Written Answers of 21 February 1989

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Vietnamese Refugees
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in the light of the agreement by the United States of America, Canada and Australia to admit more Vietnamese refugees, he will now confirm the agreement to increase the United Kingdom quota announced on 22 December 1988; what the arrangements will be for the increased numbers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  We have been encouraged by the responses to our call for a new international effort to take more Vietnamese refugees from Hong Kong. We are now considering whether we can confirm the decision announced on 22 December 1988.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Immigration
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action is to be taken in respect of Cynthia Wright, a foreign national living in the London borough of Brent, in respect of her visitor's visa which expired 14 years ago.

  Mr. Renton
  Consideration is being given to whether the original deportation order should now be enforced.

  Commonwealth Refugees
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Commonwealth refugees have been assisted under the terms of section 11 of the Local Government Act 1966 in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. John Patten
  Grant under section 11 of the local Government Act 1966 is paid to local authorities only in respect of the employment of staff. No information is available on the numbers or status of persons assisted by such staff, though some will have been refugees.

  Cheshire Constabulary—Expenditure 1979–80 and 1987–88

  1979–80 cash

  £s 1979–80 real terms (1987–88 price base)

  1987–88 (provisional) cash

  Net expenditure (relevant for grant)

  20,008,493

  35,130,353

  47,267,338

  Other expenditure

  288,843

  507,143

  674,000

  Net revenue expenditure

  20,297,336

  35,637,496

  47,941,338

  Expenditure met by police specific grant1

  10,004,246

  17,565,177

  24,106,342

  Expenditure met by Government blockgrant and by the rates2

  10,293,090

  18,072,319

  23,834,996

  Police (Assaults)
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what information he has concerning the total number and category of assaults perpetrated upon serving police officers in each different force and in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available;

  (2) what information he has concerning the total number of days lost through absence on sickness leave following assaults upon serving police officers in each different police force in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available;

  (3) if he will make a statement summarising his Department's achievements since 1979 in giving protection to serving police officers against assaults.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  There has been no central record of assaults on police officers or of sick leave following assaults. Arrangements have, however, been made for information relating to assaults to be collected in 1989 and subsequent years. This will be published in the annual reports of Her Majesty's chief inspector of constabulary.

  Cheshire Constabulary
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current establishment of the Cheshire constabulary in terms of(a) police officers and (b) civilian personnel; and what was the establishment in 1979.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The information requested is as follows:

  Establishment (at 31 December)

  Police

  Civilian personnel

  full time

  part time

  1979

  1,805

  378

  129

  1988

  11,860

  499

  129

  1 Will increase to 1,868 from 1 April 1989.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the expenditure upon the Cheshire constabulary from(a) central Government and (b) Cheshire county council; and what were the comparable figures in (i) real terms and (ii) cash terms in 1979.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The information is as follows:
  537
  1 Police specific grant paid directly by the Home Office was at 50 per cent, until 31 March 1986 and at 51 per cent, since 1 April 1986.

  2 The expenditure met by Cheshire country council is made up by a contribution through block grant by the Department of the Environment together with the local ratepayers contribution. Through police specific grant and block grant it is estimated that the Government contributed about 62·9 per cent, of total expenditure on the police in Cheshire in 1987–88. Comparable information is not available for 1979–80.

  Pensioners
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider creating a standing committee of representatives of the pensioners' movement together with the Minister and senior civil servants dealing with the areas mainly affecting the retired in matters for which he is responsible.

  Mr. John Patten
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 17 February 1989 at column 404.

  Drink-driving
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list in rank order, starting with the police force with the highest number of breath tests, the number of breath tests administered in each police force area, the percentage of positive tests and the number of accidents in each police force area expressed per head of population for the Christmas period 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1988.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions for drink-driving offences were made during the Christmas period in the Bolton area, for each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  [holding answer 31 January 1989]: The information available centrally is given in the table; corresponding figures for earlier years could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Comprehensive information is not collected on the date of offence but sample inquiries indicate that court proceedings for drink-driving offences take on average, throughout England and Wales, about three months from offence to completion.

  Proceedings completed at Bolton magistrates' court for offences ofdriving etc after consuming alcohol or taking drugs by month

  Month of completion

  1986

  1987

  January

  38

  41

  February

  43

  41

  March

  44

  48

  April

  48

  34

  May

  39

  36

  June

  36

  53

  July

  34

  47

  August

  32

  36

  September

  33

  56

  October

  33

  48

  November

  31

  63

  December

  39

  46

  Total

  450

  549

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Self-employment
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the total growth in self-employment since 1979.
  538
  Mr. Major
  Between June 1979 and September 1988 the number of self-employed people in Great Britain rose by 60 per cent. to nearly 3 million.

  EC Budget
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions and how much money cumulatively has been transferred each year from one chapter of European Community budget appropriations to another by decision of the European Parliament against the wishes of the Council.

  Mr. Brooke
  This information could not be made available without disproportionate cost. However, unsigned explanatory memoranda are provided in respect of all transfer proposals and, following a request last year by the Select Committee on European Legislation, the memoranda indicate the positions taken by the Council and the European Parliament.

  Civil Servants (Incentives)
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about incentive schemes for civil servants.

  Mr. Brooke
  We have introduced a number of schemes in the Civil Service for encouraging and rewarding high performance.

  At senior levels, additional discretionary awards can be paid to grade 2 and 3 staff for sustained high performance. Below this, new flexible pay arrangements which include provision for performance related pay are in place for grades 5–7, professional and scientific grades and staff in the Inland Revenue.

  Performance pay is also a feature of the provisional agreements that the Treasury has recently reached with the National Union of Civil and Public Servants and the Civil and Public Services Association. If those provisional agreements are endorsed, nearly all the non-industrial Civil Service will be covered by new performance-related pay schemes.

  Private Medical Insurance
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is his estimate of the cost of private medical insurance tax relief for each of the five years following its introduction;

  (2) how many elderly persons would be eligible for tax relief as private income; what is his estimate of the number who currently hold private medical insurance; and how many more he estimates will take out health insurance under this new scheme;

  (3) what proportion of the cost of private medical insurance tax relief he estimates will be paid out to those who already have private medical insurance;

  (4) what proportion of the cost of private medical insurance tax relief he estimates will go to taxpayers paying tax at 40 per cent.;

  (5) how many persons over 60 years have private medical insurance; and what is his estimate of how many would be entitled to tax reliefs under his proposals;
  539
  (6) what is the estimate of the average cost of tax relief at the top rate for the typical private medical insurance policy for a person at the age of (a) 60 years, (b) 70 years and (c) 75 years.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will estimate the cost of tax relief on premiums for health insurance for those aged 60 years or over under the National Health Service White Paper;

  (2) if he will estimate the average cost per year of tax relief as proposed in the National Health Service White Paper for a person over 60 years who has private health insurance.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what will be the deadweight cost of giving income tax relief from April 1990 on medical insurance premiums for those aged 60 years and over.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he estimates the cost to be of introducing tax relief on private health insurance for the elderly, as proposed in "Working for Patients," Cm. 555.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answers 6 February 1989, 9 February 1989, 16 February 1989 and 17 February 1989]: Estimates of the cost of this relief will be announced in the 1989–90 Financial Statement and Budget Report. The number of people affected and the average value of the relief will depend on the precise details of the scheme, which are under consideration.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Kampuchea
  Mr. Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, further to its recent decision to share in funding projects supported by Christian Aid in Kampuchea, the Government will now consider substantial reconstruction and development aid for Kampuchea.

  Mr. Eggar
  I refer the right hon. Member for the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Stoke on Trent, North (Ms. Walley) on 20 February. The decision to support projects in Cambodia proposed by voluntary agencies, including Christian Aid, does not affect our policy of not giving Government-to-Government aid to the regime in Phnom Penh.

  Development (Education)
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the amount spent on education about development, including separate

  Imports to rest of the EC from the United Kingdom Million pairs

  Total EC market2 Million pairs

  Imports from the United Kingdom as a proportion of total EC market Per cent.

  Imports from South Korea as a proportion of total EC market Per cent.

  Imports from Taiwan as a proportion of total EC market Per cent.

  1983

  10·4

  1,090·1

  1·0

  —

  —

  1984

  11·8

  1,139·3

  1·0

  —

  —

  1985

  11·7

  1,140·8

  1·0

  —

  —

  19861

  12·9

  1,276·0

  1·0

  3·8

  6·3

  1987

  14·0

  1,374·8

  1·0

  5·7

  7·8

  540
  figures for internal expenditure and grants to outside bodies, for each year since 1979, in constant 1988 prices, and in current prices.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Overseas Development Administration has a programme of press, publications and other information activities about Britain's official aid programme. The cost, excluding staff and general administrative costs, for each year since 1979 was:

  £ thousand

  Financial year

  Current prices

  Constant 1987 prices

  1979–80

  110

  193

  1980–81

  130

  193

  1981–82

  143

  193

  1982–83

  153

  193

  1983–84

  159

  192

  1984–85

  176

  202

  1985–86

  208

  226

  1986–87

  207

  218

  1987–88

  265

  265

  Expenditure on grants to non-governmental organisations for their development activities was:

  £ thousand

  Calendar year

  Current prices

  Constant 1987 prices

  1979

  385

  698

  1980

  450

  682

  1981

  331

  450

  1982

  154

  195

  1983

  158

  189

  1984

  104

  119

  1985

  118

  128

  1986

  121

  126

  1987

  141

  141

  Note: 1988 prices are not yet available.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Footwear
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what has been the EEC market share of footwear imports from Taiwan and South Korea, for each of the last five years; and what have been the corresponding figures for the EEC market share of the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Atkins
  The EC market share of footwear imports from the United Kingdom was 1 per cent. for each of the years 1983 to 1987.

  Figures for the EC market share of footwear imports from Taiwan and South Korea are available for 1986 and 1987 and are given in the table:
  541
  1 The EC includes Portugal and Spain from 1986.

  2 Defined as apparent consumption viz. production less exports plus imports.

  Source: British Footwear Manufacturers Federation annual statistical reviews.

  Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) what will be the scope of the consultations he will have before further descriptions of institution are specified under section 174 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 as educational establishments for the purposes of parts I and II of that Act; and what educational organisations will be consulted over the substance of the order to be made;

  (2) what consultations his Department is having with educational organisations with a view to formulating advice as to what further descriptions of institution it would be appropriate to specify as educational establishments for the purposes of parts I and II of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

  Mr. Forth
  We are giving careful consideration to the question of which educational establishments should, in addition to schools, benefit from the limited exceptions to copyright to be provided by the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. It is our intention to consult both copyright interests and educational bodies before finalising the terms of any order under section 174. I hope to be in a position to do this very soon.

  Paper Products
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will take steps to make statutory the provisions of the good manufacturing practice guide for soft tissue paper products.

  Mr. Atkins
  I have no plans to do so.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will consider initiating research into ways of curbing the increased consumption of paper products because of the environmental implications of production and disposal thereof.

  Mr. Forth
  I see no reason to do so.

  Clothing Industry
  Mr. Latham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations he has received from the knitwear industry about the need to extend the multi-fibre arrangement after it expires; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I met representatives of the knitwear industry on 31 October 1988 to discuss the future of the multi-fibre arrangement and other matters of interest to them. Several hon. Members have also drawn to my attention a statement on this subject issued by the Knitting Industries' Federation in co-operation with other textiles associations. I explained to the industry, and to the House during the debate on the MFA on 9 December 1988,Official Report, columns 553–618, that although the United Kingdom, as part of the European Community, is already committed to examining the "modalities" for returning trade in textiles and clothing to GATT rules, the Community has continued to make clear in negotiations that any such return must be accompanied by a
  542
  strengthening of those rules and include liberalisation of trade by all countries, including the better of developing countries. This remains the United Kingdom's and the Community's objective in negotiations.

  Mr. Latham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will raise in the European Council of Ministers the possibility of maintaining some cross-border scrutiny of knitwear moving within the European Community after 1992, so as to maintain statistical information on imports; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  A proposal for an EC Council regulation, which sets out a revised methodology for the collection of trade statistics between member states of the European Community after 1992 to replace the current procedure based on Customs documentation, has been prepared by the EC Commission and will be considered by EC Ministers over the coming months.

  Trade statistics will continue to be collected both for intra-EC trade and for trade with third countries. But the level of detail for commodity classification will be the subject of related legislation and will be discussed by a working party of officials from member states later this year. The Government are seeking to ensure that the collection of these statistics does not impose unnecessary burdens on business involved in trade between member states.

  Mr. Latham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will raise in the European Council of Ministers the possibility of permitting the expression "Made in the European Community" to be attached to garments made in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  No. It is already possible to do so.

  Mr. Latham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what recent representations he has received from the knitwear industry regarding(a) the general state of trade at present and (b) the imports of garments from China; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  My hon. Friend the Minister for Trade and officials have received various representations from the knitwear industry about concerns on the current general state of trade and imports of garments from China.

  Negotiations between China and the European Community for a new bilateral textiles and clothing agreement under the multi-fibre arrangement were concluded in December 1988. The text of the agreement reached is set out in the annex to the Council decision 88/656/EEC which is published in the official journal of the European Communities, dated 31 December 1988, reference OJL 318, which is available in the Library of the House.

  Full details of the application of the agreement in each member state, in the form of an EEC implementing regulation, are still awaited from the Commission. The agreement has been provisionally applied by the Council of Ministers from 1 January 1989. The agreement will be submitted to the Council for final approval in due course.

  Betting
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will initiate an inquiry into the concentration of power in the betting industry.

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 17 February 1989]: It falls to the Director General of Fair Trading in the first instance to keep competition in the United Kingdom economy under review. I understand that he is continuing to monitor developments in the betting industry under the competition legislation for which he is responsible.

  Remote-sensing Satellite (Purchase)
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he expects the decision on purchase of a remote-sensing satellite, the polar platform to be taken by the European Space Agency; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 17 February 1989]: The European Space Agency and its member states are currently examining which configuration the polar platform (an important element in the Columbus programme) should have. Studies have been conducted by British Aerospace and Matra on the basis of two alternative concepts. The merits, and costs, of each are now being reviewed. The ESA hopes to be able to take a decision at the meeting of its council on 13 and 14 March.

  Earth Observation Data Centre
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what are the implications for the British space industry of the development of the earth observation data centre as a result of the ESA recommendation on the polar platform order; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 17 February 1989]: The Government are supporting the creation of the earth observation data centre at Farnborough because of the key role that it will play in the progressive commercial development of the United Kingdom's capabilities in this field. We expect that the private sector will, in due course, take over the EODC as a wholly commercial facility. The centre will receive data from various satellites, and not merely from the polar platform. But it remains a United Kingdom objective to achieve a polar platform series which will facilitate effective commercialisation.

PRIME MINISTER

  Scotland
  Mr. Ron Brown
  To ask the Prime Minister when she next expects to pay an official visit to Scotland.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend has at present no plans to do so.

  Whales
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will raise, when next she meets the Prime Minister of Japan, the issue of Japanese whaling operations in the Antarctic.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I have been asked to reply.
  544
  My right hon. Friend will not be meeting the Japanese Prime Minister immediately, but the Government have expressed their views firmly on the current operations to the Japanese Government both directly and through the International Whaling Commission and have asked that the operations cease.

  Hillmorton, Rugby
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has any plans to make an official visit to Hillmorton, Rugby.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I have been asked to reply.

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

  Bristol, Fast
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Prime Minister when she next expects to pay an official visit to Bristol, East.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I have been asked to reply.

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

  Citizens Advice Bureaux
  Mr. Harry Ewing
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has any plans to meet the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I have been asked to reply.

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

  Research Bases
  Mr. Warren
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will review the operation and current value of the Rothschild principle adopted in 1972 establishing the relationship between Government Departments and research bases; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Government reviewed this matter in 1987. I refer my hon. Friend to paragraph 21 of the White Paper on civil research and development (Cm 185) which the Government published in response to the First Report of the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology.

  Engagements
  Mr. Patnick
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 21 February.

  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 21 February.

  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 21 February.

  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 21 February.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 21 February.

  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 21 February.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 21 February.

  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 21 February.
  545
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 21 February.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I have been asked to reply.

  This morning my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister was in Germany for an Anglo-German summit. This afternoon she is attending the memorial service in Belfast for those who died in the air crash at Kegworth.

  University Teachers (Pay)
  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will give the figures for university academic pay increases for the years 1986–87, 1987–88 and 1988–89 and the comparative figures for the police, doctors and dentists, local authority clerical staff, National Health Service administrative and clerical, primary and secondary teachers and university clericals.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information is set out in the table below.

  Percentage settlements

  Period 1 August to 31 July in

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  University non-clinical academics

  116·6

  7·4

  4—

  University clinical academics

  8·25

  8·1

  4—

  University clerical staff

  5·8

  5·1

  4—

  Police

  7·5

  7·75

  8·5

  Doctors and Dentists

  7·7

  7·9

  8·2

  Local authority clerical staff

  26·04

  5·4

  4—

  NHS administrative and clerical staff

  5·0

  5·5

  4—

  School teachers

  310·25

  4·73

  56·3

  1 To cover 1985–86 as well as 1986–87.

  2 Equates to 7·5 per cent. over full year.

  3 Equates to 16·4 per cent. over full year.

  4 Not yet available.

  5 The overall pay bill in the financial year 1989–90 will rise by about 7·5 per cent. as a result of changes made to the structure of teachers' pay in 1987 and 1988.

DEFENCE

  Rear-Admiral Sir Anthony Miers
  Mr. Cyril D. Townsend
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department is going to carry out an internal inquiry into the actions of the late Rear-Admiral Sir Anthony Miers, VC, DSO, when in command of the submarine Torbay in the Mediterranean in 1941.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  No. I am advised that all records relating to this case are already accessible to the public.

  Condor Base (Hospital Facilities)
  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on proposals to develop hospital facilities at Condor Base, Arbroath.

  Mr. Neubert
  As stated on 6 May 1986 at column 102 of the Official Report, we have made part of the Royal Marine base, Condor at Arbroath available to the United States Navy for development of facilities for storage of medical supplies and equipment in peacetime and to accommodate a hospital unit, which would be activated in the event of war.

  Racial Discrimination
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the complaints submitted to senior officers in the 10 military districts in the United Kingdom involved allegations of racial discrimination or abuse in the last five years.

  Mr. Neubert
  No complaints under section 181 of the Army Act 1955 involving racial discrimination or abuse are recorded as having been received at district level in the United Kingdom in the last five years.

  United States Army (Munitions Store)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide a list of the categories of munitions stored at the United States Army munitions store at Caerwent, Wales.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I have nothing to add to the answer given to the hon. Member by my hon. Friend the Member for Kettering (Mr. Freeman) on 9 May 1988 at column 1.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Schools (Opting-out)
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assessment he makes when deciding whether to allow a school to opt out of local education authority control of the extent to which the school may be seeking to avoid the consequences of local education authority rationalisation programmes.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend judges applications for a school to become grant maintained at the same time as he considers any parallel statutory proposals, for example, to close the school in question. In such circumstances, both proposals or sets of proposals will be considered on their merits and each will be evaluated against the other.

  Teachers (Convictions)
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish in the Official Report for each of the past 10 years and for each local education authority the number of serving teachers convicted of a criminal offence, separately distinguishing the type of offence, including those of a sexual nature.

  Mr. Butcher
  This information is not available.

  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how his Department conveys information to local education authorities regarding serving teachers convicted of a sexual offence.

  Mr. Butcher
  When a serving teacher is convicted of a criminal offence it is the responsibility of the chief officer of police for the area in which the offence is committed to report the conviction both to the teacher's employer and to the Department. So it is not primarily a matter for the Department to inform the local education authority.

  All cases reported to the Department by the police are, however, considered to determine whether action by the

  547
  Secretary of State under the power conferred on him by the Education (Teachers) Regulations 1982 to bar or restrict a person's employment as a teacher is necessary, and in the case of a serving teacher the Department routinely informs his employer of the outcome of that consideration.

  Academic Staff
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science and if he will set out in the Official Report details of intakes and outflows of full-time wholly university financed academic staff from each year from 1979–80 to 1986–87.

  Mr. Jackson
  The information is shown in the table.

  Intakes and outflows of full-time wholly university financed academic staff

  Great Britain

  Academic year beginning in

  Total intake1

  Total outflow1

  1979

  ..

  ..

  1980

  1,573

  1,629

  1981

  1,182

  1,606

  1982

  816

  2,187

  1983

  1,365

  1,969

  1984

  1,686

  1,635

  1985

  1,595

  1,294

  1986

  1,439

  1,435

  1987

  1,336

  1,582

  ..not available.

  1 Figures exclude transfers between universities.

  "Intake" covers new recruits to university service or staff returning after a period in other employment. "Outflow" covers members of staff leaving university service.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Latham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will give further details of the criteria which he will adopt in deciding upon an application for grant-maintained status from a school which is full but for which a section 12 closure procedure is proposed as part of a wider secondary review arising from falling rolls and surplus places in other schools; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend will consider proposals by a local education authority for the closure or reorganisation of a school in accordance with the Education Act 1980 at the same time as he considers any proposals by the governing body of the school to become grant-maintained under the Education Reform Act 1988; but he will determine the latter proposals first. He will consider and decide all such proposals on their merits, taking all relevant factors into account.

  Mr. Latham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will set out in tabular form the progress, since the initial resolution of the governors, of each individual school which has expressed the desire to his Department to transfer to grant-maintained status; and how many firm inquiries have been made to his Department prior to an initial resolution of governors or a signed requisition by parents under the Education Reform Act 1988.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The Department continues to receive a large number of inquiries from parents and governors 548
  about making an application for grant-maintained status. It receives formal notification of only two stages of such an application:the result of a ballot of parents; and
  where the parents have voted in favour of proceeding with an application, the subsequent publication of formal proposals by the governing body.

  The Education Reform Act 1988 requires the Secretary of State in due course to determine any such proposals. The table shows the stage which individual schools have reached:

  School and LEA

  Ballot result "Yes/No"

  Proposals published

  Skegness Grammar School, Lincs

  —

  Yes

  Audenshaw County High School,Tameside

  —

  Yes

  St. James's CE School, Bolton

  —

  Yes

  Wilson's School, Sutton

  —

  Yes

  Hendon School, Barnet

  —

  Yes

  Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Alford, Lincs

  —

  Yes

  Queensbury School, Beds

  —

  Yes

  Wilmington Grammar School for Girls, Kent

  —

  Yes

  Sir James Altham School, Herts

  —

  Yes

  London Oratory School, ILEA

  —

  Yes

  Queen Elizabeth's Boys' School, Barnet

  —

  Yes

  Blessed Hugh More RC School, Lincs

  Yes

  —

  Castlemount School, Kent

  Yes

  —

  Heckmondwike Grammar School,Kirklees

  Yes

  —

  South Park High School, Lincs.

  Yes

  —

  London Nautical School, ILEA

  Yes

  —

  Netherthorpe School, Derbyshire

  Yes

  —

  Ramsden School for Girls, Bromley

  Yes

  —

  Bankfield County High School,Cheshire

  Yes

  —

  The King's School, Grantham, Lincs

  Yes

  —

  Southfield School for Girls, Northants

  Yes

  —

  Baverstock School, Birmingham

  Yes

  —

  Small Heath School, Birmingham

  Yes

  —

  Colyton Grammar School, Devon

  Yes

  —

  Foster's Grammar School For Boys,Dorset

  Yes

  —

  Lord Digby's Grammar School For Girls, Dorset

  Yes

  —

  Castle Hall Middle School, Kirklees

  Yes

  —

  549

  School and LEA

  Ballot result "Yes/No"

  Proposals published

  Ravensbourne School For Girls, Bromley

  No

  —

  Sale Grammar School For Boys, Trafford

  No

  —

  Queen Elizabeth High School, Rochdale

  No

  —

  Chesterfield School, Derbyshire

  No

  —

  Millais School, West Sussex

  No

  —

  Wilmington Grammar School For Boys, Kent

  No

  —

  Chichele School, Northants

  No

  —

  Droylsden County High School, Tameside

  No

  —

  Siddal Moor High School, Rochdale

  No

  —

  Hadham Hall School, Herts

  No

  —

  In addition, I understand that the following schools have received a request from parents or passed governors' resolutions requiring that a ballot be held:

  Hindley Park High School, Wigan

  Gaynes School, Havering

  Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School, Lancashire

  Weald of Kent Grammar School For Girls, Kent

  St. Francis Xavier's School, Liverpool

  Beechen Cliff School, Avon

  Claremont High School, Brent

  St. Helena School, Derbyshire

  Ribston Hall High School, Gloucestershire

  Marling Grammar School, Gloucestershire

  Stroud Girls' High School, Gloucestershire

  Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School, ILEA

  Knowsley Ruffwood Comprehensive School, Knowsley

  Long Field High School, Leicestershire

  Kettering Boys' School, Northamptonshire

  The Guildford County School, Surrey

  Secondary School Teachers
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many vacancies exist for secondary school teachers in Greater London.

  Mr. Butcher
  The latest vacancy figures, which are collected annually, relate to January 1988, when the total number of secondary teacher vacancies in Greater London was 660.

  Teacher Shortages
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has regarding shortages of science and craft, design and technology teachers in Greater London.

  Mr. Butcher
  In general, teacher shortages are at a higher level in London and the south-east, partly reflecting the higher costs in housing in these areas. The number of unfilled posts reported by LEAs in maths, physics, chemistry and CDT in Greater London over the past two years was as follows:

  1987

  1988

  Maths

  90

  71

  Physics

  31

  21

  Chemistry

  23

  12

  CDT

  75

  48

  My Department and the teaching as a career unit are in regular touch with LEAs about measures to increase teacher supply

  Further Education
  Mr. Ken Hargreaves
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how further education courses provided at institutes within the new polytechnics and colleges funding council sector will be funded for 1989–90; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  The Education Reform Act 1988 places a duty on local education authorities to secure provision for their area of adequate facilities for further education. Consistent with this, the local authority associations have encouraged their member authorities to maintain support for further education courses, including those of national significance, provided now by polytechnics and colleges in the new sector. Practical steps are also being taken by the LEAs collectively to consider the reform of the existing arrangements under which local education authorities can mutually recoup the costs of places on the FE courses they provide which are taken up by students whose homes are in the area of other authorities.

  The Government have accordingly decided that the Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council will not generally be put in funds to support further education provided in the institutions under its control. However, exceptionally for 1989–90 alone, we have put the PCFC in funds to support further education courses running now in the voluntary and other colleges currently grant-aided by the Department of Education and Science. This is in order to allow these institutions time to find local authorities to support the further education courses they provide.

  Student Fees
  Mr. Ken Hargreaves
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what guidelines have been issued about fees for students on courses of further and higher education in the academic year 1989–90.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  For the academic year 1989–90 I have indicated the following maximum amounts for the reimbursement of fees through the awards system for home students and for students from other European Community countries on full time courses (fees for 1988–89 are shown in brackets):
  551

  £

  £

  Postgraduate courses

  1,890

  (1,800)

  First degree and diploma courses

  607

  (578)

  Higher Education

  Further Education

  Full-time

  £609

  (£578)

  £429

  (£390)

  Sandwich/block release (weekly rate)

  £16·80

  (£16·00)

  £12·00

  (£11·00)

  Part-time per course hour

  57p

  (54p)

  41p

  (37p)

  Part-time annual fee for one session per week

  £60·90

  (£57·80)

  £43·00

  (£39·00)

  The Government's policy is that students from outside the European Community should pay fees that reflect the full cost of their education here. It is for the institutions and local authorities to determine the actual fees to be charged to overseas students in the light of this policy and of their own circumstances.

TRANSPORT

  Railways (Electrification)
  Mr. Heddle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has yet received British Rail's submission for the electrification of the cross city line from Lichfield to Redditch via Birmingham New Street.

  Mr. Portillo
  No I have not.

  Pensioners
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider creating a standing committee of representatives of the pensioners' movement together with the Minister and senior civil servants dealing with the areas mainly affecting the retired in transport.

  Mr. Portillo
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on Friday 17 February at column 404.

  Channel Tunnel
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received concerning route one of the proposed Channel tunnel high speed rail link.

  Mr. Portillo
  We have received a large number of representations about all of BR's route proposals for this link.

  Buses (Greater London)
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to establish a licensing and regulatory body for bus services in Greater London which has no direct or indirect commercial interest in the operation of such services.

  Mr. Portillo
  London Regional Transport has a statutory duty to provide or secure the provision of public transport services for London, and to consult the relevant authorities and persons when it proposes to introduce, vary or withdraw bus services. Operators of bus services other than these under the control of LRT must obtain a licence from the traffic commissioner, which is an independent statutory authority.
  552
  In relation to other courses, I understand that the Council of Local Education Authorities has recommended fees for 1989–90 for home and EC students as follows (fees for 1988–89 are shown in brackets):

  Lockerbie Air Disaster
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has raised aviation security aspects of the Lockerbie disaster with the International Civil Aviation Organisation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Channon
  On 15 and 16 February I attended a special ministerial meeting of the council of the International Civil Aviation Organisation in Montreal. The meeting was the result of a joint United Kingdom and United States initiative, to discuss aviation security following the Lockerbie disaster.

  The meeting was successful. It was attended by Ministers (in most cases the Transport Minister) from 12 member states of the 33-strong ICAO council, and by senior officials from seven other member states. Our immediate objectives were all achieved; they were:

  (i) to register concern at the sabotage of PAN AM 103,

  (ii) to call upon states to ensure that existing international security standards were being fully implemented,

  (iii) to gain agreement to the strengthening of the ICAO security secretariat, and

  (iv) to set in progress work in ICAO under an eight-point plan to establish tighter standards to counter sabotage.

  My eight-point plan calls for international action on the following:

  (i) New standards for the screening of checked passengers' baggage both at check-in and when transferred between flights;

  (ii) A requirement that airline baggage reconciliation procedures should be 100 per cent. reliable.

  (iii) New higher standards for screening cargo and mail, including that placed on flights by courier companies;

  (iv) New higher standards for controlling access to sensitive areas at airports, including searches of people and vehicles entering these areas and searches of aircraft, particularly for high risk flights;

  (v) A new approach to the carriage of items which cannot be searched, such as radios, computers and other electronic and electric equipment that cannot be easily opened;

  (vi) A new drive to develop equipment for the reliable detection of explosives and explosive devices; those countries with the scientific and industrial capabilities should now redouble efforts to develop equipment in this field;

  (vii) Continuing consideration of proposals for building security into the design of aircraft, such as inexpensive modifications to make it harder to hide a bomb and easier for security staff to search cabins, toilets and galleys;

  (viii) The strengthening of the powers and organisation of ICAO to enable it to play a more active part in implementing these new standards; this would include developing the provision of training for administrators and managers; the provision of advice to states on the formulation of aviation security regulations; the setting up of an inspectorate for the systematic checking of standards at airports.

  553
  A joint United Kingdom and United States resolution was unanimously agreed at the meeting. The resolution condemned the destruction of Pan American flight 103 on 21 December 1988 called upon states to intensify their efforts for the implementation of existing standards and set out a plan of action for ICAO embracing all the points in my eight-point plan.

  Light Dues
  Sir David Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what decisions he has taken concerning light dues in 1989–90; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Channon
  I am pleased to report that the general lighthouse authorities continue to make progress in containing and reducing their costs. This will permit a further reduction of just over 10 per cent. in the overall amount of light dues collected in the coming year; this includes the abolition of deck cargo dues. This means that light dues will be 40 per cent. lower in real terms than eight years ago.

  I am grateful for the constructive comments received from bodies consulted about the possible reforms of light dues, which I announced on 7 November last. Some of these reforms, including a change from net to gross tonnage for assessment purposes, require further consideration before they are implemented, but I am able to announce the following changes effective from 1 April 1989:

  (a) Abolition of deck cargo dues on foreign-going voyages, to bring foreign trade ships into line with those in the home trade. This will be particularly welcome to shipping engaged in container and other part-cargo traffic.

  (b) A merging of the tariffs for home trade and foreign going ships based on a standard charge of £3·06 per 10 net registered tons up to a maximum of seven voyages. This represents a 2 per cent. cash reduction in the basic tariff.

  (c) A new separate tariff for roll-on/roll-off ferries, which will be charged on the same number of voyages as other ships at the following rates: £3.06 per 10 net registered tons on the first 1,000 NRT and £6.12 per 10 NRT on any excess over 1,000 NRT. The objective here is to secure a modest increase in the very small contribution currently made by such vessels to the general lighthouse fund. The change will less than double the ferries' present contribution of around 1·5 per cent. to light dues.

  Other minor changes will be introduced. The payment period for fishing vessel dues will be brought into line with the financial year, and a half-yearly charge will be introduced for this class. The concessionary light dues scale for visiting cruise ships will be terminated. A minimum payment of £25 per voyage will be introduced for vessels paying on a voyage basis. Home trade vessels will be given the option of paying light dues on no more than two voyages a month (currently three voyages). I am minded to extend this facility to foreign-owned ships in 1990 and at the same time to replace the present complex rules defining chargeable voyages in this sector.

  These changes represent a continuing reduction of the burden of light dues combined with a first round of constructive reforms to simplify the light dues system. The necessary order will be laid shortly.

  I have previously stated that the British Ports Federation is conducting a feasibility study into possible ways in which owners of pleasure crafts might contribute
  554
  to the cost of lighthouse authorities. But, whatever the outcome of the feasibility study, I would not envisage any changes in 1989–90.

  Aircraft Safety
  Sir Ian Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many tests have been conducted since 1986 in aircraft requiring certification in the United Kingdom to demonstrate the current requirement that all passengers and crew should be able to leave the aircraft through 50 per cent. of the exits in 90 seconds;

  (2) how frequently examinations are conducted of civil aircraft on the British register to ensure compliance with the provision that a minimum distance of 12 in is observed between seats on either side of safety exits.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Matters concerning aviation safety are the statutory responsibility of the Civil Aviation Authority. As the questions require detailed technical answers, I suggest that my hon. Friend contacts the chairman of the CAA direct.

  Southwold Harbour
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects his Department to resolve its consideration of the navigation and coast protection interests relating to the repair scheme for Southwold harbour put forward by Waveney district council; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 20 February 1989]: This application gave rise to a number of problems which took time to resolve. Consideration has now been completed and a consent to the repair works, with a modification, will be issued shortly.

  Road Haulage
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the figures from 1976 to 1987 on goods lifted by road.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  [holding answer 20 February 1989]: Estimates of total goods lifted by road between 1976 and 1987 are shown in the table. The figures include work done by heavy goods vehicles (over 3·5 tonnes gross vehicle weight) and also by small commercial vehicles (less than 3·5 tonnes gross vehicle weight). These figures are also published in "Transport Statistics Great Britain 1977–1987" (tables 1.13 and 7.3).

  Tonnes (million) lifted by road: Great Britain: 1976–1987

  million tonnes

  1976

  1,505

  1977

  1,419

  1978

  1,491

  1979

  1,487

  1980

  1,383

  1981

  1,286

  1982

  1,376

  1983

  1,349

  1984

  1,395

  1985

  1,451

  1986

  1,476

  1987

  1,542

  Heavy Lorries
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the total numbers from 1976 to 1987 for lorries over 7·5 tonnes, over 16 tonnes, over 24 tonnes, over 32·5 tonnes and over 38 tonnes.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The information requested is shown in the table, but with a number of qualifications. No information was collected on goods vehicles over 38 tonnes prior to 1983. Since then only about 50 have been identified each year. Information is available for goods, vehicles over 32 tonnes but not for those over 32·5 tonnes. Before 1982, information was not available for vehicles over 7·5 tonnes, so the number over 8·5 tonnes has been included in the table. There have been a number of changes in tax class definitions and in the vehicle census methodology, which make some of the earlier figures less reliable.

  Heavy goods vehicles currently licensed in Great Britain1976 to 1987

  Thousands

  >7·5tonnes

  >16tonnes

  >24tonnes

  >32tonnes

  1987

  289

  227

  138

  83

  1986

  284

  218

  131

  79

  1985

  285

  212

  127

  76

  1984

  291

  212

  127

  78

  1983

  294

  208

  124

  75

  1982

  299

  206

  125

  76

  1981

  1328

  214

  128

  75

  1980

  1361

  236

  144

  90

  1979

  1369

  234

  138

  88

  1978

  1361

  223

  128

  50

  1977

  1357

  215

  119

  67

  1976

  1374

  147

  89

  2—

  1> 8·5 tonnes.

  2 Not available.

  Roads (North Devon)
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the road construction projects which were started and completed since 1959 in north Devon in the areas adjacent to Barnstaple, Ilfracombe and South Molton.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The following trunk road schemes were started and completed since 1979 in the areas adjacent to Barnstaple and South Molton. There are no trunk roads in the vicinity of Ilfracombe.

  A39 Severn Brethren Bank, Barnstaple

  A39 Yelland Improvement

  A39 Improvement at Higher Road, Fremington

  A361 Improvement at East Kerscott, Swimbridge

  A361 Stags Head junction improvement, Filleigh

  A361 New Moor Cross, Bishops Nympton

  A361 Improvement at Aller Cross, South Molton

  A361 Improvement at Woodside, Newton

  A361 Improvement at Haache Lane, South Molton

  A361 Layby at Swimbridge

  A361 Mini-roundabout, Victoria Road, Barnstaple

  A361 Visibility improvement, Taw Vale, Barnstaple.

  Details of trunk road schemes prior to 1979 are not available. Devon county council has details of its own roads.

  US Federal Aeronautical Administration
  Ms. Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many security bulletins he received from 556
  the United States Federal Aeronautical Administration in the last 12 months; and what action was taken in each case.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The Department received 26 such bulletins during 1988, most of them containing a wide variety of specific and general information. This information was collated with other information received. All identifiable threats emerging from the collated information were subjected to the assessment process my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State described to the House on 10 January; and, when appropriate, the relevant provisions in the aviation security programme were adjusted accordingly.

  Rail Freight
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the average costs per tonne from 1976 to 1987 of(a) a tonne of rail freight and (b) a tonne of road freight.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The only available estimates are from total user expenditure on road and rail freight expressed as an average per tonne lifted. The table shows average expenditure per tonne lifted for road and rail freight in current prices (cash) and in 1987 prices. Such simple expenditure comparisons between road and rail give a misleading picture of the comparable costs of the two modes because of the different types of freight carried services provided. Rail freight consists of mainly bulk commodities; full train loads accounting for over 90 per cent. of tonnes lifted. By comparison, road freight IIS largely concerned with individual loads often of several different commodities for several destinations—bulk loads accounting for about 35 per cent. of tonnes lifted.

  Estimates of average expenditure per tonne lifted for road and railfreight—United Kingdom

  Expenditure (£ cash) per tonne lifted

  Expenditure (£ 1987 prices1) per tonne lifted

  Road

  2Rail

  Road

  2Rail

  1976

  6·1

  2·3

  16·1

  6·2

  1987

  17·2

  4·7

  17·2

  4·7

  1 Adjusted by using implicit GDP estimates of deflation.

  2 Includes parcels traffic.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Mental Handicap Nurses
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many mental handicap nurses from each of the old grades have been assimilated to each of the new grades in Northern Ireland; and whether he will list them by board.

  Mr. Needham
  The information requested is not held centrally. However all mental handicap nurses in Northern Ireland who were subject to the new clinical grading criteria have been assimilated to the new grades.

  Social Security Payments
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has on the numbers of single parents claiming income support at each social security
  557
  office in Northern Ireland in 1988 and the number of single parents who claimed supplementary benefit in each social security office in 1985, 1986 and 1987.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 13 February 1989]: Reliable information is not available in the form requested. The available information is as follows:—

  Numbers of single parents on— (i) Supplementary benefit (all SSOs):

  Year

  Number

  1986

  17,240

  1987

  19,830

  Source: Annual survey—5 per cent. Sample.

  (ii) Income support1

  19881

  Social Security Office

  Andersonstown

  1,382

  Antrim

  880

  Armagh

  306

  Ballymena

  624

  Ballymoney

  320

  Ballynahinch

  125

  Banbridge

  313

  Bangor

  527

  Carrickfergus

  457

  Coleraine

  742

  Cookstown

  226

  Corporation Street

  1,912

  Downpatrick

  301

  Dungannon

  398

  Enniskillen

  413

  Falls Road

  1,657

  Holywood Road

  1,143

  Kilkeel

  104

  Knockbreda

  637

  Lame

  341

  Limavady

  271

  Lisburn

  765

  Londonderry

  2,147

  Lurgan

  636

  Magherafelt

  358

  Newcastle

  124

  Newry

  658

  Newtownabbey

  751

  Newtownards

  434

  Omagh

  485

  Portadown

  404

  Shaftesbury Square

  811

  Shankill

  789

  Strabane

  569

  Total

  22,010

  1 Represents the numbers of single parents under pension age excluding those receiving a disability premium.

  Supplementary Benefits
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information is available on the numbers and total value of supplementary benefit single payments made in each social security office in Northern Ireland from 1 January to 10 April 1988 and from 11 April 1988.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 20 February 1989]: The available information is as follows:

  Single payments from 11 April 1988 to 31 December 1988

  Social security office

  Number

  Amount£

  Andersonstown

  4,018

  739,192·15

  Antrim

  2,831

  253,469·08

  Armagh

  3,607

  455,148·99

  558

  Social security office

  Number

  Amount £

  Ballymena

  1,518

  157,518·65

  Ballymoney

  1,115

  123,64761

  Ballynahinch

  128

  15,018·83

  Banbridge

  1,721

  193,304·54

  Bangor

  332

  36,870·38

  Carrickfergus

  437

  40,37232

  Coleraine

  2,224

  260,900·73

  Cookstown

  1,891

  387,12535

  Corporation St·

  6,714

  842,364·54

  Downpatrick

  1,006

  109,188·11

  Dungannon

  3,876

  1,152,194·82

  Enniskillen

  4,750

  731,23313

  Falls Road

  5,756

  658,433·29

  Holywood Road

  3,231

  480,851·84

  Kilkeel

  553

  69,13621

  Knockbreda

  1,096

  97,950·85

  Lame

  522

  53,626·13

  Limavady

  1,845

  262,925·72

  Lisburn

  1,918

  263,77980

  Londonderry

  11,069

  2,330,529·55

  Lurgan

  4,391

  744,72525

  Magherafelt

  2,915

  802,960·59

  Newcastle

  686

  78,371·09

  Newry

  9,423

  1,016,837·59

  Newtownabbey

  2,244

  188,745·75

  Newtownards

  638

  81,780·30

  Omagh

  3,121

  672,624·40

  Portadown

  2,811

  312,845·44

  Shaftesbury Square

  2,475

  253,196·47

  Shankill

  815

  71,894·19

  Strabane

  3,073

  654,48135

  Totals

  94,750

  14,593,245·04

  Note: The figures are incomplete because of industrial action at some Social Security Office

  Single payments from 13 January 1988 to 8 April 1988

  Social security office

  Number

  Amount £

  Andersonstown

  4,483

  706,19439

  Antrim

  5,447

  452,190·87

  Armagh

  3,922

  385,629·44

  Ballymena

  3,260

  284,98033

  Ballymoney

  1,590

  186,41638

  Ballynahinch

  443

  43,03503

  Banbridge

  2,408

  226,343·31

  Bangor

  1,442

  138,71703

  Carrickfergus

  1,494

  137,838·02

  Coleraine

  2,736

  288,248·64

  Cookstown

  1,665

  314,563·92

  Corporation Street

  8,050

  861,205·41

  Downpatrick

  1,479

  158,98596

  Dungannon

  2,049

  362,457·16

  Enniskillen

  1,993

  185,05232

  Falls Road

  8,232

  841,834·82

  Holywood Road

  4,304

  364,150·08

  Kilkeel

  691

  83,290·10

  Knockbreda

  2,109

  173,064·98

  Lame

  2,279

  174,39466

  Limavady

  2,856

  299,271·32

  Lisburn

  4,940

  609,19436

  Londonderry

  4,006

  546,109·94

  Lurgan

  3,714

  577,27486

  Magherafelt

  2,080

  359,551·61

  Newcastle

  1,285

  101,22030

  Newry

  7,697

  867,90956

  Newtownabbey

  1,458

  122,407·21

  Newtownards

  762

  80,19429

  Omagh

  2,130

  293,522·55

  Portadown

  2,865

  291,23431

  Shaftesbury Square

  6,695

  585,880·59

  Shankill

  3,605

  331,62787

  Strabane

  1,948

  306,526·26

  Totals

  106,117

  11,740,517·88

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has had any discussions with the Irish Minister of Agriculture regarding the occurrence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in the Republic of Ireland, and on the possibility of bovine spongiform encephalopathy infected products being imported into the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I have not discussed the recent case of BSE in the Republic of Ireland with its Minister of Agriculture. However, there is contact at official level, including between veterinarians, in relation to this issue. The Republic is shortly to introduce legislation which will require the compulsory slaughter and destruction of all animals affected with BSE. This is in line with the precautionary measures adopted here last August.

  Listeria
  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will specify the number and occurrence of warnings which have been issued to United Kingdom cheese producers over the past 12 months concerning possible incidence of listeria infection; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  [holding answer 16 February 1989]: Where listeria contamination has been found, local staff, working closely with environmental health officers, have taken action directly with the producers concerned to eliminate the problem. Detailed analysis of all such occurrences are not readily available.

EMPLOYMENT

  Bonnybridge Employment Office
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what attempt he has made to assess the opinion of unemployed people before proposing to close the part-time employment office at Bonnybridge.

  Mr. Lee
  The Secretary of State has not sought to assess the opinion of unemployed people in Bonnybridge because the office that he proposes to close is a small part-time unemployment benefit office outhouse which is open only two hours per week.

  Wages Councils
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the number of responses to the consultation document on wages councils received(a) by the closing date and (b) after the closing date; and whether those received after 3 February will be considered.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Three hundred and three responses were received by the closing date and 68 subsequently. Replies received shortly after 3 February are being taken into account.

  Employment Training
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give a breakdown by region and 560
  travel-to-work area of the numbers of participants on the old community programme, and indicate how many in each case have transferred to the employment training programme and how many have declined to do so.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The information is not available in the precise form requested. The following table gives the number of filled places on the community programme (excluding managers and supervisors) nationally and by region on 2 September 1988. At the end of December 1988, the latest date for which information is available, it is estimated that more than 9,000 people had transferred from the community programme to employment training. The number who have declined to do so is not available.

  Filled places (excluding managers and supervisors) on thecommunity programme at 2 September 1988

  Numbers

  South East

  7,100

  London

  11,100

  South West

  10,400

  West Midlands

  20,500

  East Midlands and Eastern

  13,000

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  20,600

  North West

  29,200

  Northern

  25,100

  Wales

  16,400

  Scotland

  25,500

  Great Britain

  179,000

  Labour Force Survey
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will state the figures from the 1988 labour force survey showing, according to the International Labour Organisation/Organisation For Economic Co-operation and Development measures of unemployment, the number of(a) men, (b) women and (c) all unemployed, the number not in the claimant count, and the number of claimants; what are the comparable figures according to the labour force measure of unemployment; in both cases, what are the changes since spring 1987; and what is the claimant count both unadjusted and seasonally adjusted for 1988.

  Mr. Lee
  Results from the 1988 labour force survey are not yet available.

  Health Workers
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement about the health of workers employed in the manufacture of disposable nappies styled superabsorbent.

  Mr. Nicholls
  I am not aware of any specific health problems among these workers.

  Legionnaire's Disease
  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will draw up a licensing system for all wet cooling tower air conditioning installations in urban areas to assist the locating of potential sources of legionnaire's disease.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Such a licensing procedure would be of limited value in locating the source of outbreaks of legionnaire's disease. The existing system of controls based
  561
  on general powers under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and guidance material is adequate to deal with the problem of legionnaire's disease. The Health and Safety Commission and Health and Safety Executive will, however, be keeping this matter under review.

  Earnings
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has about the number of people in full-time work who earn less than two thirds of median male earnings by standard region.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The information available from the distribution of gross weekly earnings which most closely spans the figure for two-thirds of median full-time adult male earnings in Great Britain is provided in the table:

  Proportion with gross weekly earnings less than £140 and £150, by standard regions of Great Britain Full-time adult employees whose pay was not affected by absence,April 1988

  Per cent

  >Standard region

  Less than £140 per week

  Less than £I50 per week

  South East

  17·7

  21·9

  East Anglia

  27·2

  32·7

  South West

  29·5

  35·1

  West Midlands

  28·6

  33·9

  East Midlands

  29·6

  35·5

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  28–8

  34·3

  North West

  28·4

  33·8

  North

  28·7

  34·3

  Wales

  30·9

  36·1

  Scotland

  30·9

  36·9

  Source: New Earning Survey

  Job Clubs
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the average cost per job entry for each unemployed person finding work through (a) a jobcentre job club and (b) an agency job club for the latest available year.

  Mr. Lee
  During the period 1 April 1988 to 30 December 1988, the average cost for an unemployed person finding work through a jobcentre job club was £249. In the same period, the average cost per job entry for an agency job club was £396.

  Figures on a comparable basis are not available prior to 1 April 1988.

  Wages Councils
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of workers covered by visits from the wages inspectorate was shown as being paid below the relevant wages council rate for the latest available year.

  Mr. Nicholls
  In 1988 9·1 per cent. of workers whose pay was checked by visit were found to be underpaid. This cannot be taken as indicating the general level of compliance with wages council orders because the inspectorate concentrates its visits on establishments where underpayment is more likely to be found.

  Tourism
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects to publish a Green Paper on tourism; and if he will make a statement.

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

  Training Agency (Research)
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the reasons why the Training Agency does not undertake specific research into the opinions of employers about courses provided by individual managing agents; and if he will institute such research.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [holding answer 20 February 1989]: As part of its evaluation of YTS, the training agency seeks the opinion of employers through a range of surveys and studies, targeted external market research and local monitoring of schemes including work experience placements. In addition, training agency welcomes comments from individual employers about their experience in participating in YTS whether on local or more general aspects.

ENVIRONMENT

  Toxic Waste
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the current level of imported toxic waste that travels through Yorkshire and Humberside; what proportion remains within the three counties of Yorkshire; if he will list in each of the three counties of Yorkshire the number of toxic waste sites that accept imported toxic waste; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Statistics on imported waste are not collected centrally in a manner that allows the question to be answered exactly.

  The figures available to Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution indicate that some 19,273 tonnes of waste were imported into the United Kingdom via ports in Humberside in the calendar year 1987. This waste was destined for disposal in Greater Manchester, west midlands, Essex and Gwent. All this waste was destined for either specialised treatment or incineration. Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution has no record of any waste disposal site in the three counties of Yorkshire which received imported toxic waste during that period.

  Greenhouse Effect
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table showing his assessment of the disaggregated contribution made to the increase since 1979 in greenhouse effect cases from(a) the electricity generating sector, (b) transport, (c) agriculture and (d) the industrial sector; and if he will make a statement on his Department's policies to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases from United Kingdom sources.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Emissions of carbon dioxide for each year since 1977 for the different sectors will be
  563
  given in the Department's "Annual Digest of Environment Protection and Water Statistics", to be published later this month. Copies will be placed in the Library of the House.

  The Government are actively supporting the international efforts to tackle the greenhouse effect, which is a global problem. Our policy is to press ahead with improving our scientific understanding of the greenhouse effect and meanwhile to take actions to mitigate it which are justifiable on additional grounds. We have called for a cut of at least 85 per cent. in worldwide emissions of CFCs by the turn of the century. To take this proposal forward my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister will participate in a conference next month which is to be hosted by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on "Saving the ozone layer".

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to exemplify the figures for a system of local government finance based on capital value rates plus local income tax, in the proportions of 80:20, respectively, as they might apply in Cambridgeshire.

  Mr. Gummer
  Figures illustrating the impact of a system of capital value rates plus local income tax were placed in the Library on 23 June 1988. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has undertaken to illustrate the impact of such a system in any particular case described by an hon. Member.

  London Docklands
  Ms. Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will give a breakdown of the total value of all future public expenditure currently committed for the London docklands urban development area under the following headings (i) expenditure on improvements to the A13, (ii) expenditure on new roads, including the docklands highways, (iii) expenditure on the dockland light railway including planned extensions, (iv) expenditure on other transport infrastructure and (v) other committed expenditure;

  (2) if he will give a breakdown of the total value of all public expenditure incurred by Government to date in the London docklands urban development area under the following headings (i) total expenditure by the London Docklands Development Corporation, including grant-in-aid, (ii) other expenditure incurred by his Department, including urban development grant, derelict land grant, city grant and Inner Urban Area Act moneys, (iii) total expenditure by the Department of Transport on new roads, road improvements, the docklands light railway, including the Bank extension and any other transport infrastructure, (iv) total Government expenditure incurred by the Isle of Dogs enterprise zone, including rates foregone and capital allowances claimed and (v) all expenditure incurred by any other Government Departments.

  Mr. Trippier
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Ms. Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give details of projected grant-in-aid to the London Dockland development corporation for each year for the next five years.
  564
  Mr. Trippier
  The Government currently plan to make the following grant in aid available to the London Docklands development corporation:

  Financial year

  £ million

  1989–90

  86

  1990–91

  104

  1991–92

  94

  No provision has been made for 1992–93 and beyond at present.

  Ms. Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make publicly available any research undertaken for or by either the Government or the London Dockland development corporation on changes in land or property values in the London docklands urban development area since 1981.

  Mr. Trippier
  The Department has not commissioned such research. Relevant information is held by the LDDC, but is commercially confidential.

  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what arrangement the London Docklands development corporation has with the London borough of Newham to deal with training; how many people are in docklands-related training in Newham, categorised by age, gender and ethnicity; and what are the targets for future years;

  (2) how many jobs have been created by the London Docklands development corporation in the London borough of Newham; and how many of them went to Newham residents;

  (3) pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Newham, North-East of 14 February, what specific steps the London Docklands development corporation has taken to ensure jobs in docklands go to Newham residents.

  Mr. Trippier
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the job description, powers arid responsibilities of Ms. Dru Vestey of the London Docklands development corporation.

  Mr. Trippier
  Director of the corporation's royal docks area team.

  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements the London Docklands development corporation has with industrial training boards for training.

  Mr. Trippier
  The LDDC works closely with the relevant industrial training boards, on industrial training initiatives and projects. A particularly close relationship is enjoyed with the construction industry training board, which is a member of the Tower Hamlets training co-ordination group set up jointly by the LDDC and the borough council.

  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements the London Docklands development corporation has with developers for training.

  Mr. Trippier
  Where appropriate, the LDDC as landowner or local planning authority encourages developers to participate in the improvement of training n docklands, for example by providing direct contributions to or facilities for training initiatives.
  565
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to make available minutes of member level meetings between the London borough of Newham and the London Docklands development corporation to hon. Members.

  Mr. Trippier
  No. The availability of minutes of meetings is a matter for the two bodies concerned.

  Ms. Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total amount of land receipts received by the London Docklands development corporation each year since 1981; and to what ends these receipts have been put.

  Mr. Trippier
  The London Docklands development corporation has reported the following receipts from the sale of land:

  Financial year

  £ million

  1982–83

  1

  1983–84

  2

  1984–85

  5

  1985–86

  8

  1986–87

  22

  1987–88

  41

  The receipt for 1982–83 was surrendered to the Exchequer. All subsequent receipts have been deployed by LDDC to regenerate docklands.

  Chlorofluorocarbons
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the sites in England and Wales where chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants can be either safely disposed of or recycled.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Both United Kingdom manufacturers of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) offer a reprocessing service to their customers. ICI has recently announced a major extension to its Europeanwide scheme for recovery and recycling of CFC refrigerants. Once techniques for the safe destruction of CFCs have been identified and approved under the terms of the Montreal protocol, the question of providing disposal facilities can be addressed more fully.

  Estate Action
  Mr. Heddle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to extend his Department's Estate Action scheme to housing associations and housing societies.

  Mr. Trippier
  No. Funds for the improvement or repair of registered housing association stock are made available by the Housing Corporation within its annual development programme approved by Ministers. For the future, rent deregulation will progressively enable associations to provide for repair work out of their own income and to raise private finance for other projects.

  Football Membership Scheme
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has made a study of the implications for the commercial opportunities associated 566
  with the football membership scheme of a decision by individuals to opt out of having their names and address on various mailing lists, and of the percentage of opt-ins necessary to maintain these opportunities; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  No.

  Bats
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what investigations his Department is undertaking into the use of the chemicals lindane and pentachlorophenol for wood preservative treatment and its effects upon bats; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Department of the Environment is one of six responsible for approving all pesticides, including wood preservatives, under the Control of Pesticides Regulations. Following the advice of the Advisory Committee on Pesticides, all timber treatment products containing lindane must be labelled as "DANGEROUS TO BATS". Because of concern about the effects of wood preservatives on bats, Departments have asked the advisory committee to consider the issue further and a sub-group has been set out to advise on appropriate action. Its report is awaited.

  Boundary Changes
  Sir Eldon Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if cost/benefit considerations are or can be taken into account by the local government boundaries commission before it makes recommendations for county boundary changes; and what steps he is taking to analyse the costs of such changes before reaching his own conclusions.

  Mr. Gummer
  Neither the Commission nor my right hon. Friend is specifically required to take account of the cost of proposed boundary changes, or to quantify expected benefits. By the Local Government Act 1972, however, the commission's proposals and, thus, my right hon. Friend's decisions, must be"in the interests of effective and convenient local government".
  This criterion must include a very broad range of social and economic factors, and their effects over the longer term as well as the short term. Assessment may be helped if such factors can be quantified. The commission has therefore initiated research to find out how far such analysis is feasible.

  Hazardous Waste
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the European Economic Community directives on the disposal of hazardous and toxic wastes that have been implemented by the United Kingdom.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The United Kingdom has implemented the following European Economic Community directives on the disposal of hazardous and toxic wastes:

  Directive 75/439/EEC on the disposal of waste oils

  Directive 76/403/EEC on the disposal of PCBs and PCTs

  Directive 78/319/EEC on toxic and dangerous waste

  567
  In addition, directive 84/631/EEC on the supervision and control of transfrontier shipment of hazardous waste has been implemented in respect of Great Britain. It is expected to be implemented in respect of Northern Ireland next month.

  Sanitary Towels (Disposal)
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to fund research into the role that incineration can play in the safe disposal of used disposable nappies and sanitary towels and tampons.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Government already support research into incineration as a safe means of disposal of domestic wastes of which nappies and sanitary products form a very small part.

  Home Insulation
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was(a) the total number of grants paid and (b) the total cost of grants, under the home insulation scheme for each year from the inception of the scheme.

  Mr. Trippier
  Numbers and amounts of grants paid under the homes insulation scheme for 1978 to 1986 appear in table 7.7 of "Housing and Construction Statistics, 1977–1987"; figures for 1987 and the first three quarters of 1988 are published in table 2.21(a) of "Housing and Construction Statistics", part 2, volume 35. Copies are available in the Library.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what papers and what representation his Department will have at the conference on radioactive waste management at the Gloucester hotel, London on 22 and 23 February.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Department will not be represented at this conference.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on progress in the Commission of the European Community's performance assessment of geologic isolation systems project on heat generating high level radioactive waste.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 17 February 1989]: The studies have been completed. Reports are being prepared and will be reviewed at an international symposium in June 1989.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on progress in the Commission of the European Community's performance assessments of confinement of medium active wastes study.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 17 February 1989]: Satisfactory progress is being made and the study will end in June 1989. I understand the Commission of the European Community intends to publish the results of the study as soon as practicable after this date.

  Pollution Control
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many prosecutions have taken place under section 3 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974; and how many have been successful.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  There have been 720 prosecutions between the time section 3 came into effect in 1976 and the end of 1987. A total of 531 have been successful.

  Environmental Protection
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish the next annual "Digest of Environmental Protection and Water Statistics"; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ridley
  Publication of the next annual "Digest of Environmental Protection and Water Statistics" is planned for 24 February. An associated departmental information bulletin will be issued as with previous issues and a copy of the digest will be deposited in the House of Commons Library.

  Rose Theatre, Southwark
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from English Heritage concerning the archaeological discovery of the Elizabethan Rose theatre in Southwark; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  None so far. Imry Merchant Properties, which has been granted planning permission by the London borough of Southwark for an office development, has allowed the Museum of London time and provided equipment and funds for archaeological evaluation of the site. It was in the course of this evaluation work that the recent finds were made, which English Heritage officials have confirmed are likely to be those of the Elizabethan Rose theatre. Consultation between English Heritage, the Museum of London, and the developers are continuing with a view to allowing further archaeological evaluations. The extent of the finds may however be limited as much of the site is likely to have been affected by earlier development. This is a good example of voluntary co-operation between developers, archaeologists and English Heritage.

  Bathing Water
  Mr. Greg Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will announce the results of the survey of bathing water quality made in 1988; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  The results of the survey carried out during the 1988 bathing season show that 67 per cent. of our bathing waters in England, Wales and Northern Ireland met the mandatory coliform bacteria standards of the EC bathing water directive. This represents a significant improvement over 1987 when, measured on the same basis, only 55 per cent. of our waters met these standards.

  Since 1987, we have tightened the way in which we monitor and assess compliance with the directive in order

  569
  to put the figures on a consistent basis with those produced by the European Commission for all member states. For this reason, the 1988 results are not directly comparable with those announced last May for 1987, by my hon. Friend the Member for Lewisham, East (Mr. Moynihan).

  Measured on the new basis, 254 of the 380 bathing waters in England, Northern Ireland and Wales met the directive's mandatory coliform bacteria standards during the 1988 bathing season. This compares with 206 out of 370 waters (55 per cent.) in 1987, and only 184 out of 358 waters (51 per cent.) in 1986, measured on the same basis.

  These figures are encouraging and show that we are continuing to make good progress in cleaning up our bathing waters, mainly as a result of the major programmes of capital expenditure by water authorities in renewing sewers in coastal towns and constructing long sea outfalls. We attach a high priority to bringing all our remaining bathing waters up to EC standards, and are discussing with water authorities how to accelerate these programmes. In 1989–90, water authorities expect to spend about 100 million on schemes to improve bathing waters.

  The 1988 results are set out in the tables in summary form. I shall arrange for a more detailed summary of the results to be placed in the Library.

  Bathing Waters Survey—1988 Results (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) Compliance with Bathing Water Directive (76/160/EEC): Coliform standards

  Pass

  Fail

  Total

  Northumbrian Water Authority

  9

  10

  19

  Yorkshire Water Authority

  21

  I

  22

  Anglian Water Authority

  19

  9

  28

  Thames Water Authority

  0

  2

  2

  Southern Water Authority

  27

  38

  65

  Wessex Water Authority (South Coast)

  26

  1

  27

  South West Water Authority

  92

  17

  109

  Wessex Water Authority (Bristol Channel)

  4

  7

  II

  Welsh Water Authority

  37

  11

  48

  North West Water Authority

  6

  27

  33

  Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland

  14

  2

  16

  Total

  255

  125

  380

  Bathing waters survey—1988 results (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) Compliance with Bathing Water Directive (76/160/EEC): Coliform standards

  1987

  1988

  Published result

  Reworked result (95per cent.rule)

  Result

  Northumbrian Water Authority

  Spittal

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Bamburgh/Seahouses

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Beadnell

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Low Newton

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Alnmouth

  Fail

  Fail

  Pass

  Warkworth

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Druridge Bay

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Newbiggin

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  South Beach/Seaton Sluice

  Pass

  Pass

  Fail

  Whitley Bay

  Pass

  Pass

  Fail

  Tynemouth

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  South Shields

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  Marsden

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Roker/Whitburn

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Seaham

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Crimdon

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  570

  1987

  1988

  Published result

  Reworked result (95per cent.rule)

  Result

  Seaton Carew

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Redcar

  Fail

  Fail

  Pass

  Saltburn

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Yorkshire Water Authority

  Staithes

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Runswick Bay

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Sandsend

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Whitby

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Robin Hoods Bay

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Scarborough North Bay

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  Scarborough South Bay

  Fail

  Fail

  Pass

  Cayton Bay

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Filey

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Reighton

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Flamborough North Landing

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Flamborough South Landing

  Pass

  Pass

  Fail

  Bridlington North Beach

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Bridlington South Beach

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Wilsthorpe

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Fraisthorpe

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Earls Dyke

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Barmston

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Skipsea

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Homsea

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Tunstall

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Withernsea

  Fail

  Fail

  Pass

  Anglian Water Authority

  Cleethorpes

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Mablethorpe Town

  Fail

  Fail

  Pass

  Sutton-on-sea

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Moggs Eye

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Anderby

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Chapel St. Leonard

  Fail

  Fail

  Pass

  Ingoldmells South

  Fail

  Fail

  Pass

  Skegness

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Heacham

  Pass

  Pass

  Fail

  Hunstanton Beach

  Pass

  Pass

  Fail

  Wells

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  Sheringham

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Cromer

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Mundesley

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Great Yarmouth North

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  Great Yarmouth Pier

  Pass

  Fail

  Fail

  Great Yarmouth South

  Pass

  Fail

  Fail

  Lowestoft North

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Lowestoft South

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Felixstowe North

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Felixstowe South

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Dovercourt

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Walton

  Fail

  Fail

  Pass

  Frinton

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Holland

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  Clacton

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  Jaywick

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Brightlingsea

  Fail

  Fail

  Pass

  Thames Water Authority

  Southend Thorpe Bay

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Southend Westcliff Bay

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Southern Water Authority

  Leysdown

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  West Beach

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Herne Bay

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Minnis Bay

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  St. Mildred's Bay

  Fail

  Fail

  Pass

  Margate The Bay

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Margate Fulsam Rock

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  Joss Bay

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Broadstairs

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Ramsgate

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Sandwich Bay

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  571

  1987

  1988

  Published result

  Reworked result (95per cent.rule)

  Result

  Deal Castle

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  St. Margaret's Bay

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Folkestone

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Sandgate

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Hythe

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Dymchurch

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  St. Mary's Bay

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Littlestone

  Pass

  Fail

  Fail

  Camber

  Fail

  Fail

  Pass

  Winchelsea

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Hastings

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Bexhill

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Norman's Bay

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Pevensey Bay

  Fail

  Fail

  Pass

  Eastbourne

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Seaford

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Newhaven

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Saltdean

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Brighton

  Pass

  Fail

  Fail

  Hove

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Southwick

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  South Lancing

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Worthing

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Littlehampton

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Middleton-on-sea

  Pass

  Fail

  Fail

  Bognor Regis

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Pagham

  Pass

  Pass

  Fail

  Selsey

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Bracklesham Bay

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  West Wittering

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  West of Eastoke

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  West Hayling

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Eastney

  Pass

  Pass

  Fail

  Southsea

  Pass

  Fail

  Fail

  Stokes Bay

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  Lee-on-Solent

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Calshot

  Pass

  Fail

  Fail

  Lepe

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Milford-on-sea

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Christchurch Bay

  Pass

  Pass

  Fail

  Highcliffe

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Compton Bay

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Totland Bay

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Colwell Bay

  Pass

  Pass

  Fail

  Gurnard

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Cowes

  Pass

  Fail

  Fail

  Ryde

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Seagrove

  Pass

  Pass

  Fail

  St. Helens

  Pass

  Fail

  Fail

  Bembridge

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Whitecliff Bay

  Pass

  Pass

  Fail

  Sandown

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Shanklin

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  Ventnor

  Pass

  Fail

  Fail

  Wessex Water Authority (South Coast)

  Christchurch, Highcliffe Castle

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Christchurch, Avon Beach

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Christchurch, Mudeford Sandbank

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Bournemouth Hengistbury

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Bournemouth Pier Poole, Shore Road

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Sandbanks Poole Harbour

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Sandbanks

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Poole Harbour Lake

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Poole Harbour, RockleySands

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Shell Bay

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Studland

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  572

  1987

  1988

  Published result

  Reworked result (95per cent.rule)

  Result

  Swanage

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Kimmeridge Bay

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Lulworth Cove

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Durdle Door East

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Durdle Door West

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Ringstead

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Bowleaze Cove

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Church Ope Cove

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Weymouth, Lodmoor

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Weymouth, Central

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Portland Harbour, Castle Cove

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Portland Harbour, Sandsfood Castle

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  West Bay (west)

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Eypemouth

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Seatown

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Charmouth West

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  South West Water Authority

  Lyme Regis

  Pass

  Fail

  Fail

  Seaton (Devon)

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  Beer

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Sidmouth

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Ladram Bay

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Budleigh Salterton

  Fail

  Fail

  Pass

  Sandy Bay

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Exmouth

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Dawlish Warren

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Dawlish

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Teignmouth

  Fail

  Fail

  Pass

  Shaldon

  Pass

  Fail

  Fail

  Ness Cove

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Maidencombe

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Watcombe

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Oddicombe

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Babbacombe

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Redgate

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Meadfoot

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Beacon Cove

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Torre Abbey

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Hollicombe

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Paignton

  Pass

  Pass

  Fail

  Goodrington

  Fail

  Fail

  Pass

  Broadsands

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Shoalstone

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  St. Mary's Bay

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Dartmouth Castle and Sugary Cove

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Blackpool Sands

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Slapton Sands

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Mill Bay

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  Salcombe North Sands

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Salcombe South Sands

  Pass

  Pass

  Fail

  Hope Cove

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Thurlestone

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Bantham

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Bigbury-on-sea

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Challaborough

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  Mothecombe

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Wembury

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  Bo visand

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Plymouth Hoe

  Pass

  Fail

  Fail

  Portwrinkle

  Fail

  Fail

  Pass

  Downderry

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  Seaton (Cornwall)

  Pass

  Fail

  Fail

  Millendreath

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  East Looe

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Readymoney

  Fail

  Fail

  Pass

  Polkerris

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  Par

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Crinnis

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Charlestown & Duporth

  Pass

  Fail

  Fail

  Porthpean

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  573

  1987

  1988

  Published result

  Reworked result (95per cent.rule)

  Result

  Pentewan

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Polstreath

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Port Mellon

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Gorran Haven

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  Porthluney

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Pendower

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Gyllyngvase

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  Swanpool

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  Maen Porth

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  Porthallow

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Porthoustock

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Coverack

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Kennack Sands

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Pollurian Cove

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Poldhu Cove

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Gunwalloe Cove

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Porthleven

  Pass

  Fail

  Fail

  Praa Sands

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Perran Sands

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Marazion and Mounts Bay

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Porthcurno

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Sennen

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Porthmeor

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Porth Gwidden

  Pass

  Pass

  Fail

  Porthminster

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Carbis Bay

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  The Towans

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Portreath

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Porthtowan

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Trevaunance Cove

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  Perranporth

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  Holywell Bay

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Crantock

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Fistral

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Towan

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Watergate

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Mawgan Porth

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  Treyarnon Bay

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Constantine Bay

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Mother Ivey's Bay

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Harlyn Bay

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Trevone Bay

  Pass

  Fail

  Fail

  Rock

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  Daymer Bay

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Polzeath

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Widemouth Sand

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Bude

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Hartland Quay

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Westward Ho!

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Instow

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Saunton Sands

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Croyde Bay

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Woolacombe

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Ilfracombe

  Fail

  Fail

  Pass

  Coombe Martin

  Pass

  Fail

  Fail

  Lynmouth

  Fail

  Fail

  Pass

  Wessex Water Authority (Bristol Channel)

  Porlock Weir

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  Minehead Terminus

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Dunster North West

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Blue Anchor West

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  Burnham Jetty

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Berrow

  Pass

  Pass

  Fail

  Brean

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Weston-Super-Mare, Uphill Slipway

  Pass

  Pass

  Fail

  Weston-Super-Mare, Grand Pier

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Weston-Super-Mare, Sand Bay

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  Clevedon Swimming Pool

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  574

  1987

  1988

  Published result

  Reworked result (95per cent.rule)

  Result

  North West Water Authority

  Meols

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  Moreton

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  New Brighton

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Formby

  Pass

  Pass

  Fail

  Ainsdale

  Pass

  Fail

  Fail

  Southport

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  St. Annes

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  St. Annes North

  'Fail

  'Fail

  Fail

  Blackpool South

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Blackpool Central

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Blackpool North

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Bispham

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Cleveleys

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Fleetwood

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Heysham, Half Moon Bay

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Morecambe South

  No survey

  Fail

  Morecambe North

  No survey

  Fail

  Bardsea

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Aldingham

  'Fail

  'Fail

  Fail

  Newbiggin

  'Pass

  'Fail

  Fail

  Walney, Biggar Bank

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Walney, Sandy Gap

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  Walney, West Shore

  Pass

  Fail

  Fail

  Roan Head

  Pass

  Fail

  Fail

  Askam-in-Furness

  No survey

  Fail

  Haverigg

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Silecroft

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Seascale

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  St. Beessurvey

  No

  Fail

  Allonby South

  'Pass

  'Fail

  Fail

  Allonby

  Pass

  Fail

  Fail

  Silloth

  Pass

  Pass

  Fail

  Skinburness

  'Fail

  'Fail

  Fail

  Welsh Water Authority

  Jacksons Bay Barry

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Whitmore Bay Barry

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Cold Knap Barry

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Southerndown

  Pass

  Pass

  Fail

  Trecco Bay Porthcawl

  Fail

  Fail

  Pass

  Sandy Bay Porthcawl

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Rest Bay Porthcawl

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Aberafan

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Swansea Bay

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Bracelet Bay

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Limeslade Bay

  Fail

  Fail

  Pass

  Langland Bay

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Caswell Bay

  Fail

  Fail

  Pass

  Oxwich Bay

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Port Eynon Bay

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Rhossili

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Pembrey

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Pendine

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Amroth

  Fail

  Fail

  Pass

  Saundersfoot

  Fail

  Fail

  Pass

  Tenby North

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Tenby South

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  Broadhaven

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Newgale

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Whitesands

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Newport

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Newquay

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Aberystwyth South

  Fail

  Fail

  Pass

  Aberystwyth North

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Borth

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Tywyn

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Fairbourne

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Barmouth

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Llandanwg

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Harlech

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Morfa Bychan

  Fail

  Fail

  Pass

  Criccieth

  Fail

  Fail

  Pass

  575

  1987

  1988

  Published result

  Reworked result (95 per cent.rule)

  Result

  Pwllheli

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Abersoch

  Pass

  Pass

  Fail

  Morfa Dinlle

  No Survey

  Pass

  Trearddur Bay

  Fail

  Fail

  Pass

  Bent tech

  Fail

  Fail

  Pass

  Llandudno West Shore

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Llandudno North

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Colwyn Bay

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Kinmel Bay

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Rhyl

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Prestatyn

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland

  Magilligan

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Castlerock

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  Portstewart

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Portrush (Mill Strand)

  1Pass

  1Pass

  Pass

  Portrush (Curran Strand)

  1Pass

  1Pass

  Pass

  Ballycastle

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Brown's Bay

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Helen's Bay

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Crawfordsburn

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Ballyholme

  Fail

  Fail

  Pass

  Groomsport

  Pass

  Fail

  Pass

  Millisle

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Tyrella

  Pass

  Pass

  Pass

  Newcastle

  Fail

  Fail

  Fail

  Cranfield (Nicholsons Strand)

  1Pass

  1Pass

  Pass

  Cranfield (Cranfield Bay)

  1Pass

  1Pass

  Pass

  1 Although these bathing waters were newly identified in 1988, thesites were sampled in 1987, Portrush (Mill Strand) and Portrush (Curran Strand) as part of Portrush, and Cranfield (NicholsonsStrand) and Cranfield (Cranfield Bay) as part of Cranfield.

  Value Added Tax
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will tabulate in the Official Report the current and proposed levels of value added tax required or suggested by the Council, or the Commission of the European Economic Community, in respect of the supply and disposal of water and services for each connected thereto, together with estimates made by Her Majesty's Government in respect of both net and gross amounts paid, or received, consequential to the imposition of such taxes.

  Mr. Lilley
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Council has neither required nor suggested particular levels of VAT on water and sewerage services. Under the Commission's proposals for approximating rates of VAT in the Community, water would be taxed at a rate of between 4 and 9 per cent. Sewerage services would be taxed at a rate of between 14 and 20 per cent., assuming that they are not regarded as synonymous with "water". The theoretical annual revenue yield from supplies other than to industry would be some £25 million to £75 million in respect of water and some £175 million to £250 million in respect of sewerage services. Changes to EC tax law require unanimity. The Government have, of course, made it clear that they consider tax approximation to be unnecessary for the completion of the single market.

  Alaska Works, Southwark
  Mr. O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out the basis on which the grant 576
  to Alaska works in Southwark was made; what special factors made the award a priority; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  [holding answer 20 February 1989]: The Alaska works project has been offered city grant of £4,162,000. It has been appraised by the Department and conforms to the guidelines set out in the city grant guidance notes, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. Detailed information provided in the course of the city grant appraisal is commercially confidential.

  Housing (Leasing Schemes)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many of the lease and leaseback schemes concerning housing development submitted by local authorities following his announcement on 9 March 1988 he(a) has approved, (b) has turned down and (c) is yet to consider.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 17 February 1989]: My right hon. Friend had by 7 February 1989 received 499 applications for additional capital allocations under the schemes introduced following his announcement on 9 March 1988. A total of 138 have been approved, 78 were premature or have been withdrawn or were unnecessary, and 171 had been refused. Thirty-nine applications were awaiting further information from the applicant local authority and 73 were under consideration in the Department. Fifty one of the successful and 33 of the unsuccessful applications primarily related to housing.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish the results of his Department's review of homelessness legislation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  [holding answer 17 February 1989]: I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Tottenham (Mr. Grant) on 17 January at column 150.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will be issuing a consultation paper as a result of his review into homelessness legislation; and if he will be bringing forward legislation as a result of this review.

  Mr. Trippier
  [holding answer 17 February 1989]: The review is not yet complete. When it is, I will decide on consultation.

  Flats
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether payments for leaseback of flats to public sector bodies under section 100 of the Housing Act 1988 will count as prescribed expenditure under the Local Government (Prescribed Expenditure) (Amendment) Regulation 1988 (SI, 1988, No. 434); and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 17 February 1989]: I will write to the hon. Member.

  Officers
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the numbers of(a) trading standards officers and (b) environmental health officers employed in 1978 and 1988.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 17 February 1989]: Trading standards officers and environmental health officers are employed by local authorities. The available information is contained in "Trading Standards Statistics" and "Environmental Health Statistics" published by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.

  London Residuary Body
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what inherited Greater London council services are still the responsibility of the London residuary body; and what is the timetable for disposal.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 17 February 1989]: Hampstead Heath is due to be transferred to the corporation of the City of London on 31 March 1989. The London residuary body expects to complete most of its remaining GLC-related work by 1 April 1990.

  The superannuation fund and staff compensation are still the responsibility of the London residuary body. In addition, the LRB currently retains responsibility for a number of financial rights and liabilities.

  Tower Hamlets (Housing)
  Mr. Shore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what contribution to the housing revenue account the Tower Hamlets council has made from its rate fund in each year since 1979; and what is his estimate of the average subsidy per week that this represents.

  Mr. Ridley
  [holding answer 16 February 1989]: Tower Hamlets informs me that it has made the following rate fund revenue account contributions to its housing revenue account each year since 1979. These contributions are also expressed as average weekly amounts, by dividing them by 52.

  £ million

  Average subsidy perf week £'000

  1979–801

  9·557

  184

  1980–811

  12·377

  238

  1981–822

  10·279

  198

  1982–832

  6·661

  128

  1983–84

  13·887

  267

  1984–85

  15·143

  291

  1985–86

  13·003

  250

  1986–873

  44·489

  856

  1987–88

  43·044

  828

  1988–894

  32·893

  633

  1 including local authority contributions to rent rebates (standard amount), all allowances in excess of the standard amount and the costof administering the rent rebate scheme.

  2 including rent rebates allowances in excess of the standardamount and the cost of administering the rent rebate scheme.

  3 in July 1985 Tower Hamlets took responsibility for approximately 30,000 GLC Council dwellings.

  4 budgeted amount.

  Water Boards
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will state the amount of money he proposes to grant over each of the next two years to the water boards for anti-pollution measures, listing the works scheduled for implementation under this grant aid.

  Mr. Moynihan
  [holding answer 16 February 1989]: Water authorities are self-financing bodies and are generally required to recover the costs of their services through charges, borrowing and internally generated funds. The Government do not provide grant aid, although grants are available under the Rural Water Supply and Sewerage Acts of 1944 and 1971 and the Industrial Development Act 1982 but only for the first-time provision of sewerage. Some authorities have received grant aid from the European regional development fund for pollution control and other aspects of their operations.

  Legionella
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, pursuant to his answer of 13 February, the regular bacteriological tests of the air conditioning system and the standby generator serving the underground car park have the potential to identify(a) legionella and (b) similar organisms.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 16 February 1989]: Yes. The regular bacteriological sampling counts all aerobic and anaerobic bacteria present. Tests for specific bacteria such as legionella would be done only if the general bacteriological count gave cause for concern.

  Parish Councils
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements exist to require the disclosure of financial interests in specific topics by parish councillors.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 16 February 1989]: The provisions of sections 94 to 98 and 105 of the Local Government Act 1972 require members of local authorities, including parish councillors, to declare pecuniary interests in any council business and, unless they receive a dispensation (in the case of parish councils, from the appropriate district council) to abstain from speaking or voting on that matter.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will review the law providing protection for individuals from illegal or improper action by parish councils; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 16 February 1989]: The existing arrangements appear satisfactory. Parish councils, like other local authorities, must act within the law and are subject to the supervision of their auditor and the courts. Any local government elector for the parish may raise matters with which he or she is dissatisfied at the parish meeting.

  Rivers (Derbyshire)
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many kilometres of rivers in Derbyshire are adversely affected by discharges from abandoned mines; and what representations he has received asking him to bring such discharges under the control of a responsible body.

  Mr. Moynihan
  [holding answer 15 February 1989]: I understand that up to 60 km of rivers in Derbyshire may be adversely affected by discharges from abandoned mines.

  I am aware of the concern which has been expressed about the problems caused by these discharges in some areas. It will be for the National Rivers Authority—as the

  (a) Aggregate Exchequer Grant—cash terms.

  £ million

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  South East

  3,627

  3,789

  3,756

  3,795

  3,784

  3,960

  4,103

  4,242

  Greater London

  1,942

  2,138

  2,059

  2,035

  2,177

  2,315

  2,447

  2,697

  South East excluding Greater London

  1,685

  1,651

  1,697

  1,760

  1,607

  1,645

  1,656

  1,545

  South West

  899

  921

  932

  975

  959

  960

  1,016

  1,085

  East Anglia

  351

  363

  369

  382

  369

  381

  411

  408

  West Midlands

  1,111

  1,155

  1,263

  1,300

  1,281

  1,357

  1,405

  1,409

  East Midlands

  870

  883

  920

  1,039

  953

  924

  998

  1,027

  North West

  1,809

  1,840

  1,916

  1,963

  2,001

  1,999

  2,159

  2,266

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  1,350

  1,395

  1,441

  1,538

  1,469

  1,455

  1,609

  1,674

  Northern Region

  914

  888

  923

  946

  959

  915

  1,032

  1,082

  Total

  10,931

  11,234

  11,520

  11,938

  11,775

  11,951

  12,733

  13,193

  (b) Aggregate Exchequer Grant—1988–89 prices.

  £ million

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  South East

  5,201

  5,071

  4,808

  4,623

  4,374

  4,429

  4,359

  4,242

  Greater London

  2,784

  2,861

  2,636

  2,479

  2,516

  2,589

  2,600

  2,697

  South East excluding Greater London

  2,417

  2,210

  2,172

  2,144

  1,858

  1,840

  1,759

  1,545

  South West

  1,289

  1,232

  1,193

  1,188

  1,109

  1,074

  1,080

  1,08.5

  East Anglia

  503

  486

  472

  466

  426

  426

  437

  408

  West Midlands

  1,593

  1,546

  1,617

  1,584

  1,481

  1,518

  1,493

  1,409

  East Midlands

  1,247

  1,181

  1,178

  1,266

  1,102

  1,034

  1,060

  1,027

  North West

  2,594

  2,462

  2,453

  2,391

  2,313

  2,236

  2,294

  2,266

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  1,936

  1,867

  1,844

  1,874

  1,698

  1,628

  1,710

  1,674

  Northern Region

  1,310

  1,188

  1,182

  1,153

  1,108

  1,023

  1,096

  1,082

  Total

  15,673

  15,033

  14,747

  14,545

  13,611

  13,368

  13,529

  13,193

  Information is not available on a comparable basis for years prior to 1981–82. Cash values have been converted to constant 1988–89 prices using the GDP deflator.

  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to offer derogations from the European Economic Community regulations on nitrate pollution to private water companies; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  [holding answer 16 February 1989]: We have no plans to grant to private water companies derogations from the nitrate standard of the EC drinking water directive.
  580
  responsible body for regulating all discharges to water—to tackle these problems where the discharges are preventing the achievement of river quality objectives.

  Exchequer Grant
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the aggregate Exchequer grant paid to local authorities in England for each financial year since 1978–79. broken down by standard economic region showing Greater London separately from the rest of the south-east(a) in cash terms and, (b) at 1988–89 prices.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 15 February 1989]: The information available is as follows:

SCOTLAND

  Primary School Teachers
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many teachers there are in primary schools in rural areas in Scotland at the latest date for which figures are available; and how many there were in 1979.

  Mr. Rifkind
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my predecessor, my right hon. Friend the Member for Ayr (Mr. Younger) to the hon. Member in answer to this question on 25 July 1985 at column 697. The most recent information on the number of teachers in primary schools by education authority is contained in SED statistical bulletin No. 1/B1/1988. Copies of this and earlier bulletins on the same subject are available in the Library.

  Primary Schools (Closure)
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many primary schools in rural areas in Scotland have been closed since 1979.

  Mr. Rifkind
  Rural areas are not defined for statistical purposes.

  Forestry
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the proportion of broadleaves of the total planting in Scotland by(a) the Forestry Commission and (b) private sector companies in the year 1987–88.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Broadleaves made up 8·3 per cent. of the Forestry Commission's planting and 6·7 per cent. of grant-aided planting by the private sector during this period. Separate figures for the forestry companies are not available.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the value of the planting grants made to the private forestry sector in Caithness and Sutherland for each year since 1979; and if he will reprice the figures for inflation.

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

  Year to 31 March

  Planting grants paid (£ thousands)

  Planting grants paid (£ thousands revalued to 1988 equivalents)

  1980

  14

  24

  1981

  34

  50

  1982

  124

  167

  1983

  137

  173

  1984

  470

  564

  1985

  338

  385

  Year to 31 March

  Conservancy1 (£ thousands)

  Conservancy1 (£ thousands revalued to 1988 equivalents)

  North

  East

  South

  West

  North

  East

  South

  West

  1982

  66

  62

  37

  55

  89

  83

  49

  74

  1983

  49

  64

  34

  58

  62

  81

  43

  73

  1984

  61

  74

  150

  67

  73

  88

  179

  80

  1985

  70

  60

  53

  88

  80

  68

  60

  101

  North

  Mid

  South

  North

  Mid

  South

  1986

  88

  156

  10

  95

  168

  108

  1987

  112

  126

  148

  117

  132

  155

  1988

  192

  258

  295

  192

  258

  295

  1 The former East Scotland Conservancy was assimilated into the North and Mid Scotland Conservancies in 1985.

  The figures cover the full range of visitor facilities. The figures I provided to the hon. Member on 20 November 1987 at column 537–38 covered only those categories of facilities which included forest walks and footpaths.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the amount of forest recreation and amenity subsidy made to the Forestry Commission in Scotland and in England and Wales in each year since 1979; and if he will reprice the figures for inflation.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information is set out in the table:582

  Year to 31 March

  Planting grants paid (£ thousands)

  Planting grants paid (£ thousands revalued to 1988 equivalents)

  1986

  691

  746

  1987

  808

  848

  1988

  604

  604

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the value of the planting grants made to the private forestry sector in Scotland for each year since 1979; and if he will reprice the figures for inflation.

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

  Year to 31 March

  Planting grants paid (£ thousands)

  Planting grants paid (£ thousands revalued to 1988 equivalents)

  1980

  1,481

  2,562

  1981

  1,393

  2,033

  1982

  2,474

  3,341

  1983

  2,669

  3,363

  1984

  3,607

  4,328

  1985

  3,727

  4,249

  1986

  4,476

  4,834

  1987

  4,592

  4,822

  1988

  5,139

  5,139

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the sums spent on visitor facilities in each of the three conservancies, north Scotland, mid-Scotland and south Scotland in each year since 1979; and if he will reprice the figures for inflation.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information, which is available only from 1981–82 onwards, is set out in the table:

  Year to 31 March

  Scotland

  England and Wales

  Scotland

  England and Wales

  (£ thousands)

  (£ thousands revalued at 1988 equivalents)

  1980

  1,070

  2,463

  1,844

  4,240

  1981

  1,036

  2,349

  1,512

  3,428

  1982

  1,016

  2,476

  1,377

  3,353

  1983

  1,143

  2,649

  1,440

  3,337

  1984

  1,278

  3,058

  1,530

  3,660

  1985

  1,374

  3,212

  1,572

  3,677

  1986

  1,877

  3,936

  2,029

  4,257

  1987

  1,905

  4,731

  2,000

  4,968

  1988

  2,637

  5,826

  2,637

  5,826

  583
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the division among the three conservancies, north Scotland, mid-Scotland and south

  Conservancy (£ thousands)

  Conservancy (£ thousands revalued to 1988 equivalents)

  Year to 31 March

  North

  East1

  South

  West

  North

  East1

  South

  West

  1980

  263

  214

  312

  281

  453

  369

  538

  484

  1981

  305

  259

  275

  197

  445

  378

  401

  288

  1982

  238

  273

  274

  231

  322

  370

  372

  313

  1983

  272

  353

  268

  250

  342

  445

  338

  315

  1984

  318

  337

  344

  279

  381

  403

  412

  334

  1985

  332

  338

  300

  354

  380

  444

  343

  405

  North

  Mid

  South

  North

  Mid

  South

  1986

  542

  784

  551

  586

  848

  595

  1987

  588

  656

  661

  617

  689

  694

  1988

  720

  965

  952

  720

  965

  952

  1 The former East Scotland Conservancy was assimilated into the Mid Scotland and North Scotland Conservancies in 1985.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the items of expenditure covered by the forest recreation and amenity subsidy made to the Forestry Commission in Scotland in the year to 3 March 1988.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The forest recreation and amenity subsidy is spent on a wide variety of items, including visitor centres, picnic areas, car parks, toilet blocks, forest walks, interpretative facilities, wildlife conservation, streamside improvements, archaeological conservation, amenity work, landscape improvement and the provision of facilities for specialised pursuits and events such as horse-riding and orienteering.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many jobs have been lost through afforestation in each year from 1983.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Statistics on comparative job losses and gains as a result of afforestation are not collected.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of Forestry Commission trees in Scotland have been damaged by atmospheric pollution.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Moray (Mrs. Ewing) on 5 December 1988 at column 46.

  Farm Woodland Scheme
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many farmers have applied for grants under the farm woodland scheme; what acreage has been planted under the scheme; and what proportion of this acreage has been planted with(a) broadleaves and (b) conifers.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Since the scheme opened at the beginning of October 1988, a total of 130 farmers in Scotland have applied for grants under the farm woodland scheme relating to a total planting area in excess of 1,300 hectares; twenty applications have so far been approved and it is expected that the vast majority of the remaining 110 applications will be dealt with in time for planting to be undertaken in the current planting year. Information on the amount and nature of planting undertaken is not yet available.
  584
  Scotland of the forest recreation and amenity subsidy made to the Forestry Commission in Scotland in each year since 1979; and if he will reprice the figures for inflation.

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

  Football Matches (Arrests)
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was(a) the number of association football matches played at Ibrox Park, Glasgow, during the 1987–88 season, (b) the total attendance during the season, (c) the total arrests in association with these matches, (d) the average attendance per match, (e) the average number of arrests per match and (f) the arrests as a percentage of the attendance.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Glasgow Rangers football club and the chief constable, of the Strathclyde police. have provided the information on which the following table is based:

  Association Football Matches at Ibrox Park, Glasgow during season1987–88

  Number

  a. Matches played.

  43

  b. Total attendance.

  1,072,001

  c. Total associated arrests.

  407

  d. Average attendance per match.

  24,930

  e. Average number of arrests per match.

  9

  f. Arrests as percentage of attendance.

  0·038

  Heritage
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the main conclusions of the policy review of the Royal Commission on the ancient and historical monuments of Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  As part of the Government's programme of periodic reviews of non-departmental public bodies, a policy review has been undertaken of the activities and functions of the Royal Commission on the ancient and historical monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS) and the equivalent bodies for England and Wales. This review is being conducted jointly with my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for the Environment and for Wales. We shall be announcing the detailed conclusions of the review in due course.

  There are however certain major issues of principle arising from the review which my right hon. and learned Friend has decided can be settled now, in advance of the

  585
  completion of the review. These are the question of whether the RCAHMS should be retained, the organisational and management arrangements of the royal commission, and the scope for transfer of heritage functions to the royal commission.

  The review has established that the task of creating and maintaining a national heritage archive remains a necessary and important feature of heritage policy. We have concluded that the RCAHMS should remain as a separate body charged with performing this function and designated as the national body for survey and recording of historic building and ancient monuments.

  We have also decided that the royal commission's activities should be more closely aligned with wider considerations of heritage policy. To facilitate this, the historic buildings and monuments directorate of the Scottish Development Department will become sponsoring Department for the RCAHMS. This will be accompanied by changes in the management operations of the commission to bring it into line with current practice. These will include the institution of a corporate planning system, the development of performance measures and indicators, and the provision of a financial memorandum.

  The study by outside consultants which formed the first stage in the policy review suggested that there might be scope for transferring certain heritage functions from the directorate of the RCAHMS. These functions included some features of responsibility for the listing of historic buildings, the scheduling of ancient monuments, and rescue archaeology. My right hon. and learned Friend has, however, concluded that the existing arrangements for the listing of historic buildings and the scheduling of ancient monuments remain appropriate. Listing and scheduling are linked to considerations of conservation rather than of survey and record. As regards funding of rescue archaeology, the arguments of principle for and against a transfer are finely balanced, but we have concluded that transferring this responsibility to the RCAHMS is not practicable at this stage.

  With these issues of principle now resolved, we consider that the review has mapped out a clear role for the royal commission in the future conservation of our heritage and has identified the organisational and management arrangements necessary to assist the commission in discharging this role to the full. I have written to the chairman of the RCAHMS to inform him of our conclusions.

  Nuvan 500 EC
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the proportions of toxicity data for Nuvan

  Inverclyde Royal hospital Number of deaths, by primary diagnosis1, in years 1984–88

  Diagnosis

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  Not known

  —

  2

  —

  1

  13

  Infections and Parasitic Disease

  4

  1

  2

  5

  4

  Neoplasms

  179

  160

  152

  165

  169

  Endocrine Metabolic Immunity etc.

  6

  5

  4

  2

  6

  Blood: Blood Forming Organ Disease

  1

  3

  2

  2

  3

  Mental Disorders

  —

  1

  —

  2

  —

  Nervous System Sense Organs

  5

  6

  4

  4

  1

  Circulation Systems

  223

  260

  245

  252

  227

  Respiratory System

  74

  51

  67

  46

  59

  Digestive System

  48

  47

  40

  36

  45

  Genito-urinary Systems

  16

  13

  21

  9

  10

  Complications of Pregnancy, Childbirth Puerperium

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  Skin, Subcutaneous Tissue

  2

  2

  2

  2

  3

  586
  500 EC which have been extrapolated from laboratory tests and from field studies, such as bioassays and ecological surveys; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 26 January 1989]: Data has been provided by the manufacturer of Nuvan 500 EC to the veterinary products committee in support of the company's application for the product to be licensed for use as a medicine. Information in support of an application for a medicinal product licence is a matter of commercial confidentiality. The publication of such information and the tests on which it is based would be a matter for the company concerned.

  The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland has carried out its own investigations into the environmental effect of dichlorvos, the active ingredient of Nuvan and its possible toxicity to a number of marine organisms. All of the toxicity data so far obtained by DAFS scientists in these investigations is derived from laboratory studies.

  As I indicated in my reply of 12 January to the hon. Member for Argyll and Bute (Mrs. Michie) at column 726, results of the studies so far of the toxicity of dichlorvos to the larval forms of the lobster (Homarus gammarus) and the herring (Clupea Hargenus) will be published later this year. Other studies (including possible field studies) are planned on the effects on marine life of prolonged or repeated exposure to low levels of dichlorvos.

  Inverclyde Royal Hospital
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each of the past five years the number of deaths which have occurred at the Inverclyde royal hospital; what was the cause in each case; how many of these deaths were the subject of a fatal accident inquiry; what was the result in each case; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 15 February 1989]: The table shows the number of deaths recorded for eah year over the period. Mandatory or discretionary inquiries under the Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths Inquiry (Scotland) Act 1976 are known to have been held in respect of five deaths. Two of these related to accidents which occurred outwith the hospital and did not involve consideration of any treatment received. In each case a determination was issued by the sheriff. These are available on request from the sheriff clerk's office, Greenock.
  587

  Diagnosis

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  Musculoskeletal System Connective Tissue

  5

  1

  2

  3

  —

  Congenital Anomalies

  1

  1

  1

  —

  —

  Conditions Originating in Perinatal Period

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Symptoms, Signs Ill Defined

  24

  35

  26

  31

  18

  Injury Poisoning

  29

  32

  32

  36

  20

  Total

  617

  620

  600

  596

  581

  1 Primary diaanncic is laced rather than certified caner of death althninth in mnct racec thic will he the came

  Shipyards
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much money his office is putting into the St. Helena ferry project for the Overseas Development Administration following the collapse of Hall Russell, Aberdeen; and if he will make a statement on his policy for subsidising Scottish shipyards.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 20 February 1989]: Hall Russell won the order for the St. Helena ship in open competition after full evaluation of the competing bids. When confirming the placing of the contract the Government were aware that Hall Russell could face financial difficulties if additional orders were not secured. In order for the contract to proceed in Aberdeen the Scottish Office agreed to make a contribution to the overseas aid programme in the event of additional costs above an agreed level being incurred. Additional costs will now inevitably arise because of receivership at Hall Russell, but the amount of any Scottish Office contribution has still to be determined.

  Polkemmet Bing
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he is taking through Scottish Department officials to alleviate the position at Polkemmet Bing.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 20 February 1989]: Power of control over emissions of smoke and fumes from colliery spoil banks rests with local authorities under the terms of the Clear Air Act 1956, but my officials have been in contact with West Lothian district council to offer advice and assistance with monitoring of air pollution levels and interpretation of results. They have visited Polkemmet together with officials of the district council and have participated in discussions with British Coal as to how best to tackle the Bing.

  Chapelcross Power Station
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen)Official Report, 26 January, column 716, whether the spent nuclear fuel cooling ponds at Chapelcross are built to the same structural standards as the nuclear power plant; and whether the site licences take into account air crash potential on spent nuclear fuel cooling ponds.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 9 February 1989]: The spent nuclear fuel cooling ponds at Chapelcross are an integral part of the nuclear power station and are built to the same structural standards. The ponds themselves have a robust construction, are partially below ground and therefore have a degree of internal strength.

  The nuclear site licences cover the whole plant including the spent fuel cooling ponds as well as the reactors
  588
  themselves. All aspects of safety including potential air crashes are considered by the nuclear installations inspectorate in the granting of licences to operators of nuclear plant.

  The safety considerations applying to the cooling ponds are therefore the same as those outlined in my reply to the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen).

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Race Relations and Equal Opportunity
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will describe his Department's principal achievements in respect of race relations and equal opportunity since May 1979.

  Mr. Moore
  In the employment field my Department has implemented many of the recommendations of the joint review of policies and procedures on race relations in the Civil Service (1983) and the programme of action for women (1984), through its network of equal opportunities officers established in 1985. The more significant initiatives on race equality which have been carried out include:

  (a) participation in the phased programme of departmental ethnic surveys of staff which was completed last year with the then DHSS response rate averaging 75 per cent.,

  (b) the introduction of ethnic monitoring of recruitment in 1987 when early surveys indicated a shortfall in ethnic minority recruits compared with the ethnic minority working population; positive action in recruitment such as the use of ethnic media to attract ethnic minority recruits,

  (c) participation (as one of four departments) in an OMCS initiative in London and the south-east to provide access training for potential executive officer recruits from ethnic minority groups,

  (d) a study in 1987 of ethnic monitoring of promotion which is being followed up this year with further monitoring of promotion and job allocation, and

  (e) the commitment to sponsor a Windsor fellow in 1990.

  With regard to sex equality, my Department has seen an increasing number of women progressing to middle and senior management grades—about 16 per cent. of SEOs and above are women. Encouragement is also given to part-time working and job sharing with 6 per cent. of staff now working part time—over 5,500 officers. Improved special leave provisions have specifically targeted help for single parents and those caring for elderly or infirm relatives and a keeping in touch scheme was introduced in 1988 which allows preferential reinstatement for people who have to take a break from work for domestic reasons. In the area of child care, care parent and holiday play schemes assist staff working at the Department's Newcastle office and further holiday play schemes are planned for 1989. My Department also runs a successful management development course for women in grades HEO to grade 7.

  As far as benefit policy and service provision and concerned ethnic origin is not relevant to entitlement to

  589
  benefit. There has been a continuing programme to ensure that social security legislation conforms with the requirements of the relevant Community directives on equal treatment for men and women in statutory and occupational schemes. Thus, clause 19 and schedule 3 of the Social Security Bill currently before this House will, if Parliament passes it, implement Council directive 86/378/EEC.

  As far as means-tested benefits are concerned, income support and its predecessor, supplementary benefit, have been available to men and women on exactly the same conditions since November 1983. Prior to this date only the male partner of a couple could claim benefit.

  My Department has recognised the particular problems faced by members of ethnic minorities in claiming benefits and has developed a range of measures to assist them. The more important initiatives include:

  (a) publication in six Asian languages and Turkish, of the leaflet "Which benefit?", which covers the whole range of social security benefits,

  (b) a free telephone advice and information service in Urdu and Punjabi,

  (c) training courses for local office staff which are designed to equip them to serve successfully a multi-racial community,

  (d) an interpreter/liaison service in Bradford, and

  (e) signs and posters to help ethnic minority callers in local offices and public areas.

  Model guidance on equal opportunities implications of policy proposals, recommended by the ministerial group on women's issues, covers race and sex discrimination and has been extended in my Department to include disability issues. This guidance will shortly be circulated to divisional heads and this will direct attention to equal opportunities issues in all areas of the Department's business.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the yield from employers' national insurance contributions in the last year.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The information is as follows:

  Estimated yield from employers' national insurance contributions

  £ billion

  1987–88

  14·38

  1988–89

  15·28

  Figures include National Health Service allocation contributions and exclude deductions in respect of statutory sick pay and the statutory maternity pay. Estimates for 1988–89 were published in the Autumn Statement.

  Mrs. Rhoda Thompson
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security why Mrs. Rhoda Thompson of 25 Lerwick crescent, Middlesbrough has still not been sent her transitional payments in respect of November; and why payments are not being sent to the temporary address notified to the transitional payments unit on a number of occasions.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Payments are now being made correctly and I have written to my hon. Friend today.

  Benefits (South Yorkshire)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people are claiming income support in the Doncaster and Mexborough areas of South Yorkshire; what are the corresponding figures for each year since 1979; what was the actual percentage increase or decrease between the figures for 1979 and the latest figures; and what are the comparable national figures.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The table shows the number of people receiving income support and its predecessor, supplementary benefit.

  Figures have been supplied for the Department's local office at Doncaster East, Doncaster West and Wath-on-Dearne which serve the Don Valley constituency, although their boundaries are not conterminous.

  Doncaster East

  Doncaster West

  Wath-on-Dearne

  Supplementary Benefit

  27 November 1979

  5,818

  7,082

  4,170

  2 December 1980

  6,605

  8,371

  4,931

  9 December 1981

  8,284

  10,730

  6,088

  7 December 1982

  9,546

  12,386

  6,638

  6 December 1983

  10,269

  12,633

  7,172

  12 December 1984

  11,081

  14,193

  7,891

  11 December 1985

  11,498

  14,188

  8,073

  10 December 1986

  11,806

  15,131

  8,231

  18 November 1987

  11,712

  14,559

  7,879

  Income Support

  30 November 1988

  10,164

  12,951

  7,118

  Percentage increase between 27 November 1979 and 30 November 1988 (rounded)

  75

  83

  71

  Nationally:

  Numbers

  Supplementary Benefit on 27 November 1979

  2,971,981

  Income Support on 30 November 1988

  4,325,232

  Percentage increase between 27 November 1979 and30 November 1988 (rounded)

  46

  Source: 100 per cent. count of cases in action. The figures given include a small number of cases not actually in receipt of benefit. The data for 1988 are provisional and subject to amendment.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many new claims for income support were made in each month since 11 April 1988 at the Doncaster and Mexborough officers of his Department; and how many claims were determined each month;

  (2) what was the average number of new claims and cases since 11 April 1988 awaiting review at the Doncaster and Mexborough offices of his Department which were recorded as outstanding each month; and how many related to (a) supplementary benefit claims and (b) single payment claims;

  (3) how many unlinked items of correspondence were recorded each month since 11 April 1988 at the Doncaster and Mexborough offices of his Department;

  (4) what load of current cases the Doncaster and Mexborough offices of his Department have carried in the past six months.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The information available is set out in the tables.
  591
  The figures on unlinked post are supplied from local office records. The source of the live load count is the 100

  Ending last day of month 1988

  1989

  April

  May

  June

  July

  August

  September

  October

  November

  December

  January

  Doncaster East

  Income support

  Claims

  Intake

  581

  688

  852

  1,111

  830

  985

  906

  873

  646

  860

  Processed

  467

  703

  894

  1,104

  841

  966

  921

  891

  587

  848

  Outstanding

  114

  99

  107

  114

  103

  122

  107

  89

  148

  160

  Assessment review outstanding

  82

  47

  63

  52

  88

  114

  47

  43

  216

  213

  Unlinked post

  52

  25

  5

  0

  17

  73

  14

  11

  2

  19

  Live load

  —

  —

  —

  —

  10,379

  —

  —

  10,164

  —

  —

  Supplementary benefit work outstanding

  Claims

  8

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Single payments

  123

  9

  8

  8

  5

  3

  2

  2

  0

  0

  Additional requirements

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Doncaster West

  Income support

  Claims

  Intake

  794

  911

  994

  1,313

  996

  1,268

  999

  1,039

  758

  1,151

  Processed

  541

  882

  991

  1,330

  1,075

  1,134

  1,146

  1,021

  785

  1,092

  Outstanding

  253

  282

  285

  268

  189

  323

  176

  194

  167

  22.6

  Assessment review outstanding

  159

  63

  153

  164

  99

  115

  107

  70

  137

  174

  Unlinked post

  58

  33

  28

  20

  9

  393

  12

  12

  100

  33

  Live load

  —

  —

  —

  —

  12,950

  —

  —

  12,951

  —

  —

  Supplementary benefit work outstanding

  Claims

  94

  7

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Single payments

  1,692

  842

  117

  39

  7

  4

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Additional requirements

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Wath-on-Dearne

  Income support

  Claims

  Intake

  437

  571

  589

  668

  569

  740

  623

  627

  453

  661

  Processed

  316

  564

  603

  657

  584

  692

  660

  605

  456

  655

  Outstanding

  121

  128

  114

  125

  110

  158

  121

  143

  140

  146

  Assessment review outstanding

  212

  45

  43

  46

  38

  76

  58

  102

  120

  163

  Unlinked post

  31

  39

  32

  6

  22

  38

  10

  16

  26

  36

  Live load

  —

  —

  —

  —

  7,222

  —

  —

  7,118

  —

  —

  Supplementary benefit work outstanding

  Claims

  47

  6

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Single payments

  731

  363

  38

  9

  6

  7

  4

  5

  0

  0

  Additional requirements

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Medical Boards
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidance is available to members of medical boards concerning the grounds for review of mobility allowance awards.

  Mr. Scott
  Members of every medical board dealing with an application for a review are supplied with guidance notes. A copy has been placed in the Library.

  Board and Lodging Allowance (Lambeth)
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a list of the organisations and hostels for which board and lodging allowance is paid in the London borough of Lambeth.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  There are no plans to publish a list of organisations or hostels in Lambeth which accommodate income support recipients.
  592
  per cent. count of cases in action and is available only on a quarterly basis. The figures given include a small number of cases not acually in receipt of benefit.

  Income Support
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what changes are planned for April in the procedures for claiming income support.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  No changes are planned for April in the procedures for claiming income support.

  We have been monitoring the operation of the income support claim procedures, and in particular the claim forms, and are satisfied that they are generally working well. Revised claim forms will be introduced in April to reflect the introduction of the community charge in Scotland—there will be separate versions for Scotland and for England and Wales. The revised forms will also incorporate some minor amendments with a view to improving still further our service to the public.

  We shall, of course, continue to monitor the effectiveness of the claim forms and procedures and improve them where necessary.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish in the Official Report (a) the current number of people in private rest homes receiving

  593
  income support, (b) the total cost of income support for people living in private rest homes, (c) the current number of people in private nursing homes receiving income support and (d) the total cost of income support for people living in private rest homes.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I regret that the information is not available in the form requested. However, relevant information in respect of independent—that is private and voluntary—homes was provided in my reply to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, Central (Mr. Cousins) on 21 December 1988 at columns 304–6.

  Attendance Allowance
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish in the Official Report the total number of people currently receiving attendance allowance; if he will give a breakdown of the numbers receiving the higher and lower amounts; what are the total costs involved; and if he will give the total number of those receiving the allowance living in private (a) rest homes, and (b) nursing homes.

  Mr. Scott
  The available information is in the table. Details of the allowances in payment to residents of rest homes and nursing homes are not kept.

  Estimated number of attendance allowance recipients and cost1988–89

  Estimated average number of recipients at any one time Thousands

  Estimated total cost per year1 £l million

  All rates1

  Higher rate

  Lower rate

  760

  310

  450

  1,042

  1Source: Public Expenditure White Paper, January 1989.

  Pensioners
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will consider creating a standing committee of representatives of the pensioners' movement together with the Minister and senior civil servants dealing with the areas mainly affecting the retired in social security matters.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 17 February at column 404.

  Mr. McCrindle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners have received reduced housing benefit; what this figure is as a percentage of all pensioners since April 1988; and if he will make a statement.

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

  Supplementary benefit (income support from April 1988) to people in independent residential care and nursing homes1

  Number of claimants (000's)

  Average payment (£ per weekcurrent prices)

  Average payment (£ per weekconstant prices2)

  Expenditure (£ million current prices)

  Expenditure (£ million constant prices)

  February 1986

  901

  98·11

  107·8

  459

  505

  May 1988

  147

  115·0

  115·0

  878

  878

  1 All figures are estimates.

  2 Adjusted to May 1988 prices on basis of retail prices index.

  594
  Mr. McCrindle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated cost of increasing income support for(a) all pensioners and (b) all beneficiaries by 10 per cent.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The estimated costs for income support—excluding boarders and residential or nursing home residents—are:—

  (a) £550 million

  (b) £1,300 million

  Because of the alignment of income-related benefits, the total costs of such changes would be £850 million and £1,850 million respectively.

  Retirement Age
  Mr. McCrindle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated cost for equalising retirement ages for men and women at the ages of 60, 62, 63 and 65 years assuming that everyone elects to retire at the specified age; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The most recent estimates, which are based on 1985–86 benefit rates, are that the approximate net annual cost to public funds of equalising state pension age at 60 years would be £3,000 million and at 62 years £800 million; equalisation at 65 years would save about £500 million. Estimates are not available for equalisation at 63 years.

  Mr. McCrindle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the cost of abolishing the earnings rule for retired pensioners; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We estimate that abolition of the retirement pension earnings rule in 1990–91 would involve a public expenditure cost of about £250 million.

  Residential Homes for the Elderly
  Mr. McCrindle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the number and average cost of private residential accommodation for the elderly in 1986 and 1988; how this increase compares with the retail price index; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I regret that information is not available in the precise form requested. However relevant information in respect of income support payments to people in independent—that is private and voluntary—homes is provided in the table. Over the corresponding period, the increase in the retail price index was 9·9 per cent.

  Mr. N. Scott
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to give a substantive reply following his holding answer of 30 January, to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with respect to the case of Mr. N. Scott; and if he will set up an internal inquiry into the reasons for both the delay which was the subject of the original question and the delay in replying substantively to that question.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I replied to the right hon. Member yesterday. We have no plans to hold an internal inquiry into either of the delays to which he refers.

ENERGY

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) when he next plans to meet the chairman and officers of the Association for the Conservation of Energy, in order to discuss the application of British energy efficiency systems and equipment to deal with global warming and the greenhouse effect;

  (2) what information is available to British embassies or trade legations to enable them to deal with inquiries for British energy efficiency systems and equipment designed to combat global warming and the greenhouse effect;

  (3) what steps he proposes to take in order to promote the availability of British energy efficiency systems and equipment as solutions to global warming and the greenhouse effect.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  British embassies and trade missions have available to them the literature and contacts provided by the trade associations of the energy efficiency industry, and the services of the Department of Energy and the Department of Trade and Industry. Ministers and officials of both Departments frequently promote the British energy efficiency industry overseas. The identification and follow-up of export opportunities is one of the objectives of the energy efficiency office.

  My right hon. Friend will be meeting the chairman of the Association for the Conservation of Energy shortly and will be very happy to discuss these matters with him.

HEALTH

  Patient Statistics
  Mr. David Martin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total number of patients treated by the National Health Service in 1979 and in the latest available year.

  Mr. Mellor
  Between 1979 and 1987–88 more than 1 million more in-patient cases were treated in National Health Service hospitals in England, a rise of 22 per cent. from 5·40 million to 6·62 million cases. In the same period provisional figures suggest that day cases have risen by 71 per cent. from 592,000 to more than 1 million, and new out-patient attendances by 10 per cent.

  Infant Mortality (Listeria)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of perinatal deaths, stillbirths and miscarriages which have occurred over the past year have been examined for the presence of listeria monocytogenes.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Post-mortem examinations for still births or perinatal deaths to establish the presence of listeria monocytogenes would be carried out only at the request of clinical staff or a coroner, and we do not hold information on those requests centrally.

  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many miscarriages and stillbirths have been related to the consumption of soft cheeses in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  [holding answer 16 February 1989]: To date, there have been no confirmed reports to the public health laboratory service of miscarriages and stillbirths associated with the consumption of soft cheese. There were nine reported stillbirths associated with listeriosis in 1988.

  Cottage Hospitals
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether cottage hospitals, either separately or collectively, will be permitted to opt for National Health Servize hospital trust status under his proposals outlined in the recent White Paper, "Working for Patients".

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  It is the Government's intention that any hospital or group of hospitals which meets the criteria set out in the White Paper will be eligible to apply for National Health Service hospital trust status. Each application will, of course, need to be carefully considered on its merits.

  Food Irradiation
  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his policy towards the irradiation of food.

  Mr. Freeman
  As the hon. Member will be aware, the Government announced early last year that they accepted expert advice that, under prescribed conditions, irradiated food is safe and wholesome. However, we also stated that the general prohibition of the process would remain until we had received advice on the scope and format of regulatory controls necessary to ensure good industrial and marketing practices. In that connection, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and I expect a report from officials shortly. I should add that any proposals to amend or adjust the current prohibition will be subject to full public consultation as is required under the Food Acts.

  Health Service Personnel (Training)
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many Health Service personnel are trained by the private sector.

  Mr. Mellor
  Precise figures are unavailable. It is known that while little basic professional training takes place in the private sector, there is a range of in-house
  597
  post-registration training from which the NHS benefits if staff move back into the service. Representatives from the Department and the private sector have recently agreed to a joint working group with the aim of increasing the total stock of skilled staff available to both sectors.

  Nurses (Pay)
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the level of nurses' pay in 1979 and in the latest available year, in real terms.

  Mr. Mellor
  The average pay of all nurses has gone up by 45 per cent. in real terms since 1979 and now stands at its highest ever real terms level. A typical experienced staff nurse on the maximum of the scale now has basic pay of £10,650, compared with £3,813 in 1979—an increase of £3,645 or 52 per cent. in real terms. Nurses will receive a further increase of 6·8 per cent. from 1 April 1989.

  Waiting Lists
  Mr. Loyden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to reduce hospital waiting lists.

  Mr. Mellor
  The reforms in our White Paper "Working for Patients" (Cm. 555) will provide a better service for patients, including shorter waiting times.

  We shall create 100 additional consultant posts over the next three years, above planned expansion levels, targeted at the worst waiting problems. We shall give hospitals, for the first time, a real incentive to treat patients quickly and efficiently by paying them for the work they actually do. There will also be better waiting times information for GPs to enable them to refer patients more easily to where waiting times are shortest. In addition, some GP practices will manage their own budgets, so as to get the best possible deal for their patients.

  We have also made £86 million available from the waiting list fund over three years to tackle the worst waiting problems.

  Mr. Favell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps patients will be able to take to reduce waiting times for treatment following implementation of his proposals contained in the White Paper "Working for Patients".

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The White Paper proposes that some family doctors should have the freedom to manage

  Number of notifications of abortions carried out under the Abortion Act 1967 to residents and non-residents of England and Wales by statutory grounds (mentioned) 1981–87. These figures represent the number of times each of the statutory grounds reported (mentioned) rather than the number of operations.

  Statutory grounds1

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  All grounds

  182,090

  180,182

  179,310

  186,618

  187,390

  187,433

  190,692

  1

  790

  674

  549

  596

  534

  488

  480

  2

  158,520

  159,418

  158,389

  165,996

  168,113

  168,732

  170,860

  3

  20,713

  17,796

  18,098

  17,757

  16,687

  16,176

  17,404

  4

  2,053

  2,282

  2,268

  2,252

  2,040

  2,031

  1,941

  5

  5

  7

  3

  9

  5

  2

  3

  6

  9

  5

  3

  8

  11

  4

  4

  1 The statutory grounds under which an abortion may be performed are that:

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

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

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

  598
  their own budgets for hospital services, so as to get the best possible deal for their patients. Better information will be available to all GPs and patients about hospital services, including waiting times. Hospitals will have a real incentive to treat patients quickly and efficiently because they will be paid for the work they do. The White Paper also proposes that it should be easier for patients to change their doctor if they wish to do so.

  As a result, the NHS as a whole will become much more responsive to the individual patient. Patients will be able to discuss real choices with their GPs, and both will be able to act effectively in the best interest of the patient.

  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to cut waiting lists through the more efficient use of cross-boundary flows.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The reforms in our White Paper "Working for Patients" (Cm. 555) will end the present arrangements which provide little incentive for health authorities to treat patients from outside their boundaries. In future, hospitals will be free to offer their services to different health authorities and will receive NHS funds for the patients they treat. For the first time, hospitals will have real incentives to treat patients quickly and efficiently regardless of where they live. and patients will be able to go to hospitals where waiting times are shortest.

  Abortion
  Sir Bernard Braine
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of abortions at 28 weeks were perforated during 1987 because the child was likely to be born handicapped.

  Mr. Freeman
  In 1987 there was only one notification of an abortion which took place with a gestation period at 28 weeks. This was carried out under ground 4 of the 1967 Abortion Act which states"there is a substantial risk that if the child is born it would suffer such physical or mental abnormalities as to be seriously handicapped."

  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many abortions have been carried out during the last 10 years for which figures are available by each of the six statutory grounds.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information is shown in the table. Comparable data is not available for earlier years.
  599
  4. there is a substantial risk that if the child were born it would suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities as to be seriously handicapped, or in emergency, certified by the operating practitioner as imediately necessary—

  5. to save the life of the pregnant woman, or

  6. to prevent grave permanent injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman.

  Mr. Ken Hargreaves
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many women in England and Wales in 1988 underwent their fourth abortion operation.

  Mr. Freeman
  The number of notifications of women having their fourth abortion (legal terminations or spontaneous miscarriages) in England and Wales for the period January-June 1988 is 906. Of these, 322 notifications were for women who had previously had three legal terminations with no spontaneous miscarriage.

  Mr. Hind
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many abortions were performed at 18 weeks or more gestation in England and Wales in 1988 to save the life of the mother.

  Mr. Freeman
  There was one notification of abortion in England and Wales in the period January-June 1988 at 18 weeks or more gestation which had been performed under ground 5 of the 1967 Abortion Act which states"to save the life of the pregnant woman".

  Mr. McAvoy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of abortions at 21 weeks, 23 weeks and 24 weeks gestation were performed during 1987 because the child was likely to be born handicapped.

  Abortions 1987—England and Wales

  Weeks

  18

  19

  20

  21

  22

  23

  24

  25

  26

  27

  28

  All grounds

  2,800

  1,725

  1,363

  890

  905

  903

  107

  11

  9

  3

  1

  1 (with other)

  6

  5

  2

  3

  5

  5

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  2 (Alone)

  2,442

  1,503

  1,181

  797

  824

  855

  85

  2

  2

  —

  —

  3 (with or without 2)

  157

  96

  54

  32

  21

  16

  3

  —

  1

  —

  —

  4(Alone)

  176

  108

  117

  49

  50

  20

  19

  8

  6

  2

  1

  4 (with any other except 1)

  19

  13

  9

  9

  5

  7

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  5 or 6

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Consultants
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the future position of consultants within the National Health Service.

  Mr. Mellor
  The White Paper "Working for Patients" fully recognises the continuing key role of consultants in the National Health Service and emphasises the need for them to play an increased role in the management of the service. In particular there will be five significant developments. First, the new funding arrangements will steer resources to those consultants best able to provide a good quality service and to treat more patients. Secondly, the Government hope that within the next two years all consultants will be taking part in "medical audit" and thus be taking the lead in improving the quality of service to patients. Thirdly, the rapid expansion planned for the resource management initiative will provide budgetary and information systems to allow consultants to make the best use of the resources available to them. Fourthly, the day-to-day management of consultants' contracts will take place at district (rather than regional) level and the managerial element of consultants' duties will be better
  600
  Mr. Freeman
  The information is shown in the table.

  Notifications of abortions which took place with a gestation period of 21, 23 and 24 weeks, showing the number with a mention of ground 4 of the 1967 Abortion Act, which states
  "there is a substantial risk that if the child was born it would suffer such physical or mental abnormalities as to be seriously handicapped"
  for England and Wales—1987.

  Weeks

  A All groundstotal

  B Ground 4 total

  Per cent.B of A

  21

  890

  58

  6·5

  23

  903

  27

  3·0

  24

  107

  19

  17·8

  Toal

  1,900

  104

  5·5

  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the number of abortions according to the grounds of termination in 1987 for 18 weeks and each week thereafter to 28 weeks.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information is given in the table:

  recognised in the distinction award system. Finally, we intend to introduce a scheme under which 100 extra consultant posts can be created over the next three years.

  Community Care
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to meet the Association of Metropolitan Authorities social services committee to discuss Sir Roy Griffiths' report on community care.

  Mr. Mellor
  We hold regular meetings with the local authority associations, including the Association of Metropolitan Authorities (AMA) to discuss issues of current interest in the social services field. Recent items have included Sir Roy Griffiths' report on community care.

  The then Minister of State for Health, my right hon. Friend the Member for Braintree (Mr. Newton), met the AMA separately last June to hear their views on Sir Roy's report and we shall take account of its representations along with the others that we have received.
  601
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals other than those in the Griffiths report he has considered for the delivery of community care.

  Mr. Freeman
  We are looking closely at all possible models for the delivery of community care, along with the many reactions we have received in response to Sir Roy Griffiths' report, as part of the work we have in hand to frame our own proposals.

  Mr. Waller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent represenations he has had on the recommendations of the Griffiths report on community care.

  Mr. Freeman
  We have received over 250 representations from hon. Members, organisations and members of the public about Sir Roy's recommendations. Recent responses have been received from a number of national groups and local authorities. We are studying all the responses carefully as we frame our own proposals.

  Patient Care
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the number of staff providing direct patient care in the National Health Service in 1979 and in the latest available year.

  Mr. Freeman
  The number of whole-time equivalent staff in post in England, providing direct (patient) care at 30 September 1979 was 457,600 and at 30 September 1987, 526,000.

  The 1979 figure has not been adjusted to take account of the transfer of operating department assistants (ODAs) (some 2,600 at 31 March 1984) from ancillary to professional and technical staff group on 1 April 1984 and reduction in nurse working hours (from 40 to 37+ per week) during 1980–81.

  Day Cases (Treatment)
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the number of day cases treated by the National Health Service in 1979 and in the latest available year.

  Mr. Freeman
  During 1979, 592,000 day cases were treated in NHS hospitals in England whilst in 1987–88 the number had risen to 1,016,000 (provisional), an increase of 72 per cent.

  In-Patients
  Mr. Knapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the number of in-patients treated by the National Health Service in 1979 and in the latest available year.

  Mr. Freeman
  There were 6·62 million in-patient cases treated in National Health Service hospitals in England during the 1987–88 financial year. Earlier figures were for calendar years and in 1979 5·4 million in-patient cases were treated. The figures for 1987–88 represents a rise of over 1 million, or more than 22 per cent. compared with 1979.

  Hospices
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many terminally ill patients are now being cared for in hospices in England and Wales; and how many there were five years ago.
  602
  Mr. Freeman
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Cot Deaths
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will hold an investigation into cot deaths; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Social Services Select Committee in its recent report recommended further research into the causes of infant death, particularly those attributed to sudden infant death syndrome. The Government will be responding shortly.

  Mental Illness Hospitals
  Sir Geoffrey Pattie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will undertake an urgent review of the current and planned pace of rundown of mental illness hospitals.

  Mr. Freeman
  It is for health authorities to determine the pace of rundown of the old, large and often remote mental illness hospitals, which should be matched by the development of comprehensive locally-based psychiatric services.

  As indicated by my hon. and learned Friend the Minister for Health in his reply to my hon. Friend on 16 December 1988 at column 766, the annual review process provides Ministers with the opportunity to assess the performance of each regional health authority in matching the development of locally-based services against the rundown of older hospitals. In addition, I shall be meeting some of the individual regional and district health authorities most affected during the course of the year to review specific aspects of this transfer to locally-based care.

  Breast Cancer Screening
  Mr. Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made on achieving the implementation of the recommendations of the Forrest report on breast cancer screening.

  Mr. Freeman
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Chelmsford (Mr. Burns) on 24 January at columns 533–37.

  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he gives to health authorities on the provision of breast cancer screening services; in what circumstances authorities may charge users for such services; in what circumstances authorities may refuse to screen those attending such clinics with a referral letter from a general practitioner; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  Department of Health guidance to health authorities on the provision of breast cancer screening is contained in two letters, copies of which are in the Library: DA(87)14 of 31 March 1987 with which a draft health circular and the report "Breast Cancer Screening" by the Forrest working group were enclosed; and EL(88)P/48 of 15 April 1988. These require health authorities to provide three-yearly screening under the National Health Service on a routine basis for women aged 50 to 64 and on request for older women.
  603
  A woman with symptoms should be referred by her general practitioner to a clinician specialising in breast disease. In the case of a woman outside the eligible age group who does not have symptoms but who is considered to be at high risk, for example because either her mother or her sister has a history of breast cancer, her general practitioner can consult the screening service. It is for the service in consultation with clinicians specialising in breast disease and the local general practitioners to decide how such cases should be handled.

  Health authorities can charge users for services which they are not required to provide under the National Health Service.

  Self-governing Hospitals
  Mr. Andrew MacKay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the reactions from the public to his proposed plans for self-governing hospitals.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Reaction is still at a very general level, but is encouragingly positive. Some of the early respondents had been unnecessarily alarmed by the Labour party's insinuations that self-governing hospitals would be in the private sector, but I believe that the message is now successfully getting through that they will remain fully part of the National Health Service.

  Mr. Madel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the steps he envisages will have to be taken before a National Health Service hospital can apply to become self-governing; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I would refer my hon. Friend to section 5 of the NHS review working paper (1): "Self-Governing Hospitals", which was published yesterday. That briefly outlines the process for achieving self-governing status.

  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many inquiries he has received so far about his plans for self-governing hospitals, contained within the White Paper.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  It is too early to expect firm proposals from hospitals seeking self-governing status. But we have received a number of inquiries for further information.

  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he intends to propose any minimum size for a hospital wishing to leave the control of the district health authority.

  Mr. McCrindle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has any plans to permit hospitals other than major acute hospitals to become self-governing.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Any hospital which meets the criteria in chapter 3 of the White Paper "Working for Patients" would be eligible for self-governing status, regardless of size or specialism.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the suitability of hospitals in Liverpool for conversion to trust status.

  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospitals on Merseyside will be eligible for self-management under the Government's new National Health Service proposals.
  604
  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  It is too early to make such assessments. Over time, I expect that as many hospitals as are willing and able to do so will become self-governing.

  NHS (Reform)
  Mr. Ron Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has received recent representations from the British Medical Association about reform of the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Liverpool, West Derby (Mr. Wareing) today.

  Cervical Smear Tests
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will review the advice issued by his Department on the regularity of cervical smear tests.

  Mr. Freeman
  We have recommended to health authorities a maximum interval of five years between tests, which we know can reduce deaths among women screened by a substantial proportion. However, we also know that the majority of women who die from cervical cancer have never had a smear test. We therefore believe that it is more important to achieve as a first priority a high response rate from all women in the eligible age group rather than aim to reduce the interval between screening. If a health authority decides it can offer more frequent screening—and we know that some have adopted a three-yearly programme—we would expect it also to be achieving a high response rate and to be able to cope with the much higher number of tests three-yearly screening creates. Of course, if any woman patient presents with gynaecological symptoms or has any reason to believe something is wrong, she can be referred for further investigation outside the screening programme. The recommended recall interval is kept under review.

  Nurses
  Mr. Sims
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has to extend the role of nurses in hospitals.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  We have given advice on delegation to a nurse of tasks not included in basic training in HC(77)22: "The Extending Role of the Clinical Nurse—Legal Implications and Training Requirements". A copy is in the Library.

  With the increasing complexity of treatment and the growth of the specialist expertise of the nurse, various initiatives have been taken to extend the role of nurses in hospitals. In the White Paper "Working for Patients" the Government state that local managers, in consultation with their professional colleagues, will be expected to re-examine all areas of work to identify the most cost-effective use of professional skills.

  Patients (Treatment)
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures his Department intends to take to ensure that patients receive the most suitable treatment and medication for their conditions.

  Mr. Freeman
  The diagnosis and treatment of patients is and will continue to be a matter for the professional judgment of doctors.

  "Working for Patients"
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received following the publication of the White Paper "Working for Patients", and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received about the Government's White Paper on the future of the National Health Service.

  Mr. Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on the recent White Paper, "Working for Patients."

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received regarding the White Paper "Working for Patients."

  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on his White Paper, "Working for Patients"; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many representations he has so far received on the National Health Service White Paper "Working for Patients."

  Mr. Summerson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what reactions he has had to the White Paper "Working for Patients" from the medical profession and the public in general.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I refer my hon. Friends and hon. Members to my reply to my hon. Friends the Members for Dorset, South (Mr. Bruce), for Harrow, East (Mr. Dykes) and for Basingstoke (Mr. Hunter) earlier today.

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give further details of the relationship between the new chief executive officer and the regions and districts as set out in the White Paper.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I have already indicated my intention to delegate to the chief executive the central management of the NHS. He will act within a framework of resources and policies set by Ministers, and will in turn be responsible for applying similar frameworks to regional health authorities and, through them, to districts.

  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has received any representations from Norwich district health authority following the publication of the White Paper, "Working for Patients."

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  No.

  Salford Health Authority
  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he next intends to meet the chairman of Salford health authority; and what matters will be discussed.

  Mr. Freeman
  My right hon. and learned Friend has no current plans to meet the chairman of Salford health authority.

  Private Medical Insurance
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what figures he has available for the number of people over the age of 60 years who currently hold private medical insurance.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The general household survey 1986 (latest available data) suggests that among the population of Great Britain aged 65 and over 4 per cent. were covered by private medical insurance.

  NHS (Review)
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the cost to date of preparing, publishing and presenting the Health Service review.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Regarding the cost of preparation of the NHS review, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Brightside (Mr. Blunkett) on 7 February at column 642.

  The costs of publication of the White Paper "Working for Patients" and its attendant working papers will be borne by HMSO. However, copies of the White Paper and working papers have been purchased for distribution by my Department at a cost of £35,675 and an estimated £65,000 respectively.

  Regarding the cost of presenting the White Paper, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Peckham (Ms. Harman) on 9 February at columns 75–76.

  GPs (Practice Budgets)
  Mr. Franks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on general practitioners' reaction to the proposed plans for general practitioner practice budgets.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I have been encouraged by the positive response of many general medical practitioners to these proposals. We expect that general medical practitioners will increasingly see the scheme as an opportunity to improve the range and quality of service they can offer to their patients and to increase their own job satisfaction.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the number of general practitioner practices he expects to apply, and to be ready, to manage their budgets in April 1991.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  My aim initially is to encourage a substantial number of the larger general medical practitioner practices to apply to manage their own budgets with effect from April 1991. It is too early to estimate what the level of take-up of the scheme will be.

  Hospitals (Trust Status)
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has for consultation with local communities which are served by National Health Service hospitals which decide to establish trusts under his recent proposals.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  It will be for regional health authorities to publicise locally all proposals for hospitals to become National Health Service hospital trusts. They
  607
  will consider the views of everyone who expresses an interest, including the health authorities concerned, staff at the hospital, general practitioners and community health councils. Regional health authorities will be asked to submit responses from the public, together with any comments they may have on them, to me so that I can take them into account in considering applications.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many National Health Service hospital trusts he expects to be established in April 1991.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  It is too early to estimate numbers.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will disclose the names of hospitals in London about which his Department has been in discussion with regard to the formation of National Health Service hospital trusts, as envisaged in his White Paper.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  My Department has discussed the proposals only in general terms. It is too early to discuss which hospitals might become National Health Service trusts until all interested parties have had the opportunity to consider the working paper on self-governing hospitals, published yesterday.

  GPs (Drug Budgets)
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the White Paper proposals for general practitioner drug budgets.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I will be publishing shortly a working paper which discusses arrangements for the introduction of indicative drug budgets.

  Drugs and Medicines (Warnings)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what initiatives he plans to improve the legibility of danger warnings on drugs and medicines.

  Mr. Freeman
  All medicines must be treated with respect. The Medicines (Labelling) Regulations already require clarity, legibility, and ready discernibility to purchaser or user. We are now considering comments on proposals we made last year to promote safer use of medicines by, amongst other things, label warnings which would be better understood by the public.

  Drugs (Expenditure)
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the total amount spent on drugs in the National Health Service for each year for the last 10 years.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested is set out in the table for England, itemised between the cost of drugs in hospitals and in the family practitioner service.

  Hospitals £ Million

  FPS £ Million

  Total £ Million

  1978–79

  128·063

  554·048

  682·111

  1979–80

  155·719

  632·880

  788·599

  1980–81

  185·280

  766·382

  951·662

  1981–82

  213·923

  876·490

  1,090.413

  1982–83

  244·765

  1,008·891

  1,253·656

  1983–84

  266·552

  1,130·119

  1,396·671

  608

  Hospitals £ Million

  FPS £ Million

  Total £ Million

  1984–85

  278·778

  1,191·598

  1,470·376

  1985–86

  296·613

  1,274·620

  1,571·233

  1986–87

  318·246

  1,377·784

  1,696·030

  1987–88

  351·839

  1,539·010

  1,890·849

  AIDS
  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department is spending on AIDS education advertising.

  Mr. Mellor
  Our budget for the current year is £10 million; £8·7 million of this funds the work of the health education;authority, and £1·3 million has been allocated to the national AIDS helpline, which provides a free, confidential telephone advice service. We are also spending £2 million on a nationwide campaign warning of the dangers of injecting drug misuse.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to give statutory force to the British Medical Association's recently issued guidelines to doctors on the disclosure of information to insurance companies about people who have undergone an HIV test.

  Mr. Freeman
  I have no such plans. The Access to Medical Reports Act 1988 already contains safeguards about the disclosure of information by doctors to insurance companies.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to expand community-based AIDS education programmes.

  Mr. Freeman
  Health authorities were asked in the planning guidelines circular (HC(88)43) issued last July, to develop community based prevention initiatives aimed at helping people in selected target groups to change behaviour which puts them at risk of HIV infection. We expect a total of £14 million to he spent on this work by health authorities in 1989–90. In addition, the Health Education Authority's AIDS programme includes work to reach particular target groups and to support local programmes, and a number of voluntary organisations which we support have AIDS education programmes aimed at specific sections of the population.

  Nurses (Regrading)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the present position regarding nurses' regrading.

  Mr. Freeman
  All nurses and midwives have been told their new grades and have received their backpay from 1 April 1988. This has resulted in an average pay increase for 1988 of 17·9 per cent. and provides a greatly improved career structure.

  Rural Health Services
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for safeguarding rural health services.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The plans outlined in "Working for Patients" will not only safeguard, but improve. services in all parts of the country, including rural areas.

  Hospital Building
  Mr. Wood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the amount spent on hospital building for the National Health Service in 1979 and at the latest available year in real terms.

  1978–79 £000(cash)

  1978–79 £000(at 1987–88 prices)

  1987–881£000 (cash)

  Real-terms increase per cent.

  Hospital services

  289,140

  593,304

  749,635

  26·3

  Hospital and community health services (HCHS)

  367,352

  753,792

  1,001,444

  32·9

  1 Provisional figures (as yet subject to audit).

  Notes:

  1. Capital expenditure includes the acquisition of land and buildings, the cost of new building construction and major adaptations to existing buildings together with associated professional fees, equipment and engineering work costs. It also includes general expenditure on the purchase of all vehicles and other major items of equipment.

  2. HCHS includes hospital, community health, ambulance, blood transfusion and other services.

  3. The 1978–79 figures have been expressed at 1987–88 prices by the use of the gross domestic product deflator.

  By-pass Operations
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many coronary by-pass operations were carried out in the four Thames health regions in the last year for which figures are available; and what was the corresponding figure for 1978.

  Mr. Freeman
  The figures for the latest available year are in the table. Thames region residents treated by the London postgraduate special health authorities are not included. Figures for 1978 are not available by region.

  Regions

  1987–88

  North West Thames

  516

  North East Thames

  999

  South East Thames

  1,363

  South West Thames

  480

  Chronically Sick and Disabled People
  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to ensure that chronically sick or disabled people in the community who have high health care costs continue to receive the health care they require after the proposed changes to the National Health Service take effect in 1991.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  No chronically sick or disabled person will be disadvantaged by the White Paper proposals. Each district health authority will be responsible for ensuring the health care needs to everyone living within its boundaries are properly provided for, and will be funded accordingly.

  NHS (Plans)
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about his future plans for the National Health Service.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I refer the hon. Member to my statement to the House on 31 January 1989 at columns 165–70.
  610
  Mr. Freeman
  The annual accounts of health authorities do not specifically identify expenditure on hospital building as such. Following are figures of total capital expenditure derived from the annual summarised accounts of health authorities in England:

  Hip Replacements
  Mr. David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the number of hip replacement operations carried out in 1979 and in the latest available year.

  Mr. Freeman
  The number of total hip replacements and other arthroplasty of hip performed in NHS non-psychiatric hospitals in England in 1979 and 1986 (the latest year for which information is available centrally) are 29,520 and 40,900 respectively.

  Non-emergency Treatment
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consideration has been given and what evidence was received by his Department, concerning the preference of patients in deciding between speed and location of non-emergency treatments at hospitals consequent on the adoption of his recent proposals.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The Government's policy is to provide for a more effective choice for individual patients and their GPs when they decide where non-emergency treatment should be sought. The proposals in the White Paper "Working for Patients" will allow NHS funds to follow patients across administrative boundaries where GPs and their patients choose treatment elsewhere because, for example, a shorter waiting time is on offer.

  Paediatric Consultants (South Tees)
  Mr. Holt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many paediatric consultants are presently employed by the South Tees health authority.

  Mr. Freeman
  Contracts of employment for consultant medical and dental staff, except in the case of teaching health authorities, are held by regional health authorities. We do not have details centrally of the place of employment of consultants whose contracts are held by regions. My hon. Friend may wish to seek the information locally, directly from the health authorities concerned.

  Scientists (Grading)
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he proposes to examine the present
  611
  grading structure for physicists, biochemists, clinical psycholgists and other scientists; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The management side of the scientific and professional staffs council has set up a working party to investigate the scale of reported problems of recruitment and retention of physicists, biochemists, clinical psychologists and other scientists. I understand that the management side has said that if these investigations reveal a problem for NHS management it would wish to consider if an appropriate way of solving it would he by examination of the present grading structure.

  Stillborn Children
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has any proposals to change the regulations for registration of the deaths of stillborn children.

  Mr. Freeman
  My right hon. and learned Friend has made proposals to change the statutory provisions for the registration of stillbirths in ways which would align them more closely with death registration procedures, and these are contained in the Green Paper entitled "Registration: a modern service" Cm. 531 which was published on 1 December 1988. Comments on those proposals, and on others affecting the registration service more widely, have been invited by 31 March.

  Food
  Mr. Ashton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those individuals and bodies he has met in the last fortnight to discuss health and safety of food issues.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  In the last two weeks I have discussed food safety issues with a number of ministerial colleagues, Members of Parliament and other individuals.

  Food Poisoning
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many cases of listeria poisoning have been notified in Derbyshire within the last 12 months;

  (2) how many cases of salmonella poisoning have been notified in Derbyshire in 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987 and at the nearest available date in 1988.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The exact information requested is not available from the notifications of infectious diseases requirements under the Public Health Acts.

  Legionnaire's Disease
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will give details of all epidemiological research undertaken by the public health laboratory service in respect of legionnaire's disease.

  Mr. Freeman
  Public health laboratory service epidemiological research on legionnaire's disease began in 1977, the year the legionnella pneumophila was first described in the USA. Early work by the PHLS included the development of an active national surveillance system, methods of diagnosis and the detection of legionellae in environmental samples. Much of the epidemiological research has been directed at studying sources of infection 612
  and routes of transmission during the investigation of outbreaks of legionnaire's disease detected by the surveillance system. This work has been accompanied by the development and evaluation of control methods.

  I am placing in the Library two lists which give detailed references to published research on this subject carried out by the PHLS.

  List 1 covers papers describing work mainly of an epidemiological nature. List 2 deals with closely related and overlapping work on serological method, typing of the organism for epidemiological purposes, experimental studies of transmission and studies of the ecology and control of legionellae in water systems.

  NHS Operations
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many different types of operation are currently performed and on how many people, under the National Health Service; what were the comparable figures 10, 15 and 30 years ago; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  Information on the number of different types of operation performed is not readily available and could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

  The figures available centrally show an increase in the number of in-patient cases operated on from 1·33 million in 1961 to 2·39 million in 1986. In addition, 0·8 million day cases were operated on in 1986. Corresponding figures for 1987–88 are not available, but the number of in-patient cases treated in the surgical specialties increased from 2·43 million in 1986 to 2·52 million in 1987–88.

  Consumer Research
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the results of the research on consumers' experience of and attitudes to the National Health Service undertaken for his Department by Research Services of Great Britain Ltd.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I have no knowledge of such research.

  Meningitis
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list by area health authority in both the Trent regional health authority and the Yorkshire regional health authority, the number of cases of meningitis for 1988 and to date; and what are the national averages for the same periods.

  Mr. Freeman
  Cases of infectious diseases are notified by the doctor in attendance to the proper officer for each local authority area. Notifications of meningitis are therefore not generally available at the district health authority level. However, the table shows the number of notifications of meningitis for the counties most closely approximating to the Yorkshire and Trent regional health authorities.

  Notifications of meningitis by county 19881 19891 2

  1988

  1989

  England and Wales

  3,001

  302

  YorkshireWest Yorkshire

  171

  10

  613

  Humberside

  78

  5

  North Yorkshire

  41

  5

  Trent

  South Yorkshire

  124

  3

  Derbyshire

  36

  5

  Leicestershire

  58

  4

  Lincolnshire

  26

  3

  Nottinghamshire

  67

  8

  1 Provisional

  2 For the period 31 December 1988 to 20 January 1989.

  "Social Trends"
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has to include in future editions of Social Trends detailed analysis of regional, economic and occupational variations in respect of life expectancy, infant mortality rates and overall mortality rates.

  Mr. Freeman
  Responsibility for the contents of Social Trends lies with the Central Statistical Office. The contents of next year's edition of Social Trends has not yet been decided.

  Tampons
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the most recent figures for cases of toxic shock syndrome in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Freeman
  Toxic shock syndrome is not separately identified in the statisical returns made by health authorities to the Department. However, 41 confirmed and probable cases of toxic shock syndrome were reported to the central public health laboratory in the two years 1985 and 1986 taken together. These figures do not include Northern Ireland.

  Hip Replacements
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hip replacement operations were carried out in the four Thames health regions in the last year for which figures are available; and what was the corresponding figure in 1980.

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

  Estimated number of hip replacement operations and otheranthroplasty of hip (810–811)1 performed on in-patients in NHSnon-psychiatric hospitals

  1986

  1980

  North West Thames

  2,400

  1,770

  North East Thames

  3,300

  2,690

  South East Thames

  3,600

  3,100

  South West Thames

  3,300

  2,370

  1 Classification of surgical operations (CSO)-3rd revision. Because of NHS restructuring in 1982, the regional figures are not strictly comparable.

  Salmonella
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his reply of 16 February to the hon. Member for Southend, East, when his Department first became aware of the health hazards related to the new strain of salmonella; and what steps were taken to advise the general public and categories at particular risk.
  614
  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  First indications of a problem with salmonella enteritidis PT4 and eggs emerged towards the end of 1987, but sufficient epidemiological evidence to justify public health action did not become available until the summer of 1988. At that time evidence suggested that the problem arose from the consumption of raw eggs or from uncooked dishes containing raw eggs—such as mayonnaise. On 29 July 1988 my Department issued a letter to National Health Service caterers on raw eggs. On 26 August 1988 my Department issued a public press notice advising consumers to avoid raw eggs or home-made dishes containing uncooked eggs. This advice was circulated to chief environmental health officers of local authorities on 2 September 1988 and to catering and hotel organisations on 5 September 1988. Chief environmental health officers of the local authorities were asked to give publicity to this advice.

  Subsequently it became apparent from further epidemiological evidence that there was also risk of infection from the consumption of lightly cooked eggs. On 21 November 1988 we issued further public advice. A press release by my Department gave some reassurance that, in the context of the consumption of some 30 million eggs a day in the United Kingdom, the risk to any individual was very small, but that a small number of outbreaks had been associated with the consumption of lightly cooked eggs.

  The Chief Medical Officer published further advice on 5 December 1988. He repeated his earlier advice not to eat raw eggs. As far as lightly cooked eggs were concerned, he said the risk of harm to a healthy individual was small but it was advisable for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, the sick, babies and pregnant women to eat only eggs which had been cooked until the white and the yolk were solid. I answered a private notice question in the House on 5 December at columns 19–24 which also set out that advice to the public.

  The Government also took steps through a series of newspaper advertisements from 16 to 18 December 1988 to reiterate the advice of the Chief Medical Officer and to ensure that the facts on eggs were known to everyone.

  Emergency Services
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the performance of hospital accident and emergency services at recent rail and air disasters.

  Mr. Freeman
  I am delighted to have this opportunity to put on record my appreciation of all that was done by both the hospital accident and emergency services and the ambulance services during the recent rail and air disasters. They coped magnificently and performed to the highest standard. Many more lives might have been lost were it not for the way in which they responded to those emergencies.

  Hospitals (Capital Assets)
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the value of the capital assets of each of the major acute hospitals with more than 250 beds.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  [holding answer 9 February 1989]: This information is not at present available. Establishing the current value of NHS assets will be one of the first steps in introducing the capital charging arrangements outlined in the White Paper "Working for Patients".

  Breast Milk
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has knowledge of any research or evidence on passage of listeria from the bloodstream into breast milk.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  [holding answer 20 February 1989]: As with many other organisms or substances carried in the bloodstream, listeria has been shown to pass from the bloodstream into breast milk. My Department is not aware of any current research.

  Cook-Chill Food
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals are being considered by the Leeds western health authority to introduce cook-chill catering into hospitals in that area; and what consultations have taken place concerning this proposal.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  At its meeting on 24 March 1988 the Yorkshire regional health authority resolved to adopt in principle the findings of the report received from its regional catering strategy steering group "Regional Catering Strategy for the 1990s". Paragraph 31(a) of that report recommended a regional catering strategy for catering based on the use of cook-chill technology.

  Percentage of population who smoke cig-arettes (16+ years)

  Cigarettes smoked per day (16+ years)

  Tobacco expenditureas a percentage of household expenditure

  Males

  Females

  Males

  Females

  1972

  52

  41

  17·1

  12·4

  4·5

  1974

  51

  41

  17·9

  13·4

  4·3

  1976

  46

  38

  18·4

  14·4

  4·2

  1978

  45

  37

  18·1

  14·4

  3·9

  1980

  42

  37

  17·7

  14·6

  3·5

  1982

  38

  33

  17·3

  14·0

  3·6

  1984

  36

  32

  16·4

  13·7

  3·4

  1986

  35

  31

  16·4

  13·9

  3·2

  Note:

  The figures on smoking exclude cigar and pipe smoking. In 1986 9 per cent. of men smoked a pipe or cigars.

  Source: General Household Survey.

  Farmed Food
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the questions asked by the hon. Member for Caerphilly on 18 January concerning the possible contamination of farmed food.
  616
  Leeds western health authority, along with other district health authorities in the region, will be considering the implications of this policy at local level. The hon. Member may therefore wish to contact the chairman of Leeds western health authority to establish what proposals, if any, he has under consideration.

  Hospital Waiting Lists (Gloucester)
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current waiting list for operations in the Gloucester health authority area.

  Mr. Mellor
  At 31 March 1988 there were 4,005 patients on the in-patient waiting list for surgical specialities in Gloucester district health authority.

  Smokers
  Mr. Jessel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will provide figures to show changes in the proportion of smokers and non-smokers and the average daily number of cigarette expenditure per person and per household as a proportion of income in the last 30 years.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 20 February 1989]: The information available centrally is given in the table.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I replied to the hon. Member yesterday.

  UNEMPLOYED SCHOOL-LEAVERS: TRAINING AND BENEFITS
  UNEMPLOYED SCHOOL-LEAVERS: TRAINING AND BENEFITS
  PENSIONERS AND MEANS-TESTED BENEFITS
  PENSIONERS AND MEANS-TESTED BENEFITS
  LIBYA AND ISRAEL: CHEMICAL AND NUCLEAR WEAPON PRODUCTION CAPABILITY
  LIBYA AND ISRAEL: CHEMICAL AND NUCLEAR WEAPON PRODUCTION CAPABILITY
  CRIMINAL INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION: RELEASE
  CRIMINAL INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION: RELEASE
  BATHING WATER QUALITY SURVEY 1988
  BATHING WATER QUALITY SURVEY 1988