Written Answers of 12 December 1989

THE ARTS

  New Museums
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Minister for the Arts how many new museums have been opened in the last three years.

  Mr. Luce
  The Museums Association database estimated in 1988 that the number of museums and galleries in the United Kingdom was estimated to have risen to some 2,400 from approximately 1,750 in 1984.

  I understand that the Museum and Galleries Commission estimates that the number has now risen to approximately 2,500.

  National Television Archive
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Minister for the Arts if he intends to set up a national television archive; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Luce
  The British Film Institute already operates an extensive film and television archive and I hope that it will be possible for them to extend this in co-operation with the television industry.

CIVIL SERVICE

  Agencies
  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service what further progress has been made in the establishment of agencies; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Luce
  Since I last reported to the House, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment has announced, on 1 December at column 461, his intention that the Employment Service should be launched as an executive agency in April 1990.

  Table 1

  General manager/senior manager posts for which boards recruited during period 1 December 1985 to 30 November 1989

  Category

  Post

  Date of appointment

  (1) Current basic salary

  (2) Contract

  Board

  General Manager

  Board General Manager

  1/4/1987

  39,340

  3 years

  Northern

  General Manager

  Unit General Manager (Antrim Hospital)

  1/11/1989

  31,075

  3 years

  Northern

  Senior Manager

  Director of Planning

  4/9/1989

  30,960

  3 years

  Eastern

  Notes:

  1. All of these posts are eligible for performance related pay in addition to the basic salary which for a unit general manager includes a discretionary amount in addition to the grade rate for the post.

  2. Contracts are for three years and can be rolled on annually for not more than one year.
  530
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service what proportion of the Civil Service is covered by both existing and proposed agencies.

  Mr. Luce
  Staff in the 10 executive agencies established so far under the Next Steps initiative taken together with those in the functions announced to date as candidates for agency status, represent about one third of the Civil Service.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Health and Social Services (Appointments)
  The Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will list all area board and district manager and any deputy posts which have been recruited in the last four years, together with the salaries and length of contract;

  (2) if he will list all director, assistant director and deputy posts which have been recruited or advertised in the last four years by health and social services boards, together with the length of contracts offered and the salaries;

  (3) what information he has about further plans by health and social services boards to recruit management posts; what was the total cost of all posts recruited in the last four years and any posts currently being advertised; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The appointment of general managers and senior managers at board and unit of management level is a matter for boards to decide in accordance with determinations and guidance issued by the Department of Health and Social Services. This guidance is available in the Library.

  The information requested in respect of general manager and senior manager posts including the present basic salaries and length of contracts is set out in the tables below.

  The boards will be proceeding to fill other senior manager posts at board headquarters and units of management.
  531

  Table 2

  General manager-senior manager posts for which boards are in the process of recruiting

  (1)

  (2)

  (3)

  Category

  Post

  Date of appointment

  Current basic salary

  Contract

  Board

  General manager

  Unit general manager (Belfast City hospital)

  1 April 1990

  34,122

  3 years

  Eastern

  General manager

  Unit general manager (Royal group of hospitals)

  1 April 1990

  35,673

  3 years

  Eastern

  General manager

  Unit general manager (Ulster, Ards and Bangor hospitals)

  1 April 1990

  30,228

  3 years

  Eastern

  General manager

  Unit general manager (Mater hospital)

  1 April 1990

  25,258

  3 years

  Eastern

  General manager

  Unit general manager (Musgrave Belvoir and Forster Green hospitals)

  1 April 1990

  30,228

  3 years

  Eastern

  General manager

  Unit general manager (Lisburn and Down)

  1 April 1990

  33,191

  3 years

  Eastern

  General manager

  Unit general manager (South and East Belfast and Castlereagh and Purdysburn)

  1 April 1990

  33,191

  3 years

  Eastern

  General manager

  Unit general manager (North and West Belfast and Muckamore)

  1 April 1990

  30,228

  3 years

  Eastern

  General manager

  Unit general manager (North Down and Ards)

  1 April 1990

  23,258

  3 years

  Eastern

  General manager

  Unit general manager (Armagh and Dungannon)

  1 April 1990

  29,945

  3 years

  Southern

  General manager

  Unit general manager (Craigavon and Banbridge hospitals)

  1 April 1990

  29,945

  3 years

  Southern

  General manager

  Unit general manager (Craigavon and Banbridge Community)

  1 April 1990

  29,945

  3 years

  Southern

  General manager

  Unit general manager (Newry and Mourne)

  1 April 1990

  29,945

  3 years

  Southern

  General manager

  Unit general manager (Area Mental Health)

  1 April 1990

  25,251

  3 years

  Southern

  General manager

  Unit general manager (Western)

  1 April 1990

  33,191

  3 years

  Northern

  General manager

  Unit general manager (Eastern)

  1 April 1990

  30,227

  3 years

  Northern

  General manager

  Unit general manager (Northern)

  1 April 1990

  26,754

  3 years

  Northern

  General manager

  Unit general manager (Altnagelvin Group of Hospitals)

  1 April 1990

  31,357

  3 years

  Western

  General manager

  Unit general manager (Foyle Community)

  1 April 1990

  29,945

  3 years

  Western

  General manager

  Unit general manager (Area Mental Health)

  1 April 1990

  29,945

  3 years

  Western

  General manager

  Unit general manager (Omagh/Fermanagh Hospitals and Community Services)

  1 April 1990

  30,792

  3 years

  Western

  Senior manager

  Director of Operations

  1 April 1990

  39,170

  3 years

  Eastern

  Notes:

  1. The unit general manager posts will be filled on a substantive basis from 1 April 1990. However, some may be filled on a designated basis before that date.

  2. All of these posts are eligible for performance related pay in addition to the basic salary which for a unit general manager includes a discretionary amount in addition to the grade rate for the post.

  3. Contracts are for three years and can be rolled on annually for not more than one year.

ENERGY

  Mersey Barrage
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has received about the Mersey barrage; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  As the hon. Member knows from my discussions with him, an application for inclusion in the initial tranche of the non-fossil fuel obligation has been made by the Mersey Barrage Company. This application is being considered and discussions are taking place with the company.

  The Mersey barrage project can be considered for inclusion in the non-fossil fuel obligation only if agreement is reached between area boards and the company on a suitable contract and the project is commercially viable.

  Coal
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will provide details of any agreements for British Coal to supply coal to National Power and Powergen in future years.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy indicated the main terms of the coal supply contracts recently agreed between British Coal and National Power and PowerGen in the Second Reading debate on the Coal Industry Bill on 4 December. The details, however, are a commercial matter for the parties concerned.

  Nuclear Power
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what plans he has to re-evaluate the role of nuclear power in the context of environmental damage from fossil fuels.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The Government recognise the contribution that nuclear power can make towards minimising the problems of the greenhouse effect and acid rain caused by the burning of fossil fuels. My hon. Friend will recall the statement made to the House by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy on 9 November when he said that"the Government will wish to review the prospects for nuclear power as the Sizewell project nears completion in 1994".
  The environmental advantages of nuclear power will be taken fully into account in this review.

  Electricité de France
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what subjects he intends to raise when he next meets the head of Electricité de France.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My right hon. Friend and I have no plans to meet the head of Electricité de France.

  Reactor Programmes (Costs)
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many meetings have been held between his Department and(a) the Central Electricity Generating Board, (b) the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and (c) British Nuclear Fuels plc, on the issues of decommissioning costs, reprocessing costs and nuclear

  533
  waste management costs for (i) the Magnox reactor programme and (ii) the advanced gas cooled reactor programme in the last 12 months; and what reports have been received by his Department from these organisations on these subjects over the past year.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My Department has had many meetings with the CEGB, BNFL and UKAEA in the past year at which the topics of decommissioning, reprocessing and nuclear waste management were discussed. My Department has received a report from the UKAEA reviewing the CEGB's decommissioning cost estimates for their Magnox and AGR nuclear power stations.

  CEGB Chairman
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) how many meetings he has had with the chairman of the Central Electricity Generating Board since 1 September; how many telephone conversations he has had with the Central Electricity Generating Board chairman over the same time span; and what issues were discussed in each communication;

  (2) what correspondence he has had with the chairman of the Central Electricity Generating Board since 25 July; what issues were addressed; and if he will place copies of the correspondence in the Library.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My right hon. Friend and I are in regular contact with the chairman of the Central Electricity Generating Board about matters of mutual interest. These communications are confidential.

  Nuclear Reactors (Czechoslovakia)
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has any plans to offer United Kingdom designed nuclear reactors to Czechoslovakia, under the enabling arrangements of articles III and IV of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, in support of Czechoslovakia's industrial and environmental plan to reduce dependence on fossil fuel-generated electricity.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My right hon. Friend and I have no such plans.

  Spent Nuclear Fuel (Sellafield)
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make it his policy to deposit with the new European Environmental Agency full details of all contracts held by British Nuclear Fuels with foreign bodies for the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel at Sellafield and to include details of all categories of radioactive waste arising.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  It will be for the agency to request whatever information or analysis it requires to carry out the work programme approved by its management board in due course.

  British Nuclear Fuels Ltd.
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will set out his responsibilities in regard to the operation of the British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. Sellafield plant.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Responsibility for the operation of the Sellafield site rests with British Nuclear Fuels plc.

  Uranium
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what was the total of processed uranium exported by the United Kingdom in each year since 1973–74(a) in tonnes and (b) in value at constant prices; and what was the total of uranium imported by the United Kingdom in each year since 1973–74: (a) in tonnes and (b) in value at constant prices.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Since 1979, uranium ore concentrate containing over 10,000 tonnes of uranium, has been imported for use in the United Kingdom civil programme. During the same period, uranium ore concentrate containing over 30,000 tonnes of uranium, has been processed by British Nuclear Fuels plc on behalf of overseas customers for subsequent export. Annual figures could be given only at disproportionate cost. The value of this material is commercially confidential. All such uranium is subject to Euratom safeguards and to the terms of the United Kingdom-Euratom-International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards agreement.

  Murton Colliery
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement concerning the future use of the 40-acre spoil tip at Murton colliery.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The use of land belonging to British Coal is a matter for its management to determine. I have asked the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

  Collieries (Work Hours)
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what are the average hours worked by employees underground, and surface, at Murton, Dawdon, Easington and Vane Tempest collieries week by week in the current financial year.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  This is a matter for British Coal. I have asked the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

  Privately-owned Mines
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many men are employed underground in privately-owned mines in the north-east.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  This is a matter for British Coal. I have asked the chairman of British Coal, the licensing authority for privately-owned mines, to write to the hon. Member.

  Nuclear Electric plc
  Mr. Eadie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what will be the salaries of(a) the chairman and chief executive, (b) the deputy chairman with special responsibilities for production, (c) the director for corporate affairs and personnel, (d) the director of construction and future programmes, and (e) non-executive directors of the new company Nuclear Electric plc.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The designate board of Nuclear Electric have been appointed at the following salaries:

  (i) The chairman is paid £125,000 per annum.

  535

  (ii) Full time members of the board are paid in the range £60,000–70,000 per annum.

  Non-executive members of the Board have not yet been appointed.

  Nuclear Power (Subsidies)
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what discussions have recently taken place between officials from his Department and the European Commission on the implications of his plans to subsidise nuclear electricity in regard to European Community rules on energy marketing and competition policy.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  A number of meetings have taken place with the Commission in recent months on a range of issues to do with electricity privatisation.

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  Number of operating projects at year end

  69

  85

  162

  360

  427

  235

  Number of draughtproofing jobs completed in year

  125,715

  39,915

  67,808

  123,621

  162,631

  164,749

  Number of participant workers/trainees at year end

  n/a

  932

  1,630

  1,767

  2,027

  n/a

  n/a— Not available.

  1 1980–83 inclusive.

  The number of loft insulation jobs completed under the homes insulation scheme is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will give for the latest available quarter, and for the same quarter in the previous year, for each metropolitan county and each non-metropolitan county and Greater London, the number of(a) neighbourhood energy action schemes, (b) draughtproofing jobs completed under

  July to September 1989 (figures in brackets relate to July to September 1988)

  Number of schemes-projects

  Number of draught-proofing jobs completed

  Number of loft insulation jobs completed

  Number of trainees-participant workers

  East Midlands

  28(35)

  2,313(2,594)

  10(48)

  271(520)

  London

  12(33)

  288(497)

  5(40)

  31(610)

  North East

  18(26)

  2,307(3,475)

  48(96)

  253(508)

  North West

  45(55)

  5,005(6,350)

  43(44)

  672(1,240)

  Scotland

  71(73)

  8,455(3,559)

  384(574)

  755(1,122)

  South East

  23(48)

  946(1,421)

  26(47)

  121(523)

  South West

  16(29)

  802(2,049)

  83(183)

  190(461)

  Wales

  35(46)

  3,201(2,658)

  64(42)

  338(1,001)

  West Midlands

  26(56)

  2,458(4,393)

  51(336)

  314(875)

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  24(36)

  3,331(5,182)

  76(180)

  351(724)

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will place in the Library the official report on neighbourhood energy action schemes.

  Mr. Wakeham
  It is not entirely clear to what the question refers. However, it may refer to a recent report produced by Neighbourhood Energy Action for its own purposes entitled "Energy Efficiency and Employment Training—One Year On". That report is publicly available from NEA, which I have asked to send a copy to the hon. Member.

  Energy Conservation
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will give for each region and for the United Kingdom as a whole, for every quarter and every full year since neighbourhood energy action schemes started, the number of(a) neighbourhood energy action schemes, (b) draught proofing jobs completed under national energy schemes, (c) loft insulation jobs completed under national energy schemes and (d) trainees under national energy schemes.

  Mr. Wakeham
  Figures in the detail sought by the hon. Member for neighbourhood energy action schemes in the United Kingdom are not available for the period requested. The following table gives the aggregated data that is available in respect of the calendar years to the end of 1988:

  neighbourhood energy action schemes, (c) loft insulation jobs completed under neighbourhood energy action schemes and (d) trainees under neighbourhood energy action schemes.

  Mr. Wakeham
  Information on a county by county basis could only be made available at disproportionate cost. However, provisional information on a regional basis is available as follows in respect of community insulation projects co-ordinated by Neighbourhood Energy Action.

  Pit Closures
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many pits have been closed since 1979; and what were the total estimated reserves in them at time of closure.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  For a list of pit closures for the period concerned I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Rother Valley (Mr. Barron) on 29 November at cols 254–55. I have asked the chairman of British Coal to write to the hon. Member about the total estimated reserves in the pits concerned.

  Emissions
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) how many tonnes extra of carbon dioxide emissions will be produced by United Kingdom power stations, using the generating plant and capacity currently in place, by an average growth rate of 2·5 per cent. in gross domestic product in 1989–90, 1990–91 and 1991–92;

  (2) how many tonnes extra of sulphur dioxide emissions will be produced by United Kingdom power stations, using the generating plant and capacity currently in place, by an average growth rate of 2·5 per cent. in gross domestic product in 1989–90, 1990–91 and 1991–92.

  (3) what will be the growth in percentage terms of carbon dioxide emissions from United Kingdom power stations, using the generating plant and capacity currently in place, by an average growth rate of 2·5 per cent. in gross domestic product in 1989–90, 1990–91 and 1991–92;

  (4) what will be the growth, in percentage terms, of sulphur dioxide emissions from United Kingdom power stations, using the generating plant and capacity currently in place by an average growth rate of 2·5 per cent. in gross domestic product in 1989–90, 1990–91 and 1991–92.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Future levels of emissions will depend on the nature of the plant mix employed to meet the demand for electricity and the shape of the associated load curve. There is no straightforward link between growth in gross domestic product and electricity demand.

TRANSPORT

  European Environmental Agency
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what categories of information he will exclude from deposition with the proposed European environmental agency.

  Mr. Atkins
  It will be for the agency to request information from member states. Until we have received such requests it is impossible to say whether we can meet them.

  Railways
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what funds he intends to make available to British Rail to enable the recommendations arising from the Clapham disaster to be carried out on the east coast line.

  Mr. Portillo
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply to the hon. Member for Southwark and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) on 4 December at column 88. As my right hon. Friend has told the House, finance will not stand in the way of implementing the report.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list British Rail lines in Wales closed to passengers in each year since 1979; what discussions he has had with British Rail about the lines which could be reopened for the use of passenger services; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  British Rail was given consent to close the Vale of Rheidol line last March. This railway is a narrow gauge steam railway which was operated principally for 538
  tourists. The line was sold to Brecon Mountain Railway Ltd. and has continued to operate to a similar timetable. No other BR line in Wales has been closed since 1979.

  Vehicle Noise
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give the average noise emitted by(a) a private car, and (b) a heavy goods vehicle proceeding at their respective national motorway speed limits; and by how much these increase as a result of infractions of the speed limit by (i) 10 mph and (ii) 20 mph respectively.

  Mr. Atkins
  Assuming a high speed road in good condition, the following are the estimated average noise levels received at a point 7·5 metres from the centre of the vehicle and 1·2 metres above the ground.

  Average noise levels dB (A) at vehicle speeds

  Vehicle type

  60 mph

  70 mph

  80 mph

  90 mph

  Private car

  83

  85

  87

  89

  Heavy goods

  90

  92

  93

  95

  Coastguard Service
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his reply of 27 November,Official Report, column 82, if he will list the primary, secondary and third 999 telephone routes to the south west coastguard from North Devon.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The routing of 999 calls is a matter for British Telecom.

  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his reply of 27 November,Official Report, column 82, if he will cause inquiries to be made into whether the 999 call indicated as having been misrouted was made to Milford Haven because Swansea coastguard was not available or did not answer the original 999 call.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  British Telecom has already, at the request of Her Majesty's Coastguard carried out an investigation into the misrouted call. Its finding is that the call was routed to Milford Haven due to a technical fault on the Swansea line, the operator automatically re-routing the call in accordance with standard procedures.

  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether, in circumstances when the primary coastguard is not available on a 999 call, the secondary station contacted has a firm procedure for reporting back to the primary station or takes control of the incident; and if he will make a statement with regard to the incident on 15 August in which a youth drowned in Rapperee cove, Ilfracombe.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  It is standard procedure within Her Majesty's Coastguard that any station receiving an indication of a distress situation, by whatever means the information is received, will, if the incident is not within its area of responsibility, pass the information by the most expedient means to the appropriate station for action. In the incident on 16 August, Milford Haven coastguard, having received a 999 telephone call indicating distress, not within its area, passed the information firstly by VHF radio, and subsequently by telex, to Swansea coastguard.

  European Council
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether matters relating to road safety were discussed at the recent meeting of the European Council of Transport Ministers; and what conclusions were reached.

  Mr. Portillo
  At the meeting I made clear our continuing commitment to road safety and to effective methods of reducing casualties. The presidency concluded the discussion of road safety by asking the committee of permanent representatives to draw up a list of further proposals which the Council might pursue, such as the development of standards for fitting seat belts. We believe that there are real opportunities to cut road casualties by better and safer vehicle design.

  Motoring Organisations
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many meetings he and his predecessor had over the last year with the British Road Federation and other motoring organisations.

  Mr. Atkins
  We have met various road user organisations on a number of occasions over the past 12 months to discuss matters of mutual interest.

  A47, Leicestershire
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he proposes to establish a pedestrian crossing on the A47 Uppingham road at Thurnby, Leicestershire.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Department has decided to change the traffic signals at the junction of the A47 Uppingham road and Station road, Thurnby, to include pedestrian facilities.

  The work will be carried out as soon as new control equipment can be manufactured, which is expected to take four to six months.

ENVIRONMENT

  Housing Co-operatives
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, further to his reply of 4 December concerning circular HC31/88, if he will relax the criteria for housing co-operatives, which at present are outside the scope of the criteria in the circular; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  The Housing Corporation is prepared to apply the criteria in circulars HC 31/88 and HC 74/89 (which has just been issued) flexibly. If the hon. Member has a particular case in mind, he may like to take it up with the corporation direct.

  Chemically Polluted Land
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the development of a national register for chemically polluted land.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  We are reviewing possible registration systems but currently favour the concept of locally held registers of previous land uses which could have given rise to contamination.

  Greenhouse Effect
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy at the next meeting of the European Environment Council to introduce policies to reduce the greenhouse effect by restricting road transport use to lower carbon dioxide releases.

  Mr. Trippier
  We recognise the important contribution which emissions of carbon dioxide from vehicles make to the greenhouse effect. At the Environment Council meeting on 28 November, my right hon. Friend urged the European Commission to bring forward proposals to reduce these emissions.

  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many tonnes of carbon dioxide have been released into the atmosphere of the United Kingdom in 1987, 1988 and 1989(a) by electricity generating stations, and (b) by petrol and diesel-driven road vehicles.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Estimated carbon dioxide emission as carbon from selected sources in 1987 was as follows:

  (Million tonnes)

  1987

  Power stations

  54·7

  Petrol-driven road vehicles

  19·0

  Diesel-driven road vehicles

  7·3

  All sources

  158·6

  Figures for 1988 are currently being prepared and will be published in the Digest of Environmental Protection and Water Statistics early next year. Figures for 1989 are not yet available.

  Smoking Room (House of Commons)
  Sir Nicholas Fairbairn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the cost of redecorating the Smoking Room in the summer recess; and why the redecoration has taken place.

  Mr. Chope
  The renovation of the Smoking Room was undertaken in two stages during the 1988 and 1989 summer recesses as part of the planned programme of work in the Palace of Westminster. The cost, which includes some electrical work, was £9,000.

  Tritium
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what records he, or Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution, has concerning the imports of radioactive tritium from Dall Ridge laboratories in the United States of America to the United Kingdom over the past year.

  Mr. Trippier
  This Department does not maintain records of tritium imports. Users of tritium must be registered by HMIP under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960. A condition of registration requires that proper records relating to the keeping and use of all radioactive material must be maintained. These records are subject to scrutiny by HMIP inspectors.

  Bottle, Can and Paper Banks
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to ensure that supermarket chains co-operate with his recycling policy for bottle, can and paper banks.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Retail groups, including supermarket chains, are represented on the Government's advisory group on recycling which, among other things, considers ways of encouraging the provision of recycling facilities. They also co-operated in drawing up the Government's programme in relation to the 1985 European Directive on Containers of Liquids for Human Consumption which specifically referred to recycling.

  Emissions
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the type and amount of toxic emissions(a) per mile, (b) per minute of transmission, and (c) per head of number of passengers per mile or per minute of (i) a family sized car, (ii) a diesel-electric train, (iii) a double decker bus, (iv) a milk float and (v) a bicycle.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I shall write to the hon. Gentleman.

  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere in the United Kingdom have been accounted for(a) by electricity generation, and (b) by petrol and diesel-driven road vehicles in 1987, 1988 and 1989.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Percentages of carbon dioxide emissions from selected sources in 1987 were as follows:

  1987

  Power stations

  34·0

  Petrol driven road vehicles

  12·0

  Diesel driven road vehicles

  5·0

  In 1987 a little more than one third of carbon dioxide emissions in the United Kingdom came from power stations. Approximately 12 per cent. came from motor spirit and a further 5 per cent. from DERV. Figures for 1988 are currently being prepared and will be published in the Digest of Environmental Protection and Water Statistics early next year. Figures for 1989 are not yet available.

  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of sulphur dioxide into the atmosphere in the United Kindom have been accounted for(a) by electricity generation, and (b) by petrol and diesel-driven road vehicles in 1987, 1988 and 1989.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Percentage of sulphur dioxide emissions from selected sources was as follows:

  1987

  Power stations

  73·0

  Petrol driven road vehicles

  0·2

  Diesel driven road vehicles

  1·0

  Source: Digest of Environmental Protection and Water Statistics, 1988.
  542
  In 1987 almost three-quarters of sulphur dioxide emissions in the United Kingdom came from power stations. Only a little more than 1 per cent. came from motor spirit and from DERV. Figures for 1988 are currently being prepared and will be published in the Digest of Environmental Protection and Water Statistics early next year. Figures for 1989 are not yet available.

  Housing (Handsworth)
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to issue guidelines to enable Birmingham city council to draw up a proposal for a housing renewal area in central Handsworth to enable a transfer from the existing housing action areas from 1 April 1990.

  Mr. Chope
  We shall shortly be consulting the local authority associations and other relevant bodies on the matters councils should consider before they declare renewal areas under part VII of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. We aim to issue advice as soon as possible after the consultation has finished, and in any event before the end of March next.

  Leicester City Council
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much additional resources he is proposing to allocate to Leicester city council as part of its new green proposals.

  Mr. Chope
  Local authorities' revenue expenditure is supported generally by rate support grant, or, in future, revenue support grant. This grant is distributed between authorities on the basis of an assessment of the cost for each authority of providing a common level of service. This assessment will be made on the basis of a formula, using statistical indicators applied to all authorities. The grant is unhypothecated and is not paid in support of particular services. It is for each authority to decide its own expenditure priorities, including those on environmental matters.

  Ports
  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will act upon the recommendation made in the report of the working group on the water transport industry with regard to an early introduction to the statutory ports of conventional assessment; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  The Government recognise the desirability of providing a common basis for the rating assessment of all parts of the ports industry, and indeed for other industries. We hope to return, so far as practicable, all the formula rated industries to conventional assessment at the 1995 revaluation.

  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many tonnes of sulphur dioxide have been released into the atmosphere of the United Kingdom in 1987, 1988 and 1989(a) by electricity generating stations and (b) by petrol and diesel-driven road vehicles.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Estimated sulphur dioxide emissions from selected sources in 1987 were as follows:
  543

  1987

  Power stations

  2·830

  Power driven road vehicles

  0·009

  Diesel driven road vehicles

  0·037

  All sources

  3·867

  In 1987 almost 3·9 million tonnes of sulphur dioxide were emitted in the United Kingdom. Approximately 2·8 million tonnes came from power stations and less than 50,000 tonnes came from motor vehicles. Figures for 1988 are currently being prepared and will be published in the Digest of Environmental Protection and Water Statistics early next year. Figures for 1989 are not yet available.

  Pollution
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had on the concept of making the polluter pay; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  It is an important and well established part of the Government's environmental protection policy that the polluter, not the polluted, should pay. The United Kingdom also subscribe to OECD and European Community recommendations and practice in this respect.

  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in reducing the pollution levels in the rivers Don and Rother.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 4 December 1989]: Yorkshire Water is carrying out a major programme to upgrade and extend the main sewage treatment works which discharge into the rivers Don and Rother and to improve the sewerage system in Sheffield. This programme, combined with improvements to industrial effluent discharges is expected to improve river water quality by the mid 1990s.

  The National Rivers Authority is responsible for monitoring river and estuarial quality, and for securing any improvements which they consider are needed to meet new statutory water quality objectives to be set by the Secretary of State.

  Bradford West End
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the meetings between his officials and 3D's Ltd., regarding the Bradford West End scheme; and if he will make a statement summarising the discussions.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Members of the Department's team of professional appraisers and other officials have had many discussions on the proposals for the West End development, with representatives of 3D Ltd., and officials from the local authority, at both the regional office and headquarters. Details of the precise dates are not readily available.

  Advice given to the developers and local authorities regarding any application for city grant is the standard guidance contained in the city grant guidance notes. For reasons of commercial confidentiality it is not our practice to comment on individual city grant proposals.

  Environmental Health Officers
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the numbers of environmental health officers employed by local authorities; whether the resources needed to cover their full range of activities are included in settling the revenue support grant; if he will list the activities considered when deciding the revenue support grant; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  In setting the level of revenue support grant my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will consider all services falling to be financed from the general revenues of local authorities. The full range of activities undertaken by environmental health officers is therefore included. It is for local authorities to decide how many officers to employ.

  Nirex
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to meet officials from United Kingdom Nirex Limited before the end of the year to discuss present progress in seeking a suitable site for low and intermediate-level radioactive wastes.

  Mr. Trippier
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no plans to meet representatives of Nirex.

  Groundwork Foundation Trust
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his reply of 7 December, what funding will be given to the Groundwork Foundation Trust in Bradford in 1990–91 by(a) his Department, (b) the Countryside Commission and (c) the private sector.

  Mr. Trippier
  The Groundwork Foundation has allocated £40,000 in 1990–91 to the proposed Bradford Groundwork Trust from funds provided by my Department. As I informed the hon. Member in my reply yesterday, the preparation of a firm proposal for the trust is at present in hand. That proposal will be drawn up by a steering group composed of representatives of the local authority, voluntary organisations and private sector in consultation with, among others, my Department, the foundation and the Countryside Commission, and a programme of work and appropriate funding will then be determined.

  London Pensions Fund
  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will be making further appointments to the board of the London Pensions Fund.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has today appointed Councillor Steve Bullock of the London borough of Lewisham as a member of the board of the London Pensions Fund. This brings the membership of the board to nine. No further appointments are envisaged at this time.

  Tenant Participation Grants
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress is being made on the introduction of a new regime for tenant participation grants, as recommended in the review of housing co-operatives; and if he will make a statement.
  545
  Mr. Chope
  The then Minister for Housing, the Earl of Caithness, announced on 27 June the Government's acceptance of the recommendation of the report of the committee which reviewed housing co-operatives in England, "Tenants in the Lead".

  I have today issued a detailed consultation paper which sets out proposals for a new grant regime under section 16 of the Housing and Planning Act 1986. It proposes that, from April next year, local authority tenants will be able to receive assistance direct from the Department and from their council to develop housing co-operatives and other forms of tenant control considered in the review. The Housing Corporation is already consulting on its new grant arrangements for housing association tenants.

  I am pleased to announce that £3·25 million will be available next year for tenant participation grants. Further provision will be made by the Housing Corporation for grants for tenant participation in the housing association sector. This major increase in resources demonstrates the Government's commitment to promote and develop new housing co-operatives and alternative forms of tenant participation.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidelines he is issuing to local authorities regarding seamen who spend much of the year out of the United Kingdom and their requirement to pay the community charge.

  Mr. Chope
  Guidance on the treatment of Royal Navy personnel was contained in the community charge practice note No. 9 "UK Service Personnel". This was placed in the Library on 10 May 1989. This guidance suggests that married seagoers might be regarded as having their residence with their family except for continuous absences in excess of six months. Single seagoers who have no permanent home address will not be registered for the personal community charge except during periods of shore leave in excess of 61 days, where registration will be deemed to have begun from day 1. The Department issued further guidance which suggested that merchant seagoers might be treated in the same way as their naval counterparts. A copy of this guidance was placed in the Library on 26 October 1989.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list for each charging authority area, attributing grant income received by precepting authorities under the current grant system to each area in proportion to the adult population in that area:(a) the rate support grant payable for 1989–90 uprated to 1990–91 prices, in line with the assumptions used in his statement of 6 November and (b) the estimated amount of revenue support grant which would be payable in 1990–91 without safety nets or special grants, showing aggregates for each figure for each class of charging authority, for each region, showing inner London, outer London and the rest of the south-east separately, and for each county and metropolitan area;

  (2) if he will list for each charging authority area, attributing grant income received by precepting authorities under the current grant system to each area in proportion to the aggregate of rateable values in that area: (a) the rate support grant payable for 1989–90 uprated to 1990–91 prices, in line with the assumptions used in his
  546
  statement of 6 November and (b) the estimated amount of revenue support grant which will be payable in 1990–91 with safety nets and special grants, and (c) the estimated amount of revenue support grant which would be payable in 1990–91 without safety nets or special grants, showing aggregates for each figure for each class of charging authority, for each region, showing inner London, outer London and the rest of the south-east separately, and for each county and metropolitan area.

  Mr. David Hunt
  [holding answer 7 December 1989]: The information requested has been placed in the Library. The figures are consistent with the exemplifications in the consultation paper my right hon. Friend issued on 6 November. Net receipts from the London rate equalisation scheme have been included with rate support grant for 1989–90 which has been scaled to the proposed total for revenue support grant for 1990–91.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list for each charging authority area, attributing business rate income received by precepting authorities under the current system to each area in proportion to the adult population in each area:(a) the estimated revenue received in 1989–90 from the non-domestic rate uprated to 1990–91 prices, in line with the assumptions used in his statement of 6 November, and (b) the estimated amount which will be paid from the national non-domestic rating pool in 1990–91 to each area, showing aggregates for each figure for each class of charging authority, for each region, showing inner London, outer London and the rest of the south-east separately, and for each county and metropolitan area;

  (2) if he will list for each charging authority area, attributing business rate income received by precepting authorities under the current system to each area in proportion to the aggregate of rateable values in that area: (a) the estimated revenue received in 1989–90 from the non-domestic rate uprated to 1990–91 prices in line with the assumptions used in his statement of 6 November, and (b) the estimated amount which will be paid from the national non-domestic rating pool in 1990–91 for each area showing aggregates for each figure for each class of charging authority, for each region, showing inner London, outer London and the rest of the south-east separately, and for each county and metropolitan area.

  Mr. David Hunt
  [holding answer 7 December 1989]: The information requested has been placed in the Library. The figures are consistent with the exemplifications in the consultation paper that my right hon. Friend issued on 6 November. Business rate income is shown for each area: it is not necessary to apportion it from precepting authority level to charging authority level. The total for 1989–90 has been scaled to the non-domestic distributable amount for 1990–91.

  Property Services Agency
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the expenditure incurred on property(a) owned by the Property Services Agency and (b) tenanted by the Property Services Agency in each year since 1983 in Scotland; and what is the expected investment in each category in 1990–91, 1991–92 and 1992–93.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 8 December 1989]: The expenditure by PSA on major projects on properties held

  547
  in the name of the Secretary of State for the Environment cannot readily be split between Crown hold and leasehold and a single figure is given for each year. The split is provided below for expenditure by PSA on maintenance and minor new works.

  Major projects

  Minor new works and maintenance

  Crown hold

  Leasehold

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  1984–85

  36·4

  8·238

  3·482

  1985–86

  30·1

  9·166

  3·358

  1986–87

  26·6

  7·631

  8·527

  1987–88

  22·0

  10·070

  3·723

  1988–89

  19·5

  17·258

  5·151

  With the changed arrangements to be introduced next year, much of this expenditure will be funded by the occupying Departments from their own votes. It is not possible, therefore, to forecast future investment.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total staff complement of the Property Services Agency in Scotland; and what it is expected to be in 1990–91 and 1991–92.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 8 December 1989]: The number of permanent non-industrial staff in post in the Property Services Agency in Scotland is 1,022. The staff numbes for later years will depend upon the business which PSA Scotland secures.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the value of the assets held by the Property Services Agency and the value of leased properties in Scotland in 1989.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 8 December 1989]: The capital value of Crownhold properties in Scotland held in the name of the Secretary of State for the Environment, other than very specialised holdings such as museums and courts, is £155 million. The value of properties leased in the name of the Secretary of State for the Environment, is a matter for each owning landlord.

  Gipsies
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about redefining the term gipsy as used in the Caravan Sites Act 1968; and what decisions he has reached on those representations.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 11 December 1989]: Over the past year I have received representations from two local authorities, the County Landowners Association and a travellers' education project. At this stage, I have no proposals to introduce legislation to change the definition in the Act.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will consider excluding New Age Travellers from alleged gipsy counts when considering applications by a local authority for designation status under the 1968 Act, as is practised in Wiltshire.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 11 December 1989]: Questions of definitions under the Act are for local councils to decide. My role is to assess whether an authority has satisfied its duty to provide gipsy sites before I grant designation.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the likely grants, targets and level of the community charge in 1990–91 as levied by Suffolk county council.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 11 December 1989]: From April 1990 revenue support grant will be paid to charging authorities (the district councils in Suffolk), who will also set community charges. The expenditure of county councils will be financed by precepts on the collection fund administered by those charging authorities. Suffolk county council will therefore receive no revenue support grant nor will it set a community charge.

  On present proposals, Suffolk county council will have a standard spending assessment for 1990–91 of £294·176 million, about £15·35 million or 5½ per cent. above its equivalent grant related expenditure for 1989–90.

  No targets will be set for any local authority.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what amount of block grant was paid in each of the years from 1980–81 to 1989–90 expressed in cash terms and in constant 1989–90 prices for(a) each London borough, (b) each metropolitan district, (c) Inner London education authority, (d) former metropolitan counties and the Greater London council up to 1985–86, (e) each non-metropolitan county, (f) each non-metropolitan district and (g) each metropolitan joint board showing in each year the total paid to the respective classes of authority.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I have today placed this information in the Library.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Public Appointments
  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the Attorney-General how many persons above the age of(a) 60, (b) 65 and (c) 70 years he has appointed to public bodies in each of the last 10 years.

  The Attorney-General
  None.

  Official Solicitor
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Attorney-General (1) how contractors were obtained, and how many tender prices were received, for recent work carried out at the home of Mr. Freddie Andrews (1976 No. 516);

  (2) whether any independent inspection of completed works authorised by the office of the Official Solicitor has taken place; and whether the work was carried out satisfactorily.

  The Attorney-General
  As I said in an earlier reply to the hon. Member for Antrim, East, (Mr. Beggs),Official Report 23 February 1988, column 258, it is not appropriate to publish details of the affairs of any patient without the leave of the court.

  An application may be made to the court by any person concerned about a particular case for disclosure of any information in respect of which the applicant can demonstrate a legitimate interest.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Rate Reform
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what arrangements he is making to enable full-time students to pay the community charge; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  Arrangements made by local authorities to collect the community charge are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment. I understand that local authorities have been given guidance on the procedures for ensuring that students are included in the community charge register for the area in which they reside while they are studying.

  Full-time students, as defined by the relevant legislation, will be liable for only 20 per cent. of the community charge in their area, and the net impact of this discounted liability is among the factors considered when mandatory student grant rates are decided.

  Civil Scientific Research
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of Britain's gross domestic product was devoted to civil scientific research(a) in 1978–79 and (b) 1988–89.

  Mr. Jackson
  This information is not available in the form requested since details of spending by industry on civil scientific research are not collected centrally. In 1988–89 public expenditure on civil research and development was estimated to be 0·52 per cent. of gross domestic product compared with about 0·6 per cent. in 1978–79.

  Child Abuse
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many education authorities have specifically run courses to teach children about child abuse.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  This information is not centrally available.

  Teachers' Pay
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science by how much teachers' pay will have increased less than inflation at the present rate of inflation during the period of time the interim advisory committee has been in existence by March 1990.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Teachers' pay rose by some 12·5 per cent. between October 1987 and April 1989, the date of the last teachers' pay settlement. As compared with the movement of the RPI over the same period, this represents a real-terms increase of some 1·5 per cent.

  The interim advisory committee has been asked to advise on what pay increase should be awarded to teachers for the 12 months beginning April 1990.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much a teacher at the top of the main professional grade will be worse off against the present rate of inflation by March 1990.
  550
  Mrs. Rumbold
  A teacher at the top of the main scale outside London without an incentive allowance currently earns £14,694. Retail price inflation stood at 7·3 per cent. in October but is expected to fall during next year.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much a teacher's pay on the top of the main professional grade with an allowance has increased during the period that the interim advisory committee has existed; and by how much it is below or above the increase in average earnings over the same period.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The first incentive allowances were awarded in October 1987. A teacher at the top of the main scale outside London who has held the same incentive allowance since October 1987 would have seen his pay rise by between 11 per cent. and 13 per cent. by April 1989. A teacher who received one of the 70,000 additional allowances coming on stream in 1988 and 1989 would have seen his salary increase by at least 17 per cent. Average earnings increased by 14·2 per cent. between October 1987 and April 1989.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what factors were used to determine the £600 million level of constraint placed on the interim advisory committee in the current year; and what projected rate of inflation is included in the figure.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The IAC's remit reflects the Government's view that teachers' pay should be sufficient to recruit, retain and motivate sufficient teachers of the right quality within what the nation can afford.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the level of constraint on the interim advisory committee in 1988 and 1989 in terms of a percentage rise against those years, inflation rates giving the actual percentage rise for each year and basing the 1989 inflation rate on the present figure.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The remits given to the interim advisory committee for the teachers' pay settlements in 1988 and 1989 were £300 million and £385 million respectively. The IAC's recommendations led to increases to the pay bill of 4·75 per cent. in 1988–89 and 6·3 per cent. in 1989–90. When changes already planned are taken into account, the overall pay bill will rise by 7·5 per cent. this year. Retail price inflation stood at 3·9 per cent. in April 1988 and 8 per cent. in April 1989.

  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will increase the teaching profession's main pay scale to a level that will restore teachers' pay to a competitive position in a graduate labour market.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The interim advisory committee has been asked to recommend what general pay increase' should be given to teachers in England and Wales, having, regard to the Government's view that school teachers' pay should be such as to enable the maintained school system to recruit, retain and motivate sufficient teachers of the required quality within what can be afforded.

  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what measures are to be taken to secure the position of the common main scale as the central feature of the teachers' pay structure.
  551
  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend is considering what new pay determination arrangements should be put in place. It is likely that the pay structure resulting from these arrangements will continue to be given statutory force.

  National Curriculum
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what he intends to do to ensure that teachers in all schools have time during the school day away from the classroom to deal with the additional duties attributed to the national curriculum.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The organisation of the school day and the duties to be undertaken by teachers in their 1,265 hours of directed time are matters for head teachers. Not all directed time is taken up with contact with pupils in the classroom. There is scope for teachers to spend time on other tasks such as preparing for the national curriculum.

  Teachers
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many trained teachers who have left the teaching profession the Government estimate can be persuaded to return to the profession.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The recruitment of qualified teachers returning to the profession has increased steadily in recent years. If the local authority employers support and encourage them, we believe that more will return. Almost 90 per cent. of re-entrants are women and over three quarters of these are aged 30 to 44. In 1986 there were an estimated 191,000 qualified teachers in this group not in full-time service in the maintained sector in England and Wales. We are considering how we might undertake a sample survey of qualified teachers not in service to establish what proportion might return to teaching and what conditions in the teaching profession would encourage more to return.

  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if a collegiate approach is to be adopted for the teacher staffing structure in schools.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Decisions about staffing structure in maintained schools are matters for LEAs and school governors, and not for my right hon. Friend.

  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will direct the interim advisory committee on school teachers' pay and conditions to investigate the organisation and management of schools to include a full assessment of the role of the classroom teacher, the role of heads and deputies and the existence of other specific management reponsibilities.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The interim advisory committee has been asked to advise on what changes should be made to teachers' pay and conditions in the year beginning 1 April 1990. In so doing it will be considering the evidence that it has received on a wide range of issues.

  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what arrangements have been made to promote part-time teaching, job-sharing and managed career break arrangements for women returners to the teaching profession.
  552
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Government agree that every effort must be made to encourage former teachers to return to the profession. "Guidelines for Recruitment", published by the teaching as a career (TASC) unit in May 1988, drew to the attention of LEAs the need for such arrangements to attract qualified women returners to the teaching profession. Education support grant for 1990–92 will support the efforts of a number of LEAs in developing such provision.

  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his estimate of the number of extra teachers needed to supplement existing numbers excluding current vacancies to meet the additional teaching requirements generated by the new national curriculum in(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The implementation of the national curriculum in England and Wales does not imply increased demand for teachers, although it will change the balance of subject specialism. We are supporting in-service training to provide teachers with the additional support they need to ensure delivery of the national curriculum. The Department's memorandum on teacher supply to the Education, Science and Arts Select Committee—a copy of which is in the Library—analyses teacher demand and supply assuming full implementation of the national curriculum.

  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what means the Government will employ to persuade trained teachers to re-enter the teaching profession.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Members for Barnsley, Central (Mr. Illsley) and Bridgend (Mr. Griffiths) on 14 November(Official Report, column 228).

  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what measures are to be taken to attract sufficient numbers of qualified teachers to fill existing vacancies in British schools.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The recruitment of teachers to specific vacancies is a matter for local education officers, not for my right hon. Friend. The teaching as a career unit (TASC) advises LEAs in England and Wales on recruitment measures. TASC is also involved in publicity to attract qualified teachers back to teaching. The education support grant programme in 1990–91 will support LEA expenditure on local recruitment measures to attract back former teachers and recruit mature entrants with relevant qualifications. Measures eligible for ESG support include "keeping in touch with teaching" schemes and refresher courses, as well as job-share, part-time working and childcare provision.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to ensure that there are sufficient teachers to teach the national curriculum.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  My right hon. Friend is taking the requirements of the national curriculum fully into account in setting the intakes to initial teacher training, in revising the criteria for initial teacher training courses, in planning the LEA in-service training grants scheme and education support grants and in managing the range of measures being taken on teacher supply.

  Incentive Allowances
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many vacancies in teacher-shortage subject areas have been filled by the announcement of the incentive allowance system; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Incentive allowances were introduced in October 1987. They may be awarded to teachers who teach subjects in which there is a shortage of teachers, or who are employed in posts which are difficult to fill. There is evidence that an increasing number of allowances is being awarded on these grounds, but it is impossible to estimate how many teacher vacancies would not otherwise have been filled.

  Licensed Teachers
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if qualified professional teachers will be paid extra money for providing support and back-up for licensed teachers.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  It will be for local education authorities to consider whether to exercise for this purpose any of the discretions available to them under the school teachers' pay and conditions document.

  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what support and back-up will be provided for licensed teachers; and what provision will be made for the help, advice and time of qualified, professional teachers.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  It is for the local education authority and school governing body to ensure that appropriate support and training are provided for licensed teachers and that qualified staff are available to offer advice and guidance.

  Training and associated costs for licensed teachers, including the provision of supply cover for a mentor teacher, are eligible for grant support under the local education authority training grants scheme.

  Support Services
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what measures are being taken to provide increased administrative, technical and ancillary support in British schools.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend recognises the importance of administrative, technical and ancillary support for the effective running of schools. In England, some activities in the 1989–90 and 1989–91 education support grant programmes—notably some relating to local management of schools (LMS) and the national curriculum—will provide specific grants which can be used to improve such support. Otherwise, it is for local education authorities and, under LMS, their schools to decide for themselves what proportion of available funding to devote to such support. The education standard spending total within the proposed local authority grant settlement for England in 1990–91 allows for priority to be given to such spending, relative to the levels of spending assumed in the comparable total for 1989–90.

  Teacher Training
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what measures have been taken to enhance appropriate in-service training for teachers in British schools.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The main instrument of support for in-service training in England and Wales is the local education authority training grants scheme which was introduced in April 1987. In the current financial year it will support LEA expenditure of over £227 million with grant of over £131 million. LEAs and schools are also expected to use at least three of the five non-contact days for in-service training. In addition, two further non-contact days have been made available in 1989 specifically for national curriculum-related training. It is for LEAs to determine appropriate training based on a systematic identification of the training needs of all groups eligible under the scheme.

  The position in Scotland and Northern Ireland is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Flexible Pay Schemes
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many local schemes of flexible pay equal to 1 per cent. of the salary bill, resulting from the latest pay settlement for non-clinical academic and academic-related staff in the universities have been approved for funding by the Universities Funding Council; how many have been rejected, and for what reasons; and how many such schemes which have so far been approved have included(a) specific elements for improved recruitment and (b) earmarked money for specific academic departments.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I understand that, as at 5 December, the council had approved 39 schemes. At that date, the council had not yet approved six other schemes: five because insufficient detail was available and one because too high a proportion of the institution's professors would have received payments. Eleven of the approved schemes included specific elements for improved recruitment. The earmarking of money for specific departments does not have to be notified to the council.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list (1) the proportion of the total money so far approved for local schemes of flexible pay equal to 1 per cent. of the salary total to be spent on(a) promotion of staff to a higher scale, (b) accelerating individuals up their scale, and (c) moving individuals to discretionary salary points beyond the normal scale maximum, and (2) the proportion of the total money so far approved for such schemes which is to be spent on (i) professional staff, (ii) senior lecturers and readers, (iii) lecturers, (iv) others, and (v) women staff.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I understand from the Universities Funding Council that, because of the way in which some universities have submitted details of their schemes, the information is not available in the form requested. Of the total to be spent, the division is as follows:

  29 per cent. is for increases in professors' salaries;

  33 per cent. is for moving senior lecturers, readers and

  555
  lecturers to discretionary salary points beyond the normal scale maxima;

  14 per cent. is for accelerating senior lecturers, readers and lecturers up their scales;

  4 per cent. is for promotions of academic staff;

  14 per cent. is for discretionary scale points or accelerated increments for academic-related staff;

  1 per cent. is for promotion of academic-related staff;

  5 per cent. is for other purposes such as recruitment incentives.

  Data are not collected separately for male and female staff.

  Physical Education
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to establish the working party for physical education and the national curriculum; and when he expects it to report.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend hopes to make an announcement shortly about the timetable and arrangements for considering physical education within the national curriculum.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has any plans to increase the number of places for those waiting to train as physical education teachers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  My right hon. Friend announced aggregate intake numbers for initial teacher training for 1990–91 earlier this year. For the three-year period 1991–92 to 1993–94 a major planning exercise is taking place. Aggregate intake numbers for these years will be announced next year and will take account of our latest projections of teacher supply and demand.

  Child Care Facilities
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has any plans to assist local education authorities in developing child care facilities for teachers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Our proposed education support grant programme for 1990–91 includes support for expenditure of over £2 million on local recruitment measures to attract back more former teachers and to recruit mature entrants. The invitation to bid made it clear that it is for each LEA to develop its own recruitment model, but suggested that models might include the establishment of supporting and flexible working practices together with child care

  Higher Education students in Great Britain

  Thousands

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  Full-time first degree students1

  University

  245·1

  251·2

  253·4

  250·0

  244·2

  241·7

  242·9

  246·4

  250·7

  Polytechnics/Colleges

  204·3

  208·2

  227·8

  245·9

  261·2

  270·1

  274·7

  280·5

  288·1

  Part-time first and higher degree students1

  University2

  99·6

  99·7

  104·2

  108·1

  110·9

  113·4

  115·8

  120·5

  126·5

  FTE3

  34·9

  34·9

  36·5

  37·8

  38·8

  39·7

  40·5

  42·2

  44·3

  Polytechnics/Colleges

  168·1

  181·1

  185·8

  188·5

  195·3

  195·1

  210·0

  228·4

  232·7

  FTE3

  58·8

  63·4

  65·0

  66·0

  68·3

  68·3

  73·5

  80·0

  81·5

  Full-time students

  Postgraduate

  60·7

  61·0

  60·3

  57·1

  59·6

  61·5

  65·9

  69·1

  69·9

  556
  provision. In addition, I have encouraged local education authorities and school governors to respond to requests for the after-hours use of schools for child care.

  City Technology Colleges
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether it is now his policy to develop a city technology college in each local education authority; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  It is a key aim of the CTC programme that the colleges should make a major contribution to the development of higher standards in all schools. Within the last week my right hon. Friend has announced funding for curriculum development work to support the colleges' contribution to higher standards across the education system as a whole. He is also considering a number of other ways in which the lessons of CTCs could be made more widely available.

  National Curriculum
  Mr. Haselhurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much money has been earmarked to assist schools in the introduction of the national curriculum.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Earmarked expenditure by local authorities to assist schools in introducing the national curriculum is supported at national level through specific grants. This financial year education support grants and the LEA training grants scheme will support some £100 million expenditure for that purpose. Otherwise, it is for each local education authority to determine how to deploy the total resources available to it to meet the requirements of the national curriculum.

  Student Numbers
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the numbers of(a) university first-degree full-time students, (b) polytechnic and other higher education first-degree full-time students, (c) part-time university students, (d) part-time polytechnic and other higher education students, and (e) full-time postgraduate students, with (c) and (d) expressed in actual numbers and full-time equivalents, in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Jackson
  The information requested is shown in the following table.
  557

  1—Including sub-degree.

  2—Including Open University.

  3—Full-time equivalent (FTE): Conversion factors vary in the different sectors and for different levels of course. An illustrative average of 35 per cent. has been used for all part-time students.

  Source: Statistical Bulletin 4/89 "Student Numbers in higher education in Great Britain" published March 1989.

  Professional Qualifications
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions there have been between his Department and(a) representatives of the academic world, (b) representatives of careers officers and (c) the student movement regarding the recognition of professional qualifications between member states of the European Economic Community; and what further action he will take between now and January 1991 on (i) raising awareness, (ii) consultation and (iii) resourcing.

  Mr. Jackson
  There have been no discussions with the groups mentioned. Responsibility for co-ordinating action on the implementation of the general directive on the mutual recognition of professional qualifications rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. The Department of Education and Science's responsibilities extend only to the mutual recognition of teachers' qualifications and any wider implications of the directive for higher education. In this connection the Department has issued and will as necessary continue to issue a series of briefing notes on the directive to a range of teacher and other interests directly involved.

  Student Exchanges
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions there have been between his Department and(a) the University Funding Council, (b) the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals and (c) the National Union of Students on the subject of student exchanges in western Europe after 1992.

  Mr. Jackson
  There have been no discussions with the three bodies mentioned on the specific question of student exchanges after 1992. However, the Department maintains frequent contact with the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals on a range of related issues, including the future development of the Erasmus programme.

SCOTLAND

  Sheriffs
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many new(a) full-time sheriffs, (b) temporary sheriffs and (c) floating sheriffs were appointed in each of the years 1987 and 1988 and to date in 1989.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information is set out in the table:

  1987

  1988

  19891

  Full-time sheriffs

  2

  4

  3

  Temporary sheriffs

  30

  33

  nil

  Floating sheriffs

  1

  1

  nil

  1 To 8 December

  Trials
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has regarding the number of summary trials in Scotland which were adjourned owing to pressure of business on the trial date between 1 January and 31 October.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  In over 90 per cent. of the sheriff courts in Scotland the number of summary criminal trials adjourned due to lack of court time did not exceed 5 per cent. of the total number of trials set down in the period from 1 January 1989 to 30 September 1989. The figure for October is not available.

  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total number of sheriffs as at 30 November 1989 and 30 November 1987.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information is set out in the table:

  1987

  1989

  Sheriff posts as at 30 November

  Full-time sheriffs

  191

  195

  Temporary sheriffs

  83

  100

  1 This includes 1 sheriff seconded to the Scottish Law Commission, and 1 sheriff seconded to the Lands Tribunal for Scotland.

  Parliament House
  Sir Nicholas Fairbairn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated cost of the Cowgate extension of Parliament house; what proportion of the: space provided is for courts; and what proportion is accommodation and offices for officials.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The estimated cost of the Cowgate extension is approximately £14 million. The extension, which has been designed to facilitate the more effective use of accommodation in Parliament house and to make provision there for work of the supreme courts which at present is undertaken in out-housed accommodation, will provide court accommodation (11 per cent.), office accommodation for officials of the supreme courts (44 per cent.), and general services and ancillary accommodation (45 per cent.).

  Water
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is considering bringing in any statutory procedures regarding disconnection for non-payment of water rates, by either a private or public authority.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  We have no proposals to introduce legislation regarding disconnection for non payment for public water supplies. Where water is supplied privately, arrangements depend upon the agreement between the parties concerned and are not subject to statute.

  Forestry
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on progress on forestry and farm woodland planting in 1989 over 1988.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Tree planting statistics for the private sector are normally collected and published by the Forestry Commission on the basis of grants paid in each financial year. For the financial years to 31 March 1988 and 31 March 1989, the areas of new planting so recorded were 23,821 hectares and 25,108 hectares respectively, including in the last year 126 hectares planted in association with the farm woodland scheme. In the first six months of the current financial year the figure was 11,992 hectares (including 1,681 hectares under the farm woodland scheme). By comparison, the area of new planting grant-aided in the first full planting season since the forestry tax changes introduced in the 1988 Budget, covering the year to 30 September 1989, was 15,293 hectares; included in that total were 1,825 hectares planted in association with the farm woodland scheme.

  Expenditure
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide a detailed analysis of Scottish Office expenditure since 1984–85, using the new definition of the planning total compatible with the tables for the years 1990–91 to 1992–93,Official Report, 6 December, column 329–30.

  Mr. Rifkind
  Details of expenditure on the new planning total basis for the period prior to 1989–90 will be provided in the Public Expenditure White Paper which will be published next month.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report tables listing his Department's expenditure since 1984–85 (a) in cash terms, (b) in constant 1988–89 prices and (c) as a percentage of the United Kingdom planning total; and if

  Available factory space in Scotland

  1987

  1988

  Region

  Number of units

  Available space thousand sq. metres

  Number of units

  Available space thousand sq. metres

  Borders

  20

  1·8

  16

  1·3

  Central

  79

  27·9

  58

  25·9

  Dumfries and Galloway

  33

  1,005·3

  22

  5,002·0

  Fife

  69

  67·9

  69

  53·2

  Grampian

  38

  18·1

  70

  23·7

  Highland

  28

  4·1

  21

  2·7

  Lothian

  39

  20·3

  39

  23·5

  Strathclyde

  640

  22,483·2

  592

  2,334·3

  Tayside

  59

  22·0

  67

  12·3

  Islands

  —

  —

  1

  0·2

  Not known

  1

  0·0

  49

  23·1

  TOTAL

  1,006

  23,650·5

  1,004

  7,502·0

  Number of available factories by floor space size band in Scotland Floor space range (square metres)

  1987

  Region

  0–249

  250–499

  500–499

  2,500 and over

  Borders

  19

  1

  —

  —

  Central

  44

  23

  12

  —

  Dumfries and Galloway

  27

  4

  1

  —

  560
  he will publish similar tables for the years 1990–91 to 1992–93 based on the public expenditure plans contained in the Autumn Statement.

  Mr. Rifkind
  Details of expenditure on the new planning total basis for the period prior to 1989–90 will be provided in the Public Expenditure White Paper which will be published next month. The table below shows the information requested for the period covered by my statement last week (Official Report, 6 December, column 328–30.). The Comparison requested does not take account of expenditure in Scotland on services such as social security and defence, which are not included in my responsibilities.

  (a) Cash £ million

  (b) Constant prices £ million

  (c)1

  1989–90 (estimated outturn)

  9,051

  8,459

  5·60

  1990–91 (plans)

  9,576

  8,523

  5·35

  1991–92 (plans)

  10,090

  8,677

  5·25

  1992–93 (plans)

  10,400

  8,683

  5£11

  1 (a) as a percentage of the United Kingdom planning total

  Factory Space
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has on available factory space in Scotland for the years 1987 to 1989, including the total square footage of factory space built and available, the number of units this represents, indications of the size ranges and the respective numbers of each, indications of the respective location of such space and indications as to the public-private balance of the development and ownership of these units.

  Mr. Lang
  There is no information available on private owned factories. The latest available figures on public owned factories relate to 1988.
  561

  Region

  0–249

  250–499

  500–2,499

  2,500 and over

  Fife

  34

  7

  19

  9

  Grampian

  28

  4

  4

  2

  Highland

  24

  3

  1

  —

  Lothian

  17

  12

  8

  2

  Strathclyde

  291

  94

  201

  32

  Tayside

  48

  6

  2

  3

  Not known

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  533

  154

  248

  48

  Number of available factories by floor space size band in Scotland Floor space range (square metres)

  1988

  Region

  0–249

  250–499

  500–2,499

  2,500 and over

  Borders

  14

  2

  —

  —

  Central

  23

  23

  11

  1

  Dumfries and Galloway

  14

  3

  —

  —

  Fife

  40

  5

  18

  6

  Grampian

  60

  4

  4

  2

  Highland

  18

  3

  —

  —

  Lothian

  15

  12

  10

  2

  Strathclyde

  337

  73

  163

  17

  Tayside

  57

  6

  4

  —

  Islands

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Not known

  30

  9

  7

  3

  Total

  609

  140

  217

  31

  Shellfish Waters
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has any proposals to assist regional and islands councils in Scotland to improve their sewage and sewerage discharge systems in order to meet requirements of the European Community directive on shellfish waters.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 11 December 1989]: Monitoring of waters designated under the European Community Directive on the Quality Required of Shellfish Waters is the responsibility of the river purification authorities. Where such waters fail to meet the standards of the directive, regional and islands councils, as sewerage authorities, may in some circumstances be required to carry out improvement works.

  My right hon. and learned Friend announced to the House on 6 December a major increase in investment in Scotland over the next three years. The additional resources announced will mean a programme of £500 million over these years for water and sewerage services. This will allow regional and islands councils, who decide their own priorities in the light of local needs, to make faster progress in further improving the quality of the environment including inshore waters.

  Scottish Bus Group
  Mr. Allan Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has decided on the timetable for the sale of the Clydeside and Western subsidiaries of the Scottish Bus Group; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 11 December 1989]: My right hon. and learned Friend will shortly be publishing a disposal programme which will set out the basis on which the subsidiaries of the Scottish Bus Group will be sold. The first companies are expected to be
  562
  advertised for sale around the beginning of 1990. It is not, however, possible at this stage to say when Western Scottish Omnibuses Ltd. will be offered for sale.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Cambodia
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to withdraw any direct or indirect help in support of the Cambodian alliance led by the Khmer Rouge.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to my hon. Friend the Member for Broxtowe (Mr. Lester) on 8 November.

  El Salvador
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government have made(a) to the El Salvador Government about the impeding of humanitarian work in that country by the army, and (b) to the United States President about the role the United States of America could play in helping to bring about a just settlement to the civil war in E1 Salvador.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 30 November to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Mossley Hill (Mr. Alton). The United States and Salvadorean Governments are aware of our views.

  Vietnamese Boat People
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what funds the Government are making available this financial year towards the cost of accommodation for, and repatriation of, Vietnamese boat people in Hong Kong.

  Mr. Maude
  We have provided £15·95 million for this purpose. Parliamentary approval for this new service is being sought in the Winter Supplementary Estimate for the vote for other external relations (Class II, Vote 2) which covers expenditure of £5·8 million for Vietnamese boat people. A further £10·15 million will be sought in a spring Supplementary Estimate. Pending that approval, urgent expenditure will be met by further repayable advances of £10·15 million from the contingencies fund.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Excise Duty
  Mr. Gregory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what reduction in the excise duties on beers, wines and spirits would be required to achieve reductions of 0·5 per cent., 0·75 per cent. and 1·0 per cent., respectively, in the retail price index.

  Mr. Ryder
  It it estimated that the required, across the board, reductions in excise duties on beer, wines and spirits would be as follows:

  1Per cent.

  2Per cent.

  0·5

  22

  0·75

  34

  1·0

  45

  1 Percentage fall in the retail price index

  2 Percentage reduction in excise duty on beer, wines and spirits

  Civil Service Recruitment
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what factors he considers when recruiting for the Civil Service outside London; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  It is for Departments to judge when and where to recruit staff, in what numbers and at what grades.

  Gross Domestic Product
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the value of the gross domestic product per head of the population for each member state of the EEC.

  Mr. Ryder
  Following is the information requested:

  GDP/GNP per capita at purchasing power parities 1988

  US dollars

  United Kingdom

  13,301

  Luxembourg

  15,758

  Germany

  14,185

  France

  13,670

  Denmark

  13,593

  Italy

  12,991

  Netherlands

  12,971

  Belgium

  12,750

  Spain

  9,372

  Ireland

  7,868

  564

  US dollars

  Greece

  6,850

  Portugal

  6,439

  Source: OECD

  Benefits and Allowances
  Sir Ian Gilmour
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now give confirmed figures for April 1989, showing the rates of child benefit, single person's and married man's tax allowances at 1979 prices, on the same basis as given on 4 April,Official Report, column 4.

  Mr. Lilley
  The information is in the table.

  Rates of Child Benefit as at April 1989

  Benefits

  Amount

  Child benefit (£ per week per child)

  Current prices

  7·25

  1979 prices1

  3·44

  Single person's tax allowance (£ per annum)

  Current prices

  2,785

  1979 prices1

  1,322

  Married man's tax allowance (£ per annum)

  Current prices

  4,375

  1979 prices1

  2,077

  1 Figures converted to 1979 prices using the movement in the RPI between April 1979 and April 1989

  Company Cars
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give details of the method of computation of the fixed profit car scheme whereby the Inland Revenue calculates the maximum amount of non-taxable benefit employees may receive from their employers for using their cars on their employer's business.

  Mr. Lilley
  Under the fixed profit car scheme arrangements the Revenue calculates the taxable element of any mileage allowance payable by employers to employees using their own cars on business. The taxable amount is fixed by reference to mileage bands by deducting tax-free mileage rates for various car engine sizes from allowances paid by the employer.

  Corporation Tax
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the amount of corporation tax forgone in each of the next five financial years assuming the profit forecasts for the water companies are as set down in listing agreement relating to each of the water holding companies as a result of section 95(8) of the Water Act 1989 precluding the operation of section 400 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 in certain circumstances.

  Mr. Lilley
  The water companies' tax liabilities over the next five years will depend on their taxable profits during that period. In accordance with normal practice, no estimates of these amounts were included in the prospectus and listing particulars dated 22 November 1989, a copy of which was placed in the Library by my hon. and learned Friend the Minister for Water. The disapplication of section 400 was designed to secure maximum flexibility for the Government in establishing the water companies' capital structures and hence to increase proceeds.

  Civil Servants' Disturbance Allowance
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what level of disturbance allowance is currently payable to civil servants required to move house for reasons of their employment.

  Mr. Ryder
  [holding answer 11 December 1988]: There is no disturbance allowance payable to civil servants required to move house for reasons of their employment. However, civil servants may be eligible for a range of allowances and other forms of assistance to reimburse expenses and additional costs incurred. The level of assistance is dependent on individual circumstances.

WALES

  Rural Areas
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the criteria by which his department assesses the desirability of influencing the extent of inward migration into rural Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  No such criteria are applied. Government policies are directed towards the establishment of economically viable communities within rural areas. Such policies are of substantial benefit in maintaining the fabric of these communities by sustaining local economies and creating jobs for the indigenous population, who might otherwise move away. The creation of new industries may of course require some skills which are not generally available within a particular locality.

  Drugs
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his Department's assessment of the drug crack as it might affect Wales; and if he will increase his financial support of the voluntary agencies who are involved in Wales in the fight against drug abuse.

  Mr. Grist
  To date there have been no seizures of the drug in Wales but we should not be complacent. The Department, in conjunction with the Welsh committee on drug misuse in Wales, will continue to monitor the situation most carefully.

  As to financial support, since the launch of the central initiative to combat drug misuse in Wales in 1986, this Government have made available annually increasing sums to help develop services—both statutory and voluntary—for drug misusers.

  The provision for 1990–91 will be announced soon.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his Department's work concerning drug abuse in Wales.

  Mr. Grist
  The Welsh Office is involved in the campaign to combat drug misuse in a number of ways. At the all-Wales level, the Department services, and is advised by, the Welsh committee on drug misuse (WCDM). Set up in 1986 to concern itself with the development of preventative measures, treatment, and rehabilitation services in response to the growing menace of drug misuse in Wales, WCDM has been particularly active. As well as meeting with all drug advisory committees in Wales, WCDM has produced advice and guidance on a number of issues.
  566
  Since the launch of the central initiative to combat drug misuse in Wales, the Department has made available annually increasing funds to help develop local services—whether statutory or voluntary—for drug misusers. Around £1·5 million is available in 1989–90.

  While national publicity campaigns are adapted for use in Wales, the Department is currently developing a specific primary prevention programme in association with WCDM and the health promotion authority for Wales. Preventive education in schools is also most important. The Department supports activities to promote health education under education support grant and recognises measures to prevent drug misuse as a national priority for the local education authority training grants scheme.

  Finally, there are clear links between drug misusers and AIDS and it is for that reason that the Department is making available some £180,000 in 1989–90 to facilitate the development of needle and syringe exchange schemes in Wales. These schemes are to be piloted over two years.

  Bistre Nursery School
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will meet Buckley Town Council to discuss the future use of Bistre nursery school consequent upon the closure in 1990 of nursery school facilities in that building; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  This is a matter for resolution locally.

  Home Renovation Grants
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the likely expenditure by local authorities on mandatory home renovation grants in 1990–91 in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  In view of the uncertainties of forecasting demand and the likely take-up of the new scheme, we have set no limit on the amount which local authorities can spend on mandatory home renovation grants next year.

  Expenditure plans for local authority capital spending in 1990–91 currently include £75 million to cover expenditure on mandatory home renovation grants, together with any improvement grants remaining to be paid under the existing grant system. If in the event demand exceeds that level, additional resources will be made available.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the number of jobs created by the use of mandatory home renovation grants in Wales in 1989–90 and 1990–91; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  No firm estimates have been made although I am sure that the benefits to the private sector will be considerable.

  Housing (Capital Investment)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will list by local authority in cash and 1988–89 prices local authority housing capital investment on(a) new building, (b) renovation of local authority dwellings, (c) renovation grants, and (d) other housing capital programmes for (i) each financial year since 1979–80 and (ii) planned capital investment for 1990–91, 1991–92 and 1992–93.
  567
  Mr. Grist
  The information requested is voluminous. I shall write to the hon. Gentleman to provide tables for each year between 1981–82 and 1989–90 and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House. Similar data for 1979–80 and 1980–81 will require additional clerical, as opposed to computer, analysis and I will provide these statistics as soon as possible thereafter.

  For 1990–91, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced housing capital distribution for individual local authorities on 29 November 1989. The

  Local Authority Housing Capital Investment: Forecast 1989–90

  £'000

  Cash Prices

  Constant 1988–89 Prices

  Local Authority

  1New building

  Renovation of local authority dwellings

  Renovation grants

  Other capital programmes

  1New building

  Renovation of local authority dwellings

  Renovation grants

  Other capital programmes

  Alyn and Deeside

  2,447

  2,488

  570

  10

  2,319

  2,358

  540

  9

  Colwyn

  0

  1,489

  1,014

  0

  0

  1,411

  961

  0

  Delyn

  0

  4,339

  400

  490

  0

  4,113

  379

  464

  Glyndwr

  215

  1,300

  700

  85

  204

  1,232

  664

  81

  Rhuddlan

  1,287

  391

  300

  875

  1,220

  371

  284

  829

  Wrexham Maelor

  950

  7,375

  300

  150

  900

  6,991

  284

  142

  Carmarthen

  139

  2,548

  1,450

  539

  132

  2,415

  1,374

  511

  Ceredigion

  1,565

  1,767

  1,500

  226

  1,483

  1,675

  1,422

  214

  Dinefwr

  601

  1,819

  738

  469

  570

  1,724

  700

  445

  Llanelli

  1,925

  855

  2,150

  143

  1,825

  810

  2,038

  136

  Preseli Pembs

  1,174

  2,063

  2,814

  1,565

  1,113

  1,955

  2,667

  1,483

  South Pembroke

  63

  760

  2,065

  311

  60

  720

  1,957

  295

  Blaenau Gwent

  859

  5,985

  2,065

  561

  814

  5,673

  1,957

  532

  Islwyn

  897

  4,229

  2,400

  2,484

  850

  4,009

  2,275

  2,355

  Monmouth

  1,715

  5,593

  525

  142

  1,626

  5,301

  498

  135

  Newport

  1,394

  6,372

  1,525

  2,176

  1,321

  6,040

  1,446

  2,063

  Torfaen

  68

  9,662

  2,550

  2,553

  64

  9,158

  2,417

  2,420

  Aberconwy

  0

  1,352

  550

  75

  0

  1,282

  521

  71

  Arfon

  285

  1,189

  2,753

  988

  270

  1,127

  2,609

  936

  Dwyfor

  710

  500

  652

  30

  673

  474

  618

  28

  Meirionnydd

  420

  0

  450

  800

  398

  0

  427

  758

  Ynys Mon

  300

  300

  850

  2,300

  284

  284

  806

  2,180

  Cynon Valley

  75

  12

  3,300

  7,562

  71

  11

  3,128

  7,168

  Merthyr Tydfil

  289

  5,487

  1,850

  186

  274

  5,201

  1,754

  176

  Ogwr

  1,857

  3,894

  3,000

  637

  1,760

  3,691

  2,844

  604

  Rhondda

  0

  9,794

  5,005

  3,413

  0

  9,283

  4,744

  3,235

  Rhymney Valley

  595

  4,978

  3,691

  878

  564

  4,718

  3,499

  832

  Taff Ely

  1,015

  7,614

  2,000

  120

  962

  7,217

  1,896

  114

  Brecknock

  880

  643

  863

  42

  834

  609

  818

  40

  Montgomeryshire

  1,276

  1,657

  815

  0

  1,209

  1,571

  773

  0

  Radnorshire

  713

  103

  370

  0

  676

  98

  351

  0

  Cardiff

  2,408

  26,892

  9,545

  7,585

  2,282

  25,490

  9,047

  7,190

  Vale of Glamorgan

  1,570

  1,720

  1,700

  176

  1,488

  1,630

  1,611

  167

  Port Talbot

  17

  10,665

  1,400

  510

  16

  10,109

  1,327

  483

  Lliw Valley

  2,245

  1,415

  1,400

  1,423

  2,128

  1,341

  1,327

  1,349

  Neath

  2,330

  5,896

  1,200

  81

  2,209

  5,589

  1,137

  77

  Swansea

  1,648

  3,021

  4,990

  409

  1,562

  2,864

  4,730

  388

  Total Wales

  33,932

  146,167

  69,450

  42,422

  32,353

  138,547

  65,830

  40,211

  1 Includes acquisition of land

  Local Authority Housing Capital Investment: Forecast 1988–89

  £'000

  Cash Prices

  Constant 1988–89 Prices

  Local Authority

  New building

  Renovation of local authority dwellings

  Renovation grants

  Other New capital programmes

  New building

  Renovation of local authority dwellings

  Renovation grants

  Other capital programmes

  Alyn and Deeside

  1,076

  1,827

  748

  130

  1,076

  1,827

  748

  130

  Colwyn

  0

  893

  813

  14

  0

  893

  813

  14

  Delyn

  0

  2,794

  434

  1

  0

  2,794

  434

  1

  Glyndwr

  897

  735

  643

  0

  897

  735

  643

  0

  Rhuddlan

  556

  175

  270

  1,438

  556

  175

  270

  1,438

  Wrexham Maelor

  412

  4,435

  304

  44

  412

  4,435

  304

  44

  Carmarthen

  292

  1,487

  1,811

  542

  292

  1,487

  1,811

  542

  Ceredigion

  573

  1,085

  650

  127

  573

  1,085

  650

  127

  Dinefwr

  128

  773

  506

  288

  128

  773

  506

  288

  Llanelli

  2,132

  256

  1,536

  118

  2,132

  256

  1,536

  118

  568
  distribution is not hypothecated to individual housing services and it is for local authorities themselves to formulate their spending plans within the total resources available to them. For 1991–92 and 1992–93, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced only the Department's total local authority housing expenditure plans. Due to changes in the capital control system for 1990–91 onwards these figures are not directly comparable with those shown in the following tables I am providing for the hon. Gentleman.
  569

  Cash Prices

  Constant 1988–89 Prices

  Local Authority

  New building

  Renovation of local authority dwellings

  Renovation grants

  Other capital programmes

  New building

  Renovation of local authority dwellings

  Renovation grants

  Other capital programmes

  Preseli Pembs

  448

  1,298

  1,392

  428

  448

  1,298

  1,392

  428

  South Pembroke

  0

  557

  1,852

  855

  0

  557

  1,852

  855

  Blaenau Gwent

  1,237

  3,862

  1,881

  1,832

  1,237

  3,862

  1,881

  1,832

  Islwyn

  451

  1,687

  4,565

  1,718

  451

  1,687

  4,565

  1,718

  Monmouth

  827

  3,067

  1,280

  200

  827

  3,067

  1,280

  200

  Newport

  3,763

  2,751

  1,985

  2,056

  3,763

  2,751

  1,985

  2,056

  Torfaen

  143

  6,462

  1,528

  1,153

  143

  6,462

  1,528

  1,153

  Aberconwy

  0

  1,704

  563

  69

  0

  1,704

  563

  69

  Arfon

  565

  725

  1,330

  308

  565

  725

  1,330

  308

  Dwyfor

  109

  275

  505

  298

  109

  275

  505

  298

  Meirionnydd

  203

  271

  341

  309

  203

  271

  341

  309

  Ynys Môn

  392

  2,171

  776

  1,193

  392

  2,171

  776

  1,193

  Cynon Valley

  103

  1,139

  3,327

  1,679

  103

  1,139

  3,327

  1,679

  Merthyr Tydfil

  789

  2,600

  2,100

  49

  789

  2,600

  2,100

  49

  Ogwr

  1,152

  3,120

  3,318

  935

  1,152

  3,120

  3,318

  935

  Rhondda

  0

  8,355

  5,203

  4,534

  0

  8,355

  5,203

  4,534

  Rhymney Valley

  458

  4,830

  3,462

  1,457

  458

  4,830

  3,462

  1,457

  Taff Ely

  1,886

  2,355

  1,641

  26

  1,886

  2,355

  1,641

  26

  Brecknock

  656

  595

  573

  406

  656

  595

  573

  406

  Montgomeryshire

  585

  688

  775

  121

  585

  688

  775

  121

  Radnorshire

  367

  182

  383

  92

  367

  182

  383

  92

  Cardiff

  582

  19,243

  10,377

  1,949

  582

  19,243

  10,377

  1,949

  Vale of Glamorgan

  692

  1,132

  1,436

  378

  692

  1,132

  1,436

  378

  Port Talbot

  0

  3,921

  1,620

  65

  0

  3,921

  1,620

  65

  Lliw Valley

  667

  2,191

  1,443

  223

  667

  2,191

  1,443

  223

  Neath

  901

  2,440

  1,169

  518

  901

  2,440

  1,169

  518

  Swansea

  1,171

  3,378

  5,238

  205

  1,171

  3,378

  5,238

  205

  Total Wales

  24,213

  95,459

  67,778

  25,758

  24,213

  95,459

  67,778

  25,758

  Local Authority Housing Capital Investment 1987–88

  £'000

  Cash Prices

  Constant 1988–89 Prices

  Local Authority

  New building

  Renovation of local authority dwellings

  Renovation grants

  Other capital Programmes

  New building

  Renovation of local authority dwellings

  Renovation grants

  Other capital programmes

  Alyn and Deeside

  1,007

  1,583

  910

  125

  1,080

  1,699

  976

  134

  Colwyn

  0

  853

  885

  24

  0

  915

  950

  26

  Delyn

  0

  1,376

  636

  33

  0

  1,476

  682

  35

  Glyndwr

  90

  1,119

  553

  0

  97

  1,201

  593

  0

  Rhuddlan

  526

  301

  200

  394

  564

  323

  215

  423

  Wrexham Maelor

  571

  5,653

  244

  25

  613

  6,066

  262

  27

  Carmarthen

  575

  2,321

  1,998

  694

  617

  2,490

  2,144

  745

  Ceredigion

  1,224

  798

  846

  24

  1,313

  856

  908

  26

  Dinefwr

  574

  805

  421

  226

  616

  864

  452

  242

  Llanelli

  1,718

  482

  1,263

  227

  1,843

  517

  1,355

  244

  Preseli Pembs

  377

  1,352

  1,510

  5

  405

  1,451

  1,620

  5

  South Pembroke

  9

  628

  1,920

  1,376

  10

  674

  2,060

  1,476

  Blaenau Gwent

  1,718

  4,920

  3,094

  2,742

  1,843

  5,279

  3,320

  2,942

  Islwyn

  1,040

  1,870

  3,894

  1,746

  1,116

  2,006

  4,178

  1,873

  Monmouth

  626

  4,317

  1,271

  31

  672

  4,632

  1,364

  33

  Newport

  8,307

  3,619

  2,248

  1,575

  8,913

  3,883

  2,412

  1,690

  Torfaen

  734

  3,242

  1,418

  781

  788

  3,479

  1,521

  838

  Aberconwy

  30

  1,240

  388

  27

  32

  1,330

  416

  29

  Arfon

  530

  1,084

  1,597

  58

  569

  1,163

  1,714

  62

  Dwyfor

  31

  54

  537

  220

  33

  58

  576

  236

  Meirionnydd

  198

  49

  265

  80

  212

  53

  284

  86

  Ynys Môn

  801

  1,492

  780

  1,154

  859

  1,601

  837

  1,238

  Cynon Valley

  421

  1,593

  3,904

  1,274

  452

  1,709

  4,189

  1,367

  Merthyr Tydfil

  601

  3,916

  1,503

  64

  645

  4,202

  1,613

  69

  Ogwr

  1,039

  2,426

  2,676

  1,797

  1,115

  2,603

  2,871

  1,928

  Rhondda

  2

  2,257

  5,603

  4,202

  2

  2,422

  6,012

  4,509

  Rhymney Valley

  581

  4,269

  3,778

  2,593

  623

  4,581

  4,054

  2,782

  Taff Ely

  1,378

  4,263

  1,348

  134

  1,479

  4,574

  1,446

  144

  Brecknock

  799'

  246

  568

  343

  857

  264

  609

  368

  Montgomeryshire

  55

  1,392

  548

  66

  590

  1,494

  588

  71

  Radnorshire

  75

  126

  368

  60

  80

  135

  395

  64

  Cardiff

  1,792

  14,342

  11,831

  1,564

  1,923

  15,389

  12,694

  1,678

  Vale of Glamorgan

  766

  1,721

  1,364

  739

  822

  1,847

  1,464

  793

  Port Talbot

  0

  4,169

  1,822

  3

  0

  4,473

  1,955

  3

  Lliw Valley

  726

  1,907

  1,504

  210

  779

  2,046

  1,614

  225

  570 571

  Cash Prices

  Constant 1988–89 Prices

  Local Authority

  New building

  Renovation of local authority dwellings

  Renovation grants

  Other capital Programmes

  New building

  Renovation of local authority dwellings

  Renovation grants

  Other capital programmes

  Neath

  1,166

  2,041

  1,609

  932

  1,251

  2,190

  1,726

  1,000

  Swansea

  1,230

  4,153

  3,972

  176

  1,320

  4,456

  4,262

  189

  Total Wales

  31,812

  87,979

  69,276

  25,724

  34,134

  94,400

  74,332

  27,601

  Local Authority Housing Capital Investment: 1981–82

  £'000

  Cash Prices

  Constant 1988–89 Prices

  Local Authority

  New building

  Renovation of local authority dwellings

  Renovation grants

  Other capital Programmes

  New building

  Renovation of local authority dwellings

  Renovation grants

  Other capital programmes

  Alyn and Deeside

  675

  852

  231

  284

  976

  1,232

  334

  411

  Colwyn

  408

  602

  290

  18

  590

  870

  419

  26

  Delyn

  131

  760

  317

  35

  189

  1,099

  458

  51

  Glyndwr

  1,252

  129

  135

  111

  1,810

  186

  195

  160

  Rhuddlan

  652

  83

  49

  1

  943

  120

  71

  1

  Wrexham Maelor

  1,067

  1,248

  160

  117

  1,542

  1,804

  231

  169

  Carmarthen

  1,687

  228

  559

  193

  2,439

  330

  808

  279

  Ceredigion

  1,621

  222

  335

  14

  2,343

  321

  484

  20

  Dinefwr

  263

  349

  183

  0

  380

  505

  265

  0

  Llanelli

  690

  570

  293

  386

  997

  824

  424

  558

  Preseli

  409

  900

  480

  66

  591

  1,301

  694

  95

  South Pembroke

  109

  254

  436

  319

  158

  367

  630

  461

  Blaenau Gwent

  2,550

  1,210

  533

  638

  3,686

  1,749

  771

  922

  Islwyn

  863

  820

  493

  97

  1,248

  1,185

  713

  140

  Monmouth

  1,382

  190

  227

  128

  1,998

  275

  328

  185

  Newport

  3,898

  927

  1,353

  766

  5,635

  1,340

  1,956

  1,107

  Torfaen

  1,230

  1,630

  223

  387

  1,778

  2,356

  322

  559

  Aberconwy

  183

  331

  295

  0

  265

  479

  426

  0

  Arfon

  725

  1,108

  679

  123

  1,048

  1,602

  982

  178

  Dwyfor

  263

  58

  243

  15

  380

  84

  351

  22

  Meirionnydd

  550

  28

  206

  21

  795

  40

  298

  30

  Ynys Môn

  1,008

  272

  186

  15

  1,457

  393

  269

  22

  Cynon Valley

  139

  611

  268

  587

  201

  883

  387

  849

  Merthyr Tydfil

  730

  648

  407

  701

  1,055

  937

  588

  1,013

  Ogwr

  1,659

  731

  937

  975

  2,398

  1,057

  1,355

  1,409

  Rhondda

  912

  1,554

  1,336

  1,194

  1,318

  2,247

  1,931

  1,726

  Rhymney Valley

  1,655

  422

  611

  479

  2,393

  610

  883

  692

  Taff Ely

  1,820

  916

  1,294

  541

  2,631

  1,324

  1,871

  782

  Brecknock

  428

  237

  236

  127

  619

  343

  341

  184

  Montgomeryshire

  229

  286

  135

  9

  331

  413

  195

  13

  Radnorshire

  270

  71

  135

  8

  390

  103

  195

  12

  Cardiff

  6,358

  1,564

  1,488

  1,529

  9,191

  2,261

  2,151

  2,210

  Vale of Glamorgan

  835

  286

  476

  145

  1,207

  413

  688

  210

  Port Talbot

  250

  285

  280

  174

  361

  412

  405

  252

  Lliw Valley

  1,685

  303

  612

  63

  2,436

  438

  885

  91

  Neath

  801

  318

  324

  139

  1,158

  460

  468

  201

  Swansea

  1,988

  2,930

  1,597

  146

  2,874

  4,236

  2,309

  211

  Total Wales

  41,375

  23,933

  18,042

  10,551

  59,813

  34,598

  26,082

  15,253

  Local Authority Housing Capital Investment: 1982–83

  £'000

  Cash Prices

  Constant 1988–89 Prices

  Local Authority

  New building

  Renovation of local authority dwellings

  Renovation grants

  Other capital Programmes

  New building

  Renovation of local authority dwellings

  Renovation grants

  Other capital programmes

  Alyn and Deeside

  1,507

  1,170

  529

  409

  2,035

  1,580

  714

  552

  Colwyn

  514

  596

  602

  54

  694

  805

  813

  73

  Delyn

  91

  581

  546

  60

  123

  784

  737

  81

  Glyndwr

  906

  349

  606

  223

  1,223

  471

  818

  301

  Rhuddlan

  832

  154

  111

  15

  1,123

  208

  150

  20

  Wrexham Maelor

  1,340

  1,657

  307

  115

  1,809

  2,237

  414

  155

  Carmarthen

  1,926

  244

  1,107

  429

  2,600

  329

  1,495

  579

  Ceredigion

  1,240

  714

  959

  76

  1,674

  964

  1,295

  103

  Dinefwr

  480

  695

  224

  68

  648

  938

  302

  92

  Llanelli

  666

  923

  732

  170

  899

  1,246

  988

  230

  Preseli Pembs

  178

  1,806

  696

  26

  240

  2,438

  940

  35

  South Pembroke

  109

  506

  1,101

  66

  147

  683

  1,486

  89

  572 573

  Cash Prices

  Constant 1988–89 Prices

  Local Authority

  New building

  Renovation of local authority dwellings

  Renovation grants

  Other capital programmes

  New building

  Renovation of local authority dwellings

  Renovation grants

  Other capital programmes

  Blaenau Gwent

  1,478

  5,351

  2,295

  516

  1,995

  7,224

  3,098

  697

  Islwyn

  648

  2,442

  1,282

  358

  875

  3,297

  1,731

  483

  Monmouth

  1,407

  256

  877

  316

  1,900

  346

  1,184

  427

  Newport

  2,092

  2,655

  3,460

  1,128

  2,824

  3,584

  4,671

  1,523

  Torfaen

  2,240

  2,382

  426

  443

  3,024

  3,216

  575

  598

  Aberconwy

  483

  433

  414

  2

  652

  585

  559

  3

  Arfon

  461

  890

  938

  281

  622

  1,202

  1,266

  379

  Dwyfor

  82

  107

  695

  164

  111

  144

  938

  221

  Meirionnydd

  619

  112

  450

  31

  836

  151

  608

  42

  Ynys Mon

  1,156

  603

  674

  97

  1,561

  814

  910

  131

  Cynon Valley

  252

  801

  1,076

  364

  340

  1,081

  1,453

  41

  Merthyr Tydfil

  425

  1,363

  876

  196

  574

  1,840

  1,183

  265

  Ogwr

  952

  1,809

  1,905

  944

  1,285

  2,442

  2,572

  1,274

  Rhondda

  131

  1,981

  2,918

  1,719

  177

  2,674

  3,939

  2,321

  Rhymney Valley

  1,790

  1,414

  1,597

  415

  2,417

  1,909

  2,156

  560

  Taff Ely

  1,613

  1,376

  2,903

  350

  2,178

  1,858

  3,919

  473

  Brecknock

  650

  196

  555

  135

  878

  265

  749

  182

  Montgomeryshire

  431

  230

  627

  7

  582

  311

  846

  9

  Radnorshire

  897

  195

  342

  29

  1,211

  263

  462

  39

  Cardiff

  5,703

  3,898

  2,703

  771

  7,699

  5,262

  3,649

  1,041

  Vale of Glamorgan

  734

  1,383

  1,614

  209

  991

  1,867

  2,179

  282

  Port Talbot

  93

  1,243

  285

  324

  126

  1,678

  385

  437

  Lliw Valley

  1,611

  630

  1,252

  164

  2,175

  851

  1,690

  221

  Neath

  904

  1,107

  1,362

  317

  1,220

  1,495

  1,839

  428

  Swansea

  1,716

  3,744

  3,830

  211

  2,317

  5,055

  5,171

  285

  Total Wales

  38,357

  45,996

  42,876

  11,202

  51,784

  62,097

  57,885

  15,123

  Local Authority Housing Capital Investment: 1983–84

  £'000

  Cash Prices

  Constant 1988–89 Prices

  Local Authority

  New building

  Renovation of local authority dwellings

  Renovation grants>

  Other capital Programmes

  New building

  Renovation of local authority dwellings

  Renovation grants

  Other capital programmes

  Alyn and Deeside

  899

  1,260

  801

  405

  1,160

  1,626

  1,034

  523

  Colwyn

  461

  733

  1,112

  11

  595

  946

  1,435

  14

  Delyn

  0

  1,122

  1,140

  64

  0

  1,448

  1,471

  83

  Glyndwr

  335

  670

  1,533

  2

  432

  864

  1,978

  3

  Rhuddlan

  762

  94

  115

  114

  983

  121

  148

  147

  Wrexham Maelor

  1,510

  2,355

  533

  92

  1,948

  3,039

  688

  119

  Carmarthen

  1,933

  529

  6,295

  102

  2,494

  683

  8,122

  132

  Ceredigion

  2,660

  1,165

  2,969

  43

  3,432

  1,503

  3,831

  55

  Dinefwr

  1,003

  202

  1,370

  1

  1,294

  261

  1,768

  1

  Llanelli

  714

  1,311

  2,269

  282

  921

  1,692

  2,928

  364

  Preseli Pembs

  25

  1,474

  2,430

  104

  32

  1,902

  3,135

  134

  South Pembroke

  399

  520

  2,630

  94

  515

  671

  3,393

  121

  Blaenau Gwent

  549

  3,385

  6,230

  308

  708

  4,368

  8,038

  397

  Islwyn

  1,357

  2,848

  2,838

  335

  1,751

  3,675

  3,662

  432

  Monmouth

  2,186

  592

  3,165

  84

  2,821

  764

  4,084

  108

  Newport

  3,476

  2,770

  4,083

  1,163

  4,485

  3,574

  5,268

  1,501

  Torfaen

  1,963

  2,080

  1,589

  487

  2,533

  2,684

  2,050

  628

  Aberconwy

  405

  1,118

  808

  0

  523

  1,443

  1,043

  0

  Arfon

  698

  1,406

  1,966

  117

  901

  1,814

  2,537

  151

  Dwyfor

  187

  120

  2,586

  89

  241

  155

  3,337

  115

  Meirionnydd

  575

  319

  2,630

  27

  742

  412

  3,393

  35

  Ynys Môn

  1,545

  993

  3,950

  185

  1,993

  1,281

  5,097

  239

  Cynon Valley

  563

  655

  2,626

  577

  726

  845

  3,388

  744

  Merthyr Tydfil

  373

  1,453

  2,449

  251

  481

  1,875

  3,160

  324

  Ogwr

  1,897

  2,907

  2,823

  964

  2,448

  3,751

  3,642

  1,244

  Rhondda

  56

  2,148

  9,131

  1,660

  72

  2,772

  11,782

  2,142

  Rhymney Valley

  2,471

  1,461

  2,974

  381

  3,188

  1,885

  3,837

  492

  Taff Ely

  1,988

  1,176

  5,947

  459

  2,565

  1,517

  7,673

  592

  Brecknock

  480

  383

  2,076

  269

  619

  494

  2,679

  347

  Montgomeryshire

  424

  460

  2,596

  14

  547

  594

  3,350

  18

  Radnorshire

  743

  141

  926

  17

  959

  182

  1,195

  22

  Cardiff

  7,409

  3,890

  10,797

  762

  9,560

  5,019

  13,931

  983

  Vale of Glamorgan

  341

  779

  3,455

  294

  440

  1,005

  4,458

  379

  Port Talbot

  11

  1,505

  540

  263

  14

  1,942

  697

  339

  Lliw Valley

  1,720

  858

  1,348

  191

  2,219

  1,107

  1,739

  246

  Neath

  932

  695

  2,658

  439

  1,203

  897

  3,430

  566

  Swansea

  1,799

  2,724

  5,902

  333

  2,321

  3,515

  7,615

  430

  574 575

  Cash Prices

  Constant 1988–89 Prices

  Local Authority

  New building

  Renovation of local authority dwellings

  Renovation grants

  Other capital programmes

  New building

  Renovation of local authority dwellings

  Renovation grants

  Other capital programmes

  Total Wales

  44,849

  48,301

  109,290

  10,983

  57,868

  62,322

  141,014

  14,171

  Local Authority Housing Capital Investment: 1984–85

  £'000

  Cash Prices

  Constant 1988–89 Prices

  Local Authority

  New building

  Renovation of local authority dwellings

  Renovation grants

  Other capital programmes

  New building

  Renovation of local authority dwellings

  Renovation grants

  Other capital programmes

  Alyn and Deeside

  1,115

  1,428

  876

  351

  1,371

  1,756

  1,077

  432

  Colwyn

  439

  461

  715

  74

  540

  567

  879

  91

  Delyn

  849

  0

  495

  17

  1,044

  0

  609

  21

  Glyndwr

  26

  1,023

  1,547

  15

  32

  1,258

  1,902

  18

  Rhuddlan

  709

  131

  215

  93

  872

  161

  264

  114

  Wrexham Maelor

  1,524

  2,186

  439

  67

  1,874

  2,688

  540

  82

  Carmarthen

  1,040

  322

  2,799

  204

  1,279

  396

  3,441

  251

  Ceredigion

  927

  289

  1,861

  323

  1,140

  355

  2,288

  397

  Dinefwr

  510

  269

  858

  0

  627

  331

  1,055

  0

  Llanelli

  1,374

  144

  1,836

  247

  1,689

  177

  2,257

  304

  Preseli Pembs

  367

  1,442

  2,537

  1

  451

  1,773

  3,119

  1

  South Pembroke

  467

  244

  3,109

  36

  574

  300

  3,823

  44

  Blaenau Gwent

  1,931

  2,310

  3,568

  789

  2,374

  2,840

  4,387

  970

  Islwyn

  760

  2,638

  2,530

  1,515

  934

  3,243

  3,111

  1,863

  Monmouth

  2,072

  586

  1,079

  178

  2,548

  721

  1,327

  219

  Newport

  4,290

  2,727

  2,159

  393

  5,275

  3,353

  2,655

  483

  Torfaen

  1,090

  2,710

  2,116

  367

  1,340

  3,332

  2,602

  451

  Aberconwy

  599

  966

  594

  0

  736

  1,188

  730

  0

  Arfon

  536

  569

  1,957

  71

  659

  700

  2,406

  87

  Dwyfor

  194

  86

  1,205

  13

  239

  106

  1,482

  16

  Meirionnydd

  95

  314

  3,104

  38

  117

  386

  3,816

  47

  Ynys Môn

  803

  33

  1,116

  61

  987

  41

  1,372

  75

  Cynon Valley

  306

  456

  1,362

  621

  376

  561

  1,675

  764

  Merthyr Tydfil

  96

  1,454

  1,421

  153

  118

  1,788

  1,747

  188

  Ogwr

  1,882

  1,952

  3,160

  808

  2,314

  2,400

  3,885

  993

  Rhondda

  54

  1,093

  9,640

  1,697

  66

  1,344

  11,853

  2,087

  Rhymney Valley

  1,200

  1,843

  3,351

  628

  1,475

  2,266

  4,120

  772

  Taff Ely

  411

  942

  3,724

  142

  505

  1,158

  4,579

  175

  Brecknock

  192

  502

  1,002

  225

  236

  617

  1,232

  277

  Montgomeryshire

  421

  477

  1,114

  6

  518

  586

  1,370

  7

  Radnorshire

  284

  51

  560

  5

  349

  63

  689

  6

  Cardiff

  2,563

  4,392

  7,088

  3,605

  3,151

  5,400

  8,715

  4,432

  Vale of Glamorgan

  603

  803

  2,548

  383

  741

  987

  3,133

  471

  Port Talbot

  13

  1,887

  391

  58

  16

  2,320

  481

  71

  Lliw Valley

  739

  972

  1,115

  94

  909

  1,195

  1,371

  116

  Neath

  983

  235

  1,393

  219

  1,209

  289

  1,713

  269

  Swansea

  1,363

  4,968

  5,865

  243

  1,676

  6,108

  7,211

  299

  Total Wales

  32,827

  42,905

  80,449

  13,740

  40,362

  52,753

  98,914

  16,894

  Local Authority Housing Capital Investment: 1985–
  86

  £'000

  Cash Prices

  Constant 1988–89 Prices

  Local Authority

  New building

  Renovation of local authority dwellings

  Renovation grants

  Other capital Programmes

  New building

  Renovation of local authority dwellings

  Renovation grants

  Other capital programmes

  Alyn and Deeside

  722

  1,682

  371

  223

  841

  1,960

  432

  260

  Colwyn

  210

  965

  799

  34

  245

  1,125

  931

  40

  Delyn

  33

  858

  441

  10

  38

  1,000

  514

  12

  Glyndwr

  12

  924

  600

  0

  14

  1,077

  699

  0

  Rhuddlan

  740

  34

  131

  0

  862

  40

  153

  0

  Wrexham Maelor

  1,013

  3,046

  366

  7

  1,181

  3,550

  427

  8

  Carmarthen

  665

  659

  1,922

  190

  775

  768

  2,240

  221

  Ceredigion

  962

  724

  1,148

  161

  1,121

  844

  1,338

  188

  Dinefwr

  422

  433

  443

  0

  492

  505

  516

  0

  Llanelli

  1,867

  269

  812

  304

  2,176

  314

  946

  354

  Preseli

  299

  1,311

  1,265

  50

  348

  1,528

  1,474

  58

  South Pembroke

  106

  495

  1,917

  6

  124

  577

  2,234

  7

  Blaenau Gwent

  629

  2,533

  1,259

  1,516

  733

  2,952

  1,467

  1,767

  Islwyn

  455

  1,548

  2,688

  645

  530

  1,804

  3,133

  752

  576 577

  Cash Prices

  Constant 1988–89 Prices

  Local Authority

  New building

  Renovation of local authority dwellings

  Renovation grants

  Other capital Programmes

  New building

  Renovation of local authority dwellings

  Renovation grants

  Other capital programmes

  Monmouth

  2,003

  2,296

  682

  0

  2,334

  2,676

  795

  0

  Newport

  4,705

  3,470

  2,502

  396

  5,483

  4,044

  2,916

  462

  Torfaen

  757

  2,733

  1,195

  469

  882

  3,185

  1,393

  547

  Aberconwy

  266

  808

  570

  0

  310

  942

  664

  0

  Arfon

  217

  594

  1,901

  125

  253

  692

  2,216

  146

  Dwyfor

  160

  59

  390

  0

  186

  69

  455

  0

  Meirionnydd

  21

  0

  1,477

  13

  24

  0

  1,721

  15

  Ynys Môn

  662

  118

  1,205

  439

  772

  138

  1,404

  512

  Cynon Valley

  117

  638

  1,157

  449

  136

  744

  1,348

  523

  Merthyr Tydfil

  151

  904

  1,266

  72

  176

  1,054

  1,475

  84

  Ogwr

  973

  1,975

  1,780

  671

  1,134

  2,302

  2,075

  782

  Rhondda

  60

  603

  6,068

  512

  70

  703

  7,072

  597

  Rhymney Valley

  779

  2,026

  1,683

  388

  908

  2,361

  1,961

  452

  Taff Ely

  571

  874

  1,830

  156

  665

  1,019

  2,133

  182

  Brecknock

  439

  603

  382

  382

  512

  703

  445

  445

  Montgomeryshire

  399

  299

  473

  0

  465

  348

  551

  0

  Radnorshire

  205

  206

  420

  70

  239

  240

  489

  82

  Cardiff

  435

  8,379

  7,616

  2,039

  507

  9,765

  8,876

  2,376

  Vale of Glamorgan

  479

  385

  1,175

  330

  558

  449

  1,369

  385

  Port Talbot

  6

  1,085

  452

  2

  7

  1,265

  527

  2

  Lliw Valley

  587

  1,033

  965

  78

  684

  1,204

  1,125

  91

  Neath

  1,011

  1,202

  786

  346

  1,178

  1,401

  916

  403

  Swansea

  612

  3,899

  5,188

  36

  713

  4,544

  6,046

  42

  Total Wales

  23,750

  49,670

  55,325

  10,119

  27,680

  57,888

  64,479

  11,793

  Local Authority Housing Capital Investment: 1986–87

  £'000

  Cash Prices

  Constant 1988–89 Prices

  Local Authority

  New building

  Renovation of local authority dwellings

  Renovation grants prog

  Other capital rammes

  New building

  Renovation of local authority dwellings

  Renovation grants

  Other capital programmes

  Alyn and Deeside

  1,125

  1,918

  595

  322

  1,270

  2,166

  672

  364

  Colwyn

  134

  1,280

  790

  22

  151

  1,445

  892

  25

  Delyn

  0

  1,741

  730

  18

  0

  1,966

  824

  20

  Glyndwr

  6

  1,108

  483

  74

  7

  1,251

  545

  84

  Rhuddlan

  589

  286

  155

  72

  665

  323

  175

  81

  Wrexham Maelor

  854

  4,815

  336

  47

  964

  5,437

  379

  53

  Carmarthen

  907

  775

  1,938

  715

  1,024

  875

  2,188

  807

  Ceredigion

  1,196

  439

  1,638

  51

  1,351

  496

  1,850

  58

  Dinefwr

  848

  403

  385

  15

  958

  455

  435

  17

  Llanelli

  1,504

  356

  940

  204

  1,698

  402

  1,061

  230

  Preseli Pembs

  578

  1,353

  1,570

  63

  653

  1,528

  1,773

  71

  South Pembroke

  122

  428

  1,789

  0

  138

  483

  2,020

  0

  Blaenau Gwent

  694

  6,586

  2,393

  1,075

  784

  7,437

  2,702

  1,214

  Islwyn

  1,639

  1,617

  3,600

  1,627

  1,851

  1,826

  4,065

  1,837

  Monmouth

  1,052

  3,295

  1,235

  475

  1,188

  3,721

  1,395

  536

  Newport

  1,682

  3,366

  2,909

  2,869

  1,899

  3,801

  3,285

  3,240

  Torfaen

  911

  4,506

  1,425

  475

  1,029

  5,088

  1,609

  536

  Aberconwy

  5

  1,131

  436

  0

  6

  1,277

  492

  0

  Arfon

  382

  648

  1,813

  94

  431

  732

  2,047

  106

  Dwyfor

  71

  101

  678

  104

  80

  114

  766

  117

  Meirionnydd

  27

  44

  953

  32

  30

  50

  1,076

  36

  Ynys Mon

  662

  1,476

  779

  1,129

  748

  1,667

  880

  1,275

  Cynon Valley

  221

  943

  2,111

  820

  250

  1,065

  2,384

  926

  Merthyr Tydfil

  85

  2,231

  1,388

  57

  96

  2,519

  1,567

  64

  Ogwr

  366

  1,827

  2,309

  1,250

  413

  2,063

  2,607

  1,412

  Rhondda

  14

  668

  5,931

  2,661

  16

  754

  6,698

  3,005

  Rhymney Valley

  404

  3,990

  2,629

  684

  456

  4,506

  2,969

  772

  Taff Ely

  1,257

  2,399

  2,065

  235

  1,419

  2,709

  2,332

  265

  Brecknock

  659

  527

  438

  417

  744

  595

  495

  471

  Montgomeryshire

  453

  1,213

  548

  45

  512

  1,370

  619

  51

  Radnorshire

  318

  196

  300

  123

  359

  221

  339

  139

  Cardiff

  350

  7,025

  9,705

  2,279

  395

  7,933

  10,959

  2,574

  Vale of Glamorgan

  545

  1,682

  2,085

  487

  615

  1,899

  2,354

  550

  Port Talbot

  0

  1,580

  842

  8

  0

  1,784

  951

  9

  Lliw Valley

  385

  1,343

  1,394

  68

  435

  1,517

  1,574

  77

  Neath

  847

  1,583

  972

  625

  956

  1,788

  1,098

  706

  Swansea

  1,146

  3,904

  5,566

  302

  1,294

  4,409

  6,285

  341

  Total Wales

  22,038

  68,783

  65,853

  19,544

  24,886

  77,672

  74,364

  22,070

  578

  Craft Initiative
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much financial assistance will be offered to the craft initiative between April 1988 and March 1991; to which organisations this money has been distributed in Wales; and if he will give a detailed breakdown.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Funds are provided towards the promotion of the craft industry from a wide range of public bodies which co–operate in the craft initiative. It is estimated that in financial year 1988–89 approximately £250,000 of public funds was devoted to promoting the crafts industry, and this is likely to rise to around £500,000 this financial year.

  Student Exchanges
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions there have been between his Department and(a) Welsh Advisory Board, (b) the Welsh Committee of the University Funding Council and (c) the National Union of Students in Wales on the subject of student exchanges within Western Europe; and what financial assistance he will offer to colleges of further and higher education so that such exchanges can be promoted.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  We have not had discussions on this subject with any of the bodies mentioned. Student exchanges are the responsibility of the institutions at which students are registered. Financial assistance for student exchanges is available under the European Community's ERASMUS programme.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the operation of the new community charge system from April 1990 onwards, with regard to whether anyone in Wales should expect an increase, in poll tax payment compared to rate payment, of over £25 in the first year; and to whom the safety net applies.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  I will be making a statement shortly.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Early-day Motions
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what was the estimated cost incurred by the tabling of early–day motions for the Session 1988–89.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  The estimated cost for Session 1988–89 of printing early–day motions is £763,000.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what was the estimated cost of responding to all parliamentary questions, oral and written, for the parliamentary Session 1988–89.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  It is not possible to provide the information in the form requested. However, over the period (November 1988 to November 1989) the average 580
  cost of answering written and oral questions was £53 and £87 respectively. During the 1988–89 Session a total of 39,540 written questions were answered. The total number of oral questions put down for answer was 23,932, but this figure includes a substantial proportion of engagement questions to the Prime Minister which are not answered unless the Member otherwise requests.

  Refreshment Department (Pay)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he has any proposals to increase the pay of the staff in canteens or bars in the Palace of Westminster; and if he will make a statement on the present salary scales.

  Mr. Beith
  I have been asked to reply.

  The salaries of permanent Refreshment Department staff are linked to industrial Civil Service pay scales and will be reviewed on 1 July 1990.

  Line of Route
  Mr. Lee
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how many strangers were given conducted tours of the line of route in the latest year for which he has figures.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  In 1988, 128,084 visitors toured the line of route.

  Satellite Television
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will make it his policy to buy transponder space on the television satellite to be launched in October 1990 in order that a dedicated satellite channel for Parliament can be established; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  No, Sir. The establishment of a dedicated channel for coverage of parliamentary proceedings is an objective whose desirability has been underlined both by the Select Committee on Televising of Proceedings of the House and its report, and by many other Members. For this reason, the recent experiment with continuous broadcasting of the House's proceedings, using some of the spare channels on the Astra satellite, was widely welcomed. I understand, however, that this experiment, which depended on the donation of facilities by the organisations involved, has now come to an end. For the longer term, as the Select Committee made clear in its report, any such development must be a matter for the commercial judgment of the broadcasters, in the absence of public funding. So far as the Government are concerned, that remains the position.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Police (Complaints)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the total numbers of complaints made against the police for the last 10 years, year by year, the numbers subsequently upheld and the number resulting in disciplinary action.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Information relating to the total number of complaints investigations completed, the total number of complaints substantiated and the total number resulting in disciplinary action is published annually in the
  581
  reports of Her Majesty's chief inspector of constabulary and of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, except for the commissioner's 1988 annual report. Owing to a change of format the Commissioner's 1988 report did not contain information relating to the number of complaints investigations completed or the number of complaints substantiated.

  Information relating to the total number of complaints made each year is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Copies of the reports can be found in the Library.

  Newspapers (Code of Conduct)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received about the code of conduct instituted by the editors of national newspapers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  We have not as yet received any representations about the code of practice.

  Crime Prevention Panels
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crime prevention panels are in existence in England and Wales.

  Mr. John Patten
  At the end of June 1989 there were 398 senior crime prevention panels and 209 youth crime prevention panels in England and Wales.

  Criminal Injuries Compensation Board
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff were employed by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board from the date of its inception; what is its current staffing level; and what has been the percentage change.

  Mr. John Patten
  The number of staff in post on 31 March 1965, at the end of the first financial year's operation of the CICB, was 11. The number now is 327, an increase of 2,882 per cent.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the regional breakdown of cases that form the backlog of cases for the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board.

  Mr. John Patten
  The board does not keep information in this form.

  April 1989 Rates £

  April 1989 Rates at October 1989 prices £1

  April 1989 Rates at April 1988 prices £2

  Single:

  under 18

  20·80

  21·31

  19·75

  18 to 24

  27·40

  28·07

  26·01

  25 or over

  34·90

  35·75

  33·13

  Lone Parent:

  under 18

  20·80

  21·31

  19·75

  18 or over

  34·90

  35·75

  33·13

  Association of Chief Police Officers
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has on how many former members of ACPO have subsequently taken up employment in banking security over the last 10 years.

  Mr. John Patten
  No record is kept of the employment taken up by former police officers after they have left the police service.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what practical steps he is taking to help the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board to reduce the backlog of applications.

  Mr. John Patten
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Westminster, North (Mr. Wheeler) on Friday 8 December 1989 at columns 409–417.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the administration costs of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board for 1988–89; and what percentage increase that represents since the date of its inception.

  Mr. John Patten
  Expenditure on the board's administration in 1988–89 was £7,469,000, an increase of 12,445 per cent. over the cost of the first full year of operation to 31 March 1965 (£59,537).

  Prisons
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which four proposed new prisons have been eliminated from the new building programme for the mid-1990's.

  Mr. Mellor
  No new prisons have been eliminated from the building programme. Out of the full programme of 28 new prisons there are six on which construction or preliminary work has not yet started. Construction will begin on two of these in 1991–92 and 1992–93 as previously planned. It is decisions on when and where to build the remaining four which have been deferred.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Age-related Personal Allowances
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the age-related personal allowances within income support for the April 1989 uprating in current and April 1988 prices.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The information requested is as follows:
  583

  April 1989 Rates

  April 1989 Rates at October 1989 prices

  April 1989 Rates at April 1988 prices

  £

  £1

  £2

  Couple:

  both under 18

  41·60

  42·62

  39·49

  one/both 18 or over

  54·8O

  56·14

  52·03

  Dependent children:

  under 11

  11·75

  12·04

  11·16

  11 to 15

  17·35

  17·77

  16·47

  16 to 17

  20·80

  21·31

  19·75

  18

  27·40

  28·07

  26·01

  Based on the movement in the index of Retail Prices (less housing) between:

  1 April 1989 and October 1989 (the latest date for which the index is available).

  2 April 1988 and April 1989.

  Income Support
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will seek to amend section 8 of the Income Support Regulations 1987 to enable calculation of income support for single parents to take into account, as an expense, any child care fees paid by the single parent.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  We have no plans to do so. Housing benefit and family credit are the main benefits for single parents in work and have never provided help with child care costs. Nor is there any direct subsidy of such costs for people in work generally.

  Attendance Allowance
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will review the workings of the attendance allowance system to give recognition to the fact that many of the elements of increased cost arising from severe illness or disability arise during the first six months following the

  Benefit

  April 1979 rate

  April 1979 rate at April 1989 prices1

  April 1989 rate

  April 1989 rate at April 1979 prices1

  £

  £

  £

  £

  Child Benefit

  4·00

  8·42

  7·25

  3·44

  Child Dependency Additions payable with Invalidity Benefit and Widowed Mothers Allowance

  5·35

  11·26

  8·95

  4·25

  1 Based on the movement in the index of retail prices between April 1979 and April 1989·

  War Widows
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give a breakdown by region of the numbers of women who are in receipt of war widows pensions paid by his Department.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The estimated numbers, grouped by War Pensions Committee areas, are:

  Numbers

  Scotland

  5,550

  North East

  8,250

  North West

  8,150

  Midlands

  6,350

  London North

  7,350

  London South

  10,400

  South West

  5,050

  Wales

  3,100

  Belfast

  1,450

  Dublin

  618

  Isle of Man

  145

  584
  development or diagnosis of that condition; and if he will take steps to assist such people to meet the financial burdens placed upon them during this time.

  Mr. Scott
  We are looking at the workings of the attendance allowance scheme as part of the reexamination of disability benefits following the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys disability surveys. We have already announced our intention to abolish the six–months qualifying period for people with terminal illness.

  Child Benefit and Allowances
  Sir Ian Gilmour
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish figures showing(a) child benefit and (b) child dependency additions payable with invalidity benefit and widowed mother's allowance in April 1979 and 1989 (i)at cash prices, (ii)at April 1979 prices and (iii)at April 1989 prices.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The figures are as follows:

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security upon which date pensions paid by his Department to war widows from the First World War were increased to the level of the pensions which were paid to war widows from the Second World War; on what grounds it was decided that the increase did not set a precedent for other groups of pensioners; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Until 1946 the rate of the pension paid to widows from the first world war was higher than the rate paid to those from the second. In February 1946, following a general review of war pensions, it was decided that the standard rate of all war widows pensions administered by the Department should be the same and this has been the situation since.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many war widows were receiving war widows' pension in October 1975; and how many are receiving it currently.
  585
  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  On 30 September 1975, 91,000 war widows were receiving a war widow's pension from this Department. On 30 September this year, the number was 56,176.

  Disability
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he intends to bring forward proposals on benefits for people with disabilities, arising from the office of population censuses and surveys report, before the turn of the current year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the right hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South (Mr. Ashley) on 14 November at column 167.

PRIME MINISTER

  Hollingbourne
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has any plans to visit Hollingbourne.

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

  Fishing
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Prime Minister if Her Majesty's Government have any proposals to improve both the occupational safety of United Kingdom fishermen and the safety of their fishing vessels as they go about their business.

  The Prime Minister
  The Fishing Vessels (Safety Provisions) Rules 1975 are currently under review. The review will take into account the provisions of the Torremolinos International Convention for the Safety of Fishing Vessels 1977 and any subsequent variations thereto which may be necessitated by the protocol to that convention which is currently under consideration by the International Maritime Organisation. Regulations made under the Safety at Sea Act 1986 to introduce safety training for entrants into the industry came into force during March this year.

  Growth Rates
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister what steps she has taken to assess the sustainability of different growth rates of the British economy.

  The Prime Minister
  An assumption for the medium term rate of growth of output that is consistent with declining inflation is given in chapter 2 of the 1989 Financial Statement and Budget Report.

  St. Andrew's House, Edinburgh
  Mr. Harry Ewing
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has any plans to visit St. Andrew's house, Edinburgh.

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

  Teesside
  Mr. Holt
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has any plans to visit Teesside.

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

  Private Charity
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Prime Minister what recent representations she has received on the development of private charitable activity.

  The Prime Minister
  I regularly meet business people and other individuals concerned with private charitable activity. My attention has also been drawn to the 12th edition of "Charitable Trends" recently published by the Charities Aid Foundations who have suggested ways of increasing further charitable giving by both private individuals and companies. I know that my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary and my noble Friend the Paymaster General have had contact with the Council for Charitable Support and others on this subject.

  President Gorbachev
  Mr. Latham
  To ask the Prime Minister when she next expects to meet President Gorbachev.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister when she will next have a meeting with the President of the Soviet Union.

  The Prime Minister
  I expect to visit the Soviet Union for talks with Mr. Gorbachev next June.

  Engagements
  Mr. Hanley
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 12 December.

  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 12 December.

  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 12 December.

  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 12 December.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 12 December.

  The Prime Minister
  This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others, including one this morning at which I joined the task force of Westminster residents designed to improve and protect the environment in Westminster. In addition to my duties in the House I shall be having further meetings later today.

  Turkey (Human Rights)
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Prime Minister how many times she has raised the issue of human rights in Turkey in the meetings of the Council of Ministers over the past two years; and whether she will raise this matter again following the Commission's report on Turkey and the European Economic Community.

  The Prime Minister
  I have not raised Turkey's human rights record at a European Council meeting in the last two years. The European Commission's report on Turkey's EC application has not yet been submitted to the Council. When it is, we and other member states will consider it carefully, taking into account all relevant factors, including human rights.

  Foreign Heads of Government
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister whether written notes are kept of conversations between herself and foreign heads of Government.
  587
  The Prime Minister
  Yes.

  European Regional Fund
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Prime Minister whether payments made by the European Commission in respect of objective 2 and objective 5(b) of the European regional fund will be treated in accordance with the correct application of the additionality principle; and if she will ensure that Community funds make a contribution over and above that of spending already planned within the United Kingdom.

  The Prime Minister
  I confirm that receipts from the European regional development fund will be treated in accordance with the correct application of the additionality principle (article 9 of regulation (EEC) No. 4253/88). The Government's public expenditure plans naturally take account of the expected level of receipts from the Community.

  Constitution
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list those Ministers who are responsible for constitutional matters; and what those responsibilities are.

  The Prime Minister
  Ministerial responsibilities are set out in "The List of Ministerial Responsibilities" published by the Cabinet Office.

  Official Ministerial Residences
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if she will list the names and locations of the official ministerial residences in her gift; and the cost of(a) upkeep and (b) entertaining for each year from 1977 to the present year for each building;

  (2) to which Ministers the official residences in her gift were allocated in 1988; and to which Ministers they are allocated today.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 11 December 1989]: In addition to 10 Downing street, 11 Downing street and 1 Carlton gardens, the Government own a number of other properties in London, including Admiralty house, which are used by Ministers who require them for their official duties. Chevening and Dorneywood are also available as ministerial residences under the terms of their trust deeds. Chevening in Kent was occupied from June 1983 until August 1989 by my right hon. and learned Friend the Lord President; from August 1989 to November 1989 it was occupied by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor; and is now occupied by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. Dorneywood in Buckinghamshire was occupied from May 1979 to January 1988 by Lord Whitelaw; from February 1989 to August 1989 it was occupied by the then Chancellor of the Exchequer, the right hon. Member for Blaby (Mr. Lawson); and is now occupied by my right hon. and learned Friend the Lord President.

  Information on the costs of upkeep and entertaining is not held centrally.

  High Technology Export Controls
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister what consideration was made of the role of strengthened high technology export controls to prohibit nuclear weapons 588
  proliferation at the European Economic Community Council of Heads of Government in Strasbourg on 8 December.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 11 December 1989]: This subject was not considered at the European Council meeting in Strasbourg.

EMPLOYMENT

  Earnings
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will publish in the Official Report, comparable figures for journalists to those given in his answer of 15 November, Official Report, column 279, together with a table showing (i) actual earnings in each case in April, (ii)comparable earnings figures for manuals and non–manuals, (iii)the percentage of journalists earning less than £200, £300, £400 and £500, (iv)the average earnings of those earning more than £500 and (v) the number represented by the sample.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The increases in real earnings for journalists are provided in the table. The remaining available information is published in tables 86 and 92 of the 1979 and 1989 new earnings survey reports, copies of which are available in the Library. Figures of the average earnings of those earning more than £500 are not available.

  Full-time adult male journalists in Great Britain

  Percentage increase

  Lowest decile

  28

  Lower quartile

  35

  Median

  47

  Higher quartile

  67

  Highest decile

  52

  Average earnings

  48

  Note: The increases shown are for April 1979 to April 1989 and do not relate to the same individuals at the different dates.

  Source: New Earnings Survey data deflated by the RPI (all items).

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will publish in the Official Report a table providing similar information to that given in his written answer of 15 November, Official Report, column 279, concerning the increase in real earnings of male manual and non-manual workers in the decade to April.

  Mr. Nicholls
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 15 November 1989 (Official Report, column 279).

  Restart
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were referred from restart interviews between July and September, inclusive, to(a) a job, (b) a job club, (c) EAS, (d) a restart course, (e) employment training and (f) to any other specific outcomes; and how many were interviewed in the same period.

  Mr. Eggar
  The information requested is given in the table.
  589

  Restart Counselling: July-September 1989

  Number

  Interviews

  505,626

  Referred to:

  (a) a job

  68,942

  (b) jobclub

  46,222

  (c) EAS

  18,176

  (d) Restart course

  15,775

  (e) Employment Training

  88,886

  (f) Other specific outcomes

  145,500

  Key Training
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many employees of his Department, and of what grades, are currently seconded to Key Training of 10 Eaton place, Reading.

  Mr. Eggar
  No members of staff are currently seconded to Key Training.

  Martin Report
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment pursuant to his answer of 23 November,Official Report, column 19, what proportion of staff he estimates had the opportunity to read the Martin report.

  Mr. Nicholls
  All staff in HSE will have had the opportunity to read the Martin report. Over 2,000 copies were printed and circulated freely within the organisation.

  Training (Disabled People)
  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what requirement training and enterprise councils have to monitor the number of disabled people participating in Government-funded training and enterprise schemes.

  Mr. Eggar
  It will be a contractual requirement for TECs to monitor the number of people with disabilities participating in the training and enterprise programmes which they run, and to provide regular information to the Department of Employment.

  Training, Blyth Valley
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons in the Blyth Valley constituency are currently registered on the employment training scheme.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Information is not available for Blyth Valley constituency. The latest information available is that there are 5,614 trainees on employment training in the area covered by North Tyne area office, which includes Blyth Valley.

  Oxford Polytechnic
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment why the section on graduate supply in the Training Agency's labour market report for Oxfordshire omits reference to the degree-level students at Oxford polytechnic; and what action he will take to remedy this omission.

  Mr. Eggar
  This was a most unfortunate omission. I understand that the Training Agency area manager 590
  concerned is writing urgently to all recipients of the report apologising for the omission and including details of the significant contribution which Oxford polytechnic makes to the supply of graduates.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Animal Slaughtering
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the implications for members of the Licensed Slaughterers and Animal Salvage Association of new Common Market health regulations.

  Mr. Maclean
  The proposal, if implemented as drafted, would have severe implications for members of the Licensed Slaughterers and Animal Salvage Association. We are therefore liaising closely with them in seeking arrangements to secure their long-term future under any new Community rules.

  Agriculture Council
  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Agriculture Council meeting on 11 December in Brussels, with particular regard to hill livestock compensatory allowances.

  Mr. Curry
  The Agriculture Council is meeting on 11 and 12 December. The Minister will report as usual to the House on the outcome.

  Animal Feedstuffs
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the ban on feeding certain animal protein to cattle will continue beyond 31 December.

  Mr. Gummer
  I recently made the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (No. 2) Order 1989 (S.I. 1989/2326) which will extend indefinitely the ban on the use of animal protein derived from ruminants in feed for cattle and other ruminants.

  The current prohibition, which was due to expire on 31 December this year, was introduced to prevent this practice which is considered to be the probable cause of BSE. It was made clear when the original ban came into effect that it would be continued unless processing methods sufficient to destroy the causal agent were identified and were widely available. At present no such method of processing has been indentified and further research is needed on the time-temperature combinations necessary to destroy the BSE agent.

DEFENCE

  Public Appointments
  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many persons above the age of(a) 60, (b) 65 and (c) 70 years he has appointed to public bodies in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Neubert
  The information is not available in the form requested and could not be provided without disproportionate cost.

  Premature Voluntary Release
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the figures for premature voluntary release from the Army for the second and third quarters of 1989 in the form of the reply on 18 May,Official Report, columns 275–76.

  Army premature voluntary release figures for second and third quarters of 1989

  Male Officers

  Female Officers

  Servicemen

  Servicewomen

  1989

  Second quarter

  194

  11

  1,051

  32

  Third quarter

  238

  11

  1,018

  26

  Army Exercises, West Germany
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Army exercises in West Germany have been (i) prohibited and (ii) limited by central or local government in 1987 and 1988 and what has been the effect on the training programme of the British Army of the Rhine and the Berlin Brigade.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I am not aware of any Army exercise in West Germany that was prohibited by central or local government in 1987 or 1988. All Army exercises in the Federal Republic and Berlin are planned and developed in close consultation with the appropriate central and local government agencies. Wherever possible, and taking due account of the need to maintain operational readiness, the Army has been more than willing to take their views into account when planning exercises, so as to minimise the impact of Army training on local communities and the environment. This has resulted—both in the Federal Republic and elsewhere—in increasing constraints which affect the realism and hence training value of some exercises. However, with careful and sensible planning it has been possible to work within these limitations.

  SA80 Rifles
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many SA80 rifles have been delivered for use by the Army; how many have been subsequently found to be defective; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  At the 8 December 1989, Royal Ordnance plc had delivered 91,640 SA80 individual weapons. Of those, 2,106—that is 2·3 per cent.—have been returned or are awaiting return to Royal Ordnance plc for rectification.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total value of SA80 rifle purchases to date and the value of those rejected, after delivery, as defective.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  It is not the practice of the Ministry of Defence to release information that may be used to calculate details of costs, as these are commercial in confidence.

  Army Pay and Allowances
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give the purchasing power of the salary and local overseas allowance of the following ranks
  592
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The information that my hon. Friend has requested is as follows:

  stationed in the British Army of the Rhine at 1 April in each of the past 10 years (i) private, (ii) staff sergeant, (iii) 2nd lieutenant, (iv) captain, (v) major and (vi) lieutenant-colonel.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The purchasing power in Germany of the salaries of service personnel, when taken together with their local overseas allowance, is broadly comparable with the purchasing power of their salaries alone when in the United Kingdom. Local overseas allowance is reviewed regularly to take account of changes in prices, both in the United Kingdom and in Germany, and of changes in the exchange rate.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the basic rates of pay for (i) corporal 1st class band 6 on technicians rate of pay, and (ii) sergeant 1st class vehicle mechanic on trade pay.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Corporal technicians are paid in either band 2 or 3 depending on trade. Their pay also varies with their length of engagement. Sergeants are no longer classified as 1st or 2nd class for pay purposes and their pay rates vary only with pay band and length of engagement. Vehicle mechanics are in pay band 5 or 6 depending on the types of vehicles on which they are trained.

  Daily rates of pay introduced with effect from 1 April 1989 for corporal 1st class technicians are as follows:

  Band 2

  Band 3

  £

  £

  Scale A (less than 6 years)

  32·55

  35·78

  Scale B (6 to 9 years)

  32·85

  36·08

  Scale C (9 years or more)

  33·30

  36·53

  Current daily rates of pay for sergeant vehicle mechanics are as follows:

  Band 5

  Band 6

  £

  £

  Scale A

  35·54

  39·07

  Scale B

  35·84

  39·37

  Scale C

  36·29

  39·82

  Non-commissioned Officers
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether, in view of the current shortage of personnel, he will give approval for non-commissioned officers with 22 years or more to be appointed second-in-command at company level in the Army.
  593
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Army does not post even its most senior non-commissioned officers as second-in-commands at company level because to do so would mean that in many cases they would be filling posts ranking above junior officers. Opportunities do, however, exist for suitable warrant officers and senior non-commissioned officers to be commissioned.

  Challenger Tanks
  Mr. David Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Challenger tanks are at the moment out of commission in the British Army of the Rhine because of lack of spares; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The level of operational availability of the Challenger main battle tank is classified information. Problems have been encountered in relation to the supply of certain spares, but appropriate measures are in hand to restore the situation.

  AS1 Rifle
  Mr. David Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the precise causes of delays experienced because of the unreliability of the new AS1 rifle in bringing it into general use; when it will be reliable enough to be issued; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The designation "AS1 rifle" is not one which we use: the individual weapon now being issued is the SA80 of which nearly 90,000 are currently in service. Of these, 2·3 per cent. will be returned to the manufacturer for rectification following mechanical defects which have become apparent during extreme service use.

  Warrior Personnel Carriers
  Mr. David Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he estimates that the steering and braking difficulties with Warrior armoured personnel carriers will be remedied; what effect these have had on their in-service use; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The difficulties have now been remedied, although some further work will be carried out on the cooling oil circuit over the coming year. The effect on service use has been minor.

  War Widows
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the basis for awarding ex-gratia payments to the widows of service men killed in Northern Ireland prior to 1973; on what grounds it was decided that those payments did not set a precedent for other groups of pensioners; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The extra payments were designed mainly to help the widows and families of those younger men who had no entitlement under the occupational pension scheme, which was at the time under review. Where entitlement did exist under the occupational scheme, this was taken fully into account in determining the size of ex-gratia payment to be made. Some account was also taken of any lump sums awarded as compensation by the Northern Ireland Courts. These arrangements applied to those regular service men or members of the Ulster Defence Regiment killed or injured 594
  as a result of terrorist activity in Northern Ireland, and were designed to recognise the exceptional circumstances at that time. They did not represent retrospection of the revised provisions which were introduced within the armed forces pension scheme for those who gave service on or after 31 March 1973.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what would have been the cost since October 1975 of paying pensions to those war widows widowed before 1973 at the same rate as post-1973 widows, for each year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The figures requested are not available on a year-by-year basis. Broad estimates of the cost of paying attributable forces family pensions to the widows of service men whose last day of service was before 31 March 1973, at the level of awards current at the time of estimation, have been made on a limited number of occasions. The most recent such estimate is that the cost would now be in the region of £200 million a year.

HEALTH

  Health Care, Liverpool
  Mr. Loyden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to improve the provision of health care in the Liverpool district health authority.

  Mr. Freeman
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Health expects to announce regional health authority cash allocations for 1990–91 very shortly. Regions can then decide on allocations to districts. There will be no reduction in resources for Mersey region despite a falling population.

  Junior Hospital Doctors
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to reduce the number of hours worked by junior hospital doctors.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Reports have been received recently from regional health authorities on the results of our initiative launched in 1988 to reduce onerous rota commitments. These are being analysed but it is already clear that significant reductions have been achieved. I intend to invite representatives of the profession to discuss with me, early in the new year, what further action needs to be taken to tackle the remaining onerous rotas.

  Abortion
  Mrs. Maureen Hicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give the most recent statistics on the numbers of abortions performed on girls aged 16 years and under.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  In England and Wales in 1988 a total of 10,081 abortions were carried out on resident girls aged 16 and under.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give a breakdown by numbers of(a) previous children and (b) previous abortions of the total number of abortions performed in the latest year for which figures are available.
  595
  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 29 November 1989]: The number of abortions performed under the Abortion Act 1967 upon usually resident women by numbers of (a) previous liveborn or stillborn children and (b) previous abortions1 in England and Wales 1988 are shown in the tables.

  Table 1

  Number of abortions performed under the Abortions Act 1967, upon usual residents of England and Wales, 1988 by numbers of previous live and stillborn children

  Previous live/stillborn children

  Abortions

  0

  100,644

  1

  24,616

  2

  26,005

  3

  10,931

  4

  3,480

  5 plus

  1,663

  Unknown

  959

  Table 2

  Number of abortions performed under the Abortion Act 1967, upon usual residents of England and Wales, 1988 by previous legal terminations and spontaneous miscarriages.1

  Previous number

  Legal terminations

  Spontaneous miscarriages

  0

  133,103

  154,525

  1

  29,206

  10,230

  2

  4,078

  1,876

  3

  719

  440

  4

  170

  164

  5+

  63

  104

  Unknown

  959

  959

  1 The notification form for abortions carried out under the Abortion Act 1967 requires information about previous abortions to the woman concerned to be recorded, distinguishing between spontaneous miscarriages and legal terminations.

  The table shows the information requested for abortions performed in England and Wales in 1988 for those women having had one or more previous spontaneous miscarriage or legal termination.

  Notifications having at least one previous spontaneous miscarriage and also at least one previous legal termination, and women having more than one abortion under the Act in 1988 will be counted more than once in the statistics.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give a breakdown of the numbers and percentages of abortions performed on pregnancies of 18 weeks or more gestation in England and Wales in the latest year for which figures are available by(a) age of mother, (b) residency of mother, (c) grounds for abortions, (d) marital status of mother, (e) numbers of previous children and (f) numbers of previous abortions; and if he will indicate the numbers and percentages of those abortions which were performed in the public and private sectors.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 29 November 1989]: Numbers and percentages of abortions performed under the Abortion Act 1967 at 18 weeks or more gestation on residents and non-residents of England and Wales in 1988 by age of mother, residency of mother, grounds of abortions, marital status of mother, number of previous children and numbers of previous abortions.

  Conditions

  1Number

  2Per cent.

  Age of mother

  All ages

  9,711

  5·3

  Under 15

  143

  15·5

  15

  282

  9·8

  16–19

  3,071

  7·5

  20–24

  3,189

  5·4

  596

  Conditions

  1Number

  2Per cent.

  25–29

  1,540

  4·1

  30–34

  751

  3·4

  35–39

  470

  3·4

  40–44

  229

  4·1

  45 and over

  35

  7·5

  Residency

  Residents

  168,298

  91·6

  Non-residents

  15,500

  8·4

  Statutory grounds3

  All grounds

  9,711

  5·3

  1 (with any other)

  25

  5·1

  2 (alone)

  8,551

  5·2

  3 (with or without 2)

  434

  2·4

  4 (alone)

  633

  52·1

  4 (with any other except 1, excluding 4 alone)

  66

  11·8

  5 or 6

  2

  18·2

  Marital status

  Single

  7,346

  6·0

  Married

  1,490

  3·6

  Widowed/divorced/separated

  668

  3·9

  Not stated

  207

  6·8

  Number of previous children

  0

  6,693

  6·0

  1

  1,535

  5·8

  2

  854

  3·1

  3

  376

  3·2

  4

  152

  4·0

  5 and over

  78

  4·1

  1 Number of abortions at gestation weeks 18 and over

  2 As a percentage of all abortions

  3 Statutory grounds

  1. The continuance of pregnancy would involve risk to the life of the pregnant woman greater than if the pregnancy were terminated.

  2. The continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk of injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman greater than if the pregnancy were terminated.

  3. The continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk or injury to the physical or mental health of any existing child(ren) in the family of the pregnant woman greater than if the pregnancy were terminated.

  4. There is a substantial risk that if the child were born it would suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities as to be seriously handicapped.

  5. To save the life of the pregnant mother.

  6. To prevent grave permanent injury to the physical or mental health of the child.

  Number of previous legal terminations and spontaneous miscarriages1

  Previous number

  Legal terminations

  Spontaneous miscarriages

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  0

  8,146

  5·6

  9,143

  5·4

  1

  1,346

  4·3

  444

  4·1

  2

  168

  3·9

  83

  4·2

  3

  34

  4·4

  14

  3·1

  4

  4

  2·2

  11

  6·5

  5+

  2

  2·8

  5

  4·5

  Unknown

  23

  2·3

  23

  2·3

  1 The notification form for abortions carried out under the Abortion Act 1967 requires information about previous abortions to the women concerned to be recorded, distinguishing between spontaneous miscarriages and legal terminations.

  Notifications having at least one previous spontaneous miscarriage and also at least one previous legal termination, and women having more than one abortion under the Act in 1988 will be counted more than once in the statistics.

  Yorkshire Regional Health Authority
  Mr. O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for health when he last met the chairman of the Yorkshire regional health authority; and what was discussed.

  Mr. Freeman
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State last met the chairman of the Yorkshire regional health authority on the 14 November 1989 to discuss matters relating to the management of the NHS.

  Mr. Lofthouse
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to meet the chairman of the Yorkshire regional health authority; and what matters he proposes to discuss.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Health will be meeting all regional chairmen on 17 January 1990 to discuss matters relating to National Health Service management.

  NHS Reform
  Mr. Ashton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to hold a referendum in health authority areas which propose to opt out of their local hospitals.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The Government do not consider that it would be sensible for the proposed management changes in the NHS to be the subject of any ballot. There is no question of any hospital opting out of the NHS.

  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give his latest assessment of the expert and lay public support for his National Health Service modernisation proposals.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I have been greatly encouraged by the constructive support that I have received for the proposed improvements to the Health Service. Many of the individual letters I have received from members of the public endorse some or all of the proposals. The proposals are being increasingly backed by members of the health professions. The Health Reform Group, recently formed under the chairmanship of Professor Richard Lilford, is a good example of medical support for the reforms. The long established Hospital and Consultants Association has publicly disassociated itself from and disapproved of the BMA's campaign against the reforms. The National Association of Health Authorities has always given general support to our proposals.

  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received from the Health Reform group, under the chairmanship of Professor Richard Lilford, concerning the proposals contained in the White Paper on reform of the National Health Service.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I have received representations on the detail of the reform process by the Health Reform Group. A meeting between Ministers and the group is planned early in the new year when further contributions from members of the group will be received.

  I am pleased to welcome the formation of this and indeed any Group of those working within the health Service who wish to propose constructive dialogue on the detail of Health Service reforms.
  598
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress on the implementation of National Health Service reforms.

  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress is being made on the implementation of the proposed reforms of the National Health Service.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  We are making good progress in putting into action the changes outlined in the White Paper "Working for Patients". I am confident that the NHS will be ready to implement the basic elements of the new and better systems of matching growth and resources with expansion of patient services by April 1991 once Parliament approves the necessary legislation. We have made £82 million available to finance progress towards implementation this year with a further £257 million available for initiatives in 1990–91.

  We have issued detailed guidance on many subjects including the new contracting system for all district health authority hospitals and community units and on education and training for non-medical staff. We shall be publishing shortly a GP fund holder programme which will give more details about the operation of a GP practice fund.

  We have recently launched a project to support district health authorities in detailed work in developing the key role which DNA's will have under the new system of identifying and obtaining the best pattern of services which will most effectively meet all the health needs of the population they serve.

  We have received more than 180 expressions of interest from potential NHS hospital trusts. Seventy nine of them are proceeding towards being the first wave of applicants for trust status within the NHS in April 1991 and I expect many more to be ready for later waves of applicants in future years.

  We have made £2 million available for implementation of medical audit this year. A £4·5 million scheme has been launched to develop information technology skills. Demonstration projects, aimed at improving the quality of care and services to patients, have been announced for five out-patient departments. The principles of general management are being introduced into the family practitioner committee system.

  Good progress is also being made in relation to medical education and research. As I explained in a speech on 10 July, since sent to all hospital doctors, I intend to take powers to ensure, for instance the continuation of high standards of undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing medical education and research in all NHS hospitals. I will also ensure that postgraduate training posts are provided in NHS hospital trusts in accordance with the national objectives set out in "Achieving a Balance". Medical education and research will be further enhanced by the proposed increase in the service increment for teaching (SIFT) to meet 100 per cent. of the median excess costs of teaching hospitals. This will be distributed by Regions in consultation with universities.

  The National Health Service and Community Care Bill is now before the House.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the units which have applied to become National Health Service hospital trusts.
  599
  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  No units will apply for NHS trust status until Parliament has approved the necessary legislation.

  Mrs. Rosie Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria he intends to use in assessing applications by district health authority units, hospitals and related services for self-governing status when such applications if successful would result in all of a district health authority services becoming self-governing.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  No units will apply for NHS trust status until Parliament has approved the necessary legislation. The key criteria were set out in working paper No. 1, "Self-governing Hospitals" and the outline application document circulated under EL(89)MB/148, which has been placed in the Library, set out the criteria in more detail. Each application will be judged on its own merits taking into account local circumstances. It may be sensible for services in some relatively small, cohesive districts to apply for trust status as a single entity. In any such case I would need to consider the overall size and manageability of the proposed trust; the extent to which services and management were integrated; the implications for patient choice and competition; and the views of staff and local people.

  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether there are any experiments taking place to assess how the proposed National Health Service reforms would work.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Health Service is undertaking a wide range of projects designed to inform the implementation of the Government's proposals to improve services.

  Social Workers
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the extent to which social worker qualifications will be recognised across the European Community after 1992.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Under the first EC directive on the mutual recognition of qualifications, social workers holding a qualification awarded on completion of at least three years higher education and training preparing them for the profession will be entitled to have their qualification recognised by any member state which requires such a qualification. They may in some circumstances be required to have professional experience or to undergo an adaptation period. A second directive covering qualifications awarded upon completion of courses of less than three years has been proposed and is currently under consideration in Brussels.

  Health Promotion and Education
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will increase the level of investment in health promotion and health education programmes.

  Mr. Freeman
  The importance that the Government attach to health education and health promotion is demonstrated by the increases to the Health Education Authority's budget. This stands at £28 million, nearly three times the 1986 budget of its predecessor the Health Education Council. The allocation for the coming financial year is still to be determined. In addition, health authorities spend an unquantifiable amount of their resources on a whole range of educative and promotional activity.

  Drugs
  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his latest estimate of the savings to the National Health Service drugs bill as a result of the limited list of drugs.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  In 1985–86 the selected list scheme saved £75 million on the drugs bill. It is not possible to make meaningful estimates for subsequent years but there is every reason to believe that significant savings continue to be made.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he intends making any new recommendations on the labelling of drugs available(a) on prescription and (b) over the counter to the general public.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We have commented on a European Community (EC) Commission consultative document suggesting, amongst other things, revision of EC directive requirements on medicines labels. The EC Commission is expected to put a formal proposal for a directive to the Council of Ministers early in the New Year. It would be counterproductive and contrary to our EC obligations to revise the United Kingdom Medicines (Labelling) Regulations before the adoption of the new directive.

  Ambulance Dispute
  Mr. McAvoy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will meet representatives of ambulance staff to discuss pay and conditions.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave earlier today.

  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions have been held by his Department with the Association of Professional Ambulance Personnel concerning the present ambulance dispute.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Ministers and officials held several meetings with representatives of the Association of Professional Ambulance Personnel before I decided on 1 December to accept a body comprising the Association of Professional Ambulance Personnel and representatives of the employing authorities and health departments as a negotiating body for ambulancemen and women.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a further statement on the ambulance dispute.

  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will make a statement about the ambulance service dispute.

  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last met ambulance crews' union representatives about the pay dispute.

  Mr. Barry Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received concerning the ambulance men's dispute; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the ambulance dispute.
  602
  Mr. Buckley
  To ask the Secretary of State For Health, if he will meet representatives of ambulance staff to discuss pay and conditions.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will meet representatives of ambulance staff to discuss pay and conditions.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I refer my hon. Friends and the hon. Members to the reply that my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State gave to my hon. Friends the Members for Christchurch (Mr. Adley) and for Suffolk, South (Mr. Yeo) and the hon. Member for Barnsley, West and Penistone (Mr. McKay) earlier today.

  Spastics Society
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to meet the Spastics Society to discuss community care.

  Mr. Jim Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he next expects to meet the Spastics Society; and what matters he hopes to discuss.

  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to meet the Spastics Society to discuss community care.

  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to meet the Spastics Society to discuss community care.

  Mr. Flannery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to meet the Spastics Society to discuss community care.

  Mr. Freeman
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State has no plans to meet the Spastics Society in the immediate future. However, my right hon. Friend the Minister for Social Security and with responsibility for the disabled met representatives of the society on Monday 11 December to discuss conductive education.

  Stockport Hospitals
  Mr. Favell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has any plans to visit Stockport to inspect its hospitals.

  Mr. Freeman
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State has no plans to visit Stockport. However, I hope to visit Stockport sometime early next year.

  Clegg Report
  Mr. Holt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will establish an independent tribunal to investigate any changes in ambulance men's duties since the Clegg report.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  One of the suggestions made in 1979 in the Clegg report for joint examination by the employers and unions was the possibility of introducing, at no overall increase in cost, an all-in salary for qualified ambulance men and women. Such a salary was introduced at substantial additional cost in 1986 and led to radical changes in working practices. The offer made to the trade unions includes a joint review of the 1986 agreement in the light of three years' experience.

  "The Future of Medicine in Liverpool"
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received in respect of proposals contained in the report "The Future of Medicine in Liverpool", commissioned by the Mersey regional health authority; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We have received various representations. These proposals are a matter for the health authorities concerned. I understand that the Liverpool and South Sefton health authorities are considering the report's recommendations.

  Hip Replacements
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hip replacement operations per year are being carried out by the National Health Service now; and what was the figure in 1979.

  Mr. Freeman
  The estimated number of total hip replacement and other arthroplasty of hip operations performed on in-patients discharged from NHS non-psychiatric hospitals in England in 1986 (the last year for which information is available centrally) and 1979 were 40,900 and 30,730 respectively.

  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hip replacement operations were carried out in the Yorkshire regional health authority area in the five years between 1974 and 1979 and between 1983 and 1988; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested is given in the table. 1986 is the last year for which information is available centrally.

  Estimated number of total hip replacement and other arthroplasty of hip operations performed on in-patients discharged from NHS non-psychiatric hospitals, Yorkshire regional health authority

  Number

  1974

  1,550

  1975

  1,700

  1976

  1,790

  1977

  1,630

  1978

  1,740

  1979

  1,870

  1983

  2,620

  1984

  2,540

  1985

  2,470

  1986

  2,700

  Hospitals, Central Manchester
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the proposals for opting out by hospitals in central Manchester.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The decision on whether or not to prepare a formal application for National Health Service trust status, when Parliament has approved the necessary legislation, is a matter for the sponsors of the expression of interest in the unit concerned. There is no question of any hospital "opting out" of the National Health Service.

  Community Care
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received concerning the impact of the community care White Paper on the mental health services.

  Mr. Freeman
  We have received two representations concerning the impact on mental health services of the Government's White Paper on community care, and are considering both carefully.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to meet the Association of Metropolitan Authorities to discuss the role of local authorities in community care policy formulation.

  Mr. Wall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to meet the Association of Metropolitan Authorities to discuss the role of local authorities in community care policy formulation.

  Mr. Litherland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to meet the Association of Metropolitan Authorities to discuss the role of local authorities in community care policy formulation.

  Mr. John Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he next expects to meet the Association of Metropolitan Authorities; and what matters he hopes to discuss.

  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to meet the Association of Metropolitan Authorities to discuss the role of local authorities in community care policy formulation.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I met representatives of the Association of metropolitan Authorities (AMA) on 2 November and again on 16 November to discuss community care. Officials have been meeting regularly with officers of the association over recent months to discuss a range of community care issues, including detailed financial matters. We shall continue to engage in regular consultation with the AMA and the other Local Authority Associations as we plan the implementation of our proposals for community care which were set out in our recent White Paper, "Caring for People" (Cm. 849).

  Mr. Haynes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what comments he has received on the White Paper on community care.

  Mr. Adams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what comments he has received on the White Paper on community care.

  Mr. Cunliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what comments he has received on the White Paper on community care.

  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what comments he has received in response to the community care White Paper.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what comments he has received on the White Paper on community care.

  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received since the
  605
  publication of the White Paper on Community care and the publication of the National Health Service and Community Care Bill.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received in the White Paper on community care; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We have received several representations following publication of our White Paper "Caring for People: Community Care in the Next Decade and Beyond'. Most have expressed a general welcome for our proposals. Some have raised detailed concerns about a number of implementation issues which we shall be discussing with representatives of the local authority associations and other interested parties as part of our preparations for implementation in April 1991.

  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on services for disabled patients and the Government's proposals for community care.

  Sir David Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about care for the disabled and the elderly.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Government's policies for improving health services and community care for all are set out in our White Papers, "Working for Patients" (Cm 555) and "Caring for People" (Cm 849). Under the proposals for NHS services district health authorities will be responsible for seeing that the needs of all their resident population, including elderly people and those with disabilities, are met and that patients have access to a comprehensive range of high quality, value for money services. Paragraph 2.12 of "Caring for People" sets out our particular priorities for health and community care for elderly people and people with disabilities. They are to promote positive and healthy lifestyles, promote coherent networks of local services designed to assist people to live dignified and independent lives in their own homes, provide a full range of appropriate health care facilities for those who require it, avoid unnecessary institutional care by ensuring that decisions on the provisions of services are made on the basis of assessed need, and ensure improved access to information about local and national facilities including respite care, and a greater involvement of patients, clients and carers in the development of services. In addition under our new contract for general medical practitioners GPs will be expected to offer a visit to those aged 75 or over to see their home environment, find out whether carers and relatives are available and to assess social, physical and mental well-being.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will make it his policy to provide adequate financial resources to ensure that care in the community is matched to the needs of individuals in each community.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 6 December 1989]: We recognise that local authorities will need adequate resources for their enhanced responsibilities under the community care proposals outlined in our White Paper "Caring for People: Community Care in the Next Decade and Beyond", published on 16 November. This will be achieved by transferring to the local authorities the
  606
  resources that the Government would otherwise have provided to finance care through social security payments to people in residential and nursing homes. We also recognise that the numbers of people needing support are growing, so the transfer will take account of demographic factors. With funding coming principally through the revenue support grant, local authorities will be able to make their own decisions on individual community care needs based on local knowledge.

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on mentally ill patients and the Government's proposals for community care.

  Mr. Freeman
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Wyre Forest (Mr. Coombs) on 14 November at column 193, following which the Government's White Paper on community care entitled "Caring for People" was published.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a further statement on the provision of community care for the mentally ill.

  Mr. Freeman
  Our recent White Paper on community care entitled "Caring for People", published on 16 November, sets out the Government's position on the provision of community care for mentally ill people.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the general practitioner services required by disabled people who have left hospitals and institutions to live in the community are considered to be part of a general practitioner's obligation under the National Health Service or to be so exceptional as to require extra payment.

  Mr. Freeman
  Within the National Health Service, a general practitioner is obliged to provide to his patients all necessary and appropriate personal medical services. This includes arranging for the referral of patients, as appropriate, to any other services provided under the NHS, such as the community nursing services, or by a local social services authority. We have no plans for extra payments to general practitioners for providing these services to disabled patients who are returning to live in the community.

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has in mind to acknowledge and ascertain the views of carers on policy formulation on community care.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We intend to ensure that representatives of carers are consulted on, and involved in, planning for the implementation of our community care proposals. Officials at the Department meet regularly with national organisations representing carers to discuss matters of common concern and we have already received some initial views on how best to secure the involvement of carers in the implementation process.

  Patients
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many out-patients are being treated per year by the National Health Service now and what was the figure in 1979.
  607
  Mr. Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total number of patients being treated per year by the National Health Service now; and what was the figure in 1979.

  Mr. Hague
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many day patients are being treated per year by the National Health Service; and what was the figure in 1979.

  Mr. Irvine
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many in-patients are being treated by the National Health Service at the present time; and what was the figure in 1979.

  Mr. Hanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many in-patients were treated on the National Health Service in the years 1978 and 1988.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information will be contained in a statistical bulletin which is currently being prepared for publication. Copies of the bulletin will be placed in the Library.

  Joint Planning
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is planning to take to improve joint planning in England and Wales.

  Mr. Ray Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is planning to take to improve joint planning in England and Wales.

  Mr. Jack Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is planning to take to improve joint planning in England and Wales.

  Mr. Caborn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is planning to take to improve joint planning in England and Wales.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The changes proposed in the White Papers, "Working for Patients" and "Caring for People", provide new and stronger incentives for joint planning. We are currently considering further measures to ensure effective joint planning.

  National Health Service Funding
  Mr. Summerson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a further statement on the funding announced for the National Health Service for the year 1990–91.

  Patients treated in NHS hospitals, Northern regional health authority, 1983 and 1988–89

  Change

  1983

  1988–89

  Number

  Per cent.

  In-patient cases

  409,115

  461,033

  51,918

  13

  Day cases1

  66,093

  90,445

  24,352

  37

  New out-patients

  557,120

  591,378

  34,253

  6

  Total out-patient attendances

  2,451,627

  2,474,700

  23,073

  1

  1 1988–89 figure is provisional

  Source: 1983, SH3 return, 1988–89 SH3a, KP70, KH09, KH18 returns.

  Mr. Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of gross domestic product was spent on the National Health Service in the most recent year for which figures are available; and what was the percentage in 1978.
  608
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding the National Health Service will receive in 1990–91; and how much funding it received in 1978–79.

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what will be the level of funding for the National Health Service in the next financial year; and what it was in 1979.

  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the Government will spend on the National Health Service 1990–91; and how much it spent in 1978–79.

  Mr. Freeman
  In 1990–91 the Government plan to spend nearly £22 billion on the National Health Service in England, which taken together with income from land sales, charges and other receipts means that gross expenditure next year will be over £23·3 billion. In addition, if health authorities do no more than they have achieved in recent years they will have a further £150 million from their cost improvement programmes.

  In 1978–79 Government spending on the NHS amounted to £6·3 billion and gross expenditure totalled £6·5 billion. Planned expenditure for 1990–91 represents an increase of 45 per cent, in real terms over and above general inflation.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on the level of funding for the National Health Service in the northern region.

  Mr. Freeman
  We have received no recent representations on the allocation of funds to the Northern regional health authority.

  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the increase in funding to the National Health Service northern region between 1983 and 1989; and what increase has occurred in the number of in-patients, out-patients and day case patients.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information is given in the tables.

  Increase in revenue funding of Northern regional health authority between 1982–83 and 1989–90

  Cash terms Per cent.

  Real terms Per cent.

  65·4

  14·5

  Mr. Freeman
  The percentage of gross domestic product spent on the National Health Service was 4·9 per cent. in 1978 and 5·2 per cent. in 1988, the most recent year for which the figures are available.

  Radiation (Compensation)
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will pay the outstanding portion of compensation to those damaged by excessive doses of radiation administered as chemotherapy at the Royal Devon and Exeter hospital, Exeter; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Settlements are being reached under agreed arrangements between Exeter health authority and representatives of the patients concerned. Some settlements have been made and others are expected to follow shortly. Meanwhile agreed "out of pocket" expenses have been paid without delay.

  Sir Peter Emery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what basis the two senior physicians, who were responsible for the errors that resulted in 207 patients receiving a severe overdose of radiation, have been granted compensation for the loss of their jobs; and how much compensation has been awarded to each individual.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The severance arrangements for the two physicists concerned are a matter for Exeter health authority.

  General Practitioners
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received about the general practitioner contract.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz) on 28 November 1989 at column 222.

  Mr. John Townsend
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average size of general practitioners' patients lists at the current time; and what it was in 1979.

  Mr. David Martin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients there are on the average general practitioners' list now and in 1979.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The average number of patients on the list of unrestricted principals in England at 1 October 1988 was 1,999, compared with 2,286 in 1979.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he expects new money to be made available for those general practitioners who will work harder in order to gain from the new contract.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  General practitioners who work hardest in providing a comprehensive service and thereby attract and keep patients on their lists will be better paid in future. The cost of the new contract is a matter on which the Government is awaiting the advice of the review body on doctors' and dentists' remuneration. The review body's report is expected early in 1990.

  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioners there are in the National Health Service now and in 1979.

  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the number of general practitioners employed by the National Health Service now and in 1979.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The number of unrestricted principals in England at 1 October 1988 was 25,322 compared with 21,357 in 1979.
  610
  Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total number of support staff employed by general practitioners at present and in 1979.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The total number of staff qualifying for direct reimbursement under the ancillary staff scheme increased by 70 per cent. from 33,721 (20,121 whole-time equivalents) in 1979 to 57,410 (33,863 whole-time equivalents) in 1988. A few general practitioners employ support staff outside the scope of the present scheme; information about these staff is not collected centrally.

  Nurses and Midwives
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many regrading appeals by midwives and nurses in England and Wales have been considered; and how many remain outstanding.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Information on appeals to district health authorities in England is not collected centrally. The position in Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many representations he has received in support of the Commons Select Committee on Social Services recommendation on midwives' grading; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We have received a number of representations in connection with the midwives' lobby of Parliament on 23 November. The Government made clear our position on the Select Committee's recommendations in the response that we published in June.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last met representatives of the midwifery profession to discuss their grading.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I and my ministerial colleagues have met representatives of midwives on a number of occassions to discuss a range of matters. The issue of grading was specifically raised most recently when the Royal College of Midwives met my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State in December last year.

  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses are employed by the National Health Service now and in 1979.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  There were 380,260 whole-time equivalent nursing staff (including agency staff, learners and unqualified staff but excluding midwifery staff) employed in the National Health Service in England at 30 September 1988 compared to 338,070 whole time equivalents at 30 September 1979. The 1979 figure has not been adjusted to take account of the reduction in the nurses working week (from 40 to 37½ hours) during 1980–81.

  Sir Marcus Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many midwives are employed by the National Health Service now and in 1979.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  There were 23,620 whole time equivalent midwifery staff (including agency staff and
  611
  students) employed in the National Health Service in England at 30 September 1988 compared to 20,380 whole time equivalents at 30 September 1979. The 1979 figure has not been adjusted to take account of the reduction in the nurses working week (from 40 to 37½hours) during 1980–81.

  Medical Negligence
  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people received compensation either out of court or after litigation for medical negligence in the past year.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  This information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  British Medical Association
  Mr. Franks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last met the chairman of the British Medical Association; and what matters they discussed.

  Mr. Day
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last met members of the British Medical Association: and what matters were discussed.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I refer my hon. Friends to the reply that my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Altrincham and Sale (Sir F. Montgomery) and to the hon. Member for Bridgend (Mr. Griffiths) earlier today.

  Trent Regional Health Authority
  Mr. Duffy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he next expects to meet the chairman of the Trent regional health authority to discuss allocation of resources to the National Health Service.

  Mr. Freeman
  At the moment, my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State has no plans to meet Sir Michael Carlisle specifically to discuss resource allocation. However, my right hon. and learned Friend will be meeting all regional chairman in January to discuss a wide range of issues.

  Eye Tests
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research has been carried out on the impact of the number of people seeking eye tests following the introduction of the charge.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We plan to commission a survey shortly into the number of sight tests being carried out. At present the market is still very unsettled and it is too early yet to assess accurately any impact of recent sight testing legislation.

  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the reduction in eye examinations following the introduction of charges in the Sunderland, Durham and Hartlepool health authorities.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the reduction in eye examinations, following the introduction of charges.
  612
  Mr. Lofthouse
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the change in the number of eye examinations following the introduction of charges.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the number of general ophthalmic service sight tests carried out since April will be known.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Information is now collected from family practitioner committees on a six-monthly basis. Data for the period April to September 1989 is not yet available; the Department is still awaiting statistical returns from some family practitioner committees.

  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the reduction in eye examinations following the introduction of charges.

  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the reduction in eye examinations, following the introduction of charges.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Such estimates have not been made.

  Self-governing Hospitals
  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress is being made by those hospitals which have expressed an interest in becoming National Health Service self-governing hospitals.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  A total of 188 units have expressed interest in NHS trust status. In the reply that my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Maidstone (Miss Widdecombe) on 3 November at columns 389–90 he indicated that 79 units currently intended to prepare draft applications for NHS trust status in 1991. This remains the situation. The decision on whether or not to prepare a formal application for NHS trust status is a matter for the sponsors of the expression of interest in the unit concerned. Applications will not be invited until Parliament has approved the necessary legislation.

  Cataract Operations
  Mr. David Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cataract operations each year are being carried out by the National Health Service at the present time; and what was the figure in 1979.

  Mr. Freeman
  The estimated number of operations on eye lenses (mainly cataract) performed on in-patients discharged from NHS non-psychiatric hospitals in England in 1986 (the last year for which information is available centrally) and 1979 were 62,200 and 40,110 respectively.

  Paramedics
  Mr. Andrew MacKay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has any plans to set up a new paramedics service separately from hospital drivers.

  Mr. Colin Shepherd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to restructure the ambulance service.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  It is, and will remain, for health authorities to decide the form and extent of patient transport services which best meet their needs.

  Organ Transplants
  Dame Jill Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to improve the supply of human organs for transplant; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  On 16 November I held a seminar on ways of improving the voluntary donation of organs. The discussion covered several alternative approaches to organ donation. Participants discussed the implications of recent research, particularly the audit of deaths in intensive care units which was initiated by the Department of Health. The seminar highlighted a number of questions, mainly of a medical and ethical nature, which require further consideration by those involved in organ donation.

  I will shortly be studying the transcript of the proceedings before deciding what further steps may be necessary. I am grateful to my hon. Friend and many others for taking part in the seminar.

  Hospital Bed Shortages
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects present hospital bed shortages to be reduced to 1979 levels.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The treatment of patients is more important than bed numbers. Since 1979, the number of inpatient admissions has risen by over 22 per cent. and the number of day case admissions by over 48 per cent. (both to March 1988), while waiting lists, taken on a comparable basis, have fallen by 6 per cent. (to March 1989).

  National Health Service and Community Care Bill
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the National Health Service and Community Care Bill and services to patients.

  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on patient care and the National Health Service and Community Care Bill.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The aim of our proposals is to raise the level of services in all parts of the National Health Service closer to the standards already achieved by the best and so produce a better quality of care for all patients. District health authorities will have the specific responsibility of ensuring the availability of a full range of services for all patients living within their boundaries. They will use contracts to specify the nature and quality of the services to be provided. Hospitals will have more freedom to manage their own affairs and so will be able to respond better and more quickly to individual patients and their general practitioners. Our plans will improve the service on admission to hospital by providing: more reliable appointment times; better facilities for waiting and counselling; more information about services available and on clinical matters concerning their own care as well as a wider range of optional extras and amenities.

  The effect of these, and the other proposals will be to make the National Health Service more patient conscious and better able to provide high quality services.

  North Western Regional Health AN0
  Mr. Hind
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the financing of the North Western regional health authority in 1990–91.
  614
  Mr. Freeman
  Allocations to regional health authorities for 1990–91 will be announced later this month in the usual way. All regions will benefit from the extra £2–6 billion resources available for the health service next year in the United Kingdom.

  West Midlands Regional Health Authority
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last met the chairman of the West Midlands regional health authority; and what matters were discussed.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State last met the chairman of West Midlands regional health authority, together with other regional chairmen, at one of his regular meetings with them on 15 November. A number of matters of interest to them were discussed.

  Community Hospitals
  Mr. Latham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what general guidance he intends to give to regional health authorities regarding the provision of a Full range of services in small community hospitals serving rural areas; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  It will be for district health authorities to ensure that a comprehensive range of services is provided for their resident populations. In placing contracts, districts will take into account the services offered by community hospitals.

  Infertility
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many district health authorities provide infertility investigations and treatment.

  Mr. Eadie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many district health authorities provide infertility investigations and treatment.

  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the provision of infertility investigations and treatment.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  This information is not held centrally. It is for local health authorities to determine the priorities and resources to be given to infertility in the light of local needs and circumstances.

  Liverpool Area Health Authority
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many beds have been closed by Liverpool area health authority in each of the past three years.

  Mr. Freeman
  We do not hold this information centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman of Liverpool health authority.

  Acute Hospital Beds
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the number of acute hospital beds in the west midlands(a) in 1979 and (b) in the latest year for which figures are available.
  615
  Mr. Freeman
  In 1979 there were 14,669 average daily available acute beds within NHS hospitals in West Midlands regional health authority. The corresponding figure for the 1988–89 financial year was 12,528. In the same period, acute in-patient cases rose from 434,673 to 530,580 (provisional) and the number of acute day cases rose from 50,678 to 97,950 (provisional).

  Private Hospitals
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what figures he has for the number of patients treated in private hospitals in 1988; and what proportion of all non-emergency surgical operations were carried out in such hospitals.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We do not collect this information centrally.

  West Norfolk and Wisbech HA
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received from West Norfolk and Wisbech health authority about the current level of waiting lists.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  None.

  Rugby HA
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were treated by the Rugby health authority in(a) 1988–89 and (b) 1978–79.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The available information is given in the table.

  Patients treated, NHS hospitals, Rugby district health authority 1978, 1988–89

  11978

  1988–89

  In-patient cases treated

  7,658

  11,160

  Day case admissions

  407

  910

  New out-patients

  11,501

  13,773

  Source: 1978 SH3, 1988–89 SH3a, KP70, KHO9 returns.

  1 In 1978, the area covered by the current Rugby DHA was a district within Warwickshire area health authority.

  Beds and Operation Lists
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has on the number of district health authorities that will be cutting beds and operations lists before the end of the financial year.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We do not hold the information requested centrally. The provision of local health services is the responsibility of local health authorities subject to local needs and priorities.

  Doctors
  Mr. Gerald Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many doctors are employed by the National Health Service now and in 1979.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The numbers are as follows:

  England Number

  1979

  61,554

  1988

  70,866

  616
  Includes permanent paid and honorary staff. Excludes hospital practitioners and para 94 appointments in the hospital and community health services (clinical assistants) and includes GPs.

  Operations (Costs)
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has as to the comparable costs of identical operations in different health districts and hospitals.

  Mr. Freeman
  The costs of particular operations are not collected centrally.

  Haemophiliacs
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received on the question of compensation for haemophiliacs who have been infected with HIV as a consequence of treatment in the National Health Service.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Department has received more than 300 representations on this question but compensation is a matter for the courts.

  Recently we announced that an additional £19 million has been offered to the Macfarlane Trust, again on an entirely ex gratia basis. For the details I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. and learned Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key) on 23 November at columns 11–12.

  Tranquillisers
  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what impact he expects the National Health Service reforms to have on the prescription of tranquillisers and other anxiety-reducing drugs by general medical practitioners.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Indicative prescribing budgets will encourage GPs to examine critically all of their prescribing to ensure that it is clinically justified. GPs are already well aware of the need to prescribe tranquillisers with great care as demonstrated by the reduction in the number of prescriptions for benzodiazepines from 30·9 million in 1979 to 23·2 million in 1988 in Great Britain. We expect this trend to continue.

  Health Advisory Service
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on the working of the Health advisory service; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  Two representations have been received in the last year, one from a health authority and one from a journalist. The Department of Health is currently examining the work of the Health Advisory Service to identify how it might be undertaken effectively following implementation of the proposals in the White Paper "Working for Patients".

  Elderly People
  Mr. Charles Wardle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the National Health Service and Community Care Bill and elderly patients.
  617
  Mr. Freeman
  Elderly patients will have much to gain from our proposals to improve the Health Service. The Government are fully aware of the special needs of the increasing numbers of elderly people. District health authorities will have specific responsibility to ensure the availability of a full range of services for all the people living within their boundaries, including elderly people. Health authorities will enter into contracts with those hospitals which can best provide the quality of care needed with the minimum of delay. Our proposals in the Bill as well as in the new GPs contract regulations are designed to bring about better quality health care for all patients, including elderly people.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the future of local authority residential care for the elderly.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Our policy on local authority residential care is set out in our recent White Paper, "Caring for People".

  Brittle Bone Disease
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence he has as to the extent of brittle bone disease amongst older women.

  Mr. Freeman
  I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the condition of osteoporosis which primarily, but not exclusively, affects women after the menopause. There is little data available on trends in osteoporosis. One marker which is, however, used is hospital episodes⋆ for hip fractures (fracture of neck of femur). The figures for hospital episodes for fracture of neck of femur (ICD 820) for 1987–88 are:

  i. estimated number of persons (all ages) 44,780;

  ii. estimated number of females (all ages) 35,360;

  iii. estimated number of females (75 years and over) 27,020.

  ⋆ A hospital episode is a period of continuous care in the same district under one consultant.

  Beds (Nottingham DHA)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many National Health Service beds there are in Nottingham district health authority area at the present time and how many there were in 1979.

  Mr. Freeman
  During the 1988–89 financial year there were on average 3,520 available beds in Nottingham district health authority. The corresponding figure for 1979 was 4,198. During this period there was a 67 per cent. increase in through put (in-patient per available bed), from 17·6 to 29·5, and a 38 per cent. increase in in-patient and day cases treated, from 81,292 to 112,018.

  Stillbirths
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many stillbirths occurred in 1987 at(a) 24 weeks', (b) 25 weeks', (c) 26 weeks', and (d) 27 weeks' gestation; and how many suffered from handicaps.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested is not available.

  Under the Births and Deaths Registration Act of 1953 a stillbirth is defined as
  "a child which has issued forth from its mother after the twenty-eighth week of pregnancy and which did not at any
  618
  time after being completely expelled from its mother breathe or show any signs of life, and the expression 'stillbirth' shall be construed accordingly".

  West Lambeth Health Authority
  Ms. Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how much money and fees have been paid to the Industrial Society or its consultants by the West Lambeth health authority over the past year;

  (2) how much money has been paid out in voluntary redundancy payments to senior management in St. Thomas's hospital and who authorised these payments;

  (3) how much money has been spent on the employment of management consultants between February and October by the West Lambeth health authority; how this expenditure was authorised and what tendering procedures were followed.

  Mr. Freeman
  The detailed information requested is not collected centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman of the West Lambeth health authority who may be able to assist.

  Market Research
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many market research and sample surveys were carried out by or for his Department in the past 12 months; what was the cost of each; what was the total cost; how many were carried out in-house; how many were carried out for his Department by outside organisations; and what percentage of the total expenditure was paid to outside organisations.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  A total of 25 market research and sample surveys were completed during the last 12 months. The surveys are listed in the table along with the cost:

  Survey title

  Cost £

  Smoking Among Secondary Schoolchildren

  59,094

  Why Children Smoke

  79,299

  Adult Dental Health

  264,390

  General Household Survey 1988–89

  69,277

  NOP Omnibus-Questions on Smoking

  16,987

  Discount Survey (of NHS Drugs Purchases) amongst Retail Chemists

  61,000

  Sample Surveys of the Earnings and Expenses of General Medical Practitioners, General Dental Practitioners and the Earnings of Hospital Doctors (3 surveys)

  135,240

  Sample survey of non-associate dentists to confirm their non-associate status

  7,500

  Sample survey of associate dentists to confirm their associate status and obtain dates of their accounting year

  12,500

  Sample survey of associate dentists to obtain earnings and expenses

  11,000

  Use made by GPs of Computers

  5,000

  NHS Road Show Research

  8,832

  Drugs 89–90 Strategy Research

  25,185

  Nursing Tracking 1989–90

  18,584

  Male Nursing Recruitment

  22,954

  Drugs 88–89 Campaign Evaluation

  41,745

  Drugs 88–89 Campaign: Qualitative Evaluation

  42,500

  General Medical Practitioners Computing Survey

  16,500

  Nursing Careers: 1988 Tracking Study

  36,409

  Cold Weather Campaign Evaluation 1988–89

  17,802

  Nursing Recruitment Campaign Telephone Response Follow up

  7,389

  Residential Care (Staff and Residents)

  5,200

  Home Care

  3,275

  619

  Survey title

  Cost £

  The total actual and estimated cost of these surveys was

  967,662

  Eighteen of these surveys were carried out by outside organisations and data on two surveys carried out in house was processed by outside organisations; 90 per cent. of the total expenditure was paid to outside organisations (which included other Government Departments such as the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys).

  European Community
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes will be made to the residence conditions for local authority welfare services in respect of citizens of other member states of the European Community following the completion of the internal market in 1992; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  No changes are proposed. EC citizens with the right of residence in the United Kingdom and who are ordinarily resident here will as now be eligible for local authority personal social services.

  Cancer Screening
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the average period of time from testing and screening of women for(a) cervical cancer, and (b) breast cancer until the results are known in the Sunderland, Durham and Hartlepool area health authorities; and what is the comparable figure for the rest of the country;

  (2) what is the average period of waiting for patients who are to receive radio therapy from the time of the results of the breast screening test and treatment in the Durham, Sunderland and Hartlepool area health authorities, and what is the comparable figure for the rest of the country.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Information on the processing of cervical screening tests is not available in the form requested. Our guidance to health authorities states that laboratories must aim to send results to the doctor who submitted a smear within one month of receiving it. Laboratory processing times are monitored by the Department on a quarterly basis. The information collected relates only to those district health authorities (DHAs) which are failing to meet this one month target time. As at September 1989 (the latest data available) over 75 per cent. of DHAs were meeting this target. Laboratories in South West Durham and Hartlepool DHAs were taking eight and six weeks respectively to report on smears. I understand, however, that the December return is expected to show an improvement.

  Information on the average time taken to notify women of the result of their screening test and of waiting for radiotherapy treatment under the breast screening programme is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will encourage his Department to initiate a call and re-call scheme for women of 40-plus years to test for ovarian cancer.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  It has yet to be demonstrated that such a scheme would lead to a reduction in mortality. The Department will keep this matter under review.
  620
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what resources are being made available to the Northern regional health authority to provide a mass mammogram screening service in the North-East.

  Mr. Freeman
  Northern regional health authority has received a total of £3,618,000 over the years 1987–88 to 1989–90 to introduce and run breast cancer screening by mammography. This represents both capital and revenue allocations. Additional revenue allocated recurrently in each of these three years was built into the authority's baseline for subsequent years. At the end of the three year implementation period the amount now built into the region's baseline is £1,531,000 at 1989–90 prices.

  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that all women in the Northern region are invited to attend specialist breast screening units; what call and re-call systems have been set up on the Northern region to date; and in what respects these re-call systems are different from those in the rest of the country.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Arrangements for inviting women age 50–64 in the Northern regional health authority (RHA) to attend for screening under the National Health Service breast screening programme are similar to those used elsewhere in the country: women in this age group who are registered with a general practitioner will be invited, using the national computer system, for a screening test every three years. Northern RHA has also financed health education programmes, public information and publicity through a variety of media to encourage women in its region to take up their screening invitations.

  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has any plans to provide a mobile breast and cervical screening unit in the Durham, Sunderland and Hartlepool area health authorities; and if he will list the locations in the United Kingdom where such mobile units are operating.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The decision to use mobile units to deliver the National Health Service breast screening service for women aged 50 to 64 years is a matter for regional health authorities to determine.

  I understand that women in Sunderland will be invited to attend a static unit located at the Sunderland general hospital and that mobile units will be used to provide the service to women in Durham and Hartlepool. If the hon. Member requires any further information about the breast screening service in the Northern regional health authority he might contact Ms. Barbara Howe, the region's programme co-ordinator.

  The table lists the district health authorities in England where mobile units are either in use or planned as part of those screening programmes operational as at 13 November 1989. A further 31 screening programmes are expected to become operational by March 1990 a number of which are expected to use mobile units.

  Mobile screening units serving district health authorities as part of those screening programmes operational as at 13 November 1989

  Screening programme

  District

  Northern

  Gateshead

  Durham South Tyneside

  621

  Screening programme

  District

  Newcastle

  Newcastle

  North Tyneside

  Northumberland

  North West Durham

  Yorkshire

  Huddersfield

  Calderdale

  Dewsbury

  Huddersfield

  Hull

  Hull

  East Yorkshire

  Grimsby

  Scunthorpe

  York

  York

  Scarborough

  Northallerton

  Trent

  Nottingham

  Bassetlaw

  Leicester

  Leicestershire

  Sleaford

  North Lincolnshire

  South Lincolnshire

  East Anglian

  Kings Lynn

  West Norfolk and Wisbech

  Ipswich

  East Suffolk

  West Suffolk

  Great Yarmouth and Waveney (part)

  Peterborough

  Peterborough

  Norfolk

  Norwich

  Great Yarmouth and Waveney (remainder)

  North West Thames

  None

  North East Thames

  Epping

  Redbridge

  Colchester

  Mid-Essex

  Leytonstone (Whipps Cross)

  Waltham Forest

  South East Thames

  Canterbury

  Canterbury and Thanet

  Lewes

  Brighton

  South West Thames

  Guildford

  Mid-Surrey

  North West Surrey

  South West Surrey

  West Surrey and North East Hampshire

  East Surrey

  Worthing

  Worthing

  Chichester

  Mid-Downs

  Wessex

  Southampton

  Salisbury

  Portsmouth

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire (part)

  Oxford

  Aylesbury

  Aylesbury Vale

  Northampton

  Northampton

  High Wycombe

  Wycombe

  Milton Keynes

  Milton Keynes

  South Western

  Truro

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  Bristol

  Southmead

  Plymouth

  Plymouth

  North Devon

  West Midlands

  Stoke-on-Trent

  Mid Staffordshire

  South East Staffordshire

  Coventry

  Rugby

  South Warwickshire

  622

  Screening programme

  District

  Solihull

  Dudley

  Dudley

  Wolverhampton

  Walsall

  Walsall

  Sandwell

  Birmingham

  North Birmingham

  East Birmingham

  West Birmingham

  Mersey

  None

  North Western

  Manchester

  North Manchester

  Central Manchester

  South Manchester

  Screening of women aged 20 to 64 for cervical cancer is performed by general practitioners or at NHS clinics.

  Information on the services in the other parts of the United Kingdom is the responsibility of my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and for Northern Ireland and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

  Laboratory Facilities (Veterinary Use)
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total income accrued to the Durham area health authority arising from the letting of laboratory facilities at Dryburn hospital for veterinary use in the years 1987–88, and 1988–89.

  Mr. Freeman
  This information is not available centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman of Durham health authority.

  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which health authorities currently permit their clinical laboratory facilities to be used for veterinary purposes outside normal working hours as a means of generating additional income; and what is the nature of the veterinary work undertaken at such clinical laboratories.

  Mr. Freeman
  We are aware that Durham health authority lets some of its laboratory facilities to a private company outside normal working hours. The veterinary work in the laboratory takes the form of microbiological tests on animal samples.

  Appointments
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the number of persons he currently appoints in the Health Service; and what were the numbers which were appointed in 1979.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State is presently responsible for appointing the chairmen of 14 regional health authorities, 190 district health authorities, 90 family practitioner committees, and eight special health authorities for the London postgraduate teaching hospitals. My right hon. and learned Friend is also responsible for appointing members of regional health authorities in such numbers as he sees fit (usually 16), 30 members of each family practitioner committee, 19 members of each of the SHAs for the London postgraduate teaching hospitals (except the Eastman dental hospital which has 15 members), and
  623
  the trustees (usually five) to the 22 bodies of special trustees appointed under section 95 of the NHS Act 1977 to administer trust property.

  The information for 1979 is not directly comparable because of the restructuring of the National Health Service in 1982. The Secretary of State was then responsible for appointing the chairmen of 14 regional health authorities, 90 area health authorities, and 12 preserved boards of governors. He was also responsible for the appointment of members of regional health authorities, the governors of the preserved boards, and special trustees.

  In addition, my right hon. and learned Friend makes some 2,000 other appointments to a variety of other public and advisory bodies whose work is related to the National Health Service.

  Health and Social Services (Expenditure)
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give per capita spending on health and personal social services in cash terms and at 1987–88 prices in each year since 1979 to the latest available date for

  Estimated gross current expenditure per head of population1

  (England)

  Personal social services

  £ (cash)

  All age groups

  Births

  0–4

  5–15

  16–64

  65–74

  75+

  1979–80

  35

  15

  45

  45

  10

  55

  210

  1980–81

  40

  15

  55

  55

  15

  60

  260

  1981–82

  45

  20

  60

  65

  15

  65

  275

  1982–83

  50

  20

  65

  70

  15

  65

  305

  1983–84

  55

  20

  70

  75

  20

  75

  330

  1984–85

  60

  25

  75

  75

  20

  80

  345

  1985–86

  60

  25

  80

  80

  20

  80

  355

  1986–87

  65

  25

  90

  90

  25

  90

  380

  1 Data rounded to nearest £5.

  Family Practitioner service

  £ (cash)

  All age groups

  Births

  0–4

  5–15

  16–64

  65–74

  75+

  1979–80

  35

  40

  30

  25

  35

  45

  85

  1980–81

  45

  50

  40

  30

  40

  60

  105

  1981–82

  50

  60

  50

  40

  45

  65

  115

  1982–83

  60

  65

  55

  50

  50

  75

  125

  1983–84

  65

  70

  60

  55

  55

  85

  135

  1984–85

  70

  80

  70

  60

  60

  100

  150

  1985–86

  75

  85

  75

  65

  65

  100

  150

  1986–87

  80

  90

  85

  70

  70

  105

  160

  Hospital and Community health service

  £ (cash)

  All age groups

  Births

  0–4

  5–15

  16–64

  65–74

  75+

  1979–80

  115

  625

  120

  50

  65

  220

  545

  1980–81

  145

  790

  145

  60

  80

  290

  710

  1981–82

  160

  915

  150

  70

  85

  325

  770

  1982–83

  175

  1,005

  160

  75

  90

  340

  840

  1983–84

  185

  1,025

  160

  75

  95

  370

  875

  1984–85

  195

  1,075

  175

  80

  100

  395

  925

  1985–86

  200

  1,110

  185

  90

  105

  390

  970

  1986–87

  215

  1,185

  195

  95

  110

  415

  1,030

  624
  (a) all ages, (b) births, (c) 0 to 4 years, (d) 5 to 15 years (e) 16 to 64 years (f) 65 to 74 years and (g) 75 years and over, giving the amount spent on (i) hospital and community health services, (ii) family practitioner services, (iii) personal social services, and (iv) total in England.

  Mr. Freeman
  Estimates of gross current expenditure per head of population on health and personal social services, in cash and at 1987–88 prices for each year between 1979–80 and 1986–87, the latest year for which these estimates are available are given in the table.

  These figures are derived through successive estimations starting with the Department's programme budget analysis, details of which are provided to the Social Services Committee and are published by the Committee in minutes of evidence associated with its report on Public Expenditure on the Social Services 1987 (HC 413). Expenditure on each of the services identified is then apportioned to different age groups from data on the use of services. Due to changes in sources and definitions, data for the earliest years may not be fully consistent with those for later years.
  625

  Total for above services

  £ (cash)

  All Age Groups

  Births

  0–4

  5–15

  16–64

  65–74

  75+

  1979–80

  185

  180

  195

  120

  110

  320

  840

  1980–81

  230

  855

  240

  145

  135

  410

  1,075

  1981–82

  255

  995

  260

  175

  145

  455

  1,160

  1982–83

  285

  1,090

  280

  195

  155

  480

  1,270

  1983–84

  305

  1,115

  290

  205

  170

  530

  1,340

  1984–85

  325

  1,180

  320

  215

  180

  575

  1,420

  1985–86

  335

  1,220

  340

  235

  190

  570

  1,475

  1986–87

  360

  1,300

  370

  255

  205

  615

  1,570

  Estimated gross current expenditure per head of population1 (England) Personal social services

  £ 1987–88 prices2

  All age Groups

  Births

  0–4

  5–15

  16–64

  65–74

  75+

  1979–80

  60

  25

  75

  75

  20

  95

  365

  1980–81

  60

  25

  85

  85

  20

  85

  390

  1981–82

  60

  25

  85

  85

  20

  90

  370

  1982–83

  65

  25

  85

  90

  20

  85

  385

  1983–84

  65

  25

  85

  90

  25

  90

  395

  1984–85

  65

  25

  85

  90

  25

  90

  395

  1985–86

  65

  25

  85

  85

  25

  90

  390

  1986–87

  70

  30

  95

  95

  25

  100

  405

  1 Data rounded to nearest £5.

  2 Adjusted in line with the GDP deflator at market prices.

  Family practitioner services

  £ 1987–88 prices1

  All age groups

  Births

  0–4

  5–15

  16–64

  65–74

  75+

  1979–80

  65

  70

  55

  45

  60

  80

  150

  1980–81

  70

  75

  60

  45

  60

  85

  155

  1981–82

  70

  80

  65

  55

  60

  90

  155

  1982–83

  75

  85

  70

  60

  65

  95

  155

  1983–84

  80

  85

  75

  65

  70

  105

  160

  1984–85

  80

  95

  80

  70

  70

  115

  170

  1985–86

  80

  95

  85

  70

  70

  110

  160

  1986–87

  85

  95

  90

  75

  75

  110

  165

  1 Adjusted in line with the GDP deflator at market prices.

  Hospital and community health services

  £ 1987–88 prices1

  All age groups

  Births

  0–4

  5–15

  16–64

  65–74

  75+

  1979–80

  200

  1,095

  205

  85

  110

  385

  960

  1980–81

  220

  1,170

  215

  90

  120

  430

  1,055

  1981–82

  220

  1,235

  200

  95

  120

  440

  1,040

  1982–83

  220

  1,265

  200

  90

  115

  430

  1,055

  1983–84

  220

  1,235

  195

  90

  115

  445

  1,055

  1984–85

  220

  1,230

  200

  90

  115

  455

  1,060

  1985–86

  220

  1,210

  200

  95

  110

  425

  1,060

  1986–87

  230

  1,245

  205

  100

  115

  435

  1,085

  1 Adjusted in line with the GDP deflator at market prices.

  Total above services

  £ 1987–88 prices1

  All age groups

  Births

  0–4

  5–15

  16–64

  65–74

  75+

  1979–80

  325

  1,190

  335

  205

  190

  560

  1,475

  1980–81

  350

  1,270

  360

  220

  200

  600

  1,600

  1981–82

  350

  1,340

  350

  235

  200

  620

  1,565

  1982–83

  360

  1,375

  355

  240

  200

  610

  1,595

  1983–84

  365

  1,345

  355

  245

  210

  640

  1,610

  1984–85

  365

  1,350

  365

  250

  210

  660

  1,625

  1985–86

  365

  1,330

  370

  250

  205

  625

  1,610

  1986–87

  385

  1,370

  390

  270

  215

  645

  1,655

  1 Adjusted in line with the GDP deflator at market prices.

  626

  Osteoporosis
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will recognise the need for additional and adequate funding for research into the treatment of metabolic bone disease with particular reference to osteoporosis.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Department recognises the significance of research in this area and has recently agreed to fund an economic evaluation of hormone replacement therapy, which will look at its costs and benefits in relation to osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and breast cancer.

  However, the main agency through which the Government fund medical research is the Medical Research Council (MRC), which receives its grant-in-aid from the Department of Education and Science. The MRC has for some time been supporting a programme of clinical and basic research to encourage the development of more rational treatments for metabolic bone diseases, including osteoporosis. A number of areas are being explored. The MRC has also set up a sub-group of the physiological systems board to review the need for further research on osteoporosis. This group is examining in particular the feasibility of mounting a multicentre prospective trial of screening methods to identify at risk women who are likely to benefit from hormone replacement therapy.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Sean Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in the period since dental charges for examination came into operation, what are the monthly breakdown figures for courses of treatment in the following categories (i) under 18 years of age, (ii) those who are over 18 years but are fully exempt from dental charges, (iii) those over 18 years who are partially exempt from dental charges and (iv) those who are over 18 years but are fully liable for dental charges.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information is available on a quarterly basis only. The figures for England are shown in the table.

  Number of courses of treatment

  March quarter

  June quarter

  September quarter

  (i) Patients under 18

  2,592,260

  2,560,600

  2,508,830

  (ii) Patients over 18 but fully exempt from dental charges

  892,710

  957,580

  932,900

  (iii) Patients over 18 partially exempt from dental charges

  14,100

  16,740

  16,970

  (iv) Patients over 18 fully liable for dental charges

  5,212,440

  4,996,760

  4,665,620

  Mr. Sean Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the monthly breakdown figures for courses of dental treatment completed since charges for dental examinations came into operation earlier this year(a) on a national basis and (b) on the most convenient regional basis.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information is available on a national basis only. The figures for England are shown in the table.
  628

  Month

  Number of Courses of dental treatment

  January 1989

  2,882,850

  February 1989

  2,923,917

  March 1989

  2,904,716

  April 1989

  2,789,026

  May 1989

  2,978,174

  June 1989

  2,764,940

  July 1989

  2,722,924

  August 1989

  2,722,530

  September 1989

  2,678,527

  October 1989

  2,815,278

  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the inquiry into the provision of dentures has been completed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 11 December 1989]: In November 1988, the Department asked the Dental Estimates Board (now the Dental Practice Board) to carry out a study of patients' and dentists' satisfaction with the provision of dentures under the National Health Service. The study has not yet been completed. Its primary purpose is to inform the work of the dental rates study group in relation to setting fees for the provision of full dentures.

  Nottinghamshire Health Authority
  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the budget for the Nottingham health authority during the last 15 years in real terms and in money terms.

  Mr. Freeman
  The table gives details of Nottingham health authority's net revenue expenditure in cash and 1989–90 price terms since the authority's inception in 1982–83. Figures for earlier years are not comparable since they applied to the much larger Nottingham area health authority.

  £'s million

  Cash1

  1989–90 prices

  1982–83

  112·3

  162·2

  1983–84

  118·0

  162·9

  1984–85

  126·0

  165·8

  1985–86

  133·9

  167·0

  1986–87

  142·3

  171·9

  1987–88

  155·5

  178·5

  1988–89

  172·5

  184·6

  1 Excludes transfers from revenue to capital and includes any additional central allocations and additions from reserves

  Ex-psychiatric Patients
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many ex-psychiatric patients have been released into the community in each of the last three years; what arrangements have been made for their continued care in the community; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information in the form requested is not collected centrally. The table shows the number of discharges to the community from NHS mental illness hospitals and units in England after a stay of one year or more for the last three years for which information is currently available.
  629

  Year

  Number of discharges

  1984

  3,928

  1985

  3,441

  1986

  3,751

  It is for health and local authorities to determine service requirements and expenditure priorities within policy guidelines. From 1 April 1991, health authorities will be required to introduce the care programme approach to ensure the proper assessment of the needs of patients both in the community and in hospital.

  St. Ann's Hospital, Tottenham
  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will announce his decision regarding the closure of acute wards at St. Ann's hospital in Tottenham.

  Mr. Freeman
  Proposals for the closure and transfer of acute beds at St. Ann's and the North Middlesex hospital are closely linked to the plans for major capital development on the North Middlesex site. I understand that as a result of decisions taken by North East Thames regional health authority on 27 November the redevelopment of the North Middlesex site is unlikely to start until after 1995–96. The RHA has recently completed a review of their capital programme in the light of their latest forecasts of income from land sales, and of higher than expected increases in building costs. This has involved some rescheduling of schemes over a longer timetable than originally envisaged. This rescheduling will of course be kept under review to take into account changes in forecasts for land sale income.

  We will need to consider the proposals for the closure and transfer of acute beds put forward by North East Thames regional health authority in the light of this new information. I will of course write to the hon. Member when a decision has been reached on the closures.

  Live Births
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give the figures for the number of live births at less than 28 weeks gestation with the estimated gestation for 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1988.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested is not available; information on gestation is not collected at live birth registration.

  Ministerial Note Paper
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what day the printing of a slogan on his headed ministerial note paper was introduced.

  Mr. Freeman
  Ministerial notepaper bearing the words "Caring for the 1990s" was introduced in October 1989.

  Hospices
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take action to match pound for pound the financial support given by the public to hospices.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Pontefract and Castleford (Mr. Lofthouse) on 6 December at column 277.

  Hospital Contracts
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether community health councils were included in the distribution of documents on contracts for hospital services; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  Community health councils were sent copies of the White Paper "Working for Patients" which set out the Government's proposals on contractual arrangements and the subsequent working paper "Funding and Contracts for Hospital Services". Detailed aspects of these proposals were addressed in two more recent documents "Contracts for Health Services: Operational Principles" and "Contracts for Health Services: Pricing and Openness". Copies of these were sent to the Association of CHCs in England and Wales and to individual CHCs, including Bradford, which expressed particular interest. Decisions on the distribution of further documents to CHCs will be made in the light of their contents.

  Infant Mortality
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were, for each of the last three years at convenient dates (i) the number of premature births, 21 to 28 weeks, where the baby survived for less than one week, one to four weeks, four to 13 weeks, above 13 weeks and (ii) the number of abortions after the 21st week where, following resuscitation, survival was less than one week, one to four weeks, four to 13 weeks, above 13 weeks; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested is not available: information on gestation is not collected at live birth registration.

  Diet
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to publish the report on Dietary Sugars and Human Disease from the Chief Medical Officer's Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy (COMA).

  Mr. Freeman
  The COMA report "Dietary Sugars and Human Disease" is being published today. Copies have been placed in the Library. I welcome this important scientific document which, I know, has been awaited with great interest by doctors, dentists, nutrition scientists, consumer groups and food manufacturers. I congratulate Professor Keen and his team on the way they have dealt with this very complex and controversial issue. They have produced what, I believe, will be seen as a definitive statement on present knowledge of the relationship between dietary sugars and health.

  The report's conclusions and recommendations are important and far reaching. It does not support the view, which some people would have us believe, that sugars at usual intake have direct adverse effect on general health. But it leaves no room for doubt that dietary sugars are by far the most important cause of dental caries, and recommends for this reason we should restrict our sugars intake.

  Publication of the report reaffirms the Government's policy on increasing scientific and public knowledge about diet and health. Action is being taken on the majority of the report's recommendations. In particular the HEA

  631
  recently announced that nutrition would be a major component of their public health education strategy of which the report's recommendations will form an integral part. A range of health professionals will be made aware of the Report so that they can take account of its recommendations when dealing with their patients. We are also committed to improving the quality of information about nutritional status in relation to general and dental health and making it available so that people can make sensible choices about their diet.

  Neuroblastoma
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many babies were born with neuroblastoma in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and how many children died of the condition over the same period.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 27 November 1989]: The latest available data on newly reported cases of childhood neuroblastoma cover the years 1971–80, and indicate that during that period 374 new cases were reported for males aged 0–14 years and 277 cases for females.

  The number of deaths from neuroblastoma during this period, or for a later five-year period, could be determined only at disproportionate cost.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy that local authorities receive a sum in their budget to cover the estimated costs of treatment to homeless people in the area; and if he will take steps to ensure that this allocation will be used to secure services suitable for, and available to, homeless people.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 11 December 1989: No. It is for the relevant statutory authorities to ensure that appropriate health and personal social services are provided within their resources and in the light of their assessment of local needs. The Department has, however, taken several central initiatives, including the funding of voluntary organisations helping the homeless and of two projects in London designed to promote new models of primary care for homeless people. An evaluation of the projects has been drawn to the attention of all health authorities, local authorities and family practitioner committees.

  Mental Handicap
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total spending of his Department on research in mental handicap in each of the years 1979 to 1989; and how much was spent on new starts to projects in each of the past five years.

  Total expenditure on health care in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development member states in 1983 and 1984 in 1980 prices (national currencies)

  1983

  1984

  Percentage real terms change

  Australia

  9,982,601

  10,509,122

  5·3

  Austria

  81,285,812

  83,227,616

  2·4

  Belgium

  254,891,104

  258,690,637

  1·5

  Canada

  27,474,068

  28,584,524

  4·0

  632
  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 11 December 1989]: The total spending of the Department on research on mental health in each of the years 1979 to 1989 was as follows:

  Year

  Spending on mental handicap £K

  1978–79

  360

  1979–80

  394

  1980–81

  573

  1981–82

  789

  1982–83

  657

  1983–84

  669

  1984–85

  674

  1985–86

  692

  1986–87

  456

  1987–88

  615

  1988–89

  773

  These sums of money are inclusive of expenditure on new starts to projects. A separate annual figure for new starts is not readily available.

  Microbiology and Research
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the future of the centre for applied microbiology and research at Porton Down near Salisbury.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 11 December 1989]: My colleagues and I are currently studying a report by a team of consultants who were asked to give professional advice on options for the future status of the centre for applied microbiology and research. We have not yet reached any decision.

  Health Spending (OECD)
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has as to the increase in real terms in health spending in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries for the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 11 December 1989]: The increase in total health expenditure in real terms between 1983 and 1984 in each of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development member states is shown in the table.

  The latest year, 1984, for which all the data required to make the necessary calculations are available for all Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development member states (with the exception of Turkey, for which 1984 data are not available, and Luxembourg, for which complete data are not available).
  633

  1983

  1984

  Percentage real terms change

  Denmark

  25,691,817

  25,489,971

  -0·8

  Finland

  13,710,825

  14,608,122

  6·5

  France

  234,997,462

  247,842,846

  5·5

  Germany

  118,990,277

  124,304,462

  4·5

  Greece

  72,887,620

  71,762,841

  -1·5

  Iceland

  1,295,891

  1,230,064

  -5·1

  Ireland

  780,630

  809,263

  3·7

  Italy

  26,496,847,100

  26,728,840,302

  0·9

  Japan

  18,346,992,730

  18,679,250,559

  1·8

  Luxembourg

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Netherlands

  28,855,940

  28,700,618

  -0-·5

  New Zealand

  1,608,559

  1,551,831

  -3·5

  Norway

  20,570,550

  20,721,468

  0·7

  Portugal

  70,952,300

  71,978,498

  1·4

  Spain

  984,321,170

  954,041,204

  -3·1

  Sweden

  52,051,498

  53,144,748

  2·1

  Switzerland

  13,331,083

  13,563,983

  1·7

  Turkey

  175,230,226

  n/a

  n/a

  United Kingdom

  14,666,297

  15,049,874

  2·6

  United States

  294,609,865

  309,909,452

  5·2

  Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Luxembourg excluded due reported inconsistencies in its national accounts.

  Ambulance Service
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received regarding the quota system operated by Lancashire ambulance service.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [pursuant to her reply, 6 December 1989, c. 276]: A representation regarding the system of quotas introduced in 1986 by the Lancashire ambulance service for non-urgent journeys was made in a letter from the hon. Member dated 25 October 1989. I have replied to that letter and I regret that, through an oversight, my earlier reply did not refer to this representation.

  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has any plans to review the organisation of the ambulance service.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Health authorities are reviewing their management arrangements taking into account the proposals set out in the White Paper, "Working for Patients" (Cm. 555).

  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in how many areas has there been either a shortage of ambulance staff or a reliance upon overtime working during the last 12 months.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The information requested is not collected centrally and could not be obtained except at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make an official visit to the Plaistow ambulance station.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  No.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Romania
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to arrange export credits with Romania for the sale of environmental clean-up technology and industrial pollution abatement technology developed in the United Kingdom.
  634
  Mr. Redwood
  ECGD cover for Romania is at present available only for short term credits on secured terms of payment. There has been no approach for medium term credits and such an approach would seem unlikely as the Romanian Government have a policy of not accepting any more such credits.

  British Standards Institute
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what changes are being proposed in the operation of the British Standards Institute and its various advisory committees on information technology standards; what decisions have been taken by Government so far; and by what means he proposes to consult the commercial and other private interests concerned.

  Mr. Forth
  My Department, in co-operation with the British Standards Institution, is undertaking a consultation process with industry and commerce to determine the feasibility of establishing new arrangements for IT standardisation activities in the United Kingdom falling within the framework of BSI.

  A steering group drawn from industry and commerce is overseeing this feasibility work and a project team comprising officials, industry secondees, BSI staff and consultants has been assembled. Industry and other interests are being consulted to determine the degree of commitment by business and others in supporting new arrangements. Methods of consultation include direct interviews, group meetings and by correspondence. The primary objective of any new arrangements would be the more effective use of United Kingdom resources to contribute to the development of European and international IT standards. If sufficient commitment is forthcoming, clear proposals would be put to BSI next year.

  Civil Aviation Authority
  Mr. Haselhurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will order an independent efficiency scrutiny of the Civil Aviation Authority to be carried out; and if he will make a statement.
  635
  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 6 December 1989]: A reference under section 11 of the Competition Act 1980 has today been sent to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission to investigate the efficiency of the Civil Aviation Authority and the effectiveness of its provision of navigation and air traffic control services with particular emphasis on the effectiveness of its management and planning systems in respect of its major new investment programme. A copy of the reference has been placed in the Library.

  The success of the Government's privatisation programme means that there are fewer statutory bodies open to scrutiny under section 11 of the Competition Act 1980. In future, therefore, the practice of announcing annually a programme of references will be discontinued and instead each reference will be announced as it is made.

  British Aerospace (Rover Deal)
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now publish the final terms of the agreement between British Aerospace and the Government on tax, cash and assets.

  Mr. Ridley
  I have already written to the hon. Member explaining how I am handling requests for documentation relating to the sale of the Government's shareholding in Rover Group to British Aerospace.

  I have placed copies of my letter in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will publish any notes or correspondence involving his Department over the tax affairs of British Aerospace;

  (2) if he will publish the letters between his Department and British Aerospace on tax matters relating to the Rover deal.

  Mr. Ridley
  Tax matters of British Aerospace are for the Inland Revenue and would be subject to normal confidentiality rules; however, to assist understanding of this matter arrangements have been made exceptionally and with the agreement of British Aerospace to provide to the Public Accounts Committee and the Trade and Industry Select Committee copies of the exchange of letters between the accountants of BAe and the Inland Revenue which is referred to in the letter of 12 July 1988 from the then Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to the chairman of British Aerospace. Copies of this exchange are available in the Library of the House with my letter today to the hon. Member.

  The Department of Trade and Industry of course has no direct locus in such tax matters and its dealings with British Aerospace on tax were therefore concerned with the contractual arrangements by which Rover Group was effectively denied the benefit of pre-acquisition carried forward trading tax losses in excess of £500 million to which Rover Group was entitled under the normal rules applying to United Kingdom companies. Contractual arrangements had also been inserted in the original conditional sale agreement in March 1988 by which the use of disclaimed capital allowances and capital losses were effectively ring-fenced within Rover Group; this restriction was lifted in the final terms so that the situation on these tax benefits was no more, and no less, restrictive than that determined by tax law.
  636
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish correspondence relating to the side-letter offered by the former Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

  Mr. Ridley
  The side-letter on on-sale offered by the former Secretary of State in his letter of 12 July 1988 to the BAe chairman was finalised on 14 July and copies have been made available to the Public Accounts Committee and Trade and Industry Select Committee and placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish the memorandum of understanding between the British Government and the European Commission over the sale of Rover.

  Mr. Ridley
  The Commission's decision under article 93(2) of the treaty of Rome in respect of the aid proposal to Rover Group in the context of its sale to BAe was published in the Official Journal of the European Communities on 28 January 1989.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, in negotiations over the sale of Rover, he was made aware that British Aerospace would seek to accelerate use of tax losses through the creation of leasing companies.

  Mr. Ridley
  The Department was aware that this was one idea which British Aerospace was looking at, and one that it might seek to implement subject to normal tax law.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions took place on launch aid for Airbus as part of the negotiations over the sale of Rover.

  Mr. Ridley
  There were no discussions on launch aid for Airbus as part of the negotiations over the sale of the Rover Group.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions took place on military and civil contracts unrelated to Rover as part of the negotiations over the sale of Rover.

  Mr. Ridley
  In the negotiations over the sale of the Rover Group the only discussions about contracts unrelated to the Rover Group concerned the Columbus programme, as set out in my statement of 30 November (Hansard, columns 859–60).

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the cash value of the deferred payment of £150 million for 20 months for the Rover Group; and at what rate of interest the value is calculated.

  Mr. Ridley
  Our most recent estimate of the net cost of deferring the £150 million consideration from the date of completion (12 August 1988) until the end of March 1990 is £22 million, calculated at a post-tax rate of interest in line with base rate. The £22 million estimate made at the time was a gross calculation which made no allowance for tax.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the estimate of the value to British Aerospace of the capital losses incurred by the Rover Group.
  637
  Mr. Ridley
  The Government were not in a position to calculate what use British Aerospace might make in future of tax benefits arising from its acquisition of Rover Group and available to it under normal tax law; such valuations are highly subjective and dependent on assumptions of future taxable capacity of the enlarged British Aerospace group. The Touche Ross valuation commissioned and published by the NAO put a nil or negligible value on these losses.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the final amount of trading tax losses written off in the final agreement between British Aerospace and the Government.

  Mr. Ridley
  Rover Group's trading tax losses remain precisely what they are entitled to under normal tax law. However, the contractual sale arrangements between DTI and British Aerospace provide that if in post-acquisition tax computations Rover Group claims the benefit of pre-acquisition trading tax losses in excess of £500 million, such benefit will be 100 per cent. clawed back.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the Government's calculation of the tax benefits to British Aerospace of the final contract with British Aerospace.

  Mr. Ridley
  As I have explained in my letter today to the hon. Member, the Government were not in a position authoritatively to calculate the value to British Aerospace of tax benefits arising from its acquisition of Rover Group and available to it under normal tax law. Such values would depend on the extent and timing of taxable events in the future and estimates are highly subjective—as, is 638
  shown by the differing valuations of certain of these tax benefits discussed in the Comptroller and Auditor-General's report on the sale.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the value of the capital allowances pool from Rover that could be set against tax(a) in March 1988 and (b) in August 1988.

  Mr. Ridley
  The Government were not in a position to calculate what use British Aerospace might make in future of tax benefits arising from its acquistion of Rover Group and available to it under normal tax law; such valuations are highly subjective and dependent on assumptions of future taxable capacity of the enlarged British Aerospace group. The only change in treatment of the Rover Group capital allowance pool between the dates referred to was a contractual one. Under the March conditional terms future use by British Aerospace (where permitted under normal tax law) of disclaimed Rover Group capital allowances outside the Rover Group would result in the benefit being 100 per cent. clawed back by the contractual sale arrangements. Under the final terms of the sale this clawback was lifted.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether any disclaimers of capital allowances were made by Rover within the statutory time limits.

  Mr. Ridley
  That is a matter for Rover Group. Such disclaimers are a normal feature of tax practice available to any company and the Inland Revenue's normal rules of tax confidentiality apply.

  CFCs ALTERNATIVE SUBSTANCES
  CFCs ALTERNATIVE SUBSTANCES
  RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
  RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
  COMMUNITY CHARGE
  COMMUNITY CHARGE
  STREET WORKS: PROPOSED LEGISLATION
  STREET WORKS: PROPOSED LEGISLATION
  BSE: PREVENTIVE BAN ON FEED
  BSE: PREVENTIVE BAN ON FEED