  12·2

  11·5

  11·9

  11·2

  12·8

  12·3

  13·2

  13·7

  West Glamorgan

  7·8

  7·3

  7·0

  7·1

  7·2

  7·0

  7·2

  7·9

  7·9

  8·4

  Source:OPCS.

  Note: Figures are derived from re-registration of patients with National Health Service general practitioners; for 1979 to 1983 they are based on a 10 per cent. analysis of re-registrations. Movements to or from overseas are excluded.

ENERGY

  Nuclear Tax
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) whether, in setting the nuclear tax level at 10 per cent., he took into account the cost of reprocessing, decommissioning of plant and the disposal of waste;

  (2) on what basis the nuclear tax of 10 per cent. is expected to drop to 3 per cent. by the year 2000;

  (3) what difference in the price of generation between nuclear power and fossil fuel the nuclear tax of 10 per cent. represents;

  (4) whether the nuclear tax will take effect as soon as National Power begins operation as a private company.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The fossil fuel levy is not a nuclear tax but an allocation of existing nuclear costs. It will be levied on all sales of fossil-generated power by licensed suppliers and set at a level to recover any difference in price between the costs of meeting the non-fossil obligation and what would have been the cost of purchasing that electricity if it had been generated by fossil-fuel generating stations. Negotiations on contracts for generating capacity will not be completed until later this year. It is too early to say what the prices in these contracts will be or the implications for the level of the levy, either in 1990 or later in the decade.

  The contracts for nuclear generating capacity will take into account the anticipated costs of reprocessing, decommissioning of plant and the disposal of waste.

  The timing of the introduction of the levy will be dealt with in regulations made by the Secretary of State under clause 31 of the Electricity Bill.
  588
  Mr. Grist
  [holding answer 11 April 1989]: Data from the National Health Service central registers (which relate to movements of persons on National Health Service doctors' lists) give an indication of migration into and out of Welsh counties. These are shown in the following table. Information is not available at district authority level.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Angola
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what specific aid has been given to the Angolan Government by Her Majesty's Government in the last two years; and for which specific projects.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  In 1987, the most recent year for which final figures are available, expenditure was £211,000 on English language training projects and scholarships requested by the Angolan Government.

  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current value in pounds sterling of British Government aid to Angola.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  Final expenditure figures for 1988 are not yet available. In addition to continuing projects, we pledged £750,000 for emergency relief through international and non-Government organisations.

  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current value of European Community aid to Angola; and how this aid is managed and deployed.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  Some £66 million has been allocated to Angola's country programme under Lomé III, which runs from 1985 to 1990. Commitments so far have been made to agriculture, fisheries, industry and health.

  Following the recent peace agreement, the Community plans to use some of the money which remains uncommitted to help with job creation and reintegrating former military personnel into civilian life. It also plans to give another £26 million for humanitarian, refugee and other assistance. In 1988 it gave some £6 million of food aid to Angola.
  589
  Proposals for aid allocations are approved by the Community member states. The Commission and its delegation in Luanda are responsible for managing projects and programmes, along with the Angolan authorities.

  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the value of British Government aid to individuals and agencies in Angola not associated with the MPLA-PT Government of Angola.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  In 1987, we provided £50,000 for relief purposes through international and non-governmental agencies.

  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guarantees and mechanisms are in place to ensure that British Government aid to Angola is not used for military purposes.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  In common with our aid to other developing countries, our aid is provided for specific purposes. In Angola these are English language training projects and scholarships.

  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government have received from the Angolan Government concerning aid to Angola in the last two years.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  There are regular contacts between the two Governments about our aid programme. I had friendly discussions with President dos Santos and Ministers during my visit to Angola in February.

  Developing Countries (Privatisation)
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Monklands, West on 6 February,Official Report, column 470, (1) if he will name those developing nations which (a) reacted positively and (b) reacted negatively to that part of his Department's private sector development exercise relating specifically to the possibility of Britain offering assistance with the privatisation of nationalised industries;

  (2) what were the terms, financial or otherwise, offered to developing countries in exchange for British assistance (a) in the promotion of private sector development and (b) relating directly to the privatisation of nationalised industries; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The exercise comprised an instruction to British posts in developing countries encouraging closer consultation with their United States counterparts with a view to being able to respond more effectively to developing country needs in relation to private sector development, including privatisation.

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if his Department has had any discussions with(a) bankers, (b) brokers and (c) management consultants concerning the possibility of Britain assisting with the privatisation of developing nations' nationalised industries; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) whether officials from his Department have had meetings with representatives of the overseas privatisation unit of NM Rothschild; and if he will make a statement.
  590
  Mr. Chris Patten
  A variety of discussions have taken place over time. It is widely recognised that Britain' private sector has a special expertise in this field.

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has established a unit within his Department to examine the possibility of Britain offering privatisation expertise to developing nations.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  I see no reason to establish such a unit. The Overseas Development Administration's arrangements for managing bilateral aid already enable it fully to consider proposals related to all aspects of private sector development including privatisation.

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the cost to date of the exercise undertaken to identify opportunities for assisting developing countries with the promotion of private sector development, including privatisation.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The exercise has not resulted in significant additional expense. Providing the information requested would involve disproportionate cost, far exceeding any costs which the exercise itself has incurred.

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to conclude agreements with developing countries which would include Her Majesty's Government assisting with the privatisation of nationalised industries; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  There are no immediate plans for the conclusion of such agreements, but we have always made clear that we are ready to consider helping where we can.

  USAID
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the dates and locations when his officials have met representatives of the organisation USAID over the past two years.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials, both at home and overseas, are in frequent touch with USAID officials.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Urban Development Grants
  Mr. John Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in which urban areas applications for urban development grants are now being accepted.

  Mr. Needham
  Applications for urban development grant funded by the Government are being accepted in Belfast and Londonderry. Under the second urban development programme funded by the international monetary fund for Ireland the advertised closing date for applications was 28 February 1989. Consequently, only in Belfast and Londonderry are applications now being accepted.

  Dwellings (Valuation)
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many dwellings in Northern Ireland have a net annual valuation of less than £60.
  591
  Mr. Ian Stewart
  The information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Schizophrenia
  Mr. Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much was spent in Northern Ireland in the last year on the care and treatment of patients suffering from schizophrenia; and what percentage that figure represented of total expenditure on(a) mental and (b) all health services.

  Mr. Needham
  The information is not available.

  Mr. Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the current annual cost per patient to the National Health Service in Northern Ireland of the care and treatment of patients with a main diagnosis of schizophrenia psychoses.

  Mr. Needham
  The information is not available.

  Knackeries
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what study his Department has made of the Group Public Health Committee's report "The Unfit Meat Trade in Northern Ireland, Law and Enforcement Review" and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  The Departments of Agriculture and Health and Social Services are considering the detailed recommendations made in the report and will issue a response shortly.

  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he intends to bring forward new measures for the control of licensed knackeries to prevent unfit meat entering the human food chain.

  Mr. Needham
  A draft order in Council is being prepared by the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland which will provide for prescription in regulations of the standards to be met by knackeries, before such premises are licensed by district councils.

  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prosecutions have been brought against those operating illegal knackeries or trading in unfit meat during the last five years; what convictions have been obtained; and what penalties have been imposed.

  Firm

  Subject of assignment

  Aims Systems

  Structured Systems Analysis Design Methodology (SSADM) Consultancy

  Aims Training

  SSADM

  Anderson and Co.

  IT resourcing

  Apricot Ltd.

  Microcomputer Skills

  Associated Marketing (NI) Ltd.

  Marketing Appraisals

  W. S. Atkins Management Consultants

  Market Research

  Atkins Planning

  Marketing Appraisals

  592
  Mr. Needham
  The information is as follows:

  Offence

  Prosecutions

  Convictions

  Total fines (plus costs) £

  (i) Operating illegal knackery

  11

  10

  350

  (ii) Trading in unfit meat

  42

  42

  42

  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what specific and formal advice and assistance is available for those wishing to set up properly licensed and supervised knackeries to deal with fallen and casualty animals.

  Mr. Needham
  Any person wishing to set up a knackery can obtain advice from the environmental health department of the district council in whose area the proposed knackery would be situated. The advice would include information on licensing arrangements, siting and standards of premises and conditions to be observed in handling, treatment and movement of any unfit meat and the keeping of records.

  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list existing licensed knackeries, with the location of each and the service each offers to farmers.

  Mr. Needham
  There are two licensed knackeries in Northern Ireland—Lisburn By-Products Ltd., Moira road, Lisburn and Ulster Farm By-Products Ltd., Glenavy. Both knackeries provide farmers with an essential means of disposal of casualty and dead animals.

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

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  [holding answer 4 April 1989]: The total amount spent on management and computer consultancy in 1988 was £4,402,979. The remainder of the information is as follows:
  593

  Firm

  Subject of assignment

  D. E. Barnard Systems Ltd.

  Historic Monuments/Building Branch Strategy Study Country/Wild-life Branch Strategy Study Training Division Project

  Basil Singleton

  Assessing potential of Health Service sites for advertising hoardings

  BDO Binder Hamlyn

  Financial Appraisals and Marketing Appraisals

  Belmin Systems Ltd.

  Development of NI Parliamentary index

  BIC Systems Ltd.

  Microcomputer Skills

  Binder Hamlyn

  Industrial Science Division project

  BIS Beecom

  Management Information System Marketing Appraisals

  BIS Beecom (International) Ltd.

  Incentive Bonus schemes in DOE (NI) Works Service Specialised communication aspects of Integrated Computer System in DOE (NI) roads Service. Integrated Computer System in DOE Water Service. Monitoring Equal Opportunities in Public Bodies, Roads and Water Services integrated systems. User awareness— consultancy skills

  BIS Mackintosh

  Marketing Appraisals Information on EEC anti-dumping tariffs as applicable to electronics companies

  BPA (Tech Mangt) Ltd.

  Annual subscription to BPA Compass Scheme

  Brennan and Simmons

  Leadership Training Training for Trainers

  British Telecom

  Government Network

  Capita

  DENI IT Strategy Social Security Fraud Scrutiny Human Resource Management System Advanced Office Management Information System

  CARA Data

  Project Management

  CCTA

  Project Support IT Development Study Strategy enabling study Review of Bureau Services

  Centrehouse Management

  Financial appraisals

  J. T. Chambers

  Analysis of transportation costs for an inward investment company

  CIPFA

  Training for NICS Internal Auditors

  CIPFA Services Ltd.

  Integrated Computer System in DOE (NI) Water Service

  CI Training

  Microcomputer Skills

  Collingwood Harris

  Business Co-operation: Feasibility study Company Matchmaking in Maryland, USA

  Common Service Agency Scotland

  Community Health Index Project

  John Compton Associates

  Marketing Appraisals

  Computer Science Co. Ltd.

  Departmental Information Technology

  Construction Industry Computer Association

  Procurement of computer aided design system

  Consulting Partners International

  Marketing Appraisals

  594 595

  Firm

  Subject of assignment

  Coopers & Lybrand

  NI Emigration Package Development and implementation of information technology strategy for social security benefit payments

  Review of the Training Levy

  "Total Quality Centre" feasibility study

  Joint study with NM Rothchild & Sons Ltd—preliminary study on the privatisation of NIE

  Application of Clerical Work Measurement

  Project Sponsors

  Financial & Marketing Appraisals

  Company Appraisals

  To review the present arrangements for testing motor vehicles in Northern Ireland and advise on the feasibility of the privatisation of this function

  The supervision and monitoring the affairs of the NI Transport Holding Company and the three subsiduary transport operating companies

  Cork Gully

  Study into the Procedures for Investigating Personal Bankruptcy

  C S College

  PROMPT

  Deloitte Haskins & Sells

  Integrated Computer System in DOE (NI) Roads Service Company Appraisals

  Financial & marketing Appraisals

  Department of the Environment

  Building project advice

  Department of Finance & Personnel (PPRU)

  Survey of the disabled

  Department of Information Services, University of Ulster

  Consultancy Services for Road Survey Vehicle project Support for software/electronics presentations in US Support for presentation to company in Switzerland

  D J S Consultants

  Marketing Appraisals

  Denham Nash

  Consultancy Skills Training

  User Awareness

  Diane Bailey Associates

  Staff Training

  Digital Equipment Co

  Office automation

  Elite Consultancy Services

  Project cost monitoring

  EOSYS

  Data Communication

  Ernst and Whinney

  Financial Appraisals

  ESCO Management Consultants

  European salary survey for software industry

  Analysis of large computer sites in Northem Ireland

  Pauline Farrell

  Leadership Training

  Training for Trainers

  FIRA

  Marketing Appraisals

  Flynn Moore

  Financial Appraisals

  Focon International

  Marketing Appraisals

  Furniture Industry Research Association

  Kitchen furniture—GB Market Survey

  Gilpin Black Associates

  Financial Appraisals Management Training for Professional Staff

  Gloria Henderson Management

  Consultancy

  Social Security Fraud Scrutiny

  Gryphon Group

  Provision Business Pack Stage 1, distance learning video/audio pack aimed at business management

  W. Halcrow

  Efficiency study in the DOE (NI) Environmental Protection Division

  Hanna Thompson and Co.

  Financial Appraisals

  Stephen Hughes Associates

  Marketing Appraisals

  596 597

  Firm

  Subject of assignment

  Victor Hausner and Associates

  Belfast Special Action Group/Belfast Initiative

  HAY-MSL

  Review of salaries of senior NI Housing Executive Staff

  IBI Corporate Services

  Financial Appraisals Study re sale of shares in textile company

  ICL

  Systems Performance and Data Communications

  Training Division Project VME

  Industrial Training Services

  Community Projects Branch—Staff Training Review of health service personnel function Community Workshops Evaluation Monitoring of Recognised Training Organisations

  Investment Bank of Ireland

  Study re sale of shares in textile company

  Jackson Andrews

  Financial Appraisals

  Mark Jampolc

  Business Co-operation: Feasibility report; then Company match-making; in North West Pennsylvania

  Kleinwort Benson

  Privatisation of Short Bros PLC

  Knight Wendling

  Technical Appraisals

  Knowledge Tech Ltd

  Training Division Project

  KPMG Peat Marwick

  Report on the UK market for sheep's milk and sheep's milk products Update of study into the commercial viability of an irradiation facility in Northern Ireland. The original study was carried out in 1986

  Kurt Salmon Associates

  Study of the NI Clothing Industry

  Lazard Bros

  Privatisation of Harland and Wolff

  Learmont and Burchett

  Implementation of PROMPT Department of Agriculture Fatstock project—SSADM Project Control

  Lindsay Marketing

  Marketing Appraisal

  Gordon Lyell Associates

  The presentation and marketing of Historic Monuments in Northern Ireland, and in particular Carrickfergus Castle

  C. and K. MacFarlane

  Marketing Appraisals

  Stuart McKechanie

  Assignment Skills

  J. Leslie McKeown

  Financial Appraisals

  R. A. McLaughlin

  Assisting with the management of the EC Star (advanced telecommunications) Programme

  D. J. MacRitchie

  Financial Appraisals

  Mrs. D. Phillips

  To review the functions of the DOE (NI): Historic Monuments and Buildings Branch and the legislation under which it operates

  Practical Management Consultants

  Marketing Appraisals

  Price Waterhouse

  Evaluation of Training Programme for people in employment Study into the Comparative Corporate and Regional Tax Systems of the UK and ROI

  Statutory audit of Northern Heaith Board Company Appraisals

  Financial and Marketing Appraisals

  John McVeigh and Co.

  Financial appraisals

  Mandelo Development Consultants

  Study of contracting-out of economic development activities

  A. Manning Associates

  Team development

  Marceton Ltd.

  Marketing appraisals

  598 599

  Firm

  Subject of assignment

  Market Research Scotland

  Marketing appraisals

  Market Research UK Marketing and Management Information Services

  Marketing appraisals i Marketing appraisals

  Meconsult Ltd.

  Evaluation of Information Technology Centre

  Mindworks Partnership

  Business analysis training

  Muir and Addy Management Services

  Financial appraisals

  E. F. Munrose and Associates

  Marketing appraisals

  Netherlands Economic Institute

  Prospects of economic development in NI

  Northern Bank

  Pre-retirement

  NI Council on Alcohol

  Alcohol awareness

  North West Design Engineers

  Company appraisals

  Oracle

  Obstetrics project

  Oracle UK

  Oracle implementation

  4 G. L. training

  PA Consulting Services

  Introduction of a total quality management programme Preparation of guideline standards for work study

  PA Management Consultants

  Marketing appraisals

  Peat Marwick

  Company appraisals Financial-marketing appraisals Marketing appraisals

  P. E. Consulting Group

  Marketing appraisals

  Peterborough Software

  UNIPAY system

  Michael Peters Group plc

  Provision of design clinics for NI business community "Profit by Design"

  PRI Consultants

  Evaluation of Voluntary Organisations with regard to Grant Aid

  Queen's University, Belfast

  Administrative Law, Basic Book-keeping, Investment Appraisal, Management Accounting, Policy Management, Tuition for Institute of Internal Auditors Examinations, Understanding Company Accountants

  Quinn and Co.

  Financial Appraisals

  David Rigby Associates

  Company Appraisals

  Roffey Park

  Training for Trainers

  RMA Management Consultants

  Company Appraisals

  N. M. Rothchild and Sons Ltd.

  Joint study with Coopers and Lybrand—Preliminary study on the privatisation of NIE

  Saville/Holdsworth

  Block funding assessment project

  Sherwood Systems Ltd.

  Dataflex

  Shirley M. Holt Associates

  Marketing Appraisals

  Alan Smyth Associates

  Retention of services as IDB Quality Co-ordinator

  Software Ireland

  Management Information System, Valuation/Land office

  Stamen

  Horticultural activities for the mentally handicapped

  Strategic Training Ltd.

  Marketing training courses for NI business management

  Syntek Ltd.

  To review Transit computer procedures Training Division project

  600 601

  Firm

  Subject of assignment

  Telebriton Ltd.

  Pilot Study—Defence Sector Market Strategy for NI

  Identification of possible inward investment projects

  Identification of possible inward investment projects

  Software Fair in NIBC, London

  Time Consulting Group

  Software Strategy for NI—Investigation of the role of a Resource Centre

  Hans Tolin

  Business Co-operation:

  Feasibility report

  Company matchmaking with Swedish companies

  Touche Ross

  Privatisation and monitoring of Harland & Wolff

  Privatisation and monitoring of Short Bros PLC

  Financial/Marketing Appraisals

  Internal Audit Development

  Mental Health Service Audit

  Provision of NI Trade Director 1989 and Local Sourcing Database

  Analysis of transportation costs to and from various locations

  Market Research

  Company Appraisals

  Comparison of tax (personal and corporate) regimes in various European countries

  Training and Development Associates

  Young People's Programme

  University of Ulster

  Export Research Project

  Personal Computers Appreciation

  Policy Analysis

  Policy Management

  Report on research activities in informatics at NI universities

  United Medical Enterprises

  Studies in connection with the export of NI

  Health Care Expertise

  Ritchie Ward Associates

  Project Management

  Project Sponsors

  Warne Franklin

  RAPRA Project—Technological Consultancy

  Wilt Thornton

  Financial Appraisals

  Xentec

  To review Transit computer procedures

  Mr. William Strathearn
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish in the Official Report the text of the letter from the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Hertfordshire, North (Mr. Stewart) to the hon. Member for Brent, East on 4 September 1988 about Mr. William Strathearn.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  [holding answer 4 April 1989]: No. It is not our usual practice to publish correspondence of this kind.

  Regional Rates
  Mr. Clifford Forsyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will explain the methodology employed in striking the regional rate for Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  [holding answer 10 April 1989]: I refer the hon. Member to the explanation of the regional rate methodology given in the information note "Northern Ireland Regional Rate 1989–90" which is available in the House of Commons Library in support of the Rates (Regional Rate) Order (Northern Ireland) 1989 which was laid before Parliament on 7 March 1989.

SCOTLAND

  "Working for Patients"
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration he is giving to the number of overseas patients that can be treated in the self-managing hospitals proposed in the White Paper "Working for Patients".

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  We are considering how treatment of overseas patients in National Health Service hospitals, including self-governing hospitals, might best be administered in the context of the White Paper and the associated working papers.

  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many representations he has received on the White Paper "Working for Patients".

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Some 600 letters have been received, offering comments and suggestions in relation to various aspects of the White Paper.

  Private Secretary (Under-Secretary of State)
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects a new private secretary for the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Health and Education, the hon. Member for Stirling, (Mr. Forsyth) to be in post.
  603
  Mr. Rifkind
  There are no immediate plans to replace my hon. Friend's private secretary.

  Conifers
  Mr. Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will seek to alter the different tree-planting grants to eliminate the 300 per cent. differential between farm schemes and commercial schemes in the planting of conifers.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  No. Farmers have a choice as to which scheme they apply to enter.

  Edinburgh-Carlisle Trunk Road
  Mr. Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the schemes approved and their expected completion dates for improvements to the A7 Edinburgh-Carlisle trunk road.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The major A7 schemes in the trunk road programme are the north Middleton diversion, the Dalkeith bypass and the Langholm bypass. Works started on the north Middleton bypass in March. Advance works on the Dalkeith bypass are expected to start in May or June and the main works in October. The contract period for both schemes is 24 months and they should therefore be completed during 1991. The Langholm bypass will not complete its statutory and design stages before the mid-1990s.

  Mental Illness
  Mr. Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local authority residential places are currently available for those discharged from mental illness hospitals in Scotland; what is the current rate of occupancy; and what are the projected figures for the next two years.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Information about the provision of residential places is given in annual statistical returns from local authorities. At 31 March 1988 the provisional number of residential places in local authority establishments was 167; the occupancy rate was 61 per cent. The local authorities' returns do not extend to planned provision.

  University Grants
  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to review the Scottish Education Department grant regulations which prohibit individuals who hold a higher national diploma qualification from receiving a full grant for a university course.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Under present rules, eligible students who complete a course leading to a higher national diploma may qualify for a student's allowance for the third and any subsequent year of a full-time degree or comparable course.

  With effect from session 1989–90, my right hon. and learned Friend has decided that those higher national diplomates who wish to proceed to undertake full-time studies at degree level in the sciences, technology, or certain teacher shortage subjects will, exceptionally, be entitled to grant assistance for the second and any subsequent year of a degree or comparable course.

  Housing
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many dwellings were completed by local authorities and new towns in Scotland in 1988.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Although a number of returns have yet to be received, we estimate that almost 2,000 dwellings were completed by local authorities in Scotland in 1988. Returns submitted by new town development corporations indicate that 257 dwellings were completed during the year.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many households were accepted as homeless in Scotland in the calendar years 1987 and 1988; and how many applications by households there were in those years.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Returns submitted by local authorities indicate that during 1987, 23,882 households applied to be considered under the homelessness legislation. Of these, authorities assessed 9,317 as being homeless. A comparable figure for 1988 cannot be provided at present as most local authorities still have returns outstanding.

  Enterprise Allowance Scheme
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of unemployed people in(a) Greenock and Port Glasgow, (b) Strathclyde and (c) Scotland who have been helped to start a business through the enterprise allowance scheme in each year since its inception; and how many of these schemes have failed in each year.

  Mr. Lang
  The number of unemployed people who started their own business with the help of the enterprise allowance scheme in each year since its inception in August 1983 in the areas requested is set out in the table.

  Enterprise allowance scheme

  Entrants

  Year

  Greenock and Port Glasgow

  Strathclyde

  Scotland

  1983–84 (August to March)

  26

  585

  2,249

  1984–85

  48

  1,352

  3,794

  1985–86

  79

  1,601

  5,311

  1986–87

  105

  2,386

  8,260

  1987–88

  122

  2,779

  9,894

  1988–89

  101

  2,558

  8,494

  Information on the number of these businesses which have subsequently failed is not available. However, the latest national survey shows that of those businesses completing 12 months on the scheme 74 per cent. were still trading 18 months after start-up with 65 per cent. still trading three years after start-up.

  Working Women
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the annual number of(a) full-time and (b) part-time working women for each year since 1979 in (i) Greenock and Port Glasgow, (ii) Strathclyde and (iii) Scotland as a whole.
  605
  Mr. Lang
  The table gives the number of(a) full-time and (b) part-time women employees in employment in Scotland for September each year since 1979, and the available information on women employees in employment for Strathclyde region and Greenock and Port Glasgow parliamentary constituency.

  Information for Strathclyde and Greenock and Port Glasgow is available only from the 1981 and 1984 census of employment. For 1981 analyses for parliamentary constituencies do not distinguish full-time from part-time employees.

  The figures for Scotland for 1984 onwards may be revised when the results of the 1987 census of employment available later this year.

  Employees in employment full and part-time women workers at September

  Thousands

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Scotland

  1979

  571·6

  330·8

  1980

  558·9

  331·5

  1981

  534·2

  337·8

  1982

  508·0

  340·4

  1983

  503·6

  336·8

  1984

  505·1

  346·0

  1985

  504·9

  363·2

  1986

  499·7

  366·6

  1987

  503·3

  380·7

  1988

  528·7

  381·9

  Strathclyde

  1981

  252·3

  146·9

  1984

  233·4

  144·4

  Greenock and Port Glasgow

  1981

  13·7

  1984

  8·3

  4·6

  General Practitioners (Contract)
  Mr. Allan Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from general practitioners in the Eastwood constituency about a new contract for general practice in the National Health Service in Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  In addition to the discussions with my hon. Friend and the representations he has received on behalf of general practitioners in his constituency my right hon. and learned Friend and I have received representations from general practitioners throughout Scotland many of which have been helpful to us in drawing up a new contract for general practice in the National Health Service in Scotland. That new contract has been sent to the General Medical Services Committee and I am sending a personal copy to every general practitioner in Scotland. The document is being published in Scotland today and copies have been placed in the Library.

DEFENCE

  Alcohol Consumption
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy with regard to the supply and consumption of alcohol on board Royal Navy vessels as it applies to(a) officers and (b) ratings.
  606
  Mr. Neubert
  Ratings on board Royal Navy vessels are limited in their daily onboard alcohol consumption. No specific limits are placed on officers but it is the responsibility of commanding officers to ensure that alcohol consumption of all personnel is not excessive. Drunkenness, even off duty and ashore, is an offence under the Naval Discipline Act, which can attract a punishment of up to two years imprisonment.

  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if submarines carrying nuclear weapons carry alcohol for consumption by the crew while the vessel is on active duty.

  Mr. Neubert
  Yes.

  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the navies which contribute to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation; and if he will indicate which do and do not permit alcohol consumption on board vessels.

  Mr. Neubert
  As far as I am aware only the United States Navy does not permit alcohol consumption on board.

  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate, by type, of the alcohol consumed on board Royal Navy vessels in the latest available year; and if he will indicate consumption differences between the wardroom and lower deck.

  Mr. Neubert
  Records are not maintained centrally. To obtain the information requested would involve dis- proportionate cost and effort, requiring individual returns from Royal Navy ships worldwide.

  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if, in view of the recent court martial of the commanding officer of a submarine, who because of alcohol consumption was unable to be on board at the time of sailing and whose intake of alcohol started on board, he will review the policy of allowing alcohol consumption on board Royal Navy vessels.

  Mr. Neubert
  No. The policy on alcohol consumption aboard Royal Navy vessels takes full account of operational safety and efficiency while allowing those who so desire a moderate level of alcohol consumption during off-duty hours. By virtue of being at sea, frequently for long periods, Royal Navy personnel are already severely restricted in their freedom of choice of off-duty activity without considering further curtailment.

  Specialist Staff
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what evidence he has to suggest that it will be easier to recruit specialist staff for the directorate general of defence quality assurance in Teesside than in south east England.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The directorate general of defence quality assurance is currently experiencing difficulty in recruiting specialist staff to work in south-east England, despite the higher pay allowances offered.

  The level of unemployment in the likely travel-to-work area for the proposed site is considerably higher than in the south-east. We would expect to be able to recruit or train people with the technical skills and expertise we require from Teesside which has a strong heavy engineering, process and chemical engineering tradition.

  Northern Ireland
  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many units of battalion or equivalent size, are currently serving in an infantry role in Northern Ireland, and as part of the permanent garrison are on short-term detachment; and what have been the figures in each year since 1969.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I shall write to my hon. Friend.

  Soldiers (Costs)
  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current annual cost of a Regular Army soldier and of a Territorial Army soldier.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The estimated annual cost at 1987–88 prices of a regular soldier is £14,100, and of a Territorial Army soldier £2,500. These figures cover pay and allowances, personal equipment and other support costs and in the case of the Regular Army soldier, elements for training and non-effective benefits. Training cost figures for Territorial Army soldiers are not separately identifiable without disproportionate cost and effort.

  Nuclear Convoys
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what prior warning was given to local authorities, both district and region, in the Clydeside area of the passage of nuclear convoys during the three weeks beginning Monday 20 March.

  (2) what is his policy for alerting local authorities to the imminent passage of nuclear naval convoys through their area.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  It has been the long-standing practice of successive Governments neither to confirm nor to deny the presence of nuclear weapons at any particular location, and it is not our policy to inform local authorities of nuclear weapon movements. We do, however, inform local police forces, who are responsible for road traffic control.

  Anti-tank Weapons (Movements)
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether light anti-tank weapons en route by rail and road from Royal Ordnance, Chorley to Ministry of Defence establishments are guarded by an armed escort.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  It would not be in the interests of security to divulge the arrangements for the physical protection of military stores during transit.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment has been made of the danger of theft of light anti-tank weapons in transit from Royal Ordnance, Chorley, to Ministry of Defence establishments; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The danger of theft of these stores is constantly reviewed in the light of the security threat assessment. It would not be in the interests of security to divulge the current assessment.

  Rolls-Royce
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list in the Official Report the value of headquarter
  608
  contracts awarded to Rolls-Royce Ltd. and Rolls-Royce plc by his Department for goods and services destined for the British armed services in each of the five years to 31 March 1988.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 4 April 1989]: The value of headquarters contracts awarded to Rolls-Royce Ltd. and Rolls-Royce plc. for goods and services destined for the British armed forces in each of the five years to 31 March 1988 were as follows:

  £ million

  1983–84

  370·00

  1984–85

  390·00

  1985–86

  445·00

  1986–87

  300·00

  1987–88

  220·00

HEALTH

  Meningitis
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding has been made available by his Department for research into the causes of clusters of meningitis; and if he will make a statement on what results have so far been obtained.

  Mr. Jackson
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Medical Research Council, which receives its grant-in-aid from this Department, is the main agency through which the Government support medical research. The council is funding a range of research into meningitis, and details are available in the reply that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge (Mr. Shersby) on 21 December 1988 at column 291–92. The Council is not, however, funding research into the causes of clusters of meningitis.

  The council is always ready to consider soundly based scientific proposals for funding of new research, in competition with other applications.

  Griffiths Report
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when his Department expects to publish the Government's response to the Griffiths report on community care.

  Mr. David Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he now intends to implement the terms of the Griffiths report "An Agenda for Action."

  Mr. Mellor
  I refer the hon. Member and the right hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Livingston (Mr. Cook) on 6 April 1989 at column 291.

  Eye and Dental Examinations
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department has on the numbers of people who currently have eye tests and dental examinations(a) in England and (b) in the appropriate area covering Nottingham.

  Mr. Mellor
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 24 November at column 261. I regret that the local information requested is not available.

  Air Conditioning
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which Trent regional health authority buildings have wet-air cooling air conditioning systems fitted; what action is being carried out to have them replaced by a different type of air conditioning system; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  Information available centrally shows that the following buildings in the Trent region had wet-spray cooling towers in July 1986:

  Leicester Royal Infirmary

  Leicester General Hospital

  Glenfield General Hospital

  Groby Road Hospital

  Derby Royal Infirmary

  Derby City Hospital

  Bassetlaw District General Hospital

  Doncaster Royal Infirmary

  Nottingham City Hospital

  Queens Medical Centre

  Q M C University Hospital

  Grantham Hospital

  Pilgrim Hospital

  Lincoln County Hospital

  Balderton Hospital

  Barnsley District General Hospital

  Northern General Hospital

  Royal Hallamshire Hospital

  Rotherham District General Hospital

  Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Royal Hospital

  Scarsdale Hospital

  The Department issued preliminary guidance in May 1987 and a detailed code of practice on the control of legionellae in health care premises in July 1988. Both the preliminary guidance and the code of practice recommended against premature replacement of wet-spray systems, unless these cannot be operated safely in accordance with specified technical criteria.

  Chiropody
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Nottingham, North, of Tuesday 29 November,Official Report, column 187–88, whether all patients on the home treatment list for chiropody have received written confirmation of continuing home treatment; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  Responsibility for the management of local health services rests with the district health authority concerned (in this case Nottingham health authority). I suggest that the hon. Member contacts the chairman of Nottingham health authority for the information he seeks.

  Birth Statistics
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list by year from 1979 the estimated percentage of women delivering in the Trent regional health authority whose deliveries were(a) spontaneous, including abnormal presentation of head and breech spontaneous, (b) instrumental, including forceps, vacuum and for breech extraction, (c) caesarean section and (d) other unspecified means.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information is not available in precisely the form requested. The table shows the mode of delivery for women normally resident in Trent RHA.
  610
  The estimates are derived from the hospital in-patient enquiry (HIPE) data collection which closed 1985. Data from 1981 is unreliable and has been excluded from the table.

  Mode of delivery for women normally resident in Trent RHA

  Percentages

  Year

  Spontaneous1

  Instrumental2

  Caesarean

  Other and unspecified

  1979

  77·0

  14·8

  7·8

  0·4

  1980

  75·1

  15·7

  9·1

  0·1

  1981

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1982

  75·5

  14·3

  10·2

  0·0

  1983

  75·7

  14·3

  10·0

  0·0

  1984

  76·0

  13·8

  10·2

  0·0

  1985

  78·6

  12·6

  8·7

  0·0

  1 Includes abnormal presentation of head and breech spontaneous.

  2 Includes forceps, vacuum and breech extraction.

  n/a=Data not available.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list by year from 1979 to date the estimated percentage of women delivering in the Trent regional health authority(a) whose labours were induced, (b) whose labours were of spontaneous onset and (c) who had elective caesarean section.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information is not available in precisely the form requested. The table shows the mode of delivery for women normally resident in Trent RHA.

  The estimates are derived from the hospital in-patient enquiry (HIPE) data, collection around in 1985. Data from 1981 is unreliable and has been excluded from the table.

  Induction of labour (with mode of delivery) for women normally resident in Trent RHA

  Percentages

  Year

  Induced labours

  Labours of spontaneous onset

  Elective caesarean sections

  1979

  25·1

  70·5

  4·4

  1980

  23·4

  72·9

  3·7

  1981

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1982

  20·5

  75·0

  4·5

  1983

  21·6

  74·2

  4·2

  1984

  18·3

  77·1

  4·6

  1985

  18·1

  78·4

  3·5

  n/a = Data not available.

  Disabled Persons
  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in implementing section 5 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986 in respect of its obligation to place duties upon educational authorities and social services authorities to identify, assess and provide for the needs of people with mental handicaps at the time that they move out of full-time education; and what arrangements have been made to ensure that these facilities are being monitored in respect of their implementation in terms of quality of life.

  Mr. Mellor
  Section 5 of the Act, which came into force on 1 February 1988, requires local authorities to identify all disabled school leavers, including those with mental handicaps, and assess their needs for welfare services. Although children leaving school in 1990 will be the first
  611
  group to fall within these provisions, we have asked local authorities to undertake similar functions for as many disabled children leaving school before that date as possible. The Department's social services inspectorate is undertaking two inspections of the implementation of sections 5 and 6 of the Act.

  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to implement sections 1 and 2 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986; and whether he will meet the cost implications required to appoint authorised representatives for all people with mental handicaps in connection with the provision of services and the right to obtain relevant information to facilitate an informed choice of a selection of appropriate support services.

  Mr. Mellor
  We have accepted the view of the local authority associations that detailed work, including costings, on sections 1, 2 and 3 of the Act should follow implementation of section 7.

  Immunopathology
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give for the Trent regional health authority(a) the number and (b) the locations of consultants in immunopathology; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  The total number of consultants in post for immunopathology in the Trent region as at 30 September 1987 is five (3·3 whole-time equivalent). This includes permanent paid, honorary and locum staff.

  Consultant contracts are held by the employing regional health authority and teaching districts, so information is not available centrally on locations of those working in one or more districts.

  Mental Health Act 1983
  Dr. Twinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the code of practice required under section 118 of the Mental Health Act 1983 will be laid before the House.

  Mr. Freeman
  There has been extensive consultation on two drafts of the code. I have established a small working group of people with wide experience of mental health matters to consider the comments received and produce a final draft, which we expect to lay before the House this autumn. The composition of the working group is as follows:

  Chairman:

  Mr. A. J. Collier, CB—formerly deputy secretary, Department of Health and Social Security;

  Members:

  Mr. M. Brown—Director of nursing (mental health) west Lambeth health authority;

  Mrs. J. Miles—General manager, priority care services unit, Aylesbury Vale health authority;

  Professor E. Murphy—Consultant psychiatrist and deputy chairman, mental health act commission;

  Mr. N. Welch—Principal social worker, Oxfordshire county council social services department;

  Secretary:

  Mr. W. Bingley—Legal director of MIND, on secondment to the Department of Health while acting as secretary;

  Assistant secretary:

  Mrs. M. Houston—Department of Health.

  Census Information
  Mr. Brandon-Bravo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will authorise any extension to the release of information from censuses more recent than 1881.

  Mr. Freeman
  Public access to individual census returns less than 100 years old is not generally permissible. However, I am prepared to extend the existing special arrangements which apply to the censuses of 1891 and 1901 and allow, subject to the consent of the person concerned or of direct descendant, for the release to researchers of the information recorded about that person's age and place of birth. This information may now be released also in respect of persons who die childless, provided the consent of the next of kin is given, and it will be available additionally to public trustee administrators seeking to trace possible beneficiaries to the estate of a deceased person. A charge for this service, approximating to the cost of providing it, will be made by the registrar general.

  "Working for Patients"
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has had from disability organisations on the National Health Service White Paper "Working for Patients."

  Mr. Mellor
  We have received representations so far from three different organisations in the disability field. We are taking the opportunity of the response to emphasise to them that the continued provision of services for disabled and chronically sick people will be ensured by the White Paper proposals.

  Rheumatologists
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of health districts do not have a rheumatologist in post.

  Mr. Mellor
  Figures for September 1987 show than 34 per cent. of the 191 health districts in England did not have a rheumatologist in post.

  Systemic Lupus Erythernatosus
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to publicise the effects of systematic lupus erythematosus.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Department is not involved directly in publicising the effects of this disease, but welcomes the important work done by organisations such as Arthritis Care.

  Artificial limbs and Appliances
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State For Health if he will list all the bodies which have a statutory duty or powers to provide orthoses, prostheses or special equipment to people with disabilities; if he will specify in each case the particular circumstances in which such equipment can be provided and any restrictions on its use; if he has any plans to rationalise the provision of these services; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  A wide range of bodies provide equipment to disabled people for purposes including education and
  613
  employment. Detailed responsibility in fields of health and social services with regard to equipment for disabled are as follows.

  The duty to provide the facilities in question for people with disabilities arises from the duty of the Secretary of State under the National Health Service Act 1977 to promote the establishment in England and Wales of a comprehensive health service. This duty is discharged through various bodies.

  District health authorities may provide orthotic appliances, footwear and certain types of prosthesis, when the patient has been examined and the appliance etc. prescribed by or under the direction of a consultant, either at a hospital, or at a clinic or on the occasion of a domiciliary visit.

  Where provision or renewal of such appliances is recommended, the consultant may, if satisfied that the condition has reached stability, decide that supply be continued for a stated period of up to five years. In the case of breast prostheses and wigs, there is no such limit.

  Following referral from a general practitioner to a consultant ophthalmologist, low vision aids may be prescribed through the hospital eye service's low vision clinic.

  Hearing aids may be prescribed by a hospital consultant following referral from a general practitioner they are supplied and fitted on free loan by NHS hearing centres.

  Communication aids may be prescribed by a hospital consultant to help with speech and language impairment.

  Equipment to enable people to be nursed in their own home may be supplied free to out-patients being actively treated or to discharged in-patients, for as long as it is required. This equipment may be on loan and returnable; or consumable.

  General practitioners may prescribe certain equipment as items on the drug tariff. This includes some incontinence equipment (but not pads and garments which are obtainable, if necessary, through the community nursing services). People with stomas requiring ostomy equipment are permanently exempt from the usual charges.

  The Disablement Services Authority supplies artificial limb prostheses. Its doctors assess people who are referred by their surgeon or general practitioner.

  The Disablement Services Authority supplies on loan a range of wheelchairs on the recommendation of any NHS doctor. It will also meet the cost of repair to wheelchairs except in the case of misuse or neglect. Such equipment should be returned when no longer needed.

  The Disablement Services Authority also has powers to provide a range of services to war pensioners, including orthopaedic footwear, surgical appliances, hearing aids, wigs and home nursing equipment. (War pensioners may also obtain these services through their local district health authority.)

  The Department of Health provides certain services directly.

  The Artificial Eye Service provides artificial eyes, cosmetic shells and orbital facial prostheses through its clinics.

  Environmental control equipment for severely disabled people may be provided on free loan to people meeting specific criteria as assessed by certain doctors acting on the authority of regional medical Officers (this authority is devolved to district medical officers in some regions).
  614
  Where they are satisfied of need, local authority social services departments have a duty which includes the provision of facilities to meet the needs of a disabled person. Local authorities may make a charge for such services and, where appropriate, equipment should be returned when no longer required. This equipment includes wheelchairs for temporary use.

  The services of the Disablement Services Authority will pass to district health authorities on 1 April 1991 and negotiations are well in hand on the best way of carrying these services forward in future, in the light of local circumstances in each region and district.

  Ambulance Services
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has regarding the arrangements which exist for the interchange of information between ambulance services in England; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  Regional ambulance officers are responsible for ensuring co-operation and co-ordination of ambulance services within their region and they hold regular meetings for that purpose with the chief ambulance officers of these services. Regional ambulance officers themselves form a group which meets regularly with departmental officials to facilitate the exchange of information between services. In addition, ad hoc seminars and conferences are held when necessary to discuss matters of national import.

  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the current standards of training provided for ambulance crews in England.

  Mr. Freeman
  The National Health Service Training Authority is the body responsible for devising the programme of training and syllabi for ambulance staff and in addition it also monitors extended training in the skills of advanced resuscitation. Training is carried out by regional ambulance training schools.

  All grades of employees must attend appropriate courses as determined by their employing authority. To attain the grade of qualified ambulanceman, an employee must undertake a six-week approved course in ambulance aid; a two-week driver course; complete at least 12 months on operational duties and be assessed by the employing authority as competent over the whole range of duties. Qualified and leading ambulancemen must attend a two-week post-proficiency course in ambulance aid at intervals of no more than five years.

  NHS Finance
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects district health authorities and any National Health Service self-governing hospitals to be paying market rates of interest under the proposals on his capital charges working paper on the National Health Service on their land building and equipment; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  The rate of interest used in the calculation of capital charges will be set in line with the discount rate for the non-trading part of the public sector. The Chief Secretary recently announced that this rate will be 6 per cent. The capital charges scheme will not apply to
  615
  self-governing hospitals. Self-governing hospitals will have an intitial debt equal to the value of the capital assets transferred; the total arrangements for servicing the capital of self-governing hospitals will be consistent with the capital charging scheme.

  Benzodiazepine
  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will commission the Institute of Psychiatry to carry out research into(a) the number of children in the United Kingdom addicted to benzodiazepines, (b) the number of adults in the United Kingdom addicted to benzodiazepines, (c) the number of people placed in psychiatric hospitals in the United Kingdom in order to withdraw from benzodiazepines and (d) the number of people on sick or invalidity benefit in the United Kingdom following benzodiazepine withdrawal; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 11 April 1989]: There are no plans at present for the Department to commission research in the specific areas referred to by the hon. Member. However, the Department has sponsored a significant body of research relevant to benzodiazepines, mainly through the Institute of Psychiatry. In addition, the Medical Research Council, which is the main agency through which the Government support medical research in the United Kingdom and which receives its grant from the Department of Education and Science, is supporting a team at the Institute of Psychiatry which is examining the effects of benzodiazepines on mental function.

  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what figures are available showing the trend of benzodiazepine prescriptions in 1988.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 11 April 1989]: The number of prescriptions for benzodiazepines dispensed by community pharmacists in Great Britain in the period January to June 1988 compared with 1987 was 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

  n/a

  n/a—Not available.

  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will introduce legislation to prevent the prescription of benzodiazepines to children under the age of 16 years.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 11 April 1989]: No. The benzodiazepines are clinically useful in treating children. Some of the drugs are essential for the treatment of epilepsy and they are valuable for short-term use to relieve acute anxiety. Occasional use of the drugs to treat night terrors and somnambulism may also be justified. It is up to doctors to prescribe the drugs properly in accordance with the guidance available to them.

  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether he will request the Committee on Safety of Medicines to issue further advice to doctors in the light of the increase in prescriptions for benzodiazepines in 1987;
  616
  (2) what advice the Committee on Safety of Medicines is issuing to doctors about the prescription of benzodiazepines to children;

  (3) whether he will meet the Committee on Safety of Medicines to discuss the increase in benzodiazepine prescriptions in 1987.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 11 April 1989]: The Committee on Safety of Medicines published advice on the prescribing of benzodiazepines in Current Problems No. 21, issued to all doctors in January 1988; a copy is in the Library. Its advice, which is still valid, is directed towards the treatment of all patients and is also summarised in the latest edition of the British National Formulary (BNF) which the Department issues to all doctors. The BNF also warns that hypnotics, the most common of which are benzodiazepines, should rarely be prescribed for children. I have no present plans to meet the Committee or to ask it to issue further advice on this subject.

  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he intends to take following the increase in the number of prescriptions for benzodiazepines dispensed by community pharmacists in 1987.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 11 April 1989]: Since 1979 the overall trend in the number of prescriptions for benzodiazepines has been downwards. We estimate that in Great Britain, 25·4 and 25·5 million prescriptions were dispensed for benzodiazepines during 1986 and 1987 respectively. These estimates are based on a sample of approximately one in 200 prescriptions dispensed by retail chemists and appliance contractors in England and Wales. For Scotland, the sample is one in 100. The difference between 1986 and 1987 figures is within sampling error and is not statistically significant.

  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the number of people put on benzodiazepines during 1988 who have taken them for longer than the period advised by the Committee on Safety of Medicines.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 30 January 1989]: This information is not collected centrally.

  Medicines (Safety)
  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list all issues of the Committee on Safety of Medicines bulletin entitled "Current Problems" which have been withheld from publication after initial preparation in the last 12 months, giving the reasons in each case;

  (2) what steps he intends to take to ensure that the Committee on Safety of Medicines is able to issue advice to doctors on Bolvidon.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 11 April 1989]: Only one article approved for issue by the Committee on Safety of Medicines was withheld from publication in this period. This article entitled "Mianserin and White Blood Cell Disorders in the Elderly" was withheld from Current Problems Bulletin No. 24 (published in January 1989) because of a High Court injunction. An article on this subject was subsequently published in Current Problems No. 25, in March 1989, and sent to all doctors. Bolvidon is referred to in this article since mianserin is its active ingredient.

  Optical Equipment (Non-qualified Staff)
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received about auto refractors and auto optitesters being used by non-qualified optician staff; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 11 April 1989]: We have received representations from a number of organisatons and individuals about the use of auto refractors and auto optitesters by non-qualified staff. The Opticians Act 1958 provides that sight tests using such instruments may be conducted only by a registered medical practitioner or a registered ophthalmic optician. We have no plans at present to change this requirement.

  BM Test BC Strip
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will consider making BM test BC strip available on prescription; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 11 April 1989]: I would consider any application from the suppliers for the inclusion of this strip on the list of chemical reagents prescribable by general practitioners. Whether such an application would be successful would depend on the likely level of demand and the price. The strips currently prescribable meet the needs of most diabetics. Other types of strip are available through the hospital service.

  Brain Injuries (Rehabilitation)
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has made to evaluate the services available 618
  within Britain for the rehabilitation of the brain-injured, including the centre for brain injury rehabilitation and development; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 11 April 1989]: I understand that the Centre of Brain Injury Rehabilitation and Development is located in Wales and that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales has provided funds for an evaluation of the centre. Officials from this Department are considering the scope for sponsoring research related to services in England for those suffering from traumatic brain injury.

  Drugs (Safety)
  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what adverse reports have been received by the Committee on Safety of Medicines about the effect of the drug Bolvidon on patients.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 11 April 1989]: There are two branded medicinal products containing the active ingredient mianserin; one of these is Bolvidon. To date, the Committee on Safety of Medicines has received just over 1,700 reports of adverse reactions which may be associated with mianserin. These reports describe more than 360 separate reactions. A report of a suspected adverse drug reaction does not necessarily mean a causal relationship. The Committee carefully monitors all issues of drug safety, and where necessary, issues advice by means of their bulletin "Current Problems" to doctors, dentists and pharmacists. In the case of mianserin, "Current Problems" has drawn attention to various adverse reactions in December 1981 (No. 7), October 1982 (No. 8) April 1983 (No 10) and March (No. 25). Copies are in the Library.

  PRISON SECURITY
  PRISON SECURITY