Written Answers of 30 January 1989

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Security and Co-operation in Europe
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will invite Soviet Jews and refuseniks to attend the information forum to be held in London in April following the conclusion of the conference on security and co-operation in Europe meeting in Vienna.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  In accordance with the Vienna concluding document, access to the open sessions of the London information forum will be assured, upon request, to any private individuals whether national or foreign, as well as to representatives of the media, non-governmental organisations and religious groups.

  Vietnamese Refugees
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received in the last year in regard to the problem of Vietnamese refugees in Hong Kong.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We have received representations on all aspects of this problem, from Members of both Houses of Parliament, the voluntary agencies, members of the public, from a number of individuals in Hong Kong and from representatives of the Vietnamese community in the United Kingdom.

  Namibia
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Namibia.

  Mrs. Chalker
  We look forward to implementation of the United Nations plan for the independence of Namibia, which is due to start on 1 April. This will enable Namibians to take part in free and fair elections to decide their own future.

  West Germany
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if there are any plans for an Anglo-West German summit meeting.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Plans are under consideration, and an announcement will be made soon.

  Nigeria
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what special programme will be arranged for the state visit of the President of Nigeria; and how he will seek to promote a fruitful exchange of ideas and of trade.
  2
  Mrs. Chalker
  The details of the programme for the state visit of the President of Nigeria are still under discussion. The visit should provide ample opportunity to strengthen the full range of our bilateral relations.

PRIME MINISTER

  Government Departments (Insurance)
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Prime Minister which Departments do not insure(a) their vehicles, (b) their buildings and (c) their employees with an insurance company but instead carry their own risk.

  The Prime Minister
  Normally, Government Departments do not insure unless it would be more economical for them to do so than to carry the risk themselves. Departments are responsible for reviewing their own arrangements, and there is no central record of all the cases where commercial insurance has been taken out. A number of Departments, including the Ministry of Defence and the Crown Suppliers, insure against third party motor risks; and the Ministry of Defence insures against employer's liability risks. As a general rule, Departments do not insure their buildings.

  War Pensions
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Prime Minister if, pursuant to her reply of 26 January to the hon. Member for Gainsborough and Horncastle (Mr. Leigh) concerning war heroes,Official Report, column 1178, she will end the means testing of war pensions.

  The Prime Minister
  War disablement pensions and war widows' pensions are not means-tested, except in the case of an officer's widow who is widowed following remarriage. War pensions paid to dependants other than widows of which there are about 3,000 currently in payment may be means tested, and there are no plans to change this. The provision of such pensions predates the introduction of the present social security scheme, which has generally made the need for them obsolete.

  "Death on the Rock"
  Mr. Buchan
  To ask the Prime Minister what briefing her press officer gave to journalists(a) prior and (b) subsequent to the screening of the television programme "Death on the Rock", and if she will name the journalists and newspapers concerned.

  The Prime Minister
  The practice is not to comment on lobby briefings.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Scottish Affairs Committee
  Mr. Ernie Ross
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he plans to have any further discussions on the setting up of the Scottish Affairs Select Committee.

  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he intends to have any further discussions on the establishment of a Select Committee on Scottish Affairs.

  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what further steps he has taken to establish a Select Committee on Scottish Affairs.
  3
  Mr. McAvoy
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what further efforts he is making to bring about the formation of a Select Committee on Scottish Affairs in the current Session.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I refer the hon. Members to what I said on 19 January at business questions in reply to the hon. Member for Holborn and St. Pancras (Mr. Dobson), at column 484. I am not very hopeful about this matter—at least not in the immediate future—but I am having a meeting shortly with some of the hon. Member's hon. Friends in order to discuss the position and to see if there is any scope for progress.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Civic Amenities Act 1967
  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the total number of successful prosecutions for offences committed under the Civic Amenities Act 1967 for each year of its operation in England and Wales.

  Mr. John Patten
  It is not possible from the information held centrally to identify prosecutions under this Act.

  Neighbourhood Watch
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many neighbourhood watch schemes are now known to his Department; and how many of these have been established in the last year.

  Mr. John Patten
  There are now some 64,000 neighbourhood watch schemes in England and Wales, with approximately 20,000 having been established in the last year. The scale of this increase is very encouraging and reflects the public's growing commitment to the cause of crime prevention.

  Crime (Greater London)
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress his Department is making against crime in Greater London.

  Mr. John Patten
  Data for notifiable offences recorded by the police for the 12 months to September 1988 show a fall of 1 per cent. in London (MPD/City). In the two largest categories, theft/handling and burglary, the fall was 4 per cent. and 3 per cent. respectively.

  Greater Manchester Police Authority
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the aplication by Greater Manchester police authority for an increase in establishment.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  My right hon. Friend has announced today that he has approved an increase of 45 police posts in the establishment of the Greater Manchester police.

  Police Federation
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last met officials of the Police Federation; and what subjects were discussed.
  4
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  My right hon. Friend last met officials of the Police Federation at a social function on 10 January, when conversation ranged over a number of police matters.

  Cambridgeshire Police Department
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has concerning the employment of additional civilian staff by the Cambridgeshire police department to deal with the administration resulting from the implementation of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  None. As I indicated in reply to a question by the hon. Member on 23 January at column 391, this is a matter for individual chief officers of police in the exercise of their responsibility for the administration of the Firearms Acts.

  Guardian Angels
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis on the activities in London of the group known as the Guardian Angels.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth, East (Mr. Atkinson) on 27 January.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to ascertain how many United States citizens, belonging to the group known as Guardian Angels, have been permitted to visit the United Kingdom in the last year to date.

  Mr. Renton
  As far as we are aware, three Americans representing the group 'the Guardian Angels' arrived at Heathrow on Sunday, 16 October 1988 and four at Gatwick on 24 January 1989. Others may, of course, have entered the United Kingdom as United States citizens coming here for visits.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will use his powers to deport those United States citizens belonging to the group known as Guardian Angels on the grounds that their presence in the United Kingdom is not conducive to the public good.

  Mr. Renton
  No. I am not aware of any justification for the use of the powers.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether any of those United States citizens belonging to the group known as Guardian Angels and recently admitted to the United Kingdom have been convicted of criminal offences(a) in the United Kingdom or (b) elsewhere; what evidence was presented to show that they were not likely to have recourse to public funds in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement;
  (2) by whom the United States citizens belonging to the group known as the Guardian Angels and recently admitted to the United Kingdom are to be employed; and whether they have been issued with valid work permits.

  Mr. Renton
  The persons in question were admitted as visitors with a prohibition of employment. Work permits were not required for the purpose of the visits as stated. I
  5
  am not aware of any reason for excluding these passengers under the immigration rules on the ground that they might become a charge on public funds, or on grounds of criminal record.

  "Death on the Rock"
  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library a copy of Lord Windlesham's inquiry report into Thames Television's programme "Death on the Rock."

  Mr. Renton
  The inquiry into the making of the programme was commissioned by Thames Television and not the Government. We are not in a position, therefore, to place a copy of the report in the Library of the House.

  Metropolitan Police (Identikit Pictures)
  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis about the use of a photograph of Mr. Nigel Benn, the Commonwealth middleweight boxing champion, by the Metropolitan police in connection with trying to identify someone who had committed a criminal act;

  (2) whether he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis as to whether there was any racist motive involved in the release of an identikit picture of Mr. Nigel Benn;

  (3) whether he will set up an immediate inquiry into the release of an identikit photo of Mr. Nigel Benn; and whether he will make the findings of the inquiry public.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Metropolitan police have accepted that the publication of the photograph was a serious mistake, and have apologised to Mr. Benn. Steps are being taken to ensure that this regrettable incident does not recur. The Metropolitan Police Commissioner has already initiated an urgent inquiry into the circumstances of the case, and he has been asked to let my right hon. Friend know the outcome.

  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions photographs of white or black persons have been used previously by the Metropolitan police to make up identikit pictures; on what dates this occurred; and what was the racial breakdown of the persons involved.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I understand that it is not normal police practice to use photographs of particular individuals to make up identikit pictures. Standard identikit packs, comprising photographs of specific facial features, are used.

  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost of printing and distributing identikit pictures of Mr. Nigel Benn.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I understand from the Metropolitan police that it was £28·53.

  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has assessed the consequences for race relations of the sending out of thousands of identikit pictures of Mr. Nigel Benn by the Metropolitan police.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I am confident that this regrettable error will not be seen as undermining the Metropolitan police's firm commitment to good race relations.

  Police Establishments
  Mr. Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is able to announce his decisions on increases in police establishments for 1989–90.

  Mr. Hurd
  I announced to the House on 14 November at columns 397–98 that I was able to approve 800 additional police posts for provincial forces in 1989–90 and that provision had been made for 300 additional police officers and 250 civilian staff for the Metropolitan police, subject to my being satisfied that earlier increases had been used effectively. That would make a total of 1,100 extra police officers for England and Wales. In addition, I can approve up to 130 posts where satisfied that the full cost would be reimbursed by a third party.

  Applications from police authorities outside London have exceeded the number available for allocation and I have therefore had to set priorities. With advice from Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary, I have approved increases in police establishments with effect from 1 April 1989 as shown in the following table. The table also shows posts which I would be prepared to approve for stage II probationer training for constables, due for introduction in mid-1989, provided the police authorities apply formally for these posts and guarantee their readiness to meet their share of the costs.

  Force

  Posts approved

  Training posts yet to be formally approved

  Avon and Somerset

  20

  —

  Bedfordshire

  16

  —

  Cambridgeshire

  15

  3

  Cheshire

  8

  —

  Cleveland

  9

  6

  Cumbria

  9

  3

  Devon and Cornwall

  15

  4

  Dorset

  22

  —

  Durham

  14

  4

  Essex

  15

  8

  Greater Manchester

  45

  —

  Gwent

  5

  7

  Hampshire

  20

  —

  Hertfordshire

  20

  —

  Humberside

  20

  —

  Kent

  27

  —

  Lancashire

  8

  7

  Leicestershire

  18

  9

  Merseyside

  22

  —

  Norfolk

  24

  —

  Northamptonshire

  12

  3

  Northumbria

  30

  —

  North Wales

  —

  4

  North Yorkshire

  10

  5

  Nottinghamshire

  16

  8

  South Wales

  18

  10

  South Yorkshire

  16

  11

  Staffordshire

  16

  6

  Surrey

  6

  4

  Sussex1

  17

  —

  Thames Valley

  44

  —

  Warwickshire

  7

  4

  West Mercia

  28

  —

  West Midlands

  62

  —

  West Yorkshire

  20

  12

  Wiltshire

  7

  4

  1 Includes approval for three posts at Gatwick airport, where the costs are reimbursed and which were previously held supernumerary to establishment.

  Seventy per cent. of the posts approved will be deployed on operational duties identified by chief constables, mainly

  7
  at constable level. I have also retained 20 posts for allocation to regional crime squads specifically for their work in connecton with drugs. I await consideration of the results of a review of the manpower needs of the drugs wings of the regional crime squads before I decide on their specific allocation.

  In a number of cases, my approval of extra police posts for forces is conditional either on the police authority's confirmation that their share of funding is available or that the posts specifically identified for training will be so deployed by the chief constable. In some cases I require confirmation on both points.

  I hope to be able to confirm the Metropolitan police posts before Easter.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Aid
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what amounts are included within the estimated outturn public expenditure figure for the Overseas Development Administration in 1987–88 in Cm. 288-II for(a) aid by way of grants and (b) aid by way of loans.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  In terms of the standard economic categories used for the analysis of public expenditure, the estimated outturn of £1,277 million in 1987–88 comprised £1,070 million of grants; £165 million of net lending and investment abroad and to the Commonwealth Development Corporation (including drawings from United Kingdom contributions to international lending organisations); and £42 million of other expenditure (mainly Overseas Development Administration running costs and associated capital items).

  Nearly all our bilateral aid is provided as grants; gross expenditure from existing bilateral aid loans in 1987–88 was only £14 million.

  Nicaragua
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much official aid has been given to Nicaragua via non-governmental organisations in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  Precise details are not available on a year-by-year basis before 1986–87. Amounts provided to non-governmental organisations through the joint funding scheme are as follows:

  Financial Years

  £'000

  1980–81–1985–86

  137

  1986–87

  24

  1987–88

  47

  We have also provided some emergency aid to Nicaragua through non-governmental organisations. Total amounts provided for this purpose are:

  Year

  £'000

  1985

  100

  1986

  83

  1987

  Nil

  1988

  180

  8
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish a table in the Official Report showing in ranked order the per capita contributions made by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development member countries to Nicaragua for the latest year for which figures are available including the total aid given by each Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development country for that year.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  I refer the hon. Lady to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Monklands, West (Mr. Clarke) on 19 May 1988 at column 516. Figures for later years are not yet available.

  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much bilateral development aid and how much emergency aid has been given to Nicaragua in each of the past five years.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The information is as follows:

  £'000s

  Bilateral Aid

  of which Emergency Aid

  1983

  64

  34

  1984

  9

  Nil

  1985

  116

  100

  1986

  86

  83

  1987

  Nil

  Nil

  Official figures are not yet available for 1988, but Her Majesty's Government committed £260,000 in emergency aid to Nicaragua following hurricane Joan.

  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much development aid and how much emergency aid has been given to Nicaragua by the European Community in each of the last five years; and what the United Kingdom contribution to the aid has been.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  Net official development assistance to Nicaragua, as reported by the European Community to the development assistance committee of the OECD in the last five years for which figures are available, is as follows:

  £ million

  1983

  4·52

  1984

  10·99

  1985

  9·76

  1986

  6·19

  1987

  8·72

  Expenditure on emergency aid is included in the preceding figures and is not available separately. However, the European Community has indicated that commitments made were as follows:

  £ million

  1983

  Nil

  1984

  0·089

  1985

  Nil

  1986

  0·268

  1987

  Nil

  1988

  0·78

  In each case, the United Kingdom contribution was around 20 per cent.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Taxation Reform
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost to the Exchequer in(a) 1989-90 and (b) a full year if (i) the starting point for national insurance were raised from £43 a week to £55 a week, (ii) the starting point for the 7 per cent. rate of national insurance were raised from £75 a week to £85 a week, (iii) income tax thresholds were raised by 10 per cent., (iv) the standard rate of income tax were reduced to 24 per cent., (v) each individual's capital gains tax free allowance were doubled, (vi) the threshold for inheritance tax were raised to £300,000, (vii) stamp duty on securities were halved but extended to gilt-edged securities, and (viii) any adult were allowed to save £1,000 free of tax each year.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  Estimates are as follows:

  Direct revenue effect, at 1989–90 levels of income

  £ million

  1989–90

  Full year

  (i) Lower earnings limit for National Insurance Class 1 contributions raised from £43 per week to £55 per week1

  +80

  +90

  (ii) Starting point for 7 per cent, rate of National Insurance Class 1 contributions raised from £75 per week to £85 per week

  -70

  -80

  (iii) Income tax thresholds23 raised by 10 per cent.

  -1,970

  -2,540

  (iv) Basic rate of income3 tax reduced to 24 per cent

  -1,400

  -1,530

  (v) Capital Gains Tax exempt amount doubled for single people and married couples

  0

  -150

  (vi) Inheritance tax threshold raised to £300,000

  -350

  -800

  (vii) Stamp duty on securities halved but extended to gilt edged securities

  4 + 200

  4 + 200

  (viii) Every adult allowed to save £1,000 free of tax each year

  5___

  5___

  1 Produces revenue yield because savings on contracted out rebates (which are paid on earnings between the lower earnings limit and the upper earnings limit) are greater than the cost of contributions forgone from those earning between £43 per week and £55 per week.

  2 Main personal allowances and the basic rate limit.

  3 Estimates are partly based on a projection of the 1986–87 Survey of Personal Incomes. They are provisional and include the consequential effect on capital gains tax.

  4 Highly uncertain.

  5 Cost would depend on take-up.

  Tax Avoidance and Evasion
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money has been lost to the Exchequer each year since 1979 because of tax avoidance and evasion; and how many prosecutions have resulted(a) nationally and (b) in the tax area covering Nottingham.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  It is not possible to say how much revenue is lost through tax avoidance and evasion.

  The numbers of criminal prosecutions nationally for tax fraud in each year since 1979 are as follows.
  10

  Year

  Number of prosecutions

  1979–80

  150

  1980–81

  188

  1981–82

  175

  1982–83

  142

  1983–84

  159

  1984–85

  238

  1985–86

  320

  1986–87

  325

  1987–88

  213

  The Inland Revenue does not keep records of tax prosecutions by locality and separate figures are not available for the Nottingham tax area.

  Departmental Staff (Child Care)
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what child care provision his Department provides for pre-school children of employees; what child care provision, for school holiday or after-school care, is provided for employees' children aged five and over; what plans there are for increasing provision in the next five years; and how these are to be funded.

  Mr. Brooke
  My Department is taking part in a holiday play scheme for a number of Whitehall departments organised by the Westminster play association for children between 5 and 12. The scheme will run in the Treasury building in Parliament street.

  Apart from small departmental contributions to start-up costs, the scheme currently in operation is self financing. Consideration is also being given to a similar scheme being operated at the Chessington computer centre.

  Tobacco Tax
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue was raised from taxes on tobacco and tobacco products in 1987–88.

  Mr. Lilley
  It is estimated that £5,766 million revenue was raised from taxes (excise duty and VAT) on tobacco products. Of this, £1,000 million is estimated to have come from VAT (based on consumers' expenditure on tobacco) and the rest from excise duty.

  Bingo Duty
  Mr. Greg Knight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what figures the threshold for small-scale bingo duty would need to be increased to take full account of the rate of inflation since the tax was introduced.

  Mr. Lilley
  The small-scale bingo exemption limits would need to be increased to around £420 (daily) arid £1,400 (weekly) to take full account of inflation since the exemptions were introduced.

  Duties and Taxes (Yield)
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate for the tax yield for 1988–89 of(a) vehicle excise duty, (b) fuel duty, (c) new car tax, (d) value-added tax on new vehicles and (e) value-added tax on petrol and dery sales.

  Mr. Lilley
  Following is the available information:
  11

  £billion

  Tax Yield 1989–89

  (a) Vehicle excise duty

  2·8

  (b) Hydrocarbon oil duty

  8·6

  (c) Car tax

  1·3

  Estimates of the VAT yield from (d) value added tax on new vehicles, and (e) value added tax on petrol and dery sales are not available.

  Written Questions
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his practice when answering certain questions by reference to previous written answers to attach the answer so referred to.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  Reference to written answers that have not been published in the Official Report will continue to be copied to hon. and right hon. Members.

  Calendars (Germany)
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when and why duty was imposed on calendars sent from Germany as gifts to persons living in Britain; and at what rate duty is charged.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 24 January 1989]: All goods imported into this country, including gifts, may be subject to duty or value added tax. This is because similar goods bought in the United Kingdom bear these charges, and different treatment for imported goods would be unfair on businesses making or selling competing products. Under EC law, which we are obliged to implement, calendars that originate in the EC or have acquired free-circulation status are not liable to import duty but are liable to value added tax at the standard rate of 15 per cent. Gifts between private persons may qualify for relief from import charges by post, but business presents sent to private persons are chargeable unless the import value is £7 or less.

  Income Tax
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current estimate of tax revenue expected to be raised by the higher rate of income tax in 1988–89; and what were the comparable amounts raised by the higher rates in respect of the years 1987–88, 1982–83, 1978–79, 1974–75 and 1970–71.

  Mr Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 23 January 1989]: Information is given in the table.

  Tax liability at the higher rate income tax

  Year

  Tax liability at higher rate £ billion

  Tax liability at excess over basic rate £ billion

  1970–71

  —

  10·3

  1974–75

  1·5

  0·6

  1978–79

  1·8

  0·8

  1982–83

  3·4

  1·4

  1987–882

  8·2

  3·9

  1988–892

  38·8

  33–2

  1Between 1928–29 and 1972–73 Surtax, a deferred instalment of income tax charged at rates additional to the standard rate, was payable.

  12

  2Estimates are based partly on a projection of the 1986–87 Survey of Personal Incomes and are provisional.

  3Includes estimated liability to Capital Gains Tax.

  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the cost of reducing the higher rate of income tax from 40 per cent to(a) 35 per cent., (b) 30 per cent. and (c) 25 per cent. in 1989–90 and 1990–91.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 23 January 1989]: Available information is given in the table. Estimates include the consequential effect on capital gains tax. They are partly based on a projection of the 1986–87 survey of personal incomes and are provisional. The base for the comparison is the tax regime for 1988–89 indexed to 1989–90 by 6·8 per cent., the increase in the retail prices index for the year to December 1988. Receipts of tax in 1989–90 would be reduced by about half of the full year cost. Further information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Full year cost at 1989–90 levels of income and gains of reducing higher rate of tax.

  Higher rate of tax reduced to

  £ million

  (a) 35 per cent.

  1,200

  (b) 30 per cent.

  2,400

  (c) 25 per cent.

  3,600

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  University Funding
  Mr. Warren
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what response he has given to the proposals from university vice-chancellors to decentralise funding of universities and retain the links between university research and teaching.

  Mr. Jackson
  There is currently a wide-ranging debate on the funding of higher education, to which various vice-chancellors have contributed. The Government are watching with interest to see how this debate develops and matures.

  Rating Reform
  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if the liability to pay 20 per cent. of the applicable community charge will be taken into account in assessing the level of student grant from 1989–90 onwards.

  Mr. Jackson
  The rates of student grant for 1989–90 were announced on 16 December at column 755. Students' discounted liability for the community charge was one of the factors considered in reaching decisions about those rates.

  Examinations (Northamptonshire)
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will list in the Official Report the proportion of pupils in each Northamptonshire school who, in 1988, achieved GCSE grades A, B or C, listing the schools in descending order of proportion from the highest to the lowest;
  13
  (2) if he will list if the Official Report the number of A level examinations sat in 1988 by pupils at Northamptonshire schools and the percentage passed, listing schools in descending order of percentage pass rate.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  I regret that this information is not available.

  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of pupils at Northamptonshire schools obtained in 1988 GCSE grades(a) A, (b) B and (c) C.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The information is not yet available centrally.

  School Rolls
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many maintained(a) primary and (b) secondary schools, other than special schools, have 200 or more pupils on their rolls.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  In January 1988, there were 9,279 maintained primary schools and 4,010 maintained secondary schools, excluding special schools, in England with 200 or more pupils on roll. The number of pupils in primary schools includes those attending part-time.

  Schools (Funding)
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much additional funding his Department is providing to local education authorities in 1989–90 and subsequent years for introducing local management of schools in respect of(a) training of heads, governors and officers, (b) developing computerised information systems and (c) additional support staff for schools.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  Targeted support for expenditure by local education authorities on activities relating to the introduction of local management of schools is channelled through education support grants and LEA training grants. The 1989–90 education support grants programme includes support for £4·9 million of expenditure on the training of school governors, including training on local management. It also includes support for £25 million of expenditure specifically to help LEAs with the introduction of local management of schools through the purchase of computerised management information systems, the appointment of central teams and the training of non-teaching staff. The precise division of expenditure between these heads is for LEAs themselves to decide. It is my intention that support should be maintained at least at this level for a further two years. Training for heads and senior teachers to implement LEA schemes of local management of schools is a specified element of a £10 million national priority area under the LEA training grants scheme. It is for LEAs to determine what additional support to devote to the implementation of the education reforms from block grant or from their own resources.

  Science (Policy Statement)
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Blackburn on 12 December 1988,Official Report, column 390, he is now ready to publish a policy statement on science in the light of discussions on the document "A Strategy for the Science Base" by the Advisory Board for the Research Councils.
  14
  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  I have nothing to add at present to my answer of 12 December 1988. at column 390

  Teacher Recruitment
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to encourage people to come into teaching from careers in industry and business; what initial support he has received for his proposals from the industrial and business sectors; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Butcher
  My Department's action campaign on teacher recruitment has boosting the number of mature entrants from industry and business as one of its main aims. The teaching as a career unit—TASC—targets older people from other careers with special publications, and in its national and local advertising. In conjunction with ICI, we are running a well-subscribed programme of taster courses for older people who are considering a career in teaching. We have funded special teacher training courses designed with those making a career change in mind. We also encourage and support partnerships between education and industry on teacher supply, notably with BP and British Telecom. In addition we have sponsored seven regional conferences to stimulate co-operation between education and industry over alleviating teacher shortage.

  Single European Market
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science to what extent the further education sector is preparing for the impact of 1992 and the single European market; what resources are being allocated to it; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  Employers need an adaptable skilled work force to increase their competitiveness in international markets. The Government have introduced a number of reforms which aim to increase the responsiveness of the further education service to labour market needs. As the message about the single European market is increasingly heard by employers, they will be seeking appropriate provision from the further education sector.

  A growing range of initiatives, at both national arid local level, are being taken in further and higher education to prepare for 1992. For example, a network of language export centres has been set up to support specific business needs by providing language training, briefings on culture and trade, and export consultancy. And several agencies are promoting exchange visits between students here and in other member states. Such exchanges allow students to pursue their subject interests while practising their foreign language skills and learning about another cultural context. It is not possible for me to quantify the resources allocated to the many relevant activities.

  History Syllabuses
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent representations he has received about the content of history syllabuses in use in secondary schools.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Various representations have been received over recent months mainly on issues such as bias and empathy. These will be further considered where
  15
  appropriate by the national curriculum history working group whose establishment my right hon. Friend announced on 13 January.

  Incentive Allowances
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the specific requirements for teachers to receive incentive allowances; and how many teachers applying for such allowances have had their applications rejected.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  School teachers do not apply for incentive allowances. Under the school teachers' pay and conditions document 1988, a local education authority has the discretion to pay an incentive allowance if it is satisfied that a teacher fulfils at least one of the following criteria:

  (a) he undertakes responsibilities beyond those common to the majority of teachers; or

  (b) he has demonstrated outstanding ability as a classroom teacher; or

  (c) he is employed to teach subjects in which there is a shortage of teachers; or

  (d) he is employed in a part which is difficult to fill.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many teachers receive one of the five incentive allowances in England and Wales.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  On the basis of a recent sample survey of LEAs undertaken by the local authority conditions of service advisory board, we estimate that about 140,000 school teachers in ordinary schools are currently in receipt of an incentive allowance.

  GCSE
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will call for a report from the GCSE boards on their methods of marking GCSE papers in order to establish which boards use criterion referencing as the basis for marking papers.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The GCSE incorporates criterion-referencing to a greater degree than the former o-level and CSE systems. The School Examinations and Assessment Council, which is responsible for advising my right hon. Friend on such matters, is charged with ensuring that GCSE syllabuses approved under section 5 of the Education Reform Act 1988 conform to the objectives of GCSE, and that GCSE assessment arrangements are designed to provide consistent measurement of the standards achieved. We look to the SEAC to take forward work to improve the basis for awarding GCSE grades. My right hon. Friend has also asked for the SEAC's advice in due course on the incorporation of the GCSE within national curriculum assessment arrangements, which require criterion-referenced assessment.

  Teachers' Working Hours
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what systematic information his Department gathers about the average working hours of teachers in(a) primary and (b) secondary schools.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Information on the average working hours of secondary school teachers (including work outside the classroom) was collected for the first time in the 1988 secondary school staffing survey. Results from this are expected to be available in the spring. Comparable data for primary school teachers are not available.

  Medical Schools
  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science which medical schools are currently providing lectures alerting medical students to the dangers of benzodiazepines.

  Mr. Jackson
  As for other subjects, details of the medical curriculum are for individual institutions to determine. However, the framework for those curricula are set by the General Medical Council's recommendations on basic medical education, which draw particular attention to the need for teaching about adverse drug reactions.

  School Libraries
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on school library provision.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  [pursuant to the reply, 23 January 1989, columns 382–83]: My hon. Friend's oral question when tabled referred to student library provision and was correctly answered on this basis. I regret that the Department failed to note when the question was unstarred that the word "school" had been substituted for "student". On this basis the answer is as follows:

  The level of funding and organisation of school library provision are matters for local decision by LEAs and schools. In recognition of the importance of libraries in supporting the school curriculum, the Department's expenditure plans for 1988–89 allow for LEAs to spend an additional sum of £10 million on improvements in secondary school libraries.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  European Single Market
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will publish in ranked order the latest available figures for the level of public awareness of the establishment of the single European market in 1992 among EEC member states.

  Mr. Maude
  Our single market campaign is targeted at business in the United Kingdom. The DTI does not therefore undertake regular monitoring of general public awareness of the single market. Limited research on the Department's behalf last August indicated that the general public's awareness of the single market at that time was over 60 per cent.

  Marshall Aid Fund
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will raise with the EEC Commission the operation of the fund operated by the West German authorities known as the Marshall aid fund with a view to ascertaining whether the terms offered by the fund are consistent with the EEC rules on industrial aids; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The operation by the West German authorities of a Marshall aid fund, known as the European recovery programme, was noted as an existing aid by the European Commission at the time of the creation of the
  17
  European Community. I understand that the Commission has since policed the programme as an existing state aid which is subject to the state aid provisions of the EEC treaty.

  Toyota
  Sir Hal Miller
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the possibility of an investment in manufacture in the United Kingdom by the Toyota motor corporation.

  Mr. Newton
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 26 January to my hon. Friend the Member for Corby (Mr. Powell), at column 667.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he is considering the introduction of a Privatisation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Newton
  No decision has been taken to bring forward such a measure.

  Assisted Management
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many of his Department's assisted management were in place by 31 December 1988 on a regional basis.

  Mr. Newton
  [holding answer 27 January 1989]: By the end of December 1988, 11,487 applications for assistance under the consultancy initiatives had been referred to independent scheme contractors for the appointment of consultants, as follows:

  Numbers

  North East

  602

  North West

  1,946

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  1,128

  West Midlands

  1,174

  East Midlands

  747

  South West

  922

  South East Cambridge area

  751

  London area

  1,279

  Reading area

  688

  Reigate area

  656

  Wales

  647

  Scotland

  947

CIVIL SERVICE

  Scientific Collaboration
  Mr. Warren
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service what arrangements exist, or are planned, to give training to United Kingdom civil servants in the methodology of European scientific collaboration.

  Mr. Luce
  Arrangements for any necessary training are the responsibility of the departments involved in European scientific collaboration. No training is provided centrally.

  Secondments
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service whether there has been secondment by members of the Civil Service to the equivalent services in the member states of the European Community, and vice versa.

  Mr. Luce
  For a number of years, a small number of exchanges between the United Kingdom Civil Service and the Civil Services of France, the Federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of Ireland have taken place. Some of these have been under formal bilateral agreements between Her Majesty's Government and the governments of those other countries. A number of other exchanges have taken place outside the scope of the formal agreements.

  Squash Racquets Club
  Mr. Waller
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service if he will ensure that adequate provision continues to be made for the Civil Service squash racquets club when Thames house north is transferred to the Ministry of Defence.

  Mr. Luce
  Departmental occupancy of Thames house north is not yet fully settled, but the building is to be refurbished and the squash courts will cease to be available. No others are currently available on Departmental premises in central London, but possible alternative arrangements are being studied: I place importance on the availability of satisfactory sporting and recreational facilities for civil servants.

  Pensioners' Alliance
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Don Valley,Official Report, 13 January, columns 773-774 when the Civil Service Pensioners' Alliance can expect to receive the new payable order for £35,000; and if he will take steps to ensure that its repayment is treated as a matter of urgency.

  Mr. Luce
  My officials will authorise payment £35,000 awarded to the Civil Service Pensioners' Alliance from the RPI error funds immediately Parliament approves a Supplementary Estimate that has been submitted for the funds.

THE ARTS

  Museums (Admission Charges)
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Minister for the Arts if he will publish in the Official Report a list of all national museums, showing for each the adult admission charges in (a) 1978 and (b) the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Luce
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Clydebank and Milngavie (Mr. Worthington) on 26 May 1988 at column 260. Since that date, the science museum introduced in October 1988 an adult admission charge of £2 (with concessionary charge of LI) at the museum in South Kensington.

  In 1978, admission charges were made by the following museums:

  19

  Imperial War Museum:

  HMS Belfast

  Duxford Airfield

  Victoria and Albert Museum:

  Apsley House

  Ham House

  Osterley Park Museum

  Music
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Minister for the Arts if he will make a statement on what support he is giving to(a) classical music and (b) popular music.

  Mr. Luce
  I do not seek to make a distinction between classical and popular music; some classical music is extremely popular. The Arts Council's direct expenditure on music in 1987–88 was £23,708,211. The Scottish Arts Council spent £5,581,580 and the Welsh Arts Council spent £2,296,500. The regional arts associations also funded music organisations. Additional funds were made available for touring and festivals.

  British Theatre Association
  Ms. Abbott
  To ask the Minister for the Arts how many new texts have been purchased by the British Theatre Association library in each of the past five years.

  Mr. Luce
  I am advised by the BTA that it purchased the following numbers of new texts in the past five years: 1,398 (1987–88), 755 (1986–87), 979 (1985–86), 1,088 (1984–85), and 1,131 (1983–84). Donations over the same period were in excess of 7,500 volumes.

ENVIRONMENT

  Newmarket (Boundary Transfer)
  Sir Eldon Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his reply of 20 December 1988 to the hon. Member for Bury St. Edmunds,Official Report, column 186, what is the estimate of the additional cost of converting the space released from the canteen that is to be remodelled at Brookslands avenue, Cambridge, for new offices to be occupied by staff transferred from Newmarket.

  Mr. Chope
  Plans are not yet fully developed, but the estimated cost is about £350,000. However, the anticipated income from the sale of the offices in Newmarket will be more than sufficient to fund this, as well as a refurbished canteen for 1,100 staff.

  Housing Action Trusts
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what the arrangements will be for the ballot in a housing action trust; whether each household will have one vote; and, in the case of joint tenancies, which of the joint tenants will be invited to cast vote.

  Mr. David Trippier
  We propose to ask the Electoral Reform Society to arrange for the conduct of ballots under 20
  the terms of section 61(3)(a) of the Housing Act 1988. Each secure tenant, including each joint tenant, living within an area proposed for designation will have a vote.

  Customs and Excise (King's Reach)
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the rental for the Customs and Excise building at King's Reach, Bermondsey, SEl.

  Mr. Chope
  The rental charges for privately owned buildings leased by the Property Services Agency are a strictly commercial and confidential matter.

  Shopping Developments, Broadstairs
  Mr. Aitken
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish his decision on planning appeal numbers, Department of the Environment reference numbers, SE2/5283/219/3, SE /5283/182/1 and SE2/5283/219/4, relating to shopping developments at Westwood road/Margate road, Broadstairs proposed by the Royal Arsenal Co-operative Society, Sainsburys and Argyle Stores (Properties) Ltd., following the public inquiry at Broadstairs in June 1988.

  Mr. Chope
  My right hon. Friend hopes to issue his decisions shortly.

  House Purchase (Interest Rates)
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest estimate of the impact of current interest rates on the rate of house purchase.

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

  Parkway Stations
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the criteria which would need to be satisfied before he would entertain a public inquiry into a proposal to establish a parkway station with its attendant car park in an area in which no railway exists at present.

  Mr. Chope
  If such a proposal were to come before my right hon. Friend by way of appeal or call-in, the scale and impact of the development, and the likely degree of public interest, would be among the factors considered in deciding whether to hold a public local inquiry, rather than by proceeding on the basis of written representations.

  Local Government Staff
  Mr. Favell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if, pursuant to his answer of 25 January, he will set out for each available category of local government staff the numbers in(a) 1968 and (b) June 1988, showing the net and percentage change in each case.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The information is as follows:
  21

  Numbers of Staff Employed in Local Authorities in England

  June figures

  Change

  Local Authority Service

  1968

  1988

  Number

  Percentage

  Education (Lecturers/Teachers)

  488,749

  650,651

  + 161,902

  + 33·1

  Education (Other)

  461,184

  650,105

  + 188,921

  + 41·0

  Construction

  105,346

  103,130

  -2,216

  -2·1

  Transport Services

  63,654

  2,934

  -60,720

  -95·4

  Social Services

  215,275

  335,632

  + 120,357

  + 55·9

  Other General Services

  528,284

  579,404

  + 51,120

  + 9·7

  Police (All ranks)

  85,746

  118,084

  + 32,338

  + 37·7

  Total

  1,948,238

  2,439,940

  +491,702

  + 25·2

  Note: There is likely to have been seine reclassification of staff between service categories over this period, so the figures for the two years may not be entirely comparable. Local authority functions have also changed over the period.

  Water
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give details of the locations of water quality sampling undertaken by South West Water for every day from 6 July 1988 until the latest available date.

  Mr. Ridley
  It is the responsibility of the South West water authority to take samples throughout its region in connection with its drinking water supply function: I am advised that it takes samples:

  1. At raw water sources;

  2. At treatment works at different stages of the treatment process;

  3. Treated water at the exit from treatment works;

  4. At service reservoirs;

  5. Water in the distribution system at hydrants and customers' taps.

  Between 6 July 1988 and 25 January 1989, a total of 25,544 samples were taken and analysed.

  Mr. Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what discussions he has held with the Water Authorities Association about stake-building by water authorities in statutory water companies; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what proportion of the Southern water authority's announced need for an increase in charges is accounted for by the necessity to fund the purchase of stock in statutory water companies;

  (3) if he has reviewed the agreement between the Southern water authority and AIPF Ltd.; and if he has assessed whether they are in the public interest;

  (4) how much has been committed by the Southern water authority to the purchase of stakes in statutory water companies;

  (5) what steps he is taking to assess whether the Southern water authority's acquisition of stakes in the Eastbourne, West Kent and Mid-Essex water companies are in the public interest;

  (6) what discussions he has had with the Southern water authority about its acquisition of stakes in the Eastbourne, West Kent and Mid Sussex water companies; and if he will make a statement;

  (7) what steps he has taken to (a) regulate and (b) influence the use of public money by water authorities to acquire (i) majority and (ii) minority stakes in statutory water companies;

  (8) if he has discussed with the Southern water authority the rate of return on its recent investment in the Folkestone water company; and if he will make a statement;

  (9) if he has discussed with the Southern water authority the purpose for which it recently acquired a
  22
  minority stake in the Folkestone water company; if he has taken steps to assess whether the acquistion was in the public interest; and if he will make a statement;

  (10) what criteria water authorities are required to observe in the application of public moneys to the purchase of (a) majority and (b) minority stakes in statutory water companies;

  (11) what discussions he has held with the Southern water authority about its accountability for stake building in statutory water companies; and if he will make a statement;

  (12) what place the acquistion of minority stakes in statutory water companies have occupied in the discussions on performance aim, financial targets, and external financial limits for the Southern water authority; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State regularly meets water authority chairmen, including the chairman of Southern water authority, to discuss all aspects of water policy. The general question of share purchase in statutory water companies has arisen on a number of occasions. It has been made clear to chairmen that there are three constraints: their statutory powers; their external financing limits; and mergers policy, including the special provisions for water mergers announced by my right hon. Friend on 11 January. It has also been made clear that we shall not increase external financing limits to accommodate purchases of water company shares. Against this background, it is for each water authority to decide whether, and under what arrangements, to purchase water company shares; and to justify its actions.

  Mr. Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from the Southern water authority about its external financing limits.

  Mr. Howard
  None.

  Mr. Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what direction he has given to the Southern water authority to reduce pollution to Chichester harbour.

  Mr. Howard
  My right hon. Friend has issued no direction to the Southern water authority in respect of pollution in Chichester harbour. Effluent discharges by the authority are controlled by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution, and the inspectorate has powers to vary and tighten discharge consent conditions where appropriate.

  Mr. Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what investments in statutory water
  23
  companies have been made by, or on behalf of, any pension fund to which water authorities contribute public money; if he is satisfied that any such investments produce a satisfactory rate of return for that pension fund; what instructions he has given to investment managers of such pension funds in connection with the purchase of water company stocks; and if he will place a copy of such instruction in the Library.

  Mr. Howard
  Investments by or on behalf of pension funds are the responsibility of the managers of those funds. Consequently, it is for them to determine, with reference to the appropriate regulations, whether a particular investment forms an appropriate part of their portfolio. The Secretary of State has no information, beyond what is publicly available, about such investments of this kind which may have been made.

  Rates
  Dr. Hampson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what would be the level of increase in expenditure which could be set by the Leeds city council in 1989–90 if the increase in the rates was kept within 5 per cent. and the council made the same use of balances as in 1988–89.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  It is estimated that, with a 5 per cent. increase in rates next year, Leeds city council could increase expenditure in 1989–90 by about 5 per cent. (£17 million), if it made the same use of balances as in 1988–89.

  Development Plans
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to make an announcement about the Government's proposals for the development plan system.

  Mr. Ridley
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I have today published a White Paper setting out our proposals for the future of the development plan system in England and Wales (Cm. 569). These proposals, which reflect the outcome of the consultations undertaken in 1986–87, will improve the effectiveness of the development plan system by simplifying its structure and streamlining procedures for the adoption and review of plans. The strategic role of the counties will continue, but the present county structure plans will be replaced by statements of county planning policies, dealing with the key issues. The main feature of the new system will be a single tier development plan at district level. All district councils will be required to prepare development plans for the whole of their areas, consistent with national and regional guidance and with county policies. Similar arrangements will apply in the national parks. The necessary legislation will be introduced as soon as parliamentary time permits. The White Paper proposes a five-year timetable from commencement to full implementation of the new system.

  A sound planning system is essential if we are to make realistic provision for homes and business while meeting the growing concern for protection of our environment in town and country. I believe that these proposals are a further significant step towards getting that difficult balance right. They will enable the planning system to serve the needs of the nation in the 1990s.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on his Department's public expenditure plans, following publication of the White Paper setting out the Government's expenditure plans for 1989–90 to 1991–92 (Cm. 609).

  Mr. Ridley
  The White Paper explains in more detail my Department's plans for expenditure for 1989–90 to 1991–92, announced in summary at the time of the Autumn Statement, and gives comprehensive information about what we have achieved through our programmes in past years, and about our targets for the future.

  Housing

  The Autumn Statement announced gross provision for housing capital expenditure in 1989–90 £441 million (12 per cent.) higher than previously planned. This increase has been made possible by the considerable success of the Government's right-to-buy policy. Receipts from the sale of local authority housing and land are on course to reach over £3,000 million, their highest level ever, with right-to-buy sales up by nearly 40 per cent. on last year, to an estimated 150,000.

  This year's White Paper continues the trend established in previous years of offering more detailed information about the Government's housing programme. Particular emphasis has been placed on setting future targets for individual components of the programme, an emphasis which will be continued next year when the effects of new legislation have been absorbed. Information on the outputs already achieved has also been further developed, and should assist the reader in assessing public sector performance in the housing field.

  Housing associations

  Within the overall increase in housing expenditure, a major feature of the Government's plans is the increasing role of the Housing Corporation in supporting the provision of new rented accommodation by housing associations. Approvals for rented accommodation are set to rise from the current level of 16,000 to over 24,000 in 1991–92. The resources available through the Housing Corporation are being increased by £75 million in 1989–90, with further increases planned in subsequent years to reach over £1·3 billion in 1991–92 (80 per cent. up on the original provision for this year). This increased investment will be further augmented by injections of private capital. Details of the corporation's approved development programme were given by my noble Friend the Minister for Housing on 14 December. The increased resources being made available over the next three years together with the expanding use of private finance will allow many more homes to be provided for those in need.

  Local authority programmes

  The local authority programme is focused on renovation of their stock. In 1988–89 some 160,000 local authority dwellings will undergo improvement compared with 150,000 in 1987–88. The 1986 English house condition survey, published recently, confirms the successful use of housing investment programme resources to the extent that 92 per cent. of the local authority-owned housing stock is in good repair. Planned expenditure by local authorities on their own housing capital programmes in 1989–90 will be £353 million (13 per cent.) higher than provided for in previous plans. After taking account of the substantially increased spending power available to local authorities from higher levels of receipts, HIP allocations

  25
  for 1989–90 have been set at £920 million. Individual local authority allocations were announced by my noble Friend the Minister for Housing on 8 December 1988. Local authorities continue to spend an increasing proportion of their resources on the renovation of their housing stock, in line with Government policy.

  Estate Action

  Estate Action's budget has been increased by 36 per cent. to £190 million in 1989–90. This programme continues to promote renovation and improved management, encouraging innovative solutions to the problems of physically run-down and difficult-to-let estates. Over 100,000 dwellings are now benefiting from Estate Action treatment.

  Housing action trusts

  Last year, the Government announced a proposal to establish a number of housing action trusts as a pilot programme to tackle the worst areas of local authority housing. Following the identification of six potential HAT areas, consultants were appointed to report on their feasibility. The Government are now considering the consultants' reports. Net provision for HATs in 1989–90 is £68 million.

  Other environmental services

  Inner cities

  My Department's inner cities programmes remain a very high priority. The key to successful inner cities regeneration is partnership between the public and private sector. Both the urban development corporations and the city grant programme are having considerable success in attracting private sector investment in their areas.

  Urban development corporations

  There are now 10 urban development corporations in England, Bristol being the latest to be set up this year. Public expenditure provision for UDCs is over £250 million in each of the next three years. Total resources available to UDCs will be even higher as increased receipts from the disposal of completed properties and sites are reinvested in the programmes. Priorities for 1989–90 have been set for the first and second generation UDCs. For example, in 1989 a start is planned on the Limehouse link road, the eastern extension of the London docklands light railway and on the development of Newcastle business park at Elswick. New measures will also be undertaken in other UDCs to further progress in housing, commercial and industrial development.

  City grant

  Since 1982, some £200 million of city grant and its predecessors have generated more than £800 million of private sector investment in the inner cities creating over 34,000 jobs and some 9,000 homes. To build on the momentum already achieved. City grant resources will increase by £23 million in 1989–90 and £28 million in 1990–91.

  Urban programme, and derelict land grant

  Despite the increased emphasis on UDCs and city grant, planned expenditure by DOE on the urban programme and derelict land grant amounts to well over £200 million a year. In 1988–89 local authorities' inner area programmes supported by government grant, are forecast to create or preserve about 37,000 jobs and support about 55,000 training places. Since 1982 over 7,000 hectares of derelict land has been reclaimed with the aid of derelict land grant. The programme will continue to concentrate on the regeneration of urban industrial land thus also
  26
  relieving development pressure on open land. Some 2,700 hectares of urban land are planned to be recovered for productive use in the next three years.

  New towns

  The new towns programme in England is now moving into its final stages. The three remaining corporations are making good progress with the development of their towns and target dates for their wind up have been set. The disposal of commercial and industrial properties is continuing successfully and capital receipts now exceed gross capital expenditure by a substantial margin. Compared with last year's White Paper (Cm. 288) some increase has been provided in the resources available for capital investment in 1989–90 and over the plan period to facilitate wind-up and the increased disposals programme.

  Countryside, recreation and environment

  The Government is providing substantial resources for countryside agencies to further the process of creating a healthy rural economy, an attractive environment and to conserve wild life. The support for the Rural Development Commission will enable it to continue to help in the provision of a suitable range of viable job opportunities and services to meet the needs of rural communities. Additional resources have been provided for the Countryside Commission to continue its tree planting programme over the next three years. There are also extra resources to help start up in April 1989 the new Norfolk and Suffolk Broads Authority. The support for the Nature Conservancy Council will help protect valuable peatland habitats in Caithness and Sutherland, and enable NCC to conclude further 465 new management agreements with farmers and land owners to protect sites of special scientific interest. Continued support for the groundwork initiative will help extend the community based environment improvement schemes to other priority regions. Support for the Tidy Britain Group experimental clean-up projects has been more than doubled. The modest increase for the Sports Council will enable it to increase the range and quality of opportunities to participate in sports and physical recreations at all levels and to seek ways of attracting private sector investment into sports.

  Environmental research

  My Department's environmental research programme will be increased by £2·5 million in 1989–90 and 1990–91. The additional provision will support in particular research into the North sea marine environment, waste disposal, climatic change and water metering trials.

  Heritage

  Planned expenditure on the heritage will be increased by £8 million in 1989–90, and £11 million in 1990–91 mainly for continued restoration of Hampton Court following the fire; the first phase of Albert memorial restoration; additional provision for Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission grants programme, and to provide for the cost of maintenance of the growing number of churches vested under the redundant churches scheme.

  Local environmental services (current and capital)

  An additional £110 million has been included in local authority current expenditure provision for 1989–90 for the costs of preparing for the implementation of the community charge; this will be supported by a specific grant of £55 million with the remaining expenditure supported by block grant in the usual way. Provision for capital expenditure by local authorities for 1989–90 has been increased by £192 million to £819 million This includes a further provision of £135 million in addition to

  27
  £110 million mentioned above to enable local authorities to prepare for the community charge. Capital receipts generated by local authorities on LES are buoyant, and forecast receipts for 1989–90 have been revised upward by £203 million to £745 million.

  British Waterway Board

  The BWB's external financing limit is increased to £48·3 million. The four-year action plan which the board has drawn up in line with its first and second responses to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on engineering operations will change BWB to a regionally managed, business-orientated organisation, seeking greater private sector investment.

  Water authorities

  As announced in the Autumn Statement, before the privatisation of their water supply and sewerage functions, the water authorities' responsibilities for the water environment will be taken over by the National Rivers Authority. £40 million has been allocated to the NRA in 1989–90 and £71 million in 1990–91. It is anticipated that increased receipts from direct charges will reduce the NRA's need for the Department's support to £65 million in 1991–92. The nine English regional water authorities will continue to require external finance in 1989–90 and provision of £10 million has been made, but their requirement will depend on the timing and cost to them of the establishment of the National Rivers Authority and of the privatisation itself. Investment by the regional water authorities has increased in constant price terms by over 50 per cent. since 1980–81 and is currently running at £1·1 billion. Further growth is assured to meet higher environmental and drinking water quality standards required by United Kingdom and EC legislation. The Water Bill will establish an independent director general of water services to protect the interests of consumers by ensuring proper standards of service and controlling prices. Provision has been made for the running costs of the water services offices of £2 million in 1989–90 and £4 million each for the following two years.

  Property services agency

  The PSA's civil accommodation programme is planned to increase by a net £8 million in 1989–90 and £9 million in 1990–91 compared with previous plans. Extra spending of £65 million and £109 million will be offset by increases in capital receipts from disposals, in rents and in payments by other Departments through the property repayment services system. The agency's provision reflects the need to meet unavoidable rent increases as well as to maintain its new building programme and the increased level of maintenance activity agreed last year. It has also been given additional funds to prepare for the change to fully commercial operation in 1993. On PSA's separate parliamentary works programme additional funds have been provided for restoring the Victoria Tower, and for various minor improvements to the Palace of Westminster.

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Evironmnt whether he has any changes to announce to his Department's cash limits for 1988–89.

  Mr. Ridley
  Yes. I propose the following changes, subject to parliamentay approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimates.

  The cash limit for class X, vote 2 (central environmental services, etc) will be increased by £3·013 million to
  28
  £253·196 million to cover increased grant in respect of the new towns development corporations' roads programme. This will be partly offset by savings within the vote.

  The cash limit for class X, vote 4 (royal palaces, royal parks, historic buildings, ancient monuments and the national heritage) will be increased by £14·055 million from £91·201 million to £105·256 million mainly to cover a payment to the National Trust to terminate my Department's obligations under leases in relation to Ham house and Osterley house. This expenditure will be partly offset by savings within the vote.

  The cash limit for class X, vote 5 (Department of the Environment: administration) will be increased by £0·733 million from £129·337 million to £130·070 million to take account of a receipt which will not arise in 1988–89 as originally expected. The Department of the Environment's running costs limit will be reduced by £0·182 million from £159·862 million to £159·680 million. This reduction reflects transfers of £0·017 million to the Cabinet Office: Office of the Minister for the Civil Service (class XX, vote 1) for the costs of recruitment under the direct entry grade 7 competition 1988, and of £0·165 million to the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys (class XX, vote 16) for increased expenditure by OPCS on services provided to my Department. The reduction in the DOE's limit will be offset by increases in the gross running costs limits for the other two Departments.

  The cash limit for class X, vote 9 (Sale of shares in the water services public limited companies, etc) will be increased by £0·300 million from £5·140 million to £5·440 million to cover increased costs of advisors.

  The non-voted cash limit for the new towns (DOE/NTI) has been reduced by £90·257 million from minus £389·743 million to minus £480 million to take account of disposals of property which are higher than previously forecast. This reduction offsets the increases above which will therefore not add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Capital Spending
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of gross and net public sector capital spending by his Department by both central Government and local authorities for 1988–89 and for each of the next three years at current prices and at constant 1987–88 prices.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 24 January 1989]: The following figures relate to the Department of the Environment's public expenditure programmes, housing and other environmental services. The figures for 1990–91 and 1991–92 are rounded to the nearest £10 million. Expenditure by public corporations is not shown.

  2. DOE—Housing

  £ million

  1988–89 estimated outturn

  1989–90 plans

  1990–91 plans

  1991–92 plans

  A. Central Government and local authority capital expenditure in cash terms

  Central Government

  Gross

  874

  969

  1,200

  1,500

  Receipts

  -100

  -116

  -120

  -120

  Net

  774

  853

  1,080

  1,380

  Local Authority

  Gross

  3,245

  3,153

  2,800

  2,650

  Receipts

  -3,150

  -3,490

  -3,100

  -3,000

  29

  1988–89 estimated outturn

  1989–90 plans

  1990–91 plans

  1991–92 plans

  Net

  95

  -337

  -300

  -350

  B. Central Government and local authority capital expenditure 1987–88 prices

  Central Government

  Gross

  823

  869

  1,040

  1,260

  Receipts

  -94

  -104

  -100

  -100

  Net

  728

  765

  940

  1,160

  Local authority

  Gross

  3,054

  2,810

  2,420

  2,230

  Receipts

  -2,965

  -3,128

  -2,680

  -2,520

  Net

  89

  -302

  -260

  -290

  3. DOE—Other environmental services

  £ million

  1988–89 estimated outturn

  1989–90 plans

  1990–91 plans

  1991–92 plans

  A. Central Government and local authority capital expenditure in cash terms

  Central Government

  Gross

  326

  441

  440

  440

  Receipts

  -1

  -3

  —

  —

  Net

  324

  438

  440

  440

  Local Authority

  Gross

  1,462

  1,058

  860

  860

  Receipts

  -825

  -745

  -840

  -840

  Net

  637

  312

  30

  20

  B. Central Government and local authority capital expenditure 1987–88 prices

  Central Government

  Gross

  307

  396

  380

  370

  Receipts

  -1

  -3

  —

  —

  Net

  305

  393

  380

  370

  Local authority

  Gross

  1,376

  948

  750

  720

  Receipts

  -776

  -668

  -720

  -700

  Net

  600

  280

  20

  20

  Housing Action Trusts
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he plans to set up a housing action trust in the North Peckham and Gloucester Grove estates in Southwark.

  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to proceed with his announced plans for a housing action trust scheme for the Loughborough and Angell town estates.

  Mr. Trippier
  [holding answer 26 January 1989]: When he has had an opportunity to consider the findings of the consultants studying the proposed housing action trust areas, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will decide the next steps.

  Government Offices
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans are there(a) to move Government offices to the north and west of the United Kingdom and (b) to relocate some central London office staff to docklands or south of the river.

  Mr. Brooke
  I have been asked to reply.

  Under the Government's relocation policy which I announced on 31 March 1988, at columns 610–611,
  30
  Departments are reviewing the location of their work with a view to finding locations offering easier labour markets and other advantages. Departmental Ministers announce the outcome of such reviews after decisions have been taken, and since last March firm plans to transfer 1,800 posts from London and the south-east to the north and west of the United Kingdom have been announced; target locations include Glasgow, Belfast, Wigan, Bath and Swindon. No similar announcements regarding moves within London to docklands and south of the river have been made.

  In addition, a further 160 posts are due to be transferred to Glasgow under the earlier dispersal programme.

DEFENCE

  United States Submarines (Discharges)
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the release of coolant from United States Navy submarines into the waters of Holy Loch in Strathclyde;

  (2) on what dates United States Navy submarines, moored at Holy Loch, released coolant from nuclear reactor systems into the waters of the Holy Loch; what was the total quantity of coolant released; what was the average amount of radioactivity per litre of coolant released; and whether any radioactive gases were released by United States Navy submarines on these occasions.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Dumbarton (Mr. McFall) on 24 January at column 555.

  Royal Navy Submarines (Discharges)
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any Royal Navy submarine had ever discharged any coolant from nuclear power systems directly into the sea.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Dumbarton (Mr. McFall) on 24 January at column 554.

  New Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Caborn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what substitutions for nuclear weapons withdrawn under the intermediate nuclear forces treaty are planned for both British and United States forces within the United Kingdom, on land and on ships based or calling at our ports; and when it is intended to introduce these new nuclear weapons.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  There are no plans to substitute for the missiles withdrawn under the INF treaty, which only covered certain specific categories of missiles. The process of modernising and restructuring NATO's nuclear forces, to ensure that they remain effective, responsive and survivable, will not undercut in any way the real reduction in the Alliance's land-based nuclear weapons resulting from the treaty. NATO will continue to maintain only the minimum level of forces consistent with credible deterrence. NATO's nuclear stockpile in Europe is now at its lowest level for 20 years, having been reduced by some
  31
  35 per cent. since 1979; it will reduce even further when the INF treaty is fully implemented. Decisions on modernisation and restructuring will be taken as and when necessary.

  New Ships
  Mr. Allason
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many new ships the Royal Navy will order in the current year.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Members for Newcastle-upon-Tyne East (Mr. Brown) and for Wallsend (Mr. Garrett) 29 November 1988 at column 217 regarding frigate orders. The Government also expect to place an order for SSBN-07 later this year.

  In addition, although orders are not envisaged for this year, tenders have also been invited for an aviation support ship and we are in the process of evaluating the results of competitive feasibility studies for a possible replacement for the assault ships Fearless and Intrepid.

  Ships (Scrapping)
  Mr. Allason
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will delay the scrapping of HMS Arethusa and HMS Euryalus while HMS Penelope and HMS Southampton are out of action.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The repair of HMS Penelope is expected to be completed before the disposal of Arethusa and Euryalus. As to Southampton, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, East (Mr. Brown) on 10 January 1989 at column 675.

  Expenditure
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list in the Official Report the precise amounts paid by his Department in the year 1985–86 to (a) The General Electric Co. plc., (b) Rolls-Royce Ltd., (c) British Telecommunications plc., (d) Lucas Industries plc., (e) BTR plc., (f) Austin Rover Group Ltd., (g) Dunlop Holdings plc., (h) United Scientific Holdings plc., (i) Courtaulds plc., and (j) Massey-Ferguson Holdings Ltd.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The payments made to each of these companies in the year ended 31 March 1986 in respect of headquarters contracts were as follows:

  £ million

  The General Electric Co. plc.

  800·0

  Rolls Royce Ltd.

  435·0

  British Telecommunications plc.

  8·5

  Lucas Industries plc.

  62·0

  BTR plc.

  19·0

  Austin Rover Group Ltd.

  60·0

  Dunlop Holdings plc.

  14·0

  United Scientific Holdings plc.

  21·5

  Courtaulds plc.

  9·0

  Massey Ferguson Holdings Ltd.

  3·5

  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the figures for the value of headquarter contracts awarded to United Kingdom based Ministry of Defence contractors which were used to compile the list shown on page 15 of the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1988" (Vol. 2) included any payments made by the Ministry of 32
  Defence for goods and services which were exported from the United Kingdom; and whether these figures represent the value of contracts signed or the value of goods and services delivered.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The figures in table 2·10 of volume 2 of the 1988 "Statement on the Defence Estimates" are based on an analysis of payments made directly by MOD to contractors in 1986–87.

  The analysis takes into account payments for many goods and services exported from the United Kingdom. For example, it includes payments for equipment taken abroad for operations or training by the United Kingdom armed services; however, these exports (and the corresponding imports if the items are returned to the United Kingdom) are specifically excluded from the official trade statistics.

  The workshare agreements for collaborative equipment projects invariably involve a considerable amount of international exchange of components and assemblies. Where the arrangements provide for HMG to make purchases on behalf of a foreign Government—as is the case for certain items of equipment for the Harrier GR5/AV-8B project. for example—the payments made by MOD to contractors are included in the analysis. However, where funds for collaborative projects are routed through international agencies, the amounts are not included in the analysis of direct payments.

  Payments made under sales arrangements, where no MOD money is involved, such as those with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, are separately accounted for, and are not included in the analysis.

  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list in the Official Report the precise amounts paid by his Department in the year ended 31 March 1988 to (a) Jaguar Cars Ltd., (b) Sandvik Hard Materials Ltd., and (c) Kalmar Climax Ltd.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The payments made to Jaguar Cars Ltd. and Kalmar Climax Ltd. in the year ended 31 March 1988 in respect of headquarters contracts were as follows:

  £ million

  Jaguar Cars Ltd.

  1·0

  Kalmar Climax Ltd.

  1·3

  We have no record of any headquarters contracts having been placed with Sandvik Hard Materials Ltd.

  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list in the Official Report the total value of headquarters contracts handled by his Department in each of the five years up to 31 March 1988.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The value of headquarter contracts placed in each of the four years up to 31 March 1987 is shown at table 2–9 of volume 2 of the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1988", (Cmnd. 344-II). The value of headquarter contracts placed in the year ended 31 March 1988 was £6,541 million.

  Accommodation Charges
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, further to his reply of 23 January,Official Report, column 452 (a) when he expects the armed forces pay review body to report on accommodtion charges for

  33
  1989–90 and (b) what information his Department has provided to the board as to elements of rates within existing charges for Scottish accommodation.

  Mr. Neubert
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury during the public expenditure debate on 24 February 1988, at column 312. No evidence was submitted which related specifically to Scotland, although Scottish data were included in overall figures.

  Opinion Polls
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department or any of the armed forces have conducted opinion surveys of service personnel on matters of general public interest.

  Mr. Neubert
  Attitude surveys relating to conditions of service are conducted as required, but I am unaware of any which might he regarded as of general public interest. If the hon. Member is concerned about a particular survey, perhaps he would let me know and I will be pleased to write to him.

  Gibraltar
  Dr. Hampson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has any plans to change the United Kingdom force levels in Gibraltar; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Younger
  All force levels are kept under regular review, and as part of the continuing drive for cost-effectiveness, we are considering restructuring and rationalising our forces in Gibraltar and their supporting infrastructure. In particular, subject to the outcome of detailed studies, we plan to withdraw in due course all or the major part of the infantry battalion stationed there.

  Low Flying
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the low flying regulations permit farm buildings to be used as simulated targets during low-flying training sorties.

  Mr. Neubert
  [holding answer 16 December 1988]: The regulations for the conduct of low-flying training in the United Kingdom do not specify particular types of features at ground level which might be used as simulated targets.

WALES

  Departmental Staff (Child Care)
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what child care provision his Department provides for pre-school-age children of employees; what child care provision, for school holiday or after-school care, is provided for employees' children aged five and over; what plans there are for increasing provision in the next five years; and how these are to be funded.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The Welsh Office does not at present provide any child care facilities directly, but the advice of welfare officers, flexi-time, part-time working, job-sharing and special leave are available to staff who have difficulties 34
  in arranging for the care of their children. A holiday play scheme is planned for summer 1989 and staff would be expected to contribute towards the costs.

  Hazardous Waste
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report, on a district basis, the sites in Wales used for the disposal of hazardous waste; and if he will indicate whether they are council operated or operated by a private contractor.

  Mr. Grist
  Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution has a record of 286 waste disposal facilities in Wales. These are listed by local authority area in the following table. Very few of these sites receive special waste. Details of the waste which each facility is licensed to receive can be obtained from the appropriate waste disposal authority, which is required to maintain a public register.

  Type of site

  Public

  Private

  1In-house

  Waste disposal authorities

  Aberconwy

  1

  0

  2

  Alyn and Deeside

  2

  10

  3

  Arfon

  1

  2

  0

  Blaenau Gwent

  1

  0

  1

  Brecknock

  6

  3

  0

  Cardiff

  2

  12

  2

  Carmarthen

  1

  0

  0

  Ceredigion

  5

  1

  2

  Colwyn

  2

  2

  0

  Cynon Valley

  1

  1

  1

  Delyn

  2

  6

  2

  Dinefwr

  1

  0

  0

  Dwyfor

  3

  2

  16

  Glyndwr

  4

  0

  0

  Islwyn

  3

  0

  0

  Llanelli

  0

  1

  3

  Lliw Valley

  2

  3

  1

  Meirionnydd

  4

  0

  2

  Merthyr Tydfil

  1

  0

  0

  Monmouth

  3

  1

  0

  Montgomeryshire

  1

  2

  0

  Neath

  I

  1

  1

  Newport

  1

  12

  13

  Ogwr

  1

  6

  0

  Port Talbot

  1

  1

  1

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  2

  9

  4

  Radnor

  2

  1

  0

  Rhondda

  3

  2

  0

  Rhuddlan

  1

  0

  0

  Rhymney Valley

  5

  3

  0

  South Pembrokeshire

  0

  2

  6

  Swansea

  4

  10

  10

  Taff-Ely

  3

  6

  0

  Torfaen

  2

  1

  5

  Vale of Glamorgan

  2

  6

  4

  Wrexham Maelor

  1

  9

  1

  Ynys Môn

  3

  1

  2

  Totals

  78

  126

  82

  1Site used for producers own use only.

  Waste Disposal
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report a list of those waste disposal authorities that have completed their plans and deposited a copy with his Department.

  Mr. Grist
  The following district councils have completed their waste disposal plans and deposited copies with the Department:

  Aberconwy

  Arfon

  Alyn and Deeside

  Blaenau Gwent

  35

  Brecknock

  Montgomeryshire

  Cardiff

  Neath

  Carmarthen

  Newport

  Ceredigion

  Ogwr

  Colwyn

  Port Talbot

  Cynon Valley

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  Delyn

  Rhondda

  Dinefwr

  Rhuddlan

  Dwyfor

  Rhymney Valley

  Glyndwr

  South Pembrokeshire

  Islwyn

  Swansea

  Llanelli

  Taff-Ely

  Lliw Valley

  Torfaen

  Meirionnydd

  Vale of Glamorgan

  Merthyr Tydfil

  Wrexham Maelor

  Monmouth

  Ynys Môn—Isle of Anglesey

  Nursery Education
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report figures to show the percentage of three and four-year-olds in (a) nursery schools, (b) nursery classes and (c) infant classes in each local education authority in Wales in rank order of provision for three and four-year-olds as a whole.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The information is not collected centrally in the form requested. However, data in respect of the percentage of three and four-year-olds in nursery schools and in primary schools is in the following table:

  Nursery schools

  Primary schools

  West Glamorgan

  2·4

  85·2

  Mid Glamorgan

  8·6

  67·5

  Clwyd

  2·7

  73·0

  Gwent

  10·4

  56·1

  Dyfed

  3·1

  60·9

  South Glamorgan

  7·2

  48·8

  Powys

  —

  50·8

  Gwynedd

  —

  49·2

  Pupil Numbers
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the percentage of pupils in primary schools in Wales in classes of over 30.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  During a particular teaching period of an enumeration date in January 1988 11·6 per cent. of secondary school children were taught in single-teacher classes of more than 30 children and 12 per cent. were in classes of more than 30 taught by more than one teacher. Comparable figures are not available for primary schools. However, in September 1987, 16·9 per cent. of ordinary classes in maintained primary schools had more than 30 children.

  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the percentage of pupils in primary and secondary schools in Wales in classes of 35 and over in each local education authority in rank order.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  For secondary schools, the percentage of pupils who were being taught in a class group of more than 35 pupils during a particular teaching period on the enumeration date in January 1988 was as follows:36

  Classes taught by one teacher

  Classes taught by more than one teacher

  Mid Glamorgan

  1·2

  16·7

  Gwynedd

  0·8

  14·8

  Dyfed

  0·5

  13·0

  South Glamorgan

  0·6

  11·9

  Gwent

  0·3

  11·6

  West Glamorgan

  0·3

  9·6

  Powys

  0·5

  8·0

  Clwyd

  0·7

  3·6

  Comparable information is not available for primary schools. However, the percentage of ordinary classes in maintained primary schools which had more than 35 children in September 1987 is as follows:

  Percentage

  Clwyd

  4·8

  Dyfed

  1·2

  Gwent

  1·1

  Mid Glamorgan

  1·1

  South Glamorgan

  0·9

  Powys

  0·7

  Gwynedd

  0·6

  West Glamorgan

  0·6

  EC Structural Funds
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the areas of south Wales which he has submitted for consideration to the European Commission under its review of the European Economic Community's structural funds; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Decisions on the eligibility for support under the EC structural funds are being taken by the European Commission on the basis of criteria set out in the governing regulations. Her Majesty's Government have recommended to the Commission cases for all four south Wales counties and for the Llanelli travel-to-work area in Dyfed. The whole of the industrial south Wales area is also covered by an integrated development operations programme bid which seeks assistance for the period 1988–92 and transitional arrangements, also included in the funds' regulations, provide for this to be considered by the Commission as planned.

  Welsh Water Authority (Land)
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will make a further statement about the current total land holding of the Welsh water authority.

  Mr. Grist
  Land owned by the Welsh water authority is a matter for that authority.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State of Wales how much land currently held by the Welsh water authority is surplus to its requirements.

  Mr. Grist
  The Welsh water authority informs me that it currently has 4,421 acres of land in its ownership which it considers is surplus to requirements.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much land currently held by the Welsh water authority he expects to become surplus to its requirements during the next five years.
  37
  Mr. Grist
  Such estimates are a matter for the Welsh water authority.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will take steps to ensure that any future sale of lands currently held by the Welsh water authority is at prices which reflect their full potential value.

  Mr. Grist
  These are matters for the management of the Welsh water authority.

  Advertising
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the amount of money spent by the Welsh Office on advertising for each year since 1978; and how much of that was spent on newspaper advertisements in(a) the Western Mail, (b) the Daily Post, and (c) other newspapers.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  [holding answer 24 January 1989]: The total spending on newspaper, television and radio advertising and other promotional activities (literature exhibitions and so on) is as follows:

  £

  1979–80

  61,000

  1980–81

  62,000

  1981–82

  100,000

  1982–83

  99,000

  1983–84

  108,000

  1984–85

  121,000

  1985–86

  227,427

  1986–87

  406,965

  1987–88

  576,500

  The spending from 1979–80 to 1984–85 on newspaper advertising is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  The sum spent on newspaper advertising from 1985–86 and subsequent financial years is as follows:

  £ thousand

  1985–86

  98

  1986–87

  110

  1987–88

  140

  The principal areas of advertising for each of these financial years is:

  £ thousand

  1985–86

  Transport and Highways

  72

  Establishments Group (Recruitment/Public Notices)

  10

  Miscellaneous publicity (all other divisions)

  16

  98

  1986–87

  Transport and Highways

  97

  Establishments Group (Recruitment/Public Notices)

  5

  Miscellaneous publicity (all other divisions)

  8

  110

  1987–88

  Transport and Highways

  101

  Establishments Group (Recruitment/Public Notices)

  10

  Miscellaneous publicity (all other divisions)

  29

  140

  38
  More detailed information on spending in individual newspaper titles is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

HEALTH

  Food Poisoning
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment has been made as to whether the 184 per cent. rise in notified cases of food poisoning between 1980 and 1987 results from(a) contaminated food; (b) poor kitchen hygiene, or (c) any other significant reason; and what is the estimated proportionate responsibility of these factors.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  In the majority of cases of reported bacterial food poisoning the suspected vehicle or source of infection is not identified. Comprehensive data are available only from 1970 to 1982 on a number of outbreaks where a food vehicle was identified by the investigators. Some of main contributory factors were preparation of food too far in advance, storage of food at ambient temperature, inadequate cooking of food, inadequate reheating of food, inadequate thawing and under cooking of food. All these factors would have encouraged the growth of food poisoning organisms present in the food. My advisers believe that these contributory factors remain important.

  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what foodstuffs, other than eggs, were attributed to the cases of food poisoning notified in 1987.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  In the majority of cases of reported food poisoning the suspected vehicle or source of infection is not identified. In 1987, in those reported outbreaks where the food vehicle was identified, the following foods were involved:poultry or poultry mixed with other foods; beef; pork/ham; lamb; mixed meats and meat pies; fish/shellfish; rice; milk and desserts.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many of the cases of food poisoning attributable to chicken and eggs in 1988 required some form of medical attention or treatment from the National Health Service.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  This information is not available.

  Grading
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nursing and midwifery staff from each of the old grades have been assimilated to each of the new grades in the clinical grading structure by each regional health authority and by each health district.

  Mr. Mellor
  The information the hon. Member requested has now been placed in the Library.

  Psychiatric Patients (Accommodation)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has undertaken into the relative standards of in-patient psychiatric hospital' accommodation and that available to discharged former patients.
  39
  Mr. Freeman
  Several research projects about alternative provision to mental hospitals have been funded by the Department, and I will send the hon. Member a list and place a copy in the Library when this is ready.

  In addition, Ministers have recently set in hand work to get a clearer picture of the development of services across the country for people with a mental illness. The objective is to provide Ministers with a properly informed basis for considering whether there are any steps it would be right and practical to take to improve the care of mentally ill people.

  Junior Doctors
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many junior hospital doctors work(a) more than 80 hours a week, (b) more than 104 hours a week, and (c) more than 112 hours a week (i) in the Nottingham district health authority and (ii) in the Trent regional health authority.

  Mr. Mellor
  We do not hold this information centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact Mr. D. H. White, the chairman of Nottingham health authority and Sir Michael Carlisle, the chairman of Trent regional health authority.

  Mental Illness
  Ms. Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether his Department has conducted or is conducting research into the reasons for the disproportionate numbers of blacks in mental hospitals;

  (2) whether his Department has conducted or is conducting research into the disproportionately high incidence of diagnosed schizophrenia among blacks.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Department of Health directly commissions a range of research into mental illness pertaining to the general population. The Department is not funding research specifically into reasons for the occurrence of mental illness in ethnic minorities; but since 1985 it has been supporting NAFSIYAT, a voluntary organisation active in the field of ethnic psychiatry, to evaluate the effectiveness in providing a treatment service in the community aimed at ethnic minority populations. The Department has made available about £1 million in 1988–89 for research into the care and treatment of mentally ill people, including schizophrenia.

  In 1987–88 (the latest year for which figures are available) the Medical Research Council, the main Government agency for the funding of medical and related biological research in the United Kingdom, allocated £10·4 million to research into mental health.

  Ms. Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department intends to review mental health care among ethnic minorities in light of the particular problems faced by such groups.

  Mr. Freeman
  It is for health and social services authorities to identify and take account of the needs of all sections of the community when reviewing, planning and funding local mental health services. The importance of mental health care was emphasised at a seminar on ethnic minority health, held in November 1987 for health authority chairmen and managers, chaired by the then Minister for Health. The Minister drew attention to the difficulties which needed to be overcome when mentally ill 40
  patients and those treating them had different cultural backgrounds. In addition, where appropriate, Ministers are raising questions on improving health services for ethnic minorities through the review system.

  AIDS
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will review his decision not to place Waltham Forest in category A or B with respect to funding for AIDS treatment as set out in circular LAC (89) 1; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  No. Our main aim in distributing the support grant for social services for people with AIDS is to help those local authorities that face the most immediate pressures in 1989–90. Category A authorities are those that are estimated to have by far the greatest concentration of people with AIDS and people at risk of infection. Category B includes those authorities which have smaller numbers and those which have fewer cases but which have located in their areas major regional treatment centres associated with which is an additional workload for local authority social services. The London borough of Waltham Forest does not meet these criteria, but, along with all other social services authorities in England, is eligible to bid for funds to assist the planning of services for the future. The Department will continue monitoring the distribution of cases nationally and keep the situation of all authorities under review.

  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what financial contribution is being made to his AIDS campaign by organisations other than his Department.

  Mr. Mellor
  Health Departments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have provided £495,000 for specific work to be conducted by their respective health education agencies and as a contribution to the National AIDS Helpline which provides a service to the whole United Kingdom.

  Other Government Departments have financed specific initiatives related to their fields of responsibility. These include the provision by the Department of Education and Science of educational material for teachers and for use with secondary school pupils; development by the Home Office of educational material for use in prisons; and provision by the Department of Employment and the Health and Safety Executive of an information booklet for the workplace.

  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many AIDS patients are currently being treated in each London hospital where AIDS is treated; and if he will give his best estimate in each case of the number of foreign nationals involved.

  Mr. Mellor
  We do not hold this information centrally.

  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the estimated average annual treatment cost and total eventual treatment cost of(a) each AIDS patient from the time of being identified as HIV positive and (b) each drug addict seeking treatment.

  Mr. Mellor
  On current evidence, our best estimate is that the average cost of treating a person with AIDS from diagnosis to death is between £20,000 and £30,000.
  41
  Because of the wide variety in the amounts and types of treatment given to drug misusers, it is not possible to estimate average treatment costs.

  Genito-urinary Clinic (Waltham Forest)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will direct North East Thames regional health authority to approve a genito-urinary clinic to be located in Waltham Forest; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  Planning of health services within a particular area is a matter for the health authority concerned, which is best able to judge priorities in the light of local needs and circumstances.

  Departmental Staff (Child Care)
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what child care provision his Department providesfor pre-school age children of employees; what child care provision for school holidays or after school care is provided for employees' children aged five years and over; what plans there are for increasing provision in the next live years; and how are these to be funded.

  Mr. Freeman
  At present no provision for the child care of the pre-school age children of staff is made in this Department, although preliminary discussions on such facilities have taken place. A holiday play scheme has been organised for the forthcoming Easter holidays for the children of staff working in HQ buildings in central London. Additionally staff working in the Whitehall area can make use of the centrally organised holiday play schemes.

  Child care provision is one of the areas being examined in a review of opportunities available to women employees in the Department. We hope to base any further holiday play schemes on the experience we are gaining.

  The schemes are intended to be self-supporting, but the Department has provided funding to prime them.

  Cancer (West Ham)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will order an inquiry into the causes of the cancer cluster now identified in West Ham in the London borough of Newham.

  Mr. Freeman
  Research into the epidemiology of cancer is undertaken by a number of cancer registries and research organisations funded both by Government and independently. Department of Health officials will ascertain whether any study into the incidence of cancer in West Ham has been or is being undertaken, and will discuss the matter with the district health authority.

  Region

  Hospital haemodialysis

  Home haemodialysis

  Intermittent peritoneal dialysis

  Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

  Northern

  243

  57

  18

  206

  Yorkshire

  177

  100

  2

  195

  Trent

  177

  233

  2

  309

  East Anglian

  121

  70

  0

  47

  North West Thames

  128

  82

  7

  141

  North East Thames

  204

  178

  3

  298

  South East Thames

  172

  137

  6

  271

  South West Thames

  11

  47

  0

  96

  Wessex

  70

  42

  0

  113

  Oxford

  105

  119

  0

  120

  Departmental Expenditure
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what amounts are included within the estimated outturn public expenditure for his Department in 1987–88 in Cm. 288-II for(a) expenditure by way of grants or other forms of non-recoverable expenditure and (b) expenditure by way of loans.

  Mr. Mellor
  Estimated outturn expenditure for 1987–88 as detailed in Cm. 288-II included the following amounts for:

  £ million

  (a) Current and capital grants

  152

  (b) Net lending to public corporations

  12

  Note:

  The amount shown at (b) represents the external borrowing limit for the General Practice Finance Corporation guaranteed by Treasury stock.

  Kidney Transplants
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have received kidney transplants in each year since 1982.

  Mr. Freeman
  According to information provided by the United Kingdom transplant service, the number of cadaveric kidney transplants performed in the United Kingdom for patients entitled to NHS treatment was:

  Year

  Number

  1982

  1,033

  1983

  1,144

  1984

  1,443

  1985

  1,336

  1986

  1,493

  1987

  1,485

  1988

  11,544

  1 Provisional figure.

  Kidney Dialysis
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list, by region, the number of patients undergoing dialysis treatment.

  Mr. Freeman
  According to information supplied by the European Dialysis and Transplant Association, the number of patients receiving dialysis by regional health authority, on 31 December 1987 was as follows:
  43

  Region

  Hospital haemodialysis

  Home haemodialysis

  Intermittent peritoneal dialysis

  Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

  South Western

  92

  159

  5

  180

  West Midlands

  193

  126

  0

  424

  Mersey

  128

  45

  8

  52

  North Western

  150

  156

  6

  271

  Note:

  There is no waiting list for renal dialysis, because it is an essential treatment for a life-threatening condition.

  Hoffenberg Report
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) which of the various bodies concerned to progress the ideas combined in the Hoffenberg report have been consulted in the last year; and what was the outcome of those negotiations;

  (2) which initiatives to promote organ donation were extended following discussions with the National Health Service;

  (3) if he will list those district health authorities which now have an operational policy for organ donation; if he will list the number of potential donors identified in each district health authority in England; and if he will estimate the percentage increase which this represents on the previous year's figure;

  (4) if he has any plans to introduce a system of required request so as to increase the number of organ donors.

  Mr. Freeman
  Following publication of the report of the working party chaired by Sir Raymond Hoffenberg, we prepared a draft circular containing guidance to health authorities on organ donation. After consulting extensively with health authorities, medical bodies and other interested parties we issued health circular HC(88)63 copies of which have been placed in the Library in December 1988. For further details I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge (Mr. Shersby) on 13 December 1988 at column 555. The working party advised us against the use of required request legislation. The health circular asks district health authorities to draw up operational procedures for organ donation by 30 June 1989. Authorities have also commenced a survey which will enable us to assess the number of potential donors; it is too early to form estimates at this stage,

  Organ Transplants
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what information his Department has about organ transplants undertaken in(a) private hospitals and (b) National Health Service pay beds; and what action he will take against hospitals and consultants who transplant organs which have been sold;

  (2) if he will consider introducing legislation to outlaw the sale of organs for transplants;

  (3) if he will initiate a compulsory register of all imports and exports of transplantable organs and tissue into and out of the United Kingdom and of all transplant operations.

  Mr. Freeman
  We do not at present collect information centrally on transplants carried out in private hospitals, or on the use of pay beds by transplant patients. On the subject of the register of organs, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Harlow 44
  (Mr. Hayes) on 26 January at columns 711–12. When investigations by Bloomsbury and Barnet health authorities are completed shortly, we shall consider urgently what action to take, including the relevance of legislation.

  Elderly People
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many elderly people within each health authority in England and Wales were awaiting placement in geriatric hospitals or in residential homes in the local authority voluntary and private sectors at 1 January; and what is the breakdown of numbers in each sector in each health area.

  Mr. Freeman
  Information about patients awaiting admission to hospital is collected according to the specialty of intended treatment, not by hospital type. Regional and district summaries of hospital in-patient lists at 31 March 1988, the latest available centrally, have been placed in the Library. Information about the numbers of elderly people seeking placement in residential homes in the local authority voluntary and private sectors is not collected centrally.

  Tranquillisers
  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many psychiatric hospitals within the National Health Service have special units to enable people to withdraw from benzodiazepines.

  Mr. Mellor
  We do not hold this information centrally.

  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are at present withdrawing from benzodiazepines in psychiatric hospitals within the National Health Service.

  Mr. Mellor
  We do not have this information centrally.

  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many working days were lost in 1987 as a result of people withdrawing from benzodiazepines.

  Mr. Mellor
  We do not hold this information.

  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of all prescriptions given in 1987 by National Health Service's doctors was for benzodiazepines.

  Mr. Mellor
  We do not have information in the form requested. In Great Britain in 1987 community pharmacists dispensed almost 399·7 million prescriptions. Of these, about 25·5 million, or almost 6·5 per cent., were for benzodiazepines.

  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the total number of children under the age of 16 years currently being prescribed benzodiazepines.
  45
  Mr. Mellor
  We do not collect this information centrally.

  Imported Food Regulations
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which public bodies are responsible for collecting information on the number and nature of prosecutions made for breaches of the Imported Food Regulations 1984.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  This information is held by the local authority which has undertaken the prosecution. Such prosecutions are rarely necessary, since imported food which is found not to comply with the requirements of the Imported Food Regulations is normally dealt with by the port health authority in co-operation with the importer.

  Listeria
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what temperature of refrigeration is recommended by his Department to prevent the growth of listeria.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Appropriate storage temperatures for chilled food depend on factors such as the length of and the type of food. We are satisfied that the times and storage temperatures recommended in our guidelines on pre-cooked chilled food in catering produce a microbiologically sound product. In addition, as I said in my reply to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, North (Ms. Walley) on 27 January, we are preparing separately guidelines for retailed chilled foods which will be issued as soon as possible.

  Cook-chill Meals
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Wakefield,Official Report, 23 January, column 411, how many of the consultant microbiologists or control of infection officers in the Yorkshire area were consulted before the Yorkshire regional health authority made the decision to implement cook-chill catering across the whole region in September 1988.

  Mr. Freeman
  This is a matter for the Yorkshire regional health authority.

  The hon. Member may wish to contact its chairman for the information he is seeking.

  Hereditary Conditions
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health to what extent the new National Health Service register will help in tracing the medical records of those who suffer from hereditary conditions such as glaucoma and diabetes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  The NHS central register exists to facilitate the transfer of medical records when patients move from one family practitioner committee area to another. It is not used to record whether people suffer from hereditary conditions; this and other clinical information is contained in the individual medical records which are confidential. No change in the scope of the register is planned, but computerisation in 1990 is intended to speed up considerably the tracing and transfer of the medical records of all patients.

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether any changes will be made in the cash limits of his Department for 1988–89.

  Mr. Mellor
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the cash limit for Class XIV Vote 3 (Miscellaneous health services and personal social services, England) will be increased by £4,995,000 to £424,256,000. The increases are made for an additional £3,697,000 to implement, from 1 April 1988, the recommendations of the review bodies in respect of doctors, dentists, nurses, midwives and professions allied to medicine as announced by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 21 April 1988, £100,000 for nurses' and midwives' pay as announced in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Harlow (Mr. Hayes) on 1 November 1988 at column 601, £5 million for a grant to the Motability 10th anniversary trust fund and £250,000 for the "Eggs: The Facts" advertising campaign. These increases are offset by a surrender of £3,236,000 in respect of a grant to the independent living fund and of £250,000 in respect of grants to organisations serving the interests of persons affected by an error in the calculation of the retail prices index. These sums represent that portion of those grants which will not be paid at the level planned in the current financial year. The increases are further offset by a reduction of £566,000 to the sum announced by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 21 July 1988 at column 726 to reflect a reduced carry forward of capital underspends allowed under the end-year flexibility scheme.

  The net effect of these changes has been charged to the reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Dietary Sugars
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if, pending the report of the COMA panel on dietary sugars, he will request the Health Education Authority in planning its pilot campaign to promote dental health in the north-west to have regard for the conclusions and recommendations contained in two reports referred to by the hon. Member for Derbyshire, South (Mrs. Currie) in reply to the hon. Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Banks) on 19 October 1988,Official Report, column 917.

  Mr. Freeman
  In planning its pilot campaign to promote dental health in the north-west, the Health Education Authority is taking into account all relevant scientific information, including the two reports quoted. The COMA panel on sugars in the diet will take account of these two reports, among others, in reaching its recommendations.

  Medical Students
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many students entered medical training each year from 1976 to 1988; and how many qualified each year from 1982 to 1988.

  Mr. Jackson
  I have been asked to reply.

  The following information was supplied by the University Grants Committee from a special medical return. The intake of pre-clinical medical students to United Kingdom medical schools was as follows:

  47

  Academic year

  Numbers

  1976–77

  3,809

  1977–78

  3,944

  1978–79

  3,979

  1979–80

  3,987

  1980–81

  4,010

  1981–82

  4,072

  1982–83

  4,154

  1983–84

  4,108

  1984–85

  4,125

  1985–86

  4,093

  1986–87

  4,119

  1987–88

  4,125

  11988–89

  4,177

  48
  1 Provisional

  The number of students who obtained a first registrable medical qualification was as follows
  who obtained a first registrable as follows:

  Academic year

  Numbers

  1981–82

  3,545

  1982–83

  3,742

  1983–84

  3,640

  1984–85

  3,636

  1985–86

  3,628

  1986–87

  3,762

  1987–88

  3,744

TRANSPORT

  Severn River Crossing
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will make a statement on the progress towards a new Severn river crossing;

  (2) when he proposes to begin the construction of a new Severn river crossing; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  A number of groups of firms interested in bidding for the second Severn bridge have responded to the Department's invitation to submit proposals. These are now being assessed.

  We hope to announce by the end of February the groups selected to submit full tenders. We remain on course to provide the bridge by the mid-1990s, if traffic levels justify this.

  Promoters will be asked to indicate possible completion dates and the toll levels associated with them.

  Lorries (Loose Bulk Loads)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many accidents over the most recent period for which figures are available have(a) involved or (b) been caused by lorries carrying loose bulk loads; and how many (i) deaths and (ii) serious injuries have been caused as a result of spillage of loose bulk loads.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The information is not available. The Department does not record causes of accidents. Cause is often disputed or unclear.

  The Department does have available the following figures taken from police reports of personal injury accidents:
  In 1987, there were 246 accidents in which a dislodged vehicle load in the carriageway was recorded. In these accidents there were 334 casualties, of whom seven were killed and 78 seriously injured.
  Heavy goods vehicles were involved in only 86 of these accidents, which resulted in 135 casualties, including four fatalities and 42 serious injuries.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has received any representations from people directly or indirectly damaged as a result of spillage from lorries carrying loose bulk loads; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  We are aware of 14 such representations during the last five years covering a widely differing range of incidents.

  It is important for lorry loads to be properly and safely secured. Drivers should follow carefully the guidance set out in the code of practice "Safety of Loads on Vehicles" prepared jointly by the Department, the road transport associations, vehicle and equipment manufacturers and the police.

  It is also important to avoid diesel spillage which causes severe danger to motor-cyclists.

  Aircraft Safety
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had or proposes to have with the Civil Aviation Authority concerning the safety in use of twin-engined jet aircraft on transatlantic crossings; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The Civil Aviation Authority has the statutory responsibility for the safety regulation of civil aviation.
  50
  I am advised that the safety record of extended range operations by twin-engined aircraft is such that there has been no need for discussions with the CAA.

  NATO
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the posts, ranks and responsibilities of United Kingdom representatives designated to form part of the staff of the NATO agencies in transition to war and in war for(a) the Defence Shipping Authority (East), (b) the Interallied Insurance Organisation, (c) the Agency for the Co-ordination of Inland Surface Transport in Central Europe and (d) the NATO Civil Aviation Agency.

  Mr. Portillo
  Details of the United Kingdom representatives designated to form part of the Defence Shipping Authority (East), the Interallied Insurance Organisation, the Agency for the Co-ordination of Inland Surface Transport in Central Europe and the NATO Civil Aviation Agency are classified.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the posts, ranks and responsibilities of United Kingdom delegates to the sub-committee on rail transport of NATO's planning board for European inland surface transport.

  Mr. Portillo
  The United Kingdom's delegates to the sub-committee on rail transport of NATO's planning board for European inland surface transport are:One officer at grade-level from the Department of Transport;
  A representative from British Rail;
  A Ministry of Defence major; and a lieutenant-colonel or major from the British Army of the Rhine.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the title of the sub-committee of NATO's planning board for European inland surface transport (PBEIST) which deals with ports, beaches and inland waterways; and what are the posts, ranks and responsibilities of United Kingdom delegates to this sub-committee.

  Mr. Portillo
  The title of the sub-committee of NATO's planning board for European inland surface transport (PBEIST) which deals with ports, beaches and inland waterways is the permanent sub-committee for ports, beaches and inland waterways transport (PBIWT). The United Kingdom is currently represented on this sub-committee by one officer at grade 7 level and one officer at SEO level from the Department and one officer at HEO level from the Ministry of Defence. The proceedings and further details of attendees are classified.

  Rail Electrification
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what economic assessment his Department has made of the impact upon the east midlands of electrifying the midlands main line and of not doing so.

  Mr. Portillo
  The commercial opportunities for developing the line are a matter for British Rail.

  Addingham Bypass
  Mr. Waller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects construction work to commence on the A65 Addingham bypass.
  51
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  We plan to start construction on Addingham bypass this summer.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what amounts are included within the estimated outturn public expenditure for his Department in 1987–88 in Cm. 288-II for(a) expenditure by way of grants or other forms of non-recoverable expenditure and (b) expenditure by way of loans.

  Mr. Portillo
  The outturn public expenditure for my Department in 1987–88 as estimated in Cm. 288 included £240 million net repayments of loans. The remainder of the estimated expenditure of £4,721 million was not recoverable except for about £15 million port severance grants which may become recoverable in certain circumstances. The figures for 1987–88 now show a total expenditure of £4,592 million, including £362 million net repayments of loans.

  Coastguard
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list in the Official Report those incidents in 1988 requiring assistance from each coastguard rescue station in Scotland.

  Mr. Portillo
  Figures for 1988 are not yet available. The number of incidents where assistance was co-ordinated by coastguard rescue centres in Scotland during 1987 are as follows:

  Number

  Aberdeen

  53

  Clyde

  167

  Forth

  66

  Moray

  71

  Oban

  140

  Pentland

  56

  Shetland

  65

  Stornaway

  42

  Income received by London Regional Transport (1987–88 prices)

  11984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  21988–89

  31989–90

  Total income(£ million)

  1,203·7

  1,070·3

  1,046·5

  997·4

  957·5

  1,086·9

  Source

  Traffic Income(£ million)

  802·0

  683·3

  693·5

  710·6

  726·4

  778·7

  Per cent. of total

  66·6

  64·3

  66·3

  71·2

  75·9

  71·6

  Other Income (£ million)

  39·4

  33·8

  45·9

  47·8

  51·9

  51·0

  Per cent. of total

  3·3

  3·2

  4·4

  4·8

  5·4

  4·7

  Grant (including GLC grant in 1984–85)(£ million)

  362·3

  348·2

  307·1

  239·0

  179·2

  257·2

  Per cent. of total

  30·1

  32·5

  29·3

  24·0

  18·7

  23·7

  Grant recovered from levy on London ratepayers(65·63 per cent. of total grant)

  n/a

  228·5

  201·6

  156·9

  117·6

  168·8

  1 15 month accounting period 1 January 1984 to 31 March 1985. Audited figures for the fiscal year 1 April 1984 to 31 March 1985 are not available.

  2 Estimated outturn (as published in Annual Business Plan for 1989–90), deflated using an inflation rate for the financial year 1988–89 based on the 1988 RPI and an average of independent forecasts for 1st quarter 1989.

  52
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many representations he has received against the proposed closure of the Moray coastguard rescue centre.

  Mr. Portillo
  The Department has received a number of representations including 13 letters from hon. or right hon. Members.

  Heavy Lorries
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of Transport if he will list the number and type of local authority control schemes to restrict heavy lorry movements which have been implemented since the coming into force of the Heavy Commercial Vehicles Act 1973.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The Department does not keep a record of such schemes.

  Bus Doors
  Dame Jill Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made on the safety of bus doors since the answer to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston on 19 May 1988,Official Report, column 524.

  Mr. Portillo
  Good progress has been made in our discussions with the bus operators and manufacturers. I hope to make an announcement shortly.

  London Regional Transport
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will tabulate in the Official Report income received, or estimated to be received, by London Regional Transport from (a) fares, (b) the Exchequer, (c) rate levy on London boroughs and (d) other income, for each of the years 1984–85 to 1989–90 at constant prices, together with the percentage of income arising from each source for each year, respectively.

  Mr. Portillo
  The information requested is as follows:
  53
  3 Forecast (as published in Annual Business Plan for 1989–90), deflated using an inflation rate for 1989–90 based on an average of independent forecasts.

  Source: Annual Report and Accounts except as stated in notes 2 and 3 above.

  Channel Tunnel
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to develop a primary road network in Suffolk and Norfolk suitable for the advent of the Channel tunnel and the European single market.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  A primary route network, consisting of trunk roads and principal local authority roads, is already firmly established for the Department's eastern region, which includes Suffolk and Norfolk. We monitor its operation through a joint committee with the seven county surveyors for the region. The effects of predicted traffic growth and road developments on the network are taken into account at each annual review. This would include any increase in traffic to and from Europe through the east coast ports. The Channel tunnel is not expected significantly to influence traffic flows in Suffolk and Norfolk.

  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the financing of a new railway line between the Channel tunnel terminal area and London can be carried out with public funds.

  Mr. Portillo
  Under section 19(2)(a) of the Transport Act 1962, British Rail has the power to borrow public funds for capital investment.

  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether there is any requirement for a specified minimum rate of return to be achieved if the financing of the construction of a new railway line between the Channel tunnel terminal area and London is to be carried out with public funds.

  Mr. Portillo
  If the new line were to be financed by British Rail, the board would need to demonstrate that the project would produce a commercial return. The discount rate used to test this (currently 7 per cent.) will be agreed between BR and the Department. It will need to reflect the Treasury's required rate of return, which is intended to ensure that commercial public sector investment programmes (such as BR's) provide a rate of return which is broadly equivalent to that which could be achieved in the private sector. The required rate of return was set in 1978 and is reviewed from time to time.

  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the circumstances in which he will not give his approval to a proposal from British Rail to construct a new railway line between London and the Channel tunnel.

  Mr. Portillo
  We will not give our approval if the board's proposals (which will need to include environmental protection measures) fail to establish a commercial case for the construction of a new line.

  Road Traffic (Tax Yield)
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much tax yield the Treasury would gain from each 1 per cent. increase in the volume of road traffic.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Tax receipts do not relate directly to traffic volume. The gain would vary according to how 54
  much of the growth came from increased vehicle mileage and how much from increased numbers of vehicles on the road, and on their fuel consumption. Increased motoring taxes would be partly offset by the costs of the extra wear and tear caused by the extra traffic.

  Underground Stations (Fire Brigade Reports)
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether, in the light of the recommendations in the Fennell report, he will place in the Library the annual reports put forward in 1988 by the London fire brigade on each deep underground station.

  Mr. Portillo
  I understand that London Underground will, in the light of the Fennell recommendations, place in the Library of the House copies of the annual reports by the London fire brigade together with its responses. This procedure will be implemented starting from the inspection reports received in 1989.

  M20
  Mr. Speed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to let the contract for the construction of London-Ashford section of the M20 motorway.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  We expect to let the contract for the Lenham to Ashford section of the motorway this spring.

  Settle-Carlisle Railway
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has decided upon a date on which to announce his decision on the future of the Settle-Carlisle railway.

  Mr. Portillo
  My right hon. Friend will reach his decision when he has considered all the evidence before him.

  Guardian Angels
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the British transport police on the activities on the London Underground system of the organisation known as the Guardian Angels.

  Mr. Portillo
  I see no need for such a report. The Government have made it clear that we are opposed to private citizens adopting a policing role except as special constables. There can be no objection to any persons travelling on the Underground if they do so in an unprovocative manner as fare-paying and law-abiding citizens. If, however, they act unlawfully or engage in conduct likely to provoke a breach of the peace, their presence will not be welcome and in that event they could not expect to be exempt from the ordinary processes of the law. The British transport police committee is considering the changes that would be necessary to the British transport police scheme to allow the force to recruit special constables and the Government look forward to their proposals.

  Severn Bridge
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the amount collected in tolls on the Severn bridge since it opened to the latest available date.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  A total of £48,547,086 to 31 March 1988.

  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the present debt on the Severn bridge.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The latest available figure is £85,469,667 at 31 March 1988.

  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the proposed doubling of toll charges on the Severn bridge takes place in September 1989, when he expects the debt on the bridge to be finally discharged.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  In 2006.

  Road Traffic (London)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will tabulate in the Official Report the

  Summary of radial traffic movements in London Combined 24 hour flow—thousands of vehicles

  Mode

  1983

  11987

  per cent. change

  per cent. share

  A. Vehicles crossing the London boundary cordon

  Buses and coaches

  19

  16

  -16

  1

  Private cars

  1,565

  1,705

  +9

  79

  Taxis

  6

  9

  +50

  —

  Goods vehicles:

  light

  159

  206

  +30

  10

  medium

  111

  111

  0

  5

  heavy

  77

  52

  -32

  2

  Motor cycles

  46

  39

  -15

  2

  Pedal cycles

  15

  16

  +7

  1

  TOTAL

  1,998

  2,154

  +8

  100

  B. Vehicles crossing the Inner London cordon

  Buses and coaches

  35

  35

  0

  2

  Private cars

  1,535

  1,606

  +5

  75

  Taxis

  40

  40

  0

  2

  Goods vehicles:

  light

  196

  216

  +10

  10

  medium

  116

  110

  -5

  5

  heavy

  40

  34

  -15

  2

  Motor cycles

  77

  58

  -25

  3

  Pedal cycles

  31

  24

  -23

  1

  TOTAL

  22,070

  2,123

  +3

  100

  C. Vehicles crossing the Central London cordon

  Buses and coaches

  39

  34

  -13

  2

  Private cars

  1,071

  1,086

  +1

  67

  Taxis

  125

  131

  +5

  8

  Goods vehicles:

  light

  134

  173

  +29

  11

  medium

  91

  90

  -1

  5

  heavy

  32

  17

  -47

  1

  Motor cycles

  81

  65

  -20

  4

  Pedal cycles

  47

  30

  -36

  2

  TOTAL

  1,620

  1,626

  +0·4

  100

  1 Estimates extrapolated from 1986 survey. See Statistics Bulletin (88) 39—London Traffic Monitoring Report for 1987.

  2 Estimates extrapolated from surveys conducted in 1981 and 1984. See Statistics Bulletin (88) 39—London Traffic Monitoring Report for 1987.

  The question asks for results expressed in the form of passenger car units. This measurement is used by traffic
  56
  number of vehicles of different categories crossing the three London traffic cordons in a combined 24-hour flow for the years 1983 and 1987 together with the total vehicle flow at each cordon in passenger car units for the period together with the percentage change for each category and total as set out in Table 4 of his recent publication "Statement on Transport in London".

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The information on flows in passenger car units is as follows:

  Summary of Radial Traffic Movements in London Combined direction 24 hour flows—thousands of passenger car units

  1983

  1987

  per cent. change

  London Boundary cordon

  2,133

  2,257

  +6

  Inner London cordon

  2,144

  2,203

  +3

  Central London cordon

  1,660

  1,664

  +0·3

  The remaining information is set out in table 3 of the "Statement On Transport in London", reproduced as follows:

  engineers to express the demands of different vehicle types as a single value, usually in connection with traffic control at signalled junctions.
  57
  The following values are commonly used by the transport and road research laboratory to convert other vehicle types to their equivalent in passenger car units.

  Passenger car units

  Bus or coach

  2·0

  Private car

  1·0

  Taxis

  1·0

  Light goods vehicle

  1·0

  Medium goods vehicle

  1·5

  Heavy goods vehicle

  2·3

  Motor cycle

  0·4

  Pedal cycle

  0·2

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to ensure that those advising him on British Rail's preferred route for a new railway line between London and the Channel tunnel do not live on or near any of the routes in question.

  Tonnes

  STC Division code

  1985

  1986

  1987

  00

  Live animals chiefly for foods

  44

  38

  55

  01

  Meat and meat preparations

  441

  957

  216

  02

  Dairy products and birds' eggs

  117

  131

  113

  03

  Fish, crustaceans and molluscs and preparations thereof

  70,638

  70,807

  63,972

  04

  Cereals and cereal preparations

  644,165

  307,847

  706,142

  05

  Vegetables and fruit

  586

  846

  374

  06

  Sugar, sugar preparations and honey

  128

  103

  41

  07

  Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and manufactures thereof

  1,927

  1,300

  2,135

  08

  Feedingstuff for animals

  1,122

  2,260

  2,331

  09

  Miscellaneous edible products

  2,410

  315

  342

  Section 0

  Food and feed

  721,578

  384,604

  775,721

  Total value of these food and feed exports (£ million)

  81·516

  43·502

  54·149

  NATO Central Supply Agency
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the posts, ranks and responsibilities of United Kingdom representatives designated to form part of the staff of the NATO central supply agency in transition to war.

  Mr. Ryder
  Information on the posts, ranks and responsibilities of the staff of NATO central supplies agency is subject to NATO security classification, and I am therefore unable to provide this information.

  Food Hygiene
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food pursuant to the answer to the right hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South, 1 December,Official Report, column 319, when the major national campaign on food hygiene will be launched; which people and which organisations have advised on its content; at whom it is aimed; what form it will take; and what the cost will be.

  Mr. Ryder
  The campaign was prepared by my Department in collaboration with DOH, the Health Education Authority, the public health laboratory service and the Institution of Environmental Health Officers and will be launched this spring. The campaign will be based on an educational leaflet "The Recipe for Food Safety"
  58
  Mr. Portillo
  Members of the Department are required to disclose any personal interest they may have in matters for which they are responsible in an official capacity.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Eastern Europe (Food Sales)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the foods and quantities sold to countries in Eastern Europe in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Ryder
  The following information on United Kingdom exports to Eastern Europe is derived from the "Overseas Trade Statistics". It covers exports to Albania, Bulgaria, the German Democratic Republic, Hungary, Poland and Romania. Data for the whole of 1988 are not yet available.

  which will advise the general public on how to prevent food poisoning in the home. The leaflet will be distributed through supermarkets, doctors' surgeries and other outlets. The campaign will cost initially £50,000.

  Slugs
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has made any estimate of the size of the slug population; and what evidence he has of its rate of growth in recent years.

  Mr. Ryder
  Whilst I have no estimate of the size of the slug population, long-term monitoring shows no indication of a population explosion. Recent weather conditions have, however, encouraged greater slug activity which has caused local problems for cereal and oilseed rape growers in particular.

  Bottled Water (Nitrate Content)
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and food what are the nitrate levels in the five most popular bottled waters sold in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Ryder
  My Department does not keep records of the composition of all individual brands of bottled waters. Information on levels of nitrates in natural mineral waters should be available from the authority which has
  59
  "recognised" the water under the appropriate European Community rules. It may also be available from the exploiter of the water source.

  EC Produce (Chemical Treatment)
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps his Department takes to ensure that produce from other EEC states which has been treated with chemicals banned in the United Kingdom does not enter the United Kingdom market; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  The United Kingdom now has over 1,000 statutory pesticide maximum residue levels (MRLs) under the Pesticides (Maximum Residue Levels in Food) Regulations 1988. Some of these MRLs are set at levels designed to preclude use of certain pesticides and they apply to imported as well as home-produced food and crops. Other member states, like the United Kingdom, are free to approve pesticides not already banned in all member states under directive 79/117/EEC. Many pesticides approved for use here and elsewhere do not give rise to residues in food. However, if imported food were thought likely to contain undesirable residues of pesticides not approved in the United Kingdom, appropriate MRLs could be introduced and enforced under the regulations.

  Salmonella
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on how many occasions during 1988 salmonella enteriditis was confirmed in egg-laying flocks and on which occasion he used his powers to prevent poultry or eggs from such units from being sold for human consumption.

  Mr. Ryder
  The provisional figures for 1988 show that salmonella enteritidis was isolated in 20 table-egg laying flocks. Where salmonella enteritidis has been isolated a veterinary investigation has been carried out and advice given. I announced last Friday in a parliamentary reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Daventry (Mr. Boswell) that notices will be issued under the Zoonoses Order 1975 to egg producers with flocks known or suspected of infection with salmonella enteritidis or other similar types of salmonella. These notices will prevent the sale of eggs in a raw state direct for human consumption.

  Farmers (Direct Aid)
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what information he has about the intention of EEC member states to introduce new direct aid schemes for farmers;

  (2) which European Economic Community member states currently operate direct income aids for farmers.

  Mr. Ryder
  None. The Council reached agreement on the Commission's income aid proposal on 24 January. Member states wishing to implement this optional regulation have four years in which to submit their proposals to the Commission.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will take steps to introduce a direct income scheme for farmers.

  Mr. Ryder
  I have no plans to do so.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the total volume of each commodity held in the United Kingdom in storage under the common agricultural policy intervention regime.

  Mr. Ryder
  A note setting out the volume of United Kingdom intervention stocks of agricultural commodities is deposited in the Library of the House and updated monthly.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the level of expenditure incurred in the United Kingdom during 1988, for each commodity, in(a) common agricultural policy intervention buying and (b) storage.

  Mr. Ryder
  The information requested is as follows:

  £ thousand

  1987–88 Outturn

  1988–89 Forecast

  Beef

  Intervention purchases

  100,759

  50,340

  Intervention sales

  -52,850

  -43,470

  Net cost of intervention buying

  47,909

  6,870

  Storage costs

  18,356

  10,190

  Cereals

  Intervention purchases

  5,470

  72,460

  Intervention sales

  -93,993

  -55,060

  Net cost of intervention buying

  -88,523

  17,400

  Storage costs

  59,560

  35,276

  Butter

  Intervention purchases

  133,837

  2,490

  Intervention sales

  -23,342

  -32,450

  Net cost of intervention buying

  110,495

  -29,960

  Storage costs

  18,309

  4,750

  Skimmed Milk Powder

  Intervention purchases

  363

  2,490

  Intervention sales

  -18,092

  -32,450

  Net cost of intervention buying

  -17,729

  -29,960

  Storage costs

  243

  4,750

  Oil-seeds

  Intervention purchases

  0

  7,240

  Intervention sales

  0

  -7,560

  Net cost of intervention buying

  0

  -320

  Storage costs

  0

  240

  Beef Producers
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much financial support was available to British producers of beef for each of the last three years for which figures are available; and what is his estimate for the next full financial year in the light of the new regime announced on 24 January.

  Mr. Ryder
  Total expenditure in support of beef production in the United Kingdom in the last three financial years was as follows:

  £ million

  1985–86

  404·2

  1986–87

  312·0

  1987–88

  292·2

  61
  These figures comprise intervention purchases and sales, intervention storage costs, export refunds, beef variable premium, suckler cow premium, calf premium and the beef element of hill livestock compensatory allowances.

  In 1988–89 expenditure on the beef variable premium has been reduced as a result of firmer beef prices flowing from reductions in beef from the dairy herd. In 1989–90 expenditure will depend in particular on uptake of the special premium, the rate to be decided for the suckler cow premium and the extent to which the new system for intervention is activated.

  Council of Ministers
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what will be the financial effect on the United Kingdom of the decision announced by the European Economic Community Council of farm Ministers at their meeting on 24 January.

  Mr. Ryder
  We are still assessing the financial consequences of the decisions reached at the Agriculture Council on 24 January. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Export Subsidies
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps his Department takes to verify the notice of quantity of agricultural products exported from the United Kingdom with the aid of EEC export subsidies.

  Mr. Ryder
  Physical control of United Kingdom exports and imports, including those of agricultural products, is the responsibility of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise.

  Agriculture Industry
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when, further to his reply of 5 December, column 30, to the hon. Member for Daventry, he plans to publish data on the state of the agriculture industry in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. MacGregor: "Agriculture in the United Kingdom: 1988" has been published today by Her Majesty's Stationery Office. I have made copies available in the Library of the House. As indicated in my earlier reply, this document is the successor to the annual review White Papers which have been published in previous years. The new publication contains enhanced information on commodities and on the general financial situation of the industry and provides a compendium of statistics, generally continuing the series which has been running for many years, and providing valuable data for all those with an interest in the industry.

  The document notes that 1988 was a year in which major policy developments took place in the United Kingdom and in the European Community generally. In the EC, the most significant development was the agreement reached at the European Council in February 1988, introducing budgetary discipline in the common agricultural policy and improving its management. Last year also saw the introduction of a number of United Kingdom schemes offering farmers the opportunity to
  62
  engage in commercially viable alternatives to surplus production. Set-aside, the farm woodland and farm diversification grant schemes were all introduced. The number of environmentally sensitive areas was increased and the reorientation of the capital grant scheme was announced.

  The different sectors of United Kingdom agriculture fared very differently during 1988. The situation of the industry reported in the document is therefore a complex one, but the following are among its main features.

  Cereal and oilseed rape yields were low due to poor weather and because of this and lower prices the value of output was significantly reduced. The value of output of potatoes fell sharply as a result of lower prices. Horticulture had a relatively good year, with most parts of the sector recording a higher value of output.

  Within the livestock sector, higher beef prices and increased production of lamb maintained the output value of these meats, but lower prices for pigmeat meant that this sector was depressed for much of the year. Milk production was further reduced by the quota arrangements, but the value of output was maintained by price increases. Production of poultrymeat continued to expand, but lower prices reduced the value of egg production. The forecasts exclude the effects of the recent disturbance in the egg market.

  There was little change in the overall quantity, average price or value of the industry's output, but with higher input costs its net product fell by nearly 7 per cent. which, after providing for labour and interest costs and net rent, was reflected in a 25 per cent. fall in farming income. However, no single measure can fully reflect the situation in such a diverse industry, and a variety of different compilations of the aggregate statistics, both United Kingdom and EC, can give different results. It is for that reason, among others, that I have recently suggested that we need a more sophisticated analysis of what is happening to farm incomes than a single aggregate measure can give. The document provides other indicator's of farming prosperity which show smaller falls. It also shows that there were considerable income variations among farm types. While the arable and intensive livestock sectors did less well, net income from dairying and hill and upland livestock farms showed marked increases in all parts of the United Kingdom, and net income from lowland livestock increased in England and Scotland. Overall, England fared less well than Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

  For the first time Inland Revenue sample data are included in the document. They indicate that income from farming has accounted for 50 to 60 per cent. of total taxable income in recent years. Other earned income has contributed a further 15 to 20 per cent. It is the Government's policy to encourage farmers to find ways of generating an increasing proportion of their income from activities which respond to market demand, including alternative employment of assets and business skills on the farm.

  These are sample data relating to earlier years. Further research and surveys are needed to get a more precise and accurate picture of the income position of farming households, and we are undertaking these.

SCOTLAND

  Rating Reform
  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the latest estimates for the cost of collecting the poll tax in Strathclyde region.

  Mr. Lang
  Strathclyde regional council will have included an estimate of the cost of community charge collection in the budget which it has now set, but the council has not yet provided the Scottish Office with details of that budget.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what guidance he issues on the circumstances in which information used for the maintenance of the community charge registers may be disclosed to(a) other departments of Government, (b) the police and (c) public utilities;

  (2) what guidance he issues on the use of personal data collected by the community charge officer for community charge purposes as a general information resource for the charging authority to use for other purposes, and whether he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  We have made no provision for personal data to be disclosed for the purposes or to the organisations mentioned by the hon. Member. Section 20(2)(b) of the Abolition of Domestic Rates Etc. (Scotland) Act 1987, as amended, provides that the extent to which a local authority shall be entitled to inspect the register shall be an entitlement to inspect such part of the register as relates to premises within their area for the purpose of determining, levying or collecting any community charge. I do not consider that specific guidance is required .in relation to either of these issues.

  Mr. Buchanan-Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many responsible persons, as so described for the purpose of the community charge, had failed to complete properly the community charge inquiry forms in relation to their date of birth; on how many the £50 civil penalty had been imposed for this reason; and if he will give the information also for each regional council on 31 October 1988 and on the most recent convenient date.

  Mr. Lang
  The processing of community charges inquiry forms and the imposition of civil penalties are matters for individual community charges registration officers and the information requested is not held centrally.

  NHS Grading
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff from each of the old grades have been assimilated to each of the new grades in the recent clinical grading structure in each health board.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Strathkelvin and Bearsden (Mr. Gailbraith) on 20 January 1989 at column 338.

  Departmental Staff (Child Care)
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what child care provision his Department provides for pre-school age children of the employees;64
  what child care provision for school holidays or after-school care is provided for employee's children aged five years and over; what plans there are for increasing provision in the next five years; and how these are to be funded.

  Mr. Ritkind
  My Department does not provide child care facilities and has at present no plans to provide any. It has, however, publicised such facilities provided by others as have come to notice. The provision and funding of facilities for child care are being considered servicewide and my Department will review the situation in the light of developments.

  Hospital Waiting lists
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the latest figures for people waiting for hospital treatment in(a) Aberdeen, (b) Dundee, (c) Edinburgh, and (d) Greater Glasgow.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Information on waiting lists is collected centrally only for health board areas. The latest available information on hospital in-patient and day case waiting lists is published in statistical bulletin 1/88, "Waiting List Figures for 31 March 1988", copies of which are held in the Library.

  Area Conservation
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Caerphilly of 24 January, he will list those schemes under which he makes payments to facilitate the conservation of certain areas.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Under the provisions of the environmentally sensitive area scheme and the agricultural development programme for the Scottish islands my right hon. and learned Friend may make payments to farmers and crofters who are prepared to undertake certain conservation measures.

  Ross Hall Hospital (Orthopaedic Operations)
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many orthopaedic operations at National Health Service expense have been carried out at Ross Hall hospital to the latest available date; when this practice started; what is the total cost to date for the National Health Service; and what would be the bed requirement if these operations were carried out within National Health Service hospitals.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The number of patients admitted to Ross Hall hospital for orthopaedic procedures as part of the waiting list initiatives is 52. The first of these patients was admitted in early 1988.

  The total cost to the National Health Service has been £154,144. The operations were carried out in order to shorten waiting times for the operations concerned. I visited Ross Hall hospital and learned at first hand how much this initiative by the board was appreciated by the patients concerned.

  School Leavers (University Courses)
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the number of school leavers
  65
  entering full-time degree courses at university in each of the years from 1982–83 to 1987–88, inclusive, and from each local education authority, including 16 subdivisions of Strathclyde; and if he will express these figures as a proportion of the number of students in s4, s5, and s6 in each authority.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Information in the form requested is not readily available centrally. The table shows the participation of young Scots in full-time university courses.

  Under 21 Scots entrants to full-time undergraduate courses at universities in the United Kingdom

  Column (1) expressed as a percentage of 17 year olds the previous year

  (1)

  (2)

  Session

  1982–83

  8,000

  8·5

  1983–84

  7,700

  8·4

  1984–85

  7,800

  8·7

  1985–86

  7,400

  8·4

  1986–87

  7,400

  8·5

  1987–88

  7,700

  9·2

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the total number of people unemployed in each of the travel-to-work areas in September 1988 and September 1984.

  Mr. Lang
  The total number of unemployed claimants in each of the travel-to-work areas in Scotland in September 1988 and September 1984 was as shown in the table.

  Unemployed claimants

  Travel-to-work area

  September 1988

  September 1984

  Aberdeen

  10,073

  9,518

  Alloa

  2,767

  3,468

  Annan

  849

  1,241

  Arbroath

  1,455

  1,625

  Ayr

  4,899

  6,787

  Badenoch

  394

  517

  Banff

  838

  733

  Bathgate

  6,639

  10,210

  Berwickshire

  507

  629

  Blairgowrie and Pitlochry

  994

  1,272

  Brechin and Montrose

  1,312

  1,449

  Buckie

  459

  527

  Campbeltown

  586

  723

  Crieff

  345

  386

  Cumnock and Sanquhar

  3,735

  4,022

  Dumbarton

  4,799

  6,150

  Dumfries

  2,037

  2,547

  Dundee

  13,017

  16,919

  Dunfermline

  6,510

  7,476

  Dunoon and Bute

  1,184

  1,309

  Edinburgh

  28,850

  34,356

  Elgin

  1,551

  1,655

  Falkirk

  7,443

  10,959

  Forfar

  929

  1,018

  Forres

  599

  574

  Fraserburgh

  597

  770

  Galashiels

  851

  1,088

  Girvan

  640

  804

  Glasgow

  94,724

  114,805

  Greenock

  8,607

  9,140

  Haddington

  1,149

  1,065

  Hawick

  508

  798

  Huntly

  288

  313

  66

  Travel-to-work area

  September 1988

  September 1984

  Invergordon and Dingwall

  2,154

  3,057

  Inverness

  3,972

  3,908

  Irvine

  8,600

  12,013

  Islay-Mid Argyll

  515

  532

  Keith

  475

  576

  Kelso and Jedburgh

  327

  422

  Kilmarnock

  5,461

  6,002

  Kirkcaldy

  9,488

  10,276

  Lanarkshire

  24,806

  33,936

  Lochaber

  966

  1,263

  Lockerbie

  374

  501

  Newton Stewart

  532

  658

  North East Fife

  1,544

  1,761

  Oban

  660

  746

  Orkney Islands

  729

  707

  Peebles

  414

  517

  Perth

  2,677

  3,022

  Peterhead

  1,271

  1,628

  Shetland Islands

  626

  638

  Skye and Wester Ross

  776

  846

  Stewartry

  792

  957

  Stirling

  3,557

  4,900

  Stranraer

  1,135

  1,271

  Sutherland

  602

  822

  Thurso

  682

  718

  Western Isles

  2,105

  1,884

  Wick

  681

  779

  Note: Due to changes in the compilation of the statistics during the period these figures are not directly comparable.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the total number of employees in employment by travel-to-work areas in September 1988.

  Mr. Lang
  The latest available figures, from the 1984 census of employment, are given on pages 28 and 29 of "Scottish Economic Bulletin" number 36 (December 1987), which is available in the Library of the House.

  Job Creation
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the number and categories of jobs which have been created by the Inverclyde initiative since the date of its inception in 1985; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  The Inverclyde initiative does not in itself directly create new jobs. Its aim is to stimulate local economic activity and create opportunities for employment.

  The initiative records show that between March 1985, when the initiative was launched, and December 1988, 2,613 new jobs have been created by companies in the area. Of these, 1,034 were in manufacturing and 1,579 in the service sector.

  Teachers (Working Hours)
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what systematic information his Department gathers about the average working hours of teachers in(a) primary and (b) secondary schools.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The timetabled working hours in school in a normal working week subdivided by time in contact with pupils and time out of contact with pupils is collected biennially from each teacher in education authority primary and secondary schools. Due to industrial action in schools, the most recent comprehensive data available relate to September 1984.

  Whole Body Monitoring
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now consider extending the programme for whole body monitoring on a systematic basis to the whole of Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Government have funded a programme of research into whole body monitoring covering Scotland as a whole which has been undertaken by the Scottish universities research and reactor centre at East Kilbride. The final report of that work has been prepared and will be published shortly.

  Education Reform
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the total spending in his Department on press, public relations and advertising on education in 1986–87 and 1987–88 and the projected expenditure for 1988–89.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 17 January 1989]: Expenditure was £5,000 in 1986–87 and £20,000 in 1987–88, and is estimated to be about £26,500 in 1988–89.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Social Fund
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the percentage of the annual social fund budget allocated for each month of 1988–89 for grants and loans(a) in the Edinburgh, Leith local office and (b) in each of the other local offices in Lothian region; and what social fund claims and payments have been made to date, broken down into (i) the number of social fund claims issued and returned for each of grants, budget loans, and for crisis loans, (ii) the number of awards, partial awards and refusals for both grants and loans, (iii) the average payment and (iv) the number of awards successful on review; and if he will give the loans for claimant group 'E', 'A' and pensioners.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Details of the numbers of applications for social fund loans and grants processed and awarded, listed by local office, including information on annual budget allocations and expenditure, are in the Library. Local offices do not, however, have monthly budgets. To assist local office management, there is a national profile of anticipated monthly expenditure which may be adjusted to reflect local demands. Details of the national profile were given in my predecessor's reply to the hon. Member for Derby, South (Mrs. Beckett) on 11 July 1988 at column 61.

  No statistics are maintained on the number of application forms issued to potential social fund applicants and their representatives.

  Details of the number of awards successful on review and the numbers of loans awarded to each social fund client group in the offices requested for the year to the end of December 1988 are shown in the tables.

  A. The number of social fund awards successful on review

  Local office

  Number

  Amount awarded (£)

  Bathgate

  143

  25,882·19

  Edinburgh City

  9

  1,558·55

  Edinburgh East

  127

  21,041·69

  68

  Local office

  Number

  Amount awarded (£)

  Edinburgh North

  21

  3,138·40

  Edinburgh South

  75

  12,381·78

  Edinburgh West

  53

  6,609·64

  Total

  428

  70,612·25

  Loans awarded to social fund client groups

  Client group

  Loans awarded

  Amount granted (£)

  01

  74

  12,876·29

  02

  76

  14,245·38

  03

  318

  53,948·25

  04

  64

  12,152·46

  05

  593

  85,311·48

  06

  436

  69,063·44

  07

  4,108

  726,898·36

  08

  59

  10,945·05

  09

  224

  26,402·86

  10

  1,509

  288,461·74

  11

  4,159

  384,959·82

  12

  82

  13,399·53

  13

  1,294

  100,298·40

  15

  638

  32,433·82

  C. List of social fund client group codes.

  Code

  Client Group

  01

  Aged over 80 with higher pension premium

  02

  Aged 60 to 79 disabled with higher pensioner premium

  03

  Aged 60 to 79 with ordinary pensioner premium or over 60 without pensioner premium

  Applicant and partner aged under 60

  04

  Lone parent with disability premium

  05

  Family with disability premium

  06

  Other with disability premium

  07

  Lone parent without disability premium

  08

  Unemployed with family premium—signing quarterly

  09

  Unemployed without family premium—signing quarterly

  10

  Unemployed or with training allowance—with family premium

  11

  Unemployed or with training allowance—without family premium

  12

  Others with family premium

  13

  Others without family premium

  15

  Applicants not receiving Income Support

  Benefits
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the amount of benefits to which people are entitled but which is not claimed.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  No precise estimates of total unclaimed benefits can be provided and those figures which the Department does publish give no more than the broadest orders of magnitude. I refer the hon. Member to paragraphs 21 to 25 and table 15.17 on pages 272 to 273 of Cm. 288 (the 1988 public expenditure White Paper) for details of the latest available take-up estimates for the main income-related benefits. Take-up estimates for 1985 should be available shortly.

  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the levels of statutory sick pay and of sick benefit and invalidity benefit; whether they are earnings related; and if there is a minimum and a maximum sum.
  69
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Statutory sick pay is payable at one of two rates, depending on an employee's average weekly earnings. The present rates are £49·20 where average weekly earnings are £79·50 or more and £34·25 where they are between £41 and £79·49. SSP is subject to deductions for tax and national insurance contributions, where appropriate.

  Sickness benefit is a flat-rate payment of £31·30 per week for persons under minimum pension age and £39·45 per week for persons over that age. These sums are increased by £19·40 and £23·65 respectively where there is entitlement for an adult dependant.

  The basic invalidity pension is a flat-rate payment of £41·15 per week with increases of £24·75 for an adult dependant and £8·40 for each dependent child. Two other increases may be payable with invalidity pension. An additional earnings-related pension is payable based on the claimant's earnings since 1978. The maximum increase payable in 1987 was £29·11, but the average amount in payment was £4·30. An invalidity allowance is payable at one of three rates where the claimant's incapacity began more than five years before pension age. The rates are £8·65 per week (under 40); £5·50 (40–49) and £2·75 (50–59 (men); 50–54 (women)). But where there is entitlement to both increases, invalidity allowance is offset against the additional pension, so in effect the higher of the two sums is payable. Neither sickness benefit nor invalidity benefit is taxable.

  Where the claimant has been in hospital for six weeks, sickness or invalidity benefit is reduced by £8·25 a week if the claimant has a dependant and £16·50 if not. After a year in hospital there is a further reduction of £8·25 where the patient has a dependant. If he has no dependant the benefit payable is reduced to £8·25 a week.

  Cold Weather Payments
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many payments have been made under the cold weather payments scheme for each of the weeks in 1989 in(a) Nottingham and (b) the country as a whole.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  None.

  Maternity Benefits
  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish in the Official Report the most recent available figures showing (a) the number of maternity payments from the social fund made to women on income support and the take-up rate for this benefit, (b) the number of awards of free milk and vitamins made to pregnant women on income support and the take-up rate for this benefit and (c) the number of pregnant women on income support.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The information is as follows:

  (a) 95,700 social fund maternity payments were made to women on income support between 11 April 1988 and 31 November 1988;

  (b) information is not yet available on the number of awards of free milk and vitamins to women on income support. The May 1987 annual statistical inquiry showed 47,000 such awards to women receiving supplementary benefit;

  (c) pregnant women are not separately identified for income support purposes.

  It is not therefore possible to provide information about take up for either maternity payments or free milk and vitamins.

  Benefits
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people over pensionable age in Great Britain have had their total social security benefits reduced to less than £1 per week as a result of changes to the housing benefit regulations.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I regret this information is not available.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the number of(a) claimants and (b) dependants on supplementary benefits income support for each year since 1979 for Great Britain, England, Wales and Scotland.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The information is as follows:

  Number of claimants in receipt of Supplementary Benefit or Income Support

  Great Britain

  England

  Wales

  Scotland

  1979

  2,855,000

  2,396,000

  172,000

  286,000

  1980

  3,118,000

  2,627,000

  186,000

  304,000

  1981

  3,723,000

  3,131,000

  221,000

  371,000

  1982

  4,267,000

  3,590,000

  253,000

  423,000

  1983

  4,349,000

  3,649,000

  260,000

  440,000

  1984

  4,609,000

  3,866,000

  275,000

  468,000

  1986

  4,938,000

  4,141,000

  291,000

  506,000

  1987

  4,896,000

  4,073,000

  287,000

  535,000

  1988

  4,354,000

  3,596,000

  259,000

  499,000

  Number of partners and dependent children of claimants in receipt of Supplementary Benefit or Income Support

  Great Britain

  England

  Wales

  Scotland

  1979

  1,516,000

  1,256,000

  95,000

  164,000

  1980

  1,745,000

  1,465,000

  104,000

  177,000

  1981

  2,399,000

  2,013,000

  149,000

  237,000

  1982

  2,803,000

  2,348,000

  173,000

  281,000

  1983

  2,888,000

  2,438,000

  178,000

  273,000

  1984

  3,119,000

  2,618,000

  198,000

  304,000

  1986

  3,353,000

  2,821,000

  207,000

  326,000

  1987

  3,309,000

  2,789,000

  194,000

  327,000

  1988

  3,018,000

  2,510,000

  182,000

  327,000

  Source for both tables:

  1979–1987 Annual Statistical Enquiry.

  1988 May Quarterly Statistical Inquiry.

  Notes:

  1. All figures are rounded to the nearest thousand and may not therefore sum.

  2. There was no Annual Statistical Inquiry in 1985: the one due in December that year was deferred until February 1986.

  Incomes
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what was the average growth in incomes in each of the last 10 years of(a) households in the sixth decile group and (b) pensioners' households in the sixth decile group of pensioner households;

  (2) what was the average growth in incomes in each of the last 10 years of (a) households in the seventh decile group and (b) pensioners' households in the seventh decile group of pensioner households.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to him on 23 January at column 414.

  Family Credit
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the latest figures for family credit take-up in(a) Scotland, (b) England, (c) Wales, (d) the United Kingdom and (e) Greater Glasgow.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  For the figures for Great Britain as a whole, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Livingston (Mr. Cook) on 13 January 1989 at columns 781–82. No breakdown of this figure between countries or areas is available. The family credit scheme in Northern Ireland is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will immediately undertake an in-depth study of the high extra costs of disability, as advocated by the Disablement Income Group in its recent report entitled, "Being Disabled Costs More Than They Said", in order to supplement the information on extra costs derived recently from the survey of the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys.

  Mr. Scott
  In view of the differences in size, scope and method between the OPCS and Disablement Income Group surveys, we are not persuaded that further research is needed to explain the apparent discrepancy in findings. However I can assure the right hon. Member that we shall take careful account of the DIG report in our consideration of the OPCS findings.

  Benzodiazepines
  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people are at present receiving sick or invalidity benefit as a result of withdrawing from benzodiazepines.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I regret that this information is not held.

  Income Support
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the hon. Member for Greenock and Port Glasgow can expect a reply to his letter, dated 30 December 1988, regarding income support for unemployed young people.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I wrote to the hon. Member on 27 January.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications have been made to date for social fund(a) community care grants, (b) budgeting loans and (c) crisis loans; and how many have been refused in each category.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Information for the period to 30 November, the latest date for which firm figures are available, is in the national summary tables in the Library.

  AIDS
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated average annual benefit 72
  cost and total eventual benefit cost of (a) each AIDS patient from the time of being identified as HIV positive and (b) each drug addict seeking treatment.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Department does not collect statistical information about benefit claims by AIDS patients and drug addicts. It is therefore not possible to make such estimates.

EMPLOYMENT

  Retail Prices Index
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current weight in the retail prices index for(a) mortgage interest payments, (b) rents, (c) rates and (d) other housing costs; and what information he has to the equivalent weights in the consumer price indices for other European Community countries.

  Mr. Lee
  The weights (per thousand) for the components of housing used in the retail prices index are: mortgage interest payments 42, rent 33, rates 43 and other housing costs 42 (water and sewerage charges, repairs and maintenance charges, do-it-yourself materials, dwelling insurance and ground rent).

  Housing costs are not similarly defined in other countries, and detailed comparisons are not possible. The weights assigned to the shelter element of housing costs in the consumer price indices of EC countries involve different coverage and concepts, and comparisons should be treated with caution. The figures are as follows:

  Weights for Shelter costs in consumer price indices Countries including owner occupiers cost and rents

  Weights per 1,000

  Weights

  United Kingdom

  75

  Germany

  148

  Holland

  164

  Ireland

  37

  Denmark

  166

  Spain

  127

  Countries including rents only

  Weights

  France

  69

  Italy

  40

  Belgium

  64

  Greece

  54

  Channel Tunnel (Death)
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will call for a report from the Health and Safety Executive on the circumstances in which a teenager was killed in an industrial accident in the Channel tunnel; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  No. Inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive are carrying out an investigation into the circumstances of the accident in the Channel tunnel on 23 January 1989.

  Mines (Safety)
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list those people and organisations he consulted before making the regulations regarding the safety of exit from mines.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Consultations on proposed regulations to govern health and safety at work are undertaken by the Health and Safety Commission before proposals are made to my right hon. Friend for approval.

  The organisations listed were formally consulted by the Health and Safety Commission before the proposed regulations on safety of exit from mines were submitted to my right hon. Friend:

  Confederation of British Industry

  British Coal

  Cornish Chamber of Mines

  Federation of Small Mines of Great Britain

  Gypsum Mining Association

  Mining Association of the United Kingdom

  British Ball Clay Producers Association

  Other Miscellaneous Mines interests via relevant Mines and Quarries Inspectors in charge of districts

  Trades Union Congress

  National Union of Mineworkers

  British Association of Colliery Management

  National Association of Colliery Overmen, Deputies and Shot-firers

  Transport and General Workers Union

  General Municipal and Boilermakers' Union

  Department of Employment

  Department of Energy

  Department of the Environment

  Department of Trade and Industry

  Scottish Office

  Welsh Office

  Northern Ireland Office

  Northern Ireland Department of Economic Development

  Health and Safety Agency for Northern Ireland

  Institution of Mining Engineers

  Institution of Mining Electrical and Mining Mechanical Engineers

  Institution of Mining and Metallurgy

  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what estimate he has of the number of accidents involving men employed by contractors in mines in 1986, 1987 and 1988.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The table below lists actual recorded accidents to men employed by contractors:

  Fatal

  Major Injury

  Plus three day1

  1986

  1

  44

  162

  1987

  1

  58

  183

  1988

  2

  85

  319

  Source: British Coal.

  1 The introduction of the RIDDOR regulations on 1 April 1986 broadened the categories of reportable accidents. Figures for other mines are not readily available.

  Radiation Overdoses
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what records are kept of incidents of radiation over/dosage within the National Health Service; and how many such incidents have been recorded in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The Health and Safety Executive keeps a record of all over/exposures of employees and other 74
  persons, and also of medical exposures of patients that are much greater than intended because of malfunction of or defect in the radiation equipment used, that are required to be notified under the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1985.

  Since 1 December 1986, the earliest date for which such records are centrally available, the number of overdose incidents within the National Health Service which have been reported to the Health and Safety Executive in each year are as follows:

  Number

  1986

  5

  1987

  8

  1988

  4

  Workers' Charter
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will be seeking in the context of the single European market to introduce a workers' charter with particular reference to mergers and closures of companies; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on Tuesday 17 January 1989 Official Report, column 186.

  Tourism
  Mr. Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he is taking to encourage the tourist industry in Suffolk and Norfolk to take advantage of the Channel tunnel and the European single market.

  Mr. Lee
  The British Tourist Authority (BTA), which is sponsored by my Department, is doing a great deal both to identify and publicise the measures the tourist industry, including that in Norfolk and Suffolk, need to take. The BTA is co-sponsoring a major conference on 1 and 2 February on the impact on tourism of the completion of the single European market at which my right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and I will speak.

  Mr. Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement about the progress of the tourism review that he announced on 18 July 1988.

  Mr. Fowler
  As the public expenditure White Paper makes clear, the Government's expenditure plans provide for my Department's total spending on tourism to be maintained at the current level, pending decisions following the review of tourism policy I announced in July.

  A scheme of financial assistance has been operated for nearly 20 years now by the English tourist board under section 4 of the Development of Tourism Act 1969. Commitments have already been made to provide over £ 10 million in assistance through the scheme in 1989–90, and some £3 million in 1990–91 and 1991–92. The scheme offers grants, and other assistance, and was introduced and maintained against a background of difficulty in attracting investment for tourism projects. Tourism is now one of Britain's largest and fastest growing industries. The confidence of the industry has been reflected in continuing high levels of investment. In England, almost £2 billion

  75
  was invested in major tourism and leisure projects completed or under way during the first six months of 1988. In these circumstances, I have decided to suspend the scheme to fresh applications until decisions can be taken on the fully range of matters covered by the review.

  I have asked the chairman of the English tourist board to close the scheme to further applications and to make no more offers of assistance subsequent to those approved at the meeting of the board already arranged for 14 February until I have had the opportunity to consider the future of Government support for the tourism industry.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many men and women over 50 years of age have been without work for one year or more within the following occupational groupings; and what percentages these represent of the total number of unemployed people over 50 years(a) managerial and professional, (b) clerical and related, (c) other non-manual, (d) craft and similar, (e) general labourers and (f) other manual.

  Mr. Lee
  Estimates are available from the labour force survey for unemployed people who left their last jobs less than three years ago, as follows:

  Unemployed people1 aged 50 or over who left their last job less than three years ago2

  Occupational grouping

  All in group Thousands

  Those who left their last job a year or more ago

  Thousands

  Per cent.

  Men and women

  Managerial and professional

  67

  31

  46

  Clerical and related

  30

  14

  45

  Other non-manual

  14

  3—

  3—

  Craft and similar

  61

  27

  45

  General labourers

  3—

  3—

  3—

  Other manual

  104

  52

  50

  All occupational groupings

  280

  131

  47

  Men

  Managerial and professional

  51

  24

  47

  Clerical and related

  10

  3—

  3—

  Other non-manual

  3—

  3—

  3—

  Craft and similar

  57

  26

  45

  General labours

  3—

  3—

  3—

  Other manual

  73

  38

  52

  All occupational groupings

  201

  95

  47

  Women

  Managerial and professional

  16

  3—

  3—

  Clerical and related

  20

  3—

  3—

  Other non-manual

  3—

  3—

  3—

  Craft and similar

  3—

  3—

  3—

  General labourers

  3—

  3—

  3—

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  General index

  5·0

  6·1

  3·4

  4·2

  4·9

  General index excluding housing

  4·3

  4·9

  3·0

  3·3

  4·0

  One-person pensioner index

  5·0

  4·9

  3·2

  2·3

  3·7

  Two-person pensioner index

  5·1

  4·9

  3·2

  2·6

  3·8

  Advertising
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what were the subjects of his Department's
  76

  Occupational grouping

  All in group Thousands

  Those who left their last job a year or more ago

  Thousands

  Per cent.

  Other manual

  31

  15

  47

  All occupational groupings

  79

  36

  45

  1Based on ILO/OECD measure of unemployment.

  2Information about last occupational grouping was not sought from unemployed people who had not been employed within the last three years.

  3Less than 10,000 in cell: estimate not shown.

  School Leavers
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the level of achievement of the Christmas guarantee for school leavers; and what is the average period of payment of bridging allowance for those awaiting YTS.

  Mr. Cope
  The previous "Christmas guarantee" of an offer of a YTS place for the previous summer's school leavers has been extended to a general guarantee of an offer of a YTS place to all 16 and 17-year-olds not in full-time education or employment whenever they apply. This guarantee is being fulfilled; there are more than sufficient YTS places available in all areas of the country for any young person who applies.

  Information on the average period of payment of bridging allowance is not available.

  Discrimination
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will take steps to ratify ILO convention No. 111 on discrimination in employment and occupation (1958).

  Mr. Nicholls
  No. The Government have no plans to introduce legislation to effect the changes that ratification of this convention would entail.

  Cost of Living
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the increase in(a) the general index of retail prices and (b) the indices for one and two-person pensioner households during the last five calendar years; and what proportion of the difference is accounted for by differing treatment of housing costs.

  Mr Lee
  The percentage increases are given in the following table. Housing costs are not covered by the pensioner indices and data is not available to estimate what their effect would be if they were. However, a like-with-like comparison can be made between the pensioner indices and the general index excluding housing, and the percentage increases for this are also given in the table.

  advertising campaigns in each of the last three years; how much was spent on each; what subjects are projected for advertising in the year 1988–89; and how much expenditure is planned for each.
  77
  Mr. Cope
  The amount spent by the Department of Employment on advertising campaigns in each of the last three financial years, together with the subjects, is contained in the tables:

  £ million

  1985–86

  Action for Jobs

  0·04

  Career Development Loans

  0·03

  Part Time Job Release and Job Splitting Scheme

  0·03

  Total

  0·10

  1986–87

  Action for Jobs

  12·2

  Career Development Loans

  0·2

  New Workers Scheme

  0·3

  Total

  12·7

  1987–88

  Action for Jobs

  5·4

  Job Share

  0·1

  Job Release/New Workers Scheme

  0·1

  Career Development Loans

  0·1

  Small Firms Service

  0·3

  Other

  0·1

  Total

  6·1

  The amount committed to advertising campaigns in the financial year 1988-89, together with the subjects, is contained in the following table:

  £ million

  1988–89

  Action for Jobs

  0·6

  Career Development Loans

  0·3

  Fit for Work/Disabled Persons

  0·1

  Jobclub

  1·1

  Enterprise Allowance Scheme

  0·6

  Better off in Work

  3·0

  Small Finns Service

  0·5

  Total

  6·2

  This total includes expenditure by the employment service in its first full financial year within the Department. Other publicity activities to promote Departmental

  Accidents1

  Annual incidence rate per 100,000 trainees

  Period

  Average number in training

  Fatalities

  Major injuries

  Minor injuries

  Fatalities

  Major injuries

  1 April 1985 to 31 March 1986

  263,748

  42

  2220

  1,891

  0·8

  283·4

  1 April 1986 to 31 March 1987

  296,298

  59

  2315

  1,728

  3·0

  2106·3

  1 April 1987 to 31 March 1988

  3375,844

  67

  2505

  2,604

  1·9

  2134·3

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

  2 The figures on major accidents and the incidence rates on major accidents in 1985–86 are not comparable to those in 1986–87 and in subsequent years due to a reclassification of major injuries effective from 1 April 1986. The reclassification means that some injuries, in particular broken wrists and ankles, which were classified as minor injuries before that date, are now classified as major injuries.

  3 These figures are provisional.

  4 This figure includes 1 road traffic accident.

  5 This figure includes 4 road traffic accidents.

  6 This figure includes 2 road traffic accidents.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish details, as soon as they become available, of(a) compensation paid to YTS trainees because of accidents in 1988, (b) the amount paid
  78
  objectives are under consideration, within published expenditure limits. All the figures in the tables include production costs and VAT.

  Opencast Mining
  Mr. Batiste
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will name the sites referred to in his answer to the hon. Member for Elmet on 25 January, and specify the modifications to existing methods of work which have been agreed in each case.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The sites and action taken are as follows:

  (a) Godkin Opencast Coal Quarry, Derbyshire—owned by Northern Strip Mining plc—Mineral: Coal. Immediate prohibition notice issued preventing planned development in the area of a dam wall within the site. Subsequent investigation has produced a method of safe working which complies with the requirements of the notice.

  (b) Station Road Opencast Coal Quarry, Derbyshire—owned by Northern Strip Mining plc-Mineral: Coal, and

  (c) Dixon Opencast Coal Quarry, Derbyshire—owned by Coal Contractors Ltd.—Mineral: Coal.

  At both the above sites, action was taken to redirect the river Rother into purpose-built main river courses, which included flood plains and banks.

  (d) Blindwell Opencast Coal Quarry, East Lothian—owned by Fairclough Parkingson of Wakefield—Mineral: Coal.

  The proposed stand-off distance between the highwall and the main Edinburgh-London railway line was increased and the slope of the highwall redesigned to increase the safety margin.

  Youth Training
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many fatalities, major injuries, and minor injuries occurred to those in training on YTS programmes during(a) 1 April 1985 to 31 March 1986, (b) 1 April 1986 to 31 March 1987 and (c) 1 April 1987 to 31 March 1988; and what was the incidence rate for fatal and major accidents per 100,000 at risk during each of these years.

  Mr. Cope
  [holding answer 27 January 19891: The following table sets out the YTS accident figures and incidence rates per 100,000 trainees on YTS for fatal and major accidents.

  to families whose daughter or son died whilst on a YTS during 1988 and (c)j the lowest and highest payment made in relation to (a) and (b) above.
  79
  Mr. Cope
  [holding answer 25 January 1989]: Payments made to YTS trainees or their families in these circumstances are not intended as compensation.

  Managing agents and training managers are contractually obliged to obtain insurance cover for any claims for compensation or damages.

  Until 11 April 1988 the Training Commission paid industrial death grants under its analogous industrial injuries scheme to ensure that trainees' families received the same amount of benefit as families of employees would have received under the (then) Department of Health and Social Security scheme. Death grants were payable at the standard rates of £52 for single parent and £78 for two parents. During the period 1 January 1988 to 10 April 1988 there was one death for which a death grant was claimed and a payment of £52 was made. The Training Commission grant was discontinued from 11 April 1988 when the equivalent grant in respect of employees was abolished by social security regulations.

  The Training Agency continues to pay industrial injuries benefit to trainees on the same basis as that paid

  Date of death

  Circumstances of death

  Training Agency area office

  Youth opportunities programme

  24 October 1980

  Road traffic accident

  Wrexham

  1 December 1980

  Clothing caught fire

  Grampian and Tayside

  27 January 1981

  Electrocuted

  Wrexham

  13 March 1981

  Struck by gas cylinder

  Birmingham

  16 June 1981

  Trapped between vehicles

  Swansea

  1 October 1981

  Road traffic accident

  Lancashire

  2 October 1981

  Struck by load which fell off fork lift truck

  Nottingham

  24 November 1981

  Road traffic accident

  Highlands and Islands

  11 December 1981

  Collapsed while clearing snow

  London

  8 January 1982

  Fell from rope hoist

  Humberside

  14 May 1982

  Drowned while swimming during lunch break

  High Wycombe

  16 July 1982

  Tractor overturned

  Devon and Cornwall

  20 July 1982

  Drowned while swimming during lunch break

  Glasgow

  14 October 1982

  Clothing caught fire

  Lanarkshire

  2 December 1982

  Trapped in machinery

  Cardiff

  20 December 1982

  Hit by moving machinery

  Sheffield

  1 April 1983

  Road traffic accident

  Beds and Cambs

  16 April 1983

  Tractor accident

  Coventry

  12 July 1983

  Drowned while swimming during lunch break

  Lanarkshire

  Youth training scheme

  27 June 1983

  Road traffic accident

  Leicester

  7 September 1983

  Fell down mine shaft

  Newcastle

  12 October 1983

  Fork lift truck accident

  Lanarkshire

  1 March 1984

  Tractor accident

  Gloucester

  27 July 1984

  Road traffic accident

  Lothian and Borders

  22 August 1984

  Road traffic accident

  Horsham

  24 September 1984

  Dumper truck overturned

  Avon

  12 February 1985

  Clothing caught fire

  Cheshire

  26 February 1985

  Trapped under vehicle when jack collapsed

  Ayrshire, Dumfries Galloway

  29 July 1985

  Electrocuted

  Lancashire

  20 August 1985

  Road traffic accident

  Greater Manchester Central

  7 May 1986

  Road traffic accident

  Wrexham

  14 May 1986

  Fall from ladder

  Avon

  30 June 1986

  Road traffic accident

  Chatham

  3 October 1986

  Loading materials—trapped neck

  Grampian and Tayside

  11 November 1986

  Trapped between trailer roof and workshop roof beam

  Wrexham

  26 November 1986

  Electrocuted

  Gloucester

  23 December 1986

  Road traffic accident

  Wakefield

  4 March 1987

  Fell into grain silo on farm

  Wrexham

  18 March 1987

  Road traffic accident

  Ipswich

  14 April 1987

  Road traffic accident

  Dudley/Sandwell (b)

  17 August 1987

  Trapped under tractor wheels

  Derby

  23 October 1987

  Struck by material falling off fork lift truck

  Leeds/North Yorks

  16 November 1987

  Tractor accident

  Devon/Cornwall

  14 December 1987

  Trapped in silage machine

  Gwent

  12 January 1988

  Road traffic accident

  Renfrew, Dumbarton and

  Argyll

  13–15 January 1988

  Lost at sea

  Devon/Cornwall

  (exact date not known)

  80
  to employees. The total amount paid out in 1988 was £534,092. Details of the highest and lowest amounts paid could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list in the Official Report, the (a) date, (b) cause of fatality, (c) parliamentary constituency and (d) amount of compensation received for each death on youth opportunities programme and YTS since the schemes' inceptions, to the latest available date.

  Mr. Cope
  [holding answer 25 January 1989]: The available information for fatalities on the youth opportunities programme and YTS is provided in the table. Information on the location is available only by Training Agency area. The Training Agency and its predecessors do not pay compensation, but under YTS managing agents and training managers are contractually obliged to obtain insurance to cover any claims to compensation or damages. Until 11 April 1988 the Training Agency paid an industrial death grant equivalent to the payments received from DHSS had the young people been employees.
  81

  Date of death

  Circumstances of death

  Training Agency area office

  5 August 1988 (c)

  Explosion in garage

  Cardiff

  17 August 1988 (c)

  Fall from ladder

  Marches

  18 August 1988 (c)

  Struck by arm and bucket of mechanical digger

  Grampian and Tayside

  14 September 1988 (c)

  Road traffic accident

  Staffs

  6 October 1988 (c)

  Road traffic accident

  Central and Fife

  2 November 1988 (c)

  Road traffic accident

  Merseyside

  2 November 1988 (c)

  Flash during fire at paint manufacturers

  Humberside

ENERGY

  Electricity Interconnector
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the latest estimate available to him from the South of Scotland electricity board and the Central Electricity Generating Board of the cost of(a) doubling and (b) trebling the carrying capacity of the interconnector between Scotland and England.

  Mr. McAvoy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what meetings or representations he has recently had on the potential transmission of spare electricity generating capacity from Scotland into England and Wales.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I understand that the industry announced today that it will, in the near future, proceed with preparatory work which will involve a full environmental study and discussions with local authorities and other interested bodies with a view to upgrading the interconnector to 1·6 GW by 1994. The cost of upgrading the interconnector and the decision to proceed beyond preparatory work will be a matter for commercial negotiation.

  Berkeley Power Station
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has received any representations from the Central Electricity Generating Board on the financial implications for privatisation of its most recent estimate of the cost of decommissioning Berkeley nuclear power station.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  No.

  British Gas
  Mr. Ernie Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met the chairman of the British Gas Corporation; and what matters he discussed.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  My right hon. Friend last met the chairman of British Gas plc in November, when a range of issues of mutual interest were discussed.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what information he has received from housing authorities and associations concerning the insulation of domestic properties as part of the energy efficiency programme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  Housing authorities and associations deal mainly with the Department of the Environment, with which my Department has regular contact.

  Energy Efficiency Office
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he has plans to restore the budget of his Energy Efficiency Office to the level allocated in 1985–86.

  Mr. Parkinson
  The budget of my Energy Efficiency Office for 1989–90 is £15 million.

  European Fast Reactor
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what discussions he has had about the European fast reactor programme; and if he will make a statement.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what progress has been made in the European collaborative programme on the development of fast reactor technology; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority is now discussing with our partners in the European collaboration the details of an integrated programme of research on fast reactors. The implementing agreements, which provide the framework for this work, should be signed shortly.

  North Sea Oil
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will give(a) the estimates and (b) the actual amounts of recoverable oil resources obtained from the North sea for each of the last five years.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  I refer my hon. Friend to the forecasts and actual levels of oil production published annually in the Brown Book, my Department's report to Parliament on the development of United Kingdom oil and gas resources; following is a summary.

  Million tonnes of oil produced in United Kingdom from 1984–1988 (includes condensate and gross natural gas liquid output)

  Year of Brown Book forecast

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1983

  95–125

  95–125

  85–120

  —

  —

  1984

  110–130

  110–130

  100–125

  85–115

  80–115

  1985

  —

  120–135

  110–130

  95–125

  85–120

  1986

  —

  —

  120–135

  110–130

  100–125

  1987

  —

  —

  —

  115–130

  105–125

  1988

  —

  —

  —

  —

  105–125

  Actual

  126

  127

  127

  123

  —

  Note: Forecasts may vary from year to year, as new information on resources becomes available and as companies' plans develop. Actual production for 1988 is not yet available. Non-North Sea production accounts for about 0·5 mt of production a year.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what assessment he has made of the costs of abandoning oil installations in the North sea.
  83
  Mr. Peter Morrison
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Stockport (Mr. Favell) on 12 December 1988 at column 482.

  Energy Demand
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his assessment of the impact of the introduction of the European Commission directive on energy information in buildings on the level of energy demand in the United Kingdom by the year 2000.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  No such assessment has been made. In its present form, the draft directive would require energy audits to be carried out on a mandatory basis; as I told my hon. Friend the Member for Devon, North (Mr. Speller) on 9 November 1988, I consider that, while the Government encourage consumers to take energy efficiency into account, it is entirely a matter for the seller and the buyer and one in which it would not be appropriate for the Government to intervene.

  Electricity Privatisation
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his latest estimate of the total cost to public funds of the consultancy fees for advice on the sale to the private sector of the electricity supply industry in each of the years 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91 and 1991–92.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Estimate provision for 1988–89 for expenditure associated with the sale of shares in the electricity supply industry in England and Wales is for £6 million, mainly for advisers. Latest forecasts of requirement for 1989–90 will be published as part of the Supply Estimates in March.

  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what proportion of the United Kingdom's total national energy needs he estimates will be met by the private sector following privatisation of the electricity industry.

  Mr. Parkinson
  If the market shares held by the various fuel producers stay unchanged, some 87 per cent. of final energy consumption will be met by the private sector after electricity privatisation, compared to 73 per cent. in 1987.

  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his latest estimate of the total cost of advertising the proposed sale to the private sector of the 17 parts of the electricity supply industry in each of the years 1989–90, 1990–91 and 1991–91

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The total costs of advertising, public relations and publicity will not be determined until much closer to the date at which the successor companies to the electricity supply industry are offered for sale.

  Independent Electricity Producers
  Mr. Rost
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his latest estimate of electrical capacity likely to be provided by new independent producers who have so far indicated proposals.

  Mr. Parkinson
  We know of nearly 20 proposed independent generation projects with a total capacity of some 7 GW.

  Neighbourhood Energy Action
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on progress with the neighbourhood energy action community insulation programme.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  In the current financial year to end December an estimated 105,000 homes have been insulated by community insulation projects, bringing the total number of homes insulated under this programme to more than 580,000. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy informed the House on 13 January at column 772, uptake of places for unemployed people has been slow under employment training. My Department is therefore in discussion with the Training Agency on initiatives to increase the number of filled places.

  Offshore Trade Unions
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he next intends to meet the representatives of the offshore trade unions.

  Mr. Parkinson
  I will be meeting the EETPU on 27 February and the TUC on 28 February. On 5 April, my right hon. Friend the Minister of State will be chairing a meeting of the offshore industry liaison committee which includes representatives of the oil industry, suppliers, and trades unions.

  Energy Conservation
  Mr. Eadie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what are his responsibilities in relation to energy conservation.

  Mr. Parkinson
  Under the Ministry of Fuel and Power Act 1945, the Secretary of State for Energy is charged with promoting economy and efficiency in the supply, distribution, use and consumption of fuel and power. Under the Gas Act 1986, the Secretary of State has a duty to promote efficiency and economy on the part of persons authorised to supply gas through pipes and the efficient use of gas supplied through pipes.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on his target for energy conservation in the Government estate and the progress of interdepartmental co-ordination.

  Mr. Parkinson
  Plans are being drawn up for a fresh campaign to improve energy efficiency in the public sector.

  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will state the number of jobs that would be created in a programme of domestic energy conservation, namely draught proofing and the insulation of homes, to displace the equivalent energy supplied by one large power station.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  There is no straightforward relationship between energy efficiency programmes and displaced electrical energy.

  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what expenditure is going into research into energy conservation and implementation of an energy conservation strategy; and if he will make a statement.
  85
  Mr. Peter Morrison
  The 1988–89 estimate provision available to the Energy Efficiency Office of my Department is £20·8 million, of which £5·4 million is for research and development, including the monitoring and targeting programme, and £7·1 million for the demonstration programme.

  Burgoyne Committee
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he intends to implement the recommendations of the Burgoyne committee on safety in the offshore oil and gas industry.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Banks) on 12 December 1988, at columns 477–78.

  British Coal
  Mr. Buckley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his latest estimate of the level of employment in British Coal in 1990 and 1995.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Kilmarnock and Loudoun (Mr. McKelvey) on 12 December 1988 at column 477.

  Electricity Council
  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met the chairman of the Electricity Council. and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Parkinson
  I meet the chairman of the Electricity Council regularly to discuss a variety of issues of mutual interest.

  Wind Energy
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what target he has set for the percentage of electricity to be generated by wind energy by the year 2000 in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  No targets have been set for the year 2000. Renewable energy technologies are at an early stage of development and there is great uncertainty about future projections. Energy paper 55 estimated that by the year 2025 wind energy might provide up to the equivalent of 10 per cent. of current electricity requirements if the technology can be proven and applied commercially. It is Government policy to encourage the maximum exploitation of renewable energy sources wherever they have prospects of being economically viable and environmentally acceptable.

  British Nuclear Fuels plc
  Mr. Franks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what information he has on the contribution made to the west Cumbrian economy by British Nuclear Fuels plc at Sellafield.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  British Nuclear Fuels plc makes a major contribution to the economy of west Cumbria, and the capital investment programme for Sellafield will 86
  amount to some £4 billion by the end of the century. The company currently employs some 7,200 people at the site, while those employed there by contractors is expected to rise from the current level of some 6,000 to some 8,000 by 1991. In recent years, BNFL spent an average of £1 million a year on major schemes to help the local community. The company has recently committed itself to contribute £1 million a year over the next 10 years to a fund with local authorities and other local companies to promote new and expanding businesses in the area.

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will give the statistics for nuclear discharges into the Irish sea from the British Nuclear Fuels site at Sellafield for each of the last five years.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Discharges to the Irish sea from Sellafield between 1983 and 1987 (the latest year for which figures are currently available) were as follows:

  Alpha (terabecquerels)

  Beta (terabecquerels)

  1983

  14

  2,489

  1984

  14

  1,190

  1985

  6

  587

  1986

  4·4

  118

  1987

  2·2

  89

  Nuclear Power
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what information he has regarding the likely growth of nuclear power generation worldwide over the next 15 years.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The Department of Energy does not forecast total world nuclear power generation; but the IAEA has recently published a range of estimates to 2005. These are shown in the table:

  Total World Nuclear Generation (TWh)

  1987

  1,652

  1995

  2,362–2,461

  2000

  2,813–3,081

  2005

  3,205–3,695

  Source: International Atomic Energy Agency. Energy, Electricity and Nuclear Power Estimates for the period up to 2005. July 1988 Edition.

  Sir Trevor Skeet
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what information he has as to the proportion of energy needs which are currently met by nuclear power generation in(a) Britain, (b) France, (c) West Germany, (d) Belgium, (e) Spain, (f) Japan and (g) the United States of America for each of the last two years.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The proportions of nuclear generation to total primary energy requirement for 1985 and 1986, the latest full two years for which figures are available, are shown in the table:

  Proportion of Nuclear Electricity to total primary energy requirement

  Country

  1985

  1986

  United Kingdom

  6·7

  6·4

  France

  25·2

  28·3

  West Germany

  10·5

  9·9

  87

  Country

  1985

  1986

  Belgium

  17·9

  19·8

  Spain

  8·3

  11·1

  Japan

  10·5

  11·0

  United States of America

  5·0

  5·4

  Source: International Energy Agency Energy Balances of OECD Countries 1985–86.

  British Coal (Scotland)
  Mr. Douglas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the current levels of output and manning, both deep mined and opencast, related to British Coal's operations in Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I am advised by the British Coal Corporation that, in the nine months to December 1988, British Coal's deep-mined output in Scotland was 1,444,822 tonnes and opencast output was 2,709,067 tonnes. There were 2,918 men on colliery books at the end December 1988, and 1,053 contractors' industrials at opencast sites at end November 1988.

  Leicester Combined Heat and Power Project
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what representations or meetings he has had recently concerning the Leicester combined heat and power project.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State has had discussions with the general manager of Leicester Energy Ltd. and my Department is also in regular touch with the company. Officials keep Ministers informed of progress on the Leicester combined heat and power district heating scheme.

  Restart
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has received on the effects of the restart scheme on beneficiaries of the redundant mineworkers payments scheme.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Rother Valley (Mr. Barron) at Question Time today.

  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he intends to meet the chairman of British Coal to discuss the pension rights and concessionary coal entitlements of former miners who have been directed to fill out restart job forms; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My right hon. Friend and I meet the chairman of British Coal regularly to discuss all aspects of the coal industry.

  Barrage Schemes
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has made estimates of the future contribution to United Kingdom energy needs from barrage schemes.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Feasibility studies of major barrages are currently under way. If they could be constructed, the Severn barrage would provide the equivalent of around 6 per cent. of today's electricity 88
  requirement and the Mersey around 0·5 per cent. Energy paper 55 provided a maximum estimate equivalent to 10 per cent. of current electricity requirement by the year 2025.

  Electricity Generation
  Mr. Carrington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what assessment he has made of the maximum proportion of United Kingdom energy needs that could be derived from(a) wind power, (b) wave power, (c) solar power and (d) geothermal power over the next 50 years.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Estimates of the contribution that could be made by each renewable energy source in the year 2025 have been published in energy paper 55, copies of which are in the Libraries of both Houses. It is Government policy to encourage the maximum exploitation of renewable energy sources wherever they have prospects of being economically viable and environmentally acceptable.

  Electricity Supply Industry
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his most up-to-date estimate of the employment level in the electricity supply industry in England and Wales, in 1990 and 1995.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The planned staffing level in the electricity supply industry in England and Wales for March 1990 is 129,580. Any estimate for 1995 will be a matter for the industry.

  Drax Power Station
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what reductions in sulphur emissions are expected from the proposed sulphur removal plant at Drax power station; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The flue gas desulphurisation plant which will be installed at Drax power station is designed to remove at least 90 per cent. of the sulphur dioxide in the flue gases. When fully completed, it is expected to eliminate about 10 per cent. of the board's current sulphur dioxide emissions.

  Electricity (Rural Areas)
  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the steps he is taking to encourage area boards to improve the supply of electricity to rural areas.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Consumers in rural areas in particular will benefit from our proposals. For the first time, all owners or occupiers of premises will have a right to require a supply of electricity from the area boards' successors, the public electricity suppliers. This right applies irrespective of the distance from the premises to the main. The suppliers will be under a statutory duty to comply on reasonable terms with all such requests, if it is technically practical to do so.

  NATO Wartime Oil Organisation
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what are the posts, ranks and responsibilities of United
  89
  Kingdom representatives designated to form part of the staff of the NATO wartime oil organisation in transition to war and in war.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  The information requested is classified.

  Fusion Research
  Mr. Warren
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what advantages will be gained for United Kingdom fusion research by the planned reduction in programme funding; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Fusion, like any other new technology, will need to win its place in competition with the other sources of energy expected to be available over the next century. On present prospects, we have decided that there is no justification for continuing as broad a programme of fusion research as we have had in the past. However, we are continuing to fund the most promising line of research in our own programme and have also agreed with our Community partners that we shall maintain the present level of support to JET, whose total expenditure is around £75 million a year, through to its scheduled completion in 1992.

  CEGB (Research)
  Mr. Warren
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has reviewed the continuation of Central Electricity Generating Board research as a requirement of the privatisation programme; arid if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My Advisory Council on Research and Development will be considering the CEGB's plans for research in the run up to privatisation and conveying its views to me.

  After privatisation, the nature and level of the successor companies' research programmes will be matters for them to decide.

  Power Stations (Employment)
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will state the total number of jobs created by(a) the design and construction and (b) the operation of (i) nuclear power station, (ii) fossil fuel power station and (iii) tidal power barrage, and indicate for each set of data the proportion of spin-off jobs thus created.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I will write to the hon. Member with the information he has requested as soon as possible.

  ETHIOPIA: ALLEGED ATROCITIES
  ETHIOPIA: ALLEGED ATROCITIES
  LISTERIA: CONTAMINATION SOURCES
  LISTERIA: CONTAMINATION SOURCES
  LOCKERBIE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION: ISRAELI PRESENCE
  LOCKERBIE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION: ISRAELI PRESENCE
  EC TRAVELLERS' ALLOWANCES ON TAX-PAID GOODS
  EC TRAVELLERS' ALLOWANCES ON TAX-PAID GOODS
  EXTRADITION FROM FORMER COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES
  EXTRADITION FROM FORMER COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES
  LIFE SENTENCE LICENSEES: RECALLS
  LIFE SENTENCE LICENSEES: RECALLS
  LIFE SENTENCE LICENSEES: RECONVICTIONS
  LIFE SENTENCE LICENSEES: RECONVICTIONS
  MAGISTRATES' COURTS: POPULATION CRITERIA
  MAGISTRATES' COURTS: POPULATION CRITERIA
  FLUORIDATION OF WATER SUPPLIES: EFFECTS ON DENTAL HEALTH
  FLUORIDATION OF WATER SUPPLIES: EFFECTS ON DENTAL HEALTH
  FLUORIDATION OF WATER SUPPLIES: INDEMNITIES
  FLUORIDATION OF WATER SUPPLIES: INDEMNITIES
  POLICE ESTABLISHMENTS: INCREASES
  POLICE ESTABLISHMENTS: INCREASES