Written Answers of 19 December 1989

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Disclosure Guidelines
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Attorney-General whether his guidelines as to the disclosure of unused material or potential witnesses apply in summary cases and those indictable offences that are to be tried summarily.

  Mr. Attorney-General
  No; the guidelines apply only to cases to be tried on indictment.

  However, in any case, whether tried on indictment or summarily, if the prosecution have taken a statement from a person whom they know can give material evidence but decide not to call him as a witness, they are under a duty to make that person available to the defence and should supply the defence with the witness's name and address.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  USSR (Human Rights)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics regarding the persecution and abuses of human rights suffered by members of the Ukrainian Christian Democratic Front; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We continue to take every opportunity to underline to the Soviet authorities the need to implement early and effective legislative reform which will guarantee the rights of all Soviet citizens. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will stress this point when he meets Mr. Shevardnadze in London on 19 December.

  BBC World Service
  Mr. Geraint Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his Department has considered an application for an exhibition relating to the British Broadcasting Corporation world service to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  We understand that, under procedures agreed by the Services Committee, arrangements have been made with the authorities of the House for this exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall for a week from 2 April 1990.

  San Salvador
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what actions were taken by Her Majesty's Embassy in San Salvador to alleviate suffering during the recent heavy fighting.
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  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 18 December 1989]: Our chargé has emphasised to the Salvadorean authorities the importance of proper respect for human rights in all circumstances and the need to facilitate relief work. He is making every effort to ensure that British relief workers can pursue their work in safety. On 20 November we gave £100,000 to the International Committee of the Red Cross for emergency relief work in E1 Salvador.

ENERGY

  Commissioners for Energy and Competition
  Mr. Allen McKay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met the European Commissioners for Energy and Competition; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I and my colleagues have contact with these and other Commissioners from time to time and discuss a range of issues.

  Accountancy Firms
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether the accountancy firms advising the Government on the sale of British Coal have at any time since June 1979 been(a) criticised by Department of Trade and Industry inspectors or (b) criticised by any disciplinary committee of the accountancy profession for lacking in professional conduct, efficiency or competence.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  No accountancy firms have so far been appointed to advise the Government on the sale of British Coal.

  Press Releases
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many departmental press releases have been issued in the past year; how many have dealt with(a) nuclear energy, (b) coal, (c) oil, (d) gas and (e) renewable energy technologies; and which academic institutions routinely receive these press releases.

  Mr. Wakeham
  From 1 December 1988 to 12 December 1989 my Department issued 218 press releases, of which nine dealt with nuclear energy; nine with coal; 79 with oil; 13 with gas; and 12 with renewables.

  The following academic institutions routinely receive press releases:

  Birmingham Polytechnic

  Dundee Polytechnic

  Heriot-Watt University

  Institute of Energy

  Institute of Petroleum

  Institute of Purchasing and Supply

  Institute for Scientific Information

  Journal of the Institute of Water Engineers and Scientists

  Sunderland Polytechnic

  The Open University

  The College of Petroleum Studies

  University of Dundee

  University of Glasgow

  University of Keele

  University of London

  University of Sussex

  Oakham School Science Faculty

  National Technical University—Athens

  National Energy Foundation
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will arrange a meeting with the new National Energy Foundation, based in Milton Keynes; and if he has made any assessment of the benefits to his energy conservation policy that may arise from the work on energy audits in housing being developed by the National Energy Foundation.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I shall be meeting trustees and the director of the National Energy Foundation on 20 December. I look forward to discussing at that meeting their progress on developing a scheme for the energy labelling of houses.

  Energy Surveys
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what progress has been made in implementing the European Commission directive on the introduction of energy surveys on the United Kingdom housing stock.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  The Government do not consider that the draft directive proposed in 1987 is appropriate. The Energy Efficiency Office supports the development of voluntary energy labels for housing and I consider this to be the best way forward.

  Energy Conservation
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many projects of the building research energy conservation support unit are(a) completed and (b) under way.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  The building research energy conservation support unit manages projects for the Energy Efficiency Office under the energy efficiency demonstration and R and D schemes started in 1979, and the best practice programme which replaced them in 1989. On 15 December 1989 the figures were:

  Number

  (a) Projects completed

  82

  (b) Projects under way

  60

  Electricity Privatisation
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether the Central Electricity Generating Board has yet submitted for his approval under section 63 of the Electricity Act a transfer scheme for the allocation of assets to the nuclear companies; whether the term nuclear companies includes for this purpose, the new publicly owned Nuclear company; and whether the Central Electricity Generating Board has discretion as to whether to transfer unused sites to the nuclear company or to another successor company.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The CEGB is required, under section 66 of the Electricity Act 1989, to make a scheme for the division of all its property, rights and liabilities to its successor companies. The new publicly owned nuclear company will be regarded as a successor company. The scheme, presently being prepared by the CEGB, will include unused sites.

  Oil and Gas Exports
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will give a breakdown between oil and gas exports both(a) in terms and (b) in value at constant prices on the same basis as that provided in his answer of 9 November, Official Report, columns 767–68; and if he will provide equivalent figures for 1989 up to the most recent date for which figures are available.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The breakdown between oil and gas exports on the basis requested is:—

  Exports (f.o.b.)

  Quantity (thousand tonnes)

  Value (£ million at 1985 prices1

  Oil

  Gas (coal equivalent)

  Oil

  Gas

  1988

  89·037

  82

  15·018

  8

  1989 (10 months to October)

  53·809

  7

  9·304

  2

  Source: Customs and Excise. Overseas Trade Statistics (including subsequent revisions to oil exports figures).

  1 Figures at 1985 constant prices have been derived by applying the unit value for exports in 1985 to the relevant volumes in 1988 and 1989. The figures for gas are estimated.

  The standard international trade classification in use for years up to and including 1987 does not enable the breakdown between exports of petroleum gases and natural gas, and therefore between oil and gas, to be made for those years.

  Natural Gas
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he will list the countries from which Britain imported natural gas in 1988 together with the tonnages for each such country;

  (2) what was the tonnage of natural gas brought ashore from the United Kingdom continental shelf in 1988; and how much came from (a) gas fields and (b) oil fields.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The main countries from which Britain imported natural gas in 1988 were Norway (15·4 million tonnes of coal equivalent) and Algeria (0·1 million tonnes of coal equivalent).

  The tonnage of natural gas brought ashore from the United Kingdom continental shelf in 1988 was 45·9 million tonnes of coal equivalent from gas fields and 14·2 million tonnes of coal equivalent from oil fields.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his Department's estimate of the likely exports and imports of natural gas in each year till 1995.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The United Kingdom imports approximately 20 per cent. of its gas from Norway and small amounts of liquefied gas from Algeria and elsewhere. This proportion is expected to decline over the next three or four years as imports are replaced by indigenous supplies. Gas exports are at present small and their future size will depend on market opportunity.

  Fuel Exports and Imports
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will provide equivalent figures about fuel exports and imports to those given in the tables in his answer of 9 November,Official Report, columns 767–68, for 1989 up to the most recent date for which figures are available.
  119
  Mr. Wakeham
  The equivalent information for fuel exports and imports for the 10 months to October 1989 following my previous answer on 9 November is as follows:

  Table 1

  Thousand tonnes

  Exports (fob)

  Imports (cif)

  1989

  Coal

  Oil

  Coal

  Gas (coal equivalent)

  Oil

  January to October

  1,672

  53,8131

  9,594

  12,410

  48,969

  Table 2

  £ million at 1985 prices2

  Exports (fob)

  Imports (cif)

  1989

  Coal

  Oil

  Coal

  Gas

  Oil

  January to October

  64

  9,3061

  510

  933

  7,851

  1 Contains a small amount of natural gas exports.

  2 Figures at 1985 constant prices have been derived by applying the unit value for exports in 1985 to the relevant volumes in 1988 and 1989. The figures for gas are estimated.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Child Care
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will take steps to amend the Nurseries and Childminders Regulation Act 1948 as amended by section 60 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1960 to incorporate stricter criteria regarding the standards, training and qualifications of registered child carers.

  Mr. Needham
  The Nurseries and Childminders Regulation Act 1948, as amended by section 60 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968, does not extend to Northern Ireland. However, similar provisions are contained in the Children and Young Persons Act (Northern Ireland) 1968. The Great Britain legislation has recently been modified and updated in the Children Act 1989. Consideration is being given to the relevance for Northern Ireland of various provisions in the Children Act 1989, including those relating to the registration of childminders, and revised provisions will be included in a proposal for a draft Order in Council which will replace the Children and Young Persons Act (Northern Ireland) 1968.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will take steps to encourage both private and public sector employers to provide more good quality day care facilities for children under five years old.

  Mr. Needham
  The ministerial group on women's issues, on which my noble Friend represents Northern Ireland interests, has been looking at child care needs and how best to ensure a growth in the provision of high quality day care facilities so that parents are enabled to balance their family responsibilities with employment opportunities. Consideration is given to the relevance to Northern Ireland of any initiatives endorsed by the group —for example, further encouragement to employers to use the tax reliefs available to provide child care facilities.

  The Government encourage the growth of child care provision in Northern Ireland by funding women to set up
  120
  childminding businesses under the enterprise allowance scheme and, under the job training programme, assist females to retrain for work by providing a weekly allowance of up to £50 to meet child care costs. They would also welcome any proposal to extend certain private sector initiatives such as the child care voucher schemes to Northern Ireland.

  In the public sector, day care facilities for staff already exist in some health and social services and educational facilities. The Northern Ireland Civil Service is considering with the trade unions whether day care facilities for under-fives can be provided for its staff.

  Consideration is being given to the need to improve the registration and enforcement arrangements for child-minders, playgroups and day nurseries in Northern Ireland legislation, in the light of new provisions introduced for England and Wales in the Children Act 1989.

  Fire Brigade Training School, Jordanstown
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the planning procedures which have been followed in respect of the planning application for a fire brigade training school or depot at Jordanstown, Newtownabbey, County Antrim.

  Mr. Needham
  On receipt of the planning application on 25 May 1988, it was advertised and neighbour notification letters were issued. The usual consultations, including several with Newtownabbey borough council, were carried out before the issue of refusal of planning permission on 6 April 1989. An appeal was lodged against the Department of the Environment's refusal. The appeal hearing was held on 19 October 1989, and a final decision is awaited from the independent planning appeals commission.

  Hypothermia
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the number of deaths where hypothermia was mentioned as a cause; and what is his estimate of the total number of deaths where hypothermia was the underlying cause of death in Northern Ireland in each year from 1978 to 1988.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 18 December 1989]: The information is as follows:

  Any mention

  Underlying cause

  1978

  15

  5

  1979

  113

  13

  1980

  118

  18

  1981

  110

  10

  1982

  117

  17

  1983

  110

  10

  1984

  111

  11

  1985

  28

  16

  1986

  32

  14

  1987

  21

  7

  1988

  18

  7

  1 Prior to 1985 hypothermia was not coded as an associated cause of death.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Overseas Development Natural Resources Institute
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has any plans for the Overseas Development Natural Resources Institute to become an executive agency under the Next Steps programme.

  Mrs. Chalker
  I have decided that it would be right for the Overseas Development Natural Resources Institute to become an executive agency. I believe that the freedoms and disciplines which agency status will bring will further enhance the institute's contribution to the British aid programme and development of the poorer countries, and will reinforce its position as an international centre of scientific excellence. We are planning for ODNRI to become an agency on 1 April 1990. Mr. Anthony Beattie, the present director of the institute, will be appointed as the agency's first chief executive.

PRIME MINISTER

  Methodist Conference
  Mr. Archer
  To ask the Prime Minister whether she has any plans to meet the president of the Methodist Conference.

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

  NATO
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on her recent meeting with NATO Heads of Government.

  The Prime Minister
  The NATO Heads of Government meeting on 4 December, at which President Bush gave an account of his talks with President Gorbachev, was a very successful meeting. We reaffirmed the importance of NATO for our security, for arms control, and for stability in Europe, and welcomed President Bush's statement that United States forces and nuclear weapons will remain in Europe as long as the Allies want or need them. At the same time, there was universal support for the momentous changes taking place in eastern Europe.

  Ambulance Dispute
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will make a further statement on the ambulance staff dispute.

  The Prime Minister
  NHS management has made a final offer to the ambulance unions. Nobody will receive a basic pay increase of less than 9 per cent., and some will get over 16 per cent. As a result qualified ambulance men and women are already eligible for back pay ranging from over £600 to £850. Leading ambulance men and women in London trained in paramedical skills are eligible for back pay of up to £1,290. For the first time, staff with extended training and using paramedical skills will receive extra pay of £500 a year. There will also be a review of the 1986 salaries structure which could mean additional payments.

  The demands of the trade union side of the Ambulance Council are unreasonable and I am very disappointed that
  122
  it continues to take action against patients and has rejected the NHS chief executive's very reasonable suggestion of a truce over Christmas and the new year. Over 96 per cent. of NHS staff have settled their pay without recourse to industrial action. The unions should accept the very fair offer on pay and resume normal working.

  Economic and Monetary Union
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will make a further statement on European economic and monetary union in the light of the Strasbourg summit.

  The Prime Minister
  I refer my hon. Friend to the statement that I made in this House on 12 December at column 857–59.

  Crisis at Christmas
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will visit the Crisis at Christmas centre in London during Christmas.

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

  Cereals
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will raise at the next meeting of the European Council the recent decision of the Agricultural Council to disregard the stabiliser regime for cereals; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  I do not accept that the stabiliser regime for cereals is being disregarded. Recent decisions by the Agriculture Council will in fact tighten up its operation and should therefore secure further savings.

  Church Lawford
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has any plans to make an official visit to Church Lawford.

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

  Constitution
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to her reply to the hon. Member for Nottingham, North of Wednesday 13 December, which Minister would be responsible for putting proposals on a constitutional separation of powers to Parliament in respect of(a) a democratically elected second Chamber, (b) an Executive elected separately from Parliament, (c) a written constitution and (d) judicial review of the constitution.

  The Prime Minister
  The Government have no such proposals.

  India
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has written to Mr. V. P. Singh, the new Indian leader; and if she will make a statement on relations between the new Indian Government and the United Kingdom.

  The Prime Minister
  Yes. In my message to the new Indian Prime Minister I said that our two countries had an excellent relationship.

  We look forward to working closely with the new Indian Government to strengthen our close links.

  National Health Service
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Prime Minister why she has refused to discuss the Government's National Health Service plans with the medical royal colleges, the British Medical Association, the Royal College of Nursing, the joint consultants committee and the Royal College of Midwives; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Health has said on many occasions that he welcomes constructive views on how to implement our proposals for the Health Service. He remains willing to engage in constructive dialogue with the leaders of the health professional bodies. That is why he, his fellow Ministers and senior officials in the Department of Health have met the leaders of the medical profession to talk about the proposed reforms on over 100 occasions since the White Paper was published. We are convinced—as are many people working in the NHS—that change is essential if the service is to prosper. I see little purpose in having a separate meeting.

  Doctors and Dentists (Remuneration)
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Prime Minister whether she will make a statement on the chairmanship of the review body on doctors' and dentists' remuneration.

  The Prime Minister
  Sir Graham Wilkins' period as chairman comes to an end at the end of the current review. I have appointed Sir Trevor Holdsworth to succeed him. The Government are very grateful to Sir Graham for his long and valuable work, first as a member of the review body since 1979 and latterly as chairman.

  Engagements
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 December.

  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 December.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 December.

  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 December.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 December.

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

ENVIRONMENT

  Cleaning Contracts
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the implementation of cleaning contracts in schools.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Under the Local Government Act 1988, local education authorities are required to invite 124
  competitive tenders for school cleaning when they wish to carry out this work using their own employees. The successful tenderer is required to perform the contract to the specification set by the authority and for the price quoted.

  Water Privatisation
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what percentage of total water shares has gone to(a) small investors, (b) United Kingdom institutions, (c) foreign investors and (d) others;

  (2) what provision was considered to ensure that small shareholders were allocated more than half the total water shares available.

  Mr. Howard
  Under the offer arrangements for the water offers, 26·55 per cent. of the available shares were initially allocated to the United Kingdom retail public offers (including shares reserved for employees and bonus shares), 54·95 per cent. of the available shares were allocated to the institutions; and 18·5 per cent. were allocated to overseas offers in Japan, continental Europe, Canada and the USA.

  In view of the heavy demand in the retail public offers, various clawback arrangements were triggered to increase the size of the retail public offers. As a result the final allocations were 46·875 per cent. to the retail public offers; 39·25 per cent. to the institutions and 13·875 per cent. to the overseas offers.

  The retail public offers were significantly oversubscribed in each of the 10 offers and applications had to be scaled down. In deciding a basis for scaling down, preference was given first to employees, pensioners and customers of each company, with 2·4 per cent. of the retail public offers being allocated to employees and pensioners and 57·5 per cent. to customers. Preference was also given to small applications over large. For example, applicants in the retail offers at the minimum application band all received a 100 per cent. allocation. Applicants applying for 10,000 or more shares, in contrast, received from 6·4 per cent. to 40 per cent. of the shares they applied for and, in the case of one company, no allocation.

  Toxic Algal Blooms
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on toxic algal blooms; and what steps he is taking to reduce this problem.

  Mr. Howard
  Algal blooms are a common occurrence in many waters during the summer although sampling results this year showed that toxic forms of algal blooms were present in a number of reservoirs, lakes and similar waters in England and Wales. The NRA, which is now responsible for monitoring such waters, informed site owners and appropriate environmental health officers. The problems have subsided with the onset of colder weather. The NRA is conducting investigations into the cause of the problems this year, and will be considering the need for measures to reduce the risk of their recurrence.

  EC Habitats Directive
  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he will take to ensure that the proposed European Commission habitats directive will be
  125
  effectively applied in England, Scotland and Wales following the proposed fragmentation of the Nature Conservancy Council.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made in this House by the Secretary of State for the Environment on 23 November—Official Report columns 17–18—which set out the arrangements that will apply after the reorganisation of the NCC for a statutory joint committee dealing inter alia with issues that have an international dimension. I am confident that any future European Commission directive on habitats—if agreed by the Council of Ministers—could be applied effectively within this framework.

  House of Commons (Lighting)
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his reply of 7 December,Official Report, column 323, why there has been no lighting on the stairs leading from the Committee Corridor for the last 14 days.

  Mr. Chope
  From the limited description it is not possible to identify which of the five stairs to the Committee Corridor the hon. Member has in mind. A check on 13 December identified only two bulbs, each on separate stairs, which needed replacing, plus three emergency lights. But I hope the hon. Member understands that it is not necessary to use the formalities of a parliamentary question in order to have a light bulb replaced.

  Hazardous Waste
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has on the future policy on effective control of hazardous toxic and dangerous wastes and their disposal; what provisions are currently in force; what are the penalties for illegal dumping of such wastes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The Environmental Protection Bill contains measures to reform the whole of waste management legislation. The new duty of care on waste producers and the stronger powers for licensing authorities will apply to all wastes but will be especially relevant to those wastes which are dangerous or difficult to dispose of—known as special waste. Current provisions for licensing of disposal facilities will be greatly enhanced. The maximum penalty available on indictment for illegal deposit of special waste is five years imprisonment and an unlimited fine. The Control of Pollution (Special Waste) Regulations 1980 SI 1709, which control the movement of special waste from producer to disposer are under review and a consultation paper will be issued shortly.

  Swap Contracts
  Mr. Thornton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those local authorities which have entered into swap and swap option contracts; and if he will provide an estimate of the notional value of each local authority's involvement at the end of the financial year 1988–89.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The information requested is not collected by the Department.

  Pollution Inspectorate
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to improve staffing and resources of Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 18 December by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment and Countryside to the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce).

  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment for which matters concerning the policy and operations of Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution he is responsible to Parliament.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution is part of the Department of the Environment and reports jointly to the Secretaries of State for the Environment and for Wales.

  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many posts remain vacant in Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution; what are the reasons for the shortfall; what steps he is taking to fill the vacancies; and how many and which of the vacancies are in the senior management level of the inspectorate.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution staff complement was increased from 219 to 240 from 2 October 1989. Vacant posts at 1 November 1989 numbered 41, most of which were professional posts. It is difficult to establish precisely the reasons for the shortfall. It reflects, inter alia, the limited pool of necessary specialist skills and experience available, and market rates of pay. To fill the vacant posts Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution is undertaking a recruitment campaign offering exceptional salary increases of 28·5 per cent. over those offered in the last recruitment round. There is one vacancy currently at senior management level in the inspectorate.

  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps have been taken to ensure that Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution has sufficient personnel fully to implement its responsibilities for the radiation monitoring network.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  As a result of an open competition the Department hopes to fill the final remaining post on the radiation monitoring network team.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Thornton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all those local authorities which in 1987–88 were responsible for more than £35 million of expenditure.

  Mr. Chope
  The information is as follows. Total expenditure is defined as rate fund revenue account expenditure on services plus debt charges and net contributions to other accounts (such as the housing revenue account), less interest receipts and specific and supplementary grants.

  Local Authorities whose total expenditure in 1987–88 exceeded £35 million

  £ million

  Avon

  392·6

  Bedfordshire

  234·0

  Berkshire

  283·4

  127

  £ million

  Buckinghamshire

  268·2

  Cambridgeshire

  238·1

  Cheshire

  435·6

  Cleveland

  301·1

  Cornwall

  181·7

  Cumbria

  225·3

  Derbyshire

  416·5

  Devon

  392·2

  Dorset

  230·8

  Durham

  257·8

  East Sussex

  249·5

  Essex

  599·1

  Gloucestershire

  207·8

  Hampshire

  578·8

  Hereford and Worcester

  251·8

  Hertfordshire

  365·2

  Humberside

  408·1

  Isle of Wight

  51·3

  Kent

  570·7

  Lancashire

  616·9

  Leicestershire

  383·7

  Lincolnshire

  220·1

  Norfolk

  273·6

  Northamptonshire

  237·8

  Northumberland

  127·7

  North Yorkshire

  278·5

  Nottinghamshire

  450·5

  Oxfordshire

  203·6

  Shropshire

  169·3

  Somerset

  181·6

  Staffordshire

  428·6

  Suffolk

  230·9

  Surrey

  334·3

  Warwickshire

  194·1

  West Sussex

  273·6

  Wiltshire

  216·2

  Bolton

  126·6

  Bury

  82·6

  Manchester

  316·5

  Oldham

  116·0

  Rochdale

  114·4

  Salford

  130·5

  Stockport

  119·9

  Tameside

  110·7

  Trafford

  92·4

  Wigan

  149·3

  Knowsley

  93·6

  Liverpool

  309·2

  St. Helens

  91·7

  Sefton

  130·8

  Wirral

  166·8

  Barnsley

  104·1

  Doncaster

  140·8

  Rotherham

  119·8

  Sheffield

  265·4

  Gateshead

  103·0

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  159·3

  North Tyneside

  100·4

  South Tyneside

  80·8

  Sunderland

  153·3

  Coventry

  159·9

  Dudley

  125·2

  Sandwell

  152·2

  Solihull

  80·3

  Walsall

  129·6

  Wolverhampton

  141·2

  Bradford

  254·6

  Calderdale

  97·2

  Kirklees

  196·6

  Leeds

  308·4

  Wakefield

  144·3

  ILEA

  975·4

  City of London

  71·7

  Camden

  156·7

  128

  £ million

  Greenwich

  93·3

  Hackney

  144·3

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  105·5

  Islington

  103·8

  Kensington and Chelsea

  49·3

  Lambeth

  152·7

  Lewisham

  120·2

  Southwark

  130·6

  Tower Hamlets

  125·8

  Wandsworth

  100·7

  Westminster

  91·6

  Barking and Dagenham

  75·2

  Barnet

  135·9

  Bexley

  101·6

  Brent

  184·8

  Bromley

  114·3

  Croydon

  144·2

  Ealing

  173·1

  Enfield

  128·9

  Haringey

  154·2

  Harrow

  100·2

  Havering

  104·8

  Hillingdon

  118·5

  Hounslow

  118·2

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  62·5

  Merton

  73·1

  Newham

  177·5

  Redbridge

  98·4

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  61·8

  Sutton

  78·0

  Waltham Forest

  154·5

  Bristol

  35·3

  Leicester

  36·6

  Metropolitan Police Police Authority

  446·9

  Greater Manchester Police Authority

  88·1

  Merseyside Police Authority

  59·3

  South Yorkshire Police Authority

  35·3

  Northumbria Police Authority

  46·3

  West Midlands Police Authority

  84·4

  West Yorkshire Police Authority

  65·1

  London Fire/CD Authority

  180·2

  Greater Manchester Fire

  41·9

  West Midlands Fire

  40·1

  Greater Manchester Transport

  76·1

  Merseyside Transport

  62·4

  South Yorkshire Transport

  45·5

  Tyne and Wear Transport

  55·8

  West Midlands Transport

  55·5

  West Yorkshire Transport

  58·7

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in the most specific detail available those people who are mentally or physically disabled who will be exempt from the community charge; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  Any physically disabled person who has his sole or main residence in an NHS hospital or a residential care home, a nursing home, a mental nursing home, a private hospital or a hostel and is receiving treatment there, will be exempt from the personal charge. So far as mental disability is concerned, any person who is in receipt of an invalidity pension, severe disablement allowance,
  129
  unemployability supplement, an unemployability allowance, an attendance allowance or a constant attendance allowance, and who has a certificate from a registered medical practitioner stating that his or her intelligence and social functioning is severely impaired will be exempt from the personal community charge. It is not possible to be specific about the particular disorders which may lead to such conditions being fulfilled.

  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to make regulations on the final form of the community charge bill.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The Department has sent out today a letter to all charging authorities which encloses draft regulations which would provide for the final form of the bill and the explanatory notes which will accompany the bill. The purpose of sending this material out now is to enable authorities to arrange for the printing of these documents forthwith, if they wish. A copy of the letter and enclosures have been placed in the Library. I expect to lay the regulations in January.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance he intends to give to those people, nominated as responsible individuals, who are in receipt of community charge changes of circumstances forms; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Changes of circumstances forms are a convenient way of helping people to comply with their statutory duty to inform the community charges registration officer of any change in circumstances which affects their register entry. The responsibility for ensuring that they comply with the appropriate regulations lies with registration officers.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he has taken to monitor the issuing of changes of circumstances forms by community charge registration officers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Every individual has a duty to inform the community charges registration officer of any change of circumstances which affects his or her register entry. There is, however, no duty to volunteer such information about any other person. A responsible individual has a duty to provide information about people other than him or herself only in response to a specific request from the registration officer.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the percentage of income represented by rate support grant for(a) the City of Durham and (b) Basildon for (i) 1978–79 and (ii) 1988–89.

  Mr. Chope
  The percentages for each authority are not comparable between years because of changes to the rate support grant system in 1981–82. Nevertheless, the information is as as follows:

  Rate support grant as percentage of rate fund revenue account income

  Per cent. 1978–79

  Per cent. 1988–89

  City of Durham

  64

  29

  Basildon

  52

  16

  Water Pollution
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what will be the division of responsibility for controlling water pollution between Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution and the National Rivers Authority.

  Mr. Howard
  Currently the National Rivers Authority has responsibility for controlling water pollution under powers in the Water Act 1989, although additional controls are exercised by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, advised by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution, to limit inputs of certain dangerous substances to sewers.

  Under our proposals for integrated pollution control wastes released to all environmental media from certain industrial processes would be controlled by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution. The National Rivers Authority would, however, have powers to ensure that these controls were exercised so as to protect the aquatic environment. The authority would continue to have primary responsibility for discharges to water from all other sources.

  These arrangements were announced by my hon. Friend the Member for Surrey, South-West (Mrs. Bottomley) on 28 February following extensive consultation. They will be introduced through the Environmental Protection Bill which we shall shortly be introducing. They will entail close co-operation between the two regulatory bodies, and a memorandum of understanding will be drawn up to cover the detailed interface of their respective responsibilities.

  Waste Disposal
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he has received any representations from the National Association of Waste Disposal Contractors on environmental pollution matters; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) when he last met the waste disposal organisation NAWDC; and what was discussed.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  We have regular contact with NAWDC at all levels on environmental matters concerning waste management. My hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment and Countryside last met it on 25 September to discuss, in particular, legislative proposals.

  World Conservation Monitoring Centre
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what contribution his Department has made to the world conservation monitoring centre at Cambridge.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The world conservation monitoring centre is funded jointly by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the World Wide Fund for Nature, and the United Nations Environment Programme from their respective subscription incomes, including those from the United Kingdom Government and private sources. The centre also earns income from providing services to customers in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. My Department does not at present directly fund any work at the centre.

  Stocken Hall, Rutland
  Mr. Latham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment upon what dates since April 1988 inspectors from the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission visited Stocken hall, Rutland, to inspect the condition of the buildings; what similar visits have been paid by officials of his Department since January; and what action has subsequently been taken.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  An inspector from the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission last visited Stocken hall in April 1988. Officials from my Department carried out a brief external inspection in April 1989. On learning in October that a proposed sale of the hall had fallen through, my Department asked the commission to inquire into its condition.

  Mr. Latham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment upon what date the planning appeal by Endersby Developments Ltd. regarding Stocken hall, Rutland, was withdrawn; and whether his Department has received details of any subsequent planning applications relating to this building.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The appeal was withdrawn on 21 August 1989. There have been no subsequent planning applications and we understand that sale to a new purchaser is imminent.

  Mr. Latham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he has taken since 12 April to bring about the immediate protection of Stocken hall, Rutland; whether he has yet authorised the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission to serve a notice under section 101 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The owners have done some urgent repairs to weatherproof the hall. My Department has therefore not yet authorised the commission to serve a notice under section 101, but has asked it to monitor the situation closely.

  Homes Insulation
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will give for each year since 1978 the total spending on the homes insulation scheme.

  Mr. Chope
  Information on the total spending on the homes insulation scheme in 1986, 1987, 1988 and the first half of 1989 appears in table 2.21 of "Housing and Construction Statistics part 2", No. 38. Figures for earlier years appear in table 7.7 of "Housing and Construction Statistics 1978–1988". Copies of these publications are available in the Library.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether inclusion of the homes insulation scheme within the home improvement grant scheme will make it more or less difficult to retain the same priority for loft insulation work.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 18 December 1989]: The new system of renovation grants to be introduced under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 will enable local authorities to assist householders to carry out a wide range of measures to improve the energy efficiency of their
  132
  properties. It will be a matter for individual authorities to decide on the particular priority for loft insulation work within these measures. Additionally, the Secretary of State for Energy proposes to introduce a scheme of grants for basic insulation measures through community insulation services for low-income householders in the forthcoming Social Security Bill.

  Improvement Grants
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the Official Report the details of the means-testing for the new improvement grants payable from 1 April 1990.

  Mr. Chope
  Details of the test of resources will be included in regulations which are currently being prepared and will be laid before the House in due course.

  Theatre Royal, Chatham
  Mr. Faulds
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment why he decided not to exercise his powers with regard to the demolition order on the grade II listed building the Theatre Royal, Chatham, for which a privately developed complex of uses is being planned locally.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  An application for listed building consent to demolish the Theatre Royal, Chatham was referred to my right hon. Friend by Rochester upon Medway city council to give him the opportunity of calling in the application for his own decision. Having obtained expert advice from the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England (English Heritage) my right hon. Friend decided that, in view of the poor condition of the building and the fact that the site was included in proposed shopping redevelopment for the improvement of Chatham town centre, he would not be justified in taking the matter out of the hands of the local planning authority.

  Map Errors
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he still proposes to take legislative action to amend the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to enable the correction of errors on definitive maps.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The judgment in the Court of Appeal on 23 November in the case of R v Secretary of State for the Environment ex parte Simms and Burrows, has confirmed that the Act already includes the power to make orders to correct errors or mistakes, as Parliament intended. There is therefore no need for amending legislation; we will be issuing further advice to surveying authorities as soon as possible.

  Public Housing
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on the contribution made by the federal and state governments in Germany to the building of new publicly owned housing in the latest year for which figures are available; and what is the net contribution made by central Government in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 30 November 1989]: A full comparison on an objective basis between the United Kingdom and Germany is not available.
  133
  Most dwellings in Germany (Federal Republic) that have been built with public subsidy are owned by non-profit-making bodies or by private companies and individuals. Some are owner-occupied. Total public expenditure for "social" dwellings (the German term) was estimated at 5,130 million DM in 1986. Separate figures for the share in this total of federal and state governments are not immediately available. In the United Kingdom central Government housing subsidies paid to local authorities are not divided into financing new building and other categories of expenditure. Central Government subsidies in 1986–87 to local authorities and public corporations were £811 million. This does not include subsidies to housing associations.

  Urban Development Corporations
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how his Department monitors the operation of rules laid down in respect of the assigning of contracts, the sale of assets, or the partnership arrangements for implementing development plans, by urban development corporations; if he has any plans to improve these arrangements; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  [holding answer 12 December 1989]: Urban development corporations are subject to annual audit by external auditors appointed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. Auditors are required, inter alia, to report on whether corporations have complied with normal public sector procedures for letting contracts, disposing of assets and partnership arrangements. The Department liaises closely with UDCs on their progress; this includes appropriate guidance, monitoring, and approval of projects under financial delegation arrangements.

  Drinking Water
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures he is taking to ensure that drinking water meets the standards laid down in the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 1989.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 14 December 1989]: In addition to the continuing role of local authorities in checking the quality of water supplies in their areas, the new drinking water inspectorate, shortly to be established by my right hon. Friend, will seek to ensure that drinking water standards are met.

  Algae
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will issue guidance that the practice of back-washing blue-green algae, filtered from reservoirs, into streams, be discontinued and safer methods of disposal be introduced;

  (2) if he will list the reports he has received of poisoning of people, domestic and farm animals that have been linked with the contamination of reservoirs and streams with toxins produced by blue-green algae;

  (3) what changes he proposes in farming practices to reduce the growth of blue-green algae in lakes and reservoirs;

  (4) what proposals he has to discourage the formation and to reduce the growth of blue-green algae in lakes and reservoirs.
  134
  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 15 December 1989]: These are primarily matters for the NRA which is responsible for monitoring the quality of inland waters in England and Wales. Sampling of waters this year established that toxic forms of blue green algae were present in a number of reservoirs, lakes and similar waters. With the onset of colder weather, the problems have subsided. The NRA is conducting investigations into the cause of this year's problems with a view to establishing the need for possible preventive measures to be taken in the future.

  "Getting out of the Greenhouse"
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will obtain a copy of the Friends of the Earth publication, "Getting Out of the Greenhouse," for his departmental library.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 18 December 1989]: Friends of the Earth have already been kind enough to send a copy of this publication to the Department.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many(a) families and (b) individuals he estimates will spend the 1989 Christmas holiday period in bed-and-breakfast accommodation in England and Wales other than as tourists.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 18 December 1989]The latest estimate of households accepted as homeless under the homelessness provisions of the 1985 Housing Act and living in bed-and-breakfast accommodation in England is 11,880 at end September 1989. No estimate is available either of the number of individuals this represents or the number in bed-and-breakfast accommodation at later dates.

  For Welsh figures I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many(a) families and (b) people he estimates spent the Christmas holiday in bed-and-breakfast accommodation in England and Wales in each of the years 1983 to 1988, inclusive, other than as tourists.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 18 December 1989]: Estimates for England of the number of households accepted as homeless under the homelessness provisions of the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977 and the 1985 Housing Act and living in bed-and-breakfast accommodation at 31 December in each of the years 1983 to 1988 inclusive are as follows:

  Year

  Number of households

  1983

  2,700

  1984

  3,670

  1985

  5,360

  1986

  8,990

  1987

  10,370

  1988

  10,970

  No estimates are made of the number of people this represented.

  For Welsh figures I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.
  135
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many children he estimates spent the Christmas holiday period in bed-and-breakfast accommodation in England and Wales other than as tourists during each of the years 1983 to 1988.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 18 December 1989]: The number of children among the homeless households in bed-and-breakfast accommodation in England are not reported by local authorities and my Department has no estimates.

  For information about Wales I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give for each year since 1978(a) the spending by local authorities under the energy conservation programme and (b) the number of dwellings thereby receiving energy efficiency improvements.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 18 December 1989]: Information on activity under the energy conservation programme in 1986, 1987, 1988 and the first quarter of 1989 appears in table 2.21 of "Housing and Construction Statistics", No. 38. Figures for earlier years appear in table 7.7 of "Housing and Construction Statistics 1978–1988". Copies of these publications are available in the Library.

  The table relates to activity where the only work carried out to the dwelling is under the energy conservation programme. Local authority dwellings may also be insulated when other general renovation work is carried out, but these cases cannot be separately identified.

DEFENCE

  Ferranti
  Mr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last met the chair of Ferranti; and what subjects were discussed.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 28 November 1989 at column 237.

  European Fighter Aircraft
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress on the European fighter aircraft project development.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The main development contracts for the European fighter aircraft were signed in November 1988. Since then work on the first prototype has progressed satisfactorily; and the first full-scale development engine is expected to be run next year. The selection of equipment for EFA is also proceeding; and to date only the choice of radar has presented significant difficulties.

  British Aerospace
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence upon what subjects he has recently received representations from British Aerospace.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  My right hon. Friend and I, and Ministry of Defence officials, maintain contact with the 136
  senior management of all major defence contractors, including British Aerospace. The details of our discussions are always confidential.

  EH101 Helicopter
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the present status of the EH101 helicopter programme; and who is now personally supervising the contract.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The RN anti-submarine warfare variant of the EH101 helicopter is in the sixth year of full development, whilst the RAF utility variant is in the project definition phase. Following normal practice the programmes are managed by a project director with the Ministry's Procurement Executive.

  TOGS System
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when he expects to take delivery of the TOGS system; and what is the present delay time of the contract with United Scientific;

  (2) whether he intends to involve any penalty clauses on the TOGS system contract with United Scientific.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Deliveries of these equipments are continuing behind schedule and we are seeking redress under the terms of the contract with Avimo.

  Battle Tank
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he intends to proceed with the purchase of a new main battle tank in the time scale originally envisaged and in the same number.

  Mr. Alan Clarke
  As I told the hon. Member for Tyne Bridge (Mr. Clelland) on 14 December,Official Report, columns 822–23, it is our intention to reach a decision on a tank to replace Chieftain by the end of 1990. The precise number of tanks to be ordered has yet to be be decided.

  Chieftain Tanks
  Mr. Jopling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what criteria the selection of a Chieftain replacement will be made; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend, the former Secretary of State, on 20 December 1988,Official Report columns 259–60.

  Scottish Landholdings
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the extent of land held in Scotland by his Department in(a) September 1988 and (b) September 1989; and if he will break this down by region and island authorities.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Landholdings statistics relate to 1 April each year. The table shows the position at 1 April 1988 and 1 April 1989, indicating land and foreshore holdings:
  137

  Region or Island Authority

  1 April 1988 Land/Foreshore Holdings (acres)

  1 April 1989 Land/Foreshore Holdings (acres)

  Borders

  Nil

  Nil

  Central

  197

  197

  Dumfries and Galloway

  10,620

  10,400

  Fife

  3,181

  3,269

  Grampian

  5,387

  5,361

  Highland

  12,854

  12,853

  Lothian

  2,923

  2,870

  Strathclyde

  9,103

  9,082

  Tayside

  3,874

  3,599

  Orkney

  9

  8

  Shetland

  120

  111

  Western Isles

  3,310

  3,314

  Totals

  51,578

  51,064

  Nuclear Weapons (Transport)
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has received representations from Clydesdale district council complaining about the transport of nuclear weapons through the Clydesdale constituency; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I am aware of one letter from Clydesdale district council which was concerned in part, though not exclusively, with nuclear weapon movements, and was sent to my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland in May this year. A copy was passed to the Ministry of Defence and a reply was sent at official level.

  Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's relationship with and contribution to the Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers (CIOR) is the NATO reserve forces organisation which represents the reserve officers of member states.

  The Ministry of Defence provides some financial assistance towards office expenses, administration and subscription fees for United Kingdom participation in CIOR through the Reserve Forces Association, which has filled the role of the official United Kingdom representative since 1972.

  Military Service
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent consideration has been given by his Department to the introduction of short-term military service for young people.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  There are no plans to introduce any further short-term forms of military service.

  Recruitment
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's recent report "Manpower and Recruiting in the Lean Years of the Nineties".

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  An abridged version of the MARILYN report was placed in the Library on 8 June 1989.
  138
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the amounts spent by his Department on recruitment advertising in the years 1985–86 to 1988–89; and what is estimated for 1989–90 for(a) the Regular Army, (b) the Territorial Army Volunteer Reserve and (c) the Home Service Force.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Spending on recruitment advertising from 1985–86 to 1988–89 was as follows:

  £ million

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  Regular

  Army

  3·625

  4·547

  3·984

  4·467

  110·093

  TAVR

  1·811

  1·879

  24·316

  34·264

  135·500

  Total

  5·436

  6·426

  8·300

  8·731

  15·593

  1 Estimated final outturn.

  2 Includes £ 2 million from National Employers Liaison Committee (NELC).

  3 Includes £2·1 million from NELC.

  Separate figures for the Home Service Force are not available, but would be included in the TAVR figures.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Company Ownership
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he has of the number of United Kingdom companies which are under the ultimate ownership of Australian companies but which have intermediary ownership via the Cayman Islands or the Netherlands Antilles.

  Mr. Redwood
  The chief executive of Companies house tells me that the information is not available.

  Contracts
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many contracts over £92,500 have been let by his Department in the 1988–89 financial year and in the current financial year to date; and how many of these were(a) automatically renewed and (b) open to competition by advertisement throughout the European Community.

  Mr. Forth
  The number of contracts awarded by the Department of Trade and Industry and covered by the provisions of the EC supplies directive, for which the current threshold is £92,000, was 24 in the 1988–89 financial year and 10 in the current financial year to date. Of these five were awarded following advertisement in the EC Journal and 29 were considered to be exempt from advertising and may have been awarded to the previous supplier.

  Accountancy Firms
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list those accountancy firms which have been criticised by(a) his Department's Inspectors and (b) the Registrar of Friendly Societies since June 1979.

  Mr. Redwood
  Ten reports of inspectors appointed under the Companies Act published since June 1979 have
  139
  contained criticisms of accountants. The extent of criticism varies in scale and reference should be made to individual reports.

  Name of company

  Date of publication of report

  Name of accountants

  Ashbourne Investments Limited

  31 July 1979

  Wright Stevens & Lloyd

  Data Investments Limited

  30 April 1980

  Robson Rhodes

  Cornhill Consolidated Group Limited

  31 December 1980

  Singleton, Fabian & Derbyshire

  Kina Holdings Limited

  24 March 1981

  Harold Everett, Wand & Co. Dixon Wilson Tubbs & Gillett Collins & Co.

  Scotia Investments Limited

  22 January 1981

  Lubbock Fine

  Gilgate Holdings Limited and others

  8 September 1981

  Thornton Baker & Co. Gerald Edelman & Co.

  Norwest Hoist Limited

  23 June 1982

  Price Walerhouse

  Ramor Investments Limited

  22 March 1983

  Price Waterhouse

  Greenbank Trust plc

  5 August 1988

  Pannell Kerr Forster

  Milbury plc

  27 October 1988

  Arthur Young

  I assume that the hon. Member intended to refer to inspectors appointed by the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies under powers comparable to those of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of Slate under the Companies Act.

  No such inspector has reported since June 1979.

  Oil Products
  Mr. Fry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in view of the recent increase in the price of domestic heating oil, diesel fuel, agricultural oils and other non-petrol oil products, if he will ask the Office of Fair Trading to make an investigation.

  Mr. Redwood
  If the hon. Member has any evidence that such price increases are the result of monopoly abuse or anti-competitive or restrictive trade practices he should bring it to the attention of the Director General of Fair Trading who has powers under the competition legislation to investigate such matters if he considers it appropriate.

  Forklift Trucks
  Mr. Irvine
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the current position on the inter-industry arrangement on forklift trucks from Japan, referred to in his answer to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Fallon) on 30 March 1988,Official Report, columns 480–81.

  Mr. Redwood
  The British Industrial Truck Association (BITA) has told us that its bilateral voluntary restraint arrangement with the Japan Industrial Vehicle Association is no longer in operation. My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Trade has, in reaffirming the Government's general policy against restrictive arrangements, informed BITA that any agreements to restric imports of forklift trucks to the United Kingdom would have to be fully economically justified.

  Computer Misuse
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he accepts the recommendations of the Law Commission's report on computer misuse; and what response he intends to make to the report;

  (2) what individuals and organisations he has consulted on the detailed proposals contained in the Law Commission's report on computer misuse; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what is his estimate of the annual loss of trade and industry in the United Kingdom caused by computer misuse.

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 15 December 1989]: In welcoming the Law Commission report, I stated that I was inclined to accept its recommendations subject to the views of interested parties. Representations that I have had since that date have convinced me that it provides a sound basis for legislation and that such legislation should be introduced as soon as a suitable opportunity arises.

  My Department has written directly to over 280 interested parties to ask for their views on the Commission's proposals. This represents a wide cross-section from industry and commerce, private individuals, consumer organisations, academia, the legal profession and other Government Departments. We have also contacted officials and law enforcement agencies in countries where legislation has already been introduced. The overall response indicates widespread support for the introduction of legislation along the lines suggested by the Law Commission.

  There are no centrally collected statistics on the damage caused by computer misuse on which a reasonably accurate estimate could be based. Private sector sources have estimated figures of between £400 million and £1 billion but I cannot validate them. However, the reported cases have convinced me that misuse is occurring, and that the problem is of sufficient magnitude to cause concern.

  Rover Group
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how much of Rover's trading tax losses was eliminated in the final agreement;

  (2) what was the maximum quantum of the Rover Group's pre-acquisition trading tax losses potentially available to claw back under the contractual sale arrangements between the Department of Trade and Industry and British Aerospace.

  Mr. Ridley
  [holding answer 18 December 1989]: Because the £469 million of the cash injection relating to Rover's historic debt had, through conditions attaching to it, to be passed down to the operating companies in the form of a taxable subvention it eliminated a corresponding amount of trading tax losses. The remainder of the mechanism effectively to limit Rover Group's access to the benefit of past trading tax losses was the pound-for-pound contractual clawback affecting use of more than £500 million of such losses. It is not possible to state the amount of Rover's trading tax losses eliminated in the final agreement or the maximum amount potentially available to be clawed back. These depend on the outcome of the normal application of tax law to the circumstances of the Rover Group, including any claims or disclaimers made by it, and this is governed by the strict rules of tax confidentiality.
  141
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much of the capital allowances disclaimed by the Rover Group which, under the March conditional terms, could have been clawed back under the contractual sale arrangements if used outside the Rover Group were disclaimed within the statutory time limit set down in the relevant Finance Acts.

  Mr. Ridley
  [holding answer 18 December 1989]: As I said in my reply of 12 December on disclaimers of capital allowances by Rover Group—Official Report, column 638—this is a matter for Rover Group and the normal rules of confidentiality governing taxpayers' affairs apply.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the plan to defer payment of £150 million for the Rover sale was discussed; and what were the options under consideration in July.

  Mr. Ridley
  [holding answer 18 December 1989]: The deferment of the £150 million consideration was first raised at the end of June 1988. Three specific options were set out in a letter of July 1988 from the then Secretary of State to the chairman of British Aerospace, a copy of which has already been placed in the Library of the House. There were further discussions on 12 July following receipt of the letter at which it was decided that the consideration would be paid not later than 30 March 1990.

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he received the request from British Aerospace seeking abandonment of the golden share.

  Mr. Ridley
  [holding answer 18 December 1989]: I am unaware of any such request. As I explained on 13 December at columns 699–700, the company has consulted us on a number of occasions on the detail of certain provisions in the company's articles of association which require the consent of the special shareholder before any changes can be made.

  Telephone Chatlines
  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish in the Official Report full details of the code of practice recently agreed between the director general of OFTEL and the telecommunications industry relating to the provision of telephone chatlines and one-to-one services.

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 14 December 1989]: I have arranged for copies of the two codes of practice recently approved by Oftel to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Bananas
  Mr. Allan Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the annual tonnage of imports of bananas from the dollar area received by each company under the quota arrangements.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 13 December 1989]: No. Details of allocation of shares in all import-administered quotas are regarded as confidential.

  Waste Reduction
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what discussions he has had in the last 12 months with Fisons Limited on waste reduction and minimisation; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what discussions he has had in the last 12 months with Orsynthetics Limited on waste reduction and minimisation; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what discussions he has had in the last 12 months with Sterling Organics Limited on waste reduction and minimisation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  I have had no discussions on waste reduction and minimisation with the particular companies referred to by the hon. Member. However, my Department is encouraging business in general to take further steps to reduce their waste and has recently published a business guide to waste minimisation entitled "Cutting Your Losses". A copy of the booklet has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Barlow Clowes
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will announce his response to the Parliamentary Commissioner's investigation into the role of his Department in the Barlow Clowes collapse; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 18 December 1989]: I refer the hon. Member to the statement made earlier today by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.

EMPLOYMENT

  Earnings
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing (a) the increase in real earnings of manual and non-manual workers in the decade to June 1989 analysed in both cases to show for the worker at 1 per cent. and 5 per cent., from the top and the manual worker 5 per cent. from the bottom, (b) the average of the earnings above the high figures and below the low one and (c) for all groups the corresponding information (i) manufacturing and for the whole economy less the production industries, (ii) full-time adult female manual and non-manual workers in each case and (iii) the numbers covered by each category.

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

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, further to his reply of 11 December to the hon. Member for Great Grimsby,Official Report, columns 467–68,with regard to the increases in weekly and hourly earnings of certain workers, what is his estimate of the increase in unit labour costs in each case in the decade ending in April.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Information on unit labour costs is not available in the form requested.

  Business and Professional Women
  Mrs. Peacock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if his Department has considered an application for an exhibition relating to the United Kingdom Federation of Business and Professional Women to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

  Mr. Nicholls
  I understand that, under procedures agreed by the Services Committee, arrangements have been made with the authorities of the House for an exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from Monday 22 January to Friday 26 January.

  Employment Training
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many trainees are undergoing employment training in(a) Burnley, (b) Pendle, (c) Hyndburn and (d) Rossendale and Darwen constituencies; and how many training scheme vacancies exist.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The information requested is not available on a parliamentary constituency basis and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what special funding arrangements there are to cater for the needs of people with disabilities participating in the employment training programme.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Additional funding is available to meet the special training needs of people with disabilities, where these arise, as follows:

  (a) the necessary cost of providing special equipment, adaptations to premises or equipment, and, for the sensorily impaired, communication services.

  (b) variable Supplementary Grants—up to £40 per week per trainee—for places involving higher cost training (including, but not exclusively for, people with disabilities).

  (c) the necessary cost of creating an individualised training programme for those for whom, because of the effects of their disability, existing contracted training places would be inappropriate. This facility is known as Special Training Provision (STP).

  (d) the necessary cost of providing a residential training place where this is deemed appropriate.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has any plans to change the provision for travel costs in the employment training scheme.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [holding answer 14 December 1989]: There are no plans.

  Trade Union Commissioner
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish the annual accounts of the Commissioner for the Rights of Trade Union Members.

  Mr. Nicholls
  No. Copies of the commissioner's statement of accounts will be laid before each House by the Comptroller and Auditor General in due course.

  Council of Ministers
  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Labour and Social Affairs Council meeting held in Brussels on 30 November.
  144
  Mr. Eggar
  In the field of health and safety at work, the Council formally adopted three directives. These provide for minimum standards of health and safety for the workplace, for the use of work equipment and the use of personal protective equipment by workers at work. In addition a common position was reached on a directive dealing with protection of workers from risks relating to exposure to carcinogens at work.

  A draft resolution on the setting up of a European employment survey was also adopted; as was a proposal allowing the Commission to negotiate on behalf of the Community at the International Labour Organisation on certain issues.

  The Council continued its discussion of the proposal for a technology training programme (Eurotecnet) following amendments by the European Parliament with a view to its adoption at an early future meeting of the Council. Also in the field of training, the Commission outlined a proposal for a programme on continuing training throughout working life; and there was a statement by the presidency on the need for training measures to combat female unemployment and promote equality of opportunity in the labour market.

  The Council heard an oral presentation by the Commission on the proposed social action programme to implement the social charter. There was also an oral presentation by the Commission on the worker participation proposals in the draft European company statute.

  Skills Training Agency
  Mr. Roger King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will place a copy of the information memorandum about the sale of the Skills Training Agency in the Library.

  Mr. Eggar
  Yes. The sale process has now reached a stage where I am able to place a copy of the information memorandum about STA, and a copy of the information packs about individual parts of STA, in the Library. Copies will also be made available to staff in the STA and to the recognised trade unions.

SCOTLAND

  Forestry
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has issued any recent guidelines to the Forestry Commission concerning the release of agricultural land for afforestation; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland on 24 October 1989,Official Report, columns 399–401, to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Dumfries (Sir H. Monro).

  Rape
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment his Department has made of the implications for reform of the law of the recent High Court trial in Aberdeen in which a man was charged with raping his wife.
  145
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  At the sitting of the High Court in Aberdeen commencing on 6 November 1989 a man did appear on indictment charged inter alia with raping his wife on two separate occasions. After trial, he was convicted of attempted rape and was sentenced to three years' imprisonment. It is not considered that this case has any implications for the reform of the criminal law of Scotland.

  Land Registration
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the extent of coverage by districts of Scottish land registration as at December.

  At 30 September each year

  Region/area

  Small holdings

  Other

  Total

  1988 hectares

  1989 hectares

  1988 hectares

  1989 hectares

  1988 hectares

  1989 hectares

  Borders

  504

  391

  25

  25

  529

  416

  Dumfries and Galloway

  521

  466

  259

  259

  780

  725

  Central

  11

  11

  2,292

  2,292

  2,303

  2,303

  Lothian

  170

  141

  511

  382

  681

  523

  Fife

  3

  3

  —

  —

  3

  3

  Tayside

  70

  41

  177

  177

  247

  218

  Grampian

  387

  366

  1,136

  1,136

  1,523

  1,502

  Strathclyde

  8,019

  6,788

  430

  430

  8,449

  7,218

  Highland

  93,564

  93,440

  1,142

  1,130

  94,706

  94,570

  Western Isles Islands

  18,096

  18,082

  279

  278

  18,375

  18,360

  Orkney Islands

  247

  247

  —

  —

  247

  247

  Shetland Islands

  2,161

  2,161

  —

  —

  2,161

  2,161

  123,753

  122,137

  6,251

  6,109

  130,004

  128,246

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the extent of land held in Scotland by the Forestry Commission in(a) September 1988 and (b) September 1989; and if he will break this down by region and island authorities.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Forestry Commission compiles revised land use figures at 31 March each year by its forest districts. Figures are not available for other times of the year, nor are they held by local authority administrative areas.

  At 31 March 1988, the commission managed 727,670 hectares of land in Scotland; the figure at 31 March 1989 was 725,576 hectares. The breakdown into forest districts is given in the commission's annual reports, copies of which can be found in the Library of the House.
  146
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Land Register is operational in the areas of the counties of Renfrew, Dumbarton and Lanark, and the barony and regality of Glasgow.

  Land Holdings
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the extent of land held in Scotland by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland in(a) September 1988 and (b) September 1989; and if he will break this down into region and island authorities.

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

  Hospital Shops, Glasgow
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his approval has been sought by Greater Glasgow health board to sell off its hospital shops currently run by the Women's Royal Voluntary Service and replace them with a commercial service; and what is his policy towards the adoption of such a policy by other health boards.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Greater Glasgow health board has not made any approach to my right hon. and learned Friend on this matter. I understand, however, that there have been discussions with the Women's Royal Voluntary Service about a particular site at Gartnavel general hospital.

  Health boards have been advised by the Scottish Home and Health Department that they should pay close attention to the views of the Women's Royal Voluntary Service and other voluntary organisations when formulating proposals that would have an effect on the facilities used by these bodies to provide services for patients.

  Student Allowances
  Mr. Allan Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the levels of students' allowances and parental contributions for session 1990–91.

  Mr. Lang
  I propose to increase the main rates of allowances by 5 per cent. in the 1990–91 academic year. In addition, I propose to increase the differential in the rate paid to students studying in London. The new rates for Scottish students will be as follows (rates for 1989–90 are shown in brackets):

  £

  (£)

  Student in the parental home

  1,660

  (1,575)

  Student living away from home

  outside London

  2,200

  (2,090)

  in London

  2,780

  (2,585)

  Students in receipt of maintenance allowances will be eligible for reimbursement of travelling expenses in excess of the £60 included in the main rates.

  The threshold for parental contributions, and the points on the contribution scales at which the rate of contribution changes, will be uprated to reflect the movement of earnings. Parents whose residual income is below £11,500 will not be assessed for a contribution.

  The full contribution scales for session 1990–91 are set out in the table.

  Contribution Scale

  Residual Income

  Scale 1

  Scale 2

  £

  £

  £

  11,500

  60

  45

  12,000

  131

  98

  13,000

  274

  206

  14,000

  417

  313

  14,700

  517

  388

  15,000

  577

  433

  16,000

  777

  583

  17,000

  977

  733

  18,000

  1,177

  883

  19,000

  1,377

  1,033

  20,000

  1,577

  1,183

  21,000

  1,777

  1,333

  21,600

  1,897

  1,423

  22,000

  1,997

  1,498

  23,000

  2,247

  1,686

  24,000

  2,497

  1,873

  25,000

  2,747

  2,060

  26,000

  2,997

  2,248

  27,000

  3,247

  2,435

  28,000

  3,497

  2,623

  29,000

  3,747

  2,810

  30,000

  3,997

  2,998

  31,000

  4,247

  3,185

  32,000

  4,497

  3,373

  33,000

  4,747

  3,560

  34,000

  4,997

  3,748

  35,000

  5,247

  3,935

  36,000

  5,497

  4,123

  37,000

  5,747

  4,310

  37,210

  15,800

  4,350

  38,000

  —

  4,498

  39,000

  —

  4,685

  40,000

  —

  4,873

  41,000

  —

  5,060

  42,000

  —

  5,248

  43,000

  —

  5,435

  44,000

  —

  5,623

  44,946

  —

  15,800

  148

  1 Max

  Notes:

  1. The second parental contribution scale was introduced following the announcement on 15 March 1988 that tax relief on new non-charitable deeds of covenant would cease; it applies primarily to students who first entered higher education in session 1988–89 or later. The contributions assessed on scale 2 are 25 per cent. less than those on scale 1.

  2. Contributions will rise with residual income, as follows:

  Income

  Scale 1

  Scale 2

  From £11,500 to £14,700

  By £1 in £7

  As in Scale 1, but reduced by 25 per cent.

  From £14,701 to £21,600

  By £1 in £5

  From £21,601

  By £1 in £4

  3. The contribution payable may be less than the amounts shown in the relevant table, particularly at the top of the scale where the contribution is in respect of one award holder only. It will depend on the level of grant against which the contribution is to be set and whether or not any of the assessed contribution is itself offset by allowances for other dependent children.

  Shipping Subsidies
  Sir Hector Monro
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has for shipping subsidies for sea transport services in Scotland in 1990–91; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Rifkind
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the estimates I propose to make available in 1990–91 total subsidy provision of £11·628 million. The deficit subsidy for Caledonian MacBrayne will reduce, in line with recent trends in the company's increased carryings and reduced costs, to £5·438 million. The estimated requirement to continue the fares reduction support for P and O services to Orkney and Shetland is increased to £4·6 million. On the basis of budgets submitted by coastal shippers within the tariff rebate subsidy scheme, the funding requirements next year will be £1·59 million.

  These proposed levels of subsidy reflect the Government's continuing commitment to assisting the essential sea transport services to the Western and Northern Isles.

  Postgraduate Students
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many students have applied for assistance under the postgraduate student allowance scheme in every year since 1979.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 18 December 1989]: This information is not readily available prior to session 1986–87 and figures from that date are as follows:

  Session

  Number

  Percentage awarded

  1986–87

  3,245

  90

  1987–88

  3,411

  89

  1988–89

  3,004

  89

  11989–90

  3,259

  90

  1 To date.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much has been spent, on a constant price basis, on the postgraduate student allowance scheme in every year since 1979.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 18 December 1989]: Separate figures of expenditure on the postgraduate

  149
  students' allowances scheme are not available before 1986–87. Expenditure for that subsequent years at 1989–90 prices are as follows:

  Year

  £ million

  Per capita

  1986–87

  9·1

  3,095

  1987–88

  9·2

  3,016

  1988–89

  8·5

  3,180

  1989–90

  110·8

  3,697

  1 Estimated.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are his spending plans for the postgraduate student allowance scheme for the years until 1992–93.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 18 December 1989]: The detailed expenditure plans within the totals announced by my right hon. and learned Friend on 6 December (Official Report, columns 328–33) will be set out in the Scottish commentary on public expenditure to 1992–93 to be published in the new year.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will change his administrative procedure so that students know which courses are eligible for assistance under the postgraduate student allowance scheme before the student applies for the course.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 18 December 1989]: A review group of officials is currently examining ways in which the administrative procedures of the postgraduate students' allowances scheme could be improved. This will be one of the criteria under consideration.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Moray of 30 November,Official Report, columns 393–94, he will give for each year since and including the year ended 31 March 1974 the number of applications rejected by a single member, where, subsequently, the applicant is granted an award;

  (2) if, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Moray of 30 November, Official Report, columns 393–94, he will give the number of applications rejected for each year ended 31 March since and including 31 March 1974 for (a) Scotland and (b) England and Wales.

  Mr. John Patten
  The table sets out the available information kept by the board and published in its annual reports. In many cases the decisions made at hearings relate to applications originally rejected in previous years.

  Year ended 31 March

  Applications Rejected

  Applications rejected by a single Member where an award was Wales made after a hearing

  Scotland

  England and Wales

  1974

  377

  930

  174

  1975

  407

  1,103

  186

  1976

  483

  1,303

  218

  1977

  504

  1,543

  258

  1978

  437

  1,486

  299

  1979

  543

  2,200

  348

  1980

  554

  2,213

  366

  1981

  1,081

  4,147

  1—

  150

  Year ended 31 March

  Applications Rejected

  Applications rejected by a single Member where an award was Wales made after a hearing

  Scotland

  England and Wales

  1982

  911

  3,484

  1—

  1983

  1,062

  4,292

  1—

  1984

  1,550

  6,072

  1—

  1985

  1,328

  5,612

  1—

  1986

  1,226

  5,485

  1—

  1987

  1,278

  5,202

  1—

  1988

  1,306

  5,178

  1—

  1989

  1,451

  6,768

  1—

  1 Information not collated.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Moray of 30 November,Official Report, columns 393–94, he will breakdown the percentage of cases submitted to a single member from date of registration of claim within a period of over 12 months to show the percentage of cases submitted within (a) 12 to 15 months, (b) 15 to 18 months, (c) 18 to 21 months, (d) 21 to 24 months, (e) 24 to 27 months, (f) 27 to 30 months, (g) 30 to 33 months and (h) 33 to 36 months.

  Mr. John Patten
  The board does not at present keep a breakdown of such cases for periods over 12 months but has been asked to do so in future years.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Moray of 30 November,Official Report, columns 393–94, he will instruct the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board to record the average time taken to process a claim from registration to (a) issue to the applicant of the award, and in rejected applications (b) the date of final rejection of the claim.

  Mr. John Patten
  No. Collection of information on average times for awards to be made or claims to be rejected would provide no reliable guide to the board's performance. Average times would be distorted by cases where uncertain prognosis or the need for extensive inquiries precluded an early determination.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Moray of 30 November,Official Report, columns 393–94, he will instruct the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board to record the number of applicants who die before their claims are decided.

  Mr. John Patten
  The board is not necessarily aware of the reasons why applications lapse.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Moray of 30 November,Official Report, columns 393–94, whether the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board records in respect of each application (a) the date of issue to the applicant of the decision of the single member, (b) the date of issue to the applicant of the decision of the board, where not by a single member and/or (c) the date of issue to the applicant of the award.

  Mr. John Patten
  This information is held on individual case files but is not collated.

  South Devon Clerkship
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many employees will be made redundant in the proposed enlarged south Devon clerkship and in merging the north and west Devon clerkships; and what are their designations;

  (2) if he will make it his policy to withhold his approval of the appointment of the Torbay clerk to the enlarged south Devon clerkship of the magistrates courts until he is satisfied that the reorganisation will result in an administration which is substantially more economic and efficient than merging the existing north and west Devon clerkships;

  (3) what consultations have taken place with each of the benches in the north and west Devon clerkships with regard to the proposed reorganisation of magistrates courts in south Devon; what weight has been given to their recommendations; if he will set out the steps taken to ensure adequate consultations; and who makes the final decision;

  (4) what is the estimated cost of the proposed reorganisation of the south Devon clerkships; what he estimates the savings will be in each of the next three years for the present system and for the enlarged south Devon system; and what estimate he has made of efficiency and cost savings produced by the merging of the present north and west Devon clerkships.

  Mr. John Patten
  I understand that the Devon magistrates courts committee has been considering the possible amalgamation of petty sessional divisions and the reorganisation of clerkships in the county. However, the committee has not yet submitted a draft amalgamation order under section 23 of the Justices of the Peace Act 1979 for my right hon. and learned Friend's approval. The Act provides for consultation with interested parties before a draft order is submitted and for my right hon. and learned Friend to take relevant objections into account before reaching a decision on a draft order. It would be inappropriate for me to comment on the merits of proposals which have yet to be submitted to us.

  Nor has the Committee yet sought my right hon. and learned Friend's approval for the permanent appointment of a justices clerk (as it is required to do under section 25 of the 1979 Act) as part of any planned reorganisation of clerkships. Before approving an appointment we will consider any representations which might be made by magistrates of the division concerned.

  Police Officers
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will put a table in the Official Report showing (a) his recent allocation of police officers by police authority, (b) the number of police officers requested by the authorities concerned and (c) the number of police officers as a proportion of the population served that will pertain after the new allocations are made.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The information is as follows:
  152

  Police posts approved1

  Posts applied for

  Police/population2 for ratio taking into account police increases

  Avon and Somerset

  10

  50

  458

  Bedfordshire

  8

  8

  504

  Cambridgeshire

  7

  10

  541

  Cheshire

  20

  20

  506

  Cleveland

  13

  19

  368

  Cumbria

  19

  50

  416

  Derbyshire

  19

  34

  510

  Devon and Cornwall

  17

  48

  518

  Dorset

  14

  27

  516

  Durham

  —

  —

  434

  Dyfed Powys

  —

  —

  495

  Essex

  55

  79

  511

  Gloucestershire

  —

  —

  453

  Greater Manchester

  54

  248

  366

  Gwent

  2

  11

  441

  Hampshire

  25

  27

  527

  Hertfordshire

  18

  35

  503

  Humberside

  15

  20

  424

  Kent

  50

  50

  504

  Lancashire

  28

  81

  432

  Leicestershire

  53

  75

  488

  Lincolnshire

  14

  20

  487

  Merseyside

  —

  —

  308

  Norfolk

  46

  66

  528

  Northamptonshire

  20

  29

  500

  Northumbria

  38

  243

  403

  North Wales

  21

  10

  478

  North Yorkshire

  25

  35

  506

  Nottinghamshire

  26

  63

  430

  South Wales

  31

  67

  411

  South Yorkshire

  20

  50

  431

  Staffordshire

  14

  20

  469

  Suffolk

  18

  26

  531

  Surrey

  10

  50

  449

  Sussex

  39

  54

  475

  Thames Valley

  65

  158

  530

  Warwickshire

  15

  35

  482

  West Mercia

  32

  32

  530

  West Midlands

  63

  350

  380

  West Yorkshire

  20

  47

  390

  Wiltshire

  13

  19

  507

  City of London

  —

  —

  5

  Metropolitan

  150

  3—

  252

  1 In some cases increases are offered subject to the police authority's confirmation that it will meet its share of the cost.

  2 Police establishments at 1 April 1990. Population at mid 1988.

  3 The Home Secretary is police authority for the Metropolitan Police.

  Mr. Abdul Shamji
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will consider a transfer of Mr. Abdul Shamji, currently at Wandsworth prison, to an open prison;

  (2) if he will review the case of Mr. Abdul Shamji, currently serving a sentence at Wandsworth prison.

  Mr. Mellor
  Mr. Shamji's case for reallocation to open conditions is being considered by the authorities at Wandsworth in the normal way.

  Video Surveillance
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any proposals to place Devon the regulation of video surveillance on a statutory footing; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  We have no plans to introduce legislation covering the use of video cameras in public places for surveillance purposes to combat crime. The Home Office issued guidelines in 1984 for the police on the use of surveillance equipment. These guidelines make it clear that CCTV devices should be used by the police only where they are necessary for the efficient conduct of police operations and with due regard for the intrusion of privacy that may result in particular circumstances.

  Video Recorded Evidence
  Mr. Hind
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received the report of the advisory group on video recorded evidence; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waddington
  I received the report of the advisory group on 6 October. I am most grateful to the chairman, the Common Serjeant of London, his Honour Judge Pigot QC, and to the other members of the group for their work. I have arranged for the report to be published today. A copy will be placed in the Library. Comments on the report are welcome: they should be sent to the Home Office, C4 Division, Room 339, 50 Queen Anne's Gate, London SW1H 9AT by 30 April 1990.

  Law Courts
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many vacancies there are currently countrywide for court clerks, giving figures by region; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  Manpower returns received from 91 of the 105 magistrates courts committees in England and Wales indicated that there were 102 vacancies for court clerks at 30 September 1989, the latest date for which information is available, as shown in the table.

  Magistrates' courts committee

  Vacancies (full-time staff)

  Avon

  3

  Barking

  2

  Barnet

  2

  Barnsley

  0

  Bedfordshire

  4

  Berkshire

  3

  Bexley

  0

  Birmingham

  6

  Bolton

  1

  Bradford

  1

  Brent

  2

  Bromley

  0

  Buckinghamshire

  n/a

  Bury

  0

  Calderdale

  0

  Cambridgeshire

  1

  Cheshire

  1

  Cleveland

  0

  Cornwall

  0

  Coventry

  1

  Croydon

  0

  Cumbria

  1

  Derbyshire

  3

  154

  Magistrates' courts committee

  Vacancies (full-time staff)

  Devon

  1

  Doncaster

  0

  Dorset

  0

  Dudley

  0

  Durham

  1

  Ealing

  2

  East Sussex

  1

  Enfield

  0

  Essex

  n/a

  Gateshead

  0

  Gloucestershire

  n/a

  Hampshire

  1

  Haringey

  1

  Harrow

  0

  Havering

  0

  Hereford & Worcester

  1

  Hertfordshire

  3

  Hillingdon

  0

  Hounslow

  0

  Humberside

  3

  Isle of Wight

  1

  Kent

  n/a

  Kingston

  n/a

  Kirklees

  1

  Knowsley

  1

  Lancashire

  3

  Leeds

  0

  Leicestershire

  2

  Lincolnshire

  3

  Liverpool

  2

  London (City of)

  0

  London (Inner)1

  7

  Manchester

  2

  Merton

  0

  Newcastle

  0

  Newham

  n/a

  Norfolk

  n/a

  North Tyneside

  1

  North Yorkshire

  1

  Northamptonshire

  n/a

  Northumberland

  0

  Nottinghamshire

  5

  Oldham

  0

  Oxfordshire

  0

  Redbridge

  n/a

  Richmond

  0

  Rochdale

  0

  Rotherham

  0

  Salford

  0

  Sandwell

  1

  Sefton

  0

  Sheffield

  0

  Shropshire

  1

  Solihull

  1

  Somerset

  n/a

  South Tyneside

  1

  St. Helens

  0

  Staffordshire

  6

  Stockport

  1

  Suffolk

  0

  Sunderland

  1

  Surrey

  4

  Sutton

  n/a

  Tameside

  0

  Trafford

  0

  Wakefield

  2

  Walsall

  0

  Waltham Forest

  1

  Warwickshire

  1

  West Sussex

  1

  Wigan

  0

  Wiltshire

  1

  Wirral

  n/a

  Wolverhampton

  3

  Clwyd

  1

  Dyfed

  1

  Gwent

  0

  155

  Magistrates' courts committee

  Vacancies (full-time staff)

  Gwynedd

  n/a

  Mid Glamorgan

  0

  Powys

  0

  South Glamorgan

  n/a

  West Glamorgan

  1

  Total

  102

  1 Comparable grade.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the latest figure available for the current year for(a) the number of cases in court which last five minutes or less, (b) the amount of legal aid costs these cases incur and c) what representation he has received on the waiting time for such cases; and if he will make a statement concerning the introduction of court timetabling.

  Mr. John Patten
  No information is available on the number of cases in magistrates courts which last five minutes or less and I understand from my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor that information on the number of legal aid bills submitted for cases where legal representatives appeared in court for five minutes or less could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  From time to time complaints are made about long waiting periods for cases which were disposed of very quickly. However, it can be difficult to predict how long a case will take.

  As to the introduction of court timetabling I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to his question on 7 December 1989 at column 397.

  Civil Defence
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many nuclear bunkers have been built or provided by local authorities in Wales to date; and how many additional hunkers are now being planned.

  Mr. John Patten
  The Civil Defence (General Local Authority Functions) Regulations 1983 impose on local authorities a duty to establish, equip and maintain emergency centres for the control and co-ordination of action in the event of hostile attack or threat of attack. Of the total of 53 such centres required in Wales, 16 are in place and comply with standards advised in guidance given to local authorities. A further 14 centres require modification in order to meet these standards fully. Planning for such modifications and for the provision of additional centres will be raised in current discussion with relevant authorities in connection with their performance generally in meeting civil defence statutory requirements.

  Vehicle Security
  Mr. Mills
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he has taken to implement the conclusions of the working group on car security made in November 1986; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  The working group on car security made a number of recommendations, most of which were aimed at car manufacturers and the insurance industry.

  In response to the working group's recommendations, car security publicity by the Home Office, Department of
  156
  Transport and the DVLC has continued at a high level and there has been a noticeable increase in publicity from manufacturers.

  Five parts of a British standard on vehicle security, covering mechanical locking systems, security of in-car entertainment equipment, window etching, central power locking and dead-locking, and both parts of a standard on anti-theft alarms, have now been published. Much progress is already evident in new vehicle production, including high security door, boot and ignition locks, fuel filler locks, anti-theft radios and alarm systems and in the provision of window etching services. A computerised motor insurance anti-fraud and theft register was launched in March 1987 and there has been a general increase in car security advice from insurers and brokers, though more could be done.

  Mr. Mills
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps have been taken to implement the recommendations of the Standing Conference on Crime Prevention working group on car crime, made in December 1988.

  Mr. John Patten
  The car crime working group continued its work this year. A group of experts has been formed to consider the production of a car-crime prevention video for use in schools. The working group and the Home Office have taken steps to bring the working group's recommendations to the attention of car manufacturers and the media. In response to the working group's recommendations, the Home Office scientific research and development branch is carrying out research into the production of an index of the vulnerability of types of car to theft and into the correlation between car theft and road accidents. The working group has explored ways in which statistics aimed at the prevention of car crime might be collected and published.

  It is encouraging that the most recent published statistics, covering the period of 12 months to June 1989 showed a reduction of almost 4 per cent. in the number of recorded offences of car crime, compared with the corresponding period to the end of June 1987.

  Drugs
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money has been spent on research into drug addiction, other than on the campaign Heroin Screws You Up and its evaluation, in the past five years or for any other period of years for which the information is available, by(a) his Department, (b) the Department of Education and Science and (c) the Department of Health.

  Mr. Mellor
  Estimated expenditure on research into drug addiction in the current and preceding four financial years, excluding evaluation studies, is as follows:—

  Financial year

  Home Office

  Department of Health

  £

  1985–86

  8,769

  1

  1986–87

  26,331

  1

  1987–88

  56,525

  1

  1988–89

  32,182

  £311,222

  1989–90

  28,259

  £225,406

  Total

  152,066

  Sub-total

  £536,628

  5 year DH total £1·2 million

  157

  1 Separate figures for these years are not readily available, but an average of £221,124 was spent in each year.

  The Department of Education and Science has no responsibility for research into drug addiction, but has funded a number of projects related to the development and evaluation of education about substance misuse.

  Interpreters
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many interpreters are employed by his Department in the immigration service for translation from English to Kurdish; and what training they are given.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 18 December 1989]: There are no Kurdish-speaking interpreters in permanent employment with the immigration service, but seven have been employed this year on a casual basis. Interpreters are instructed to give a direct translation of questions put and answers given.

  War Crimes Inquiry
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is his best estimate of the cost to public funds of prosecuting the three alleged war criminals referred to in paragraph 10.5 of the report of the war crimes inquiry, including the cost of obtaining witnesses and evidence from the Soviet Union and eastern Europe and assuming the provision of legal aid to the defendants;

  (2) what is his best estimate of the overall cost to public funds over the coming 10 years of implementing the recommendations contained in the report of the war crimes inquiry (Cm. 744) in respect of the 127 alleged war criminals believed to be in resident in the United Kingdom and recommended for prosecution or further investigation.

  Mr. John Patten
  [holding answer 18 December 1989]: It is not possible to give an indication about the costs which might arise in connection with any investigations and prosecutions of war criminals which might take place if the necessary legislative provision were to be made. However, the experience of other countries which have instigated investigations suggests that the costs involved could be substantial. The costs of conducting any trials of alleged war criminals which might take place would depend upon the number of such trials and the complexity of each case.

WALES

  Forestry
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he has issued any recent guidance to the Forestry Commission in Wales concerning the release of agricultural land for afforestation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  I recognise the important role that forestry can play as an alternative use of agricultural land. Guidance is readily available.

  National Health Service
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what provision he has made for expenditure on the National Health Service in Wales in the next financial year 158
  on (a) remuneration to non-executive members of health authorities and family practitioners services authorities, (b) arrangements necessary for establishing contracts for services, (c) arrangements necessary for establishing hospital trusts, (d) additional tasks as a result of the introduction of general practitioner practice funds, (e) capital cost of information systems for the management of drug expenditure, (f) audit costs, and (g) the upkeep of asset registers and the calculation of capital charges.

  Mr. Grist
  My right hon. Friend expects to announce the detailed provision for hospital and community health service resources to district health authorities when the House reassembles in the new year. I shall write to the hon. Gentleman then.

  School Buildings
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what advice he gives local education authorities in Wales concerning(a) the repair of flat roofs in schools and (b) the use of flat roofs in plans for new school buildings.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  Design note 46 entitled "Maintenance and Renewal in Educational Buildings: Flat Roofs" was issued to all local education authorities in England and Wales in 1985. I will arrange for a copy to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what information he has received as to which Welsh schools are in need of refurbishment; what is the age of the schools; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  Expenditure plans submitted each year by local education authorities provide information about education building needs, including refurbishment of schools, and these are the subject of discussion with the Department. The age of schools is not a reliable indicator of expenditure needs.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will commission a survey of the school buildings in Wales concerning their state of repair, energy conservation and age; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  In the context of my right hon. Friend's efficiency initiative, local authorities have already prepared reports on energy management and property review, and have further action in hand. The property review requires the setting up of appropriate records in regard to age and condition of buildings, including schools.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he has any plans to meet(a) Clwyd local education authority leaders, (b) Clwyd parent—teacher association leaders, (c) teacher union leaders and (d) representatives of school governers to discuss funding for school regions and the problem of water seepage on flat school roofs; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will make a special allocation to the Clwyd local education authority to enable the authority to deal with the water seepage on flat roofs of Clwyd schools.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  No. Allocations of resources within a local education authority's area and responsibility for education buildings are matters for the local education authority.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish estimated poll tax payments per head, in current prices, which will be required after removal of safety net arrangements and based on current Welsh Office targets for local government spending for(a) Wales as a whole and (b) each district council area.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Estimates of community charge levels for Wales as a whole and for each district council area were placed in the Library on Monday 18 December 1989. I no longer propose to make safety net adjustments to revenue support grant entitlements.

  Welsh Water
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish for Welsh Water plc the estimated percentage held by(a) individual shareholders and (b) financial institutions as on the first day of trading in the new company.

  Mr. Grist
  The allocations to applicants for shares in Welsh Water plc were announced by Schroders in a press release on 11 December. The offer of Welsh Water shares to the general public was oversubscribed to an extent that the clawback provisions set out in the prospectus on the water share offers were triggered. Thus, 39·25 per cent. of the shares on offer was allocated to institutions and 46·875 per cent. of the shares on offer was allocated to applicants in the retail public offers.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the percentage of shares in Welsh Water plc which were in the hands of shareholders with addresses outside Wales on the first day of trading in the new company.

  Mr. Grist
  No. This information is not readily available, but at least half of the shares allocated to applicants in the retail public offer were to customers, employees and pensioners of Welsh Water.

  Improvement Grants
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report the details of the means-testing for the new improvement grants payable from 1 April 1990.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Details of the test of resources will be included in regulations which are currently being prepared and will be laid before this House in due course.

  European Regional Development Fund AE0
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his best estimate of the total level of European regional development fund aid commitments jointly to all eligible public bodies in the three counties of Powys, Gwynedd and Dyfed in each of the years 1984 to 1988.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  European regional development fund commitments to eligible public bodies in the three counties of Powys, Gwynedd and Dyfed in each of the past five years are shown in the following table:

  Year

  £ million

  1984

  6·6

  1985

  19·5

  1986

  7·5

  160

  Year

  £ million

  1987

  5·6

  1988

  14·0

  Figures do not include some Welsh projects which cross the boundaries of administrative areas.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his best estimate of the total level of European regional development fund aid commitments to all eligible public bodies in Clwyd in 1989 and 1990.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The latest estimate for European regional development fund non-quota commitments to all eligible public bodies in Clwyd for 1989 is £2·4 million.

  No commitments have yet been made for 1989 and 1990 under the Clwyd integrated development operation programme.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his most up-to-date estimate for the amount of European regional development fund assistance commitments to all eligible public bodies in the four counties of industrial south Wales in each of the years 1984 to 1988.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  European regional development fund commitments to eligible public bodies in the four counties of industrial south Wales in each of the past five years are shown in the following table:

  Year

  £ million

  1984

  51·1

  1985

  17·0

  1986

  17·8

  1987

  41·9

  1988

  29·1

  Figures do not include some Welsh projects which cross the boundaries of administrative areas.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his most up-to-date estimate for the amount of European regional development fund commitments to all eligible public bodies in the four counties of industrial south Wales in(a) the present year and (b)

  Mr. Grist
  The latest estimate for European regional development fund commitments to the mid-Glamorgan national programme of community interest and for non-quota grant in the four counties of industrial south Wales for 1989 is £10·4 million.

  No commitments have yet been made for 1989 and 1990 under the integrated development operation programme for industrial south Wales.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his most up-to-date estimate of the amount of European regional development fund commitments to all eligible public bodies in Clwyd in each of the years 1984 to 1988.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  European regional development fund commitments to eligible public bodies in Clwyd in each of the past five years are shown in the following table:

  Year

  £ million

  1984

  4·3

  1985

  18·3

  1986

  19·2

  161

  Year

  £ million

  1987

  10·2

  1988

  20·2

  Figures do not include some Welsh projects which cross the boundaries of administrative areas.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his most up-to-date estimate of the likely final total of European regional development fund aid commitments jointly to all eligible public bodies in the counties of Powys, Gwynedd and Dyfed in 1989 and 1990.

  Mr. Grist
  The latest estimate for European regional development fund commitments to all eligible public bodies in the three counties of Powys, Gwynedd and Dyfed for 1989 is £20·4 million.

  No commitments have yet been made for 1990.

  Health Service Resources
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he has reached a decision about the allocation of resources for health and personal social services in Wales in 1990–91.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Subject to parliamentary approval, I propose to allocate £1,472 million in 1990–91 to central Government's own expenditure on health and personal social services in Wales. This represents a cash increase of £156·7 million over 1989–90 plans, and an increase of some £98 million over planned provision for 1990–91.

  My proposals include £1,055·8 million for the hospital and community health services, an increase of £101·1 million over planned provision in 1989–90. I will announce allocations to individual health authorities as soon as

  Hospital and community health services—gross capital expenditure since 1974–75

  £ million

  Total at 1988–89 prices adjusted by:

  Public expenditure

  Capital receipts (mainly land sales)

  Total expenditure

  the GDP deflator

  the HCBS capital deflator

  1974–75

  243

  —

  243

  960

  950

  1975–76

  327

  —

  327

  1,027

  979

  1976–77

  356

  —

  356

  986

  952

  1977–78

  315

  —

  315

  767

  737

  1978–79

  358

  8

  366

  805

  766

  1979–80

  395

  10

  405

  763

  703

  1980–81

  540

  16

  556

  885

  766

  1981–82

  651

  20

  671

  972

  896

  1982–83

  682

  19

  701

  947

  921

  1983–84

  692

  33

  725

  936

  934

  1984–85

  767

  50

  817

  1,005

  1,010

  1985–86

  803

  85

  888

  1,037

  1,037

  1986–87

  812

  149

  961

  1,085

  1,069

  1987–88

  807

  201

  1,008

  1,081

  1,066

  1988–89

  804

  280

  1,084

  1,084

  1,084

  11989–90

  920

  291

  1,211

  1,132

  2

  1 Estimated.

  2 Estimates of HCHS capital inflation are not made until after the financial year has ended.

  Community Care
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the redeployment of financial resources from long-stay hospitals in the closure/partial closure programme and on how and where these have been used to develop services for community care for people with mental handicap.
  162
  possible. In addition to their allocations, health authorities will retain the benefit of cash released through cost improvement programmes, income from charges for the treatment of private patients and from income generation schemes, and receipts from the sale of surplus land and buildings.

  These additional resources will allow substantial investment in the information management systems that are required to support implementation of the White Paper "Working for Patients", and will also make possible the further development of modern patterns of service for those with mental handicaps, and those suffering from mental illness; of breast and cervical cancer screening services; of programmes to address the problems of alcohol and other drug abuse; and of initiatives to support the promotion of a healthy lifestyle.

HEALTH

  Expenditure
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give for each year since 1974–75 capital spending on hospital and community health services in net terms after deducting proceeds from land and property sales (i) in cash terms, (ii) adjusted using the gross domestic product deflator and (iii) adjusted using the relevant index of National Health Service prices.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I see no logical reason for excluding proceeds of land and property sales from figures on capital spending by the NHS and I have given these proceeds in addition to the information requested in order to give a sensible picture of capital investment in the service.

  Mr. Freeman
  Decisions regarding the redeployment of financial resources released from long stay hospitals are primarily a matter for health authorities in consultation with the relevant local authorities and in the light of local needs and circumstances. Proceeds from the sale of mental handicap hospitals must be used specifically for the development of services for that client group unless there are exceptional circumstances and the Department has
  163
  agreed otherwise. Systematic information as to how resources have been redeployed to community services is not available centrally.

  Energy Statistics
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give, for each region and as a total for England and Wales(a) the total number of licensed vehicles at the latest available date, (b) the total amount spent on energy during the latest year for which figures are available, broken down into (i) petrol supply, (ii) electricity supply, (iii) gas supply and (iv) other and (c) the total amount spent on insulation on the National Health Service estate; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  Statistics on the total number of licensed vehicles which include Crown cars, ambulances and commercial vehicles, are not held centrally. The total amounts, for hospital sites in England and Wales, spent by health authorities on petrol supply, electricity supply, gas supply and others, in the financial year 1988–89 (£ million rounded up to two decimal places) are provisionally estimated as follows:

  Region

  Petrol

  Electricity

  Gas

  Other

  Northern

  1·40

  6·28

  4·14

  3·02

  Yorkshire

  1·49

  7·13

  5·48

  2·66

  Trent

  1·98

  10·60

  6·37

  5·04

  East Anglian

  1·10

  3·75

  2·39

  1·77

  North West Thames

  0·74

  7·67

  5·42

  2·90

  North East Thames

  0·89

  9·62

  4·45

  5·31

  South East Thames

  1·12

  8·18

  5·82

  2·66

  South West Thames

  2·32

  5·97

  5·26

  2·27

  Wessex

  1·14

  5·36

  3·88

  1·79

  Oxford

  1·00

  4·47

  2·65

  1·66

  South Western

  1·41

  6·16

  3·91

  1·75

  Region

  Campylobacter

  Cryptosporidium

  Leptospira

  Northern

  1,639

  134

  1

  Yorkshire

  3,049

  651

  11

  Trent

  3,429

  519

  3

  East Anglia

  1,018

  163

  1

  North West Thames

  1,756

  239

  1

  North East Thames

  1,786

  236

  1

  South East Thames

  2,049

  655

  1

  South West Thames

  2,648

  576

  1

  Wessex

  2,133

  864

  7

  Oxford

  1,761

  596

  5

  South Western

  2,385

  760

  11

  West Midlands

  3,159

  837

  4

  Mersey

  770

  125

  2

  North Western

  2,640

  864

  2

  Wales

  1,697

  475

  2

  TOTAL

  31,919

  7,694

  53

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has concerning the incidence by county in England and Wales and by occupational group of salmonella infection caused by(a) drinking unpasteurised milk and (b) contact with sick animals.

  Mr. Freeman
  Information is not available in the form requested. Three outbreaks of salmonellosis associated with drinking unpasteurised milk, in which there was microbiological or epidemiological evidence to confirm the association, were recorded in 1988 (provisional total), two in the north western region, and one in Wessex region. One outbreak affected the local community and two outbreak
  164

  Region

  Petrol

  Electricity

  Gas

  Other

  West Midlands

  1·91

  10·26

  4·34

  6·60

  Mersey

  1·00

  5·32

  3·19

  2·21

  North Western

  1·44

  8·21

  6·67

  3·92

  SHA's

  0·02

  2·13

  1·17

  0·52

  Total amount spent in 1988–89

  In England

  18·96

  101·11

  65·14

  44·07

  In Wales1

  —

  6·19

  3·71

  3·17

  Grand Total England £229·23 million Wales £13·07 million

  1 There is not a separate figure for total amount spent on petrol in Wales. Expenditure on petrol is included in "other" column.

  (c) Figures for the total amount spent on insulation on the NHS estate are not available. Guidance on insulation and other energy-saving measures is available to the NHS in my Department's national energy code ('ENCODE'). Ministers have, on a number of occasions, stated their wish for energy savings in the NHS commensurate with providing a proper service. So too has the Public Accounts Committee and its target of a saving in energy consumption of 1·5 per cent. per annum is generally being achieved.

  Infections
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the incidence of infection by county in England and Wales caused by(a) campylobacter, (b) cryptospiridia and (c) leptospira.

  Mr. Freeman
  The data requested are not available by county. The provisional data given in the table are a breakdown of reports by National Health Service health regions for England and Wales and are based on reports received by CDSC from laboratories in England and Wales. They cover 1989 up to and including the week ending 8 December 1989.

  affected farming personnel from the implicated milk-producing farms as well as persons in the local community. No outbreaks have been recorded so far in 1989.

  This information is based on reports of outbreaks of salmonella infection to the public health laboratory service communicable disease surveillance centre by laboratories and local authority environmental health departments in England and Wales.

  It is not possible to identify separately salmonellosis which is linked to contact with sick animals as distinct from that of a food origin.
  165
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has concerning the incidence of chlamydiosis arising from(a) domestic poultry and (b) other birds; and if he will make a statement.

  Chlamydia B/Chlamydia Psittaci 1984–88

  Laboratory reports to the PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (not incidence), where contact with birds mentioned

  Year

  Total laboratory reports

  Poultry1

  Other birds

  Total birds contact

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  1984

  410

  5

  1

  59

  14

  64

  16

  1985

  322

  16

  5

  58

  18

  74

  23

  1986

  326

  9

  3

  52

  16

  61

  19

  1987

  430

  13

  3

  61

  14

  74

  17

  1988

  460

  15

  3

  67

  15

  82

  18

  Total 1984–88

  1,948

  58

  3

  297

  15

  355

  18

  Average year 1984–88

  390

  12

  3

  59

  15

  71

  18

  1 Chicken, duck, goose and poultry unspecified.

  Ambulance Service
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the average time spent by an ambulance man on transporting(a) emergency cases and (b) non-emergency cases.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  This information is not available centrally.

  Nurses Grading
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the numbers of nursing grade appeals that have not been dealt with by each health authority.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Capital Expenditure
  Mr. Thornton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will provide estimates showing the amount of capital expenditure on hospital and community health services in each financial year from 1978–79 to 1989–90.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  Hospital and community health services—Gross capital expenditure since 1978–79

  Year

  Cash £ million

  1978–79

  366

  1979–80

  405

  1980–81

  556

  1981–82

  671

  1982–83

  701

  1983–84

  725

  1984–85

  817

  1985–86

  888

  1986–87

  961

  1987–88

  1,008

  1988–89

  1,084

  11989–90

  1,211

  1 Estimate.

  166
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The information available is set out in the table. Person-to-person transmission of chlamydia psittaci is rare: outbreaks of the disease in humans occur mainly among aviary and quarantine station workers, poultry processors and veterinarians.

  Laboratory Facilities
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether any health authority laboratory facilities in the North West regional health authority area are used for veterinary purposes.

  Mr. Freeman
  We are aware of only one health authority in this region whose laboratory facilities are being used for veterinary purposes, that being Oldham health authority, which does a very small amount of specimen testing.

  Self-governing Trusts
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list all the expressions of interest in self-governing trust status that he has so far rejected.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  A total of 188 expressions of interests in NHS trust status have been received so far. I understand that sponsors of some 79 of these intend to prepare draft applications for NHS trust status in April 1991. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State will consider all applications for trust status on their merits when received.

  Deaf-Blind People
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many registered deaf-blind people there are in each local authority;

  (2) what assessment he has made of the efficacy of the current methods of recording deaf-blind people in local authorities;

  (3) what is his Department's estimate of the total number of deaf-blind people in Britain;

  (4) whether any pilot project is being carried out to identify numbers of deaf-blind people.

  Mr. Freeman
  The numbers of registered blind persons in each local authority who are also deaf or hard of hearing are published in "Registered Blind and Partially Sighted Persons at 31 March 1988: England", a copy of which is in the Library.

  The social services inspectorate has recently undertaken an inspection of personal social services for deaf-blind

  167
  people. The inspection's findings confirm that the number of people registered with local authorities as blind who are also deaf or hard of hearing cannot be used as a reliable basis for a national estimate of the numbers of deaf-blind people because registration with a local authority is voluntary and not all deaf-blind people choose to register.

  However, using a broad, functional definition of deaf-blindness, the National Deaf Blind and Rubella Association (SENSE) has estimated that there may be some 11,000 deaf-blind people in the United Kingdom.

  The Department is not carrying out any pilot project to identify numbers of deaf-blind people. However, I understand that the Royal National Institute for the Deaf has done some work in this area and will be publishing a report in January 1990.

  Profoundly Handicapped People
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many times local authorities have used their powers under section 43 of the National Assistance Act 1948 to assume responsibility for the care of adults who are unable to care for themselves as a result of profound handicap.

  Mr. Freeman
  I assume that the right hon. Member is referring to section 47 of the Act. This information is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many times profoundly mentally handicapped people have been sanctioned under the terms of the Mental Health Act in order to ensure their safety.

  Mr. Freeman
  In 1987–88 there were 186 admissions, under sections of the Mental Health Act 1983, of patients categorised as mentally impaired or severely mentally impaired. Information is not held centrally as to how many of these patients were admitted for their own safety, rather than the other reasons specified in the Act.

  Severely Disabled People
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether he has any plans to introduce an at-risk register for severely disabled adults being cared for at home, where there is doubt as to the quality of the care they are receiving;

  (2) whether he has any plans to review the legislation available for protecting the interests of severely disabled people over the age of 18 years who are unable to look after themselves; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  We have no plans to do so.

  Speech Therapy
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has any plans to review the procedure whereby district health authorities which fund speech therapy provision in schools should give reasonable notice to the schools concerned before withdrawing funding arrangements.

  Mr. Freeman
  No. District health authorities are responsible for determining the level of speech therapy provision for schools in their area, in the light of local circumstances, their assessment of priorities, and the available resources. We expect district health authorities to liaise closely with local education authorities over provision of speech therapy in schools.

  Wythenshawe Hospital
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has had from the head of medical services at Manchester airport in regard to the future of the accident and emergency department at Wythenshawe hospital; what reply he is sending; if there is any action he will be taking; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We have received a letter from the chief executive of Manchester Airport plc about the provision of accident and emergency services in the area of Manchester airport and referring to the proposals of the South Manchester district health authority to rationalise acute and other services at the Withington and Wythenshawe hospitals. The South Manchester district health authority has invited comments on its rationalisation plans from all interested parties including the community health council. The district authority will be able to proceed to implement the plans only with the agreement of the local community health council or, if that is withheld, with the agreement of the North West regional health authority. This is the standard procedure for dealing with significant changes in the use of Health Service facilities. The planning of health services at district level is of course best dealt with at a local level. Ministers would not wish to be involved unless no local agreement can be reached.

  The Department will be replying to the chief executive in these terms.

  Health Service (Bradford)
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many people are to be appointed to assist Dr. Mark Baker to prepare Bradford's acute hospital services for self-government; what budget has been agreed to meet staff costs and other costs associated with this preparatory work; who is to pay these costs; who has authorised this preparatory expenditure; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what salary and expenses will be paid to the person appointed as district general manager of Bradford health authority, to succeed Dr. Mark Baker; how long the appointment is to last; whether the person appointed will be given a contract; whether Dr. Mark Baker has the right to resume his former role as district general manager; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  These matters are for decision locally. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman of Bradford health authority, Mr. R. G. Brooke, in the first instance.

  Benzodiazepines
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the number of prescriptions issued by community pharmacists during 1988 for the following benzodiazepines(a) diazepam, (b) tenazepam, (c) lorazepam, (d) nitrazepam and (e) chlordiazepoxide.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The number of prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists for the drugs requested is as follows:
  169

  Great Britain

  Number of prescriptions in 1988

  Millions

  Diazepam

  4·5

  Tenazepam

  7·7

  Lorazepam

  2·1

  Nitrazepam

  4·6

  Chlordiazep oxide

  0·9

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has of the number of chronic users of benzodiazepines in the United Kingdom and what action he intends to take to reduce this number.

  Mr. Freeman
  There are no precise figures to show the level of benzodiazepine dependence. A number of measures have been taken to tackle the problem, including the issue of advice to doctors on the careful use of these drugs, the promotion of alternatives to their use, and the development of services to help those dependent on them.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what grants have been made in 1989–90 under the central drugs initiative to services specifically for those dependent on benzodiazepines.

  Mr. Freeman
  The central drugs initiative was established in 1983–84 as a pump-priming scheme to provide capital and revenue resources for local projects to assist people suffering from drug dependence. Each grant was to last for three years, and the last approach was made in 1987, so that the scheme is now drawing to a close.

  Grants specifically for those dependent on benzodiazepines or other tranquillisers under this initiative totalled over £300,000. None of these grants fell into the current financial year. It is not possible to estimate the extent to which these grant-aided schemes also provide services for this group.

  The initiative is in addition to the other funds for drug dependence, in particular the earmarked money allocated to regional health authorities for drug dependence in each financial year since 1986, and which in the current year totals nearly £15 million.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health why people dependent on benzodiazepines are classed by his Department as drug misusers.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Department is concerned with the prevention and treatment of drug dependence irrespective of whether the condition arises from illicit or prescribed drug use. Equally, the funds that the Department has made available are for the development of services both for those dependent on prescribed drugs and those experiencing problems with illicit drug use.

  Medicine Leaflets
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the European Community proposal to require leaflets to be provided with medicines has now been adopted; and when it will be implemented in the United Kingdom.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  European Community (EC) Council directive 89/341 of 3 May 1989, among other things, introduced a requirement to provide leaflets with medicines. The content of such leaflets is still under 170
  consideration. The EC Commission has recently announced its intention to forward a proposal to the Council of Ministers early in the new year. It would be premature to make commitments about United Kingdom implementation in advance of negotiations and adoption by Council of the directive, but we look forward to playing a constructive part in discussions.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to begin consultation with local authority associations and voluntary organisations on sections 1, 2 and 3 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986.

  Mr. Freeman
  We are currently examining these sections with a view to identifying those provisions with significant resource implications. We will then seek the assistance of interested bodies to help us to estimate their cost.

  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what date he expects to publish the first report to Parliament under section 11 of the disabled persons Act 1986, due to be implemented at the end of 1989.

  Mr. Freeman
  Within the next few days.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements will be made to publish on an annual basis, the total public sector expenditure on care services for disabled people, covering expenditure incurred by central Government, including social security payments, local authorities, health authorities and other statutory service providers funded from public money.

  Mr. Scott
  I have been asked to reply.

  Information on public expenditure on care services for disabled people is currently available in a number of publications. The public expenditure White Paper analyses past and present expenditure on social security both by broad client groups and by individual benefits, some of which may be relevant to the provision of care. Expenditure on health and personal social services by broad client group is published in "Health and Personal Social Services Statistics", for example tables 2.8, 2.6 and 2.9, in the key indicators of local authority social services package; and in the local authority profiles. Information is also available from Health Service cost returns and reports of the Social Services Committee, copies of which are available in the Library. The use made by disabled people of general health and social services (for example acute hospital services and home help services) is not separately identified. We have no plans to change the present publication arrangements.

  Contraceptive Services
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those district health authorities who have(a) expanded and (b) contracted their provision of contraceptive services in each of the last three years.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 11 December 1989]: The information is not available in exactly the form requested.

  The data collected cover the number of family planning clinic sessions, and attendances at family planning clinics.
  171
  The latest available figures are for 1987–88. The districts listed, copies of which have been placed in the Library, are those where:

  (1) both the number of attendances and the number of sessions held increased over the period 1984 to 1987–88. (14 districts)

  (2) both the number of attendances and the number of sessions decreased over the same period. (110 districts)

  (3) the number of attendances decreased while the number of sessions increased. (58 districts)

  (4) the number of attendances increased while the number of sessions decreased. (9 districts)

  The number of sessions offered by family planning clinics may be reduced as part of a rationalisation of services by health authorities to make more effective use of available resources. Some 97 per cent. of general practitioners provide planning services and about 65 per cent. of the women using family planning services prefer to see a general practitioner.

  Government policy remains that people should be free to choose their source of family planning advice and that health authority contraceptive services complement, rather than duplicate, those which general practitioners provide. This is reflected in current guidance issued to health authorities by the Department.

  NHS Reform
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many written comments he received on(a) the White Paper "Working for Patients" and (b) the White Paper "Care in the Community", and how many of (a) and (b) were favourable to the proposals.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 18 December 1989]: More than 13,500 written comments have been received on the Government's proposals to improve the Health Service. Many ask questions, many support all or some of the proposals, some refer only to specific aspects. It is not possible to distinguish them in the way the hon. Member requests. We have also received a number of comments on the White Paper "Caring for People". These are generally favourable, but seek clarification on a

  Table 1

  Supplementary benefit (income support from April 1988) to people in independent residential care homes and nursing homes

  Expenditure £ million (current prices)

  Expenditure £ million (May 1988 prices)1

  Number of claimants (000s)

  Number in residential care homes (000s)

  Number in nursing homes (000s)

  Average payment (£ per week current prices1)

  Average payment (£per week May 1988 prices)

  Proportion of residents receiving supplementary benefit percentage1

  December 1979

  10

  18

  12

  2—

  2—

  16·0

  33·1

  14

  December 1980

  18

  27

  13

  2—

  2—

  26·6

  43·6

  14

  December 1981

  23

  31

  13

  2—

  2—

  34·0

  50·5

  13

  December 1982

  39

  50

  16

  2—

  2—

  46·9

  61·7

  16

  December 1983

  104

  127

  26

  2—

  2—

  76·9

  92·9

  23

  December 1984

  200

  234

  42

  2—

  2—

  91·6

  107·6

  31

  December 1985

  348

  385

  70

  55

  15

  95·6

  105·8

  44

  February 1986

  459

  505

  90

  70

  20

  98·1

  107·8

  55

  May 1987

  671

  699

  117

  85

  32

  110·3

  115·0

  53

  May 1988

  878

  878

  147

  103

  44

  115·0

  115·0

  61

  May 1989

  1,105

  1,020

  176

  119

  57

  120·7

  111·5

  2—

  1 Estimated only—data on resident numbers are incomplete across all care groups.

  2 Figures are not available.

  Note: Adjusted to constant prices on basis of RPI.
  172
  number of points. The lengthy Labour party campaign produced the equivalent of about 300 postcards for each district health authority area.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Members' Staff
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how many employees employed by hon. Members are paid for through the secretarial and office allowance.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  A total of 1,262 in the month of December 1989.

  The above figure relates to persons directly employed by Members, ie, paid through the PAYE system. It does not include persons who are self-employed or fee-earning, or agency and other staff provided through an arrangement with a firm or business organisation.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Benefit Statistics
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will update the information given in tables 1 and 2 in answer to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, Central on 21 December 1988,Official Report, columns 303–6 to April/May 1989 using April/May 1988 prices and supply additional information on the proportion of residents on supplementary benefit/income support from February 1986, update table 2 in May 1989 prices and provide the figures for the categories mentioned in table 2 as per the uprating due to take effect in April 1990.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The information requested is in the tables. All figures in table 1 are estimates. Information on the proportion of residents receiving income support is not yet available beyond May 1988. Table 2 provides information from April 1985 when the current system of national limits was introduced.
  173

  Table 2

  Residential care and nursing home limits—April 1985-April 1990 (Proposed)

  April 1985

  November 1985

  July 1986

  April 1987

  April 1988

  April 1989

  April 1990

  Residential care category

  £ (current prices)

  £ (May 1989 prices)

  £ (current prices)

  £ (May 1989 prices)

  £ (current prices)

  £ (May 1989 prices)

  £ (current prices)

  £ (May 1989 prices)

  £ (current prices)

  £ (May 1989 prices)

  £ (cash)

  £ (cash)

  Elderly

  110

  133

  120

  144

  125

  147

  130

  147

  130

  141

  140

  150

  Very Dependent or Blind Elderly

  —

  —

  —

  —

  140

  165

  145

  164

  155

  168

  155

  165

  Mentally Ill

  120

  146

  130

  156

  130

  153

  130

  147

  130

  141

  140

  150

  Drug/Alcohol

  120

  146

  130

  156

  130

  153

  130

  147

  130

  141

  140

  150

  Mentally Handicapped

  140

  170

  150

  180

  150

  177

  150

  169

  160

  174

  160

  170

  Physically Disabled under pension age

  170

  206

  180

  216

  180

  212

  190

  215

  190

  207

  190

  200

  Other

  110

  133

  120

  144

  125

  147

  130

  147

  130

  141

  140

  150

  Nursing Home Category

  Elderly

  138·60

  168

  170

  204

  170

  200

  175

  198

  185

  201

  190

  200

  Mentally Ill

  148·60

  180

  180

  216

  180

  212

  180

  203

  185

  201

  195

  200

  Drug/Alcohol

  148·60

  180

  180

  216

  180

  212

  180

  203

  185

  201

  195

  205

  Mentally Handicapped

  168·60

  205

  200

  240

  200

  236

  200

  226

  200

  217

  205

  215

  Physically Disabled under pension age

  198·60

  241

  230

  276

  230

  271

  230

  260

  230

  250

  235

  245

  Terminally Ill

  198·60

  241

  230

  276

  230

  271

  230

  260

  230

  250

  235

  245

  Contracts
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many contracts over £92,500 have been let by his Department in the 1988–89 financial year and in the current financial year to date; and how many of these were(a) automatically renewed and (b) open to competition by advertisement throughout the European Community.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The number of contracts awarded by the then Department of Health and Social Security and covered by the provisions of the EC supplies directive, for which the current threshold is £92,000, was 40 in the 1988–89 financial year. Of these 37 were awarded following advertisement in the EC Journal and one was considered to be exempt from advertising and may have been awarded to the previous supplier.

  The number of contracts awarded by the Department of Social Security and covered by the provisions of the EC supplies directive, for which the current threshold is £92,000, is 14 in the current financial year to date. All were awarded following advertisement in the EC Journal.

  Begging
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the number of people begging in (i) London and (ii) the rest of the country; what recent surveys have been carried out; and if he will institute a survey now so as to ascertain the up-to-date numbers involved.

  Mr. John Patten
  I have been asked to reply.

  The only statistics available are of the number prosecuted for begging each year. In 1988 there were 573 such prosecutions in England and Wales of which 512 (89 per cent.) resulted in convictions. In the Metropolitan police district there were 500 prosecutions of which 455 (91 per cent.) resulted in convictions. We have no present plans to institute a survey on begging.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Andy Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he has yet reached any conclusion as a result of his continued monitoring of the social fund.

  Mr. Tony Newton
  Our continued monitoring of the social fund suggests that it is generally working well. After a slow start in the first year, awareness of both community care grants and of the interest-free loan system has clearly grown. Arrangements for repayment also appear to be working well, indeed, the flow of repayments is somewhat higher than had been forecast, though this partly reflects the pattern of loans in the previous financial year.

  It is however also clear from our monitoring that, as might be expected at what is still a relatively early stage in the fund's operation, the pattern of demand varies from office to office, and the present budgets of certain offices have come under exceptional pressure. We shall of course seek to take these factors into account in setting the allocation for 1990–91, which we shall do in the early part of next year. Meanwhile, however, I intend to increase the gross budget of the fund by about £3 million in 1989–90, in order to increase the individual allocation of just under 100 offices where such particular pressures have arisen. In view of the flow of repayments, this will not entail a corresponding increase in the expected net total of expenditure in the present year.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will review the national allocation to the social fund for the current year as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given today to my hon. Friend the Member for Sherwood (Mr. Stewart).

  Homelessness
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Social Security what special resources have been made available to support the homeless and destitute over the Christmas period.
  175
  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The social security system provides substantial help for the homeless and destitute at all times of the year. The Government are keeping under review whether special emergency arrangements are necessary to meet special problems and, if so, what form of help would be most effective.

  Benefit Claimants, Woolwich
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what consideration his Department undertook before deciding to transfer responsibility for all benefit claimants in Abbey Wood SE12 and Thamesmead SE28 from the Woolwich to the Bexley office.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The transfer of responsibility for all benefit claimants to our Bexley office forms part of a larger scheme to improve service to the public in the Lewisham/Eltham, Woolwich/Bexley area.

  Before taking the decision a survey was carried out into the population distribution of the area and into lines of communication to the relevant offices. Another factor taken into account was that the postal districts in question were already dealt with by two separate offices. It has been our policy for some time in the London area to avoid unnecessary confusion by arranging for complete postal districts to be dealt with by a single local office.

  We are very much aware of the need for the local community to have easy access to advice and information. We believe that by drawing together all benefits for a particular area into a single office we shall improve the overall standard of service to the public. Anyone who does not wish to visit an office and who needs general advice may use the DSS freeline service on 0800 666555. In addition, we are always ready to arrange a home visit if one is needed.

  Family Benefits
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was expenditure in the United Kingdom on maternity/family social protection benefits using the European system of integrated social protection statistics depreciation for each year from 1979 to the latest available; and what equivalent information he has for each of the other European Community member states.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The latest statistics available were published in June 1989 in issue 1989–2 of Eurostat's "Rapid Reports on Population and Social Conditions", a copy of which is in the Library.

  Local Offices, Edinburgh
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many staff at his Department's offices in Edinburgh speak(a) Urdu, (b) Punjabi, (c) Bengali, including the Sylheti dialect, (d) Chinese, (e) Farsi, (f) Hindi and (g) Gujerati.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  In the Department's five Edinburgh local offices there are two speakers of Urdu, two of Hindi and there is one speaker of Punjabi.

  Family Credit
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the number of people on family credit immediately before the start of the recent family credit 176
  publicity campaign; what was the number of successful claims during the campaign; what was the number of unsuccessful claims during the campaign; what is the number of claims currently awaiting processing; what is the number of people now receiving family credit; and if he has plans to follow up this campaign.

  Mr. Newton
  [holding answer 5 December 1989]: A further publicity campaign to promote awareness of family credit began on 6 November and is still continuing. A full evaluation of the effectiveness of the campaign will not be possible for some time, but in the first five weeks after it began a total of 107,000 claims were received compared with only 68,800 in the same period in 1988. Of the 107,000 claims, 62,200 were new claims from families not receiving an existing award, compared with 49,500 new claims in the five weeks before the campaign began. On 8 December, 63,600 claims were awaiting a response to inquiries (mainly from employers).

  Fuller information is available about the campaign conducted in the spring of 1989. During the nine weeks of TV publicity, nearly 260,000 claims were received. Separate information about the outcome of these particular claims is not available, but of all the claims decided in the three months following the start of the campaign over 160,000 received awards and some 134,000 were unsuccessful.

  At the end of March 1989, immediately before the spring campaign, about 280,000 families were receiving family credit. The number increased by the end of July to 313,000, and the latest indications are that by the end of September it rose further to about 320,000. (This latter figure was previously thought, as a result of a computer error, to have been reached two months earlier, thus the July figure is a correction of those published previously.) This estimate of about 320,000 is the latest available indicator of caseload prior to the start of the current campaign.

  Cold Weather Payments
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will raise the threshold of capital assets at which disqualification for cold weather payments operate; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Newton
  [holding answer 18 December 1989]: Following the uprating statement I made on 25 October, I am pleased to announce that today I have laid regulations which amend the Social Fund Cold Weather Payments (General) Regulations, so that from 1 January 1990 elderly people who are receiving income support may be able to qualify for cold weather payments whilst retaining up to £1,000 in savings. The increase in the amount of capital that people aged 60 and over may have before it affects entitlement to cold weather payments will enable more elderly people to obtain help with the extra cost of heating their homes at times of very cold weather.

  The regulations also correct defects in the regulations concerning the treatment of the capital of a claimant's partner and the description of the areas covered by the national climatological message stations.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Farm and Moorland Holdings
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) if he will list the address and location of all freehold and leasehold farm and moorland holdings of the Duchy of Lancaster, showing the different categories, stating when first acquired by the duchy;

  (2) if he will list the address, type and size of all freehold and leasehold property holdings of the Duchy of Lancaster, showing the different categories located in (a) Greater London, (b) Aldershot, (c) Bedford, (d) Bristol, (e) Kettering, (f) Leeds, (g) Leicester, (h) Lewes, (i) Northampton, (j) Hadley Wood and (k) Harrogate.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  [holding answer 7 December 1989]: It would be impractical to list the addresses and locations of all the property holdings of the Duchy of Lancaster as these would number several hundred items. However I hope that the following summary will be helpful.

  The freehold farm and moorland properties owned by the Duchy or in which the Duchy has an interest are as follows:

  Estates: Predominantly agricultural in nature in the following counties:

  County

  Acreage (approx):

  Northamptonshire and Lincolnshire

  2,865

  Staffordshire and Cheshire

  12,350

  Lancashire

  10,920

  Yorkshire

  9,318

  35,453

  In addition, the Duchy owns some fifteen thousand acres of moorland in north Yorkshire and south Wales most of which are subject to common rights.

  The estates include some 165 agricultural tenancies and 3,145 acres of woodland.

  There are no leasehold ownerships in this category.

  In all of the counties other than Cheshire ownership of part of the holdings can be established from 1267. Subsequent additions have been made.

  In Cheshire, estates have been acquired over the last 50 or so years.

  Other property ownership, all of which are freehold except for a long leasehold property in the City of London, may be summarised as follows:

  (a) Greater London The freehold of properties in the Manor of Savoy bounded by Lancaster Place, the Embankment, Savoy Hill and Strand (including the Savoy Chapel) and a building at 2/4 Lancaster Place to 137 Strand. A Substantial part of these properties are let on building lease or equivalent terms, having between twenty-nine and ninety years unexpired.

  Two office buildings, one freehold and one leasehold, are owned in the City of London, both are let on long leases without reviews.

  (b) Aldershot None.

  (c) Bedford One shop in High street.

  (d) Bristol None.

  (e) Kettering None.

  (f) Leeds None.

  (g) Leicester One shop in High street.

  (h) Lewes One shop in High street.

  (i) Northampton None.

  (j) Hadley Wood

  i. Twenty-six acres of land and twenty-nine cottages.

  ii. Two petrol filling stations (on long lease).

  178

  (k) Harrogate Miscellaneous commercial properties in Harrogate which include five shops, one hotel, and a house now converted to offices.

  These properties, in the main, are let on occupational leases. There is also the remainder of a residential estate developed over a period of one-hundred years or so producing thirty-six ground rents. The freehold reversions are sold to the lessees on terms which follow the provisions of the Leasehold Reform Acts.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Value Added Tax
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what compensatory payments Customs and Excise make to traders when a court or value added tax tribunal has decided that value added tax was incorrectly charged.

  Mr. Ryder
  Section 40(4) of the Value Added Tax Act 1983 provides that, when a tribunal decides that VAT should not have been charged by Customs, a compensatory payment of interest should be made in addition to repayment of the tax itself. Interest is also payable by order of a court. In cases analogous with those where such a finding has been reached, Customs make ex gratia payments in lieu of interest.

  All of these payments fall as a charge on subhead B1 of class XIX vote 2. A recent case where the House of Lords found against Customs is considered to be applicable to a substantial number of similar cases in which Customs had previously refused full repayment. As a result, some significant costs will be incurred in 1989–90. These costs are currently being assessed and will be reflected in a spring Supplementary Estimate which will be presented to Parliament.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many letters have been sent out from value added tax headquarters at Southend in the current year and in each of the last two years to value added tax defaulters threatening surcharge in respect of payments which related to taxpayers who were(a) less than three days late with their returns, (b) less than seven days late with their returns and (c) less than 14 days late with their returns; and if he will estimate the cost of this administrative action.

  Mr. Ryder
  A trader is sent a notice warning of liability to default surcharge when value added tax returns or payments have been received late but records are not available in a form which enables me to provide the information requested.

  Capital Gains Tax
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the treatment for capital gains tax of shares issued under the business start-up and business expansion schemes before 19 March 1986.

  Mr. Lilley
  Up to 5 April 1988, when shares issued before 19 March 1986 under the business start-up scheme or business expansion scheme were exchanged for shares in another company on a takeover or company reconstruction, the transaction was generally not regarded as giving rise to a disposal for capital gains tax purposes. Instead
  179
  any gain or loss which would otherwise have accrued was effectively rolled over into the new share holding. The Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 changed the law affecting business start-up and business expansion scheme shares issued before 19 March 1986 so that after 5 April 1988 roll-over treatment was no longer available where incomes tax relief had been given on these shares and not withdrawn. This change in the law was not intended.

  The Government therefore propose to bring forward legislation in the 1990 Finance Bill to restore the previous capital gains tax treatment for exchange or cancellations of business start-up and business expansion scheme shares after 5 April 1988 which are affected by this change in the law. For a limited period shareholders will, however, be able to choose to have an exchange or cancellation of shares which takes place before 1 January 1990 treated under the provisions as they currently apply, if this is to their advantage.

  Government Expenditure
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Report tables showing, for the latest years now available, identifiable general Government expenditure by function in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom expressed (a) in cash terms, (b) as a percentage of United Kingdom total identifiable general Government expenditure, (c) as an amount per capita, and (d) as an amount per capita expressed as an index, United Kingdom identifiable general Government expenditure = 100.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  Most public expenditure is planned on a national basis and there is no geographical disaggregation apart from expenditure which is the responsibility of the territorial Departments. However, in order to provide a more comprehensive breakdown of public expenditure within the four countries of the United Kingdom an additional analysis, covering outturn years, is carried out each year. This analysis allocates, where possible, expenditure to England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland and therefore includes within the territories a wider coverage of expenditure than that for which the Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are directly responsible.

  In previous years this analysis has covered expenditure included within the planning total. Since the new planning total (announced in Cm. 441), on which outturn and plans for future years were published in the Autumn Statement (Cm. 879), includes central Government support for local authorities rather than local authority expenditure, the basis of the territorial analysis has been changed this year to cover general Government expenditure. The analysis thus covers central Government's own expenditure, finance for public corporations, and local authorities' expenditure, as it has in the past. Public corporations' market and overseas borrowing is, however, excluded.
  180
  The analysis divides expenditure into "identifiable" and "non-identifiable" expenditure. The term "identifiable expenditure" refers to expenditure that can be identified from official records as having been incurred for the benefit of people in a particular country. The coverage of identifiable expenditure has been expanded since last year's exercise to include grants, subsidies and net lending to those public corporations, mainly dealing with housing and development, where allocation between territories is possible on a consistent basis. Total identifiable expenditure accounts for around three quarters of general Government expenditure. The remainder, unidentifiable expenditure, covers mainly expenditure deemed to have been incurred on behalf of the United Kingdom as a whole, for example, defence, overseas aid and other overseas services. The coverage of identifiable expenditure is largely unaffected by the change of basis to general Government expenditure.

  Tables 1 to 5 show figures for identifiable general Government expenditure according to main function in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in the years 1984–85 to 1988–89. The tables show identifiable general Government expenditure in each territory in total and on a per capita basis. The per capita figures are based on mid-year population estimates. Figures for earlier years are not available on a totally consistent basis with those given in these tables.

  Table 6 compares, for the latest year, 1988–89, expenditure by function in the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland programmes with the total identifiable expenditure in the respective countries. It shows that identifiable expenditure has a wider coverage than expenditure within the responsibilities of the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales; in the case of Northern Ireland it has a slightly wider coverage than the Northern Ireland programme. The table also shows, for 1988–89, unidentifiable expenditure where this can be allocated to function.

  In some cases, expenditure which cannot be separately identified for England, Scotland or Wales can be allocated to Great Britain rather than the United Kingdom; for example, the majority of the finance provided for expenditure by the nationalised industries can be allocated to Great Britain. Tables 7a and 7b compare Northern Ireland allocated expenditure with that allocated to Great Britain over the five-year period.

  The extent to which expenditure can be identified may vary from year to year and between countries. The coverage of particular functions can also vary between countries; for example, in Northern Ireland, expenditure on arts and libraries is contained in the education category.

  The terms and definitions used for this analysis are the same as those used for the recent Autumn Statement (Cm. 879) but the figures are based on less up-to-date outturn information.
  181

  Table 1a Identifiable general government expenditure 1984–85

  £ million

  As a percentage of United Kingdom indentifiable expenditure

  England

  Scotland

  Wales

  Northern Ireland

  United Kingdom

  England

  Scotland

  Wales

  Northern Ireland

  Agriculture, fisheries, food and forestry

  631·5

  234·1

  103·1

  159·7

  1,128·4

  56·0

  20·7

  9·1

  14·2

  Trade, industry, energy and employment

  3,290·6

  739·8

  385·4

  331·4

  4,747·2

  69·3

  15·6

  8·1

  7·0

  Roads and transport

  3,734·0

  503·8

  262·8

  100·7

  4,601·3

  81·2

  10·9

  5·7

  2·2

  Housing

  3,273·5

  665·9

  143·8

  336·4

  4,419·6

  74·1

  15·1

  3·3

  7·6

  Other environmental services

  3,573·5

  508·6

  270·2

  184·2

  4,536·5

  78·8

  11·2

  6·0

  4·1

  Law, order and protective services

  4,113·8

  508·1

  218·2

  433·3

  5,273·4

  78·0

  9·6

  4·1

  8·2

  Education and science

  13,489·1

  2,019·4

  840·6

  609·8

  16,958·9

  79·5

  11·9

  5·0

  3·6

  Arts and Libraries

  551·5

  69·1

  28·9

  0·0

  649·5

  84·9

  10·6

  4·4

  0·0

  Health and personal social services

  15,732·9

  2,180·3

  985·4

  665·6

  19,564·2

  80·4

  11·1

  5·0

  3·4

  Social security

  32,484·8

  3,673·3

  2,085·3

  1,202·0

  39,445·4

  82·4

  9·3

  5·3

  3·0

  Miscellaneous1

  1,084·9

  232·7

  108·2

  55·9

  1,481·7

  73·2

  15·7

  7·3

  3·8

  Total

  81,960·1

  11,335·1

  5,431·9

  4,079·0

  102,806·1

  79·7

  11·0

  5·3

  4·0

  Table 1b Identifiable general government expenditure per head 1984–85

  £ per head

  Index (United Kingdom identifiable expenditure = 100)

  England

  Scotland

  Wales

  Northern Ireland

  United Kingdom

  England

  Scotland

  Wales

  Northern Ireland

  Agriculture, fisheries, food and forestry

  13·4

  45·5

  36·7

  103·0

  20·0

  67·3

  227·6

  183·8

  515·4

  Trade, industry, energy and employment

  70·1

  143·8

  137·3

  213·8

  84·1

  83·3

  171·0

  163·3

  254·2

  Roads and transport

  79·5

  97·9

  93·6

  65·0

  81·5

  97·6

  120·1

  114·9

  79·7

  Housing

  69·7

  129·4

  51·2

  217·0

  78·3

  89·1

  165·3

  65·4

  277·2

  Other environmental services

  76·1

  98·8

  96·3

  118·8

  80·3

  94·7

  123·0

  119·8

  147·9

  Law, order and protective services

  87·6

  98·7

  77·7

  279·5

  93·4

  93·8

  105·7

  83·2

  299·2

  Education and science

  287·3

  392·4

  299·4

  393·3

  300·4

  95·6

  130·7

  99·7

  130·9

  Arts and Libraries

  11·7

  13·4

  10·3

  0·0

  11·5

  102·1

  116·7

  89·5

  0·0

  Health and presonal social services

  335·1

  423·7

  351·0

  429·3

  346·5

  96·7

  122·3

  101·3

  123·9

  Social security

  691·8

  713·9

  742·8

  775·3

  698·6

  99·0

  102·2

  106·3

  111·0

  Miscellaneous1

  23·1

  45·2

  38·5

  36·1

  26·2

  88·0

  172·3

  146·9

  137·4

  Total

  1,745·5

  2,202·8

  1,935·0

  2,630·9

  1,820·9

  95·9

  121·0

  106·3

  144·5

  1 Includes expenditure associated with the general maintenance of government, such as tax collection and population registration.

  Table 2a Identifiable general government expenditure 1985–86

  £ million

  As a percentage of United Kingdom identifiable expenditure

  England

  Scotland

  Wales

  Northern Ireland

  United Kingdom

  England

  Scotland

  Wales

  Northern Ireland

  Agriculture, fisheries, food and forestry

  632·7

  254·2

  109·3

  153·8

  1,150·0

  55·0

  22·1

  9·5

  13·4

  Trade, industry, energy and employment

  3,484·2

  683·3

  346·4

  375·4

  4,889·3

  71·3

  14·0

  7·1

  7·7

  Roads and transport

  3,486·3

  539·5

  268·4

  101·3

  4,395·5

  79·3

  12·3

  6·1

  2·3

  Housing

  2,969·8

  620·1

  135·3

  345·5

  4,070·7

  73·0

  15·2

  3·3

  8·5

  Other environmental services

  3,663·1

  501·2

  292·2

  196·5

  4,653·0

  78·7

  10·8

  6·3

  4·2

  Law, order and protective services

  4,191·9

  531·4

  228·4

  473·2

  5,424·9

  77·3

  9·8

  4·2

  8·7

  Education and science

  14,013·3

  2,101·8

  854·8

  637·4

  17,607·3

  79·6

  11·9

  4·9

  3·6

  Arts and libraries

  581·8

  75·1

  31·6

  0·0

  688·5

  84·5

  10·9

  4·6

  0·0

  Health and personal social services

  16,588·1

  2,315·3

  1,051·0

  697·8

  20,652·2

  80·3

  11·2

  5·1

  3·4

  Social security

  35,258·0

  4,072·1

  2,245·1

  1,310·1

  42,885·3

  82·2

  9·5

  5·2

  3·1

  Miscellaneous1

  1,186·9

  237·5

  108·9

  62·1

  1,595·4

  74·4

  14·9

  6·8

  3·9

  Total

  86,056·1

  11,931·5

  5,671·4

  4,353·1

  108,012·1

  79·7

  11·0

  5·3

  4·0

  182 183

  Table 2b Identifiable general government expenditure per head 1985–86

  £ per head

  Index (United Kingdom identifiable expenditure = 100)

  England

  Scotland

  Wales

  Northern Ireland

  United Kingdom

  England

  Scotland

  Wales

  Northern Ireland

  Agriculture, fisheries, food and forestry

  13·4

  49·5

  38·9

  98·7

  20·3

  66·1

  243·6

  191·4

  486·1

  Trade, industry, energy and employment

  74·0

  133·0

  123·2

  241·0

  86·4

  85·6

  154·0

  142·7

  279·1

  Roads and transport

  74·0

  105·0

  95·5

  65·0

  77·6

  95·3

  135·3

  123·0

  83·8

  Housing

  63·0

  120·7

  48·1

  221·8

  71·9

  87·7

  167·9

  66·9

  308·5

  Other environmental services

  77·8

  97·6

  103·9

  126·1

  82·2

  94·6

  118·7

  126·4

  153·5

  Law, order and protective services

  89·0

  103·5

  81·2

  303·8

  95·8

  92·9

  108·0

  84·8

  317·0

  Education and science

  297·4

  409·2

  304·0

  409·2

  311·0

  95·6

  131·6

  97·8

  131·6

  Arts and libraries

  12·3

  14·6

  11·2

  0·0

  12·2

  101·6

  120·2

  92·4

  0·0

  Health and personal social services

  352·1

  450·8

  373·8

  447·9

  364·8

  96·5

  123·6

  102·5

  122·8

  Social security

  748·4

  792·8

  798·5

  841·0

  757·5

  98·8

  104·7

  105·4

  111·0

  Miscellaneous1

  25·2

  46·2

  38·7

  39·9

  28·2

  89·4

  164·1

  137·4

  141·5

  Total

  1,826·6

  2,322·9

  2,017·0

  2,794·4

  1,907·7

  95·7

  121·8

  105·7

  146·5

  1 Includes expenditure associated with the general maintenance of government, such as tax collection and population registration.

  Table 3a Identifiable general government expenditure 1984–85

  £ million

  As a percentage of United Kingdom identifiable expenditure

  England

  Scotland

  Wales

  Northern Ireland

  United Kingdom

  England

  Scotland

  Wales

  Northern Ireland

  Agriculture, fisheries, food and forestry

  604·0

  231·2

  118·0

  159·4

  1,112·6

  54·3

  20·8

  10·6

  14·3

  Trade, industry, energy and employment

  3,897·6

  801·4

  433·3

  387·7

  5,520·0

  70·6

  14·5

  7·8

  7·0

  Roads and transport

  3,639·6

  575·5

  292·7

  105·0

  4,612·8

  78·9

  12·5

  6·3

  2·3

  Housing

  2,863·5

  630·2

  177·8

  334·7

  4,006·2

  71·5

  15·7

  4·4

  8·4

  Other environmental services

  3,846·5

  546·7

  330·4

  209·6

  4,933·2

  78·0

  11·1

  6·7

  4·2

  Law, order and protective services

  4,592·0

  580·7

  247·4

  520·8

  5,940·9

  77·3

  9·8

  4·2

  8·8

  Education and science

  15,298·3

  2,248·5

  942·5

  730·6

  19,219·9

  79·6

  11·7

  4·9

  3·8

  Arts and Libraries

  619·1

  81·9

  33·6

  0·0

  734·6

  84·3

  11·1

  4·6

  0·0

  Health and personal social services

  17,861·3

  2,444·6

  1·131·4

  748·7

  22,186·0

  80·5

  11·0

  5·1

  3·4

  Social security

  37,937·6

  4,356·6

  2,440·5

  1,423·2

  46,157·9

  82·2

  9·4

  5·3

  3·1

  Miscellaneous1

  1,332·5

  270·6

  120·8

  70·4

  1,794·3

  74·3

  15·1

  6·7

  3·9

  Total

  92,492·0

  12,7679

  6,268·4

  4,690·1

  116,218·4

  79·6

  11·0

  5·4

  4·0

  Table 3b Identifiable general government expenditure per head 1986–87

  £ per head

  Index (United Kingdom identifiable expenditure = 100)

  England

  Scotland

  Wales

  Northern Ireland

  United Kingdom

  England

  Scotland

  Wales

  Northern Ireland

  Agriculture, fisheries, food and forestry

  12·8

  45·1

  41·8

  101·7

  19·6

  65·2

  230·3

  213·4

  519·0

  Trade, industry, energy and employment

  82·5

  156·5

  153·6

  247·4

  97·2

  84·8

  160·9

  157·9

  254·5

  Roads and transport

  77·0

  112·4

  103·8

  67·0

  81·3

  94·8

  138·3

  127·7

  82·5

  Housing

  60·6

  123·1

  63·0

  213·6

  70·6

  85·9

  174·4

  89·3

  302·7

  Other environmental services

  81·4

  106·8

  117·1

  133·8

  86·9

  93·7

  122·8

  134·8

  153·9

  Law, order and protective services

  97·2

  113·4

  87·7

  332·4

  104·7

  92·8

  108·3

  83·8

  317·6

  Education and science

  323·7

  439·1

  334·1

  466·3

  338·6

  95·6

  129·7

  98·7

  137·7

  Arts and Libraries

  13·1

  16·0

  11·9

  0·0

  12·9

  101·2

  123·6

  92·0

  0·0

  Health and personal social services

  378·0

  477·4

  401·1

  477·9

  390·9

  96·7

  122·1

  102·6

  122·3

  Social security

  802·8

  850·7

  865·1

  908·3

  813·2

  98·7

  104·6

  106·4

  111·7

  Miscellaneous1

  28·2

  52·8

  42·8

  44·9

  31·6

  89·2

  167·2

  135·5

  142·1

  Total

  1,957·3

  2,493·2

  2,222·0

  2,993·4

  2,047·4

  95·6

  121·8

  108·5

  146·2

  1 Includes expenditure associated with the general maintenance of government, such as tax collection and population registration.

  184 185

  Table 4a Identifiable general government expenditure 1987–88

  £ million

  As a percentage of United Kingdom identifiable expenditure

  England

  Scotland

  Wales

  Northern Ireland

  United Kingdom

  England

  Scotland

  Wales

  Northern Ireland

  Agriculture, fisheries, food and forestry

  639·8

  222·2

  91·0

  157·8

  1,110·8

  57·6

  20·0

  8·2

  14·2

  Trade, industry, energy and employment

  3,699·8

  713·8

  415·0

  369·2

  5,197·8

  71·2

  13·7

  8·0

  7·1

  Roads and transport

  3,820·4

  590·4

  337·0

  108·6

  4,856·4

  78·7

  12·2

  6·9

  2·2

  Housing

  2,797·4

  715·7

  213·9

  336·6

  4,063·6

  68·8

  17·6

  5·3

  8·3

  Other environmental services

  3,751·8

  587·3

  356·8

  229·6

  4,925·5

  76·2

  11·9

  7·2

  4·7

  Law, order and protective services

  5,158·7

  649·8

  275·7

  591·7

  6,675·9

  77·3

  9·7

  4·1

  8·9

  Education and science

  16,644·0

  2,444·8

  1,046·4

  789·1

  20,924·3

  79·5

  11·7

  5·0

  3·8

  Arts and Libraries

  674·1

  86·3

  37·2

  0·0

  797·6

  84·5

  10·8

  4·7

  0·0

  Health and personal social services

  19,657·5

  2,666·2

  1,256·4

  810·1

  24,390·2

  80·6

  10·9

  5·2

  3·3

  Social security

  39,364·1

  4,654·0

  2,547·1

  1,504·1

  48,069·3

  81·9

  9·7

  5·3

  3·1

  Miscellaneous1

  1,524·7

  296·0

  130·7

  72·2

  2,023·6

  75·3

  14·6

  6·5

  3·6

  Total

  97,732·3

  13,626·5

  6,702·2

  4,969·0

  123,035·0

  79·4

  11·1

  5·5

  4·0

  Table 4b Identifiable general government expenditure 1987–88

  £ per head

  Index (United Kingdom identifiable expenditure = 100)

  England

  Scotland

  Wales

  Northern Ireland

  United Kingdom

  England

  Scotland

  Wales

  Northern Ireland

  Agriculture, fisheries, food and forestry

  13·5

  43·4

  32·1

  100·2

  19·5

  69·2

  222·3

  164·4

  513·5

  Trade, industry, energy and employment

  78·0

  139·4

  146·3

  234·4

  91·3

  85·5

  152·6

  160·3

  256·7

  Roads and transport

  80·6

  115·3

  118·8

  68·9

  85·3

  94·5

  135·1

  139·3

  80·8

  Housing

  59·0

  139·7

  75·4

  213·7

  71·4

  82·7

  195·8

  105·7

  299·4

  Other environmental services

  79·1

  114·7

  125·8

  145·8

  86·5

  91·5

  132·5

  145·4

  168·5

  Law, order and protective services

  108·8

  126·9

  97·2

  375·7

  117·3

  92·8

  108·2

  82·9

  320·4

  Education and science

  351·1

  477·3

  368·9

  501·0

  367·5

  95·5

  129·9

  100·4

  136·3

  Arts and Libraries

  14·2

  16·8

  13·1

  0·0

  14·0

  101·5

  120·3

  93·6

  0·0

  Health and personal social services

  414·7

  520·5

  443·0

  514·3

  428·4

  96·8

  121·5

  103·4

  120·0

  Social security

  830·3

  908·6

  898·1

  954·9

  844·4

  98·3

  107·6

  106·4

  113·1

  Miscellaneous1

  32·2

  57·8

  46·1

  45·8

  35·5

  90·5

  162·6

  129·6

  129·0

  Total

  2,061·6

  2,660·3

  2,364·9

  3,154·7

  2,161·2

  95·4

  123·1

  109·4

  146·0

  1 Includes expenditure associated with the general maintenance of government, such as tax collection and population registration.

  Table 5a Identifiable general government expenditure 1988–89

  £ million

  As a percentage of United Kingdom identifiable expenditure

  England

  Scotland

  Wales

  Northern Ireland

  United Kingdom

  England

  Scotland

  Wales

  Northern Ireland

  Agriculture, fisheries, food and forestry

  786·4

  254·0

  106·5

  171·4

  1,318·3

  59·7

  19·3

  8·1

  13·0

  Trade, industry, energy and employment

  3,923·3

  687·2

  416·0

  1786·2

  5,812·7

  67·5

  11·8

  7·2

  13·5

  Roads and transport

  3,922·6

  616·7

  342·7

  110·9

  4,992·9

  78·6

  12·4

  6·9

  2·2

  Housing

  1,982·8

  664·1

  172·1

  335·2

  3,154·2

  62·9

  21·1

  5·5

  10·6

  Other environmental services

  4,050·2

  662·3

  364·3

  260·2

  5,337·0

  75·9

  12·4

  6·8

  4·9

  Law, order and protective services

  5,744·9

  719·5

  309·2

  639·7

  7,413·3

  77·5

  9·7

  4·2

  8·6

  Education and science

  17,930·4

  2,660·4

  1,116·3

  851·7

  22,558·8

  79·5

  11·8

  4·9

  3·8

  Arts and Libraries

  794·6

  90·2

  42·0

  0·0

  926·8

  85·7

  9·7

  4·5

  0·0

  Health and personal social services

  21,768·9

  2,981·5

  1,395·5

  882·8

  27,028·7

  80·5

  11·0

  5·2

  3·3

  Social security

  40,111·3

  4,641·1

  2,701·8

  1,599·7

  49,053·9

  81·8

  9·5

  5·5

  3·3

  Miscellaneous2

  1,698·5

  313·9

  143·4

  83·9

  2,239·7

  75·8

  14·0

  6·4

  3·7

  Total

  102,713·9

  14,290·9

  7,109·8

  5,721·7

  129,836·3

  79·1

  11·0

  5·5

  4·4

  186 187

  Table 5b Identifiable public expenditure per head 1988–89

  £ per head

  Index (United Kingdom identifiable expenditure = 100)

  England

  Scotland

  Wales

  Northern Ireland

  United Kingdom

  England

  Scotland

  Wales

  Northern Ireland

  Agriculture, fisheries, food and forestry

  16·5

  49·9

  37·3

  108·6

  23·1

  71·6

  215·8

  161·4

  470·2

  Trade, industry, energy and employment

  82·5

  134·9

  145·6

  1498·2

  101·9

  81·0

  132·4

  142·9

  489·1

  Roads and transport

  82·5

  121·1

  120·0

  70·3

  87·5

  94·3

  138·4

  137·1

  80·3

  Housing

  41·7

  130·4

  60·2

  212·4

  55·3

  75·5

  235·9

  109·0

  384·3

  Other environmental services

  85·2

  130·0

  127·5

  164·9

  93·5

  91·1

  139·0

  136·3

  176·3

  Law, order and protective services

  120·9

  141·2

  108·2

  405·4

  129·9

  93·0

  108·7

  83·3

  312·1

  Education and science

  377·2

  522·3

  390·7

  539·7

  395·3

  95·4

  132·1

  98·8

  136·5

  Arts and Libraries

  16·7

  17·7

  14·7

  0·0

  16·2

  102·9

  109·0

  90·5

  0·0

  Health and personal social services

  457·9

  585·3

  488·4

  559·4

  473·6

  96·7

  123·6

  103·1

  118·1

  Social security

  843·8

  911·1

  945·7

  1,013·8

  859·6

  98·2

  106·0

  110·0

  117·9

  Miscellaneous2

  35·7

  61·6

  50·2

  53·2

  39·2

  91·0

  157·0

  127·9

  135·5

  Total

  2,160·7

  2,805·4

  2,488·6

  3,625·9

  2,275·2

  95·0

  123·3

  109·4

  159·4

  1 Includes £390 million (£247 per head) for costs associated with the privatisation of Short Brothers PLC.

  2 Includes expenditure associated with the general maintenance of government, such as tax collection and population registration.

  Table 6: General government expenditure1 analysed by territorial area and function 1988–89

  £ million

  Identifiable expenditure

  England

  Scotland (Total)

  Programme 152

  Scotland other

  Wales (Total)

  Programme 162

  Wales other

  Northern Ireland (Total)

  Programme 172

  Northern Ireland other

  Total

  Non-Identified

  United Kingdom

  Defence

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  18,974·4

  18,974·4

  Overseas services

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2,268·9

  2,268·9

  Agriculture, fisheries, food and forestry

  786·4

  254·0

  199·1

  54·9

  106·3

  83·9

  22·6

  171·4

  169·9

  1·5

  1,318·3

  882·1

  2,200·4

  Trade, industry, energy and employment

  3,923·3

  687·2

  266·2

  421·0

  416·0

  186·1

  229·9

  3786·2

  3786·2

  —

  5,812·7

  2,551·1

  8,364·1

  Roads and transport

  3,922·6

  616·7

  615·7

  1·0

  342·7

  342·7

  —

  110·9

  110·9

  —

  4,992·9

  877·0

  5,869·9

  Housing

  1,982·8

  664·1

  664·1

  —

  172·1

  172·1

  —

  335·2

  335·2

  —

  3,154·2

  16·2

  3,170·4

  Other environmental services

  4,050·2

  662·3

  656·5

  5·8

  364·3

  359·2

  5·1

  260·2

  260·2

  —

  5,337·0

  727·6

  6,064·6

  Law, order and protective services

  5344·9

  719·5

  692·7

  26·8

  309·2

  —

  309·2

  639·7

  606·8

  32·9

  7,413·3

  1,372·8

  8,786·1

  Education and science4

  17,930·4

  2,660·4

  2,318·0

  342·4

  1,116·3

  946·4

  169·9

  851·7

  849·5

  2·2

  22,558·8

  133·3

  22,692·1

  Arts and libraries4

  794·6

  90·2

  90·2

  —

  42·0

  42·0

  —

  4—

  4—

  —

  926·8

  179·4

  1,106·2

  Health and personal social services

  21,768·9

  2,981·5

  2,981·5

  —

  1,395·5

  1,395·5

  —

  882·8

  882·8

  —

  27,028·7

  -32·8

  26,995·9

  Social security

  40,111·3

  4,641·1

  —

  4,641·1

  2,701·8

  —

  2,701·8

  1,599·7

  1,587·9

  11·8

  49,053·9

  798·9

  49,852·8

  Miscellaneous5

  1,698·5

  313·9

  116·3

  197·6

  143·4

  42·5

  100·9

  83·9

  47·6

  36·3

  2,239·7

  3,031·3

  5,271·0

  Total expenditure

  102,713·9

  14,290·9

  8,600·3

  5,690·6

  7,109·8

  3,570·4

  3,539·4

  5,721·7

  5,637·0

  84·7

  129,836·3

  31,780·5

  161,616·8

  1 Items included in general government expenditure but not included within total expenditure on programmes (privatisiation proceeds, general government debt interest and accounting adjustments) are treated as unidentified expenditure ad not allocated to territories.

  2 Programmes 15, 16 and 17 relate to expenditure programmes in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland covered by the respective chapters of the 1989 public expenditure White Paper (Cm. 616–618).

  3 Includes £390 million for costs associated with the privatisation of Short Brothers PLC.

  4 Expenditure on arts and libraries in Northern Ireland is included with education and science.

  5 Includes contribution to European Communities and expenditure associated with the general maintenance of government, such as tax collection and population registration.

  Table 7a

  General government expenditure1 in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, 1984–85 to 1988–89

  £ million

  As a percentage of Great Britain and Northern Ireland total

  Great Britain

  Northern Ireland

  Total

  Great Britain

  Northern Ireland

  1984–85

  103,494·2

  4,182·4

  107,676·6

  96·1

  3·9

  1985–86

  109,051·4

  4,444·1

  113,495·5

  96·1

  3·9

  1986–87

  115,898·1

  4,724·4

  120,622·5

  96·1

  3·9

  1987–88

  122,951·2

  4,921·2

  127,872·3

  96·2

  3·8

  1988–89

  129,205·0

  25,737·9

  134,942·9

  95·7

  4·3

  188 189

  Table 7b

  General government expenditure per head1 in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, 1984–85 to 1988–89

  £ per head

  Index (Great Britain and Northern Ireland = 100)

  Great Britain

  Northern Ireland

  Total

  Great Britain

  Northern Ireland

  1984–85

  1,884·8

  2,697·6

  1,907·1

  98·8

  141·4

  1985–86

  1,980·6

  2,852·8

  2,004·6

  98·8

  142·3

  1986–87

  2,099·7

  3,015·3

  2,125·0

  98·8

  141·9

  1987–88

  2,221·1

  3,124·3

  2,246·1

  98·9

  139·1

  1988–89

  2,328·6

  23,636·0

  2,364·7

  98·5

  153·8

  1 The figures in these tables differ from those for identifiable expenditure given in tables 1–6 because their coverage is wider; in particular some of the finance provided for nationalised industries is included.

  2 Includes £390 million (£247 per head) for costs associated with the privatisation of Short Brothers plc.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the share offer price, the closing price on the first day and the current share price for each of the privatisations since 1979.

  Year

  Offer price

  First installment (pence)

  Closing price on first day dealing

  Current price1

  British Petroleum

  1979

  363

  150

  n/a

  1983

  435

  200

  n/a

  333

  1987

  330

  120

  85

  British Aerospace

  1981

  150

  —

  171

  561

  1985

  375

  200

  2345

  Cable and Wireless

  1981

  168

  —

  197

  1983

  275

  100

  98

  520

  1985

  587

  300

  303

  Amersham International

  1982

  142

  —

  188

  361

  Britoil

  1982

  215

  100

  81

  3—

  1985

  185

  100

  122

  Associated British Ports

  1983

  112

  —

  138

  1984

  270

  100

  102

  612

  Enterprise Oil

  1984

  185

  100

  100

  668

  Jaguar

  1984

  165

  —

  179

  845

  British Telecom

  1984

  130

  50

  93

  289·5

  British Gas

  1986

  135

  50

  62·5

  228·5

  British Airways

  1987

  125

  65

  109

  211

  Rolls-Royce

  1987

  170

  85

  147

  171

  BAA

  1987

  245

  100

  146

  387

  British Steel

  1988

  125

  60

  62

  131·5

  Anglian Water

  1989

  240

  100

  4148·5

  Northumbrian Water Group

  1989

  240

  100

  157

  North West Water Group

  1989

  240

  100

  135

  Severn Trent

  1989

  240

  100

  131

  Southern Water

  1989

  240

  100

  141

  South West Water

  1989

  240

  100

  147

  Thames Water

  1989

  240

  100

  136

  Welsh Water

  1989

  240

  100

  141

  Wessex Water

  1989

  240

  100

  154

  Yorkshire Water

  1989

  240

  100

  149

  Package of 10 Water Companies5

  1989

  £2,400

  £1,000

  £1,395

  1 Current prices on 12 December 1989.

  2 Opening share price on first day of dealing; closing price on that day not available.

  3 Taken over by BP in 1988.

  4 Shares in the 10 water plcs began trading on 12 December 1989.

  5 Package of 1,000 shares consisting of shares in each individual water plc in proportion to market capitalisation at offer price.

  Warsaw Pact
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list, for each of the countries of the Warsaw pact, the terms of the grants and loans, over the last year, to which the United Kingdom has contributed.

  Mr. Ryder
  These are as follows:
  190
  Mr. Lilley
  The information the hon. Member requested is as follows.

  POLAND:

  Know-How Fund of £50 million over 5 years (grant)
  The general aim is to finance projects and training in political and economic skills that will underpin democracy and assist economic reform. There are no specific terms.

  $100 million contribution to $1 billion Stabilisation Fund (grant)
  Terms are that an economic adjustment programme

  191
  agreed with the International Monetary Fund should he in place. The Stabilisation Fund will be available to support policies aimed at liberalisation of payments and transfers for current international transactions. Its management will be agreed between the contributors and the Polish authorities.

  300 million ecu aid (for Poland and Hungary) (grant)
  Although not disbursed, provision has been included in the 1990 European Community budget. No terms are attached but it is intended that the money be used in areas such as imports of pesticides and agricultural machinery, environmental protection and training that will help with restructuring the economy.

  100 million ecu emergency food Aid (for Poland and Hungary) (grant)
  Aid agreed by Community agriculture Council last July to cover shortages of beef and cereals. Mostly from 1989 EC budget, but small part from 1990 EC budget.

  Exchange Rate
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the sterling value of the European currency unit at today's price equivalent for each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Ryder
  There is no single definition of real exchange rates. The nominal sterling/ecu exchange rate is published in the Central Statistical Office's "Financial Statistics", table 13.1.

  Friendly Societies
  Mr. Hanley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to publish either a Green or White Paper on new legislation for friendly societies following the Treasury's internal review commenced in September 1988.

  Mr. Ryder
  I hope to be able to publish the conclusions of our review early in the new year.

  Retail Prices Index
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will bring up to date the information on the weight of council rents etc., in the retail prices index given in his written reply to the hon. Member for Great Grimsby on 29 July 1988,Official Report, columns 800–01.

  Mr. Ryder
  Following is the information:

  Rents

  Mortgage interest payments

  All items in retail prices index

  Weight in retail prices index in 1989

  32

  60

  1,000

  Weekly expenditure (in £) on which the weight is based (average over all households covered by the RPI, both tenants and owner-occupiers), at January 1989 prices

  6·55

  12·47

  —

  Percentage change in year to January 1989

  8·2

  49·9

  7·5

  Mortgage Debt
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the ratio of outstanding personal mortgage debt to disposable incomes before tax in 1966, 1970, 1974, 1979, 1983, 1985 and 1988; what was the average rate of interest payable; and what was the ratio of interest payments to disposable incomes.
  192
  Mr. Ryder
  Figures for outstanding personal mortgage debt and average building society mortgage rates can be obtained from "Financial Statistics", and figures on personal disposable incomes are given in "United Kingdom National Accounts", both published by the CSO. Figures for average mortgage rates covering all lenders are not available.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the criteria used at local Customs and Excise offices to determine whether value added tax is charged on small cycle helmets, as opposed to children's cycle helmets; if he will make it his policy to apply a zero value added tax rating on all cycle helmets; and if he will make a statement on the current variation in the application of value added tax on cycle helmets between different local Customs and Excise offices.

  Mr. Ryder
  [holding answer 18 December 1989]: There is no general relief from value added tax for cyclists' safety helmets and under European Community law no such relief could now be introduced. However helmets falling within the provisions of group 17 of schedule 5 to the Value Added Tax Act 1983, as articles designed for young children and not suitable for older persons, are relieved from the tax. While it is for the sellers of goods to determine their liability under value added tax law, local Customs and Excise offices are glad to offer advice on request. If the hon. Member has any particular problem in mind I would urge him to take it up with the chairman of Customs and Excise.

  Security Vetting
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the amount to compensate civil servants undergoing security vetting is calculated; how much it is; how often it is paid; and how much has been spent on it in the current financial year.

  Mr. Ryder
  [holding answer 18 December 1989]: Civil servants are not compensated for undergoing security vetting.

  Rover Group
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which departmental Ministers and officials represented the Government in the discussions with British Aerospace on the applicability of section 768 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 to proposals to be made by British Aerospace following their acquisition of Rover Group.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 18 December 1989]: Discussions leading up to the exchange of correspondence of 8 July 1988 between Inland Revenue and British Aerospace's advisers—which has been placed in the Library—were concerned with explaining how the Revenue approaches the law in this area and its possible application to possible changes in Rover Group's trade. The procedural arrangements for conveying the Revenue's formal views on any such changes were also discussed. The discussions were between British Aerospace, its advisers and the Inland Revenue. Officials from the Department of Trade and Industry and their advisers were also present. Treasury Ministers were aware that the Inland Revenue were having these discussions, but no Ministers were

  193
  present at them. As the exchange of correspondence makes clear, the guiding principle throughout was that the tax treatment of anything concerning the Rover acquisition must be consistent with the law and the treatment of other taxpayers in comparable circumstances.

  Discussions since the sale of Rover Group concerning British Aerospace's tax liabilities under the law are a matter between the company, its advisers and the Inland Revenue. It would not be in keeping with the strict rules of tax confidentiality for Ministers or other departmental officials to be involved in any such discussions.

  It is not the practice of this Government or their predecessors to name officials.

TRANSPORT

  M2/A2
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list details of all accidents on the M2/A2 between London and Dover for the three months ended 10 December, giving information on causes, location, types of vehicles involved and any injuries sustained.

  Mr. Atkins
  The information requested is currently unavailable. Details of road accidents in Kent for the period requested have not yet been provided to the Department by Kent county council. The information collected by the police and forwarded to the Department does not include an assessment of the cause of the accident.

  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to increase safety on the M2/A2 roads between London and Dover.

  Mr. Atkins
  The following measures are proposed:—

  A2 London Boundary to M2
  Provision of hardshoulders and lighting.

  Brenley to Harbledown
  Provision of central reserve safety fencing and lighting.

  Harbledown to Bridge
  Provision of central reserve safety fence.

  Shepardswell
  Provision of lighting.

  Jubilee Way Dover
  Alterations to road markings and removal of laybys.

  The White Paper "Roads for Prosperity" also announced a route assessment and scheme indentification study of the A2 from Bean to the M2.

  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next intends to carry out a traffic survey on the M2/A2 roads between London and Dover.

  Mr. Atkins
  The next traffic count is scheduled for 17 May 1990 on the M2 at Rochester. Counts are not normally carried out between November and March because flow levels then are not representative.

  Net Safety Benefit Analysis
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has made an assessment of the benefits and drawbacks of the net safety benefit analysis development by the Civil Aviation Authority.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The net safety benefit analysis was a study by a group of four civil aviation safety authorities: the US Federal Aviation Administration, Transport 194
  Canada, DGAC France and the Civil Aviation Authority. The CAA published the results of the study as CAA paper 87017.

  I know of no reason to doubt the validity of the conclusions of the study.

  Salvage
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 1 December to the hon. Member for Fife, North-East,Official Report, column 445, what sums accrued to the Government in each case in respect of the salvage operations carried out on each ships listed.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The information requested is commercially confidential and cannot therefore be published.

  Merchant Shipping
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give details of his Department's anticipated contribution to the NATO study of supply and demand for merchant shipping in crisis and war, as set out in the 1989 Defence White Paper; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Department's contribution to the cost of this study is 2,248,670 Belgian francs, about £37,000 which has now been paid. The Department is also providing the chairman of the steering group overseeing the study.

  Radioactive Materials (Transportation)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what contribution his Department will make to the International Atomic Energy Agency review of regulations governing the transportation of radioactive materials;

  (2) what contribution is being made by his Department to the International Atomic Energy Agency's standing advisory group on the carriage of radioactive materials.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Secretary of State is the competent authority for the safe transport of radioactive materials. Officials from the Department's radioactive materials transport division co-ordinate national policy and lead United Kingdom delegations at International Atomic Energy Agency meetings on this subject.

  Channel Tunnel
  Sir David Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to receive the decision of the Channel tunnel intergovernmental commission on non-segregation.

  Mr. Portillo
  I have placed in the Library a copy of the letter sent today to Eurotunnel by the chairman of the United Kingdom/French Channel tunnel intergovernmental commission about non-segregation of passengers from their vehicles on the shuttle trains operating between Folkestone and Calais, and a copy of the English translation.

  Buses
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has undertaken any studies or sought advice as to whether the replacement of big bus services by mini-midi buses has an effect on congestion and pollution.

  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 11 December 1989]: The choice of vehicle type is a matter for bus operators. Nonetheless the Department's transport and road research laboratory is currently engaged on a financial analysis of urban minibus operations which will touch on fuel consumption and congestion effects.

  Air Services
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has on the countries which impose restrictions on the leasing and operation of foreign-registered and operated airliners.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  This information is not generally collected, although I understand that the United States does not permit its airlines to lease foreign-registered and operated aircraft.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has on the number of(a) foreign-registered and operated airliners leased by British airlines and (b) flights undertaken by those airliners in each of the last five years.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The number of permits issued by my Department for the lease of foreign-registered and operated aircraft by British airlines in each of the last five years is as follows:

  Year

  Permits

  1984

  3

  1985

  1

  1986

  18

  1987

  19

  1988

  19

  Details of the numbers of flights undertaken by those aircraft are not available.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received about the use of foreign-registered and operated airliners; to what subjects those representations referred; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  From time to time the Department and the Civil Aviation Authority receive representations about foreign-registered and operated aircraft. In the main, these relate to the quality of service provided by the airlines and the correspondent is encouraged to take the matter up direct with the airline. Exceptionally, where poor safety standards are alleged, the Department and/or the Civil Aviation Authority will investigate, both with the airlines and the other Governments concerned.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what safety checks and controls are routinely required to be carried out on British airliners; and whether there is any difference in the requirements put on foreign-registered and operated airliners leased by British airlines.
  196
  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Civil Aviation Authority has the statutory responsibility for the safety regulation of civil aviation.

  I understand that there is a large number and a wide variety of safety checks and controls routinely required to be carried out on British airliners. Should the hon. Member have any specific questions, they should he addressed to the chairman of the authority.

  Foreign-registered and operated airliners leased by British airlines are required to comply with the safety standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

  Park and Ride Schemes
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has on the number of authorities and bus companies in local authority areas which operate park and ride schemes(a) during the Christmas shopping period and (b) at other times of the year by area.

  Mr. Portillo
  The Department does not collect statistics on park and ride schemes. Some local highway authorities include information on these schemes in their annual transport policies and programmes (TPPs). In the 1990–91 TPPs submitted to the Department in July 1989 there are references to 27 park and ride schemes in 23 local authority areas in England. Of these, four relate solely to the Christmas shopping period, 10 to other periods of the year (but in two cases including Christmas), 11 to permanent arrangements.

  In London, park and ride cannot readily be distinguished from commuter parking. A survey undertaken in 1987 showed that 64 of the 250 London Underground stations had their own car parks, as did 538 of the 922 stations on British Rail's Network SouthEast. In addition, British Rail has a number of "parkway" stations close to motorways.

  We have no information about the number of bus companies operating park and ride schemes.

  Channel Tunnel Terminals
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many representations he has received regarding(a) a Channel tunnel terminal at Kings Cross/St. Pancras, (b) a Channel tunnel terminal at Stratford and (c) a Channel tunnel terminal at locations other than the above; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  The representations that I have received about the preferred location of a second London station for international passenger services have been confined to King's Cross and Stratford. I have received a number of representations for and against each of these proposals.

  Trains (Two-way Radios)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to ensure that two-way radios are fitted in all passenger train cabs by the end of 1990; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  In its evidence to Sir Anthony Hidden's investigation into the Clapham junction accident, BR gave a commitment to complete its programme of installation of cab radios by 1992. The investigation accepted this timescale. The Government have played their part by making all the necessary radio frequencies available to BR.

  Cyclists
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what account he takes of cyclists' needs in considering major new road schemes planned by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  In planning new trunk roads and improving existing ones, we consider the needs of cyclists for safe and convenient routes. Particular attention is paid to the design of junctions and consequent modifications to the local road network. Detailed guidance is published in our local transport notes series and through our traffic advisory leaflets. Copies have been placed in the Library.

  Urban Development
  Mr. Thornton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will provide estimates showing for each financial year from 1987–88 to 1990–91 the amount of actual or planned expenditure designed to support the urban programme.

  Mr. Atkins
  Each year about £10 million of the public expenditure plans for local authority transport capital expenditure are incorporated within the urban programme administered by the Department of the Environment. The amounts spent on local transport were:

  Year

  £ million

  1987–88

  10·527

  1988–89

  110·661

  1989–90

  110·822

  1 Estimated.

  Accidents involving stationary vehicles on motorways: Greater Manchester: 1984–1988

  Severity of Accidents

  Severity of Casualties

  Fatal

  Serious

  Total

  Fatal

  Serious

  Slight

  Total

  1984

  0

  5

  5

  0

  5

  1

  6

  1985

  1

  6

  7

  1

  6

  3

  10

  1986

  0

  4

  4

  0

  4

  4

  8

  1987

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1988

  2

  5

  7

  2

  6

  7

  15

  Stationary vehicles include those stopped or parked, and vehicles waiting to go ahead but held up.

  Highway Schemes (Compensation)
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans to make highway authorities liable to compensate owners of businesses for loss of trade and profit caused through the loss of passing trade associated with highway schemes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  Compensation is payable where land is acquired for highway schemes. Claimants are entitled to the market value of their interest in the land acquired, disregarding any increase or decrease in its value to the scheme. They are also entitled to any other reasonable loss for disturbance, which could include loss of trade caused by the acquisition of all or part of a property. Compensation is also payable where a highway authority stops up a private means of access to the highway.

  However, where a business is affected by a highway scheme but no land is taken or access stopped up, I am advised that there is no liability on the highway authority to compensate for any loss of trade, assuming that the
  198
  For 1990–91 the amount incorporated will be £2·773 million of credit approvals and £8·320 million of central Government grants; totalling £11·093 million.

  In addition, much trunk road spending and a substantial amount of local road spending supported by transport supplementary grant (TSG), is designed to assist inner-city areas. In 1990–91 over 100 major schemes accepted for TSG will benefit inner-city areas.

  Since "Action for Cities" was launched in 1988 total expenditure benefiting inner cities on the trunk roads and local roads programmes is estimated at:

  Year

  £ million

  1988–89

  250

  1989–90

  300

  1990–91

  300

  The Department is also supporting expenditure on the Manchester Metrolink (expected to cost £110 million) and, from 1990–91, will be spending £1 billion on the Jubilee line extension. Both schemes are designed to improve public transport in urban areas.

  Motorway Accidents, Manchester
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many serious road accidents involving stationary vehicles on the motorway network in the Greater Manchester area have been reported during each of the last five years; and how many people were(a) killed and (b) injured as a result of such accidents.

  Mr. Atkins
  The information requested is given in the table.

  works are carried out directly by it and under statutory authority. Owners of businesses have no right in law to any maintained level of passing trade. Temporary or permanent reductions in traffic flows are part of the commercial risks of running a business.

  There are no plans to seek to change these arrangements.

  Madeira Shipping Register
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how the proposals for untaxed crews on the proposed Madeira shipping register will affect the competitiveness of United Kingdom registered shipping:

  (2) what effect Portugal's proposal to set up a low-cost shipping register in Madeira will have on (a) British registered shipping and (b) European Community registered shipping.

  Mr McLoughlin
  I have no information on whether United Kingdom or other European owners will wish to register any of their ships on the Madeira shipping register.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Primary Schools (Computers)
  Mr. Allan Roberts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps are being taken to ensure that the supply of computers in primary schools will meet the demands of the national curriculum.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  LEAs are responsible for ensuring that schools have enough microcomputers to meet the requirements of the national curriculum. Under our education support grants programme some £25 million is being set aside over a three-year period beginning last year to assist LEAs to purchase microcomputers for educational use in schools. For 1990–91 the Department has asked the LEAs to give particular attention to the needs of primary schools.

  Mr. Bell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to ensure that the supply of computers in primary schools will meet the demands of the national curriculum.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Bootle (Mr. Roberts) and the hon. Member for Motherwell, North (Dr. Reid).

  Professional Association of Teachers
  Mr. Barry Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received concerning recognition of the Professional Association of Teachers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The Professional Association of Teachers has represented to my right hon. Friend that some local education authorities still do not recognise the association. The Government recognise the PAT as one of the six schoolteacher unions with which it deals.

  Opting Out
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about the number of schools seeking to opt out under the Education Reform Act 1988.

  Mr. MacGregor
  To date 79 schools have embarked on the process of applying for grant-maintained status and parents at 51 of them have so far voted in favour of proceeding with an application. Forty-one proposals have so far reached me for decision: I have approved 32 of them.

  Expenditure (Nottinghamshire)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much money his Department has spent(a) on repair and maintenance of all schools in Nottinghamshire and (b) on the city technology college in the past year.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Repairs and maintenance of schools, other than external repairs at voluntary aided schools, are the responsibility of Nottinghamshire local education authority. No figures are available for sums spent by it on these items over the past year. A total of £5·96 million has been spent on the building of the city technology college in Nottingham in the last calendar year.

  National Curriculum
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will state the number of letters he has received from head teachers concerning the shortfall of resources for implementation of the national curriculum.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I frequently receive correspondence from head teachers. Some of it concerns the provision of resources for the national curriculum.

  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the resources being allocated next year to developing the national curriculum.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Development of the national curriculum will be achieved largely by the redirection of existing resources. However, we intend next year to use specific grants to support some £120 million expenditure by local education authorities expressly to help with the introduction of the national curriculum. This is in addition to general RSG support of local education authority expenditure. Some £30 million will additionally be deployed to support central expenditure on the national curriculum, including the running costs of the National Curriculum Council and the School Examinations a nd Assessment Council and the costs of developing standard assessment tasks.

  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many letters he has received from primary school head teachers concerning the speed at which changes within their school operation and curriculum are being made.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The information is not readily available in the form requested. My right hon. Friend frequently receives correspondence from primary school head teachers about various aspects of education provision.

  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he will report the outcome of the consideration of physical education and the national curriculum.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Leeds, Central (Mr. Fatchett) on 12 December 1989 at column 555.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assessment he has made of parents' reaction to the national curriculum.

  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from parents about the introduction of the national curriculum.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The parental awareness survey published on 4 December indicated that some 90 per cent. of parents interviewed support the introduction of the national curriculum. In particular, they welcome the broadening of provision and the setting of clear objectives. Parents also value the availability of more information from the school about the education being provided.

  Mr. Flannery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he has taken to ensure that there will be the required number of teachers to deliver the national curriculum.
  201
  Ms. Gordon
  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
  I refer the hon. Members to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Cardiff, South and Penarth (Mr. Michael) on 12 December 1989 at column 553.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the delivery of the national curriculum in primary schools.

  Mr. Stevens
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the progress of the national curriculum.

  Dr. Twinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the progress in the introduction of the national curriculum.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Evidence from Her Majesty's inspectors shows that in general schools are making satisfactory progress in implementing the national curriculum.

  Rural Schools (Sanitation Facilities)
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will urge Devon county council to engage in a priority programme to equip all rural schools with indoor sanitation facilities.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  It is the responsibility of the Devon local education authority to determine the priority given to projects included in the authority's annual capital expenditure plans. This requires detailed knowledge of individual schools and their needs as part of the whole educational provision of the area and the authority is best placed to judge these needs.

  Pre-school Education
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to ensure that every three and four-year-old child has the opportunity of pre-school education.

  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to ensure that every three and four-year-old child has the opportunity of pre-school education.

  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to ensure that every three and four-year-old child has the opportunity of pre-school education.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The Government believe that there should be a diversity of provision for pre-school children and that its scope and balance should be for local decision. We want to ensure that the educational experience offered to three and four-year-old children is as high as possible, and that is the purpose of the committee of inquiry which I am chairing.

  Under-fives
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will seek information from his Danish, Dutch and French counterparts about their policies on under-fives public education in order to improve Her Majesty's Government policies in this area.
  202
  Mrs. Rumbold
  Information on provision in these and other countries may be found in Statistical Bulletin 13/89 published by the Department last month, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Higher Education
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement on his projections for student numbers in higher education over the next 10 years.

  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on his plans for the future expansion of student numbers in higher education.

  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on his policy for the expansion of higher education.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement on his projections for student numbers in higher education over the next 10 years.

  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement on his projections for student numbers in higher education over the next 10 years.

  Mr. Jackson
  We expect to see significant growth in student numbers during the 1990s, actively fostered by the Government's education policies. The latest projection indicates full-time equivalent student numbers rising from about 760,000 in 1988 to about 820,000 by 1992. As a result of the very substantial decline in the relevant age groups, numbers are then expected to level off until 1995 before rising again to about 890,000 by the turn of the century.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of young people over the age of 18 years are in higher education in each of the 12 member states of the European Community.

  Mr. Jackson
  The available information is as follows for each country for the latest year available.

  New entrants1 to higher education

  Country2(main ages on entry

  Latest year

  Participation rate3 (per cent.)

  Belgium4(18 to 19)

  1985

  39

  Denmark (18 to 20)

  1985

  35

  France (18 to 20)

  1985

  32

  West Germany (19 to 21)

  1987

  29

  Greece5

  1984

  38

  Ireland5

  1985

  35

  Italy (19 to 21)

  1986

  25

  Netherlands4 (18 to 20)

  1985

  38

  Portugal5

  1984

  14

  Spain (18 to 20)

  1985

  31

  United Kingdom6 (18 to 21)

  1987

  34

  1 Includes full-time and part-time students entering higher education for the first time, ie excluding postgraduate students and others already having a qualification in higher education. Not all other countries may adhere to this general definition.

  2 Compatible information is not available for Luxembourg since most higher education is undertaken abroad. Ireland figures partly estimated.

  3 To aid comparison and overcome the problem of the varying

  203

  lengths of courses in different countries the participation rate is the percentage of all new entrants (defined above) to a derived relevant single year group. The latter is calculated by taking the total populations for the ages providing at least 70 per cent. of the new entrants and dividing by the number of ages involved. For the United Kingdom this is the population of ages 18 to 21 divided by four. OECD recommend this procedure.

  4 Provisional.

  5 Main ages on entry unavailable.

  6 Excludes the private sector and students from abroad. Includes nursing and paramedical students at Health Department establishments.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many students were in higher education in the 1988–89 academic year; and how many in 1978–79.

  Mr. Jackson
  It is provisionally estimated that in 1988–89 there were 993,000 full-time and part-time students on higher education courses in Great Britain, compared with 766,000 in 1978–79.

  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of persons aged 16 and 18 years went to institutions of higher education in 1979, 1983 and the latest year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  A measure of young peoples' participation in higher education is the age participation index (API). This is defined as the numbers of young home full-time initial HE entrants expressed as a percentage of the average numbers of 18 and 19-year-olds in the population. In 1979 and 1983 the API for higher education in Great Britain were 12·4 per cent. and 13·1 per cent. respectively. A provisional estimate for 1988 is 15·1 per cent. I also refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Leeds, West (Mr. Battle).

  Governing Bodies
  Mr. Haynes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what advice he has given to local authorities regarding political appointments to governing bodies.

  Mr. Jim Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what advice he has given to local authorities regarding political appointments to governing bodies.

  Financial year

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  Average

  Lancashire

  Capital £ million

  16·0

  11·4

  14·4

  16·2

  13·4

  14·3

  Percentage increase on previous year

  22·3

  -8·5

  25·7

  12·4

  -17·4

  2·9

  Recurrent £ million

  275·9

  292·3

  305·5

  322·9

  348·7

  309·1

  Percentage increase in previous year

  6·0

  4·5

  5·7

  8·0

  8·0

  6·4

  England

  Capital £ million

  469·2

  501·3

  530·2

  574·9

  592·8

  533·7

  Percentage increase on previous year

  2·9

  6·8

  5·8

  8·4

  3·1

  5·4

  Recurrent £million

  10,111

  10,517

  11,003

  12,002

  13,021

  11,331

  Percentage increase in previous year

  5·3

  4·0

  4·6

  9·1

  8·5

  6·3

  204
  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what advice he has given to local authorities regarding political appointments to governing bodies.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Last year the then Secretary of State made clear his view that local authorities which nominate only majority party supporters as school governors are not behaving as their electorates would expect. My right hon. Friend fully endorses that view. Choosing the best people to be school governors need not be a party political matter. However, where a number of governors are to be appointed by a local authority which does wish to act on the basis of political affiliation, they should have regard to the balance of the parties within the authority itself.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has issued any guidance to local education authorities on the appointment and training of school governors.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  On the issue of appointments, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Ashfield (Mr. Haynes) earlier today.

  We have issued information and guidance on the training of school governors on a number of occasions, particularly in relation to the use of education support grant funds to support LEA training schemes. The Department and HMI have also recently held two conferences bringing together governors and their trainers to discuss this important task.

  City Technology Colleges
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he last met the City Tecnnology College trust.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend last met representatives of the City Technology College trust on 17 November 1989.

  Expenditure (Lancashire)
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what increases in capital and revenue spending have taken place in Lancashire in each of the last five financial years; and what are the national average figures.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The figures for expenditure on education for the most recent five-year period available are as follows:

  University Entrants
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science by what percentage applications to enter universities have increased or decreased for 1989–90 against 1988–89.

  Mr. Jackson
  By the beginning of this month, the Universities Central Council on Admissions had received 135,600 applications from home and overseas students for admission to university next autumn, some 12·8 per cent. more than the corresponding position last year.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his latest estimate of the number of students likely to be admitted to university education in 1991–92 expressed as a proportion of the total number of school leavers.

  Mr. Jackson
  The latest projection of numbers of young, home initial entrants to full-time higher education in Great Britain in 1991–92 is 137,000. The projection of the associated age participation index—defined as the number of full-time, home initial entrants aged under 21, expressed as a percentage of the averaged 18 and 19-year-old populations—is 18·3 per cent.

  Special Needs
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions he has had with local education authorities in the last six months relating to integration into mainstream schools of children with special educational needs.

  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions he has had with local education authorities regarding the integration of children with special education needs into mainstream schooling.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  No such discussions have taken place.

  Mr. Eastham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what account he has taken of special education needs in considering schemes for local management of schools.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend has consistently made clear his expectation that authorities would take special care to ensure that their proposals for local management of schools reflected fully the need to ensure appropriate provision for all children with special educational need. A number of authorities believe this provision can be best made by delegating resources to schools and have made appropriate proposals in their submitted LMS schemes. Others have indicated that they wish to retain central control of such resources.

  Reforms
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the role of governors in implementing the education reforms.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The Government believe that governors have a central role in improving the effectiveness of our schools. This is reflected in the provisions of the Education Reform Act, including the new arrangements for the local management of schools.

  Local Management Schemes
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress has been made in reviewing local management schemes submitted by London education authorities.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The 20 outer London education authorities all submitted their schemes of local management by the due deadline of 30 September, and my right hon. Friend has to date announced his preparedness to approve six of them for implementation in April 1990, subject to certain modifications. The 13 inner London councils are not required to submit their schemes until 30 September 1991; but one—Westminster—had done so already, and my right hon. Friend has announced his intention to approve it for implementation in April 1990.

  Mr. Hind
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to recommend to education authorities reductions in the size of education departments and the numbers employed there in order to facilitate the release of resources for local management of schools; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Under local management of schools, more decision-making and administration are being delegated to schools. There should accordingly be scope for economies in local authorities' central administration costs. The scale of these economies, and the speed at which they can be achieved, will vary. But my right hon. Friend expects authorities to secure the largest economies they can as soon as they can, in order to maximise the proportion of available resources which can be delegated to schools.

  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent reports he has received about the implementation of local management of schools in Norfolk.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend has had a number of letters from schools in Norfolk about aspects of local management of schools. Norfolk LEA's scheme for local management of schools was the first to receive approval from my right hon. Friend, and I understand that the LEA is on course for the successful introduction of local management next April.

  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from education authorities regarding local management of schools.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent representations he has received regarding local management of schools.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  I refer the hon. Members to the reply that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Suffolk, South (Mr. Yeo) on 14 November at column 215.

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions he has had with local authority associations regarding local management of schools; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  I met representatives of the Association of County Councils and the Association of Metropolitan
  207
  Authorities on 13 September to discuss a wide range of local management of schools issues. Representatives expressed their support for the principles of local management. They also set out their concerns about the position of schools with high teaching staff costs when funding is determined mainly by pupil numbers. I made clear in response that it was open to LEAs through their formulae to enhance funding for small schools with above-average salary costs, and that we would also consider sympathetically proposals for an extended transitional period to pure LMS funding for larger schools with high salary costs.

  Physical Education Teachers
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will supply the latest figures on the shortage of physical education teachers.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  In January 1989 there were 162 vacancies for full-time physical education teachers in maintained secondary schools in England, equivalent to 1·2 per cent. of physical education teachers in post.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Hanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the progress made by those schools which became grant-maintained in September 1989.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The first 18 schools were incorporated as grant-maintained schools in September 1989. They are now experiencing the benefits of greater financial and administrative autonomy. They are proving popular with parents and pupils. I share their confidence in the future and expect them to take full advantage of the opportunities which grant-maintained status offers.

  Teacher Shortages
  Mr. Madel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what further proposals he is considering as to how industry can help to alleviate teacher shortages; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Officials from the Department are engaged in discussions with a number of industrial concerns about their future involvement with teacher shortage initiatives. My right hon. Friend acknowledges the valuable contribution that industrialists have already made in this field and welcomes new proposals.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the current level of teacher shortages in primary and secondary schools.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. Redmond) on 24 October 1989 at col.392–93.

  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he will take to deal with teacher shortages in Lambeth.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The employment and deployment of teachers are matters for local education authorities and schools. The Secretary of State's role is to ensure that there are sufficient teachers from whom they can recruit.208
  Government measures include the provision from next April of education support grant for local recruitment measures to attract more mature new entrants and re-entrants to teaching, and my right hon. Friend's request to IAC to look at measures to improve supply in areas where vacancy rates are highest, particularly in inner London.

  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a further statement on the measures which he is taking to overcome the shortage of teachers.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what measures he is taking to increase the permanent supply of teachers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I refer my hon. Friends to the reply that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hexham (Mr. Amos) on 14 November at column 235.

  Older Pupils
  Mr. Richard Shepherd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals he has for the future of 16-to-19 education.

  Mr. McAvoy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to increase the numbers of 16 to 19-year-olds participating in full-time education.

  Mr. Jackson
  The Government are committed to increasing the participation of 16 to 19-year-olds in education and training, and believe that every young person should either be in full-time education or in a job with time off for good quality training.

  Recent examination reforms and the Education Reform Act will raise standards in schools giving more young people the qualifications and the motivation to stay on in full-time education. This is the key to improving participation. In 1988, after the first year of the GCSE examination, staying on rates for 16 and 17-year-olds rose to a record level. The Government wish to ensure that young people continuing their education at age 16 have access to a range of opportunities that will equip them with the general skills, knowledge and understanding they will need for adult and working life. Young people will have the choice of pursuing that goal through either the academic route—comprising mainly A and AS courses—or the vocational route—where they can choose from courses leading to about 4,000 qualifications. My right hon. Friend has asked the Schools Examinations and Assessment Council and the National Curriculum Council to work with the main vocational bodies to advise on the core skills that A/AS level students should develop and how work on them should be built into the A/AS curriculum.

  Expenditure
  Mr. Wall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from local education authorities regarding their spending on education.

  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from local education authorities regarding their spending on education.
  209
  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend discussed the education component of the Government's proposed local authority grant settlement for England for 1990–91 with representatives of the local authority associations at a meeting on 26 October. That was in addition to the statutory consultations about the overall settlement conducted by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment following his 6 November announcement. Many of the letters and other representations which my right hon. Friend receives from local education authorities about a range of education issues also touch on spending.

  Pupil Profiling
  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the introduction of pupil profiling.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, Central (Mr. Cousins) on 4 December at column 14.

  Maintenance and Repairs
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much money has been allocated for school maintenance and repairs over the past 12 months.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  It is for individual local education authorities and, under local management, their schools to determine how much money should be allocated for school maintenance and repairs. The latest outturn data on recurrent spending show that in 1987–88 local authorities in England spent some £435 million on repairs and maintenance in primary and secondary schools.

  Research Students
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science by how much the maintenance grant of £3,725 per annum paid by the research councils to research students has increased in real terms since 1979.

  Mr. Eadie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the level of maintenance grants paid by the research councils to research students outside London.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the annual post-graduate award for research students living away from home outside London paid by the research councils.

  Mr. Robert Jackson
  I refer the hon. Members to the reply that I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Oldham, Central and Royton (Mr. Lamont).

  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the annual maintenance grant paid by the research councils to research students outside London; and what estimate he has made of average lifetime earnings of post-doctoral scientists in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Jackson
  The annual maintenance grant paid by the research councils in 1989–90 to research students attending an establishment outside London and living 210
  away from home is £3,725. The Department does not collect or hold information on the lifetime earnings of post-doctoral scientists in the United Kingdom.

  Science Budget
  Dr. Bray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the science budget as a percentage of gross domestic product in 1979–80; and what he expects it to be in 1990–91.

  Mr. Jackson
  In 1979–80 the science budget was 0·160 per cent. of the gross domestic product. In 1990–91 it is estimated that it will represent 0·163 per cent.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the planned budget for pure science and the research councils.

  Mr. Jackson
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to my hon. Friend the Member for Rugby and Kenilworth (Mr. Pawsey) on 15 November at column 272–76.

  Design and Technology
  Mr. Kirkhope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the progress of implementing design and technology as part of the national curriculum.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Rugby and Kenilworth (Mr. Pawsey) on 7 December at column 313.

  Bishopshalt School
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will announce his decision on the application of Bishopshalt school, Hillingdon, to opt out of local education authority control.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend expects to make an announcement soon.

  Research Councils
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he last met representatives from each of the research councils; and what was discussed.

  Mr. Jackson
  My right hon. Friend has occasional meetings with representatives of individual research councils to discuss matters of current concern. He met the heads of all the research councils at a reception he held on 14 September.

  Surrey University
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to visit the University of Surrey.

  Mr. Jackson
  My right hon. Friend has no present plans to do so.

  Student Loans
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent representations he has had on his plans to introduce student loans; and if he will make a statement.
  211
  Mr. Jackson
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Leicester, West (Mr. Janner).

  Mr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many banks have agreed in principle to operate the student loan scheme.

  Mr. Jackson
  Ten banks have formed Student Loans Company Limited to undertake preparatory work for the student loans scheme. Additional financial institutions will be invited to become shareholders in the company when a brochure is issued.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to advertise the Government's scheme for student loans; at what estimated cost; and over what period.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The Government will ensure that students and potential students are fully informed of the public support available.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assessment he has made of the costs of the administration of the student loans scheme by(a) the public sector, (b) competitive tender and (c) the student loans company.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I have nothing to add to the estimates of the costs of administration of the student loans scheme which have already been published.

  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he last met Lloyds bank to discuss student finance.

  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he last met Lloyds bank to discuss student finance.

  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he last met representatives of the Royal Bank of Scotland concerning student finance.

  Mr. John P. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he last met Lloyds bank to discuss student finance.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he last met the Clydesdale bank to discuss student finance.

  Mr. Jackson
  Ministers and officials have had a series of discussions with representatives of the financial institutions as proposals for the student loans scheme have developed. Ten banks have now formed a company, Student Loans Company Limited, to undertake preparatory work for the scheme.

  Schools Repairs
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action he proposes to take to improve the state of repair of schools.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  It is primarily for each local education authority to ensure that the schools it maintains are kept in an acceptable state of repair. But my right hon. Friend is aware of concern that some school premises fall 212
  below that standard. Accordingly, Government plans for 1990–91 allow for capital borrowing by local authorities in respect of schools, colleges and other educational services of £436 million. For current spending, the Government's proposals for the 1990–91 local authority grant settlement allow for increased spending on repairs and maintenance relative to the levels assumed in the comparable total for 1989–90. Otherwise, the Department promotes improvements in the quality of school premises through the guidance issued by its architects and buildings branch.

  Professional Development Scheme
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will examine the professional development scheme operated by the British Computer Society as a possible model for career planning for scientists trained and supported by the research councils.

  Mr. Jackson
  The British Computer Society professfional development scheme is designed for the particular needs of professionals in information technology. It is not an appropriate model for the career planning of scientists, although aspects may be relevant to them. Responsibility for the career planning of scientists employed by research councils and by higher education institutions rests with their employers.

  Teacher Training Courses
  Mr. Franks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received concerning the joint circular on the approval of initial teacher training courses; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  My right hon. Friend has received no representations about DES circular 24/89 and Welsh Office circular 59/89 on the approval of initial teacher training courses. The circular was the subject of full consultation before it was issued.

  Pupil-Teacher Ratios
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the current pupil-teacher ratio in England and Wales(a) in primary schools and (b) in secondary schools; and what were the comparable figures 10 years ago.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The pupil-teacher ratios within maintained primary and secondary schools in England in 1989 and 1979 were as follows. Corresponding figures for Wales are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Primary

  Secondary

  1989

  22·0

  15·3

  1979

  23·1

  16·7

  Modern Languages
  Mr. Andrew MacKay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the level of modern languages taught in schools.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The Government are concerned to increase both the number of pupils continuing to study a
  213
  modern foreign language until age 16 and beyond and their standards of language competence. That is why the national curriculum includes a modern foreign language as a foundation subject at secondary level to be studied by all pupils between the ages of 11 and 16. The national curriculum working group on modern foreign languages is expected to recommend, by July 1990, attainment targets and programmes of study for modern foreign languages based on current best practice, in order to raise standards and to provide a stimulating and worthwhile challenge to pupils of all abilities during their period of compulsory secondary schooling.

  Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he last met the Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he last met the Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council; and if he will make a statement.

  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he last met the Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  My right hon. Friend has discussions from time to time with members of the Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council on matters of current interest.

  City Technology College, Langbaurgh
  Mr. Holt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will consider establishing another city technology college in Langbaurgh in east Cleveland.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  City technology colleges are focusing on urban areas because it is there that the aspirations and expectations of pupils and parents are, generally, furthest from fulfilment. Macmillan college, the Teesside city technology college, already provides for children in the inner city area of Middlesborough. There are no plans to establish a further city technology college in the vicinity.

  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the numbers of representations he has received(a) in favour and (b) against the establishment of a city technology college in Telford.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend has received 36 letters following the announcement by the Mercers' Company of its intention to sponsor a city technology college in Telford. Thirty-one are against the proposal and five sought further information.

  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assessment he has made of the contribution of city technology colleges to educational practice in schools and to inner-city areas in which they are situated.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  It is a key aim of the city technology college programme that the colleges should make a major 214
  contribution to the development of higher standards in all schools. It is too early yet to evaluate their impact in detail but it is already clear that they are immensely popular with parents and pupils. With three city technology colleges now open, and eight more with firm opening dates, we are now looking very carefully at how the good practices they are pioneering can best be disseminated.

  Asbestos
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he intends that asbestos removal from schools should be included in local schemes of management or financed by the local authority; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Under LMS it is for local education authorities to decide whether to retain responsibility centrally for asbestos removal or to delegate responsibility and funding for this within their schemes of local management.

  GCSE
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what were the number of GCSE passes at grade C and above by school children in Basildon for 1988 and 1989.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Figures for the Basildon area are not available centrally, but in 1988 there were 583,000 results at grade C and above in the GCSE in schools within the Essex local education authority. Figures for 1989 are not yet available.

  Supply Teachers
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from schools in Nottinghamshire about the adequacy of supply teacher cover for schools where teachers have to be absent on national curriculum training courses.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  My right hon. Friend has received one letter dealing solely with this subject from the governors of a Nottinghamshire infant school.

  Industrial Links
  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress is being made in encouraging links between schools and local industry and commerce.

  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps are being taken by his Department to improve links between education and industry.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Good progress is being made in encouraging links between schools and local industry and commerce. Preliminary analysis of a recent DES survey indicates that around 90 per cent. of secondary schools now have such links.

  The Department is involved with others in a range of initiatives designed to assist in the establishment of links between schools and industry. In particular, it publishes guides to good practice and selectively funds particular

  215
  projects and organisations. Funding for teacher training in this area is made available to local education authorities through the LEA training grant scheme.

  Teachers
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps his Department is taking to encourage mature entrants, with practical work experience in other fields, to train as teachers.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Department has a range of teacher recruitment measures, one of whose main aims is to increase the number of mature entrants to teacher training recruited from other careers. The teaching as a career unit (TASC) targets older people with special publications, and through its national and local advertising. In conjunction with ICI, the Department has run a well-subscribed programme of taster courses for people considering switching to a career in teaching, and the number of courses is being increased in 1990–91. We are also funding part-time and shortened courses of initial teacher training which take account of students' existing commitments and previous qualifications. The introduction of the licensed teacher route will also facilitate the entry into teaching of mature entrants.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he plans to announce the next steps towards the introduction of new arrangements for determining the pay and conditions of teachers.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend is currently considering the views expressed by the six teacher unions and the employers at his meeting with them last month.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has available for the percentage of teachers leaving the profession each year in(a) the United Kingdom as a whole and (b) Hertfordshire.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Teachers in Scotland and Northern Ireland are the responsibility of my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Figures for England and Wales and for Hertfordshire for the year ending 31 March 1987 (the latest available) are shown in the table.

  Percentage of teachers in England and Wales and in Hertfordshire leaving full-time service in maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools (MNPS)

  Per cent.

  Year ending 31 March 1987

  England and Wales

  Hertfordshire

  Percentage of teachers leaving full-time service in MNPS

  7·7

  8·6

  of which:

  transfers to other service, full or part-time, in the maintained sector1

  1·3

  1·1

  transfers to teaching in the independent sector1

  0·3

  0·5

  retirements and deaths

  2·4

  2·3

  others2

  3·7

  4·6

  1 The Department's "Database of Teacher Records" does not provide complete coverage of the independent sector or of part-time service in the maintained sector, so these figures may be slightly under-stated.

  2 Many of these will be women withdrawing from teaching temporarily for family reasons.

  Exams
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the Government's current policy with regard to the A and A/S level exams.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  I refer my hon. Friend to the replies that I gave on 14 November to the hon. Members for Heywood and Middleton (Mr. Callaghan) and for Stoke-on-Trent, Central (Mr. Fisher) at column 218 and that my right hon. Friend gave on 28 November to my hon. Friend the Member for Battersea (Mr. Bowis) at column 181.

  ILEA
  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the current state of preparations for the assumption by the London boroughs of the current educational responsibilities of ILEA.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The inner London councils are making good progress towards becoming LEAs. Most of the management posts in their education departments have been filled, and councils are developing their own packages to assist the recruitment and retention of good-quality teaching staff. I am looking forward to the operation of an efficient and responsive education service in the capil al after 1 April 1990.

  Severe Learning Difficulties
  Mr. Irvine
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to provide further help for schools for children with severe learning difficulties.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Responsibility for providing for pupils with special educational needs lies with individual local education authorities: this includes provision for pupils with severe learning difficulties.

  Wandsworth
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to visit the London borough of Wandsworth.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend would welcome the opportunity to visit Wandsworth, and plans to contact the borough about a possible date.

  School Buildings, Nottinghamshire
  Mr. Ashton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what level of grant he has made available to Nottinghamshire county council for new school buildings next year.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  My right hon. Friend expects to announce his decisions on the distribution of annual capital guidelines for education to LEAs before Christmas.

  History Curriculum
  Mr. Wood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to announce the new history curriculum.
  217
  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales are waiting for the final report of the history working group, which is now expected by the end of January. When they have considered that report they will publish their proposals for history in the national curriculum.

  Greenhouse Effect
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what provision he has made for research into the greenhouse effect in 1989–90, 1990–91 and 1991–92.

  Mr. Jackson
  I understand that in 1989–90 the research councils have allocated about £29·3 million towards research into all aspects of global climate change, including research into understanding the processes of climate change and the impact of such changes. This amount includes about £8 million by the Agriculture and Food Research Council, £19·3 million by the Natural Environment Research Council and some £2 million by the Science and Engineering Research Council. In addition, other research undertaken by the councils, especially AFRC, bears on environmental aspects.

  As stated in his answer on 15 November to my hon. Friend the Member for Rugby and Kenilworth (Mr. Pawsey) at columns 272–76, my right hon. Friend has announced allocations totalling £18·6 million in 1990–91 and 1991–92 in respect of the construction costs of the RRS James Clark Ross, and a minimum allocation of £2 million per annum for the years 1990–91 to 1992–93 to provide for a remote sensing instrument for the ERS-2 satellite. He also announced that he has sought the advice of the Advisory Board for the Research Councils on the allocation of the science budget for 1990–91 and 1991–92. His decisions after receiving that advice will be announced in due course. Within the totals allocated, it will be for the research councils to decide their priorities for specific research areas.

  Teachers' Negotiating Body
  Mr. Geraint Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received with regard to the establishment of a new teachers' negotiating body.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend has received a variety of representations regarding the establishment of new permanent arrangements for determining teachers' pay.

  Milk
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the implications of recent changes in the provision of milk in schools.

  Mr. Man Howarth
  The statutory requirements related to the provision of milk in schools are set out in section 22 of the Education Act 1980 as amended by section 77 of the Social Security Act 1986. There have been no recent changes in these requirements.

  Under certain conditions children under five years old in maintained schools may be entitled to receive free milk
  218
  provided under the Welfare Food Regulations 1988. These regulations are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health.

  Student Statistics
  Mr. Gerald Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many full-time students are enrolled with universities and polytechnics in the current academic year; and what was the number 10 years ago.

  Mr. Jackson
  Information for academic year 1989–90 is not yet available centrally. In 1988–89 there were 318,000 full-time university students and, provisionally 310,000 polytechnic and college full-time students on higher education courses in Great Britain, compared with 293,000 and 217,000 such students, respectively in 1979–80.

  Educational Performance
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assessment he has made of the relative educational performance in different areas of the country; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what figures are published by his Department to show the comparative educational performance of each education authority in England and Wales.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  In its annually published statistics on school leavers the Department includes information on examination attainments in respect of maintained schools in each local education authority in England. Comparable statistics for Wales are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales. These figures reflect in part the different abilities of pupils resident in local education authority areas.

  Disabled Students
  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many disabled students do not receive the disabled students allowance because(a) they are not in receipt of a mandatory award and (b) they have no additional disability-related costs.

  Mr. Jackson
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make particular arrangements for the repayment of loans by disabled students and people who become disabled after graduation.

  Mr. Jackson
  My right hon. Friend intends that disabled people with low incomes should be protected by the standard provision for deferment of repayments. Like other aspects of the loans scheme, these arrangements will be monitored.

  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what measures his Department is taking to publicise the disabled students allowance; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  The availability of the disabled students allowance for mandatory award holders is publicised in
  219
  the DES booklet "Grants for Students". Bulk supplies are sent each year by the Department to local education authorities for wide free distribution among schools, colleges and other establishments. Copies are available to the public on request.

  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to ensure that disabled students are enabled to benefit fully from the access funds proposed in the White Paper "Top-Up Loans for Students".

  Mr. Jackson
  Each further or higher education institution will be responsible for assessing the needs of students, including any who are disabled, and will distribute its share of the access funds accordingly.

  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he will begin consultation on reviewing the maximum level of the disabled students allowance.

  Mr. Jackson
  Comments on the disabled students' allowance for mandatory award holders have already been received from interested bodies. My right hon. Friend will take these and any other representations into account in the course of the annual review of the awards regulations, so that any changes made can take effect from 1 September 1990.

  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he will begin consultation to revise guidelines to local education authorities on the administration of the disabled students allowance.

  Mr. Jackson
  Before making the awards regulations each year my right hon. Friend considers representations from a number of sources about the detail of the provisions made in them. This process is well under way for 1990. As in previous years, once the 1990 regulations have been made the Department is likely to issue guidance designed to help local authorities to put them into effect.

  Capital Allocations
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he proposes to announce the 1990–91 capital allocations to local education authorities; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Garston (Mr. Loyden) on 14 November at column 216.

  Goldsmith's College
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what arrangements were made by his Department for the funding of Goldsmith's college, university of London, during the transitional period towards entering the University Funding Committee; what assumptions were made about the rate of inflation in such arrangements; and what shortfalls have occurred since that arrangement was made;

  (2) what arrangements are being made to deal with the shortfall that has arisen within Goldsmith's college's finances before they enter the university funding system.

  Mr. Jackson
  Since Goldsmith's college formally became a school of the university of London on 1 August 220
  1988, funding has been the responsibility of London university with the assistance of public funds, now channelled through the Universities Funding Council. With the agreement of all the parties concerned, including Goldsmith's, there was an agreed level of funds transferred from the grant-aided sector to the university sector to provide basic funding for Goldsmith's over the period from 1 August 1988 to 31 July 1991. This reflected then current assumptions including the Treasury's forecast of the gross domestic product deflator. Subsequent additions to the public funding of universities have taken account of the transfer of Goldsmith's to the university sector. The actual distribution of such additional sums is a matter for the Universities Funding Council and the university of London.

  Student Grants
  Mr. Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish the rates of undergraduate student grants and parental contributions for 1990–91.

  Mr. MacGregor
  Subject to Parliament's approval of the necessary regulations, the main rates of mandatory grant for undergraduate students will be increased in ale 1990–91 academic year by 5 per cent. for those studying outside London and for those who study from their parents' home. For those studying in London the main rate will be increased by 7·4 per cent. in recognition of their higher living costs. The new rates, which apply to students from England and Wales, and will be supplemented by the top-up loan facility subject to the enactment of the legislation now before Parliament, will be as follows (1989–90 rates are shown in brackets):

  £

  £

  Halls or Lodgings

  (i) London

  2,845

  (2,650)

  (ii) Elsewhere

  2,265

  2,155

  Parental home

  1,795

  (1,710)

  For most students, the 1990–91 main grant and full-year loan together will amount to some 25 per cent. more than the 1989–90 grant alone.

  Rates of grant for supplementary allowances, and for postgraduates, will be announced later.

  Residual income will be retained for the time being as the basis for assessing parental contributions. Consultations revealed divided views on the proposal in the White Paper "Top-Up Loans for Students" (Cm. 520), to move to a gross income basis, and further work would be needed to resolve some practical difficulties. The matter will be kept under review. Meanwhile, the threshold for parental contributions, and the points on the contribution scale at which the rate of contribution changes, will be uprated in 1990–91 to reflect the movement of earnings. Parents whose residual income is below £11,500 will not be assessed for a contribution.

  The full parental contribution scales for 1990–91 are as follows:

  Residual Income

  Assessed contributions

  £

  Scale 1 £

  Scale 2 £

  11,500

  60

  45

  12,000

  131

  98

  13,000

  274

  206

  221

  Residual Income

  Assessed contributions

  £

  Scale 1 £

  Scale 2 £

  14,000

  417

  313

  14,700

  517

  388

  15,000

  577

  433

  16,000

  777

  583

  17,000

  977

  733

  18,000

  1,177

  883

  19,000

  1,377

  1,033

  20,000

  1,577

  1,183

  21,000

  1,777

  1,333

  21,600

  1,897

  1,423

  22,000

  1,997

  1,498

  23,000

  2,247

  1,686

  24,000

  2,497

  1,873

  25,000

  2,747

  2,060

  26,000

  2,997

  2,248

  27,000

  3,247

  2,435

  28,000

  3,497

  2,623

  29,000

  3,747

  2,810

  30,000

  3,997

  2,998

  31,000

  4,247

  3,185

  32,000

  4,497

  3,373

  33,000

  4,747

  3,560

  34,000

  4,997

  3,748

  35,000

  5,247

  3,935

  36,000

  5,497

  4,123

  37,000

  5,747

  4,310

  37,210

  max 5,800

  4,350

  38,000

  4,498

  39,000

  4,685

  40,000

  4,873

  41,000

  5,060

  42,000

  5,248

  43,000

  5,435

  44,000

  5,623

  44,946

  max 5,800

  Notes:

  1. The second scale of parental contribution was introduced following the announcement on 15 March 1988 that tax relief on new non-charitable covenants would cease. Contributions assessed on Scale 2 are 25 per cent. less than those assessed on Scale 1. Scale 1 applies to parents whose student children began their courses before the 1988–89 academic year, and Scale 2 where students first entered higher education in 1988–89 or later. In 1990–91 over 90 per cent. of assessments will be at the Scale 2 rates.

  2. For 1990–91 the level of contribution will be assessed as follows:

  Residual income

  Scale 1

  Scale 2

  From £11,500 to £14,700

  £1 in £7

  £1 in £9·33

  From £14,701 to £21,600

  £1 in £5

  £1 in £6·66

  From £21,601

  £1 in £4

  £1 in £5·33

  3. The maximum contribution, which applies to parents with more than one child holding an award, will rise from £5,300 to £5,800. The minimum contribution will remain at £60 on Scale 1 and £45 on Scale 2.

  4. The contribution payable may be less than the amounts shown on the scale, particularly at its top end and where the contribution is in respect of one award holder only. This will depend on the amount of grant against which the contribution has to be set and whether any of the assessed contribution is offset by allowances for other dependent children.

  Adult Education
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what current national spending and monitoring of success levels have been achieved in relation 222
  to adult basic education programmes over the last 10 years, by year; to increase funding and provision in this area; what plans he has; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  Local education authorities are mainly responsible for providing basic literacy and numeracy tuition for adults. Central Government support is provided to the adult literacy and basic skills unit (ALBSU) which is funded by the Department of Education and Science and the Welsh Office to act as the central focus for adult literacy and related basic skills in England and Wales. Grants to ALBSU during the past 10 years are as follows:

  £

  1980–81

  495,000

  1981–82

  1,000,065

  1982–83

  1,406,652

  1983–84

  1,513,000

  1984–85

  1,500,000

  1985–86

  1,723,000

  1986–87

  2,170,000

  1987–88

  2,248,500

  1988–89

  2,596,000

  1989–90

  2,889,300

  Local education authorities and voluntary organisations report that the provision of adult basic skills tuition has increased over the past 10 years. In November 1988, the latest year for which figures are available, they reported that 110,626 adults were receiving tuition. HMI monitor the quality of provision as part of their regular inspection programmes.

  My right hon. Friend is not yet in the position to announce what funds will be made available to ALBSU in the future. The Department will continue to work closely with ALBSU to increase the opportunities for adults to improve their basic skills, through initiatives such as the provision of open learning centres in inner-city areas, open learning centres supported through the ESG programme and the development of workplace tuition. The Department will also continue to co-operate with ALBSU, the BBC and the Training Agency in the basic skills accreditation initiative.

  Pupils (Per Capita Spending)
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the per capita spending for pupils at city technology colleges and for secondary school pupils in the last year for which figures are available; and what is projected spending for the next year.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  In 1987–88 average recurrent spending per pupil in maintained secondary schools was some £1,520. The estimated average spending per pupil implied by the proposed total standard spending for 1990–91 is of the order of £2,000. These figures do not include spending on central services such as administration. The recurrent per capita grant for pupils at city technology colleges for 1989–90 is based on a unit of funding of £1,825. This figure includes central administration costs, but excludes an allowance for diseconomies of scale during the start-up period, and specific grants for certain items. The comparable figure for 1990–91 will be determined by reference to LEA expenditure in 1988–89, updated to a 1990–91 base.

  ENERGY POLICY
  ENERGY POLICY
  SIZEWELL B POWER STATION: COSTS
  SIZEWELL B POWER STATION: COSTS
  NUCLEAR SECTOR AND ELECTRICITY PRIVATISATION
  NUCLEAR SECTOR AND ELECTRICITY PRIVATISATION
  ENERGY EFFICIENCY OFFICE
  ENERGY EFFICIENCY OFFICE
  THE TREASURY: ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
  THE TREASURY: ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
  VAT: COMPENSATORY PAYMENT OF INTEREST
  VAT: COMPENSATORY PAYMENT OF INTEREST
  ECONOMIC GROWTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
  ECONOMIC GROWTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
  WATER ABSTRACTION PERMISSIONS
  WATER ABSTRACTION PERMISSIONS
  WILDLIFE AND COUNTRYSIDE ACT: POWERS
  WILDLIFE AND COUNTRYSIDE ACT: POWERS
  LORD YOUNG OF GRAFFHAM'S LETTER TO THE "INDEPENDENT"
  LORD YOUNG OF GRAFFHAM'S LETTER TO THE "INDEPENDENT"
  CHANNEL TUNNEL TRAINS: NON-SEGREGATION DECISION
  CHANNEL TUNNEL TRAINS: NON-SEGREGATION DECISION
  BR SPRINTER ROLLING STOCK
  BR SPRINTER ROLLING STOCK
  HEATHER MOORLAND CONSERVATION
  HEATHER MOORLAND CONSERVATION
  LIQUID WELFARE MILK: PRICING
  LIQUID WELFARE MILK: PRICING