Written Answers of 6 February 1989

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Recycled Materials
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what action he is taking to promote the use of recycled materials.

  Mr. Atkins
  My Department is pursuing an awareness campaign to encourage industry to consider the benefits of using recycled materials in its production processes. We are holding a series of sector conferences in this field and technical advice for industry is provided through our Warren Spring laboratory. Where appropriate further initiatives will be introduced.

  Telecom Advisory Committees
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how the membership of telecom advisory committees is decided.

  Mr. Forth
  The chairman and members of the four national advisory committees for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, are appointed by the Secretary of State and those of the two specialist committees for the elderly and disabled and for small businesses by the Director General of Telecommunications. In appointing members to the committees the Secretary of State and director general aim to have a balanced membership representing the interests of all telecommunications users and of the special needs of small businesses and the disabled and elderly people.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the role of telecom advisory committees.

  Mr. Forth
  The common duty of all the advisory committees is to advise the Director General of Telecommunications on telecommunication matters affecting the interests of people which the committee was established to represent. Matters may either be referred to the committee by the director general or the committee may decide to offer advice on its own initiative. The national committees for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, also have a specific role in handling consumer complaints where the consumer has been unable to resolve the matter directly with the industry.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many telecom advisory committees have been established.

  Mr. Forth
  There are six advisory committees on telecommunications in total. These are made up of four national committees—one for each of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland—and two specialist committees, one to represent the needs of small businesses and one for the disabled and elderly people.
  458
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will name the chairpersons of telecom advisory committees and provide a contact address for each.

  Mr. Forth
  The chairmen and contact address of the advisory committees are as follows:

  Committee

  Address

  English Advisory Committee on Telecommunications

  Mr. H. R. Hutton, Atlantic House, Holborn Viaduct, London EC1N 2HQ

  Welsh Advisory Committee on Telecommunications

  Mr. T. D. Lynch, Caradog House, St. Andrews Place, Cardiff CF1 3BE

  Scottish Advisory Committee on Telecommunications

  Mr. W. K. Begg, Alhambra House, 45 Waterloo Street, Glasgow G2 6AT

  Northern Ireland Committee on Telecommunications

  Mr. J. J. Eccles, 3rd Floor, Chamber of Commerce House, 22 Great Victoria Street, Belfast BT2 7PU

  The Advisory Committee on Telecommunications for Disabled and Elderly People (DIEL)

  Mr. D. Hobman, Atlantic House Holborn Viaduct London EC1N 2HQ

  The Advisory Committee on Telecommunications for Small Businesses

  Mr. M. Ashton, Atlantic House, Holborn Viaduct, London EC 2HQ

  GATT Talks
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the result of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade talks in Montreal.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the member for Keighley (Mr. Cryer) on 12 December at column 400.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Warren
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list, for each company or part of company in the aerospace, ship building and motor vehicle businesses privatised since 1979(a) the annual turnover in the year prior to privatisation, (b) the value of assets in the year prior to privatisation, (c) the number of employers in the year prior to privatisation, (d) the approximate total of Government financial assistance in the five years prior to privatisation, and (e) a breakdown of the public expenditure costs in terms of capital reconstruction, elimination of debt or guarantees, redundancy and other restructuring, any other items and total receipts stating the year in which they arose.

  Mr. Newton
  I shall write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible and place a copy in the Library.

  Ford Sierra (Manufacture)
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what he estimates would be the effect on Britain's balance of trade and hence on the balance of payments, of a transfer of the manufacture of the Ford Sierra car from Britain to another country.
  459
  Mr. Alan Clark
  Such an estimate would depend on a large number of variables, including projected consumer demand, the incidence of import substitution, dealer incentive programmes and others. I do not think, therefore, that it would be of tangible value.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Arts Education Services
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will allocate funds to offset the loss of local education authority funding to theatre-in-education and other arts education services under sections 33 to 36 of the Education Reform Act.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Circular 7/88, issued on 6 September, a copy of which is available in the Library, makes clear that local education authorities will be free to except from delegation the school-related costs of services such as arts education under schemes of local management. Where authorities exercise this discretion, they will continue to fund arts education services directly. Where authorities choose to delegate the costs to schools, the schools themselves will decide whether they wish to continue to support the services.

  Heriot Watt
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what Government assistance is being given to establish the private medical laboratory on the Heriot Watt campus at Riccarton in Edinburgh; and which companies are being considered to manage it.

  Mr. Jackson
  I know of no such proposal.

  University Staff
  Mr. Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has recieved from the Association of University Teachers regarding pay increases; and what action he intends to take.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend exchanged correspondence with the Association of University Teachers in August last year, and there has been informal contact since. My right hon. Friend is considering a letter from the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals and the Association of University Teachers about the pay of academic staff and technicians in the universities.

  Mr. Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to alter present Treasury practice which prevents selected university staff in part-time employment who have in the course of the last three years taken a privately funded early retirement scheme from qualifying for reimbursement and redundancy costs if the period of part-time employment exceeds three or four years.

  Mr. Jackson
  Public funds are provided to meet universities' expenditure on premature retirement compensation where staff retire fully, but the Government do not consider this appropriate where the change is simply from full-time to part-time employment. The rules of the scheme operated by the University Grants Committee have now been appropriately clarified. Contrary to some institutions' fears, this clarification does not have retrospective effect.

  Teachers (Pay and Conditions)
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what are the average annual earnings of(a) primary and (b) secondary state school teachers in each of the European Community countries, Canada, Norway, Sweden, the United States of America and the United Kingdom in their (i) first, (ii) fifth, (iii) tenth and (iv) fifteenth working year for 1987 and 1988;

  (2) what are the comparable average weekly working hours of (a) primary and (b) secondary state school teachers in the European Community countries, Canada, Norway, Sweden, the United States of America and the United Kingdom in 1987 and 1988.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Comparable information is not available for 1987 and 1988. Some information on EC teachers' salaries and conditions in 1985 is published in a detailed report, "The Conditions of Service of Teachers in the European Community", published by the European Commission in 1988 (pages 133 to 160 in particular). A copy is available in the Library.

  Computers
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make available copies of the report produced by the National Council for Education Technology on the compatibility of computer hardware and software for local education authorities.

  Mr. Butcher
  This report was commissioned by the Department to inform the guidance given to local education authorities on microcomputers for educational use in schools. Consideration is being given to how the information contained in the report can be conveyed most effectively to LEAs.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish in the Official Report full details of the educational support grants he made to Lancashire county council in 1987 and 1988 for the purchase of micro computers; and if he will show which of these was capable of running MS-DOS software.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend approved education support grant expenditure by Lancashire LEA on the purchase of microcomputers in 1987–88 and 1988–89 as follows:

  Activity

  1987–88£ thousands

  1988–89 £ thousands

  IT in NAFE

  63·5

  —

  Micro equipment for FE students with special educational needs

  14·0

  —

  IT in schools

  —

  267·4

  It is for authorities to decide, in consultation with Her Majesty's Inspectorate as appropriate, what machines and software are best suited to their needs. DES guidance to LEAs is that new computers purchased under the IT in Schools programme should offer access to MS-DOS, but this is not mandatory.

  Halls of Residence
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether rates paid in respect of
  461
  university halls of residence will be reimbursed by the Universities Funding Council, including business rates for university halls of residence, for the financial years 1990–91, 1991–92 and 1992–93.

  Mr. Jackson
  The Universities Funding Council has yet to decide its approach to this and other funding issues for 1990–91 and subsequently.

  AS Courses
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish in the Official Report the best information known to him on the availability of AS-level courses in schools and colleges, including the information relating to the variety of courses on offer, and the proportion of A-level students who are also able to follow a course at AS level.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  The results of a survey of school pupils and FE college students studying AS-level courses in England from September 1987 and of the courses studied, were published in the Department's statistical bulletin 12/88 last October, a copy of which is available in the Library. 'This shows that about 4 per cent. of first year A-level students in schools were studying AS levels and that about 15 per cent. of schools were offering these courses. It also provides information on the courses on offer. First indications from a similar survey for September

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  West Glamorgan institute of higher education

  —

  —

  19

  36

  44

  London university institute of education

  13

  15

  13

  11

  11

  Exeter university

  12

  10

  19

  20

  18

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many(a) pupils in secondary schools, (b) students in colleges of further education, (c) students in polytechnics and (d) students in universities take media studies courses;

  (2) how many (a) secondary schools, (b) colleges of further education, (c) polytechnics and (d) universities offer media studies as part of their curriculum.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Readily available information is as follows:

  Number of pupils/students

  Number4

  Secondary schools

  na

  na

  Colleges of further education1

  2,280

  53

  Polytechnics1

  279

  5

  Universities:

  Undergraduates

  22124

  334

  Postgraduates

  2708

  na

  na = not available.

  1 England, November 1987. Covers both higher education and further education level courses.

  2 Great Britain, 1987–88. Has wider subject coverage than colleges of further education and polytechnic figures.

  3 United Kingdom institutions offering first degree courses for October 1989 entry.

  4 Institutions with pupils/students on relevant courses.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will list the teacher training colleges which offer media studies courses.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  In England and Wales the West Glamorgan institute of higher education and London
  462
  1988 are that nearly three times as many students and schools are starting and offering AS-level courses. l hope to announce the results of the latest survey shortly.

  Community Charge (Scottish Universities)
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if the University Grants Committee-Universities Funding Council will reimburse Scottish universities in 1989–90 for the standard community charge on vacant flats registered with the accommodation service of universities, as against halls of residence.

  Mr. Jackson
  The Universities Funding Council will reimburse the standard community charge in 1989–90 in respect of vacant property owned by Scottish universities for the purpose of students.

  Media Studies
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many trainee teachers have taken media studies courses in each of the past five years.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The table gives details, for the past five years, of the number of students recruited to courses of initial teacher training which include media studies.

  university institute of higher education offer initial teacher training courses with main subject specialisms entitled, respectively, "literature and media studies", and "English and media studies". Exeter university offers "media studies" as a second subject specialism.

  Under-Fives
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what has been the annual expenditure by central and local government on education for the under-fives for each year from 1971 to 1988.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The table below shows annual recurrent spending by local authorities on under-fives since 1976–77. These figures include expenditure supported by grants from central Government which cannot be separately identified. Figures on a comparable basis before 1976–77 are not available.

  Recurrent local authority spending on under fives

  Spending £ million cash

  Index from 1976–77

  1976–77

  127

  100·0

  1977–78

  128

  100·8

  1978–79

  146

  115·0

  1979–80

  177

  139·4

  1980–81

  222

  174·8

  1981–82

  241

  189·8

  1982–83

  274

  215·7

  1983–84

  296

  233·1

  1984–85

  331

  260·6

  1985–86

  350

  275·6

  1986–87

  397

  312·6

  463

  Spending £ million cash

  Index from 1976–77

  1987–881

  443

  348·8

  1988–891

  495

  389·8

  1 Provisional outturn figures.

  Institute of Terrestial Ecology
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many full-time scientific, administrative and other staff were employed at the Institute of Terrestial Ecology research station at Bangor and at the research vessel support service at Barry in each of the years 1979 to 1988; and what figures are projected for 1989.

  Mr. Jackson
  The information on staffing is as follows:

  ITE Bangor—staff

  Science

  Administration

  Part-time

  1979

  32

  12

  (1)

  1980

  33

  10

  (1)

  1981

  32

  11

  (2)

  1982

  31

  11

  (2)

  1983

  33

  10

  (2)

  1984

  33

  10

  (2)

  1985

  33

  9

  (2)

  1986

  34

  9

  (2)

  1987

  27

  9

  (1)

  1988

  27

  7

  (1)

  1989

  1 21

  5

  (1)

  1 Five staff transferred to ITE Monks Wood

  RVS Barry—staff

  Science

  Administration

  Ships crew

  Other

  Total

  1981

  32

  17·0

  128

  29·0

  206·0

  1982

  32

  17·0

  132

  29·0

  210·0

  1983

  34

  16·0

  116

  30·5

  196·5

  1984

  32

  15·5

  127

  31·5

  206·0

  1985

  30

  14·5

  98

  28·0

  170·5

  1986

  34

  1·0

  104

  26·0

  165·0

  1987

  31

  4·0

  106

  29·0

  170·0

  1988

  29

  3·0

  106

  27·0

  165·0

  1 1989

  1No significant change expected.

  A breakdown of full- and part-time staff, and separate figures for Barry before 1981, are not available.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what budget his Department has allocated(a) in cash terms and (b) adjusted to today's prices to the Institute of Terrestial Ecology research station at Bangor for each of the years 1979 to 1988; and what figure is projected for 1989.

  Mr. Jackson
  Information in the form requested is not immediately available and I shall write o to the hon. Member.

  Natural Environment Research Council
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what factors he has taken into account in considering the budget to the Natural Environment Research Council for 1989; and what indications he has given to that council of the purpose of any budget increase.

  Mr. Jackson
  In considering the level of grant-in-aid to the Natural Environment Research Council in 1989, my 464
  right hon. Friend will take account of advice from the council, the Advisory Board for Research Councils, and other representations that he has received. A detailed announcement will be made shortly.

  Discovery (Refit)
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what he estimates to be the cost of a major refit for the Natural Environment Research Council vessel Discovery at today's prices; what allowance he has made for funding such a refit in whole or in part in the coming financial year; and when he anticipates that refit may commence.

  Mr. Jackson
  The total cost of a major refit for the RRS Discovery was estimated by the Advisory Board for the Research Councils in their advice published in July 1988 as about £10 million at current prices. Details of the grant-in-aid to the Natural Environment Research Council for the period 1989–90 to 1991–92 will be announced shortly. It will be for the NERC to determine its priorities, both in 1989 and later years, in the light of the available resources.

  Antarctic
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of the stated increase in the Natural Environment Research Council's budget for 1989 has been allocated to the Antarctic survey based in the Falklands.

  Mr. Jackson
  My right hon. Friend announced on 8 November (Official Report, columns 134–5) an additional ·10 million allocation to the British Antarctic survey in 1989–90 for a new BAS airstrip and rebuilding the Halley station. Details of the overall grant-in-aid to the Natural Environment Research Council will be announced shortly.

  Environmental Research Vessels
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what facilities currently exist at Southampton for the support of environmental research vessels; and how many staff are employed there.

  Mr. Jackson
  Southampton has a deep-water port that is well suited to environment research vessels. I understand that support facilities and staff for their proposed oceanographic centre would be organised by the Natural Environment Research Council.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Motions
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Lord President of the Council on how many days each of the motions tabled by the hon. Member for Nottingham, North (Mr. Allen) entitled(a) Procedure, (b) Sittings of the House and (c) Members' Facilities has appeared in the Remaining Orders of the Day and Notices of Motions during the parliamentary Sessions (i) 1987–88 and (ii) 1988–89.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The information requested is as follows:
  465

  Session 1987–88

  Number

  (a) Procedure

  69

  (b) Sittings

  69

  Session 1988–89

  Number

  (a) Procedure

  33

  (b) Sittings

  33

  (c) Facilities

  25

  UP to and including 3 February 1989.

  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what is the current daily cost of printing on the Remaining Orders of the Day and Notices of Motions the motions in the name of the hon. Member for Nottingham, North (Mr. Allen) entitled(a) Procedure, (b) Sittings of the House and (c) Members' Facilities.

  Mr. Wakeham
  Her Majesty's Stationery Office estimates that the current daily printing cost of the three motions totals £145.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  European Convention on Human Rights
  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times since 1959 each signatory to the European convention on human rights has been found to be in violation of the convention by(a) the European Court of Human Rights and (b) the Committee of Ministers.

  Mrs. Chalker
  I shall be writing to the hon. Member.

  Soviet Union (Visits)
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy on holding briefings for hon. Members planning to visit the Soviet Union.

  Mr. Eggar
  We actively encourage hon. Members to contact the Foreign and Commonwealth Office before and after their overseas visits. We welcome the opportunity to offer written and oral briefing when hon. Members would find this useful.

  Caribbean Territories
  Mr. Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in the light of the recent study by Coopers and Lybrand of the development of the offshore financial sectors in the Turks and Caicos Islands, there is any intention to extend this scrutiny to other dependent territories in the Caribbean.

  Mr. Eggar
  After consultation with the dependent territory Governments concerned, Coopers and Lybrand, acting as financial consultants to Her Majesty's Government, have been appointed to carry out a review covering the regulation of the offshore financial sectors in Anguilla, Montserrat, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands. The terms of reference for this consultancy will be placed in the House of Commons Library.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prison Officers (Assaults)
  Mr. Tom Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the number of assaults on prison officers in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The information requested is not available. The table shows the number of offences of gross personal violence to a prison officer, or of assault on a prison officer, or of attempts to commit such offences, of which inmates were found guilty on adjudication in each of the years 1985–87. Figures for 1988 are not yet available.

  1985

  1986

  1987

  Gross personal violence

  17

  12

  10

  Attempt to commit gross personal violence

  125

  37

  17

  Assault

  1,216

  1,221

  1,149

  Attempted assault

  117

  158

  151

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Tom Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many animals were used in experiments either for medicine or cosmetics in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The latest available information is published in "Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals Great Britain 1987" (Cm. 515). Information for medicine for 1985 to 1987 is given in table 20 and for cosmetics for 1987 in table 3. Information on experiments for cosmetics for earlier years is contained in table 15 of "Statistics of Experiments on Living Animals Great Britain 1986" (Cm. 187). Copies of these publications are in the Library.

  Broadcasting (Deaf People)
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in finalising his plans for broadcasting in the 1990s, he will make it his policy to take full account of the resolution of the Scottish Association for the Deaf, of which he will have a copy.

  Mr. Renton
  Careful account will be taken of all the comments we receive on the broadcasting White Paper (Cm. 517) including all representations made on behalf of those with impaired hearing.

  Probation Committees
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many area probation committees employ a public relations consultant; and what is the cost of providing this service.

  Mr. John Patten
  This information is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Immigration
  Mr. Holland
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish details of the number of port refusals made at each of the major ports of entry, by week for the months of October, November and December 1988 and the first three weeks of January 1989.
  467
  Mr. Renton
  The figures for those initially refused entry at the major ports are given in the table:

  Refusals at the Major Ports

  Terminal 1

  Terminal 2

  Terminal 3

  Terminal 4

  Gatwick South

  Gatwick North

  Dover

  Total

  Week ending

  8 October 1988

  37

  88

  69

  76

  47

  27

  99

  443

  15 October 1988

  44

  86

  72

  87

  73

  22

  73

  457

  22 October 1988

  41

  71

  51

  65

  53

  21

  73

  375

  29 October 1988

  34

  93

  61

  72

  34

  28

  61

  383

  5 November 1988

  40

  83

  49

  57

  48

  25

  75

  377

  12 November 1988

  31

  82

  88

  53

  56

  30

  58

  398

  19 November 1988

  35

  86

  61

  52

  45

  24

  45

  348

  26 November 1988

  27

  78

  57

  69

  49

  30

  55

  365

  3 December 1988

  33

  74

  82

  48

  45

  26

  39

  347

  10 December 1988

  39

  86

  58

  63

  50

  35

  44

  375

  17 December 1988

  46

  88

  70

  42

  46

  32

  62

  386

  Fortnight ending

  Week ending

  31 December 1988

  113

  224

  143

  131

  175

  82

  198

  1,066

  7 January 1989

  51

  72

  54

  26

  62

  31

  46

  342

  14 January 1989

  28

  88

  37

  25

  63

  41

  46

  328

  21 January 1989

  26

  87

  48

  22

  59

  28

  46

  316

  Total

  625

  1,386

  1,000

  888

  905

  482

  1,020

  6,306

  Mr. Holland
  To ask the Secretary of State for the'
  Home Department whether he will publish details of(a)the number of deferrals of removal requested by hon. Members of this House and (b) the number granted, by week for the months of October, November and December 1988, and the first three weeks of January

  Mr. Renton
  Details of the number of deferrals of removal granted in the months of October, November and December 1988 are as follows:

  Number

  October

  175

  November

  153

  December

  150

  Weekly totals for this period are not readily available. There are no central records of the number of deferrals of removal requested by hon. Members during this period.

  As to the number of requests for deferral of removal in the first three weeks of January 1989, I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 16 January to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, Central (Mr. Darling) at column 6.

  Passports
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total cost of issuing passports in each of the past 10 years; and what was the annual revenue received in each of these years.

  Mr. Renton
  The table below shows the available information for the financial years 1981–82—1988–89 covering;

  (a)the cost of issuing standard United Kingdom passports in the United Kingdom and at United Kingdom consular posts overseas, and;

  (b)the cost of issuing British visitor's passports, mainly at Crown post offices in Great Britain,

  together with the revenue accruing from the issue of such passports.

  Information for earlier years is not readily available.
  468

  (a) Standard passports

  (b) British visitors' passports

  Issuing costs £ million

  Revenue £ million

  Issuing costs £ million

  Revenue £ million

  1988–891

  33·7

  44·6

  9·0

  17·7

  1987–88

  31·7

  38·7

  9·4

  17·7

  1986–87

  26·5

  39·9

  10·2

  14·9

  1985–86

  25·6

  34·7

  9·3

  11·8

  1984–85

  25·9

  33·8

  8·2

  12·4

  1983–84

  14·6

  25·3

  8·

  8·5

  1982–83

  14·8

  22·3

  7·7

  7·7

  1981–82

  12·8

  19·8

  7·0

  9·9

  1 Provisional.

  Notes:

  1. Figures under (a) for 1981–82 to 1983–84 exclude overseas costs and revenues.

  2. Revenues include an element for non fee-bearing Consular services available to United Kingdom passport holders abroad.

  Identity Cards
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has as to the cost of establishing and maintaining a national identity card system for every British citizen aged 12 years or over.

  Mr. John Patten
  The cost would depend on the administrative details of the system and the checks required before an identity card was issued. If a similar system was operated to that used for issuing passports the unit costs could be about £7.50. The costs (excluding initial capital costs) of issuing identity cards to all British citizens aged 12 or over would then be around £350 million. The annual running cost would depend upon the number of new card holders applying each year, the frequency with which cards had to be renewed, and whether card holders had to notify changes of address. It would probably be between £50 million and £100 million.

  Voting Rights
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to introduce legislation to extend the period of eligibility for voting rights for United Kingdom citizens living abroad.
  469
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon, South (Mr. Marshall) on 2 February 1989, at column 383.

  Prevention of Terrorism
  Mr. Norris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions searches of premises have been authorised by a superintendent of police under the provisions of paragraph 4(4) of schedule 3 to the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1984, and the similar provisions in the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1974 and 1976.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Searches have been authorised under these provisions on nine occasions in England and Wales. I understand from my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State that such searches have been authorised on five occasions in Scotland and on no occasion in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Norris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received a report from the Viscount Colville of Culross QC on the operation in 1988 of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions Act) 1984.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I have received the report from Viscount Colville on the operation in 1988 of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1984 and placed copies in the Library.

  Street Offences (London)
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offences are recorded as having occurred on the streets in each of the Chelsea, Fulham, Tottenham and Wimbledon Metropolitan police districts in each of the weeks since 1 August 1987.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 31 January 1989]The available information relates to offences of street robbery of personal property and theft from the person (snatches) and is given in the following table.

  Street robbery of personal property and theft from the person (snatches) recorded by the police in certain areas of the Metropolitan police district

  Number of offences

  Chelsea

  Fulham

  Tottenham

  Wimbledon

  1987

  August

  12

  17

  108

  7

  September

  16

  24

  96

  8

  October

  13

  18

  114

  11

  November

  3

  12

  64

  9

  December

  12

  12

  79

  12

  1988

  January

  6

  6

  54

  10

  February

  12

  10

  1

  10

  March

  19

  5

  129

  13

  April

  8

  14

  64

  6

  May

  4

  8

  2

  11

  June

  2

  13

  138

  14

  July

  6

  9

  54

  10

  August

  11

  10

  99

  8

  September

  6

  31

  59

  12

  October

  19

  20

  2

  11

  November

  6

  6

  102

  17

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Crop Substitution
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the total value of projects aided by his Department to encourage crop substitution in the fight against the illegal trade in drugs.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  We are currently financing projects to encourage crop substitution to a value of about £7 million. In addition, we provide training and other support for drugs control organisations in developing countries and we contribute to several multilateral aid agencies whose programmes include projects which help diversify income-earning opportunities in drug-producing areas.

  Development and Aid Budget
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the latest figure for the development and aid budget, expressed as a percentage of gross national product.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The latest available figure for United Kingdom net official development assistance expressed as a percentage of gross national product is 0·28 per cent. in 1987.

  UNICEF
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will increase governmental contributions to UNICEF's general resource funding to £12·5 million; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  I propose to increase Her Majesty's Government's contribution to UNICEF's general resources to £8 million in the next financial year.

  Developing Countries (Nationalised Industries)
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the terms of reference of the exercise undertaken on gathering information in relation to possible assistance with the privatisation of nationalised industries in the developing world.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  Diplomatic missions were asked to try to identify possible opportunities for assisting developing countries with their promotion of private sector development, including privatisation. They were also asked to look for chances of co-operating on such projects with USAID.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Poultry and Eggs
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many poultry have been killed. and how many eggs have been destroyed, following the recent publicity about salmonella diseases since 1 December 1988; what has been the cost of compensation to producers in Northern Ireland; if the scheme for compensation is being continued; and if he will make a statement about the present state of the poultry and egg industries and their future prospects.
  471
  Mr. Viggers
  Under the Slaughter of Hens (Northern Ireland) Scheme and the Egg Industry (Northern Ireland) Scheme 50,663 hens have been slaughtered and 10,230,120 eggs had been destroyed in Northern Ireland up to 26 January at a compensation cost of £333,837. Slaughtering of hens has been completed. Eggs for which applications were submitted by 17 January, the closing date, are still being destroyed. The Government have no plans to extend either scheme.

  Fish Farming
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what applications have been made for fish farming developments around the Antrim coast; what approvals have been given; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Viggers
  There have been three applications; two have been granted consent to discharge under the Water Act (Northern Ireland) 1972 of which one has also been given a fish culture licence under the Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1966. The most recent application is still under consideration.

  Mr Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has had concerning fish farming developments, and their impact on Glenarm and Red bay.

  Mr. Viggers
  Besides representation by the developers a total of 24 letters and submissions from 13 different groups and individuals have been received. The Northern Ireland Ministers for Agriculture and Environment jointly met a delegation comprising most of the parties who have made representations against these salmon farming developments.

  RUC (Deaths)
  Mr. McCusker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve were killed as a result of road traffic accidents during 1988; and how many were killed by terrorists in the same period.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  During 1988 11 members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and its reserve were killed in road traffic accidents and six were killed by terrorists.

  Prisons
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people are currently being held in each prison in the province, and in total; and how many prison officers are currently in each prison in the Province, and in total.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  As at 1 February 1989, there was a total of 1,780 prisoners in prison establishments in Northern Ireland, including 272 untried prisoners. The following is a breakdown by establishment:

  Number

  Her Majesty's Prison, Belfast

  1 521

  Her Majesty's Prison, Maghaberry

  2253

  Her Majesty's Prison, Magilligan

  285

  Her Majesty's Prison, Maze

  578

  Her Majesty's Young Offenders Centre

  143

  1 Includes 264 untried prisoners.

  2 Includes eight untried prisoners.

  472
  As at 31 January 1989, there was a total of 3,166 prison staff in prison establishments in Northern Ireland. This figure includes staff serving at the prison service college and headquarters. The following is a breakdown by establishment.

  Number

  Her Majesty's Prison, Belfast

  662

  Her Majesty's Prison, Maghaberry

  483

  Her Majesty's Prison, Magilligan

  468

  Her Majesty's Prison, Maze

  1,294

  Her Majesty's Young Offenders Centre

  223

  Prison Service College

  26

  Headquarters

  10

  Special Branch
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much from the total budget was allocated to special branch for each year from 1979 to the current date.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  [holding answer 1 February 1989]The allocation of expenditure on special branch activities is a matter for the Chief Constable. In the particular operational circumstances of Northern Ireland this information is confidential.

  Sinn Fein Councillors (Lisburn)
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will indicate the approximate sums and the hours of police time it has taken to provide protection for the Sinn Fein councillors at meetings of Lisburn district council in 1988.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  [holding answer 17 January 1989]No. During 1988 police were not detailed to protect individual councillors or specific groups within Lisburn district council.

PRIME MINISTER

  Rolls-Royce
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister what are the implications for the Government's privatisation proposals of the European Commission's decision of 21 December 1988 to initiate proceedings against the Government over the infringement of competition policy in the case of the flotation of Rolls-Royce.

  The Prime Minister
  None. There is no parallel with the Government's proposals for water and electricity privatisation.

WALES

  Schizophrenia
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many patients in Wales suffering from schizophrenia and discharged from hospital in 1986 and 1987 after a second or subsequent admission went(a) to their own homes, (b) to local authority residential accommodation, (c) to live with a relative elsewhere, (d) to private residential accommodation, (e) to residential accommodation provided by voluntary bodies and (f) to other accommodation.
  473
  Mr. Grist
  Information in the form requested is not available. Details of after-care arrangements for discharged patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia are as follows:

  Discharges, after a second or subsequent admission

  1986

  1987

  Local authority residential accommodation

  18

  20

  Psychiatric hospitals

  87

  87

  Non-psychiatric hospitals

  20

  24

  Mental nursing homes

  —

  2

  Convalescent or after-care home

  18

  23

  Other forms of after-care1

  1,460

  1,511

  Total

  1,603

  1,667

  1 Including for example, that provided by GP's, out-patient departments and those not requiring further treatment.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many patients suffering from schizophrenia and discharged from Welsh hospitals in 1986 and 1987 after a first admission went(a) to their own homes, (b) to local authority residential accommodation, (c) to live in with a relative elsewhere, (d) to private residential accommodation, (e) to residential accommodation provided by voluntary bodies and (f) to other accommodation.

  County

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  11988

  Clwyd

  365

  334

  364

  343

  336

  320

  Dyfed

  1,021

  1,065

  1,088

  1,087

  1,048

  993

  Gwent

  335

  93

  139

  151

  220

  204

  Gwynedd

  482

  477

  466

  414

  462

  415

  Powys

  497

  492

  490

  487

  479

  456

  Mid Glamorgan

  107

  84

  34

  32

  60

  89

  South Glamorgan

  109

  96

  48

  55

  90

  103

  West Glamorgan

  138

  103

  64

  53

  115

  111

  Total

  3,054

  2,744

  2,693

  2,622

  2,810

  2,691

  1Provisional.

  Abattoirs
  Mr. Geraint Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many abattoirs there are in each county in Wales.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The number of abattoirs by county is as follows:

  Number

  Clwyd

  16

  Dyfed

  12

  Gwent

  4

  Gwynedd

  9

  Mid Glamorgan

  5

  Powys

  11

  South Glamorgan

  —

  West Glamorgan

  6

  Group Practices
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many group practices there are in Wales, by region.

  Mr. Grist
  The information is given in the following table:
  474
  Mr. Grist
  Information in the form requested is not available Details of after-care arrangements for dischared patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia are shown in the following table:

  Discharges, after first admission

  1986

  198 7

  Local authority residential accommodation

  —

  —

  Psychiatric hospitals

  14

  9

  Non-psychiatric hospitals

  1

  —

  Mental nursing homes

  —

  —

  Convalescent or after-care home

  1

  2

  Other forms of after-care1

  201

  153

  Total

  217

  164

  1 Including, for example, that provided by GPs, out-patient departments, and those not requiring further treatment.

  Bee Keepers
  Mr. Geraint Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many bee keepers there are in each county in Wales; and what was the number of bee keepers during each of the last five years.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The information is as follows:

  Group practices as at 1 October 1987

  Family practitionercommittee

  Number

  Clwyd

  37

  Dyfed

  44

  Gwent

  44

  Gwynedd

  35

  Mid Glamorgan

  47

  Powys

  15

  South Glamorgan

  47

  West Glamorgan

  42

  General Practitioners
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the total number of National Health Service general practitioners in Wales for each year from 1979 to 1988.

  Mr. Grist
  The number of general medical practitioners in Wales is given in the table. Figures for 1988 are not yet available.

  Unrestricted principals as at 1 October

  Number

  1979

  1,339

  1980

  1,372

  1981

  1,397

  1982

  1,431

  475

  Number

  1983

  1,465

  1984

  1,492

  1985

  1,523

  1986

  1,549

  1987

  1,587

  Regional Health Authorities
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the services provided by the Welsh regional health authorities.

  Mr. Grist
  There are no regional health authorities in Wales. However, certain services which to be clinically effective and economically viable need to be provided to a population which is greater than that of a health district are designated as regional services by the Welsh Office. The responsibility for planning their capacity and location and for the funding of approved developments rests with my right hon. Friend, whilst the district health authorities which host the regional services are responsible for their operational management.

  The services presently designated as regional are:

  Assay services

  Blood transfusion service

  Bone marrow transplantation

  Burns, plastic and maxillo-facial surgery

  Invasive cardiology and cardiac surgery

  Medical genetics

  Perinatel intensive care

  Pharmaceutical quality control services

  Poisons information service

  Radiotherapy and medical oncology

  Forensic psychiatry

  Renal dialysis for end-stage renal failure

  Renal transplantation

  Spinal injury rehabilitation

  Thoracic surgery

  Welsh Hearing Institute

  The catchment areas of these services vary.

  Hospitals (Beds)
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the hospitals in each Welsh district health authority with 250 beds or more.

  Mr. Ian Grist
  The following hospitals had 250 beds or
  more on 30 September 1988.

  Health authority/hospital

  Clwyd

  North Wales

  Ysbyty Glan Clwyd

  Ysbyty Maelor

  East Dyfed

  Bronglais

  St. David's

  West Wales General

  Gwent

  Llanfrechfa Grange

  Nevin Hall

  Pen-y-Fal

  Royal Gwent

  St. Cadoc's

  St. Woolos

  Gwynedd

  Bryn Y Neuadd

  Ysbyty Gwynedd

  476
  Mid Glamorgan

  East Glamorgan

  Glanrhyd

  Hensol

  Parc

  Prince Charles

  Princess of Wales

  Pembrokeshire

  Withybush

  Powys

  Mid Wales

  South Glamorgan

  Cardiff Royal Infirmary

  Ely

  Llandough

  University Hospital of Wales

  Whitchurch

  West Glamorgan

  Cefn Coed

  Morriston

  Neath General

  Singleton

  Resource Management Initiative
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which Welsh hospitals are involved in the resource management initiative and whether any will be joining the initiative in the next year.

  Mr. Grist
  Acute hospitals in the Clwyd North unit will be piloting a resource management system based on an order communications network, following initial work in West Glamorgan health authority. Acute hospitals in West Glamorgan are also still involved in the medical records, diagnosis related group (DRG) coding, and organisational development aspects of the initiative; and the authority is currently considering the possibility of testing a "bolt-together" resource management system along the lines of those currently being piloted at various sites in England. Other Welsh authorities have expressed interest in acquiring a resource management capability at the earliest opportunity; and the Government's intention, as noted in the White Paper "Working for Patients", is to ensure that the requisite information systems are in place throughout Wales by 1992.

  NHS Land
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much undeveloped land is owned by the National Health Service in Wales; and if he will list those sites of 10 acres or more.

  Mr. Grist
  The information is not recorded in the form requested. Currently the NHS in Wales owns some 358·5 acres of land which it no longer needs. This land, which will be sold at the best possible price for the benefit of health care in Wales, includes plots of 10 acres or more at the following sites:—

  Aberdare general hospital, Aberdare

  Bronllys hospital, Brecon

  Bryn-y-Neuadd hospital, Llanfairfechan

  Mid Wales hospital, Talgarth

  Parc Beck nurses home, Swansea

  St. Cadoc's hospital, Caerleon

  Whitchurch hospital, Cardiff

  William Nicholl home, Cardiff

  477
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much land has been sold, and for how much in 1987–88 prices, by the National Health Service in Wales, in each year from 1979 to 1988.

  Mr. Grist
  The information is given in the following table:

  Financial year

  Acreage sold

  Proceeds of sale (1987–88 prices) £000

  1979–80

  10·1

  0·33

  1980–81

  148·5

  1·02

  1981–82

  205·8

  0·28

  1982–83

  740·9

  1·77

  1983–84

  52·5

  0·95

  1984–85

  11·1

  1·55

  1985–86

  28·0

  1·78

  1986–87

  76·4

  2·88

  1987–88

  9·4

  1·73

  Source: NHS Wales Land Sales 1979–80 to 1987–88.

  M4 (Storm Damage)
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from Gwent county council concerning damage caused to the M4 following storm damage to manhole covers; and when he proposes to carry out the remedial work necessary to repair the damage.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  No damage has been caused to the M4 motorway by the existing drainage system although there have been isolated instances of manhole covers becoming dislodged in exceptionally heavy rainfall conditions.

  A scheme to remove the manholes from the M4 carriageway to prevent further incidents has been designed in conjunction with Gwent county council and, subject to the availability of finance, work is planned to start in 1989–90.

  Farm Workers
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many(a) farmers and (b) farmworkers were employed in each county in Wales in June 1988.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Information for June 1988 is not yet available. I shall write to the hon. Gentleman when the county figures are available.

ENERGY

  North Sea Oil and Gas
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what exploration activity for oil and gas has taken place in the firth of Clyde in each of the past 10 years; if he is able to state the conclusions reached on the commercial potential of any finds; and if he will make a statement on the latest position.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  Exploration for oil and gas in the firth of Clyde had been limited to the acquisition of seismic data in 1981, 1982, 1984 and 1985, but no wells have been drilled to date in the firth of Clyde.
  478
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what has been the total value of North sea oil revenues to the United Kingdom Treasury in the period 1978 to 1988.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary to the Treasury on 24 January to the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan (Mr. Salmond) at column 488.

  International Organisations
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list those international organisations on which his Department is represented and the total cost of these commitments.

  Mr. Parkinson
  In the 1987–88 financial year, the most recent for which full figures are available, the Department of Energy represented Her Majesty's Government on the following international organisation:

  Contribution £

  International Energy Agency

  524,000

  International Atomic Energy Agency

  4,527,000

  Nuclear Energy Agency

  270,000

  Nuclear Power (Publicity)
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the total funding of the current publicity campaign by the nuclear electricity information group; and what contribution is being made to that campaign from his Department's budget.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority contributes to the nuclear electricity information group's costs using funds provided by my Department through the public information programme letter. I understand that the authority's contribution to the current nuclear electricity information group advertising campaign is £42,500. The total level of funding of this campaign is a matter for the nuclear electricity information group.

  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has made any representations to British Nuclear Fuels concerning inaccuracies in its recent publicity material.

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

  Nuclear Power Stations
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will give(a) the original design rating, (b) the cumulative average load factor and (c) the present actual annual load factor of each nuclear power station operated by the Central Electricity Generating Board; and if he will project the efficiency of Sizewell B in the same terms on the basis of the actual performance of the board's existing nuclear plant.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  This is an operational matter for the Central Electricity Generating Board and I have asked the chairman of the board to write to the hon. Member.

  Public Appeals
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will specify each donation made by his Department in response to public appeals for financial aid during each financial year since 1979–80.

  Mr. Parkinson
  The Department of Energy has made one donation in response to public appeals for financial aid since financial year 1979–80. This was a donation of £1 million to the Piper Alpha disaster fund in 1988–89.

  Gas Reserves
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what are the latest estimates for natural gas reserves in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  The latest estimates for remaining recoverable natural gas reserves within the United Kingdom and its continental shelf were published in the 1988 Brown Book (my Department's report to Parliament on the development of United Kingdom oil and gas resources) and lay in the range 644 to 1,950 billion cubic metres.

  The figures for remaining recoverable gas reserves for end 1988 will be published in the 1989 Brown Book in April; they are not yet available.

  Fiddlers Ferry
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he expects flue gas desulphurisation equipment to be fitted at Fiddlers Ferry power station.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The Central Electricity Generating Board and its successors will decide the order in which large coal-fired power stations should be retrofitted with flue gas desulphurisation equipment in order to meet their share of the United Kingdom's commitment to reduce sulphur dioxide emissions. I expect to receive a planning application for the next plant shortly.

  Electricity Privatisation
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the most up-to-date cost in the present and next financial year of the cost of privatisation of the electricity supply industry to each of the 12 area boards and the Central Electricity Generating Board.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Expenditure incurred in preparing for privatisation is a matter for the individual boards concerned.

  British Coal (Trading Margins)
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he has yet fully assessed the financial implications of the squeeze on British Coal's trading margins discussed in the recent Public Expenditure White Paper, Cm. 606.

  Mr. Parkinson
  The projections set out in Cm. 606 assumed breakeven in 1988–89 and steadily growing profitability thereafter. External finance requirements were set as follows:480

  £ million

  1988–89

  750

  1989–90

  560

  1990–91

  385

  1991–92

  273

  However, subsequent negotiations with the CEGB and other major customers have resulted in a price freeze. This, together with the effect of higher cost inflation than expected, loss of output due both to geological difficulties and to industrial relations problems, mainly in Yorkshire, and the reduction in sales caused by the recent mild weather have caused the industry's trading position to deteriorate. As a consequence the corporation's operating profit in 1988–89 is likely to be reduced by some £50 million to about £450 million.

  The corporation is responding firmly to these pressures by accelerating the restructuring of its operations into 1988–89 and the first half of 1989–90, by shedding unprofitable business in non-core markets, and by further reduction of its capital requirements over the period to 1991–92. While these actions should lead to a more profitable industry in the future, there is nevertheless an adverse short-term effect on the corporation's bottom line result because of additional restructuring costs and terminal depreciation. This together with the lower operating profits and a higher interest charge will lead to an overall loss for 1988–89 of around £100 million. The adverse market factors which have affected operating profit and the bottom line in the current year will have an even greater effect on British Coal's outlook for 1989–90. The industry is planning at least to sustain the level of operating profit in 1989–90; however, after taking account of significantly higher restructuring and terminal depreciation costs, and interest charges, a further overall loss is expected.

  The corporation's external finance requirements are now projected as follows:

  £ million

  1988–89

  850

  1989–90

  720

  1990–91

  335

  1991–92

  223

  I am accordingly raising the corporation's external financing limits for 1988–89 and 1989–90 to £850 million and £720 million respectively. These increases will be charged to the reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure. The capital allocations for 1988–89 and 1989–90 are being reduced from £650 million and £575 million to £600 million and £550 million respectively. British Coal's temporary borrowing limit is being increased from £1,800 million to £2,050 million immediately and further increased to £2,500 million from the beginning of 1989–90. A Supplementary Estimate for additional voted loans to meet the extra financing requirements in 1988–89 will shortly be laid before the House.

  Coal Mining
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what percentage of coal mining face-workers are mechanically transported underground from the shaft to the coal face;
  481
  (2) what percentage of British coal is (a) cut, (b) conveyed and (c) cleaned by mechanical means.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  These are matters for British Coal and I have asked the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Income Support
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals he has to assist with child care costs recipients of income support who wish to take employment.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  None. Such costs are not disregarded in housing benefit and family credit. It would be inequitable to allow a concession for those in part-time work when none is available to those in full-time work. We have said that we will monitor the new earnings rule in income support and consider what changes, if any, are necessary in the light of its operation.

  Pensions and Earnings
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he is considering restoring the index link between pensions and earnings.

  Mr. Scott
  We have no plans to restore the link between pensions and earnings. The key factor in considering pensioners' incomes is the total net income available. Our policies of protecting basic pension against price increases, ensuring that income from savings keeps its value, and encouraging the growth of occupational pensions have resulted in a 23 per cent. real terms increase in pensioners average total net incomes between 1979 and 1986.

  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate how much has been saved by abolishing the earnings link in pensions and linking it to the cost of living.

  Mr. Scott
  The additional public expenditure that would he needed in 1988–89 to uprate retirement pensions in line with earnings would be £3·7 billion.

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Hind
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish details of child benefit payments paid by the United Kingdom and other European Community countries; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moore
  We have every reason to be proud of our record of recognising the extra costs of providing for children. Our provision for and recognition of these costs compares very favourably with that of other EC countries.

  For a two-parent family with one child under two the United Kingdom stands ahead of every other member state in its child benefit payments. In addition, for a two-parent family with two children under six the United Kingdom ranks third. The details that my hon. Friend is seeking are given in my Department's publication, "Tables of Social Benefit Systems in the European Communities (Position at 1 January 1988)", a copy of which is in the Library.

  Care of the Elderly
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the annual cost to his Department of care in the community for the elderly living in their own homes as an alternative to residential care; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  Within Government the lead responsibility for community care rests with my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Health. Of course, many elderly people are helped to live in their own homes by a range of social security benefits such as attendance allowance, invalid care allowance and income support, as well as by payments from the independent living fund and the social fund.

  Family Credit
  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the latest average length of time taken to process applications for family credit; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We have reduced the average length of time from 22·9 working days in November to 21·7 days in January. Of that only 5·5 days was for work within family credit branch. The remaining 16·2 days were taken up by waiting for responses to enquiries, mainly from employers.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received regarding the take-up of family credit.

  Mr. Madel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what further measures he is considering to increase the take-up of family credit; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We have received very few representations about family credit take-up from outside this House, where there has been a concentration on the number of people receiving the benefit. There has been less recognition of the fact that expenditure is running above the levels we originally estimated, which indicates that families who most need the benefit are getting it. The average award is over £25 a week, and I am sure that family credit is welcomed by the quarter of a million families currently receiving it.

  We are planning a major campaign, to include television, to coincide with the uprating of family credit in April. The claim form is being revised and a new range of publicity material is being prepared. Our regional information teams will continue to raise awareness of family credit through the local media and by talking to employers, trade unions and others, especially to make clear the levels of income at which it can be paid.

  Departmental Spending
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security by what amount spending by his Department on pensions and related benefits is forecast to increase in real terms in 1989 over 1988.

  Mr. Scott
  The details of expenditure published in the Department's chapter of the 1989 public expenditure White Paper (Cm. 615) show that real terms spending on pensions and other benefits for the elderly is planned to be
  483
  over £500 million higher in 1989–90 than in the current year. In addition, we announced last November a package of help to poorer, older pensioners from October 1989 worth nearly £100 million in 1989–90 and almost £200 million in a full year.

  These increases mean that social security expenditure on the elderly is forecast to rise by 2·7 per cent. in real terms between 1988–89 and 1989–90, at a time when the number of pensioners will rise by less than one half of one per cent.

  16 and 17-Year-Olds (Financial Support)
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on financial support available to 16 and 17-year-olds.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We are monitoring the effects of the reformed social security structure on all groups, including 16 to 17-year-olds. This monitoring is now in progress.

  Disability Benefit
  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how the number of people receiving disability benefits has changed since 1978–79.

  Mr. Scott
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Nuneaton (Mr. Stevens) earlier today.

  Family Credit
  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many families in receipt of family credit reside in London; and what is the estimated number of families in that area who would be entitled to family credit.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We plan to make information about numbers of family credit claimants in particular areas available shortly. It is not possible to estimate the eligible population in these particular areas.

  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish figures showing the family credit ceilings in respect of 1989–90, for each of the following(a) a married couple with one child under five years, (b) a married couple with two children under 11 years, (c) a married couple with two children 11 to 15 years, (d) a married couple with three children under 11 years, (e) a married couple with three children aged 11, 13 and 15 years, (f) a married couple with two children under 11 years and two children between 11 and 15 years and (g) a married couple with one child under 11 years and one child aged 11 to 15 years.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Provided that the family has no more than £3,000 capital, family credit of 50p a week or more will be payable on net income up to the levels shown in the following table, whether the family has one parent or two. In assessing net income, child benefit and one parent benefit are disregarded.

  Family

  Net income £

  (a) One child under 5 (or under 11)

  112·51

  (b) Two children under 11

  122·94

  (c) Two children over 11 but under 16

  138·94

  484

  Family

  Net income £

  (d) Three children under 11

  133·37

  (e) Three children aged 11, 13 and 15 (ie over 11 but under 16)

  157·37

  (f) Two children under 11 and two children over 11 but under 16

  159·80

  (g) One child under 11 and one child over 11 but under 16

  130·94

  Fraud
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what he is doing to reduce social security fraud.

  Mr. Lloyd
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Billericay (Mrs. Gorman) earlier today.

  Unemployment Benefit, Coventry
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average period for which people claiming unemployment benefit in Coventry have received reduced benefits because their unemployment has been termed voluntary.

  Mr. Scott
  The information is not available.

  Mobility Allowance
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he proposes to increase the age of eligibility for application for mobility allowance.

  Mr. Scott
  This is one of the questions that we shall be considering in the light of the full results of the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys disability surveys.

  Social Fund
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people in Halifax have claimed, and how many have received, a crisis loan from the social fund; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Information on the numbers by month of applications processed for social fund crisis loans together with the number and value of awards made is available in the Library.

  Mr. Favell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many local offices are currently running ahead of their social fund limits for the current financial year; and how many have exceeded those limits.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Individual offices may from time to time exceed their anticipated expenditure for the year to date, but there are no indications that any office will be unable to manage its yearly budget allocation. No local office has exceeded its social fund allocation for 1988–89.

  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the expenditure to date in respect of social fund community care grants, itemised by the amount awarded under Secretary of State direction (i) 4(a)(i), (ii) 4(a)(ii), (iii) 4(a)(iii) and (iv) 4(b).

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I regret that the information is not available in the form requested. Information is collected
  485
  by application purpose and client group. Expenditure on community care grants at the end of December is provisionally calculated at £22·8 million of which £1·15 million was paid for travelling expenses under direction 4(b).

  Relocation
  Mr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on his reasons for relocating social security office work out of London.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply to my hon. Friends the Members for Walthamstow (Mr. Summerson) and for Sheffield, Hallam (Mr. Patnick) earlier today.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much money will be saved by his Department due to relocation.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We are making a significant initial investment in our project to relocate some of the work from some London social security offices, but from 1992–93 we expect to save £4 million per year. The net present value of the project over 20 years is £16 million.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received concerning the future of his Department's offices in inner-city areas.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Since we published "The Business of Service" report in June 1988, we have received about 50 representations concerning our proposals to move some work out of some London offices. Most of these, however, were based on the mistaken belief that we were planning to close offices in London. Nothing could be further from the truth. We are planning to improve our network of offices in London.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals he has for the reorganisation of the offices of his Department.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  For our plans for relocating some work from some London local social security offices, I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Epping Forest (Mr. Norris) on 16 January, at columns 44–45.

  A team of officials is considering options for moving some headquarters work out of London, and we shall make a full announcement of our conclusions in due course.

  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many jobs will be involved in the relocation of work from social security offices in London to other parts of the United Kingdom; and when he expects the relocation to be complete.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  As a direct result of the project to move some work from some London social security offices, we shall be creating 430 jobs in Glasgow, 350 in Belfast and 260 in Ashton-in-Makerfield, near Wigan. Staff savings in London will be approximately 1,200. We expect that the transfer of work involved in this project will be complete by October 1991.

  Mr. Robert B. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how relocation of social security office work out of London will affect his social security staff.
  486
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Relocating some work out of 21 London social security local offices is good news for staff. We are creating more than 1,000 high-quality permanent jobs in the regions; we are taking pressure off our London staff so that they will be able to offer a better face-to-face service and so get more satisfaction from their jobs; staff in London and in the new social security centres will have a better working environment; and, since the project is being phased over more than two years, we see no need whatever for staff redundancies in London.

  Service to the Public
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what he is doing to improve the service to social security claimants.

  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what evidence he has that his Department's local benefit payment offices are giving a better service to the public as a result of recent publicity.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The social security reforms which were introduced last April to make the benefit system easier to understand and to operate have led to real improvements in local office service standards. For example, the average time taken to clear income support claims in 1988–89 has been five days compared with six days the previous year, and there has been a substantial fall in average error rates from 11·6 per cent. in 1987–88 to 9·6 per cent. in the year to date. In addition, plans are in hand to tackle individual problem areas, such as some inner London offices, by relocating some of the work to parts of the country where it is easier to recruit and retain staff. In the longer term, the computerisation of social security operations will make an increasing impact in improving service delivery standards from mid-1989 onwards.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what he is doing to improve the efficiency of the social security system.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We are making very good progress in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the social security system. The new benefits introduced in April last year have simplified the system and made it easier to understand, both for claimants and for staff. As a result fewer people are finding it necessary to visit their local social security offices and the time taken to clear benefit claims has been reduced from a national average of six days for the last year of supplementary benefit to five days for the first six months of income support. National error rates have also improved, from 11·6 per cent. to 9·7 per cent. We recognise that further progress still needs to be made and to help with this we are setting improved targets and standards of service. For example, a comprehensive system of quality assessment of local office contacts with the public has been developed.

  These changes are complemented by our huge computerisation programme which is transforming the administration of social security, bringing major benefits for the taxpayer and all who use the social security system. Following the successful computerisation of the family credit system in April, trials of the initial version of the new pensions system and the central index system are now under way in the first local offices. A new micro-computer based system has recently been brought into operation for

  487
  the retirement pension forecast service, providing a quick, personalised reply to most inquiries. The public reaction to this has been overwhelmingly favourable. More and more people are taking advantage of the facility which we are providing to have their benefits paid direct into a bank or building society account, and over 1·5 million pensioners are now paid in this way.

  We are taking further steps to provide a better and more efficient service to the public by relocating some work away from some of our most hard-pressed local offices. We are considering the manner in which we organise and run our operational systems and, in particular, whether they could with advantage be run as a "Next Steps" agency or agencies. We have an active and ongoing programme of efficiency scrutinies which has yielded savings of more than £80 million and more than 4,000 posts, and we are encouraging our staff to take an active part in helping to improve efficiency through increasing use of the Department's suggestions scheme. This has saved at least £5 million this year alone.

  EC (Ministerial Meeting)
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he next expects to meet his counterparts in the European Community; and whether an agenda has been set.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We have no plans at present to meet our European counterparts in a European Community context. My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State will be attending a Council of Europe meeting on 13–14 April.

  Community Care Grants, Manchester
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the payment of community care grants in Manchester.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Take-up of community care grants in Manchester has increased significantly in recent months. The combined expenditure of the Manchester offices at the end of October was 27·5 per cent. of their total annual budget allocation and by the end of December this had increased to 45 per cent.

  The equivalent national figures were 24 per cent. and 38 per cent. respectively. Nationally, take-up of community care grants reached 77 per cent. of anticipated monthly expenditure in December.

  Income Support
  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what evidence he has that the new income support scheme is simpler to understand than supplementary benefit.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The early indications are encouraging. Claims for income support are being processed more quickly and accurately and a higher percentage are successful than claims for supplementary benefit. They are also generating significantly less appeals—some 34,000 between 11 April and 31 December 1988 as against 95,000 supplementary benefit appeals over a similar period. This represents a welcome improvement for claimants and staff alike and provides some indications that the new income support scheme is simpler to understand than supplementary benefit.
  488
  A lot of effort has gone into improving the design of the Department's claim forms and leaflets using specialist design consultants as well as the Department's own professional writers and designers. The integrated claim form, combining a claim form and all the information needed by a claimant to establish if he may be entitled, is one of the results. This is proving popular with the public.

  All this represents a real step forward from the old supplementary benefit scheme. We will continue to press for further improvements in the service provided as staff and claimants alike become more familiar with the new scheme.

  Special Needs Hostels
  Mr. Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what responses he has received to the consultation document on the funding of special needs hostels.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Halifax (Mrs. Mahon) on 23 January at columns 417–18.

  Pensioners (Benefits)
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action he proposes to increase the take-up of housing benefit and income support by pensioner households.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  In addition to our normal publicity arrangements, we shall be mounting a special campaign later this year to publicise the extra help which is being made available to pensioners through the income support and housing benefit schemes from October. As part of that campaign we shall be writing to all pensioners aged 75 and over, whose addresses we hold, to explain the changes.

  Missing Persons
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will make a statement of his Department's co-operation with the police on missing persons investigations.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  It is the long-standing policy of successive Governments that information held for social security purposes may be disclosed on request to the police in a case which involves a missing person under the age of 18. The information is given orally and in confidence and in respect of specific named individuals only.

  Widows
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his best estimate of the number of widows who have had a reduction in benefits specific to themselves due to changes in circumstances, other than re-marriage, since the changes in regulations in April 1988.

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

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the implications for his policy on widows' pensions of the decision of the social security appeal tribunal at Walthamstow that a widow aged under 45 years is entitled to a widow's pension because changes made to the law in April 1988, which would otherwise disqualify her, are invalid; and if he will make a statement.
  489
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether, in the light of the ruling of the independent social security appeal tribunal at Walthamstow on the change in the age limit for widows' pensions, he has any plans to restore the age limit to 40 instead of 45 years.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  It is for the office of the chief adjudication officer to decide whether or not to seek leave to appeal to the social security commissioner. If the adjudication officer decides not to seek leave to appeal, the tribunal's decision will be implemented in the normal way.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on his plans for housing benefit.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Housing benefit will continue to be available to help those on low incomes meet their liability for rent and rates. Future expenditure plans for housing benefit are contained in the public expenditure White Paper, (Cm. 615).

  School Meals
  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he next proposes to review the provision of free school meals to the children of people receiving benefit.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Free school meals are available to children in families receiving income support. The Government have no plans to change these arrangements.

  Invalid Care Allowance
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many benefit claimants in receipt of invalid care allowance, in each of the years 1985–86, 1986–87 and 1987–88, had that benefit disallowed following the death of a husband, the award of widow's benefit and the application of the overlapping benefit regulations;

  (2) how many applications for invalid care allowance were received in each of the years 1985–86, 1986–87 and 1987–88 and refused on the grounds that this allowance overlapped with widow's benefit.

  Mr. Scott
  I regret that the information requested is not available. The information which is available does not distinguish between women according to their marital status. Since June 1986 (when the allowance was extended to married and cohabiting women) 3,571 claims from women have been disallowed because they were receiving another social security benefit, equal to or higher than the weekly rate of invalid care allowance (ICA). Payments of ICA to a further group of 4,715 women have been stopped because they have become entitled to another social security benefit equal to or higher than the weekly rate of ICA.

  Retirement Age
  Sir David Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will announce the conclusions on the reappraisal of the various options for the equality of treatment of men and women in respect of age eligibility for the state retirement pension, to which he referred on 27 November 1987,Official Report, column 181.
  490
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for St. Ives (Mr. Harris) on 18 January at column 246.

  Attendance Allowance
  Mr. Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will now consult his advisory committee as to whether a successful claim for an attendance allowance should be backdated to the date of the claim, as opposed to the present requirement for at least six months have passed before the allowance is paid.

  Mr. Scott
  Attendance allowance may be paid from the date of the claim if at that date the statutory medical conditions have been satisfied throughout the previous six months. The social security advisory committee considered the qualifying period, but did not recommend its general waiver, in its report "Benefits for Disabled People: a strategy for change" published on 29 November. The qualifying period is an aspect of the attendance allowance scheme which we shall look at when we consider the future of disability benefits in the light of the OPCS disability surveys.

  Isle of Wight Benefit Office
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects the Isle of Wight office to be linked to the national computer; and what steps he is taking to speed up computerisation of all benefit offices.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I recently announced that we are accelerating the implementation of our computerisation programme so that all offices will be linked to the mainframe computer systems by mid-1991. Implementation of the systems in the Isle of Wight office is scheduled for the first half of 1991.

  Independent Living Fund
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how much money was allocated by the Government to the independent living fund in each of the years 1987–88 and 1988–89; and from the vote of which Government Department such allocations were made;

  (2) what information he has as to what sources of income the independent living fund has secured, other than Government funding, and as to how much such alternative source amounts to;

  (3) how much money will be allocated by the Government to the independent living fund in 1989–90.

  Mr. Scott
  The independent living fund was formally constitued on 8 June 1988. No funds were therefore made available for the year 1987–88. For 1988–89 £5 million was allocated from the miscellaneous health services and personal social services vote of the then Department of Health and Social Security. £5 million has been allocated for 1989–90. This sum will be reviewed as management information becomes available from the first year of operation.

  The independent living fund is financed entirely from Government sources.

  West Derby Office (Industrial Action)
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the strike of
  491
  officials at the West Derby Office of his Department in Princess drive, Liverpool; and what steps he is taking to bring the dispute to a satisfactory and equitable conclusion.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  A total of 44 members of staff at the Department's West Derby local office are currently taking strike action over management's proposals to transfer a small number of excess staff to neighbouring offices for temporary periods.

  Discussions have taken place between regional management and the trade unions. The unions are recommending to their members that they return to work early this week.

  A full public service will be restored at the office as soon as possible thereafter.

HEALTH

  Health Service (Charges)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will put in the Library a copy of Sir Donald Acheson's recent formal report on the implications and monitoring of charges for teeth and spectacles.

  Mr. Mellor
  I have received no such report.

  Aluminium
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice he has received regarding the safe level of aluminium in baby foods; and from whom.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Department's independent expert medical and scientific advisory committee on toxicity of chemicals in food, consumer products and the environment recently considered the results of analyses by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on the aluminium content of infant formulae. The committee saw no need for action to reduce the aluminium intakes from infant formulae. However, the Department's expert advisory committees will continue to keep under regular review the results of research into the effects of aluminium intakes.

  Listeria
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths there were in 1988 associated with the bacteria listeria; and in how many cases there was a food poisoning report associated with the death.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The provisional number of deaths registered in England and Wales in the first three quarters of 1988 at ages 28 days and over with underlying cause of

  Ambulance services: 1979 to 1986/87 Number of patient miles—Emergency, non-emergency and hospital car service cases

  Thousands

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984/85

  1985/86

  1986/87

  Northern RHA

  Cleveland

  Emergency cases

  184·0

  219·3

  231·8

  237·4

  269·6

  249·5

  215·8

  227·3

  Non-emergency cases

  985·5

  1,174·9

  1,138·0

  804·1

  1,191·8

  1,264·9

  1,350·2

  1,419·6

  Hospital car service cases

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cumbria

  Emergency cases

  161·0

  195·5

  131·9

  107·2

  215·7

  245·9

  239·8

  242·2

  492
  death assigned as listeriosis (international classification of diseases 9th revision 027.0) is seven. In addition, the provisional number of neonatal deaths (at ages under 28 days, where no underlying cause of death is assigned) where listeriosis was mentioned as a condition on the death certificate is five for the same period and area. In none of these 12 deaths was there any mention of food poisoning on the death certificate.

  From the reported cases of listeria known to the communicable disease surveillance centre of the Public Health Laboratory service who are also known by them to have died, none has been reported, formally or informally, as being confirmed microbiologically to have been associated with food.

  Private Hospitals
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish a list of those National Health Service hospitals which have engaged in contractual arrangements with private hospitals and clinics during 1987 and, so far as possible, 1988.

  Mr. Mellor
  Contractual arrangements with private hospitals and clinics are not made by individual NHS hospitals. Contracts are usually arranged by district health authorities and occasionally by regional health authorities.

  Radiotherapy
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients received radiotherapy within the National Health Service in(a) 1983 and (b)

  Mr. Freeman
  The available information is given in the table. The latest year for which information is currently available is 1986.

  New patients attending radiotherapy departments, NHS hospitals, England, 1983 and 1986

  In-patients

  Out-patients

  1983

  35,337

  93,235

  1986

  31,621

  96,540

  Ambulances
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list, for each ambulance service covering the Yorkshire and northern regions, and for each year since 1979, the number of miles covered by(a) emergency services, (b) non-emergency services, (c) minicabs and (d) volunteer drivers.

  Mr. Freeman
  The available information is given in the table.
  493

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984/85

  1985/86

  1986/87

  Non-emergency cases

  1,239.8

  1,572.7

  1,065.2

  865.2

  1,739.0

  1,684.3

  1,738.6

  1,555.0

  Hospital car service cases

  593.6

  718.0

  565.4

  380.4

  307.4

  412.5

  492.0

  713.0

  Durham

  Emergency cases

  398.3

  379.0

  379.6

  405.1

  416.2

  460.3

  385.4

  386.4

  Non-emergency cases

  1,202.5

  1,497.0

  1,695.3

  1,773.5

  1,889.3

  1,924.6

  2,099.6

  2,036.1

  Hospital car service cases

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Northumbria Metropolitan

  Emergency cases

  672.3

  661.4

  668.9

  867.6

  936.3

  1,102.0

  1,165.7

  1,038.2

  Non-emergency cases

  3,335.9

  3,785.2

  3,746.5

  3,499.3

  3,552.1

  3,311.2

  3,113.5

  3,380.3

  Hospital car service cases

  118.6

  101.0

  77.2

  83.8

  119.4

  215.2

  439.5

  341.5

  Yorkshire RHA

  Humberside

  Emergency cases

  277.5

  275.2

  283.0

  296.8

  300.5

  220.8

  317.8

  314.6

  Non emergency cases

  2,615.0

  2,728.2

  2,701.8

  2,692.2

  2,836.6

  2,891.2

  2,759.9

  2,630.7

  Hospital car service cases

  300.6

  294.9

  249.0

  246.1

  204.8

  313.6

  309.6

  340.9

  North Yorkshire

  Emergency cases

  187.8

  176.5

  184.6

  188.1

  181.5

  190.5

  240.2

  333.6

  Non-emergency cases

  1,547.1

  1,716.7

  1,726.4

  1,671.7

  1,722.9

  1,699.7

  1,754.4

  1,679.1

  Hospital car service cases

  23.8

  51.4

  48.7

  64.6

  134.0

  185.2

  262.9

  193.4

  West Yorkshire Metropolitan

  Emergency cases

  688.3

  712.0

  780.7

  777.0

  790.3

  838.7

  852.1

  936.3

  Non-emergency cases

  3,812.8

  4,547.1

  4,487.8

  4,093.1

  4,442.1

  4,587.3

  4,551.0

  4,677.4

  Hospital car service cases

  564.7

  691.0

  570.2

  649.3

  783.9

  716.8

  1,096.0

  1,465.4

  Source:

  1979–83 DH.

  1984–85 to 1986–87 York health authority.

  Notes:

  1. Figures for non-emergency cases do not include hospital car service cases.

  2. The 1986–87 data for emergency cases in Humberside authority includes some urgent cases.

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many emergency-equipped ambulances were available on 30 September 1988 at 6 pm; and what was the equivalent for each year since 1983.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information is not centrally available.

  Listerial Meningitis
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many cases of listerial meningitis have been recorded since 1979; and if he will give a regional breakdown of such incidence;

  (R) = Number of notifications of acute meningitis, other specified organism3 by standard region, and (B) = Number of deaths to usual residents of standard regions with listeria meningitis2 assigned as underlying cause 1979 to 1988

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  11988

  (R)

  (B)

  (R)

  (B)

  (R)

  (B)

  (R)

  (B)

  (R)

  (B)

  (R)

  (B)

  (R)

  (B)

  (R)

  (B)

  (R)

  (B)

  (R)

  (B)

  England and Wales4

  Male

  280

  2

  434

  3

  282

  3

  64

  2

  61

  7

  85

  2

  102

  4

  121

  4

  134

  7

  157

  1

  Female

  194

  3

  301

  1

  253

  3

  67

  0

  45

  4

  56

  4

  84

  4

  88

  6

  100

  9

  140

  3

  Wales

  Male

  46

  0

  35

  0

  16

  0

  10

  0

  5

  0

  6

  0

  3

  0

  7

  0

  10

  0

  17

  0

  Female

  22

  1

  40

  0

  12

  0

  7

  0

  4

  0

  1

  0

  3

  0

  5

  1

  3

  0

  17

  0

  Standard Region

  North

  Male

  9

  0

  15

  0

  6

  1

  0

  0

  2

  1

  0

  0

  5

  1

  6

  1

  6

  0

  10

  0

  Female

  3

  0

  10

  0

  6

  0

  0

  0

  5

  0

  3

  0

  4

  0

  0

  0

  3

  0

  11

  0

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Male

  34

  0

  14

  0

  25

  0

  12

  0

  13

  1

  29

  0

  26

  0

  33

  0

  23

  0

  34

  0

  Female

  19

  0

  23

  0

  28

  0

  12

  0

  8

  1

  11

  0

  25

  0

  27

  1

  27

  0

  24

  1

  East Midlands

  Male

  13

  0

  10

  0

  12

  0

  12

  0

  5

  0

  2

  0

  2

  1

  6

  0

  8

  1

  11

  0

  Female

  9

  1

  4

  0

  6

  0

  5

  0

  1

  0

  2

  1

  4

  1

  8

  1

  4

  0

  7

  0

  494
  (2) how many fatalities have been recorded as a result of listerial meningitis since 1979; and if he will give a regional breakdown of such incidence.

  Mr. Freeman
  From the statistics of notifications of infectious diseases, it is not possible to identify separately the number of cases of listerial meningitis. However, the table shows, in addition to the number of deaths registered with underlying cause of death assigned as listerial meningitis, the number of notifications of other specified forms of acute meningitis, including listerial meningitis.
  495

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  11988

  (R)

  (B)

  (R)

  (B)

  (R)

  (B)

  (R)

  (B)

  (R)

  (B)

  (R)

  (B)

  (R)

  (B)

  (R)

  (B)

  (R)

  (B)

  (R)

  (B)

  East Anglia

  Male

  13

  0

  19

  0

  2

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  6

  0

  4

  0

  2

  0

  1

  0

  3

  0

  Female

  8

  0

  11

  0

  5

  0

  2

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  2

  1

  2

  0

  3

  2

  3

  0

  South East

  Male

  85

  2

  162

  3

  124

  1

  17

  1

  18

  2

  15

  0

  16

  0

  21

  0

  38

  1

  28

  0

  Female

  83

  1

  95

  0

  113

  1

  20

  0

  9

  1

  18

  2

  13

  1

  20

  2

  30

  3

  23

  1

  South West

  Male

  19

  0

  12

  0

  18

  0

  1

  1

  3

  1

  8

  0

  17

  0

  12

  2

  15

  1

  23

  0

  Female

  7

  0

  10

  0

  14

  0

  6

  0

  3

  1

  3

  0

  16

  1

  6

  0

  12

  0

  15

  1

  West Midlands

  Male

  10

  0

  16

  0

  19

  0

  3

  0

  4

  1

  7

  0

  8

  1

  11

  0

  17

  2

  11

  1

  Female

  9

  0

  17

  1

  14

  1

  6

  0

  8

  0

  7

  1

  6

  0

  5

  0

  10

  2

  15

  0

  North West

  Male

  51

  0

  151

  0

  60

  0

  7

  0

  11

  1

  12

  2

  21

  1

  23

  0

  16

  2

  20

  0

  Female

  34

  0

  91

  0

  55

  1

  9

  0

  6

  1

  10

  0

  11

  0

  15

  1

  8

  2

  25

  0

  1 Provisional; mortality data are for January to September registrations only.

  2 International Classification of Diseases ninth revision code 027.0 (part).

  3 Acute meningitis, other specified organism includes all specified meningitis organisms other than those in the meningococcal, pneumococcal, influenzal (haemophilus influenzae), and viral categories.

  4 Deaths to those usually resident outside England and Wales are included in the overall totals.

  Note:
  In 1986, neonatal deaths were no longer assigned with an underlying cause of death but mention of condition(s) present at death were given. Therefore in addition to the number of deaths shown in the table there was one neonatal death in 1986 in the South East region, and two neonatal deaths in 1987 (one in the South East region and one in the North West region) with mention of listeria meningitis on the death certificate.

  Health Authority Allocations
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will estimate(a) what the allocations would have been to each English regional health authority for 1989–90 if the same national total had been distributed on the basis

  1989–90 allocations

  Difference

  Main1 Provision £ million

  Notional2 distribution in line with 1988–89 allocations3£ million

  £ million column (2) and (1)

  Percentage column (3) and (1)

  Region

  (1)

  (2)

  (3)

  (4)

  Northern

  832·4

  832·6

  0·2

  0·02

  Yorkshire

  937·4

  939·5

  2·2

  0·23

  Trent

  1,147·2

  1,143·9

  -3·3

  -0·29

  East Anglian

  497·1

  495·6

  -1·5

  -0·30

  North West Thames

  912·9

  918·5

  5·6

  0·61

  North East Thames

  1,137·0

  1,147·3

  10·3

  0·90

  South East Thames

  1,018·3

  1,019·1

  0·8

  -0·08

  South West Thames

  843·7

  846·0

  2·3

  0·28

  Wessex

  699·1

  695·9

  -3·1

  -0·45

  Oxford

  557·6

  546·3

  -11·3

  -2·03

  South Western

  832·4

  828·4

  -4·0

  -0·48

  West Midlands

  1,340·1

  1,342·5

  2·4

  0·18

  Mersey

  663·8

  663·9

  0·2

  0·02

  North Wester

  1,140·1

  1,139·6

  -0·5

  -0·05

  Total

  1,2559·1

  1,2559·1

  0·0

  0·00

  1 Excludes sums earmarked e·g· Supra regional services, AIDS, breast cancer screening.

  2 Total cash 1989–90 pro rata to 1988–89 initial cash limits.

  3 Excludes earmarked sums, but includes special fund of £15 million allocated to Regions who received the lowest increases under RAWP.

  Sexually-related Diseases (Children)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list by sex and by age the number of children aged 16 years and under who have been examined and diagnosed for a sexually related disease during the last year(a) in the Trent regional health authority and (b) by district health authority, showing the type of disease; and if he will make a statement.
  496
  of the 1988–89 allocations, (b) if he will estimate the difference between the figure and the actual allocation given to each region for 1989–90 and (c) if he will express (c) as a percentage of (b).

  Mr. Mellor
  The information requested is set out in the table:

  Mr. Freeman
  The latest available data are for Trent regional health authority in 1986 for syphilis and gonorrhoea only. These are shown in the table.

  Trent Regional Health Authority

  Age group—under 16

  1986

  Male

  Female

  Total

  Primary and secondary syphilis

  0

  0

  0

  Post-pubertal gonorrhoea

  8

  27

  35

  Trent RHA
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many consultants are currently employed by the Trent regional health authority.

  Mr. Mellor
  On 30 September 1987, there were 1,322 consultants in post in the Trent region, of these 657 were employed by the regional health authority. This figure includes permanent paid, honorary and locum staff.

  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many:(a) speech therapists and (b) physiotherapy-ists are currently employed by the Trent regional health authority;

  (2)how many nurses are currently employed by the Trent regional health authority;

  (3)how many midwives are currently employed by the Trent regional health authority.

  Mr. Mellor
  The table gives the number of staff in post in the Trent region for the groups mentioned:

  No. in post WTE

  Speech Therapists

  260

  Physiotherapists

  890

  Nurses

  35,800

  Midwives

  2,170

  Of these only 100 (WTE) nurses are employed by Trent regional health authority itself.

  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hours are worked by junior doctors employed by the Trent regional health authority in an average(a) week and (b) month.

  Mr. Mellor
  We do not collect information centrally. The hon. Member should contact the chairman of Trent regional health authority for an answer to his question.

  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are waiting for treatment in the following specialties in the Trent health region at the latest available date(a) orthopaedics, (b) gynaecology, (c) ear, nose and throat, (d) plastic surgery and (e) cardio-thoracic surgery.

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

  In-patient waiting list for selected specialties, Trent Regional Health Authority, 31 March 1988

  Specialty

  Number waiting

  Traumatic and Orthopaedics

  13,097

  Gynaecology

  8,324

  Ear, Nose and Throat

  8,295

  Plastic Surgery

  3,706

  Cardiothoracic Surgery

  773

  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospitals in the Trent regional health authority have 250 beds or more.
  498
  Mr. Freeman
  In 1986, the latest year for which we have available information, there were 37 hospitals with 250 or more average daily available beds in Trent region.

  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are waiting for day treatment at hospitals in the Trent health region at the latest available date; and what has been the percentage change in the last 12 months.

  Mr. Mellor
  There were 9,870 patients on the day case waiting list in Trent at March 1988. There is no comparable figure for March 1987 as day case waiting list statistics were not collected at that time.

  Acute Beds (North Derbyshire)
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many acute beds are currently available to patients in north Derbyshire.

  Mr. Freeman
  In the financial year 1987–88, there were an average of 579 acute beds available daily in North Derbyshire health authority.

  Health Centres (North Derbyshire)
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current number of health centres in north Derbyshire.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested is not collected centrally. I would therefore suggest that the hon. Member contact the chairman of North Derbyshire health authority for an answer to his question.

  Waiting List (North Derbyshire)
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have been on the waiting list in north Derbyshire for over one year.

  Mr. Mellor
  At March 1988, 720 patients on the in-patient waiting list in north Derbyshire had been waiting over one year. This compares with 1,280 at March 1979. Provisional figures, currently being validated, indicate that the number reduced still further in the six months to September 1988.

  Cancer
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what was the incidence of breast cancer in women aged(a) 50 to 64 years and (b) 65 years and over in each of the last 10 years;

  (2) what was the incidence of cervical cancer in women aged (a) 50 to 64 years and (b) 65 years and over in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information is shown in the table; 1984 is the latest available data year.
  499

  Registrations of newly diagnosed cases of malignant neoplasm of(a)female breast(b)cervix uteri, and rates per 100,000 population, ages50–64, 65 and over, England and Wales, 1975–84.

  ICD 174 (Breast Cancer)1

  ICD 180 (Cervix Uteri)1

  Number

  Rate2

  Number

  Rate2

  50–64

  65+

  50–64

  65+

  50–64

  65+

  50–64

  65+

  1975

  6,943

  9,592

  155

  223

  1,654

  1,197

  37

  28

  1976

  7,146

  9,419

  160

  217

  1,604

  1,150

  36

  26

  1977

  7,107

  9,779

  160

  222

  1,578

  1,200

  36

  27

  1978

  7,071

  9,814

  161

  220

  1,402

  1,173

  32

  26

  1979

  6,604

  9,738

  152

  216

  1,343

  1,193

  31

  26

  1980

  6,928

  9,846

  161

  216

  1,347

  1,203

  31

  26

  1981

  6,751

  10,132

  158

  221

  1,248

  1,229

  29

  27

  1982

  7,094

  10,055

  166

  220

  1,218

  1,193

  29

  26

  1983

  6,834

  10,174

  160

  224

  1,152

  1,139

  27

  25

  1984

  6,979

  10,100

  163

  223

  1,124

  1,158

  26

  26

  1 International Classification of Diseases 9th Revision.

  2 Rates per 100,000 population.

  Crewe DHA (Contracts)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the names of every private company that has entered into any contract with Crewe district health authority in the past five years, with the addresses of their registered offices and the names of their directors.

  Mr. Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the names of each private company that has entered into any contract with Halton district health authority in the past five years, together with the addresses of their registered offices and the names of their directors.

  Mr. Mellor
  We do not hold details of such arrangements centrally. The hon. Member and my hon. Friend may wish to contact the chairman of the appropriate district health authority for the information.

  Haemoglobinopathy
  Mr. Jim Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to secure the delivery of specialist haemoglobinopathy services in districts where they are currently not on offer; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Department recently issued a questionnaire to all district health authorities on haemoglobinopathy services and is currently analysing the responses. The analysis will form the basis for decisions about action that might be needed centrally on these services.

  International Organisations
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those international organisations on which his Department is represented and the total cost of these commitments.

  Mr. Mellor
  Department of Health Ministers and/or officials represent the United Kingdom at the world health assembly, at meetings of the World Health Organisation's regional committee for Europe and at other meetings arranged by the WHO; the United Kingdom's assessed contribution to the organisation's regular budget—amounting in the current financial year to £7·559 million—is paid by the Department of Health. Departmental officials also represent the United Kingdom at meetings of the European Pharmacopoeia Commission and of other committees concerned with public health and with rehabilitation organised by the Council of Europe, but whose membership comprises only some members of the Council of Europe; the United Kingdom's contribution to the work of these committees—amounting to £287,000 in the current financial year—is made by the Department.

  Departmental Ministers and/or officials also represent the United Kingdom at meetings of a number of international organisations dealing with health and personal social service issues, to which the United Kingdom's contribution is not primarily a charge on Department of Health votes—for example, councils and working groups of the European Community, and ministerial meetings and steering groups of the Council of Europe and of the OECD.

  The cost of attendance at meetings of these bodies are not separately identified.

  Competitive Tendering
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department has published guidelines or instructions regarding the costing of redundancy expenditure arising from competitive tendering.

  Mr. Mellor
  Yes. Most recently in executive letter EL(87)MB/1 issued in November 1987. A copy has been placed in the Library. The guidance is kept under review.

  Abortion
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has yet received the final copy of the report of the study conducted by the Royal College of General Practitioners into the psychological sequelae of abortion.

  Mr. Freeman
  No. A large body of data is currently undergoing careful analysis. I understand the report should be available later this year.

  Infant Health
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases there have been of babies who have become victims of Alzheimer's disease.

  Mr. Freeman
  Information held centrally about Alzheimer's disease relates to those cases which received treatment in an NHS hospital. The data which are based on a 10 per cent. sample of patient discharge records, revealed no such cases in the under 15 age group. We are not aware of any cases of babies or children with Alzheimer's disease.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the effect on babies of consuming food with high levels of aluminium.

  Mr. Freeman
  Aluminium in the diet is not known to cause any disease in babies. In 1988 the Food and Agriculture Organisation/World Health Organisation joint expert committee on food additives set a provisional tolerable weekly intake—PTWI—for aluminium of 7 mg per kilogram bodyweight. This figure was based on the effects on laboratory animals of very much greater intakes of aluminium compounds. The aluminium intakes of babies in the United Kingdom are well below this PTWI.

  Anaemia
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many district health authorities employ full-time specialist sickel cell anaemia and thalassaemia counsellors.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Department recently issued a questionnaire to all district health authorities on screening and counselling services for sickle cell and thalassaemic diseases. Although this did not ask about the employment of full-time specialist counsellors it did ask who was responsible for counselling. The replies to the questionnaire are currently being analysed.

  Hospitals (Opting Out)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether, under his proposals for the National Health
  502
  Service announced on 31 January, he will make it his policy to allow the local community to have a vote prior to a hospital with more than 250 beds deciding to operate on an independent basis.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The White Paper published on 31 January outlines plans for self-governing hospitals within the NHS. Proposals will be given local publicity but I see no merit in making management changes within the NHS subject to a vote by the residents of a particular locality.

  Population Statistics
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has as to the number of persons ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom who have attained the age of 12 years.

  Mr. Freeman
  It is estimated that at 30 June 1987 there were 48,380,000 persons aged 12 and over with usual residence in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has as to the average frequency of household removal.

  Mr. Freeman
  Information in the form requested is not available centrally. However my hon. Friend may find the following information relating to 1986 useful.

  Percentage of Heads of Households according to length of residence at current address: Great Britain

  Length of residence Years

  Percentage

  Under 1

  10

  1 but under 3

  14

  3 but under 5

  12

  5 to 10

  22

  11 to 15

  11

  16 to 20

  10

  21 to 30

  11

  31 or more

  10

  Note: The information is derived from a question on length of residence of the Head of Household in the General Household Survey. (General Household Survey 1986, OPCS/SSD, Series GHS number 16, page 70, Her Majesty's Stationery Office.

  AIDS
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the number of AIDS patients receiving treatment in London; and which eight hospitals have the most such patients.

  Mr. Mellor
  We do not have information in the form requested.

  The total number of AIDS cases reported from district health authorities in Greater London at the end of 1988 was 1,318, of whom 671 have died. The eight health authorities which had the greatest numbers of reports
  were:

  Riverside

  Parkside

  Bloomsbury

  West Lambeth

  Hampstead

  Tower Hamlets

  Wandsworth

  Camberwell

  NHS (Funding)
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if Sonia Cabey, aged 18 years, from the dependency of Montserrat now in the Brompton hospital, London, awaiting heart surgery not available in the dependency, will be treated under the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement about the funding of this case.

  Mr. Mellor
  Miss Cabey is being treated privately in an NHS hospital. The Monserrat Government have undertaken that the costs will be met.

  Artificial Kidney Assistants
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information is available to his Department about vacancies for artificial kidney assistants in the National Health Service,

  Mr. Mellor
  We do not collect this information centrally.

  Out-patients (Transport)
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospitals charge transport costs to patients of out-patient clinics and those patients admitted after referral by their general practitioner; what is the average charge; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  Ambulance service transport is provided free of charge for those patients considered by a clinician to be medically unfit to travel by any other means. Patients who do not have a medical need but who have difficulty in finding other means of attending hospital may also be carried by the ambulance service but a charge may be made.

  Information on the level and extent of such charges is not centrally available.

  Benzodiazepines
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the number of new patients prescribed benzodiazepines by doctors since January 1988.

  Mr. Mellor
  We do not collect this information centrally.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what evidence he has on the number of road accidents caused by impaired concentration of motorists taking benzodiazepines;

  (2) what evidence he has on the number of accidents (a) in the home and (b) elsewhere caused to elderly people by taking benzodiazepines;

  (3) what evidence he has on the incidence of structural brain damage causesd by long-term use of benzodiazepines.

  Mr. Mellor
  We do not collect this information centrally.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he intends to undertake a national education campaign to warn young people about the dangers of benzodiazepine addiction.

  Mr. Mellor
  We have no such plans. Health, personal and social education in schools, backed by the work of
  504
  drug education co-ordinators in every local education authority, covers the use and misuse of a wide range of substances, including prescribed drugs.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the number of people prescribed benzodiazepines since January 1988 who have taken them for longer than the period laid down by the Committee on Safety of Medicines.

  Mr. Mellor
  We do not collect this information centrally.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his latest estimate of the number of chronic users of benzodiazepines in the United Kingdom; and what percentage of these are addicted to the drug.

  Mr. Mellor
  We do not hold this information centrally.

  Cook-Chill Food
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has any plans to introduce regulatory provisions governing the temperature at which cook-chill foods are stored and displayed by retailers and the length of time during which such products are on sale from the time that they leave the manufacturer; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  [holding answer 23 January 1989]: Proposed changes to the Food Hygiene Regulations 1970, including requirements for the temperature of retailed chilled food, have been the subject of consultations by my Department and discussions continue. The Food Labelling Regulations 1984 already require pre-packed perishable foods to carry a date of minimum durability.

  Neomycin
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many people are estimated to suffer burns or scalding accidents annually; what is the best estimate of those seriously burned or scalded and likely to have been thickly sprayed with neomycin;

  (2) how many people are known to have been deafened by the use of neomycin sprays after being treated for burns or scalds; and what is the best estimate of the number at risk of being deafened in this way;

  (3) when neomycin was first used in National Health Service hospitals in spray form; what Government safety health checks it had received prior to that date; for what purposes it was recommended; and what warnings of side effects were given;

  (4) at what date neomycin was available to National Health Service hospitals; what Government safety health checks it had received before use within the National Health Service; for what purposes it was recommended; and what warnings of side effects were given;

  (5) what is his best estimate of the number of people known to have been deafened by neomycin used in conventional form;

  (6) when were the first research reports that neomycin could cause deafness; who they were by; and what action was taken by his Department to warn those using the drug;

  (7) if he will set up an inquiry to investigate (a) the number of adults and children deafened by the use of neomycin sprays to treat burns and scalds, (b) the
  505
  possibility of identifying them, (c) the possibility of giving publicity to the fact that, in some circumstances compensation may be possible, (d) the difficulties that people deafened in this way have in getting access to medical records and (e) the effectiveness of procedures which transmit information about the side effects of drugs;

  (8) what information he has as to when research first established that compounds applied to the skin could be absorbed into the bloodstream and as to what action was taken to link this information to known hazards of drugs taken intravenously; and what action was taken by his Department to ensure that this information was known by those likely to treat burns.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 31 January 1989]: Medicines containing the antibiotic substance neomycin were introduced in the early 1950s. There was then no general statutory requirement for pre-marketing approval of the type introduced by the Medicines Act 1968. It is not now possible to be precise about the date of introduction or the conditions of marketing. Reports of ototoxicity (damage to the ear, including deafness) associated with injections of neomycin led to discussion in the medical literature in the early 1960s of the risks of deafness. The injectable forms were subjected in 1966 to the Therapeutic Substances Act (TSA) 1956. TSA control was more limited than the comprehensive system under the Medicines Act 1986. Its chief objects were to ensure purity and potency. The risk of ototoxicity associated with all forms of neomycin was reported by the later 1960s.

  Over the period 1963 to 1988, 14 suspected cases of neomycin-associated deafness were reported to the Committee on Safety of Medicine (CSM) and its predecessor the Committee on Safety of Drugs (CSD). These reports derive from all formulations of neomycin. It is not meaningful to extrapolate from these reports. As with all prescription-only medicines, the decision in balancing the benefit of treatment of individuals against the risk of unwanted effects is a matter for clinical judgment. I am advised that clinical use of neomycin has become progressively selective with appreciation of the risks of ototoxicity, which the licensing authority (LA) and advisory bodies have played their part in fostering. Centrally available information is held on the number of hospital in-patient cases treated for burns and scalds. The latest available figure is an estimate of 11,190 for 1985, but there is no central information as to whether they were treated with neomycin.

  Medicines containing neomycin are subject to all the normal prescription-only controls. Data sheets inform doctors of the risks of ototoxicity. Moreover, in addition to the control of the products, the substance neomycin itself is controlled under the Medicines (Control of Substances for Manufacture) Orders 1971 and 1985 (SI 1971/1200 and SI 1985/1403): Individual batches are tested by the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control.

  The CSM issued a warning to all doctors in 1977:
  "The association of deafness with the parenteral use of neomycin is well established. The Committee on Safety of Medicines have recently received reports of deafness following topical administration of aerosol preparations containing neomycin used in the treatment of extensive skin damage resulting from burns or other causes.
  The Committee urge the profession to report any case of ototoxicity which they suspect may have resulted from topical administration of aerosol or any other preparations containing neomycin or other antibiotics."
  506
  The CSM issued a reminder in 1981 in the Current Problems publication to all doctors:
  "The Committee on Safety of Medicines wishes to remind doctors that when otitis externa is treated topically with preparations containing chlorhexidine aminoglycoside antibiotics (eg neomycin, framycetin) or polymxins in patients who have a perforation of the tympanic membrane, there is an increased risk of drug-induced deafness. It is therefore important to ensure that there is no perforation in such patients before prescription of these preparations."

  The LA reviewed in 1979–80 with advice from the Committee on Review of Medicines (CRM), some medicines with neomycin which had been on the market before the Medicines Act was brought into effect; were mainly anti-diarrhoea products; generally, the result was to limit permitted indications for use and require additional warnings in product literature of the products which remained licensed.

  Other neomycin products are brought under scrutiny as part of the review of all pre-Act medicines.

  The independent "British National Formulary" distributed by the Department to all NHS doctors and pharmacists contains explicit warnings.

  Discussions have begun with the medical profession with a view to developing voluntary means of access to medical records. It could be counterproductive 1:o anticipate the outcome.

  It is for individuals who consider that they may have been made deaf by the use of neomycin to take advice. It would be inappropriate to prejudice such advice or any proceedings which might arise by a general statement or by inquiry into numbers affected or by attempting to identify individuals, for which there is no feasible central mechanism.

  Nursing Homes
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is being done to meet the needs of those people unable to go into private sector nursing homes

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 2 February 1989]: Health and local authorities provide a wide range of services to meet the needs of individuals. Health authorities provide hospital in-patient care where this is appropriate, NHS nursing home provision and community nursing support for those able to live in the community, whilst local authorities provide residential domiciliary and day-care services. We encourage health and local authorities to plan and work jointly with the voluntary and private sectors, to ensure that a comprehensive range of provision is available.

  A range of social security benefits is also available to help people who live in their own homes.

  Continuing Care
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advise his Department has given to health districts for their strategic planning in relation to continuing care provision.

  Mr. Mellor [holding answer 2 February 1989]
  Th e most recent advice was set out in Circular HC(88)43, which gave guidance to health authorities on preparing short-term plans for 1989–90 and making any necessary revisions to existing strategic plans.

  A copy of this circular has been placed in the Library. The relevant references are in appendix 4.

  Pensioners (East Cleveland)
  Mr. Holt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions have taken place with employment training agencies on the loss of hot meal services to retirement pensioners in the East Cleveland area.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 2 February 1989]: I understand that the East Cleveland employment training group luncheon clubs project has been carried forward into employment training. Loftus Employment Training has been appointed as the training manager and is actively considering ways of ensuring the project's continued

  Hospital and Community Health Services—Current Expenditure

  £ millions

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  Cash figures table 14·1 Cm. 614

  Gross

  8,882

  9,386

  9,886

  10,623

  11,730

  Net

  8,628

  9,120

  9,607

  10,320

  11,402

  Figures adjusted by HCHS Pay and Price deflator

  Gross

  11,461

  11,446

  11,469

  11,522

  11,730

  Net

  11,133

  11,122

  11,145

  11,193

  11,402

  The table sets out HCHS current expenditure figures from 1983–84, adjusted by the HCHS pay and price deflator for the years in which it is available. These figures do not take account of income from cash releasing cost improvements which, in the years shown, provided a significant contribution to the total resources available for service development.

  Hospitals (Resource Management Initiative)
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the hospitals participating in the resource management initiative and those hospitals that will join the initiative in the next two years.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 2 February 1989]: The following are the acute hospital sites that are participating in the resource management initiative:

  Freeman Hospital

  Royal Huddersfield Infirmary

  Royal Hampshire County

  Pilgrim Hospital

  Guy's Hospital

  Arrowe Park

  The acute resource management initiative will be extended over a phased period to the main acute hospitals in England. No decision has yet been taken on which particular hospitals will join the initiative in the next two years.

CIVIL SERVICE

  European Community (Reform)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service what changes he expects to take place in(a) the training of the Civil Service and (b) related matters as a consequence of dismantling of internal frontiers in Europe in the run up to 1992.

  Mr. Luce
  The Civil Service has for some time been preparing for the single European market. Departments are developing their training to respond to this opportunity, including the use they make of the courses in European affairs run by the Civil Service college. Details of
  508
  future within employment training. I also understand that Training Agency officials are available to help in this process as necessary.

  Pay and Price Deflator
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish a table showing the relevant figures in table 14·1 of Cm. 614 adjusted by the hospital and community health services pay and price deflator.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 2 February 1989]:

  these courses are contained in the college brochure "European and International Affairs", a copy of which I am placing in the Library of the House.

EMPLOYMENT

  Job Clubs
  Mr. Franks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current number of job clubs in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lee
  At 31 December 1988 there were 1,214 job clubs open for business. I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Bury, North (Mr. Burt) on 27 January at column 810.

  Unemployed Persons (London)
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many representations he has received following the publication of his Department's survey on the long-term unemployed in London; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lee
  My right hon. Friend has not received any representations following the publication of the results of the two London surveys covering employers and the longer-term unemployed, in London, respectively.

  There has of course been widespread interest in the research findings, which reveal that there are 150,000 job vacancies in London, at a time when almost 300,000 people are claiming benefit as unemployed.

  At least one third of the vacancies require no special qualifications or experience, although many of London's longer-term unemployed do have academic or vocational qualifications, with nearly one in 10 possessing degrees. Many also have experience in management and other skilled occupations.

  A quarter of the longer-term unemployed interviewed had not looked for work in the previous week. Many of those who said that they were actively looking for work used methods different from those favoured by employers in filling vacancies. Some of the London unemployed need
  509
  the opportunity to retrain in up-to-date skills, and we now have employment training for them. Others need to look more intensively for the jobs to which they are already well-suited. The surveys underline the importance of the measures which the Government are taking to ensure that benefit is drawn only by those who are genuinely unemployed.

  Japanese Tourists
  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proposals he has to stimulate Japanese tourism to the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lee
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is very aware of the tourism potential of the Japanese market.

  BTA is already involved in a range of promotional activities to stimulate Japanese travel to Great Britain. BTA has also commissioned a study of the Japanese tourism market in conjunction with DTI.

  YTS
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will provide figures for the number of filled YTS places for each year from 1984 to 1988.

  Mr. Cope
  The average numbers of young people in training on YTS for each year from 1984 to 1988 are as follows:

  Number

  1984

  263,000

  1985

  265,000

  1986

  283,000

  1987

  358,000

  1988

  396,000

  YTS (Accidents)
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will provide figures on the number of(a) fatal, (b) major and (c) minor accidents to YTS trainees reported to the Manpower Services Commission/Department of Employment Training Agency for each year from 1984 to 1988, giving the average age of trainees involved.

  Mr. Cope
  The table shows the number of(a) fatal (b) major and (c) minor accidents to YTS trainees for each year from 1984 to 1987. Figures for the full years of 1988 are not yet available. From the 1 April 1986 changes in legislation on the reporting of accidents were introduced which had the effect of reclassifying some accidents from minor category to the major category—for example, broken wrists and ankles.

  The figures in brackets show the number of major and minor accidents under the previous reporting system. The average age of trainees involved could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Accidents1

  Major injuries2

  Minor injuries

  Year

  Fatalities

  Riddor

  Nador

  Riddor

  Nador

  1984

  43

  —

  190

  —

  1,725

  1985

  44

  —

  201

  —

  1,885

  1986

  75

  305

  (221)

  1,624

  (1,708)

  1987

  76

  427

  (262)

  2,466

  (2,631)

  510
  1 Training Agency accident figures for YTS are compiled on a similar basis to those prepared by the Health and Safety Executive on employed persons. However, agency figures will include a number of accidents, in particular road traffic accidents during scheme time and accidents to trainees in educational establishments which may not have been reportable to the Executive had the individuals been employed.

  2 Up to 31 March 1986 major injuries were classified according to the severity criteria laid down in the Notification of Accidents and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1980. From 1 April 1986 major injuries have been classified according to the severity criteria laid down in the Reporting of Injuries, Disease and Dangerous Occurences Regulations 1985.

  3 This figure includes 2 road traffic accidents.

  4 This figure includes 1 road traffic accident.

  5This figure includes 3 road traffic accidents.

  6 This figure includes 2 road traffic accidents.

  Civil Service Appeal Board
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment on how many occasions in each of the last 10 years his Department has(a) accepted and acted upon or (b) not accepted or acted upon, Civil Service appeal board recommendations concerning his Department's unfair conduct in disciplinary matters; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lee
  The information requested is not readily available and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Generally speaking rejection of Civil Service appeal board recommendations is not common in my Department.

  Holidays (UK)
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the most recent figure for the percentage of the population that take holidays in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Lee
  The latest estimates show that 36 per cent. of the population of Great Britain aged 16 and over took one or more holidays of four or more nights in Great Britain in 1987.

  Tourists (East Midlands)
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many accommodation establishments are available to tourists in the east midlands region at the latest date.

  Mr. Lee
  In December 1988, there were 3,016 tourist accommodation establishments in the east midlands region known to the English Tourist Board's registration unit.

  Vocational Courses
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he is taking to reduce duplication between YTS, the technical and vocational education initiative, CPVE and other vocational courses.

  Mr. Cope
  This area is being carefully looked at and a number of lessons are emerging, including developments in records of achievement and vocational qualifications. We will continue to work towards reducing duplication to ensure progression for young people to obtain higher levels of attainment while maximising the increased choices available to young people as they move from school to work.

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement about the Training Agency's support for equal opportunities in training and employment for members of ethnic minorities.

  Mr. Cope
  From 1 April 1989 the Government are to enlarge and redirect their practical help to increase equal opportunities for members of ethnic minority groups through training.

  First, the Government will increase the provision within employment training for unemployed people who need training in English as a second language. There will be extra finance for supplementary grants for this kind of training; extra money for the assessment of people who need such training; and staff involved in the programme will receive training in the relevant expertise and, for the year beginning 1 April 1989, consultancy advice. These improvements to employment training will cost £1·3 million per year.

  Secondly, there will be a major initiative to increase the use of open and flexible learning in English as a second language. A total of £200,000 per year will be available to identify good open learning materials, to commission new material if necessary, and to promote its use.

  Thirdly, the Government are to extend the new programme "Business Growth Training" which was announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 24 January (Official Report, 25 January, column 550). In inner city target areas, firms receiving help under the programme for outside advice on training will be eligible for up to two-thirds of the total cost of their project, rather than the normal one-half maximum. A further £5,000— on top of the £15,000 maximum—would be available for such projects, whether or not in inner cities, to fund training which helped to increase equal opportunities for ethnic minority employees of the firm concerned. I am asking the Training Agency to ensure that each of its area offices with a concentration of ethnic minority employees in its area sets up appropriate projects of this kind. The annual cost of this extension of "Business Growth Training" would be £1 million in a full year.

  These new measures will supersede the present funding of the net running costs of industrial language training units totalling £2·2 million in 1988–89. Their original purpose was to provide training in basic English for first generation immigrants in employment. But while members of ethnic minorities in the work force are employed largely by private sector firms, the proportion of private sector employers helped by the units is small. The location of units does not fully reflect the distribution of ethnic minorities in the work force. And, the units focus on people in employment, whereas those in the greatest need are unemployed.

  The new arrangements announced today will create new business opportunities for the units. In order to give them time to adjust, their direct funding will therefore be extended from 31 March to 11 August 1989.

  I am confident that the new arrangements will help members of the ethnic minorities more and more effectively.

DEFENCE

  Low Flying
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1), pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire on 13 July 1988,Official Report, columns 238–39, what is the reason for the decline in the amount of low flying taking place over southern Scotland in the first three months of 1988; and if he will provide an updated table showing the latest available figures for the numbers of movements and complaints in 1988;

  (2) if the figures for low flying aircraft movements over southern Scotland in his written answer to the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, 1 May 1987, Official Report, column 298, and 13 July 1988, columns 238–39, include movements in low flying area 13; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Neubert
  Pursuant to the reply provided by my predecessor, my hon. Friend the Member for Kettering (Mr. Freeman) on 13 July 1988, columns 238–39, I regret that an error was made in the calculation of the proportion of United Kingdom low flying movements over southern Scotland in the first three months of 1988. The correct figure is 7·1 per cent. The latest available figures for the numbers of movements in and complaints from southern Scotland are as follows:

  1 January to 31 October 1988

  Movements in southern Scotland

  17,049

  Complaints from southern Scotland

  285

  The figures for movements in southern Scotland do not include movements in low flying area 13.

  SDI (Contracts)
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State of Defence how many contracts for research or development have been awarded to United Kingdom universities and other institutions of higher education under the strategic defence initiative programme; and what is their total worth.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Thirty-three contracts with a total value of United States $8 million.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State of Defence how many United Kingdom universities and other institutions of higher education have so far received contracts for research or development under the United States of America strategic defence initiative programme.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Twenty-one.

  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will detail the matters under consideration in the course of his current review of military low flying, the time-scale involved and the consideration given to possible public consultation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Neubert
  There is no review of military low flying taking place. However, as part of a continuous monitoring of the United Kingdom low flying system, a programme of reviews of avoidance areas is carried out and changes made when necessary, reflecting changes on the ground,
  513
  and aimed at spreading low flying more evenly and enchancing flight safety, while at the same time reducing, where possible, the disturbance to those on the ground.

  Complaints
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State of Defence, pursuant to the answer to the right hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South,Official Report, 13 January, column 782 (1) at what level records are kept of the submissions for redress of complaint by service men; what categorisation of complaints is made; whether a report is prepared of the number of complaints made in each category; and what information is required centrally;

  (2) what effort would be required to obtain from existing records the number of submissions for redress of complaint relating to racial discriminniation or abuse; what would be the cost; if he will provide as much information as is accessible; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Neubert
  Submissions for redress of grievance are retained as permanent records on the individual's service documents. Complaints may be made orally or in writing and are normally resolved at unit level. Commanding officers have a duty to investigate all complaints seeking redress and if the complainant is dissatisfied with the decision the rules provide for the complaint to be submitted to each subsequent level in the chain of command and ultimately to the service boards. Complaints investigated by the special investigations branch are categorised according to the nature of the offence (assault, theft, etc).

  Central records are kept only of cases submitted to the service boards. To obtain the information requested by the right hon. Gentleman would involve disproportionate cost, requiring individual returns from many thousands of service establishments world wide of cases settled at unit level.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish a table listing for(a) Wales, (b) Scotland, (c) England, (d) The Federal Republic of Germany, (e) Cyprus and (f) the Falkland Islands the number of complaints received in 1988 by his Department concerning the low flying of Royal Air Force or Royal Navy planes and seeking a reduction in this activity.

  Mr. Neubert
  My Department does not keep central records of complaints made about low-flying aircraft other than those involving activity in the United Kingdom low flying system. The total number of complaints received in 1988 is not yet available.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the annual defence budget has been allocated to nuclear weapons design, production, maintenance and deployment in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Estimated spending on strategic nuclear forces is shown in table 2·3 of volume 2 of the 1988 statement on the Defence Estimates (Cm 344-II). Since 1979, this spending has represented the following proportions of the defence budget:
  514

  Per cent.

  1979–80

  1·5

  1980–81

  1·5

  1981–82

  2·2

  1982–83

  2·3

  1983–84

  2·4

  1984–85

  2·3

  1985–86

  2·8

  1986–87

  3·6

  1987–88

  4·7

  1988–89

  15·6

  1Provisional estimate·

  Military Construction Projects
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the United States military construction projects in the United Kingdom for which funding approval was given in fiscal year 1989, giving for each project its location, the nature of facilities to be constructed and an estimate of when the project will achieve operational status.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  [holding answer 31 January 1989]: I understand from information provided by the United States authorities that the following United States military construction projects have been funded for fiscal year 1989. Information regarding the operational status of these projects is unavailable. The dates given reflect when the facilities will be ready for occupation.

  Base and facility

  Ready for occupation

  RAF Bentwaters

  Recreation centre

  March 1991

  Sound suppressor support

  September 1989

  RAF Feltwell

  Passive defence equipment store

  January 1990

  RAF Lakenheath

  DEB communications building

  March 1990

  Alter/add to composite medical facility

  May 1993

  Semi-hardened communications facility

  May 1990

  Menwith Hill station

  Expansion of operations facilities

  March 1991

  RAF Mildenhall

  Child development centre

  July 1990

  Alter/add to water storage

  June 1991

  Alter/add to operations facility

  August 1990

  RAF Upper Heyford

  Upgrade/add to vehicle maintenance facility

  1

  RAF Welford

  Fire station

  September 1990

  Munitions igloos

  May 1990

  1 Although funding has been approved for this project. it is currently under United States Air Force review

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the latest information he has about United States military construction projects in the United Kingdom and its dependent territories for which funding approval is being sought for the United States fiscal years 1990 and 1991, giving for each project its location, the nature of the facilities to be constructed and an estimate of when each project will achieve operational status.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  [holding answer 31 January 1989]: Information on the dates these projects will achieve
  515
  operational status is not available. I understand from information provided by the United States authorities that funding approval for the following United States military construction projects is currently being sought.

  1990

  London

  Automotive vehicle maintenance shop

  Enlisted bachelor quarters and mess hall

  Bovingdon

  Defence communications system site security

  High Wycombe

  Dormitory

  RAF Alconbury

  Alter/add to physical fitness facility

  Conventional munitions shop

  Squadron operations facility

  RAF Barford St. John

  Physical protection

  RAF Bentwaters

  Add to/upgrade fire station

  Alter munitions storage facility

  Central post office

  Chapel

  Youth centre

  RAF Christmas Common

  Defence communications system site security

  RAF Edzell

  Operations building annex

  RAF Fairford

  Digital European backbone facility

  Jet fuel storage/hydrant refuelling system

  Upgrade water storage and distribution system

  RAF Lakenheath

  Chemical warfare protection—squadron operations facility

  Storm drainage disposal

  RAF Mildenhall

  Jet fuel storage

  Upgrade sewage treatment plant

  RAF Upper Heyford

  Alter munitions storage facility

  Combat readiness centre

  Chemical warfare protection—squadron operations facility

  F-111 add to and alter flight simulator facility

  F-111 add to avionics maintenance shop

  F-111 add to engine shop

  Department of Defence dependent schools

  Bicester elementary school

  Upwood elementary school addition

  Defence medical support activity

  RAF Chessington (contingency hospital)

  RAF Lanark (fleet contingency hospital)

  Ascension Island

  Naval communications utilities support upgrade

  Bermuda

  Elementary school

  1991

  RAF Brawdy

  Electronic installation

  London

  Pay and personnel support office

  516

  High Wycombe air station

  Airmen dining hall

  RAF Alconbury

  Aircraft maintenance facility

  Alter dormitories

  Operations facility

  Passive defence equipment storage

  RAF Bentwaters

  Fuel storage

  Passive defence equipment storage

  RAF Chicksands

  Satellite communications terminal

  RAF Fairford

  Add to/alter physical fitness centre

  Domitory

  Organisational maintenance and support equipment complex

  RAF Greenham Common

  Fire station

  RAF Lakenheath

  Alter dormitory

  Alter munitions storage facility

  Combat repair equipment storage facility

  Chemical warfare protection—squadron operations facility

  Munitions storage igloos

  RAF Mildenhall

  Add to and alter physical fitness centre

  RAF Upper Heyford

  Alter dormitory

  Combat repair equipment storage facility

  Dormitory

  RAF Woodbridge

  Combat repair equipment storage facility

  Department of defence dependent schools

  Feltwell middle school addition

  Menwith Hill middle school addition

  Defence medical support activity

  RAF Arbroath (fleet hospital facility)

  RAF Locking

  Bermuda

  Naval air station family housing office

ENVIRONMENT

  Government Offices
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total square footage of the office estate of central Government within the boundaries of the old Inner London education authority area; and what is his estimate of the average rental which could be charged on those offices if they were available for arms length letting to the private sector.

  Mr. Chope
  The best information available is that for the Greater London area as a whole, approximately 2·1 million sq m of office space is held for Government use.

  Water Companies
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will list(a) the bids for control of statutory water companies which will not be affected by

  517
  his proposals for automatic referral of such bids to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission, and (b) the announced bids which are likely to be covered by the proposals, indicating in each case the shareholding known to have been acquired by the bidder, and the identity of the bidder.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The proposals announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 11 January will not affect a bid for control of a statutory water company which does not satisfy the £30 million size of assets test in current merger legislation. A bid for a company with assets exceeding £30 million will be subject to automatic referral if the bidder is another statutory water company with assets exceeding £30 million or a person who already controls another statutory water company with assets exceeding £30 million or a water authority.

  The proposals will apply only to mergers initiated after 9 am on 11 January 1989. I am not at present aware of any bids announced since that time which fall within the scope of my right hon. Friend's proposals.

  Cars (Recycling)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to how many tonnes of cars were recycled in each of the last five years and as to the number of sites for recycling cars; what measures he is taking to encourage car recycling; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The information is not available in the form requested. I understand from the British Scrap Federation that its best estimate of the weight of scrap metal derived from all types of motor vehicle is:

  Million tonnes

  1984

  1·73

  1985

  1·85

  1986

  2·08

  1987

  1·79

  1988

  2·20

  Waste Oil
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to how many local authorities have facilities for the collection of waste oil.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  This information is not held centrally.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on the amount of waste oil that is unaccounted for each year.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  There are no annually compiled figures. In evidence to the 1985 House of Lords Select Committee on the European Communities inquiry into disposal of waste oils (HL44, 1985–86) it was estimated that 100,000 tonnes were disposed of without re-use, from a total annual generation of 430,000 tonnes of waste oil.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to publicise(a)
  518
  the dangers to the environment of the disposal of waste oil and (b) the availability of safe disposal and recycling sites; and what measures he is taking to ensure that waste oil is not used in heaters without proper pollution control equipment and to ensure sufficient safe disposal and recycling sites exist.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  A workshop, under the auspices of the Department and the Department of Trade and Industry, was held last October to promote awareness of the dangers of illegal disposal of waste oils and to encourage the use of suitable disposal facilities. Most local authorities provide such facilities at civic amenity sites.

  Plants which burn waste oil will be among the processes for which controls would be strengthened under the proposed revisions to air pollution legislation.

  Bottle Banks
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to the number of people per bottle bank in the United Kingdom and for other European Community countries.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I understand from the British Glass Manufacturers Confederation that the average density of bottle banks in the United Kingdom is one bottle bank for approximately every 14,000 people.

  In 1978 there were just 17 bottle bank sites in the whole country. By 1982 there were 1,230 or one for 45,000 people. Our target is to reach one for 10,000 people in 1991.

  In Europe, the average latest available (1985) figures for the provision of bottle banks are:

  Austria

  1 bottle bank per 1,200 people

  Switzerland

  1 bottle bank per 1,300 people

  Netherlands

  1 bottle bank per 1,400 people

  France

  1 bottle bank per 2,000 people

  Germany

  1 bottle bank per 2,000 people

  Textiles (Recycling)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to how many local authorities have sites where textiles can be taken to be recycled.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  This information is not held centrally.

  Plastics (Recycling)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will make a statement on the number of facilities available for the recycling of plastics; and what steps he is taking to ensure their wider existence;

  (2) what action his Department is taking to encourage the use of environmentally benign plastics;

  (3) what information he has on the long-term viability of biodegradable plastics; and what measures he is taking to encourage their development;

  (4) what measures he is taking to ensure that plastics are either recycled or disposed of in a manner that enhances the environment and does not involve their dumping in land fill sites.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Recycling of plastics is carried out within the plastics industry with about 50 firms engaged in this work.
  519
  Recycling of plastics used by consumers is more difficult because of the variety of polymers used and the difficulty of separating mixed plastics accordingly.

  The Government encourage recycling as an environmentally sound disposal option where it is economic to do so and held a workshop in October 1986 with industry to promote this. The Government are supporting the proposal by UK 2000 for a "Recycling City" demonstration in Sheffield later this year and are pressing the plastics and soft drinks industries to include one or more post-consumer recycling projects in the plans. The demonstration will be monitored and the results publicised to encourage other towns and cities to follow suit.

  The use and development of biodegradable plastics has been the subject of research within industry and progress has been made in a number of areas. In the long term, however, market forces will determine the extent to which such materials become widely used. The Government are satisfied that controlled landfill is a safe and practicable disposal method for plastic waste that cannot be recycled.

  Archaeology
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the number of archaeology surveys and researches that his Department is funding in the three counties of Yorkshire together with the cost to date; and if this is separate from English Heritage's input.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  This is a matter for English Heritage.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what effect his Department's emphasis on funding in conjunction with English Heritage and on sponsorship of archaeological sites with tourist potential has had on sites of lesser potential in the three counties of Yorkshire; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  English Heritage has the responsibility for deciding priorities for funding, within its overall resources.

  Water Pollution
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what new controls over intensive farming 520
  and sewage works his Department expects to bring into force in the light of the two new draft European Community directives putting controls on fertilisers with the aim of preventing the pollution of drinking water; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will be in a position to designate vulnerable areas under the European Community directive on nitrate levels in drinking, ground and sea water.

  Mr. Moynihan
  [holding answer 2 February 1989]: The European Commission has just published its draft proposal for a directive on the protection of fresh, coastal and marine waters against the pollution caused by nitrates.

  It is too early to predict the form or timing of the measures needed to implement the draft directive, were the proposals to be agreed by the member states.

  Acid Rain
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the contribution made to acid rain in and around the United Kingdom by car exhaust fumes; what progress is being made to reduce this proportion by the fitting of catalytic converters and other means; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Department of Transport is preparing regulations to apply the limits for car exhaust emissions agreed within the European Community. The means by which these limits can be reached are a matter for the motor industry. It is expected that most cars over 1400 cc sold in the United Kingdom will require catalysts to meet them. A further measure for cars below 1400 cc has recently been agreed by the European Community and it is the Government's intention to implement it. The limits are such that most cars below 1400 cc will also then require at least an oxidation catalyst to meet them. Estimates of road transport emissions of nitrogen oxides, the main acidic pollutant from vehicles, are given in the annual digest of environmental protection and water statistics. The 11th edition will be published shortly and copies will be placed in the Library of the House.

EMPLOYMENT

  Radon
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the number and location of the public sector buildings in England and Wales that receive a level of radon in excess of that which they were designed to withstand, and the number of milliSieverts by which that design standard is exceeded.

  Mr. Chope
  I can add nothing to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member on 23 January (Official Report column 455).

  Local Authority Finance
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those local authorities where the rate support grant settlement for 1989–90 shows an increase of less than 3 per cent.; and what is the average percentage increase for all local authorities.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The list below shows those authorities with increases in block grant of less than 3 per cent. between 1988–89 and 1989–90. The average increase for England is 8·8 per cent. The grant figures for 1988–89 have been adjusted for the transfer of higher education establishments to the polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council.

  Authorities with increase of less than 3 per cent. in block grant between 1988–89 and 1989–90

  East Cambridgeshire

  Craven

  Caradon

  Ryedale

  Erewash

  Ashfield

  North East Derbyshire

  Gedling

  Mid Devon

  Vale of White Horse

  North Dorset

  Oswestry

  Lewes

  Mendip

  Rother

  Sedgemoor

  Brentwood

  Taunton Deane

  Cotswold

  South Somerset

  East Hampshire

  Tamworth

  Rushmoor

  Warwick

  Malvern Hills

  Chichester

  Holderness

  St. Helens

  Kingston upon Hull

  Barnsley

  Ashford

  Rotherham

  Gravesham

  Gateshead

  Maidstone

  Hounslow

  Rochester upon Medway

  Avon

  Tunbridge Wells

  Dorset

  Fylde

  Essex

  South Ribble

  Hampshire

  Boston

  Isle of Wight

  East Lindsey

  North Yorkshire

  South Holland

  Nottinghamshire

  South Kesteven

  Staffordshire

  King's Lynn and West

  Suffolk

  Norfolk

  Wiltshire

  Tynedale

  Hazardous Waste
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on what new plans he has to deal with the future disposal of chemical hazardous waste.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave on 14 December to the hon. Member for Stretford (Mr. Lloyd),Official Report, column 612. Since then, we have issued a further consultation paper, on
  522
  24 January, proposing additional measures affecting the future of waste disposal control. A copy of this paper has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in the Official Report initiatives taken since 1979 to deal with the problems associated with the storage of hazardous chemical waste.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Control of Pollution Act 1974 requires, under section 3, that any land being used for the purposes of waste disposal must be licenced by the local waste disposal authority. These licences were originally issued under the Control of Pollution (Licensing of Waste Disposal) Regulations 1976 (as amended) and subsequently by the Collection and Disposal of Waste Regulations 1988.

  The 1988 regulations require the licensing of premises used to store wastes (including hazardous wastes) under certain circumstances. The regulations require a licence to be issued where special wastes—as defined by the Control of Pollution (Special Waste) Regulations 1980—are stored above certain quantities. These limits are as follows:

  (a) liquid wastes in excess of 23,000 litres stored in secure containers;

  (b) non-liquid wastes of a total volume greater than 80 cubic metres stored in secure containers; and

  (c) non-liquid wastes of a total volume greater than 50 cubic metres stored in a secure place or places.

  The licence issued by the waste disposal authority should contain all necessary conditions to ensure that the operation of the licensed facility does not give rise to a danger to public health or cause pollution to water. It is the duty of the waste disposal authority to enforce the conditions of the licence and ensure compliance.

  The operators of such facilities also have responsibilities towards their workers which are covered by health and safety legislation.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in the Official Report those sites now designated as official storage sites for hazardous chemical waste; and when each site was last inspected by his inspectors.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Control of Pollution Act 1974 requires, under section 3, that any land being used for the purposes of waste disposal must be licensed by the local waste disposal authority. Sites which store hazardous waste (specifically) special waste as defined in the Control of Pollution (Special Waste) Regulations above certain quantities have required such licences since 1976.

  Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution has records of some 126 such licensed facilities in England and Wales. As Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution does not hold copies of all waste disposal licences it would be necessary to obtain copies from the respective waste disposal authorities in order to provide full details. This would involve disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in the Official Report the additional requirements that a site designated as suitable for storage of hazardous chemical waste has to have before it is so designated.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Control of Pollution Act 1974 requires, under section 3, that any land being used for the purposes of waste disposal must be licenced by the
  523
  local waste disposal authority. Sites which store hazardous waste—specifically special waste as defined in the Control of Pollution (Special Waste) Regulations—above certain quantities have required such licences since 1976.

  Waste disposal authorities are required to licence each waste disposal site individually taking into account all necessary measures to ensure that the facility operates in such a way as to prevent danger to public health and to avoid the pollution of water. Premises licenced to store hazardous waste are treated in exactly the same manner as any other waste disposal facility and, as such, there are no specific statutory requirements that apply solely to such facilities. Guidance on the issues that might be addressed in a licence for the storage of hazardous waste has been given by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution in waste management paper No. 4.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what requests have been made to him by the Walsall metropolitan borough council regarding action over the disposal of hazardous and toxic waste; and what has been his response.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 3 February 1989]: In the past year, the Department has responded in detailed correspondence and discussion about the council's views on the need for more controls over disposal operations and imports and about their wish to eliminate hazardous waste disposal operations from their area. Those responses have included emphasis on the need for waste disposal authorities to meet the requirements of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 in planning and controlling waste disposal and explanations of the Government proposals for legislative improvements and the mechanism of the recently introduced Transfrontier Shipment of Hazardous Waste Regulations.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in the Official Report initiatives taken since 1979 to deal with the problems associated with the storage of hazardous chemical waste.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 31 January 1989]: I have been asked to reply.

  My officials have taken part with the Department of the Environment in the preparation of United Kingdom waste management papers on a number of topics relevant to special wastes, including:

  Year

  Wood preserving wastes

  1980

  Arsenic bearing wastes

  1980

  Pesticide wastes

  1980

  Special wastes

  1981

  Clinical wastes

  1983

  Cadmium bearing wastes

  1984

  Heat treatment cyanide wastes

  1985

  The Control of Pollution (Licensing of Waste Disposal) (Scotland) Regulations 1977 and the Control of Pollution (Special Waste) Regulations, made in 1980, are being reviewed.

  The need for a licence covering storage of special waste is drawn to the attention of waste disposal authorities during formal visits by the hazardous waste inspectorate.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in the Official Report those sites
  524
  now designated as official storage sites for hazardous chemical waste; and when each site was last inspected by his inspectors.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 31 January 1989]: I have been asked to reply.

  Waste disposal authorities are not obliged to make returns giving details of their licences. From information held centrally we have identified four facilities in Scotland which are licensed solely for the storage of certain hazardous waste. These are:—

  Address of storage facility

  Waste disposal authority

  Eni-Chem Elastomers

  Falkirk District Council

  Bo'ness Road

  Grangemouth

  Non-Tox Limited

  Inverness District Council

  Dalcross Industrial Estate

  Ardesier

  Strathclyde Department of Education

  Hamilton District Council

  Auchingramont Road

  Hamilton

  BP Petroleum Development Limited

  Shetland Islands Council

  The Vadill

  Sullom Voe Terminal

  It is the duty of waste disposal authorities to supervise the operation of all licensed facilities in their area. An inspector from the hazardous waste inspectorate did however visit the Sullom Voe site in 1984.

  Storage facilities exist at other sites licensed for the disposal of waste, but are not identified separately.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in the Official Report the additional requirements that a site designated as suitable for storage of hazardous chemical waste has to have before it is so designated.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 31 January 1989]: I have been asked to reply.

  Waste disposal authorities are required to license each waste disposal site individually and such licences may incorporate conditions relating to storage. There are no specific statutory requirements that apply solely to storage facilities.

  In setting licence conditions applicable to any site, a waste disposal authority will take account of the materials to be stored, the nature of the operation and its location. Licence conditions for each site seek to ensure that each waste facility does not present a danger to public health, cause water pollution or become seriously detrimental to the amenity of the locality.

  London Docklands Development Corporation
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the terms of reference given by the London Docklands Development Corporation to Research Bureau Ltd. on employment in the London Docklands; on what date it was commissioned; what was the fee paid; on what date he received a copy; and what is the likely date of publication.

  Mr. Trippier
  The LDDC commissioned Research Bureau Ltd. to report on the changes in employment in Docklands since the previous survey in 1985, by letters
  525
  dated 1 May and 21 July 1987. For reasons of commercial confidentiality, fees for individual consultancies are not normally disclosed. The corporation plans to release the survey results this month, and a copy will be placed in the Library. My Department will also receive a copy.

  Nuclear Waste
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what studies Her Majesty's Government have commissioned on the sub-sea disposal of nuclear waste; which private companies are involved; and if he will summarise what role each has.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Department of the Environment commissioned research on the feasibility and safety of subseabed disposal of radio-active waste as part of an international programme co-ordinated by the nuclear energy agency of OECD. The research was completed in 1987. No private companies are now involved.

  Wild Birds
  Mr. Sims
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the United Kingdom has complied with the European Economic Community directive on the conservation of wild birds; which other members of the Community comply with the directive; and what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to ensure that its terms are complied with throughout the Community.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The directive's requirements are implemented by means of part I of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in England, Scotland and Wales and by the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Orders 1985 and Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 in Northern Ireland.

  The directive is binding on all member states of the Community and requires them to introduce their own legislation to implement the directive, and to ensure that it is applied effectively. It is the responsibility of the EC Commission to check that adequate measures have been taken, and they have shown themselves willing to use their powers to refer to European courts of justice cases where, in the Commission's view, member states have failed fully to comply with the directive.

  Methane Gas Escape (Denton)
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions officials of his Department have had with Tameside metropolitan borough council about the escape of methane gas at the old tip in Ruby street, Denton.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  HM inspectorate of pollution has held discussions with Tameside MBC regarding the migration of landfill gas from the closed landfill at Ruby street, Denton. Inspectors have visited the site and are keeping closely in touch with progress on remedial action.

  Water Authority Land
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many sites of special scientific interest lie wholly or partly on water authority land; and if he will list the sites of special scientific interest and the water authorities concerned;
  526
  (2) how many sites of scientific interest lie wholly or partly on water authority land;

  (3) if he will list the sites of scientific interest which are wholly or partly owned by the Yorkshire water authority;

  (4) how many sites of special scientific interest are wholly or partly owned or administered by British statutory water companies; and if he will list these sites of special scientific interest and the water companies concerned;

  (5) how many sites of scientific interest are wholly or partly owned or administered by British statutory water companies; and if he will list those sites of scientific interest and the water companies concerned.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The information about sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs) is currently being assembled by the Nature Conservancy Council. I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as it is available.

  I understand that the term "sites of scientific interest" refers to non-statutory designated sites and was used mainly by the former county councils of West and South Yorkshire in the context of development plans. The information about such sites may be available from the appropriate successor local authority. It can not be provided by the Department except at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many miles of(a) statutory public footpaths, (b) statutory public bridleways and (c) permissive footpaths lie within British statutory water companies' land holdings; and if he will list the mileage for each company in each category.

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

  Warrington and Runcorn Development Corporation
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last met the chairman of the Warrington and Runcorn new town development corporation; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Trippier
  I had a useful meeting with Professor Mercer on Monday 30 January. We discussed a wide range of matters, including progress towards the wind-up of the development corporation in September, housing, and progress with asset disposals in Warrington and Runcorn.

  Environmental Awareness
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will place a consultancy research contract with the countryside interpretation unit, presently based at the Open university, Milton Keynes, as part of his Department's promotion of countryside environmental awareness.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Department of the Environment has no immediate intentions of placing a consultancy research contract with the countryside interpretation unit. Research contracts are commissioned in keeping with the Department's research priorities and on the basis of competitive tenders, unless there are special reasons for inviting a single contractor. The Department will consider proposals for research relevant to its responsibilities in line with its established contractual procedures.

  Under-used Land
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the annual cost to central and local government of preparing, publishing and updating the public registers of under-used land; how many staff have been employed on this work; and what is the additional number of acres which have been added to the registers, in each of the last five years.

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  Area added (gross)

  7,700

  10,800

  6,300

  7,700

  4,800

  Area removed

  6,800

  12,300

  12,200

  15,500

  10,900

  Area added (net)

  +900

  -1,500

  -5,900

  -7,800

  -6,100

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many acres of under-used land currently on the public registers are in the ownership of(a) the water authorities and (b) the electricity boards; and how many acres have been removed from the registers following the privatisation of British Gas.

  Mr. Trippier
  At the end of January 1989, the registers of unused and under-used land owned by public bodies contained details of 2,243 acres of such land owned by water authorities and 2,938 acres owned by electricity boards.

  Following the privatisation of the former British Gas Corporation, 1,456 acres of land owned by that body were removed from the registers.

  Future Bills
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish the next Bills on(a) local government, (b) town and country planning and (c) housing.

  Mr. Ridley
  The Government's Local Government and Housing Bill was published on Thursday, 2 February. There are no proposals for a Bill on town and country planning in the present Session. I cannot anticipate the contents of legislative programmes for future years.

  Rating Reform
  Mr. Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what would on present estimates(a) a ward sister and (b) a teacher of five years experience and living in an average three bedroom terraced house in Waveney pay under (a) domestic rates, (b) community charge and (c) a combination of local income tax and capital value rates.

  Mr. Gummer
  A ward sister earning £13,000 living in a house in Waveney worth £60,000 and with a rateable value of £200 would pay a rates bill of £422, a community charge of £194 (disregarding the transitional safety net) and £485 under a system of capital value rates plus local income tax (LIT). A teacher on a similar salary, living in an identical property, would pay the same rates and community charge bills as the ward sister, and broadly the same capital value rates/LIT bill. In both cases the capital value rates/LIT bill would vary somewhat, depending on the taxable income of the individuals.

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of what a married couple
  528
  Mr. Trippier
  The average annual cost to my Department in recent years is calculated to have been £383,000. Details of the annual cost to local government are not held centrally. Within my Department 19 full-time equivalent staff have been employed on this work.

  The table shows the gross and the net area added to the registers, in acres, in each of the last five calendar years:

  with one child, and only one parent working, earning (a) £8,000 per annum living in a two bedroomed house valued at £65,000, (b) £12,000 per annum living in a three bedroomed house valued at £85,000, and (c) £18,000 per annum living in a three bedroomed house valued at £100,000, would pay in (i) a system of capital value rates plus local income tax paid in the proportions of 80:20 and (ii) rates if they lived in Chelmsford.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 2 February 1989]: The figures are given in the table, together with the assumptions used in each case. It has been necessary to supply assumptions about rateable value and taxable incomes.

  Example A

  Married couple; gross income £8,000; taxable income £1,000; capital value £65,000; rateable value £175

  £

  Rate bill

  413

  Community charge (no safety net)

  1458

  Capital value rate/LIT bill

  525

  1 2 × £229.

  Example B

  Married couple; gross income £12,000; taxable income £5,000;capital value £85,000; rateable value £275

  £

  Rate bill

  649

  Community charge (no safety net)

  1458

  Capital value rate/LIT bill

  730

  1 2 × £229.

  Example C

  Married couple; gross income £18,000; taxable income £11,000;capital value £100,000; rateable value £375

  £

  Rate bill

  885

  Community charge (no safety net)

  1458

  Capital value rate/LIT bill

  920

  1 2 × £229.

  Sewers
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of all domestic properties are served by(a) sewers adopted under section 18 of the Public Health Act 1936, (b) sewers connected to the mains but themselves unadopted and (c) private sewers unconnected to the mains; and what proportion of new houses fall into these several categories.

  Mr. Howard
  More than 95 per cent. of the population of England and Wales are connected directly or indirectly
  529
  to the public sewer network. No comprehensive information is available on the proportion of domestic properties served by sewers adopted by water authorities under sections 17 and 18 of the Public Health Act 1936, or which remain unadopted.

  Water Authorities (Finance)
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the anticipated outstanding debt for each water authority, expressed in sterling, for 1989–90.

  Mr. Howard
  I expect the liabilities of the water authorities to pass to the successor bodies under the provisions of the Water Bill before the end of 1989. Figures for debt outstanding at the end of 1988–89 will be published in each authority's annual accounts in the usual way.

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the external finance limits for each water authority, for the years 1986–87 to 1989–90.

  Mr. Howard
  The information requested is set out in the table for 1986–87, 1987–88 and 1988–89. I expect the water authorities to pass to the successor bodies under the provisions of the Water Bill before the end of 1989.

  Authority

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  Anglian

  45·7

  36·0

  23·5

  Northumbrian

  18·0

  -1·0

  4·0

  North West

  58·0

  60·2

  54·0

  Severn Trent

  7·9

  -2·4

  -16·5

  Southern

  2·2

  -5·0

  -13·5

  South West

  4·7

  1·0

  1·0

  Thames

  -82·0

  -95·0

  -95·0

  Wessex

  26·8

  13·0

  25·0

  Yorkshire

  25·8

  21·5

  15·0

  External finance limits for the Welsh water authorities are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Rate Support Grant (Cambridgeshire)
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the total rate support grant to Cambridgeshire for each year from 1983–84 to 1989–90; and what it would have been if total expenditure had not exceeded Government targets in those years when that occurred.

  Mr. Gummer
  The table shows the latest figures for total rate support grant payable to authorities in Cambridgeshire for each year from 1983–84 to 1989–90.

  In 1984–85 the grant of Cambridgeshire county council was abated by £4·152 million because its total expenditure exceeded Government targets. In 1983–84 Peterborough's grant was abated by less than £500.

  Rate support grant payable to authorities in Cambridgeshire under latest supplementary report and 1989–90 settlement report

  £ million

  1983–84

  93·665

  1984–85

  92·883

  1985–86

  87·556

  1986–87

  83·195

  1987–88

  84·693

  1988–89

  78·166

  1989–90

  72·219

  Waste Regulations
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to introduce legislation to strengthen waste regulatory controls.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 2 February 1989]: Legislation will be introduced as soon as possible based on the Government's announcement of 29 June 1988 and the results of consultation exercises announced on 23 November and 24 January. Copies of the consultation papers have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Inner City Programmes
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Banbury (Mr. Baldry) of 30 January,Official Report, columns 24–28, which are the inner cities programmes his Department is carrying out; what non-government organisations are taking part in such programmes; where each of these programmes is operating; and on what date each one was started.

  Mr. Trippier
  My Department's principal inner city programmes are described in the publication "DoE Inner City Programmes, 1987–88", which also gives an account of their achievements and development and contains a map of the areas in which they are operating. These programmes and the years of their inception are: urban development corporations (1981), grants for urban development (1982—now subsumed in city grant which started last year), the urban programme (1969), derelict land grant (1981 in its present form), enterprise zones (1981) and land registers (1981).

  A large number of non-governmental organisations are making use of these programmes and it would not be practicable to list them.

TRANSPORT

  Judicial Review
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set out for the last 10 years(a) the number of decisions relating to motorway and other major infrastructure projects made by the Secretary of State for Transport that have been referred for judicial review, (b) in how many instances the High Court has found against the Secretary of State and, (c) in those cases where the High Court dismissed an application for judicial review, what was the cost to his Department of defending the action and his estimate of the length of delay caused to the project by such applications.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  In the last 10 years 16 orders made by the Secretary of State for Transport on motorway and major road projects have been challenged in the High Court. No orders made by the Secretary of State have been referred for judicial review.

  Two of the challenges were successful.

  We do not have details of the costs incurred in defending these cases. On all those where the application was dismissed, costs were awarded against the appellant.

  Delay to the projects varied from nil to four years depending on the particular circumstances in each case.

  Driver Information Systems
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what were his reasons for proposing the direct licensing of personal data contained within driver information systems, as outlined in part II of the Road Traffic (Driver Licensing and Information Systems) Bill; and how these proposals relate to the provisions of the Data Protection Act.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The possible licence condition at clause 10(8)(f) of the Bill would enable the Secretary of State to require an operator of a driver information system to provide him with information from the system and to authorise him to make it available to others. This provision reflects the fact that the autoguide system will generate information on the speeds and journey times of autoguide-equipped vehicles. Such information could be of value to the Department and other highway authorities in developing traffic management strategies.

  It is not our intention that part II of the Bill should provide for the licensing of personal data or that it should override any part of the Data Protection Act.

  If any amendments are necessary to place that beyond doubt, we shall bring them forward.

  Road Traffic Discs
  Mr. McTaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road tax discs are lost or stolen each year; and if he has any plans to seek to introduce legislation to deter theft of tax discs.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  On the basis of subsequent applications for refunds or duplicates, very roughly 150,000 licence discs—about 0·5 per cent. of licences issued—are lost or stolen each year.

  Theft of licence discs is a crime. There is no need for further legislation.

  Mr. McTaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research has been carried out on theft-proof alternatives to the road tax disc; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The vehicle excise licence disc includes a number of security features which make it difficult to forge or fraudulently alter, and thus make it unattractive to thieves.

  Research continues into the possibility of making licences more difficult to remove from vehicle windscreens without affecting the security and other design features. They often need to be removed legitimately for refunds.

  Various high-technology alternatives to tax discs have been examined. So far none of them is as cost effective as the present system.

  Road Schemes (Open Space)
  Mrs. Rosie Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria are used in the evaluation for COBA of public open space to be acquired for road schemes.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  In addition to the DV's valuation in COBA, the manual of environmental appraisal requires the appraisal framework to include full reference to any public open space taken by a road scheme, and the effect on those who use it.
  532
  The Department is required to provide replacement public open space, of satisfactory quality, for any taken for road schemes. The cost of this is also included in the COBA appraisal.

  The Department accepts the independent valuation of the district valuer for all land and property costs used in the assessment of road schemes.

  Shipping (Western Isles)
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the density of shipping traffic on the Atlantic side of the Western Isles where the sea depth is 100m.

  Mr. Portillo
  The Department of Transport does not have this information.

  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many navigation lights and radar reflectors are at present deployed on the western side of the Western Isles.

  Mr. Portillo
  There are 13 navigation lights and one radar beacon (racon). For general navigation the Northern Lighthouse Board maintains three major lights at Barra Head, Butt of Lewis and Flannan Isles, and two minor lights at Carloway and Greinam in the Isle of Lewis. For local navigation, local bodies provide eight other minor lights. The Ministry of Defence operates a racon at Monach off North Uist.

  British Rail (Staff)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what directions have been given to the British Railways Board in respect of reductions in staffing or manpower of its employees; and what efficiency targets or other targets have been given to the board which impinge on future staffing levels.

  Mr. Portillo
  The only formal directions given to the railways board in recent years concern accounting provision and loan repayments. The objectives which the Government wish the board to pursue were set out in a letter from the Secretary of State to the Chairman on 21 October 1986, and published in the Official Report of the same day (columns 772–74). The quality of service standards agreed between the Government and board were published in the Official Report on 17 July 1987 (columns 671–72). It is for the board to decide how best to meet those objectives, including the levels of manpower required.

  British Rail (Meetings)
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met the chairman of British Rail; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Portillo
  My right hon. Friend last met the chairman of British Rail on 26 January at the launch of the central London rail study.

  Driving Licences
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultations he has had with named bodies or persons having experience of administration of
  533
  driving licences for private drivers, public service licences, and licences for heavy goods vehicles; and if he will place responses to such consultations in the Library.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The Department's officials have regular meetings with those involved with the operation of the ordinary and vocational licensing systems. The Department consulted widely last year about proposals for a new unified licensing system. A summary of the responses was placed in the Library.

  Public Appeals
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will specify each donation made by his Department in response to public appeals for financial aid during each financial year since 1979–80.

  Mr. Portillo
  The information is:

  Donation to

  £

  1979–80 to

  Channel ferry disaster fund

  1985–86

  nil

  King's Cross disaster fund

  1986–87

  11,000,000

  Clapham junction disaster fund

  1987–88

  250,000

  East midlands air crash disaster fund

  1988–89

  250,000

  2150,000

  1 Repayable advance from the Contingencies Fund, which was repaid in 1987–88.

  2 The balance of the Government donation of £250,000 was met by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has as to the annual cost in

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  Number of driving licences issued to new drivers

  1,346,373

  1,382,060

  1,290,680

  1,348,336

  1,135,724

  1,273,977

  1,202,565

  1,193,244

  1,120,315

  1,177,748

  Total number of valid licences issued

  6,271,974

  6,622,997

  6,199,578

  6,665,962

  6,346,080

  5,666,748

  5,621,893

  5,621,893

  6,320,371

  6,656,681

  Percentage of total that new drivers represent

  21·47

  20·87

  20·82

  20·23

  17·90

  22·48

  21·39

  18·88

  17·89

  17·69

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many driving licences were reissued in each of the past 10 years as a result of(a) a change of address, (b) loss, (c) disqualified drivers requalifying and (d) other causes; and what percentage of the total number of licences issued in each of these years each of these categories represent.

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  (d)

  Change of address including names(replacements)

  per cent·of total

  Loss (duplicates)

  per cent· of total

  Disqualification (renewal after disqualification)

  per cent· of total

  Others

  per cent· of total

  Total licences issued (including first issues to new applicants)

  1979

  1,434,904

  22·88

  201,177

  3·21

  61,883

  0·99

  3,227,637

  51·46

  6,271,974

  1980

  1,560,646

  23·56

  234,876

  3·55

  66,166

  1·00

  3,379,249

  51·02

  6,622,99'7

  1981

  1,394,394

  22·49

  206,631

  3·33

  58,422

  0·94

  3,249,451

  52·41

  6,199,578

  1982

  1,773,176

  26·60

  272,278

  4·08

  65,324

  0·98

  3,206,848

  48·10

  6,665,962

  1983

  1,955,790

  30·31

  271,983

  4·29

  59,354

  0·94

  2,923,229

  46·06

  6,346,081

  1984

  2,058,675

  36·33

  304,078

  5·37

  73,852

  1·30

  1,956,166

  34·52

  5,666,748

  1985

  2,222,845

  39·54

  340,650

  6·06

  80,857

  1·44

  1,775,636

  31·58

  5,621,893

  1986

  2,752,320

  43·55

  377,247

  5·97

  87,386

  1·38

  1,910,177

  30·22

  6,320,371

  1987

  2,796,194

  44·65

  396,010

  6·32

  89,623

  1·43

  1,859,915

  27·70

  6,262,057

  1988

  3,052,674

  45·86

  441,056

  6·63

  88,872

  1·34

  1,896,331

  28·49

  6,656,681

  534
  each of the past 10 years of the issue of drivers' licences by the driver and vehicle licensing centre, Swansea; and if he will give the number of staff employed in each year at the centre for this purpose.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The total cost of operating the driver licensing system and the staff employed in DVLCs driver licensing division in each of the last 10 years is as follows:

  Financial year

  £ million

  Licensing division staff numbers

  1978–79

  12·3

  1,053

  1979–80

  11·3

  901

  1980–81

  12·7

  919

  1981–82

  16·0

  949

  1982–83

  17·6

  942

  1983–84

  19·4

  932

  1984–85

  20·5

  915

  1985–86

  20·3

  965

  1986–87

  20·4

  964

  1987–88

  21·0

  915

  Total cost

  171·5

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will detail the number of driving licences issued to new drivers in each of the last 10 years, together with the total number of valid licences in each year and the percentage of the total that new drivers' licences represent.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The table provides the required information.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  There are no statistics available about the number of driving licences issued for change of address. The driving licence form which is used for this purpose may also be used for change of name—for example, females on marriage. The statistics are therefore combined. The table shows the categories of licences issued in the last 10 years.

  North-West (Road Building)
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the road building work contracts in the north-west during 1988–89 scheduled to cost over £1 million.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Following is the table:

  Scheme

  Total cost excluding land

  M63 (junctions 1–3)

  21·0

  M63 (junctions 3–5)

  21·7

  M63 Portwood-Brinnington

  45·5

  M66 Brinnington-Denton

  M62 widening (junctions 21–22)

  10·00

  A565 Derby Road improvement

  2·1

  A483 Gresford-Pulford bypass

  14·6

  1 English section only.

  In addition work has been carried out on five major motorway maintenance contracts with a value of over? 1 million. Contracts on local authority roads are not included.

  Noise Insulation
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give details of his Department's current policy regarding the provision of insulation grants and other assistance for people living adjacent to(a) motorways and (b) airports; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  For people living near new motorways and other new public roads, there is provision for insulation against noise in the Noise Insulation Regulations 1975 and for compensation for injurious affection in the Land Compensation Act 1973. Offers of insulation or grant are made where dwellings receive or are expected to receive noise levels which meet the criteria set out in the regulations. Claims for compensation for nuisance caused by specified physical factors arising from the use of a road can be made against the highway authority one year after the new road is opened to traffic. These provisions do not assist those who live near older roads not covered by the legislation introduced in 1973 or who have moved near a motorway since it opened.

  Details of the provisions and procedures for claims are set out in the land compensation series of booklets, in particular No. 2 entitled "Your Home and Nuisance from Public Development" and No. 5 "Insulation against Traffic Noise".

  The Government have designated Heathrow and Gatwick for noise insulation grant purpose and has made, by statutory instrument, various noise insulation grants schemes. The most recent schemes for these airports which provided for grants to be paid by the then British Airports Authority effectively ended in March 1985. As promised in the 1985 airports policy White Paper, these schemes were reviewed. This suggested that small areas outside the scheme boundary at each airport should be included retrospectively. BAA plc have agreed to operate and fund extensions to the schemes which will be promulgated by statutory instrument shortly. We have no plans to introduce new schemes at these airports.

  We are committed to introducing a scheme at Stansted when the airport reaches 2 million passengers per annum.
  536
  We understand that BAA has introduced schemes at its non-designated airports and that several other airports also pay such grants.

  The Land Compensation Act 1973 provides that if there has been depreciation in value of property as a result of change in the noise climate (or other physical factor) arising from major apron and runway alterations to an existing airport, or the coming into use of a new airport then the airport operator is liable to pay compensation equal to that depreciation in value to the property. The Act does not provide for the payment of compensation for loss of property value to owners of property around airports which may be progressively affected by the intensified use of an airport. Although no powers exist to require airport owners or operators to acquire properties suffering from severe noise-blight, BAA plc introduced voluntary schemes to do this at Heathrow and Gatwick. The schemes, with boundaries based on the 65 NNI (noise and number index) contours and ownership predating 17 October 1969, closed on 31 December 1988 though applications received before then are still being processed. Similar arrangements have been made for noise-blighted properties near airports owned by local authorities.

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultations British Rail will be undertaking with affected individuals and communities following the publication of the four route options for the construction of a fast rail link between the Channel tunnel and London termini.

  Mr. Portillo
  I understand that BR will be setting out its proposals for further consultations when it announces its preferred route.

  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that British Rail consults fully the communities affected by any of the four Channel tunnel fast rail links options; and if he will set out his criteria for assessing the effectiveness of consultation.

  Mr. Portillo
  British Rail is well aware of the need to consult those affected by its proposals. It will be for Parliament to judge whether those consultations have been effective if and when it considers BR's Private Bill.

  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration he has given to a loan guarantee scheme, underwritten by his Department, as a possible vehicle for providing extra money for British Rail to construct a Channel tunnel fast rail link from the Kent coast to London termini.

  Mr. Portillo
  None. Such a scheme would not affect the need for BR's investment to be commercially viable.

  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans to use the hybrid Bill procedure to progress British Rail's proposals to build a new railway line through Kent.

  Mr. Portillo
  I have no plans to use the hybrid Bill procedure.

  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has received from the proponents the costings for the proposed railway route known to its promoters as Talis.
  537
  Mr. Portillo
  I have not.

  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has as to whether the private Bill procedure will be used in the event of the British Railways Board seeking legislative approval to construct a Channel tunnel high-speed fixed rail link from the Kent coast to London termini.

  Mr. Portillo
  British Rail has no alternative but to use the Private Bill procedure to acquire all the powers that it needs to construct and operate new railway lines.

  Roads and Maintenance
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the total amount spent on roads and maintenance in 1987–88 and the estimated amount for 1988–89.

  Mr. Bottomley
  The total amount spent on roads and maintenance in Great Britain in 1987–88 was £3,382 million. The forecast outturn in 1988–89 is £3,541 million.

  Railway Safety (Survey)
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will direct the chairman of British Rail to publish the survey of safety on the rail network carried out by the British Transport police at Liverpool street and Fenchurch street stations in November 1988.

  Mr. Portillo
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen) on 3 February [Official Report, column 439].

  British Transport Police
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many British Transport police officers were employed in total in each of the last five years; and of the total, how many were allocated to British Rail.

  Mr. Portillo
  BTP figures for officers in post are in the table:

  (end years)

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  Total

  1,961

  1,817

  1,834

  1,846

  1,830

  of which allocated to British Rail

  1,425

  1,446

  1,417

  1,455

  1,427

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

  M40 Extension
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how long the first public inquiry into the M40 extension took; how many witnesses gave evidence; how many pages of evidence were taken; when the first public inquiry ended; and when the inspector presented his report of that inquiry to him.

  Mr. Bottomley
  The public inquiry took 117 days. There were 169 witnesses and 756 documents and 232 plans were taken in evidence. The inquiry ended on 3 June 1983. The inspectors' report was presented to the Secretary of State in March 1984.
  538
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the Government first announced an intention to construct the Banbury bypass/M40 extension; when the first public inquiry into the M40 extension began; and what were the reasons for the delay between the two dates.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The first announcement about the M40 extension was made in April 1968. The first public inquiry, for the Waterstock to Warwick section, commenced in September 1982. The time between can be accounted for by public consultation, detailed design and statutory procedures on the section between the M42 arid Warwick.

  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he announced his decision on the route of the M40 extension subsequent to receiving the inspector's report; what were the dates of court hearings for judicial review of that decision; and what is the estimated delay on the M40 extension of such hearings.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The Secretaries of State for the Environment and for Transport announced their decision on 14 December 1984. The orders were challenged. The court hearings were on 23 May and 20 December 1985. The estimated delay was one year.

  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the recent public inquiry into the M40 extension commenced; how many witnesses gave evidence; how many pages of evidence were taken; when the inquiry ended; and when the inspector submitted his report to him.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The public inquiry into the Waterstock-Wendlebury section opened on 8 September 1987 and closed on 22 January 1988. One hundred and eighty-three witnesses presented 625 documents of varying lengths. The transcripts for 63 sitting days averaged about 80 pages a day. The inspector's report was received on 28 July 1988.

  Port of Dover (Improvements)
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether it is still Government policy to ensure that improvements to the road and rail access to the ferries sailing from the port of Dover should take place in a manner consistent with enabling the ferries to compete in a fair manner with the proposed Channel tunnel after 1993.

  Mr. Portillo
  Yes. We are firmly committed to an even-handed approach towards the tunnel and the ferries.

  A20 Folkestone—Dover
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the reasons for the delay in the inspector's report on the proposed dualling of the A20 between Dover and Folkestone; and when he expects a decision to be announced.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The complex issues in the inspector's report and the objections and representations, are being carefully considered. We hope to make an announcement in the summer.

  A1 Morpeth
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give the latest available figures for
  539
  traffic flow at peak times on the A1 road between Morpeth and the Scottish border; and if he will make a statement on the growth trend of traffic on that section of the A1 over the last 10 years.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The Department's northern regional office has installed three permanent loop counting sites on the A1 north of Morpeth. Two of the sites, one north of Berwick and another north of Alnwick have been in operation for more than a year. The third site, just south of Alnwick, has been operating since October 1988.

  The latest flow figures at these sites showing a seven-day average for the week ending Sunday 1 January 1989 are as follows:

  Vehicles per day (24 hours)

  North of Berwick

  5,650

  South of Alnwick

  8,200

  North of Alnwick

  4,850

  The highest recorded flows during the past 12 months on the two sites in operation in that period were:

  Vehicles per day (24 hours)

  North of Berwick

  9,770

  North of Alnwick

  7,730

  There are no figures available that would accurately reflect the traffic growth over the last ten years on this section of road. Local planning data from the Alnwick and Berwick districts indicates a growth factor of 28 per cent. over this period.

  Cambridgeshire
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what has been total central Government expenditure on roads in Cambridgeshire for each year from 1979–80 to 1988–89, and that anticipated for 1989–90, at cash figures and at 1989 prices.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Information in the form requested is not readily available and may be obtainable only at a disproportionate cost. I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Docklands Light Railway
  Mr. Cyril Townsend
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on what plans London Regional Transport has to purchase additional rolling stock for the Docklands light railway.

  Mr. Portillo
  Ten vehicles were ordered in July 1987 from BREL. Following competitive tendering, London Regional Transport has recently awarded a contract for a further 10 vehicles costing £9.85 million to BN Ferroviares et Metalliques SA, a Belgian-based company. BN has associated with Hawker Siddeley Rail projects, which will be supplying the major sub-systems. The additional rolling stock is part of the programme for upgrading the capacity of the Docklands light railway and extending it to Bank station.

  A11
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what dates he envisages the start of each of the various 540
  phases of dualling of the A11 between (a) Stumps Cross and the Newmarket bypass and (b) the Newmarket bypass and the Barton Mills bypass.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Listed below are the five schemes currently being prepared in the national trunk road programme with an indication of the expected start, subject to completion of the statutory procedures. I cannot be more specific at this stage.

  Scheme

  Planned start year

  Stump Cross to Four Wentways improvement

  After 1991

  Four Wentways Junction improvement

  1991

  Four Wentways to Newmarket dualling

  1991

  Newmarket to Red Lodge

  1991

  Red Lodge bypass

  1990

  Railway Development
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list each newly constructed underground railway and substantial alteration to an existing railway which has been approved by Transport Ministers since 1959.

  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 26 January 1989]: Following is a list of approvals by Ministers of Transport to the use of new or substantially altered underground railways during the period 1959–88, following inspection by officers of the railway inspectorate. It does not include resignalling schemes, station refurbishments or the provision or uplift of maintenance facilities.

  London Underground lines

  Jubilee Line:

  New underground section: Baker Street to Charing Cross.

  Metropolitan Line:

  Aldersgate-Moorgate realignment.

  Northern (City) Line:

  Diversion of northbound line at Highbury as part of Victoria Line scheme.

  Picadilly Line:

  Diversion into Northern (City) Line station tunnel at Finsbury Park as part of Victoria Line scheme.

  Progressive extension to Hatton Cross, Heathrow Central and Terminal 4.

  Victoria Line:

  Opening from Walthamstow Central to Highbury and Islington. Progressive extension to Warren Street, Victoria and Brixton.

  British Rail Lines

  Opening of Merseyrail loop and link line (financed by Merseyside PTE).

  Electrification of Moorgate-Kentish Town (underground section of St. Pancras/Moorgate-Bedford scheme).

  Drayton Park to Moorgate (reconstruction and transfer to BR of former Northern (City) Underground line).

  Blackfriars-Farringdon (electrification and introduction of passenger service; sub-surface section of Thameslink line).

  Passenger Transport Executive Lines

  Strathclyde:

  Glasgow Underground refurbishment.

  Tyne and Wear:

  Sub-surface city centre sections of Metro (Jesmond-Gateshead Stadium and St. James-Manors).

THE ARTS

  "Social Trends 19"
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Minister for the Arts if he will make a statement on the arts content of the recently published "Social Trends 19".
  541
  Mr. Luce
  I welcome the evidence of growth in public interest in and total expenditure on the arts. This is clearly shown by the Social Trends publication.

  National Maritime Museum
  Mr. Couchman
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what have been the attendances at the national maritime museum since charging was introduced.

  Mr. Luce
  Admission charges were introduced at the national maritime museum on 2 April 1984. Attendances in 1988, at over 700,000, exceeded substantially the estimated level of attendances in 1983, the year before the introduction of admission charges, and represented an increase of 60 per cent. over 1987.

  Area Museums Councils
  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Minister for the Arts whether he will encourage the further establishment of area museums councils.

  Mr. Luce
  I welcome the work of the area museums councils as regional centres of expertise and initiative in museums matters. I have seen much of their work at first hand. I recently had the pleasure of opening the new headquarters of the north of England museums service in Newcastle. I understand from the Museums and Galleries Commission that discussions are at present taking place about the feasibility of establishing an area museums service for Northern Ireland.

  British Theatre Association
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what plans he has to provide adequate funding to make the British Theatre Association library available for theatrical research.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what plans he has to provide adequate funding to make the British Theatre Association library available for loans to repertory theatres.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what plans he has to provide adequate funding to make the British Theatre Association library available for academic research.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what representations he has received on where the library of the British Theatre Association will be moved after closure.

  Mr. Luce
  I refer the hon Members to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Lewisham, Deptford (Ms. Ruddock) earlier today.

  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what has been the size of the British Theatre Association library's acquisition budget in each of the past five years.

  Mr. Luce
  I am advised by the BTA that its acquisition budget if the past five years has been as follows:

  £

  1983–84

  3,337

  1984–85

  4,297

  1985–86

  3,961

  1986–87

  7,595

  1987–88

  8,641

  542
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what information he has on the photographic collection of the British Theatre Association library.

  Mr. Luce
  I am advised by the BTA that it does not set out to maintain a comprehensive collection but does hold several thousand photographs covering west end productions and foreign productions, dating from the 1920s.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what information he has as to how many loans of texts were made by the British Theatre Association library in each of the past five years.

  Mr. Luce
  I am advised by the BTA that it lends both sets of texts and single texts; a set can he up to 12 volumes. The figures for the past five years are as follows:

  Sets

  Singles

  Totals

  1983–84

  12,580

  6,092

  18,672

  1984–85

  9,040

  5,889

  16,929

  1985–86

  8,980

  6,602

  15,582

  11986–87

  8,310

  4,998

  13,308

  1987–88

  8,640

  6,620

  15,260

  1 The library was closed for two months due to a change of premises.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what information he has as to how many first editions of theatrical texts are owned by the British Theatre Association library.

  Mr. Luce
  I am advised by the British Theatre Association that approximately two thirds of the stock (that is, close to 200,000 volumes) consists of first editions. This includes sets of plays (multiple copies of a single title) which are first editions.

  Mr. Haynes
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what information he has as to how many(a) individuals, (b) professional theatres and (c) others are members of the British Theatre Association library.

  Mr. Luce
  I am advised by the British Theatre Association that the total membership is 2,150, divided thus:

  Per cent.

  Individuals active in professional theatre

  30

  Other individuals

  10

  Professional bodies

  11·5

  Amateur theatre groups and educational institutions

  48

  The percentages are approximate.

  The British Theatre Association estimates that the individuals and groups represent some 200,000 people.

  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Minister for the Arts when the collection of the British Theatre Association was last valued.

  Mr. Luce
  I am advised that the British Theatre Association has never valued the collection, in view of the prohibitive costs of such a valuation.

  Arts Provision (Midlands)
  Mr. Greg Knight
  To ask the Minister for the Arts when he will next make an official visit to Derby to discuss the provision of arts in the midlands.
  543
  Mr. Luce
  I hope to visit Derby before too long.

  Museum of the Moving Image
  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what are the figures for attendances at the museum of the moving image on the south bank.

  Mr. Luce
  Since it opened in mid-September 1988, the museum of the moving image has attracted over 190,000 visitors.

  Business Sponsorship
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what proportion of business sponsorship of the arts is spent outside London and the south-east.

  Mr. Luce
  Figures for the total level of business sponsorship outside London and the south-east are not available. However, under the business sponsorship incentive scheme, which matches new sponsorship, 70 per cent. of awards have gone to arts organisations based outside London.

  Museums Training Institute
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what benefits will flow from the establishment of the museums training institute.

  Mr. Luce
  The museums training institute will be responsible for forming a view on the museum industry's training needs, identifying standards for the occupations in the industry, reviewing the content and delivery of training, promoting the provision of training, providing training in selected areas and validating training courses.

  Since publication of the Museums and Galleries Commission working party report on museums training and career structure in July 1987, there has been considerable progress made in the development of museum training. The analysis of key skills and competences, which I announced in my statement of 17 March 1988, has laid a firm foundation for constructive progress. I anticipate that the museums training institute will develop these initiatives further, improving the quality and availability of training in the museum industry.

  Date of sale

  Proceeds to Her Majesty's Government

  Initial share price

  Share price on 25 January 1989

  Size of Her Majesty's Government share holding

  Current value

  £ million

  million

  £ million

  Amersham International

  1982

  64

  142

  514

  —

  —

  Associated British Ports

  1983

  46

  112

  483

  —

  —

  Associated British Ports

  1984

  51

  250

  —

  —

  —

  British Aerospace

  1981

  43

  150

  486

  —

  —

  British Aerospace

  1985

  347

  375

  —

  —

  —

  British Telecom

  1984

  3,685

  130

  268

  2,941

  7,882·0

  Britoil

  1982

  627

  215

  —

  —

  —

  Britoil

  1985

  426

  185

  —

  —

  —

  Cable and Wireless

  1981

  181

  168

  397

  —

  —

  Cable and Wireless

  1983

  263

  275

  —

  —

  —

  Cable and Wireless

  1985

  577

  587

  —

  —

  —

  National Freight Consortium

  1982

  6

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Enterprise Oil

  1984

  384

  185

  514

  —

  —

  British Gas

  1986

  5,123

  135

  1711/2

  136

  2330

  British Gas Debt

  33,011

  —

  —

  —

  —

  British Airways

  1987

  854

  125

  176

  10

  17·5

  Rolls Royce

  1987

  1,028

  170

  1511/2

  —

  —

  BAA

  1987

  1,218

  245

  276

  22

  60·0

  PBI

  1987

  66

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Arts Organisations (Assistance)
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what steps he is taking to encourage greater assistance to arts organisations in rural and deprived areas through the business sponsorship investment programme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Luce
  Seventy per cent. of awards under the business sponsorship incentive scheme go to arts organisations outside London; rural areas such as the Borders and Outer Hebrides feature in the scheme as well as inner cities. In 1987–88, Scotland was the second most successful region under the scheme, attracting £345,938 of new sponsorship which was matched by £194,185 of Government money.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Relocation
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the progress of Civil Service relocation.

  Mr. Brooke
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave on 16 January at column 75, to the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith).

  Privatisations
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the organisations, industries and firms privatised since May 1979, giving in each case the income to Government from the sale of each, the costs of broking, underwriting and advertising of each sale, the initial share price, the present share price, and the size and current value of shareholding retained by the Government, together with the nature of any golden share or any other arrangement to restrict takeover or shareholdings in any way.

  Mr Norman Lamont
  The information required about income to Government, share prices and size of residual shareholdings is as follows:
  545

  Date of sale

  Proceeds to Her Majesty's Government

  Initial share price

  Share price on 25 January 1989

  Size of Her Majesty's Government share holding

  Currant value

  £ million

  million

  £ million

  Royal Ordnance

  1987

  183

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Rover Group

  1988

  150

  —

  —

  —

  —

  British Petroleum

  1979

  276

  363

  —

  —

  —

  British Petroleum

  1983

  543

  435

  —

  —

  —

  British Petroleum

  1987

  35,310

  1330

  1267

  167·7

  181·0

  2225

  2164

  238½

  63·0

  British Steel

  1988

  1,139

  1125

  —

  —

  —

  260

  269

  —

  —

  1 Fully paid.

  2 Partly paid.

  3 Total estimated net proceeds.

  Proceeds from the following subsidiaries are retained by parent industry

  Proceeds £ million

  Initial share price

  Share price on 25 January 1989

  Jaguar (BL)

  297

  165

  278

  Sealink (BR)

  66

  —

  —

  Wytch Farm (BGC)

  82

  —

  —

  Warship yards (BS)

  54

  —

  —

  For information about advertising costs, I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Darlington (Mr. Fallon) on 3 March 1988, at column 629. For the costs to Government of broking and underwriting I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply which I gave today to the hon. Member for Eccles (Miss Lestor).

  For information about special shares held by the Government in privatised industries, I refer the hon. Gentlemen to the reply which I gave the hon. Member for Dunfermline, East (Mr. Brown) on 15 December 1987 at

  Country

  Wine

  Spirits

  Excise duties

  VAT per cent.

  Excise duty

  VAT per cent.

  Table wine not exceeding 12 per cent, alcohol by volume (pence per 75 cl bottle)

  Fortified wine at 18 per cent, alcohol by volume (pence per 70 cl bottle)

  Spirits at 40 per cent, alcohol by volume (pence per 75 cl bottle)

  Belgium

  16

  28

  25

  247

  25

  Denmark

  74

  129

  22

  1854

  22

  France

  1

  78

  18·6

  210

  18·6

  Germany

  0

  22

  14

  233

  14

  Greece

  0

  1

  36

  7

  36

  Ireland

  125

  169

  25

  492

  25

  Italy

  0

  6

  19

  43

  19

  Luxembourg

  20, 7

  313, 19

  46, 12

  166

  12

  Netherlands

  17

  29

  18·5

  258

  18·5

  Portugal

  0

  0

  58, 17

  39

  617, 30

  Spain

  0

  0

  12

  81

  12

  United Kingdom

  77

  124

  15

  473

  15

  1 Duty on spirits in Denmark consists of a specific element (£11·22 per litre of pure alcohol) and an ad valorem element (60 per cent, of taxable value).

  2 The nil rate applies to Luxembourg produced wines.

  3 The lower rate applies to Luxembourg produced wines.

  4 The lower rate applies to still wine not exceeding 13 per cent, alcohol by volume.

  5 The lower rate applies to table wine.

  6 The lower rate applies to non·aged wine brandy and grappa brandy.

  Note:

  Rates of exchange as at 30 January 1989.

  Source:

  European Community excise duty tables; VAT In Europe.
  546
  column 427 which lists special shares held in companies privatised prior to the British Steel sale. The special share in Amersham International was redeemed on 27 July 1988 and the special share in Enterprise Oil was redeemed on 31 December 1988. There is also a special share in British Steel, the rights of which are defined in the company's articles of association.

  Wines and Spirits (Duties)
  Mr. Gregory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has on the current price of wines and spirits in the European Economic Community and the levels of duty imposed on them; and what equivalent information he has for the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Lilley
  Information on prices of wines and spirits in the European Community member states is not readily available. Rates of excise duties and VAT in each of the member states, according to the latest information available, are set out in the table:

  National Savings
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the reduction in administrative costs which will result from the introduction of a minimum £5 sum for deposits in national savings ordinary accounts.

  Mr. Lilley
  The estimated reduction in staff working on ordinary account at the National Savings Bank is 60 full-time staff. The reduction in running costs there is around £500,000 a year. There will also be savings in Post Office agency charges.

  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the total reduction in moneys deposited in national savings ordinary accounts which may result from the introduction of a minimum £5 deposit.

  Mr. Lilley
  In 1987–88 some £10 million was deposited in the ordinary account in amounts under £5. It is not possible to forecast to what extent the new minimum will lead to people accumulating sums to deposit and to what extent they will refrain from depositing such amounts in their ordinary accounts.

  Local Pay Additions
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any plans to pay local pay additions to higher executive officers and senior executive officers in London.

  Mr. Brooke
  Departments formulate their own plans for local pay additions, in accordance with guidelines set by the Treasury, and submit proposals to the Treasury for approval. The guidelines do not exclude payments to higher executive officers and senior executive officers. A total of 572 HEOs in the London weighting area, but no SEOs, are currently in receipt of LPAs.

  Pay Agreement
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made on a long-term pay agreement with the NUCPS; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brooke
  Discussions on new longer term flexible pay arrangements for the grades NUCPS represent are continuing between the union and the Treasury.

  Industrial Investment
  Mr. Butterfill
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the volume of private sector investment in British industry for the last year for which figures are available, excluding leased assets; what were the comparable figures for the previous 12 month period; and if he will express both figures as a percentage of gross domestic product.

  Mr. Major
  The information requested is as follows:

  Industrial investment1

  £ million at 1985 prices

  as a percentage of GDP2

  1986 Q4–1987 Q3

  26,357

  8·1

  1987 Q4–1988 Q3

  30,457

  9·0

  1 Investment in the manufacturing, construction, distribution and financial industries.

  2The average measure of GDP at factor cost.

  548
  Sources:

  DTI capital expenditure press notice (15 December 1988).

  CSO gross domestic product press notice (19 December 1988).

  Manufacturing Output
  Mr. Butterfill
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current rate of manufacturing output in the United Kingdom for the last year for which figures are available; what were the comparable figures in the previous 12 month period; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Major
  Manufacturing output in the three months up to November 1988 was 7·2 per cent. higher than in the same period a year earlier. The comparable figure for the previous 12 months was 5·8 per cent. Manufacturing output reached its highest ever level during 1988. Over the last five years its annual growth rate has averaged 4 per cent. This is in stark contrast to the economy's performance between 1974 and 1979 when it fell on average by ½ per cent. a year.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Mudd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the hon. Member for Falmouth and Camborne may expect a reply to his letter of 11 October 1988 on behalf of Mrs. Lily Grose, of Chyvean, 31 Pennance road, Falmouth, Cornwall.

  Mr. Lilley
  I replied to the hon. Member's letter on 1 February.

  VAT
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a further statement about implementation of the judgment of the European Court of Justice on 21 June 1988, respecting certain of the United Kingdom's value added tax zero rates.

  Mr. Lilley
  I told the House on 21 June 1988 at column 957–58 that the Government would propose legislation to implement the judgment of the European Court of Justice affecting certain of the United Kingdom's VAT zero rates. As I also promised at that time, there has been an extensive consultation. The Government are very grateful to the many organisations and individuals who have responded. Some matters are still under discussion, but I am now able to announce decisions on most features of the implementing legislation which the Government will be proposing to the House as part of this year's Budget and Finance Bill. I am taking this unusual step in order to allow the maximum feasible time for technical consideration of the clauses and preparation on the part of those traders who will have to operate them, in many cases from 1 April 1989.

  As I made clear in my statement to the House on 21 June, this adverse judgment is based on an interpretation of existing Community law to which the United Kingdom gave its assent in 1977. We are obliged to comply with it. This means applying VAT to a number of goods and services at present excluded. Our aim has been to implement the ruling in a way which, while respecting the terms of the judgment, minimises the burgen of tax and compliance. The Government have in large measure been

  549
  able to meet the legitimate demands of the construction and property industries, by introducing the option to tax rents and devising suitable transitional arrangements, consistently with the obligation to implement the judgment promptly. And we have had particular regard to the potential impact on charities. I regret that they cannot be wholly shielded because many of them have activities which constitute "business" for VAT purposes and therefore come within the ambit of the judgment. But we have done as much as we can to safeguard their position.

  I am including several minor changes from the current provisions for construction and property in zero rate group 8 and exempt group 1 which do not flow directly from the European Court judgment. These have been inserted to rectify weaknesses in the law which have become apparent in recent years, often as a result of litigation. These changes are marked with an asterisk in the explanatory notes to the draft clauses.

  The provisional draft clauses with explanatory notes on their effect are contained in Customs and Excise documents which I am placing in the Library of the House.

  On non-domestic construction, most of the changes that I announced on 21 June are confirmed in the draft legislation but I am glad to say that as well as retaining zero rating for new housing it will also he retained for most new communal residential accommodation such as old people's homes, hospices and boarding accommodation at boarding schools. It will also be retained for new churches and other buildings for non-business use by charities. It has not been possible to retain zero rating for premises used for business, including private hospitals and fee paying schools, which the judgment explicitly ruled were too remote from the final consumer. The change to standard rating for buildings which cease to qualify for zero rating comes into effect from 1 April 1989, although there will be some transitional relief. As I announced last June, this will preserve zero rating for agreements entered into, in writing and for a price, before 21 June 1988. Additionally, it will allow some relief for supplies made before 21 June 1993 in connection with developments that are the subject of a binding legal obligation as a result of an agreement entered into before 21 June 1988 between a developer and a landowner or planning authority.

  The option to tax rents, which comes into effect on 1 August 1989, is being extended to agricultural land. Building land will not be taxed, except in defined cases where this is necessary to ensure fair competition.

  Table 1

  Civil Service non-industrial elected union representativesEstimates of numbers with paid time off for industrial relations duties and trade union activities (as at 31 March 1988)

  Departments

  5 per cent. and less

  6 to 10 per cent.

  11 to 20 per cent.

  21 to 30 per cent.

  31 to 40 per cent.

  41 to 50 per cent.

  51 to 60 per cent.

  61 to 70 per cent.

  71 to 80 per cent.

  81 to 90 per cent.

  91 to 99 per cent.

  100 per cent.

  Total

  Full tune equivalent

  1. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  474

  44

  16

  1

  3

  0

  1

  0

  2

  1

  0

  4

  546

  19

  2. Customs and Excise

  632

  84

  41

  27

  13

  6

  5

  8

  5

  10

  8

  0

  839

  72

  3. Ministry of Defence

  876

  157

  64

  21

  9

  12

  2

  2

  1

  1

  1

  23

  1,169

  93

  4. Department of Employment Group

  1,491

  276

  114

  39

  12

  7

  5

  5

  6

  1

  0

  15

  1,971

  93

  5. Department of Transport/Transport ExcPSA

  417

  56

  37

  9

  3

  2

  2

  1

  2

  2

  0

  16

  547

  41

  6. Foreign and Commonwealth Office including Overseas Development Administration

  85

  13

  3

  3

  1

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  1

  3

  111

  11

  7. Department of Health and Social Security

  1,323

  481

  216

  65

  23

  31

  18

  20

  29

  27

  21

  25

  2,279

  301

  8. Home Office including Prison Department

  806

  155

  154

  37

  16

  7

  5

  1

  0

  6

  7

  12

  1,206

  96

  9. Department of Trade and Indusiry

  449

  31

  26

  4

  5

  6

  1

  2

  2

  0

  3

  6

  535

  28

  550
  I am now able to announce decisions on the other groups affected by the judgment.

  The fuel and power changes will be effective on 1 July 1990. Zero rates will continue for domestic consumers, and for charities for non-business purposes. Domestic use will include not only private dwellings, caravans, houseboats and self catering holiday accommodation but also communal residential homes, hospices, school and student boarding accommodation but not private schools and fee paying hospitals.

  The water and sewerage services changes will be effective on 1 July 1990. All supplies of services of emptying cesspools, septic tanks etc to industrial users for use in connection with the carrying on of a business will be standard-rated. Similarly so will all supplies of water to industry. Industry means any activity described in divisions 1 to 5 of the standard industrial classification. All other supplies will be zero rated.

  News services changes will be effective on 1 April 1989. The zero rating will be repealed, and the standard rate thus applied to all news services. This includes supplies to newspapers and individual members of the public (hut the Court ruling did not extend to newspapers themselves).

  Protective boots and helmets supplied to employers will become standard rated from 1 April 1989.

  The estimated yield from the private sector of the proposals contained in the draft clauses will be some £55 million in 1989–90, rising to about £165 million by 1992–93. This includes some £110 million from application of the Court ruling to non-domestic construction. Without the measures to mitigate the impact, the yield from construction would have been £450 million.

  Civil Service Trade Unions
  Mr. Wells
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the latest estimates for the numbers of elected representatives of Civil Service trade unions in each of the main Government Departments and of the cost of providing paid time off.

  Mr. Brooke
  The details for 1987–88 are shown in the following tables. Compared with the position as at 31 March 1987, the total amount of paid time off for union business shows a reduction of 75 man years (6·7 per cent.), with a consequential saving (in real terms) of £0·47 million. This reflects, for the sixth successive year, the tighter control and accountability measures introduced by the revised national facilities agreement in 1982.
  551

  Departments

  5 per cent. and less

  6 to 10 per cent.

  11 to 20 per cent.

  21 to 30 per cent.

  31 to 40 per cent.

  41 to 50 per cent.

  51 to 60 per cent.

  61 to 70 per cent.

  71 to 80 per cent.

  81 to 90 per cent.

  91 to 99 per cent.

  100 per cent.

  Total

  Full tune equivalent

  10. Inland Revenue

  1,410

  316

  124

  38

  30

  16

  14

  4

  8

  2

  2

  7

  1,971

  118

  11. Lord Chancellor's Department

  81

  12

  25

  5

  6

  4

  1

  4

  6

  1

  1

  8

  154

  15

  12. Department for National Savings

  88

  20

  12

  1

  0

  3

  2

  1

  0

  0

  0

  13

  140

  23

  13. PSA-including Crown Suppliers

  298

  52

  26

  6

  2

  2

  2

  0

  0

  1

  0

  4

  393

  22

  14. Scottish Office including Scottish Prisons, Scot. Rec. Office and Gen. Reg. (Scot.)

  231

  35

  13

  3

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  10

  293

  20

  15. Other Government Departments

  889

  93

  60

  26

  13

  16

  4

  1

  4

  1

  2

  19

  1,128

  92

  Total

  9,550

  1,825

  931

  285

  137

  112

  63

  50

  65

  53

  46

  165

  13,282

  1,044

  Table 2

  Costs of non-industrial union elected representatives

  Department

  Total number expressed as whole time equivalent

  Cost in salaries wages and direct benefit ( £ million)

  Costs as percentage of wage bill

  Total number of non-industrial staff at 31 March 1988

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  19

  0·27

  0·186

  9,751

  Customs and Excise

  72

  1·01

  0·281

  26,564

  Ministry of Defence

  93

  1·08

  0·085

  88,626

  Department of Employment Group

  93

  1·26

  0·186

  62,575

  Department of Environment/Transport (exc PSA)

  41

  0·56

  0·198

  20,118

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office (inc Overseas Development Administration)

  11

  0·15

  0·110

  9,378

  DHSS

  301

  3·31

  0·310

  101,185

  Home Office (including Prison Department)

  96

  1·28

  0·229

  37,641

  Department of Trade and Industry

  28

  0·43

  0·230

  12,525

  Inland Revenue

  118

  1·58

  0·185

  66,592

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  15

  0·25

  0·250

  10,281

  Department for National Savings

  23

  0·23

  0·325

  7,306

  PSA (including Crown Suppliers)

  22

  0·31

  0·157

  15,665

  Scottish Office (including General Register Office Scotland, Scottish Record Office andScottish Prison Service

  20

  0·24

  0·150

  9,514

  Other Government Departments

  92

  1·12

  0·213

  38,798

  TOTAL

  1,044

  13·08

  0·199

  516,519

  Mortgage Tax Relief
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost would be of increasing mortgage income tax relief from its present level of £30,000 to(a) £35,000 and (b) £40,000; and how much would go to those earning over £20,000 per annum.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 2 February 1989]: The direct revenue cost, at 1988–89 levels, of increases in the ceiling of mortgage interest relief are given in the table. These estimates make no allowance for any consequential changes to the distribution of outstanding mortgages.

  Ceiling

  Cost

  Cost attributable to tax units with earned income over £20,000 in 1988–89

  £

  £ million

  £ million

  35,000

  230

  100

  40,000

  390

  180

  Mr. McCrindle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the mortgage tax relief limit was raised to £30,000; what the additional annual cost to the Exchequer would be if it was raised to £35,000 and £40,000 respectively; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 31 January 1989]: The ceiling for mortgage interest relief was raised
  552
  to £30,000 in 1983–84. The direct revenue cost, at 1988–89 levels, of increases in the ceiling of mortgage interest relief are given in the table. These estimates make no allowance for any consequential changes to the distribution of outstanding mortgages.

  Ceiling £

  Cost £ million

  35,000

  230

  40,000

  390

  Inflation
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing for each of the last complete financial years(a) the forecast rate of general inflation as measured by the gross domestic product deflator in the Autumn Statement published immediately prior to each financial year and (b) the actual rate of inflation in each financial year as measured by the gross domestic product deflator and (c) the actual rate of inflation in each financial year as measured by the retail price index.

  Mr. Lawson
  [holding answer 31 January 1989]: The information requested by my right hon. Friend is shown in the table:

  553

  Percentage change on a year earlier

  Gross domestic product at market prices

  Retail price index3

  For the year

  Autumn Statement forecast1

  Outturn2

  1983–84

  5

  4·6

  4·7

  1984–85

  5

  5·0

  5·1

  1985–86

  4½

  5·5

  5·9

  1986–87

  4½

  3·4

  3·2

  1987–88

  3¾

  5·2

  4·0

  1 Forecast in the Autumn Statement published immediately prior to the coming financial year.

  2 Latest outturn data.

  3 Change in the average value of the retail price index on the preceding financial year.

  Company Cars
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is his latest estimate of the proportion of the benefit to an individual taxpayer of company car capital, running and maintenace costs which are taxed under present arrangements; and how much additional tax revenue would be received by the Government if that proportion were increased to 100 per cent. of such costs;

  (2) what is the amount of additional tax revenue that would be raised by charging employees' and employers' national insurance contributions on the full benefit obtained by individual taxpayers from company cars.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 23 January 1989]: The benefit of company cars provided to directors and higher paid employees is taxed by reference to a set of scale charges. The results of independent studies are consistent with the Government's view that the value to typical employees of being able to use their company cars privately exceeds the present scale charges. But the value to any particular employee depends on a wide range of factors. It is not possible, therefore, to provide an estimate of the aggregate extent to which the private use of company cars is undertaxed, nor of the additional revenue which would arise if the full value to the employee was used in computing income tax or national insurance contributions.

  Private Schools
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many private schools in Scotland benefit from financial concessions as a result of having charitable status; and if he will estimate the loss of Exchequer revenue as a result of such concessions for the most recent year for which information is available.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 23 January 1989]: Comprehensive information in the form requested is not available. Inland Revenue records of bodies in Scotland which are eligible for income tax relief identify 75 schools with charitable status. This includes some special schools for handicapped children or for pupils with behavioural problems.

  Company Privatisation
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what have been the costs of privatisation of companies, both by private sale and public flotation, for each company privatised since 1979, and for each year since 554
  1979, including separate figures for (a) underwriting, selling and broking, (b) commission, (c) bank costs, (d) marketing, (e) fees to advisers, (f) bonus shares, (g) bill vouchers and (h) any other costs.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 19 January 1989]: The total costs to the Government of each privatisation since 1979 are in the table. Estimated costs of underwriting, selling, and broking commission, receiving bank costs, marketing, advisers' fees and incentives in respect of all primary share sales from British Telecom onwards are given in the following reports presented to the House by the Comptroller and Auditor General:

  Session 1984–85

  Department of Trade and Industry: Sale of Government Shareholdings in British Telecommunications plc HC 495

  Session 1987–88

  Department of Energy: Sale of Government Shareholding in British Gas plc HC 22

  Department of Transport: Sale of Government Shareholding in British Airways plc HC 37

  Department of Trade and Industry: Sale of Government Shareholding in Rolls-Royce plc HC 243

  Department of Transport: Sale of Government Shareholding in BAA plc HC 312

  Figures given in the reports for customer bill vouchers and bonus shares relate to the maximum value assuming all incentives will be taken up by shareholders. Final figures will depend on the number of eligible shareholders at the end of the qualifying periods. The value of bonus shares distributed for Britoil in 1986 was £3 million.

  For residual share sales, and for primary share sales prior to British Telecom, the information requested is available only at disproportionate cost. The Department of Trade and Industry expects to able to report the costs of the British Steel flotation shortly.

  Table A

  Total costs of sale to Her Majesty's Government including VAT, excluding incentives

  Company name

  Year

  £ thousands

  British Aerospace

  1981

  5,600

  Cable and Wireless

  1981

  8,900

  Amersham International

  1982

  2,900

  Britoil

  1982

  12,600

  National Freight Corporation

  1982

  300

  Associated British Ports

  1983

  2,600

  British Petroleum

  1983

  22,760

  Cable and Wireless

  1983

  12,500

  Associated British Ports

  1984

  1,400

  Enterprise Oil

  1984

  10,700

  Jaguar

  1984

  1n/a

  Sealink

  1984

  100

  Wytch Farm

  1984

  98

  British Telecom

  1984

  183,000

  British Aerospace

  1985

  17,800

  Britoil

  1985

  23,300

  Cable and Wireless

  1985

  21,400

  British Gas

  1986

  2175,000

  British Shipbuilding warship yards

  1986

  55,500

  British Airways

  1987

  33,900

  Rolls Royce

  1987

  341,600

  Plant Breeding Institute

  1987

  4822

  Royal Ordnance

  1987

  51,900

  BAA

  1987

  45,200

  Rover Group

  1987

  1,800

  British Petroleum

  1987

  648,299

  1 The sale of Jaguar plc was conducted by BL plc and details of the appointments and the total cost are a matter for the company. Only one firm was appointed to advise the Government; it is not the practice to disclose fees paid to individual firms.

  2 Excluding Stamp Duty.

  3 Expenditure incurred to date, excluding subscription for new shares.

  4 Exluding VAT.

  5 Expenditure incurred after 1 January 1985.

  6 Expenditure incurred to date.

SCOTLAND

  Drinking Water
  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list all those water supplies in Scotland which fail to meet the standards set out in the European Economic Community directives on the quality of drinking water and whether or not these are the subject of derogations; how and when it is proposed for each of these water supplies to meet the standards laid down; and what the latest estimated cost of complying with the standards is in each case.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The EC drinking water directive allows departure from its standards either by delay under article 20 or by derogation under article 9. Scottish public water supplies subject to application for delay and those subject to derogations are set out in the tables. Improvement programmes, with timetables, for supplies subject to delay have been submitted to the European Commission. Most are in progress and a significant number are virtually complete.

  Recent review has indicated further supplies which do not meet the standards. These are not included in the tables pending consideration by Scottish Development Department of appropriate action.

  Up-to-date detailed cost figures for individual supplies are not available, but recent estimates by Scottish water authorities suggested that the overall cost of fully complying with the standards might approach £700 million.

  Authority

  Supply

  Table 1

  Supplies subject to delay

  Borders Region

  Carlops

  Wantonwells

  Ettrickbridge

  Galashiels

  Rawburn

  Roberton

  Central Region

  Gartcarron

  Jellyholm

  Longhill

  Sauchie

  Woodburn

  Dumfries and Galloway Region

  Carsphairn

  Areeming

  Auchneel

  Barclye

  Euchan

  Killylour

  Lochinvar

  Penwhirn

  New Abbey

  Winterhope

  Landheads

  Palnure

  Loch Roan

  Two unnamed supplies

  Black Esk

  Langholm

  Moffat

  Creetown

  Newton Stewart

  Wanlockhead

  556

  Authority

  Supply

  Millburn

  Glengap

  Kettleton

  Sanquhar

  Lochfoot

  Grampian Region

  Herricks

  Rochomie

  Forres

  Kinloss

  Lossiemouth

  Drummuir, Portgordon

  Aberlour, Dufftown, Tomintoul

  Inverurie

  Strathdon, Strathbogie

  Upper Deeside

  Banff

  Macduff, Gardenstown

  Fraserburgh

  Peterhead

  Cullen

  Highland Region

  Glenurquhart

  Assynt

  Kyle of Lochalsh

  Loch Carron

  Culnakirk

  Wick

  Lairg

  Bonar Bridge

  North Speyside

  South Speyside

  Thurso

  Helmsdale

  Inverness

  Ardnamurchan

  Fort William

  Lochaber

  Corpach/Caol

  Lothian Region

  Edinburgh (part)

  Strathclyde Region

  Ardrishaig

  Carradale

  Clachan

  Furnace

  Inveraray

  Muasdale

  Port Charlotte

  Tarbert

  Tighnabruaich

  Tiree

  Tobermory

  Torra

  Afton

  Amlaird

  Spallander

  Crosbie

  Dhu Loch

  Glendrissaigh

  Greenhead Mount

  Mill Glen

  Penwhapple

  Pundeavon

  Skelmorlie Upper

  Skelmorlie Low

  Dougliehill

  Garshake

  Kaim

  Kelly

  Larkfield

  Maukinhill

  Milngavie

  Muirdykes

  Overton Low

  Picketlaw

  Prospecthill

  South Moorhouse

  557

  Authority

  Supply

  Stanley High

  Whinhill

  Bradan

  Craignure

  Lochdonhead

  Knock Tank

  Overton High

  Elsrickle

  Dolphinton

  Carnwath

  Catacol

  Whiting Bay

  King's Cross

  Pirnmill

  Peden

  Camps

  Daer

  Loch Lomond (bulk supply)

  Camphill

  LockEck

  Corsehouse

  Loch Ascog

  Luss

  Loch Lomond (local)

  Crosbie/Fairlie

  Overton (Leven)

  Loch Sloy

  Tayside Region

  Burnhead

  Lintrathen

  Alyth

  Clash

  Grandtully

  Aberfeldy

  Camserney

  Acharn

  Kenmore

  Kinloch Rannoch

  Table 2

  Supplies subject to derogations

  Borders Region

  Wakefield W Linton

  Yarrowford

  Central Region

  Killin

  Callander

  Dumfries and Galloway Region

  Carsphairn

  Barclye

  Euchan

  Glengap

  Lochfoot

  Lochinvar

  Penwhirn

  Sandyford

  Sanquhar

  Creetown

  Bardrochwood

  Wanlockhead

  Loch Roan

  Grampian Region

  Glenlatterach

  Invercannie

  Wrack

  Newbigging

  Aberlour

  Highland Region

  Beauly Firth Area

  Broadford

  Fort Augustus

  Glenurquhart

  Mallaig

  Onich

  Clunas

  Kyle of Lochalsh

  Loch Carron

  Culnakirk

  Caen/Ord

  558

  Authority

  Supply

  Kinlochbervie

  Orkney Islands

  Kirkbister

  Wideford

  Boardhouse

  Stromness

  Heldale

  Westray

  Bea

  Shetland Islands

  Unst

  Cullivoe

  Fetlar

  Skerries

  Bressay

  Northmavine

  Walls

  Sandness

  Reawick and Skeld

  Nebister

  Voe and Vidlin

  Fair Isle

  West Burrafirth

  Strathclyde Region

  Ardrishaig

  Auchalochy

  Carradale

  Clachan

  Furnace

  Muasdale

  Tarbert

  Tighnabruaich

  Tiree

  Afton

  Castlehill

  L. Spallander

  Holehouse

  Knockjarder

  Millport

  Muirkirk

  Pundeavon

  Glassford

  Roughrigg

  Asker

  Belmore

  Bowling

  Burncrooks

  Coulport

  Craigielinn

  Garshake

  Kelly

  Larkfield

  Loch Sloy

  Muirdykes

  Stanley High

  Lamlash

  Bradan

  Passford

  Kilmory

  Carrick Castle

  Leanach

  Cairnbaan

  Kilmichael

  Tayvallich

  Saddell

  Tayinloan

  Whitehouse

  Ballygrant

  Portnahaven

  Gigha

  Luing

  Bunessan

  Lochdonhead

  Iona

  Ross of Mull

  Loudonhill

  Catacol

  Lochranza

  559

  Authority

  Supply

  Tullochgorm

  Kilberry

  Claddich

  Arinagour (Coll)

  Nerabolls

  Tayside Region

  Camserney

  Kinlock Rannoch

  Acharn

  Western Isles

  Benbecula

  Berneray

  Castlebay

  Eriskay

  Howmore

  Leverburgh

  Lochboisdale

  Lochmaddy

  North Bay

  Northton

  Rodel

  Scalpay

  Sollas

  Tarbert

  Balallan

  Leurbost

  Tolsta Glen

  Shior Thomas

  Seilibost

  Maaruig

  Ardvourlie

  10 unnamed supplies

  Stornoway (augmentation)

  Cliasmol

  Meavaig

  Lennox Castle Hospital
  Mr. Siliars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what was the management structure at Lennox Castle hospital in November 1988; how many persons were in each post; and if he will indicate the length of service of each person in the most senior posts;

  (2) when the management structure at Lennox Castle hospital was last reviewed by Greater Glasgow health board.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The senior management structure at Lennox Castle on 1 November 1988 comprised a sector administrator, a physician superintendent and a director of nursing services. The post holders had been in post for six months, one month and six years respectively.

  This has now been superseded by new arrangements which were the subject of discussion by Greater Glasgow health board on 24 January 1989. The new management structure gives overall responsibility for all services in the mental handicap sector to a single person, the sector manager. He leads a management team of support services manager, nursing services manager and clinical services manager. That team will be supported by a development officer, personnel manager and management accountant. Of these seven posts, five appointments have now been made, including that of sector manager.

  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the principal findings of the Mental Welfare Commission report on conditions at Lennox Castle hospital.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Following a visit to four of the wards at Lennox Castle hospital on 9 December, the 560
  commission informed Greater Glasgow health board of a number of points of concern. Details of these concerns are matters between the commission and the health board and have been the subject of discussion between them.

  Mr. Siliars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received over the past five years from Greater Glasgow health board asking for substantial additional expenditure to be spent on Lennox Castle hospital.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The board has included bids for expenditure at Lennox Castle in its annual capital plans since 1986 and made a separate representation in 1986 for additional resources. As a result upgrading of wards and other works have taken place at a cost of £3·8 million including a new 24-bed intensive care unit opened in June 1988. Moreover, I announced on 23 January 1989 my approval to the board's plans to spend £4·56 million on the redevelopment of Lennox Castle hospital.

  Mr. Siliars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which committee or sub-committee of Greater Glasgow health board has a direct responsibility for oversight of Lennox Castle hospital.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Overall responsibility for the planning and quality of service provided in all the hospitals administered by Greater Glasgow health board rests with the board's policy and planning committee. Direct responsibility for oversight of the hospital rests with the management of the mental health unit.

  Nursing
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give for each health board the total number of appeals following the regrading exercise, the number completed and the number decided in favour of the nurse; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  This information is not held centrally.

  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what instructions he has given to health boards on a date for the completion of(a) informal appeals and (b) formal appeals on nurse regrading; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Health boards have been asked to complete initial reviews of appeals by the end of February. There is no deadline for completing formal appeal hearings, but boards are expected to deal with appeals quickly as well as fairly.

  Local Government Staff
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total number of local government staff in Scotland for each year since 1975.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Quarterly figures for local authority manpower have been published jointly by the Scottish Office and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities since 1976 and are available in the Library.

  Prisons
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people are currently being held in each prison, and in total; and how many prison officers are currently in each prison, and in total.
  561
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested by the hon. Member is set out in the table.

  Establishment

  Inmates (at 27 January 1989)

  Prison officers (at 27 January 1989)

  Aberdeen

  144

  98

  Barlinnie

  956

  446

  Barlinnie Special Unit

  6

  14

  Castle Huntly

  111

  50

  Cornton Vale

  145

  166

  Dumfries

  111

  109

  Dungavel

  114

  51

  Edinburgh

  641

  361

  Friarton

  75

  48

  Glenochil

  362

  330

  Greenock

  171

  145

  Inverness

  89

  91

  Longriggend

  214

  147

  Low Moss

  344

  110

  Noranside

  97

  50

  Penninghame

  67

  27

  Perth

  454

  291

  Peterhead

  129

  244

  Polmont

  363

  225

  Shotts

  427

  286

  Total

  5,020

  3,289

  Note The prison officers referred to in the table cover all uniformed discipline and specialist staff.

  Labour Statistics
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of jobs lost in manufacturing and in the service section in Greenock and Port Glasgow in each of the past five years.

  Mr. Lang
  Information is not available in the precise form requested. The information set out in the table relates to the number of redundancies involving 10 or more workers confirmed to the Training Agency as occurring in the Greenock travel-to-work-area, which includes Port Glasgow, in each year from 1984 to 1988.

  Confirmed redundancies in the Greenock travel-to-work-area, 1984—88

  Manufacturing

  Services

  1984

  2,466

  22

  1985

  1,593

  92

  1986

  973

  90

  1987

  352

  39

  19881

  72

  3

  1Figures for 1988 are provisional.

  Sand Eels (Conservation)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on what basis his Department will decide on the appropriateness of conservation measures for the Shetland sand eel fishery if it proves difficult both to estimate the maximum sustainable yield and to advise on an appropriate total allowable catch for the Shetland sand eel stock; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The health of the Shetland sand eel stocks depends to a very large extent on the levels of recruitment of juvenile fish, which fluctuate because of natural factors, as well as the level of the fishery. Below a certain level of stock size recruitment levels are likely to be affected by the abundance of spawning fish and the prime 562
  objective, so far as possible, will be to maintain the spawning stock above the critical level. The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland will be discussing with industry representatives possible conservation measures.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the percentage of 0 and 1 group sand eels in catches from Shetland waters in each month of each of the past five years.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information requested is given in the table.

  Percentage of 0- and 1- Group Jana Eels by weight

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  March

  0-group

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1-group

  —

  —

  —

  94·8

  11·1

  April

  0-group

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1-group

  42·7

  69·1

  27·2

  64·4

  2·1

  May

  0-group

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1-group

  28·6

  37·7

  18·6

  65·7

  6·1

  June

  0-group

  17·0

  2·7

  13·3

  1·3

  6·2

  1-group

  34·2

  38·7

  20·8

  61·3

  5·3

  July

  0-group

  50·6

  23·6

  62·4

  27·3

  93·6

  1-group

  29·5

  21·5

  32·4

  49·5

  0·5

  August

  0-group

  75·4

  55·9

  45·8

  40·3

  64·3

  1-group

  13·2

  25·1

  18·8

  32·2

  5·0

  September

  0-group

  87·3

  84·3

  92·1

  78·5

  86·6

  1-group

  9·5

  8·9

  4·6

  9·0

  4·6

  October

  0-group

  1—

  1—

  97·7

  2·6

  1—

  1-group

  1—

  1—

  22·3

  22·8

  1—

  1—No sampling—catches very small.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many occasions in 1988 catches of fishing vessels attempting to land sand eels from Shetland waters were found to exceed 25 per cent. by weight of fish of less than 3in long; what was the percentage of small sand eels in any such catches; what was the method of disposal for these catches; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Of the 42 samples examined during 1988, two contained more than 25 per cent. by weight of sand eels less than 7·5cm; the percentage of small sand eels was 26·5 and 37·9 respectively; and both catches were sent for reduction to meal and oil. Sampling data are not, however, comprehensive. The level of incidence of small sand eels in catches may depend on recruitment levels, the effects of the voluntary restrictions on catches of small sand eels, or both.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will outline the steps taken by his Department to monitor the voluntary measures taken by Shetland fishermen to reduce the catches of the youngest sand eels in Shetland waters; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Regular samples are provided voluntarily to scientists of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland. The number of landings sampled each month since the voluntary restrictions were introduced are as follows:
  563

  1987

  1988

  March

  1

  1

  April

  14

  4

  May

  9

  16

  June

  9

  11

  July

  11

  2

  August

  6

  4

  September

  1

  4

  October

  1

  —

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the level of recruitment of sand eels to(a) the Shetland population, (b) the northern North sea, north of 563òN, and (c) the southern North sea in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information requested is given in the table.

  Thousand millions of O-group sand eels at 1 July

  Shetland

  Northern North sea north of 56°30'N

  Southern North sea

  (1)

  (2)

  (1)

  (1)

  1984

  21

  29

  47

  148

  1985

  10

  21

  255

  653

  1986

  36

  19

  202

  138

  1987

  —

  2

  —

  —

  1988

  —

  21

  —

  —

  Source:

  (1) International Council for the Exploration of the Seas.

  (2) Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland (new
  assessments); figures for 1987 and 1988 are provisional.

  The very low figure for Shetland for 1987 reflects the incidence of the poorest year class since the fishery began in 1974. The 1988 year class is also thought to be below the average over the period 1974–86. Scientific assessment indicates that recruitment is affected primarily by natural factors affecting the first six months of sand eel life, and that the decline in stocks has not been caused primarily by the commercial fishery.

  Rating Reform
  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in the Official Report those medical sources from which he sought advice over the desirability of including Alzheimer's disease in the list of exempted conditions for poll tax purposes; what is the medical definiton of the "fluctuating nature" to which he referred in the Official Report, 1 February, column 281; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  My right hon. and learned Friend receives medical advice from the chief medical officer, Scottish Home and Health Department, and his staff. People with degenerative mental disorders such as Alzheimer's disease have a gradual onset of their condition leading to a progressive decline in all aspects of mental functioning. Fluctuations in the level of mental functioning may occur during the natural progression of the degenerative condition and may also occur if the person develops an additional illness.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the latest estimates of the cost of collecting the community charge for each one of the regions in Scotland; and what is the present cost of collecting the rates.

  Mr. Lang
  All regional councils in Scotland will have included an estimate of the cost of collecting the 564
  community charge in the budgets which they have now set for 1989–90. Full details of their budgets have not yet been submitted to the Scottish Office.

  The latest estimate of the cost to each regional council of collecting the rates are contained in their budgets for 1988–89 and are set out in the table.

  £ million

  Borders

  0·669

  Central

  1·155

  Dumfries and Galloway

  0·743

  Fife

  1·279

  Grampian

  12·146

  Highland

  0·936

  Lothian

  6·258

  Strathclyde

  10·005

  Tayside

  2·767

  1 Excludes lands valuation, for which Grampian did not make a separate estimate.

  Forestry
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide the latest available breakdown of the hectarage planted, approved for planting and awaiting approval for planting under the woodland grant scheme for each of the Forestry Commission's conservancies.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information—covering the period from 15 June 1988, when the woodland grant scheme was first opened to applications, to 31 December 1988—is as follows:

  Hectares

  Conservancy

  Planting1 for which grants have been paid2

  Area approved for planting1

  Area awaiting approval for planting1

  North England

  —

  550

  1,570

  East England

  —

  829

  4,373

  West England

  —

  577

  1,300

  Wales

  —

  505

  905

  North Scotland

  53

  2,828

  9,744

  Mid Scotland

  11

  1,489

  2,635

  South Scotland

  1

  1,561

  3,265

  Total

  65

  8,339

  23,792

  1 Including replanting.

  2 These figures do not include planting that had taken place but on which grants had not been paid by 31 December 1988, since this information is not readily available.

  Farm Workers
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many(a) farmers and (b) farm workers were employed in each county in Scotland in June 1988.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  As a result of local government reform, counties ceased to be used for agricultural statistics purposes after 1975. My noble Friend wrote to the hon. Member last December to provide him with information about the numbers of farmers and farm workers employed in each region in Scotland in June 1988.

  New Towns
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the responses received on the consultation document, "The Scottish New Towns—Maintaining the Momentum."
  565
  Mr. Lang
  No. I made clear at the meeting with representatives of SLANT (Scottish Local Authorities with New Towns) and those members representing Scottish new towns, held on 1 February 1989, that copies of the responses received would be available in each of the new towns towards the end of February.

  Neilston Primary School
  Mr. Allan Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received concerning the case for an extension to Neilston primary school; what response he has made; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I have considered carefully the representations made by my hon. Friend and the parents and community representatives following the meeting which he kindly arranged about the need for an extension to Neilston primary school. Strathclyde regional council has recently requested that provision be made for a four-classroom extension in its capital allocation for 1989–90, and I expect this request to be considered sympathetically. Authorities should be informed shortly of their capital allocations for next year.

  Road Accidents
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many accidents involving death or injury have occurred per vehicle mile on the A74 for each year since 1980;

  (2) how many accidents involving death and injury have occurred per vehicle mile on the A96 for each year since 1980.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 10 January 1989]: The accident rate is expressed as the number of injury (including fatal) accidents per million vehicle kilometers. The figures for the A74 trunk (south) and the A96 trunk in each year since 1982 are as follows:

  A74 trunk (south)

  A96 trunk

  1982

  0·156

  0·517

  1983

  0·135

  0·523

  1984

  0·145

  0·484

  1985

  0·125

  0·442

  1986

  0·144

  0·432

  1987

  0·135

  0·453

  In comparing these figures it should be remembered that the A74 is a dual carriageway and the A96 is an almost entirely single carriageway road. The annual traffic levels are estimates based on limited samples and are subject to a fairly wide margin of error. The A74 trunk (south) is south of the M74. Accident rates are not available for 1980 and 1981 or for other parts of the A74 and A96.

  Mr. Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many people have been (a) killed and (b) injured on the A74 for each year since 1980;

  (2) how many people have been (a) killed and (b) injured on the A96 for each year since 1980.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 10 January]The information requested, along with additional information to clarify this answer and answers to related questions, is as follows.
  566

  A74 trunk (north)

  A74 trunk (south)

  A74 total

  A96 trunk

  A96 total

  (a) Number of fatal casualties

  1980

  —

  4

  8

  19

  21

  1981

  —

  12

  17

  14

  15

  1982

  —

  11

  15

  15

  16

  1983

  —

  11

  13

  11

  12

  1984

  1

  7

  14

  5

  6

  1985

  1

  10

  18

  12

  14

  1986

  —

  18

  23

  15

  15

  1987

  —

  17

  19

  8

  9

  (b) Number of serious and slight casualties

  1980

  26

  184

  312

  334

  388

  1981

  21

  126

  261

  325

  379

  1982

  23

  137

  298

  349

  411

  1983

  30

  130

  271

  339

  380

  1984

  21

  148

  281

  330

  389

  1985

  30

  146

  321

  295

  332

  1986

  38

  188

  305

  320

  372

  1987

  53

  164

  271

  289

  326

  The A74 trunk (north), length 5.3 km, is north of the M74; and the A74 trunk (south), length 93 km, is south of the M74. The A74 and A96 totals include non-trunk sections of road. In comparing the figures for the A74 and A96, it should be remembered that the A74 is a dual carriageway and the A96 is a 166 km, almost entirely single carriageway, road.

  House Building
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses were built to be rented in the public sector in each year since 1979 in(a) Inverclyde, (b) Strathclyde and (c) Scotland as a whole.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 26 January 1989]The information set out in the table is for houses completed by local authorities, new towns, Scottish Special Housing Association and Government Departments for the years in question. These figures could contain some houses built for sale.

  Public Sector (Excluding Housing Associations) New houses completed

  Year

  Inverclvde

  Strathclyde

  Scotland

  1979

  64

  3,377

  8,063

  1980

  8

  2,518

  7,488

  1981

  —

  3,419

  7,066

  1982

  26

  1,426

  3,733

  1983

  —

  1,035

  3,492

  1984

  —

  840

  2,647

  1985

  30

  928

  2,828

  1986

  —

  609

  2,301

  1987

  81

  518

  2,630

  11988

  —

  657

  22,138

  1 January-September.

  2 Returns outstanding from 10 districts.

  NHS Hospitals (Glasgow)
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list all the National Health Service Greater Glasgow hospitals and the latest figures for the waiting lists in each of them.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 30 January 1989]The latest waiting list figures for all National Health
  567
  Service hospitals in Greater Glasgow are set out in the table. The mean waiting time for in-patients in 1987 was 73·7 days and for day cases was 47·8 days.

  NHS Hospitals in Greater Glasgow HB: Patients waiting at 31 March 19881

  Hospital

  Inpatients

  Day Cases

  Beatson Oncology Centre

  —

  —

  Belvidere Hospital

  61

  —

  Birdston Hospital

  —

  —

  Blawarthill Hospital

  —

  —

  Broomhill and Lanfine Hospital

  —

  —

  Canniesburn Hospital

  1,999

  —

  Childrens Home Hospital

  —

  —

  Cowglen Hospital

  126

  —

  Darnley Hospital

  3

  —

  Drumchapel Hospital

  —

  —

  Duke St. Hospital

  2

  —

  Duntocher Hospital

  —

  —

  Gartloch Hospital

  56

  —

  Gartnavel General Hospital

  1,203

  26

  Gartnaval Royal Hospital

  47

  —

  Glasgow Dental Hospital and School

  —

  —

  Glasgow Eye Infirmary

  —

  —

  Glasgow Homeopathic Hospital

  20

  —

  Glasgow Royal Infirmary

  4,650

  —

  Glasgow Royal Maternity Hospital

  —

  —

  Glasgow Western Infirmary

  1,515

  —

  Knightswood Hospital

  10

  —

  Lennox Castle Hospital

  6

  —

  Lenzie Hospital—Beechwood Extension

  —

  —

  Leverndale Hospital

  9

  —

  Lightburn Hospital

  96

  —

  Mearnskirk General Hospital

  —

  —

  Parkhead Hospital

  —

  Philipshill Hospital

  534

  —

  Queen Mother's Hospital

  —

  RHSC Drumchapel

  —

  —

  Royal Beatson Memorial Hospital

  —

  —

  Royal Hospital for Sick Children

  1,407

  Royal Samaritan Hospital

  358

  —

  Ruchill Hospital

  —

  Rutherglen Maternity Hospital

  —

  Southern General Hospital

  1,807

  69

  Southern General Psychiatric Unit

  —

  —

  Stobhill Hospital

  2,124

  —

  Stoneyetts Hospital

  —

  —

  Victoria Infirmary

  1,239

  127

  Waverley Park Hospital

  —

  —

  Woodilee Hospital

  113

  —

  Greater Glasgow Health Board Total

  17,385

  222

  1 The alerted statistical system on which these figures are collected is explained in ISD statistical bulletin 1/88.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will commission the Scottish universities research and reactor centre to undertake aerial surveys, similar to that just undertaken in West Cumbria, for all areas in Scotland near to nuclear establishments or where there has been radioactive fall out.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 30 January 1989]Radioactivity in the environment near

  Total fatal accidents

  Number of fatal accidents by number of fatal casualties in each accident

  Total fatal casualties

  1

  2

  3

  4

  1983

  10

  9

  1

  —

  —

  11

  1984

  4

  3

  1

  —

  —

  5

  1985

  12

  12

  —

  —

  —

  12

  1986

  12

  11

  —

  —

  1

  15

  1987

  8

  8

  —

  —

  8

  11988

  10

  10

  —

  —

  —

  10

  1 To August.

  568
  nuclear establishments is intensively monitored by the site operators as a condition of their authorisations to discharge radioactivity. The Scottish Development Department checks each operator's results and undertakes additional independent monitoring to confirm them. Aerial surveys would not contribute materially to the normal monitoring process. However, the Scottish Office is interested in the possible use in emergencies of the aerial surveillance system developed and deployed by the Scottish universities research and reactor centre and will be discussing this with the centre.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the latest available information on levels of radioactivity in(a) fish in lochs (b) hares and rabbits and (c) other animals in south-west Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 30 January 1989] : Information on the level of radioactivity in fish and animals in Scotland resulting from the Chernobyl accident is published on a regular basis by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland. For the south-west of Scotland the latest measured levels for fish range from 15 bq/kg to 737 bq/kg, for hare from 165 bq/kg to 4,530 bq/kg and for rabbits from 20 bq/kg to 155 bq/kg. Monitoring of hare and rabbit was discontinued in 1987 as the reading in these animals, which form a relatively small part of most people's diet, gave no cause for concern. Levels in deer range from 2 bq/kg to 2,740 bq/kg.

  Chemical Hazardous Waste
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what new plans he has to deal with the future disposal of chemical hazardous waste.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 31 January 1989]We have recently consulted widely on proposals to strengthen controls on waste disposal in Scotland, and will announce our conclusions shortly. We expect to issue two further consultation papers on aspects of waste disposal within the next few weeks. We are also reviewing the Control of Pollution (Special Waste) Regulations 1980 and the Control of Pollution (Licensing of Waste Disposal) (Scotland) Regulations 1977.

  A96
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many fatal road accidents have occurred on the A96 trunk road between Aberdeen and Inverness in each of the past five years and in 1989 to date, indicating the number of fatalities in each accident.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 1 February 1989]The information requested for the A96 trunk road is as follows:
  569
  Statistics on accidents are available centrally only to August 1988.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to complete his survey on accident blackspots on the A96; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer I February 1989]The Scottish Development Department will provide both Highland and Grampian regional councils with a detailed brief next month in order that they may carry forward studies of the A96. This work will include examination of the route as a whole to determine where accident remedial schemes should be introduced. It is not possible to say precisely when the studies will be completed but they may take a year or so. The hon. Member will, however, wish to know that road safety measures will shortly be completed between Oyne Fork and Pitcaple which was previously identified as the worst accident spot on the route.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what budget allocation he has set aside for improvements to the A96 in each of the next five years.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 1 February 1989]Last December, I met members and officials of Highland and Grampian regional councils to discuss their request for improvements to the A96 trunk road. As a result of that meeting studies of the A96 are being extended to identify, along the entire route, possible accident remedial schemes and schemes to improve overtaking opportunities. When this work, to be carried out by both regional councils as the Secretary of State's agents for the trunk road, is complete I will be able to formulate an overall strategy and consider expenditure provision.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Salmonella
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish in the Official Report his letter of 11 August 1988 informing the Agriculture and Food Research Council of his decision to terminate the research work being undertaken into salmonella at Bristol.

  Mr. Ryder
  I did not write to the Agriculture and Food Research Council Institute of Food Research on 11 August 1988, but a member of my staff did and the hon. Member may be aware of the contents of that letter.

  The letter recorded agreement by my Department and the institute to phase out support for four research projects.

  The first is a project on the manipulation of the microbial flora of the gut of young chickens in order to control salmonella in broiler hens. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary explained the reasons for terminating the funding of this project in answer to a question from the hon. Member for Carmarthen (Mr. Williams) on 15 December, Official Report, column 653. The second project relates to bacteria on meat and food-borne illnesses. This was a basic research project, the short-term objectives of which were completed. The longer
  570
  term objectives have been incorporated into a revised programme of microbiological research in the Institute of Food Research.

  The third project related to the development of methods for determining authenticity, adulteration and origin of food and beverages. This was terminated because of the slow progress and the ability of other contractors to carry forward the work. The final project referred to in the letter related to the processing of potato tubers and was terminated in line with the institute's commitment to reduce efforts in commodity-led research and in the light of the fact that the Ministry was pursuing related research at other centres.

  The decisions reached on these four projects need to be viewed in the context of the decision to increase the funding of the institute's programme on food safety from £740,000 this year to £849,000 in the next financial year.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the protein processing plants that were found to be contaminated with salmonella in 1987 and 1988 were allowed to continue selling feedstuff's within the time limits imposed upon them for producing a salmonella-free product; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Until recently, statutory provisions did not exist to prevent the supply of processed animal protein from premises where salmonella had been detected by testing samples of the product. An amendment order to the Diseases of Animals (Protein Processing) Order 1981 came into operation on 2 February and provides Ministry inspectors with such powers.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the number of incidents of salmonella duldin in cattle in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The number of incidents of salmonella duldin in cattle in each of the last 10 years is as follows:

  Number

  1979

  566

  1980

  498

  1981

  435

  1982

  556

  1983

  586

  1984

  424

  1985

  511

  1986

  463

  1987

  544

  1988

  1502

  1 Provisional.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his decision to withdraw research funds from the work at the Institute of Food Research on competitive exclusion as a method of controlling salmonella in poultry.

  Mr. MacGregor
  Work on competitive exclusion at Bristol, which has been in progress for more than a decade, has reached the point where successful trials have been carried out in commercial production units. Following appraisal by representatives of MAFF and AFRC, it was recognised that the principle of competitive exclusion has been established as a method of control relevant to salmonella in poultry. It was concluded that the technique
  571
  was ready for adoption by industry under appropriate circumstances and with suitable safeguards to prevent the introduction or spread of disease. Major poultry firms are aware of this work at Bristol. It is for industry to decide whether to adopt the technique for commercial application.

  I have now received the report of a joint MAFF, DoH and British Egg Industry Council working group report on salmonella and eggs dealing with research into this area and am considering its recommendations urgently. I have placed a copy in the Library of the House.

  We are already funding an extensive programme of research relevant to control of salmonella in poultry as follows:

  Current Work on Salmonella SPP

  Title

  Risk and Hazard Analysis in Egg Infections

  Thermal Destruction of Salmonella enteritidis Phase Type
  4 in the Domestic Cooking of Food Containing Eggs

  Manipulation of the Microbial Flora of the Gut of Young
  Chicks to Control Salmonellas in Broilers

  Survival and Growth of Salmonellae and Bacillus subtilis in Baking Ingredients

  Salmonella Shedding in Poultry

  Serological Diagnosis of Salmonella enteritidis Infection Plasmid Profile Analysis of Salmonella enteritidis

  Development of a Salmonella enteritidis Vaccine to
  Prevent Salmonella Infections in Chickens

  Salmonella Service: Bacteria Typing, Surveillance and Work Under the Protein Processing Order

  Work being carried out under the Zoonosis Order and in Collaboration with PHLS

  Development of Immunoassays for the Rapid Detection of Food Poisoning Organisms

  Growth Characteristics of Food Poisoning Organisms at Sub-lethal Temperatures

  Microbial Antagonism to Increase the Safety and Stability of Chilled Foods

  Low Sodium Chloride Foods/Microbiological Safety and Technological Characteristics

  Modes of Action and Interaction of Preservatives on Micro-organisms

  Detection of Sub-lethal Injury in Micro-organisms

  Use of Non-radioactive DNA Probes for the Detection of Pathogenic Bacteria in Food

  Enzyme-linked Immunological Biosensors for Detection and Identification of Pathogenic Bacteria in Food

  Bacteria and Hygiene in Abattoirs

  Bacteria on Meat and Food-borne Illness

  Define Factors Controlling Microbial Growth and Develop Predictive Models

  Microbiological Safety of Chilled Foods Including Salads Microbiological Hazards in Domestic and Institutional Handling of Food

  Determination of Food Constituents and Contaminants by ELISA

  Electron Transfer Coupling as a Rapid Method for Assessment of Bacterial Contamination

  Factors Determining Intestinal Colonisation by Salmonella

  Investigating the Basis of Virulance of the Salmonella Genus

  Variation in Virulence of Salmonellas, Host Responses to Infection, Novel Vaccines and Strategies for Use

  Salmonellosis in Cattle—To determine the epidemiology in order that methods to minimise the spread and effects of infection can be formulated and applied

  Heat Induced Thermotolerance in Food Poisoning Organisms

  Survey of Bacteriological Quality of Goats Milk

  Lysozyme Destruction of Gram Negative Organisms in Chicken and Red Meat

  Bacteriological Hazards of Large Meat Roasts in Catering and Long Storage of Chilled Foods in Catering

  Effects of Heat, Cold, Drying, Radiation on Bacteria and their Recovery and Growth

  Food Safety by Predicting Microbial Growth

  572

  The Microbiology of Meat and Fish Packaged for Retail Sale

  Development of Direct Epifluorescent Filter Techniques (DEFT)

  Aujeszky's Disease
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence there is as to whether deer carry Aujeszky's disease.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Aujeszky's disease affects primarily pigs and rodents but occurs incidentally in most other species. Man, however, is not considered to be susceptible to infection. In deer the disease, if it occurs, results in death soon after infection with no significant transmission to other animals. Aujeszky's disease has been recorded in deer in other countries but available evidence suggests that its occurrence is rare in this species.

  Aluminium
  Mr. Holland
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will publish the comparative figures for aluminium levels in the various brands of cow and soya baby milk formulae; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  I repeat the undertaking given to the hon. Member for Strathkelvin and Bearsden (Mr. Galbraith) as to publication of the results of the Ministry's survey(Official Report, columns 608–9). It is not my policy, however, to disclose information by brand name.

  Mr. Holland
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will take steps to ensure the withdrawal of brands of cow and soya baby milk formulae with high levels of aluminium in the light of recent research by the Medical Research Council and Dr. Mary McGraw of Southmead hospital.

  Mr. Ryder
  I am aware of the research mentioned. In addition, my own Department has recently completed a survey of infant formulae.

  I shall take any necessary action when the results have been assessed by my Department with the Department of Health.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will list the outside experts consulted by his Department on the effect on babies of food containing high levels of aluminium;

  (2) on what date his Department first received information that some popular brands of baby milk contain high levels of aluminium;

  (3) what urgent steps his Department has taken in order to stop baby milk with high levels of aluminium being sold in shops.

  Mr. Ryder
  There have been a number of reports about aluminium in baby milk, dating back to 1985. As a result of these, my Department carried out a study on the levels of aluminium in infant formulae which has now been completed. The results of this survey have been referred to the Department of Health's independent medical and scientific advisory committee on toxicity of chemicals in food, consumer products and the environment and I will take their advice into account in deciding whether and what action is needed.

  Fisheries Byelaw Applications
  Mr. Onslow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the fisheries byelaw applications that are currently awaiting his Department's approval, indicating in each case when the application for approval was first submitted to him.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The information is as follows:

  Byelaw-making authority

  Number of byelaws awaiting confirmation

  Date submitted for confirmation

  North Western and North Wales Sea Fisheries Committee

  7

  11 November 1988

  Devon SFC

  1

  8 December 1988

  Kent and Essex SFC

  1

  10 January 1989

  Southern SFC

  2

  20 January 1989

  There are no byelaws awaiting confirmation which have been submitted to us by water authorities pursuant to the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.

  Letter
  Mr. Mudd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the hon. Member for Falmouth and Camborne may expect a reply to his letter of 24 October 1988 to his Department on matters raised by constituency branches of the National Farmers' Union; and why there has been a delay.

  Mr. Ryder
  My hon. Friend raised a number of important points which required careful consideration by officials in different parts of my Department. I regret that this, together with pressures of other work, delayed the reply to my hon. Friend which has now been sent.

  Bovine Somatotropin
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice or recommendations he has received from his Veterinary Products committee on the safety implications for(a) animals and (b) humans of bovine somatotropin which have emerged as a result of the operation of the experimental farm trials by Monsanto into the use of bovine somatotropin in cows.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I am unable to comment on the progress of individual applications for product licences but, as I explained to the hon. Member in the answer that I gave him on 31 January, field trials are authorised only after the veterinary products committee is satisfied as to the safety of both humans and animals.

  Minced Meat
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) whether his Food Standards Committee is investigating the content and labelling of minced meat; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what powers he has to control the content and labelling of minced meat; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  The food standards committee (the predecessor of the Food Advisory Committee) recommended the introduction of statutory controls on the 574
  composition and labelling of minced meat. Last year my colleagues decided not to introduce specific controls on the ground that there were already adequate controls afforded by the Food Act 1984 and the Food Labelling Regulations 1984.

  Meat (Radioactivity)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what powers his veterinary staff have to monitor radioactivity levels in meat in slaughterhouses; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  Powers to monitor levels of radioactivity in meat in slaughterhouses derive from section 4 of part I of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985.

  Eurostat
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether his Department has access to Eurostat information.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  My Department has access to the publications of Eurostat, a range of its on-line electronic information services and working documents relating to the activities of certain committees.

  Beef Production
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of(a) the beef production of the European Community and (b) intervention buying of beef comes from Great Britain, for the most recent year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The total production of beef and veal in 1988 in the European Community is estimated by the European Commission as 7,660,000 tonnes. The provisional figures for United Kingdom production in 1988 is 965,000 tonnes (12·6 per cent.). In 1988 391,000 tonnes of beef were bought into intervention in the Community, of which 39,000 tonnes (9·9 per cent.) were purchased in the United Kingdom.

  Nuclear Establishments
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the number of times his Ministry has reassessed habit surveys of members of the public around each nuclear establishment in each of the last 10 years, with the aim of identifying the most exposed members of the public; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The habit surveys around nuclear establishments carried out by my Ministry in each of the past 10 years were as follows:

  1979—Nine Surveys

  Berkeley/Oldbury, Hunterston, Sellafield (Four surveys), Springfields, Winfrith, Whitehaven

  1980—One Survey

  Bradwell

  1981—Four Surveys

  Sellafield, Trawsfynydd, Sizewell, Wylfa

  1982—Four Surveys

  Chapelcross, Sellafield (Three surveys), Springfields

  1983—Three Surveys

  Heysham, Sellafield, Springfields

  1984—Four Surveys

  Hartlepool, Sellafield, Springfields, Torness

  1985—Four Surveys

  Dounreay, Sellafield, Springfields, Winfrith

  575

  1986—Seven Surveys

  Cardiff, Dounreay, Dungeness, Hinkley Point, Sellafield

  (Two surveys), Springfields

  1987—Six Surveys

  Trawsfynydd, Hunterston, Sellafield (Four surveys)

  1988—10 Surveys

  Wylfa, Rosyth, Sellafield (Five surveys), Springfields, Loch

  Dee, Winfrith

  Environmental exposure pathways and their significance are liable to change and the habit survey programme is therefore kept under continual review. Surveys are repeated at intervals, the frequency depending on the level of radiation exposure involved and possible changes in habits.

  Radioactivity
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans there are to deal with contamination in excess of generalised derived limits as set by the National Radiological Protection Board; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  My Ministry has well established plans to deal with the occurrence of radioactive contamination in excess of the generalised derived limits recommended by the National Radiological Protection Board. If restrictions on the harvesting, movement and sale of contaminated livestock and foodstuffs are necessary, they would be imposed using the powers contained in part 1 of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he intends to publish the results of his aerial survey of radioactivity in Cumbria.

  Mr. Ryder
  We expect to receive copies of the final report of this survey from the Scottish universities research and reactor centre in the near future. Publication will then follow immediately.

  Farm Workers
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many(a) farmers and (b) farmworkers were employed in each county in England in June 1988.

  Mr. Ryder
  I regret that information for June 1988 is not available. I will send these statistics to the hon. Member as soon as they come to hand.

  North Venture Ltd.
  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects his Department to complete the preliminary examination of the licence application by North Venture Ltd. for the deep sea disposal of certain categories of waste.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The application is being considered urgently and I wish to make a decision as soon as possible.

  Poultry Meat Inspection
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the number of man years of his staff involved in poultry meat inspection in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.
  576
  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Meat inspection is the responsibility of local authorities. Officers from my Department visit all slaughter premises to advise on hygiene and welfare standards. The manpower involved for poultry slaughter premises, in the years for which figures are available, was of the order of:

  Man years

  1983–84

  8·5

  1984–85

  8·5

  1985–86

  9·1

  1986–87

  7·7

  1987–88

  7·1

  Information for earlier years was not recorded.

  Slaughterhouses
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the criteria that slaughterhouses have to meet for approval for exporting meat to other European Community countries; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  For the requirements applying to red meat slaughterhouses I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on Wednesday 1 February(Official Report, columns 240–41) to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, Central (Mr. Cousins).

  All licensed poultry slaughterhouses must comply with the provisions of the Poultry Meat (Hygiene) Regulations 1976, as amended. The regulations implement EC directive 71/118, as amended, on health problems affecting trade in fresh poultry meat. Plants which engage in intraCommunity trade may not take advantage of certain derogations permitted by the regulations and the directive for plants producing for the domestic market only.

  Bottled Water
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will consider introducing the appropriate legislation to require purveyors of bottled waters to state on the label the mineral, bacterial and chemical contents of the water.

  Mr. Ryder
  Legislation on the exploitation and marketing of natural mineral waters is harmonised throughout the European Community and our implementing regulations (the Natural Mineral Waters Regulations 1985) require certain chemcial and microbiological criteria to be met. Labels on natural mineral waters are required to bear a statement of the analytical composition giving its characteristic constituents or bear the words "composition in accordance with the results of the officially recognised analysis of…(date of analysis)". I am currently considering the need for specific statutory controls on other bottled waters.

  Farm and Conservation Grant Scheme
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now make a statement about the new farm and conservation grant scheme.

  Mr. MacGregor
  With the agreement of the Secretaries of State for Wales, for Northern Ireland and for Scotland, I announced on 28 November my intention to introduce a
  577
  new capital grant scheme giving greater priority to the control of pollution and support for conservation. After consultations with the EC Commission orders were laid before Parliament on 2 February which if approved will introduce the farm and conservation grant scheme on 20 February.

  In my earlier statement I said that I had agreed with my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury a provision of up to £50 million over the next three years on grants for pollution control. This means that we are now able to set a grant rate of 50 per cent. for this type of investment. In the lowlands where, because of the predominance of dairy farms, the potential for pollution is particularly acute, this will be the highest rate of grant ever offered for effluent facilities. We understand that it is also the highest rate in Europe. This substantial increase in the lowland grant rate underlines the Government's commitment to dealing with on-farm pollution and will strengthen the case for heavy penalties against those who continue to pollute.

  The farm and conservation grant scheme also includes new conservation grants for heather, native woodlands and traditional barns. Farmers will receive grants of 50 per cent. in the LFA and 40 per cent. elsewhere for fencing stock out of heather moors and woodlands for a period in order to promote regeneration. In time the result will be better grazing and shelter as well as the restoration of important environmental features. Grants for the repair and reinstatement of agricultural buildings made of materials traditional in the locality, will be available at 35 per cent. provided that the farmer undertakes to keep the buildings in agricultural use.

  At the same time, we are increasing the grant rates for heather burning and bracken control from 15 to 40 per cent. in the lowlands and from 30 to 50 per cent. in the LFA. These new rates will also apply to other familiar conservation grants on hedges, stone walls, shelter belts, stiles and footbridges. All told, these changes give a greater priority to conservation than ever before.
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  Support for agricultural improvements under the new scheme will be confined to those investments which keep existing farmland in good condition without increasing surplus production. Grants will not be available for new buildings and roads. Drainage will be aided only where it is necessary to renew existing facilities on previously drained land. Grants for this and for fencing, reseeding and regeneration, lime and fertiliser, energy-saving facilities and flood protection will be provided at 25 per cent. in the LFA and 15 per cent. elsewhere.

  In retaining these grants, we have been particularly conscious of their importance to farmers in hill and upland areas. The Government's commitment to agriculture in these areas is reflected both in the scope of the scheme and in the fact that grant rates in the LFA will continue to be higher than elsewhere for all items except waste handling and traditional buildings.

  In the horticulture sector we intend to reintroduce grants for orchard replanting at up to 35 per cent. Rates of 40 and 35 per cent. will be available for the replacement of heated glasshouses and installation of heating systems from 1 December 1989 when the current rates under the agriculture improvement scheme come to an end. The closing dates for horticultural claims will be 31 March 1994 for orchard replanting and 31 December 1993 for the two other grants.

  As under the agriculture improvement scheme grants for agricultural improvements will be available only under an improvement plan. Grants for other types of investment will also be available without a plan but subject to prior notification in the case of waste facilities and traditional buildings.

  Public expenditure provision for the new scheme is reflected in chapter 4 of the public expenditure White Paper (Cm. 604). The cost is forecast to reach around £55 million a year.

  Leaflets and forms for the new scheme will be available from local Ministry offices on 20 February.

  ANTI-BALLISTIC MISSILE TREATY
  ANTI-BALLISTIC MISSILE TREATY
  QUEEN'S SPEECH: COMMONWEALTH REFERENCES
  QUEEN'S SPEECH: COMMONWEALTH REFERENCES
  MBFR TALKS: CONCLUSION
  MBFR TALKS: CONCLUSION
  DISABLED PERSONS ACT 1986: ALLOCATION OF BLOCK GRANT
  DISABLED PERSONS ACT 1986: ALLOCATION OF BLOCK GRANT
  WORCESTER ROYAL INFIRMARY: CLOSURE OF RONKSWOOD BRANCH
  WORCESTER ROYAL INFIRMARY: CLOSURE OF RONKSWOOD BRANCH
  WORLD HERITAGE SITES: DEVELOPMENT CONTROLS
  WORLD HERITAGE SITES: DEVELOPMENT CONTROLS
  PREVENTION OF TERRORISM (TEMPORARY PROVISIONS) ACT 1984: REPORT
  PREVENTION OF TERRORISM (TEMPORARY PROVISIONS) ACT 1984: REPORT
  PREVENTION OF TERRORISM LEGISLATION: SEARCHES OF PREMISES
  PREVENTION OF TERRORISM LEGISLATION: SEARCHES OF PREMISES
  FYLINGDALES EARLY WARNING RADAR
  FYLINGDALES EARLY WARNING RADAR
  INF TREATY: EXTENT
  INF TREATY: EXTENT
  US BASES IN BRITAIN: EXPENDITURE PROPOSALS
  US BASES IN BRITAIN: EXPENDITURE PROPOSALS
  SDI: US/ISRAELI PROJECT
  SDI: US/ISRAELI PROJECT
  CONVENTIONAL ARMS CONTROL AND MARITIME FORCES
  CONVENTIONAL ARMS CONTROL AND MARITIME FORCES
  SALMONELLA OUTBREAK, HOUSE OF LORDS
  SALMONELLA OUTBREAK, HOUSE OF LORDS
  BST EXPERIMENTS
  BST EXPERIMENTS
  MILK QUOTA TRANSFERS: NOTIFICATION
  MILK QUOTA TRANSFERS: NOTIFICATION
  DAIRY FARM INSPECTION VISITS: CHARGES
  DAIRY FARM INSPECTION VISITS: CHARGES
  PROTEIN PROCESSING PLANTS: SALMONELLA CONTAMINATION
  PROTEIN PROCESSING PLANTS: SALMONELLA CONTAMINATION
  SALMONELLA CONTAMINATION OF FEEDINGSTUFFS
  SALMONELLA CONTAMINATION OF FEEDINGSTUFFS
  UNTREATED MILK: SALES BAN
  UNTREATED MILK: SALES BAN
  ILLICIT DRUGS CARRIED IN SHIPS: SHIP OWNERS' INSURANCE
  ILLICIT DRUGS CARRIED IN SHIPS: SHIP OWNERS' INSURANCE